Chapter 3
By the time the sun risen high into the sky, it was morning.
At first, Sachi laid still in the blankets and just stared at her open window. Her breath hitched within her throat. And she flung herself up fully, her eyes opening and shutting while she wheezed out in shock. Ever so slowly, her mind reeled with reminders of the events from the day before. Automatically, Her heart began to pound, and she quickly moved within the blankets, yelping as she almost fell face first onto the ground as her feet caught up in the crisp white sheets.
"D-Diavel-kun…" Sachi gasped out, her legs burning as she ran.
It didn't take her long to leave the Inn. Her head spun as she inhaled a sharp breath of air. Her foot almost got caught on a root sticking out of the forest floor, but she ignored it and pushed on while pulling at the hood of the cloak, making sure it was fully over her head.
Sachi skidded to a stop and sighed in relief. She lent against one of the trees, her hand to her pounding chest. Her gentle, lavender eyes oozed with deep relief as she came to the group of moving players, a low hiccup left her lips, and she pushed her raven locks from her face. She mentally thanked whoever was looking over her that she was able to catch up.
It couldn't hurt, right? She slowly steps forward, trailing a good distance between the groups. She wouldn't step into the fight. Sachi wouldn't be burden to everyone as she watches from the sidelines, right?
'I'm just w-worried,' she thought to herself.
She pulled her hood down briefly and carefully righted her soft raven hair on her forehead. Her nose wiggled, and she almost sneezed. She leant forward and grasped her knees, gasping for breath deeply as her throat tightens, and her head aches as she tries to catch her breath. Sachi sighs as another gush of air blow across her face. She smiles weakly as she feels her hair being pushed around her head. She could feel the familiar pressure on her chest, pressing down harshly, and she winced to herself.
Her hand shot up to her chest, and she presses down carefully. She rights herself up and breaths in deeply. Breathing in and out, her nose flares slowly while she breathes in carefully and she finally catches her breath.
Sachi allows herself to fall back against one of the forest trees behind her, her eyes closing briefly as the gripping feeling in her chest slowly faded inhales deeply and pushes herself from the tree, looking toward the group. She gasps and quickly follows after the group. She barely heard what they were saying, something about the guard mobs being named Ruin Kobold Sentinels.
Sachi wasn't a hundred percent sure, but that didn't matter, she wasn't going to fight. She tilted her head back and felt a sheer deep shudder run through her body as she saw the looming building hanging over her, the thick trees spread out around her and the dark shadow licking along her shoulders.
"T-That's where t-the boss will b-be…." She breathed out, her heart dropping to her stomach.
If Sachi wasn't such a polite person, she most likely would have sworn in how deep her shock is. Sachi shook her head furiously, hunching her shoulders and walking along the trail the other players had left behind.
Before young Sachi knew it, she found herself hiding behind one of the many archways. She trembled as her eyes rolls across the hallway. It was dark, with a thunder sense of hopelessness, with deep brown stones below her feet. The small flames flickered within the darkness, and the strong smell of melting wax filled the dusty hallways. Sachi tilted her head to the side as she reaches out a shaky hand and presses her finger tips into the small dips.
The stone carving seemed to stretch out along the walls, swirling in odd shapes. The one that drew her attention was a rather large, naked tree that was carved just beautifully within the wall, its branches stretching up along to cling like fingers while the roots spread out along the floor, swirling around every archway. It looked like something right out of an ancient Chinese book. It amazed Sachi at how close in detail it was.
She moved her attention from the walls, she gazed down the hallway, poking her head out from behind one of the archways. She lent against the side, pressing her hands gently against the dusty wall. Her eyes flickered, seeing the rather massive door where all the players were gathering up. The door took up almost the whole of the final wall, and was made out of deep brown wood that held metal planks nailed to the wood. It had two metal bolts for handles with two stone arches on either side that had large candles sitting on top of the arches.
"Listen up, everyone!" Diavel suddenly called, "I have just one thing to say. Let's win!"
