December 3rd, 2022, forty-seven players were traveling through the forest field heading to the tower to fight the boss. The players were divided into seven groups of six: three assaults, and two tanks. The leftover players were the support parties.
Diavel and Kiabou led their own assault team while Agil led one of the tank parties, Ryu and his group were the first support team, while Kirito and Asuna were the second support.
"Okay guys, you know what we've been assigned to do," said Ryu.
"We're the support team. We fight the boss's minions, the Ruin Kobold Sentinels," said Yumi.
"That's right, you got that Leafea… Leafea?" said Ryu. He looked at her. She was looking behind them. They see Kirito and the hooded figure way behind them.
"You okay."
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"Don't worry, you can do this." he placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Thanks." she gave a small smile.
They get to the tower and head inside. Before entering the boss's room, Diavel had a few words to say. "First off, I want to thank everyone for coming here. This means a lot, not for only us but for everyone trapped in this game.
'He's right. Behind this door is the floor boss, Illfang the Kobold Lord. Thanks to the guidebook, we formed a strategy to defeat the boss.' Ryu thought.
"Let's give a recap of the strategy. Agil, you and the tanks shall distract and endure IIIfang's attacks while the two assault teams and I deal damage to the boss."
The tall African man gave a simple nod to the blue knight. Diavel continued on, "Kiabou, you, the third assault team, shall deal with the kobold sentinel with the two support teams assisting you."
"Got it," the spiky orange hair man gives a thumbs up.
Asuna was looking around, seeing similar faces, but there's one she hoped to see again. 'I guess she's not here.'
"Asuna?" Kirito noticed the chestnut-haired girl looking downed a little. "Are you alright?" He placed a hand on Asuna, grabbing her attention.
She looked at the black hair boy with a small smile, "I was hoping to see Yuuki here."
'Yuuki? That name sounds familiar.' It was then it clicked him. Yuuki was the girl who gave a speech on the first day of SAO. Because of her speech, not only it encouraged players to leave the town of beginnings, but she brought hope.
Looking at the chestnut hair girl, he knew how she felt. He too, had hoped to see Klein again, but his red-haired companion was nowhere to be seen.
Everyone noticed Diavel was looking through the crowd, hoping to see the information breaker. "Kirito."
The black hair boy heard a similar voice behind the crowd. It was Argo who was making her way through the crowd.
"What brings you here?"
"Diavel asked me to find someone that would be helpful to this battle."
"Were you able to-"
The blue-haired knight was cut off by Kiabou. "This person is not a beta tester, are they?"
Some people were annoyed and irritated by the orange spiky man's comment, especially Ryu.
"So, who's this person?" Agil asked, ignoring what Kiabou's comment.
The blond-haired girl turned her head to Asuna with a smirk on her face. This made the chestnut-haired girl tilt her head in confusion. "I believe you two have met." The information breaker raises her arm to the crowd.
Everyone who was in front looked at the crowd. They noticed someone was making their way through. As soon as the person reached the front, Asuna knew who this person was. Right in front of them was a brown-haired girl with brown eyes, who wore blue clothing with black light armor, chest plate, bracers, small silver shoulder plates, a small headband, and light tone fingerless black gloves.
"Yuuki?!" Asuna's eyes widened.
"Hey Asuna. It's been awhile."
The chestnut hair hugged her old friend. "I missed you."
"Me too," she patted her friend's back.
"Glad you made it." Diavel walks towards the girls.
"Same here."
"It's an honor to have you here," Diavel bowed his head to Yuuki. "On that day when the game master told everyone that we couldn't leave the game unless we beat the 100th floor. I saw how everyone was scared and locked themselves. I too was scared and lost hope until you came."
The blue knight lifted his head up and turned his head to stare at the other players. "This girl, Yuuki, is the reason we're all here. She said that she too was afraid, but her standing tall showed she had determination to beat this game."
The blue knight placed his fist on his chest, and with a small breath, he continued. "Not only was I motivated to leave the town, but to find the boss and set up a raid to defeat it and to show everyone that we can beat this game just like you brought hope."
"Then let's win this," said Yuuki.
Everyone was prepared to fight the boss. Diavel let the Yuuki do the honors of opening the door. The room was about twenty meters wide and a hundred meters deep. It was dark inside. He pulls his sword and shield out and walks in. Everyone joins, then the room lights up.
