Chapter 5: The Rise of the Beaters
December 2nd, 2022
Aincrad Floor 1: Tolbana
It is nearly a month now and around 2,000 people had died. According to the Monument of Life, nearly 300 of them were former beta testers. Viewing the names with lines marked through devastated Altinator to the core. Most of them were beginners too and that's what made it worse. Although Altinator was a beta tester, he also wanted to help them as much as he could, but there was so much that he could do by himself and it was impossible to help them all even with his 3x experience boost that Kayaba promised him.
Fortunately, there was a strategy meeting held that day. Apparently, a party went through the first-floor labyrinth and found the boss room. As a result, the party gathered together to recruit strong-willed people to come and take down the boss. At 4PM, the strategy meeting would be held. A person with blue hair stood up to start off the meeting.
"Alright people let's get this meeting started," the blue-haired guy started. "First, I would like to say thank you for joining with us here. My name is Diavel and my occupation would probably be a knight!"
The audience laughed at that introduction. They then commented that there were no such things as a job system. Altinator and his siblings smiled as Diavel let them have their fun before continuing.
"Today, my party have found the boss room at the top of this floor's tower," Diavel stated.
Hmph, it's about time. Altinator thought as he listened. I would've found it myself, but I was busy level-grinding along with Ivy and Ken. I'm not going down there without being prepared. The other members of the audience were conversing with each other in surprised tones.
"Our duty is to beat the boss, advance to the 2nd floor, and prove to everyone here that this death game is beatable," Diavel pointed out. "Isn't that right you guys?"
Everyone in the audience cheered. Altinator and his siblings clapped along with them respectfully.
"Alright, now before we figure out how to defeat the boss, let's form parties of six," Diavel suggested. "A typical party won't stand a chance against a floor boss. We need to form multiple raid parties for starters."
Altinator knew what to do. He turned to his siblings and nodded to which they responded the same. The three added themselves as a party and gave each other high fives. Altinator then looked over and saw Kirito sitting on the top freaking out over not finding someone to party with. Just as Altinator was about to invite him to their party, Kirito saw a lone player sitting a way from him. He scurried over and convinced the player to team up with him. Looks like he found someone after all.
"Looks like everyone's finished teaming up," Diavel noted. "Now then…"
"Now wait a sec!" a voice from the audience shouted as he made his way over to the stage. "The name's Kibaou and I have something to say before we fight the boss!"
Something tells me that he's up to no good. Altinator's eyes narrow as he carefully listens to what he has to say.
"In this audience, there are some of you out there who need to apologize to those 2,000 people who lost their lives to this game right now!" Kibaou shouted as he pointed his finger in the audience.
The audience murmured as Diavel decided to step in. "Kibaou, correct me if I'm wrong but you're referring to the former beta testers, right?"
"That's exactly who I'm talking about!" Kibaou answered harshly. "Those blasted testers, from the moment the game started, have abandoned all the beginner players by hogging all the key farming spots and easy quests making them significantly stronger than the rest of us! Not to mention they also ignored us as well!"
Sneering into the crowd, Kibaou continued. "I'm sure there's some of you beta testers out in the audience right now! We should make them beg for mercy and force them to cough up all their money and rare items that they kept to themselves! If they can't trust us with their lives, why should we!?"
The situation was getting tenser by the minute now. The entire audience was now suspiciously looking around for those beta testers. Now what good will that do to solve the problem? Altinator scowled. We can't waste any more time discussing about the past. What's done is done! Ivy and Ken looked over at Altinator with a worried look. However, before anyone can react, one of the audience members stepped forward.
"Mind if I say something?" an older voice called out. It was a middle aged black person with a double-handed ax on his back. "My name is Agil and correct me if I'm wrong, but you're saying that since the former beta testers were not there to help out the beginners, several of them died. That's why they should take responsibility and give up all that they own. Is that right?"
With an intimidated expression, Kibaou answered. "Yeah that's right."
Agil pulled out a small brown book. "I'm sure you've also received this guidebook too right? The item stores were giving them out for free."
"Yeah, what about it?" Kibaou snapped.
"Believe it or not, the ones that were giving these away were former beta testers," Agil stated.
Several people out in the audience gasped at that statement as Agil continued to make his point.
"Everyone had equal access to this information, but a lot of people died anyway," Agil pointed out. "That's why I came here so we could learn from their deaths, beat the boss, and send out a message to the rest of us that this game is beatable."
Kibaou then hesitated and returned to the audience trying to control himself. Agil returned as well letting Diavel continue with his game plan.
"Alright, shall we continue?" Diavel started again. "The info about the boss is right here in the latest edition of the guidebook. According to that, the boss's name is Illfang the Kobold Lord with the minions, Ruin Kobold Sentinels. The boss's weapons are an ax and a buckler. Once the last HP bar of the boss hits the red, the boss will change weapons into a talwar and the attack pattern will change."
