Chapter 5: The Rise of the Beaters

December 2nd, 2022

Aincrad Floor 1: Tolbana

It has been nearly a month since the game launched and around 2,000 people have 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, which made it worse. Although Altinator was a beta tester, he also wanted to help the others as much as he could, but there was only so much that he could do by himself, and it was impossible to help all of them even with his 3x experience boost that Mr. Kayaba promised.

Fortunately, there was a strategy meeting held that day. A scouting 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 take place. 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 thank everyone participating for joining with us here. My name is Diavel and my occupation would probably be a knight!"

The audience laughed at that introduction along with playful comments of having no job systems. Altinator and his siblings smiled as Diavel let them have their fun before continuing.

"Today, my scouting party 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 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 defeat 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 into 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 with the same gesture. The three added themselves as a party and gave each other high fives. Altinator looked over and saw Kirito sitting up top freaking out over finding someone to party with. Just as Altinator was about to invite him to their party, Kirito saw a lone player sitting several feet away 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 just 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 go any further!"

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, I know there are some of you out there who need to apologize to those 2,000 people who lost their lives to this damn 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?"

"Damn right!" Kibaou snapped 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 while we all struggled to keep up!"

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 bother trusting them?!"

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 because 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 everything 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, right? The item stores were giving them out for free."

"Yeah, what about it?" Kibaou snapped.

"Well, the ones that were giving the information away were all former beta testers," Agil stated.

Several people out in the audience gasped at that statement as Agil continued to make his point.

"Listen up! 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 hesitated and returned to the audience speechless after being shut down. Agil returned as well, letting Diavel continue with his game plan.

"Alright, shall we continue?" Diavel started again. "The info about the floor boss is right here in this latest edition of the guidebook. According to that, the boss's name is Illfang the Kobold Lord with its 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 patterns 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 parties that inflict damage to 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.

"Very well then, the meeting is adjourned!" Diavel stated. "We will leave for the boss raid at 10 AM sharp."

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 for some comradery. They lingered for a good half an hour until they also dispersed. By then most of the audience were gone, so 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 had a feeling I recognized that voice. So, how do you plan to organize this boss battle?"

Diavel smiled as he showed him his plan. "I already have 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, testers."

"I'm not saying that I don't," Altinator stated. "As 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 sighed and stayed silent for a moment before he continued on. "I can't promise you anything. When push comes to shove, I may still want that last attack for myself as the boss changes weapons."

Altinator sighed. "I understand. So, 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 I see Kirito as 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 as they shook hands.

There was a small party in the central fountain area over in Tolbana. The assault team 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, the tank defense group, due to his obsessions with big shields and heavy armor. Ivy was to be a support healer by gathering as many healing potions as possible and delivering them to those about to die, putting her speed and agility to good use. Altinator stayed in the center with Diavel while Kirito's duo was placed with the support group fending off sentinels. The next morning, the 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 left to say to all of you," Diavel stated. "Let's beat this thing!"

The crowd cheered as they 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 he drew his sword like a commander on his horse. 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 team whittled down the boss's last bar of HP as it 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 charged up 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 critical blow on Diavel. A deep red gash appeared on Diavel's chest as he was flung aside mortally 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 attacking team in its tracks.

"Diavel!" Kirito called out and ran over to him as 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 nodded as his body started to glow. "Now both of you, 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 called out.

"Roger that!" his partner acknowledged.

Altinator saw the two coming and called out to the team. "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 with long, light brown hair, ready for battle as she jabbed the boss down with her rapier.

Oh wow! Look at her go! Altinator thought as he watched Asuna go at it again and again with Kirito. 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 defense team 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 blow and stunned the boss, taking a significant chunk of HP out of it. Kirito recovered and charged the boss again with Asuna close behind. 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" banner lit up in front of everyone. The assault team cheered as the boss is now gone, never to return again.

Asuna, 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.

"Yeah, you heard me! You knew the boss's techniques didn't you!" Kibaou accused and pointed a finger at him. "If you had told us about them, Diavel would still be alive!"

The crowd murmured softly in agreement. This is ridiculous! Nobody could've ever 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.

"That punk must be a former beta tester! He knew the boss's attack patterns and held out on us! I know there's more of you in 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. "How could anyone predict a big change like that?"

Before Kibaou could react, Kirito started to laugh maniacally. "So, you say I'm a former beta tester, eh?" He taunted. "I would appreciate it if you would stop comparing me with those noobs."

"What did you say?!" Kibaou snapped, feeling more nervous now.

"Out of the 1,000 beta testers that played SAO, most of them were utter newbies who didn't even know how to level up let alone take down a boss." Kirito boasted. "Hell, you guys are way better than they'll ever be."

Everyone had stunned expressions, especially Kibaou and his band of witch hunters. Kirito continued on.

"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 know more information than the info brokers here to the point where I'm not gonna have any problems from here on out." The whole room, silent from the stunning speech Kirito had just made, went from pure confusion to anger and disgust. Kibaou's expression changed.

"What the hell…" Kibaou sneered. "Well, if that's true then you're worse than a beta tester. You're nothing but a damn 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!"

"A beater, eh?" Kirito taunted. "I like it. I like it a lot… That's right, I'm a beater, so from now on, don't even think about categorizing me as one of those noob beta testers."

He then wore his Coat of Midnight, distinguishing him as a beater as he walked towards the second floor.

What is he thinking?! Altinator scowled. Now everyone is gonna hate him. They should be hating me! 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 sounded rude, or did I mispronounce it?" Kirito replied.

"How did you know my name?" Asuna asked, eyeing him suspiciously.

"There should be another name and an HP bar underneath yours," Kirito explained. "Do you see it?"

Asuna looked over at her HP bar and saw exactly what Kirito said. "Ki-ri-to… Kirito? That's your name?"

Kirito nodded. Asuna then laughed. "Wow! I'm such a dummy. It was right there the whole time."

"You have a lot of potential to become even stronger," 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.