Sachi gasped, feeling her face heat in anxiousness and quickly ducked backward. The other players cheered loudly, before Diavel turned to face the door. He reached out and placed his hand firmly in the middle of it, his fingers stretching out as he pushed firmly.
"Lets go!"
Sachi stares, watching as one by one the players followed Diavel into the room. Her heart jumps into her chest, and her knees trembled as she heard an ear shatter roar. The roar shrieked through the air, making the walls around her shake. She could feel the floor below her vibrate.
"Commence attack!"
Heart shuddering within her chest, Sachi feels her head jolt, and before she knew it, her feet were carrying her towards the door. Her feet twisted together, twirling her around as she gripped the massive doorframe and placed all her weight onto the frame.
"Squad C, continue guarding and prepare to switch! Now! Continue switching and prepare to target the flank! Squads D, E and F! Keep the Sentinels off us!" Sachi's eyes widen, her eyelashes flickering around her large eyes as she stared after the players.
"Diavel-kun," Sachi breathed out, watching as her friend rushed around, bellowing out orders to the other players.
Sachi's eyes swirled side to side, noticing the hall where the ball was held was wide and long. It reminded her of a church with large, pulsing, colour stained windows. Different shaped pillars reached toward the roof with a crystal floor that glowed and sparkled, much like the crystal it is. On the other side of the hall was a throne. Sachi assumed that was where Illfang the Kobold Lord had begun at.
Light flashed across her eyes, making her wince and step backward. She pushed her hair from her face and flinched as the sound of sword hit sword erupted in her ears, screams and mighty shrieks of the other players. Sachi's heart pounded in her chest. She shook as she gazed after Diavel. He looked like a leader, as if he was born to do this. He throws his sword out to block another incoming attack from the mob the Lord had.
"Switch!" he bellowed out.
He throw his head back, and making his sky blue hair swing through the air. He tightens his fingers around his sword and brings it back to his body.
"Right!" the same player from last night replied.
His midnight hair swinging around his face as he raced in. He pulls his sword up high, catching the light briefly before he brought it down harshly, slashing repeatedly against one of the guard. He brought his sword harshly down, again and again, and again. Sachi watched him in awe, amazed with how strong the player truly was. It truly amazed Sachi, because she had never seen anybody move so fast or attack with such strength.
All the players were truly strong and had their own attack patterns. Sachi gasps loudly, her eyes spilling wide as she watched another player wearing a cloak run forth. It was obviously a female, Sachi noted. She was so fast that Sachi couldn't even see her sword as it moved, cutting down the monster easily.
Maybe, just maybe, they could defeat Illfang the Kobold Lord. Sachi felt hope fill her chest, and she shuffled on the spot, her feet twisting together. Her lips twitched as they pulled into a smile, watching as little by little, Illfang's health bar fell. She gasped loudly, raising on the toes of her feet as Illfang's health fell down to his last bar and before long, and his HP went blood red.
She trembled as Illfang let out a loud shriek of anger, his large red hands lifting, and he throw his sword. Sachi's eyes widen, watching as the sword flew through the air, spinning and cutting through the air before landing within the stone. The ground shook underneath them, and everyone stumbled from his large feet, stomping on the ground. Illfang's dog like face bared its fangs, his blood red eyes burning.
"Looks like the guide was right."
Sachi feels her heart skip a beat and her jaw drops, she bites into her bottom lip harshly. A sharp breath filters through her dry throat.
"T-They're going t-to do it!" she wheezes out in desperation. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope. They could defeat the game, no, they can defeat this game and go back to their lives. She'd be able to see her mum again!
"C-Come on g-guys!" she thinks to herself, her fingers digging into her the sensitive skin on her palm.
"Stand back! I'll go!" Sachi's breath gets caught on her breath as Diavel's voice echoed out from the hall. She smiles widely, watching as the blue haired male charged forward, his head slightly ducked while he held his sword up and twisted his shield in his other.
'W-Wait a moment…w-wasn't they s-supposed to surround it w-with the entire group?' Sachi thought, the smile on her face dropping as a twisted feeling appeared in the pit of her stomach.