IIIfang jumps to the center of the floor. It was a huge creature, two meters tall, muscular. The head of the creature looked similar to a Dobermann, covered in red fur, and had red eyes. Just like the guidebook said, it had an axe and a shield.
Minions began appearing. They wore armor similar to a knight and were armed with huge halberds and maces. The Ruin Kobold Sentinels are red Demi-human creatures with a long tail and thin ears.
Diavel lifts his sword up and lowers it to point straight. The two factions charged at each other, weapons glowed and everyone was fighting. While Diavel was giving orders to fight and defend against the boss. Yuuki joined the fight while Ryu, his friends, Kirito, and Asuna were fighting the minions.
Kirito deflects an attack and shouts switch, then the hooded figure charges. Her weapon glows green and strikes the enemy with one blow. "I thought she was a beginner, but she's got good skills. I couldn't see the tip of her sword," Kirito thought.
Ryu dashed through the minions and after slicing the last one in his path, a sentinel was about to strike from behind. The green-eyed boy backflips and strikes with 'Horizontal' shattering the monster.
Yumi and Leafa were surrounded, but they had an idea. Yumi uses her Katana, then uses 'Ukifune' on Leafa. Leafa blocks it to not get damaged but could fly into the air just as they planned. Leafa pulls her Katana and uses 'Tsumujiguruma', destroying all the surrounding enemies.
When Kirito saw what Leafa did, he was very impressed by how strong she's gotten. The battle was leaning towards the player's victory. The boss's final health bar was red. IIIfang throws his axe and buckler, just like the guidebook said he would. "We got this, everyone surround him," said Diavel. Everyone was surrounding the boss.
"I got this," Yuuki charged at the boss.
"Yuuki wait," the blue-haired knight pursues the brown-haired girl.
"Wait, something's not right," said Kirito. The black hair boy noticed IIIfang pulled his ultimate weapon out. "That's not a Talwar, it's a Nodachi. This isn't like the beta."
"Get out of there! It's using Nodachi not Talwar fall back!" Kirito warned them. IIIfang uses Tsumujiguruma striking everyone, stunning both Yuuki and Diavel. Ryu noticed the boss was about to do Ukifune. He sprinted towards them and pushed the two players out of the way but wasn't quick to avoid the attack. He could block the attack, but the impact sent him into the air, away from the battle. "Ryu!" Yumi shouted.
"Yuuki!" Asuna shouted.
"Diavel!" Kiabou also shouted. More minions appeared as every raid group was fighting them. Kirito then saw that the boss was heading towards Ryu.
Everything went silent to Kirito. All he could hear was Ryu's voice and the words he said to him. "Are you a solo player or a team player?" echoed in his head. He grips his sword tighter and runs towards the boss, slashing every minion in his way. Flashbacks flowed through his mind from separating from Klein to when he and Leafa were in the forest and when she almost died.
"I thought being a solo player would be the best for everyone, but I was wrong. All I did was push everyone away, especially Leafa When I first left the group I had tears in my eyes but I kept telling myself I made the right choice but every night I slept all I can think about is them. I was weak when Leafa got attacked in the forest a month ago, and I let Klein go off on his own. Now that I'm strong, I'll protect my friends and I won't abandon them ever again."
The boss was about to finish Ryu until Kirito blocked the attack. Ryu looked at Kirito. He can see tears in his eyes. Agil came using Whirlwind to push back the boss, giving everyone time to fall back. Ryu's health was going down to red, and he was very weak.
"What the hell were you thinking," said Kirito. He gave him a health potion.
"I thought I pushed us both to safety, but that didn't go to plan. Where is Diavel and Yuuki?" asked Ryu.
"There safe, your friend and pet got them out of the battle," said Agil. They see Yuuki who was standing while Diavel on the ground, stunned.
"Looks like he won't be able to get up," said Ryu.
Ryu gets up and sees Yumi running towards him. "Ryu."
She puts her arms around him and gives him a hug. "I'm so sorry. I couldn't help you. After the boss's attack, you couldn't get up and I couldn't save you. I was so scared I'd lose you," she cried.
"It's okay, I'm fine now, thanks to Kirito. Yumi I need you and Kanna to get Diavel to safety." She nodded.
Kirito walks up to Diavel. "Are you okay," said Kirito.
"Am I… still alive?," said Diavel.
"Only thanks to Ryu."