There were quiet murmurings within the audience. That's just about right. Now then, let's see how Diavel would organize the fight patterns.
"This concludes our strategy meeting," Diavel concluded. "But before we dismiss, there's one more thing. Money will be distributed equally, the party who takes down the boss will receive the exp, and whoever gets any items will be able to keep it. Any objections?"
The audience mumbled in unison as a no.
"Well then, meeting adjourned!" Diavel stated. "We will leave for the boss raid at 10 AM."
The audience filed out quietly as the meeting was called to an end. Kibaou apologized to Diavel for his rudeness to which Diavel forgave. A small group gathered around Diavel in hopes of comradery. They lingered for a good half an hour until they also dispersed. By then most others were gone as well. Altinator had his siblings go off saying that he will catch up with them later as he made his way over to Diavel.
"Excuse me," Altinator said. "Diavel is it?"
"Ah yes, you must be Altinator," Diavel answered. "I believe we met during the beta test. I was under a different name."
"I thought so," Altinator commented. "I thought I recognized that voice. So, how do you plan to organize this boss battle?"
Diavel smiled as he showed him his plan. "I already had us divided into parties. Some of us will attack the boss while the others fend off the sentinels."
"That's a good start," Altinator said. "I see you like to take the lead. In that case, I can name you some of the stronger players."
"If you're talking about Kirito, I know exactly where to put him," Diavel said with a small scowl.
"Listen, I'm not here to challenge you," Altinator pointed out. "We're in this together to beat the boss beta tester or not."
Diavel tried to argue back but held back a little. "Yeah I understand, but you can't say that you don't want the last attack bonus like the rest of us."
"I'm not saying that I don't," Altinator stated. "As beta testers we all do, but it's nothing to get worked up about. In this game, our lives are more important than a rare item. We need to put people where they're needed the most."
Diavel stayed silent for a moment before he continued on. "I can't promise you anything. When push comes to shove, I may still want to give the last attack as the boss changes weapons."
Altinator sighed. "I understand. If you do end up dead, who would you like to finish off the boss?"
"Please don't tell Kirito this, but I would like you and Kirito to lead the attack in case I die," Diavel pleaded. "As much as Kirito's more of a competition, I still respect him as a player and a leader. His experience can help us beat the boss."
"We won't let you down Diavel!" Altinator stated. "That we can promise."
Diavel nodded.
There was a small party over in the central fountain area over in Tolbana. They were all hyped up about taking down the boss. Altinator and his siblings were preparing for battle strategies. Ken was to be the leader of group A as part of the tank defense group due to his obsessions with big shields and heavy armor. Ivy was to be a support healer after gathering as many healing potions and deliver to those about to die thanks to her speed and agility. The next morning, the new assault team made their way over to the first floor labyrinth and the boss room. Diavel stood in the middle right before the battle for one last pep talk.
"I have only one thing to say to all of you," Diavel stated. "Let's beat this thing!"
The crowd cheered as the entered the boss room. The boss's eyes gleamed as it jumped out in the middle of the arena with its ax and buckler drawn.
"Commence attack!" Diavel shouted as the crowd charged in full force towards the boss and the minions.
Diavel started directing the groups with switches and counter-switches. The support groups fended off the minions. Eventually, the boss's last bar of HP dipped down into the red. The boss became enraged and tossed the weapon aside.
"Just as the guidebook says," Kibaou grinned.
Just then, Diavel advanced in front of them. "Stay back, I got this!"
He started his sword skill and waited for the boss to strike. However, the boss pulled out a different weapon. What the… That's not a talwar! It's a nodachi! Diavel's in big trouble! Before Altinator could warn him. Kirito beat him to it.
"It's no good!" Kirito called out. "Fall back and regroup!"
It was too late. The boss made his combo sword skill and landed a direct blow on Diavel. A deep red gash appeared on Diavel's chest as he was flung aside critically injured.
"Diavel NO!" Kibaou shouted but before anyone could do anything, the boss went into the middle of the group and roared at them freezing the attackers in its tracks.
"Diavel!" Kirito called out and ran over to him. Altinator followed. "What the hell were you thinking?"
Kirito passed him a healing potion but Diavel refused it. "You're a beta tester too, so you understand right?"
Kirito gasped. "So, you were after the last attack bonus. You're a beta tester like I am."
Diavel's body started to glow. "Take down the boss at all costs...for everyone here."
Altinator nodded as Diavel's body shattered into millions of pieces. Kirito stood there dazed for a moment before snapping out of it. Altinator then turned to Kirito.
"I'll go and hold off the boss for you," Altinator stated. "You use the same strategy as you did when you took down those Sentinels."
Kirito nodded. Altinator then stepped forward and rushed for the boss. His two-handed sword out and ready to counter the boss move for move. Kirito regrouped with his partner and charged for the boss.
"We'll hit the boss as we did the Sentinels!" Kirito stated.