Something wasn't right, she realizes, and her hands shake furiously. Her gentle eyes watch as Diavel runs forth, his hand reaching up while he tighten his hand on the handle of his sword, the blade beginning to glow. The light almost burned her eyes.
Illfang's large arm shot back, his muscles pulsed as he ripped an odd looking sword from the straps around his body. Sachi's widens, she hadn't ever seen a sword like that before but she knows one thing.
'T-That isn't a t-talwar!' she thinks in worry, her eyebrows drew together tightly and her fingers dug into the wood of the frame.
"Diavel! Jump back as soon as you can!" a voice bellowed out.
Sachi jumps. She snaps her head around to look at the owner and noticed it was the raven haired male. He noticed it now, she realized in relief. Sachi gasped as the ground shook so much that she almost fell back onto her ass when Illfang leaps into the air. His large dog like feet slapped against the pillars as his large claws scraped against the stone as he shoved himself off, flashing repeatingly around Diavel before suddenly appearing behind him and bringing down the weapon.
It happened so fast that Sachi felt like her body was crushed as she watched in slow motion as Diavel skittered back against the crystal floor. Said male's arms stretched and snapped in places, and it all made her stomach coil. The familiar raven haired male cranks his head around, his own black eyes spilling out wide and ripping at the skin around his eyes as he charged towards Diavel. He skids to his knees and pulls Diavel up, his mouth gaping, slurring words out in complete shock.
"Diavel-kun," she gasped out as she stumbled forward slowly.
She jolted on the spot. She couldn't rip her eyes from him. She felt there was a hand in her chest, its fingers tearing into her heart. Her body twitched, and she ran forward, her hands shaking as she moved her feet.
"Diavel-kun?" she called out, her voice erupting from her throat as she approached the blue haired.
Her feet shook, and her legs became jelly as she fell down, her knees slapping into the crystal loudly sending sparks of pain up through the skin, "Diavel-kun…" she whispered, looking at him and carefully reaching a hand out and pressing her twitching fingers into his hand.
Diavel slowly turns his head, his deep blue eyes shuddering as he forces a smile, "Hey," he breathes out, chuckling painfully as he looks at Sachi.
"I screwed up out there…" he trails off, his nose twitching and eyes shutting as his body began to drain of feeling.
The blazing pain flared up just a second before it faded away, along with the feeling in his legs and arms. Sachi's breathe hitches, and she pulls Diavel's hands close to her, "I should have known…you wouldn't stay put…" he says slowly, each word he bit out breaking.
"But I'm glad…to see you," Diavel winces, his lips twitching upward before falling downward. He reaches up a numb hand, his fingers laid out numb as Diavel, with as much strength he possessed, he petted Sachi on the head. Her hood shifting underneath his fingers, but did not dropping.
Sachi shook her head, her lips pressing together and pecking the side of the hand she held. "Diavel-kun," she whimpered out, feeling her blood freeze in her body as his body ever so slowly began to glow light green. His assigned colour, it sparkled and licked at his skin, stretching across his body. Sachi felt sick to her stomach, and her face heated up, her eyes began to blur, and fat, big, hot tears began to nip at her long eyelashes. The tears swelled up at the corner of her eyes, seeping out from the eyelids and beginning to crawl down her skin, almost like tiny fingers dipping into the puffiness.
Diavel gave one last smile, a silent encouraging smile, which made Sachi sniff and hiccup. She noticed the way his body shined, looking like he transformed into glass. Cracks appeared at the edges, crawling along his body, smoothing out like tree branches. Tiny fingers spreading across, and before Sachi could even blink, he erupted into tiny shards.
The feeling of being in the grip of inevitability overcame her. Her heart crushed in on itself as the sun she felt within herself blacked out, never shining again, and all she could do was stare at the space where Diavel had been. Waves ram into her tiny body. She didn't understand it was as if her brain had short-circuited and needed to be rebooted, only there was no button. Everything around her blurred, like it was in fast-forward while she was motionless in the middle of it.