"You know. You were a beta tester too, weren't you?"
It shocked Kirito. "You were after the last attack bonus, the rare item. You're just like me."
"Please, you have to defeat the boss for everyone here." Diavel pleaded.
"You never abandoned the others. You led and fought brilliantly. You tried to accomplish something I couldn't. Leave the rest to me, I'll defeat the boss for everyone to show that there's hope."
"Count me in," said Ryu.
"I'll go too," said Asuna.
"Thanks you guys," said Kirito.
The three-run towards the boss. "We'll hit him just like the minions," said Kirito.
"You got it," said Asuna.
IIIfang noticed the three charging at him. It then uses Tsujikaze, but Kirito blocks the attack with Rage Spike. He then shouted switch, giving Asuna an opportunity to strike the boss. Her blade glowed green. Then Kirito realized that the boss recovered quickly.
"Asuna!" he shouted.
She was able to dodge the attack, but her cloak was destroyed, revealing her face. She had long, orange-brownish chestnut hair and hazel eyes. She then used Linear on the boss dealing enough damage to stun it.
"He's coming back," said Kirito.
Kirito and Ryu charged at the boss, Kirito blocking the attack, and Ryu striking the boss. They blocked every attack it did until Kirito made a mistake and got hit, dropping his sword and slamming into Asuna and Ryu. Ryu and Asuna saw that Kirito's health was low. He was having a hard time getting up. The boss was going for the final blow. Ryu and Asuna were going to block it, then Yuuki came in using Rage Spike, saving them. Everyone joined the battle.
"We'll take care of the boss until your health regenerates," said Yuuki.
"You got it," said Kirito.
"Thanks for the save," said Ryu.
"Thanks Yuuki," said Asuna.
Yuuki smiled at them, then joined the rest. They kept the boss busy. Then the boss jumped in the air to use Tsumujiguruma.
"Watch out," said Ryu. He uses Sonic Leap hitting the boss in mid-air, making it crash to the ground, canceling the skill. "Kirito now!" he shouted.
"Come on, Asuna, let's finish this sucker. One last attack," said Kirito.
"You got it," said Asuna.
"Leafa and Yumi, let's help them," said Ryu.
"Don't leave me hanging," Yuuki joins the battle.
They all charge at the boss. Leafa and Yumi block the attacks. Yuuki and Ryu striking the boss, causing it to drop its weapon. This gives Kirito and Asuna an opportunity to perform Vertical Arc slicing the boss's torso. Kirito took the right while Asuna took the left side. Ryu can see the fire in Kirito's eyes. The boss flies into the air. The wounds glowed blue, and it shattered into pieces.
Everyone celebrated the victory when the game said Congratulations. While everyone got their EXPS and col, Kirito got the rare item for the last attacking bonus. He checks his inventory and the bonus item is a Coat of Midnight.
"Nice job," said Asuna.
"That was fine, swordsmanship congratulations. Today's victory was all thanks to you," said Agil.
"No," Kirito mumbled.
"Come on dude, you and Asuna took the big guy down," Yuuki gave thumbs up to the boy.
Everyone cheered for Kirito until…. "Stop cheering," screamed Kiabou.
"Why…. Why did you lie to us all, and to Diavel!"
Everyone was quiet and Kirito grew nervous. "You knew about the boss's technique, you could've told us, Diavel wouldn't get hurt and that guy would've got himself killed."
Everyone started questioning Kirito. Some even accused him of using Diavel as bait to avoid the attacks.
Diavel tried to calm down the situation. "Everyone please, the truth is…"
"He's a beta tester," Kiabou accused Kirito.
They all look at Kirito, some with confusion while some with anger.
"You're nothing but a…" before he could finish his sentence, Leafa punched him in the stomach.
"What's your problem?!" Leafa exploded. Agil, Asuna, and Yuuki got in front of the two to prevent a fight.
"Hey calm down everyone," said Yuuki.
"Get out of my way. That bitch is asking for a fight," said Kiabou.
"You provoked her," said Yumi.
"She's defending a beta tester. Does she not know how bad beta testers are? Unless…,"
"That's enough!" Ryu shouted. He gets between two groups. Kirito, Agil, Leafa, Yumi, Yuuki, and Asuna on one side of the floor, while Kiabou, Diavel, and the rest of the players on the other side.