"Roger that!" his partner acknowledged.
Altinator saw the two coming and called out. "Switch out!"
The others moved out of the way as Kirito and his partner moved in to take down the boss. The boss was about to slash Kirito's partner when he called out. "Asuna!" The cloak was cut, and a face appeared. It was a beautiful girl like no other ready for battle as she jabbed the boss down with her rapier.
Kirito and Asuna kept going with their strategy until Kirito misread the boss's movement and got slashed. Fortunately, Kirito was at a high level, so the damage was cut to halfway. The boss was about to deliver the finishing blow when Altinator stepped in and blocked the attack. The other members, with Agil and Ken leading the charge, pushed the boss back.
"We'll hold the boss off while you recover!" Agil shouted to Kirito.
However, their combined attacks were not enough to overtake the boss. As the boss threw a sword skill down the middle of the crowd, Altinator carefully deflected the hit and stunned the boss. He then took a chunk of HP out of it as Kirito recovered and charged for the boss again. The three of them closed in on the boss and took the rest of the boss's HP with Kirito getting the final attack. The boss shattered into millions of pieces and a huge "Congratulations" lit up in front of everyone. The rest of the assault team cheered as the boss is now gone and will never return.
Asuna and Agil as well as Altinator and his siblings came over to Kirito who has just received the last attack bonus rare item: The Coat of Midnight. Everyone else received experience points and money with Altinator getting 3x.
"Very well done," Asuna said.
"Excellent sword skills young man," Agil added. "Congratulations. This victory is all yours."
Kirito frowned. "No…"
The crowd cheered on congratulating Kirito as Altinator chimed in. "Listen to them. They're cheering for you. You opened the door of hope for all of us."
Kirito smiled but it wasn't long until somebody had to disrupt everything.
"What the hell man!" Kibaou shouted. Everyone suddenly went silent as he continued. "Why did you let Diavel die?"
"Let him die?" Kirito asked feeling offended.
"You heard me! You knew the boss's technique didn't you!" Kibaou accused. If you had told us about them then Diavel would still be alive!"
The crowd murmured softly in agreement. This is ridiculous! Nobody could've predicted that the game was different from the beta test! It's not fair that Kirito's the one to blame! Before Altinator could do anything, one of the members of the crowd cried out.
"He must be a former beta tester! He knew the boss's attack patterns and held out on us! I'm sure there's more of you out there! Show yourselves you selfish beta tester scumbags!"
The entire assault team eyed each other viciously to see if they can spot the other testers. Altinator made their way over to Kibaou and others.
"Kibaou calm down!" Altinator said sternly. "Nobody could've predicted that the boss's weapons and tactics were different."
Before Kibaou could react, Kirito started to laugh maniacally. "So I'm a former beta tester am I?" He taunted. "I would appreciate it if you wouldn't compare me with those noobs."
"What was that!?" Kibaou snapped feeling more nervous now.
"Out of the 1,000 beta testers that played SAO, most of them were newbies who didn't even know how to level up let alone taking down a boss." Kirito boasted. "Hell, you guys are way better than they were."
Everyone had stunned expressions especially Kibaou. Kirito continued.
"I was different from them. During the beta test, I went up the floors that hardly anyone else had gone. The reason why I knew the boss's technique so well was because I fought several monsters with similar skills and techniques on higher floors. I even know more than the info brokers here to the point where I'm not gonna have any problems."
"What the hell…" Kibaou sneered. "Well if that's true then you're worse than a beta tester. You're nothing but a blasted cheater that's what you are!"
The assault team murmured in agreement once again. One of them shouted out in anger.
"A beta tester and a cheater! That makes him a beater!"
"Beater eh?" Kirito taunted. "I like it. That's right, I'm a beater, so from now on, never categorize me as one of those beta testers."
He then placed his Coat of Midnight on distinguishing him as a beater as he walked towards the second floor.
What is he thinking!? Altinator scowled. Now everyone is gonna hate him and I'm worse than he is! I developed this game! If anyone should be discriminated against, it should be me! Altinator knew that he and Kirito will have a talk later, but before he could, Asuna confronted him.
"Wait!" she called out. "During the battle, you called my name out."
"I'm sorry if I was rude or did I mispronounce it?" Kirito replied.
"How did you know my name?" Asuna asked suspiciously.
"There should be another name and an HP bar along with yours," Kirito explained. "Do you see it?"
Asuna looked over at her HP bar and saw exactly what Kirito said. "Kirito… Kirito? That's your name?"
Kirito nodded. Asuna then laughed. "Wow! I'm so dumb. It was there the whole time."
"You have a lot of potential to become strong," Kirito stated. "If someone you trust invites you to a guild, don't hesitate to join them. After all, you can only stay solo for so long until it's no longer safe."
"Then what about you?" Asuna asked.
Kirito ignored her. He disbanded the party he had with her and left for the 2nd floor.
