Chapter Five: Virtual Fear

Bats and I were going through the minions faster than any of the other parties. He would block the primary attack with his claymore that he had bought the day before, and I would dash up with my cane sword and finish them with only a couple of blows. As we were fighting, I had just killed my fifth minion when a window popped up in front of me. It was time for the parties to rotate out, so that gave me time to read it. It read 'Congratulations Player: ID 'Joker'. You have received a rare skill'. I closed the window and quickly opened up my skill menu to see what I had received. I scrolled down until I saw it. It was called 'Coulrophobia: Fear of Clowns'. I kept reading. The description read, 'When the HP of any enemy/player you attack turns red, that enemy/player will become deathly afraid of you, regardless whether or not the enemy is a player, an npc, or a boss'. Instantly I smiled an evil grin. I had earned a unique skill. "Kirito, Asuna, Bats… come here!", I yelled. When they came over to me I told them my plan. "Work together to get the boss' HP almost red, but let me push the HP into the red zone, I know how to defeat the boss".

We broke formation and Kirito and Asuna charged straight forward. Kirito and Bats worked together to block the boss' attack, then Asuna would switch, delivering a lethal blow. I called them back, "Guys fall back! I got this!". I activated the skill and walked slowly towards Illfang. My eyes, much like his, started to glow blood red. Illfang threw his axe and shield aside and reached behind him. Just as I was about to unsheathe my sword, a voice yelled out. "Watch out, I got this!", it was Diabel. Without warning he charged past me when Illfang drew out a second weapon. Kirito screamed "STOP! IT'S NO GOOD! THAT'S NOT A TALWAR, THAT'S A NO-DACHI!", but it was too late. Illfang struck first, sending Diabel across the room. Kirito ran over to hm and pulled out a health potion, but Diabel refused it. They whispered to each other and, in the blink of an eye, Diabel was gone.

I once snapped once again. Rage and insanity took control of my mind. I cackled unhinged and maniacally. I continued my walk towards Illfang, Blocking his attack and striking him in the stomach. The skill took effect. Illfang screeched and started to back away. As I continued laughing, I knocked the sword out of his hands and backed him into a corner. I was practically screaming with laughter as I slowly hacked away at Illfang, hearing him screech and cry with every blow. With one final swing I chopped his head clean off and picked it up. Chuckling through my evil grin, I proceeded to take the head and bite the ear clean off. I chewed slowly as the body of the fallen giant began to dissipate into blue pixels, just like Diabel.

The whole room was silent. Then, in giant white letters, the word 'Congratulations' appeared in the middle of the room. I walked back to my party as everyone started cheering. Another window popped up in front of me. It said that I had the last attack bonus. It was called 'The Coat of Midnight'. I went to my inventory list and sent the item to Kirito. "You deserve this", I said, "Black is more your color anyway". He accepted it and we all started cheering. But the moment didn't last long when Kibaou started screaming again. "STOP CHEERING", he cried. "Why?! Why did you let Diabel die?!", he was speaking directly at Kirito. Then somewhere in the crowd, someone yelled out, "He's one of the beta testers, that's how he knew the boss' attack pattern!".

All eyes were on Kirito, who was on his knees, laughing like I was. It was eerie to see that from someone else's point of view. He started talking, "Don't even think about putting me in the same class as those noobs". Kibaou was outraged. "What did you say?!", he yelled. Kirito continued his speech. "Most of the thousand people who landed the beta testing position were so low that they didn't even know how to level up. Even you guys are far better than them. But me on the other hand… I made it higher than any beta tester in the game, defeated more bosses, and found more info than any info broker would be able to tell you". Kibaou started to cry again, "That makes you worse than a beta tester, you're a god-damned cheater!". Then someone in the crowd called him a 'beater', and Kirito smiled.

"Beater…", he said to himself, "Yeah I like that". He opened his menu and put on the coat I gave him. Before he left, he said, "Next time, don't even confuse me with those beta testers… and the same goes for Joker. He's a beater too". I started chuckling again, then I proceeded to slowly clap. I stopped when Kibaou growled at me. All I had to do was look him in the eyes and he backed off, completely scared. I remembered that I still had the ear in my hand. I stared Kibaou in the eyes and took another bite, then I walked after Kirito, Asuna, and Bats.