"I'm sick and tired of hearing about how bad beta testers are. This is all bullshit."
Everyone looked at Ryu with shocked faces. "Let me ask you all a question. Have any of you met a beta tester besides Kirito?"
No one answered the question, so he asked again. Still, no one answers, but he knew what their answer was. "Well, let me tell you about beta testers from a personal experience. There are two types of beta testers I've met. Kiabou, what you said about them, I won't lie. There are those types of beta testers." He tells them about a Coper.
"Did any of your friends get killed by his trap," said Agil.
"No one got killed in fact there all here," said Ryu.
"What's your point? Beta testers only care for themselves," said Kiabou.
"You're not the first person who said that to me. You know who else said that to me, Coper."
Kiabou was shocked to hear that a beta tester would say the same thing he said.
"And you know what I said to him. I said you're wrong, not all beta testers are bad, there are good ones which leads to the second type of beta tester. In fact, this was the first beta tester I've ever met. This beta tester taught me and my friend about the game, gave us tips, and helped us to complete our first quest. He kept us alive. In fact, he's here." he looked at Kirito. Kirito turned his back and looked at Ryu. Ryu smiled at him.
"It's beta testers like him, and the one who wrote the guide book shows that not all beta testers are bad."
"If what you said is true, then why did he keep the information about the boss and the guidebook was wrong," said Kiabou.
"First off, don't you think it's common that the official game will not be the same as it was in the beta, and second, he only found out right after the boss pulled his weapon. He warned you. He told everyone to fall back before it can make a move."
Kiabou was left speechless and didn't know what to say.
"If all of this doesn't convince you, then tell me why would he risk his life to save me."
No one couldn't answer that. Everyone knew he was serious about what he was saying. He was very passionate when he talked about Kirito, Diavel noticed.
"You really trust Kirito, don't you," said Diavel.
"I do trust him, not only as a party member, not only as a friend, but as a brother."
"So do I," said Yumi.
"Me too," said Leafa.
It shocked Kirito that the three people he left from the group were standing up for him. He even noticed Leafa had tears in her eyes. This made him feel regret for leaving them, but happy that he has friends and family with him. This gave him the courage to speak.
He walked next to Ryu and began speaking. "During the past month of SAO, I was walking on a dark path. I left my friends not only because I felt like I failed them, but also because I'm a beta tester. I felt like if I stayed with them, I would only put them in danger. I tried to convince myself that all I need to worry about is myself and when people started hating beta testers, I thought my friends would hate me, but was I wrong. During the time I went solo, Ryu always told me how much they missed and they wanted me back. Even though I refused, he still kept trying. He knew I was feeling lonely and knew that I was worried about them. Seeing my friends standing up not just for me but for other beta testers shows how much I was a fool for leaving them. They showed me the right path. Ryu offered me a choice. Walk on the new path or stay on the old one." He looked at them.
"I'm choosing to walk the new path. If that's the path they're taking, then I want to be by their side, no matter what."
It surprised everyone with what he said. Kiabou didn't even think Kirito would admit those things. It thrilled Leafa to know that he's staying with them. Ryu was glad to know that Kirito is back, but what Kirito said next shocked everyone.
"If there are any beta testers here, come on out and show yourselves."
Nobody said anything.
"We shouldn't be afraid anymore, and we should care for other players. It's players like Ryu that showed me it doesn't matter if you're a beta tester or not, he'll accept you for who you are. He's not the only one that doesn't care about beta testers. I can see some people feel the same way he does. He offered me a choice, now I'll do the same. Beta testers show yourselves, prove that you aren't afraid, prove to them what they say is not true, prove to them you're not like the other bad beta testers."
Everyone was still quiet. Some people looked nervous. They all looked at each other.
"The door we'll always be open for those who can't make that choice, but let me tell you something from a personal experience. Going off alone and only caring about yourself may seem like a good thing, but trust me, it isn't. All it does is make you feel regretful, sad, and alone. Believe me when I say this: you don't want to have these feelings. A good friend asked me this question: Are you a solo player or a team player? At first, I didn't know what he meant by that, but now I do. What he meant by that is do I care more about myself or do I care more about other people. As you can see, I made my choice and now it's your turn. Come to the light, help other players that need it, train them to get stronger, show them we care."
Yuuki walks up to the two boys, "We should be fighting together, not against each other."