Sachi's shoulders hitched up as if invisible hooks had been threaded through them. Her lips pressed up would, and she presses the heels of her hands into eyes until she saw nothing but the night sky. Her legs, she felt nothing in them, and she couldn't move no matter how much she tries. Sachi was broken, as the blunt reality came crashing down on her. This wasn't just a game, it was life and anything could happen. She could die! She realized in shock, her heart turning black as her mind began to seeping greyness that wrapped around her mind. Her body could easily be crushed underneath nothingness.
A player wearing a deep red cloak carefully walks around Sachi. Sympathy filling her being, she fell to her own knees and, gently as possible, placed her hands onto Sachi's shoulders. She frowned to herself when Sachi didn't show any signs of acknowledging her. The cloaked female sighed to herself, rolling her thumb gently around the tensed shoulders.
Sachi was so quiet and detached, her body curling up tightly with the balls of hands pressing even further into her eye sockets. Sachi ignored the buzzing pain that fluttered around her face as her lips spread, and she gasped for breathing, unaware of the raven haired boy across from her who stared at her with an indifferent expression on his face. Slowly, his hand lifts, almost like he was about to take her shoulder, only to rethink it and allow his hand to drop to his side. His round large black eyes softens, closing briefly, and he inhales sharply.
Finally, when his eyes spilled open, they narrowed and glared at Illfang the Kobold Lord over his shoulder. Ever since he started this game, the only thought he had was to be survive. He never thought it was possible to have such strong attachments to other players, and he wondered if maybe the girl knew the Diavel outside of the game. It almost looked like a mature attachment, a close relationship. Without Diavel, he noticed she was broken.
He pushed himself up smoothly, then turns his body to Illfang the Kobold Lord. His fingers twitch before curling tightly and digging his nails into his skin. His dark, black hair that framed his eyes was pushed to the side as he watched Illfang roar, swinging his arms and pushing the other players to the side. He lifts his long sharp sword at his side, his lips pressing tightly together.
"I'll go with you," the female in the red cloak spoke, standing up quickly, next to Sachi. Her eyes drop to Sachi through the shadows of her red cloak before she returned her attention to the boy and nodded in determination. Just as she moved her head, both launched forward, running fast with all their strength.
"Do it just like the sentinels!" the black haired player commented, lifting his sword up high. His arms folded near his face, his sword shifting within his fingers. He inhales deeply and clenches his teeth together, and his nose flares while he runs towards the large crimson dog-like creature.
The female rushes after him, hissing under her breath while her eyes narrows, "Got it!" she sneers, just in time to see Illfang swing his sword back, throwing the other players around before seeing the two fast approaching him. His blood red eyes narrow and flash dangerously.
The dark haired player's eyes flash as he runs. He pulls his sword back and ducks underneath Illfang's own sword. He brings it up high and yanks it down, only to grind his teeth when Illfang spins around, using his sword to block, "Switch!" the boy with raven locks calls out, jumping backward just in time for the other to launch in. As soon as she was in a few steps of Illfang, the dog-creature pulled his large sword back just as it began to gleam with light, preparing to attack the girl. The Lord slashed his sword through the air, and, thankfully, the female was able to duck in time and only lost her red cloak.
Her long orange locks spilled behind her, fluttering through the air as she turned her head. She puts all her weight onto her right foot. Her crimson skirt swayed around her waist, her matching body warmer catching behind her body. The armour on her chest twisted as she brought her long sword back, and her orange eyes narrowing before she slammed it forth. It glowed a bright red color, her obvious assigned color, before she throw about and sending the demon creature away. Her sword still pulsed with red.
"He's coming back!" the raven haired player called out, swing his own sword underneath himself. The blade pulses black as he brings it across, and his arms vibrated as Illfang slammed his blade into his own sword, "Shit!" he hissed out, his eyes stretching out wide as Illfang lets out another bellowing howl, twisting his large, clawed arm and swings his sword. The double black haired player was barely able to block himself from the oncoming attack before he was thrown backward, his body hitting the ground painfully.
Sachi's head snapped up when she hears a painful cry. Blinking furiously, her eyes red and swollen. Sachi lets out a shuddered gasp at seeing the double black haired player trembling in front of her, so close that all she had to do was reach out and touch him. Pressing her lips together, she crawls forward and grabs ahold of his shoulders, her eyes flashing as they notice how fast his health bar was dropping, "Y-You need a health i-item," she said worriedly, turning him to her.
"N-No. I'm fine," the boy grunted out.
He held his side and scrambling to his knees. He hisses as his body shook from the pain. His lips opened as he was about to speak, only to find a shadow cast over them. He snaps his head around and gasped, eyes widening so much that they burned. Illfang stomped towards them. His eyes glowing as he brings his sword up high, preparing to bring it down on them.
"Shit," he cursed against, struggling to move.
Sachi had frozen once more, unable to move, and, noticing this, he tried to cover her as best as he could.
Just as Illfang was about to slash his sword down, an axel shot out. The sound of metal clashing erupted through the hall, and Illfang stumbled backward. A familiar player hunched over in front of the pair, his arms raised.
"Go!" he commanded to the other players, all of which charged forth.
Panting and arching himself, Agil turns to look at the double black haired player with narrowed eyes.
"We'll hold him off till you recover!"
His midnight colored eyes widen, and a smile slide across his face, "You're…thanks," he breathed out deeply, he winced a little as he shifts on the ground. He breaths in deeply, turning around to look at Sachi.
"You said you've been training with bow and arrow, right?" he asked.
Sachi jolts as she hears the words, "W-What?" she hiccups, her hands shaking and slowly she retreats her hands.
"Y-Yes…b-but remember, I also s-said I wasn't v-very good at it," Sachi adds quietly, lifting her hand.
Her fingers trembled as she opens her storage and quickly finds her bow. She was able to carry it in her storage because unlike other weapons, her bow wasn't considered a weapon. It was pretty much a curved stick with a thick rope between it, only with pretty shapes carved into the wood.
"You'll be able to shoot well," the male commend deeply, cutting whatever Sachi was about to say. His lips curls together tightly, sneering firmly, "It's all on inner instincts. You just have to let the inner instincts take over!"
He lifts a hand and places his hand onto the hood-covered head, his fingers stretching out wide along the soft martial, "You'll be able to shoot well, and I know you will. Just let it out."
Sachi just stares blankly, her lips opening and shutting, "I…I, um," she stumbled the words out. Her shoulders lift, and she presses her fingers into the wood, rubbing the tip of her finger along the bow.
"I'll…um…I'll try…" she says after a few seconds, her eyes flickering side to side. She wasn't very convinced of it herself.
"Good! Now cover me!" the double black haired player grunted, grabbing a hold of Sachi's wrist and yanking her up along with him, "Release the arrow when I say so," he said firmly, and Sachi swallows a lump in her throat, slowly nodding.
Sachi jumps as the boy launched out, rushing back to the raging fight, "W-Wait! D-Damn it...How will I do this? W-What if I fail and accidentally hit him..." she whimpered to herself, her knees shakes furiously.
Her heart pounds in her chest, her hands trembling around her wooden bow, "D-Diavel-kun…w-what am I supposed to do?" Sachi wondered worriedly, her breath hitching as she stared at the fight.
The boy had hunched over, ripping his sword forward, and it began to ooze a black light that sizzled out from the blade. His lips twitches as he ran, his head jolting just as he lets a loud roar rip from his lip, swinging his sword forward and slashing it across Illfang's stomach. He rolls backward as the girl launched forward, bringing a range of attacks, followed by the other players. The black haired boy panted and ran forth once more, leaping forward and ducking underneath Illfang's own attack, slashing along his back and sending the creature rolling across the ground.
He lands easily and runs towards Illfang, "Get ready for the arrow! One more hit! We'll do it together!" he bellowed out, rearing his sword up high.
Sachi jumps, staring wide eyed before shaking her head, "I-I can do this! I will do this!"
She twists her body and parts her feet, her feet twisting to face one another. She pulls her bow out in front of her and threads her arrow along the bow, using her fingers to keep it in place. She tilts her head and eyes the tip of the arrow, aiming directly at Illfang. Sachi hitches her breath and aims the arrow at the boss. Her hands shake briefly before she breathes deeply to calm herself.
"Now!"
Sachi's narrows her own eyes and allows her thumb to slide off the arrow. Immediately, her arms arches backward from the impact. The arrow erupting from the bow, the small string shuddering within her hands. The arrow spins in the air, slowly beginning to gain a white light outline as it began to gain on the demonic creature. The sharp tip slices through the air, splitting easily and catching Illfang off guard, piercing him directly in the chest and throwing him off balance.
Sachi's eyes widen, and she gasps in shock that she had hit him, 'I hit him…I r-really hit him…' she thought in awe, her stomach flopping.
With a might shriek, the double black haired player takes this opportunity. He swings his glowing sword out, thrashing it into the red flesh and gutting it up through the flesh, splitting the redness, watching as it ripped apart, the sharpened blade biting into the skin easily. His head hunched forward, his mouth stretching out wide, the skin around his lips burning as he screams pulling the sword out. He throws himself back, snapping his sword free from Illfang the Kobold Lord's body, watching as the creature falls backward, his skin glowing brightly and revealing the digital lines that spilled out everywhere around him. And finally, he disappeared in a clash of light.
"We…We did it!"
Sachi feels her body shake, her head tilting backward to look at the glaring letters above them. She feels her legs shake, and with a tired sigh, she falls to her knees. Sachi suckles on her bottom lip, her energy being sucked away. Automatically, she felt warmth spread across her body, coating her from head to toe, and when she tilts her head backward.
"I'm…I-I'm levelling up!" she said in shock.
She watched as her number turn from 15 to 16 and then 17. She couldn't believe she got so many points from a single attack. It was an understatement to say she was shocked.
Sachi shifts on her feet, her hand coming up and pressing against her chest. She could feel her heart beat through the thin layer of clothing and skin, as she breathes so deeply. Her soft eyes flickered off to the side. She peers weakly at the male, noticing he was kneeling down and panting harshly. Sweat clung to his skin as he gasped for breath, his shoulders shaking.
Sachi frowns to herself, realizing he had given it all to defeat the boss. Her chest warms and her stomach flipped as she realized he had tried to protect her during the fight. He didn't even know her, and yet, he put himself on the line. Sachi's hands twisted together, her fingers threading between each other while she walked up to him.
She slows to a stop with her hands in front of her lap, and the raven haired boy lifts his head to look at her. His storage open in front of him, and Sachi noticed he had been awarded the bonus item. She couldn't help but smile, because he definitely deserved it.
"T-Thank you."
He, himself, smiles and wipes the sweat from his brow. He pushes himself up onto his feet, his legs shaking under his weight, before he turns fully to look at Sachi. The double black haired player breathes in deeply, as he lifts his left hand and places it onto his hip. He lent forward and tilts his head to look at the girl through the shadows of Sachi's hood, "You know, it's polite to let your savior see your face afterward," he teased, still panting for breath as he spoke.
Sachi stepped backward. She reaches up and touches her hood, but doesn't pull it down, "Nice job," a familiar voice spoke, and Sachi turned to see Agil and the long orange haired girl walk up to them. The girl crossed her arms underneath her bust while Agil placed his hands onto his hips and looked down at the raven haired male.
"That was excellent swordsmanship. Congratulations. The victory belongs to you," Agil spoke.
He all his weight from one foot to the other and waves his hand. Sachi glances at the taller male. She smiles weakly and steps backward, moving to stand behind Agil and the girl. Her hands pressed tightly together in front of her with her head lowered and her hood still up.
"…I, no," the other murmured, closing his deep black eyes briefly.
He jolts on the spot, twisting his head up when cheers and laughter erupted out from around him. His eyes flickered side to side, seeing the other players smiling at him and clapping their hands furiously at him.
"Why!"
Sachi felt a chill go up her spin, the voice echoing through the hall. Her breath hitches, and she tilts her head around to look through the crowd of people, her eyes searching the sea of coloured players.
"K-Kibaou-kun," she murmurs, staring at the man as he hunched forward, his hands fisting his shirt.
"Why did you let Diavel die?" Kibaou bellowed out.
Sachi gasped, her lips parted in shock, It wasn't his fault Diavel died. As soon as the image of her friend appeared within her mind, Sachi felt her heart drop and her body shake. Her eyes lowering and her eyelids sliding half-lidded. She could feel the tears come rushing back, building up at the corners of her eyes as she thought of Diavel.
"L-Let…him die?" the double black haired player mumbled slowly, his eyes flickering over to look at the hooded girl that had somehow melted into the back of the crowd. He frowned to himself, noticing her shoulders had hunched up.
Kibaou growled, shaking his head, "Don't screw around! You knew about the boss's technique!" he hissed through clenched teeth. His head ducked down with his shoulders hunched far up, as he wiggles just a little on the floor, "If you had told us about it up front, he wouldn't have died!"
Sachi tilts her head slowly and thoughtfully, noticing how, like a wave, the other players began to look at the boy. Their eyes narrowing and jaws clenching tightly, "He must be a beta tester!" one of the players cried out, pointing a finger at the dark haired male. Sachi jumped, her eyes blowing out wide in surprise and twirled her head around to look at the raven haired boy shock, "That's how he knew all the bosses attack patterns! He knew, but he didn't tell us!"
Kibaou's eyes lowered in an oozing sadness, hiccuping, "Other beta testers are here, too, right? Come out!" he called out and slowly, all the players began to look at one another.
Sachi shuffled on the spot, feeling her stomach twist tightly and painfully. Her fingers pressed tightly together, and she bites her bottom lip, 'Beta t-testers? A-Are we disliked s-so much?' she wondered, her eyes stinging. Beta testers are really being blamed for all of it, aren't they?
"You're anidiot," a female voice began, biting the words out. Sachi blinks and turns to look at the female standing next to her. Her long, orange hair rolled over her shoulders. She sighed to herself and crossed her arms tightly, moving her weight from one foot to the other. As soon as her sweet, but firm, voice echoed out, all players quietened and looked at her.
"Tell me this. If the Beta Testers really left us behind to go on ahead, why hasn't the first floor been cleared yet? Why hadn't Illfang the Kobold Lord been defeated until now? How do we know that Kayaba Akihiko didn't change something in the game without anyone knowing?" she hissed deeply, her orange eyes narrowing down on the other players.
"I'm sick and tired of hearing everyone blame this on Beta Testers. It's us, we can only move on if we put our courage and strength into our own tools. This has nothing to do with Beta Tester!"
"But-" Kibaou began, glaring back at the woman with just as heated eyes.
"I'm sure the Beta Testers would've already got to Floor Twenty already, if it was the same format as in the Beta round," she breathed out annoyed. She sticks her head to the side, her nose in the air as she snorts at the male.
Agil sighed to himself, his lips twitches as he steps forward between the two before they could start a fight. Even Sachi had to admit that if he didn't move like that, then maybe the girl would have tried to strangle Kibaou, "Hey now, guys," Agil began calmly, holding his hands out to both players.
Sachi wondered if maybe she should let them know that Diavel was a Beta Tester, that she is a Beta Tester. Her eyes flash, and she breathes in deeply, her lips spreading. And she was just about to voice her thoughts, only to be interrupted when a laugh ripped through the air. A twisted and sick laugh that filled every nook and cranny of the hall. Sachi made a broken gasp, her eyes widening and her shoulders lifting. Her fingers tighten around each other. It sounded like a mix of insanity and evil. Sachi wondered if maybe that was his intention.
"A beta tester?" the boy chuckled, twisting on the balls of his feet with arms hanging at his side, "I wish you wouldn't compare me to those newbies," a dark smile graced his face, and he moved forward. His feet slid across the crystal floor as he walks toward the throne within the room. Sachi noticed it had split into a staircase leading to the second floor.
"Out of the thousand Beta Testers, almost all of them didn't even know how to level up. You guys are so much better than them."
Hearing those words, Sachi sucked her bottom lip. Her eyes shifted. The boy had a point, and she honestly didn't know how to level up when she first joined the game. She couldn't even hold a weapon right.
"But I'm not anything like them," the boy said, stopping directly in front of the staircase. He held his head down and placed a hand onto his hip, "I made it higher than anyone else during the Beta Test. The reason I knew about the boss skills is because I fought a monster with katana skills on floors far above this one. I know a lot more, way more than any information broker."
Kibaou's breath hitches as he stumbles backward and stares at the other player, "W-What? That's even worse than a Beta Tester!" he gasped out, his shoulder lifting, and his head hunched over, "You're cheating! A cheater! ABeater!"
"A beater?" Sachi turns shyly to look at the raven haired player/boy, she was surprised to find him pleased with his new title. How could he like it? She wondered, "I like it," he said which caused the crowd around him to gasp, they most likely weren't expecting him to like the name. Sachi bites her bottom lip, just staring at the boy with wide eyes.
"Okay. I'm a beater," he continued as he lifts a numb arm. His finger glow as he opens his menu, going through his storage before selecting an item.
His body glowed, and a black, long coat flashed through the air, hanging round his body, "From now on, don't confuse me with the other testers," he spoke, his midnight coloured coat fitting him like a glove. Sachi shook as she stared. The coat gave the boy a dark, and almost evil, outline. It made her step back. She notices the way the boy tilts his head and looks briefly at Kibaou with an even darker smirk on his face before he turns and begins to walk up the steps.
Sachi, frozen in mid-step, watched as the boy climbed the steps, "Ano!" she called out, running after him and stopping a few steps down from him. The boy came to stop and slowly turned to look down at her, his round midnight eyes glowing as they took in Sachi's form.
"Y-You didn't n-need to help me, during the fight. I-I…I d-don't blame you f-for Diavel-kun…"
"So you knew?" he interrupted, staring down at the hooded girl. His eyes flashing, and Sachi turned to look to the side, giving a small nod in understanding. Yes, she knew he was a Beta Tester. The boy sighs deeply, turning his head back to look ahead and nodded his head.
"You're good. You know. You need to be braver, and practice more with your bow. You'll become a good player. So, if someone you trust ever invites you to join a guild, don't turn them down. There are huge limitations as to what you can do as a solo player."
Sachi sucked in a deep breath, feeling numb as she listened to the words he told her before he began to walk up to the massive stone doors. They slide open, almost as if he commanded them to do so and close after he walks through them. Sachi's breath got caught in her throat as she stared at the close doors, wondering what she should do next.
It was at that moment, she realized, 'I never asked for his name…'
Reaching up slowly, she brushed a few dark hairs out of her face and wondered briefly if she would ever see the dark haired male again. Probably not. With a low sigh, her legs felt numb while she stepped quietly in a random direction. What was she supposed to do, now? Diavel, he was no longer around. She had lost him, and now, there was a hole in her chest. Her hands shook at her sides, while she moved backward and lent back against one of the many pillars around. Her hand reached up, pressing into her chest.
She was alone, Dead. Death was unstoppable, even in a damn video game. She could die any minute if she wasn't careful.
Biting her bottom lip, Sachi clenched her hands. Her lavender eyes twirling up to the doorway leading to the second level. She knew what she had to do. She understood it, and it made her tremble with fear. Her legs had long since became jelly. Her mind turned as she thought of the gruesome creatures awaiting on the other side. Ready to bare their saliva-dripping fangs at her.
Train. She had to train, had to level up so she could defend herself. Somehow, she had to face the evil awaiting with a ready hand.
Ready, set and go!