Silence surrounds the room. No one said a word that wasn't until Diavel got up, raised his hand, and said, "I'm a beta tester."
It shocked everyone except Kirito to hear that. "No, that can't be true," Kiabou denied.
"It's true. I was going for the last attack bonus for the rare item. I should've listened to Kirito's warning. Instead, I put another player in danger. After Ryu saved my life, I thought of leaving the group because of the mistakes I made, but after hearing Kirito's speech, I've decided to stay as a leader and help those in need. This battle between beta and non-beta testers must end. We must follow these three players' example," he points at Ryu, Kirito, and Yuuki.
"They were able to settle their differences, trust each other, and work together. If they can do it, so can we. It's time we work together." He places his hand in front of Kiabou. Kiabou looks at everyone, then at Diavel. He was hesitating at first, but eventually shook his hand.
"I know some good tips on using spears if anyone would like to learn," said a beta tester.
"I have some materials if anyone would like to look and see if they're interested in trading," said another beta tester. One to two players from each squad admits to being a beta tester. The beta testers began giving tips and trading with the new players. Diavel walks next to Kirito.
"You tried to accomplish something I couldn't. That's what you said to me before you fought the boss, remember?" said Diavel.
"Yeah, I do."
"I say you've accomplished something that I would never have done. You brought peace between beta testers and new players. That, my friend, is one of the best achievements anyone could've done."
"He's right, you did something amazing," said Yuuki.
"Thanks you guys, but I can't take all the credit," said Kirito. He places his arm around Ryu's shoulder. "If it weren't for him, I wouldn't have the courage to speak up and you know what." He goes into his inventory and pulls out the Coat of Midnight and gives it to Ryu.
"The rare item," said Ryu. it shocked him that Kirito would give him the item. "Why?"
"I believe you deserve it."
"He's right," said Yumi.
"He's just doing what every beta tester is doing now, helping a new player," said Agil.
"Just take the coat, it's better that you have it and not that beta tes….
Leafa punches Kiabou in the face, knocking him out. "Doesn't he ever shut up," she retorted.
Kirito clears his throat. "Also, this is a way to say thanks for not giving up on me and for being a great friend," he smiled.
Ryu equips the Coat of Midnight. "Looks good on you."
"Thanks."
"Free cheers for Kirito and Ryu!" Yuuki shouted. Everyone cheered and started clapping.
Kirito was looking for Leafa. He saw her away from the other players. He walks towards her. When she noticed Kirito walking to her, she gave him a big hug with tears in her eyes.
"Please, Kirito, don't leave me. I don't want to be alone anymore. You're the only family I have," she wept.
"Alone," he whispered.
He remembers the day he found out he was adopted, he distanced himself away from everyone. He remembered one time she invited him to do Kendo with her; he didn't join, instead he ignored her. When he played video games, she one time asked to join. He was hesitating but let her join, but still played alone and left her alone. Then it clicked on him all these years she was trying to get close to him and he kept pushing her away and being a jerk. He pulled her closer to his chest and tightened his arms around her. She noticed and looked at him and saw tears in his eyes.
"I'm so sorry. All this time, I was a jerk to you. I pushed you away. I made you feel lonely. You just wanted things to be the way they were when we were kids. I should've never treated you like that. I wish I could take it all back, but I can't. All I can do is make up for it. I'm sorry for putting you in so much pain." He kept crying so much that the tears went down to his cheeks.
"I understand why you did it. I don't blame you. I'm just glad that you're back. As long as you're here, I won't feel lonely. I believe things will get better from here," she smiled. They looked at the group.
"We're lucky to have friends here, aren't we?"
"Yeah, we are," he agreed. They returned to the group.
"Glad to see that this Beta War is over," said Agil.
"Beta War, I like that. Let's make sure that everyone knows about it," said Kirito.
"I agree," said Leafa.
"Can I have everyone's attention?" said Ryu. They all looked at Ryu. "I need everyone to go to the main menu and look at skills."
Everyone opened the menu, and what they saw was something that wasn't there before. "Advanced classes," said Kirito.
"Just want to make sure I wasn't the only one. Beta testers, was this in the beta?"
"No, it wasn't. This is new," said Kirito.
"He's right, there were no advanced classes in the beta," said Diavel.
"How did you notice this?" said Leafa.
"I was checking my inventory. When I went to skills, I saw it there next to skills. I looked at it and saw some classes that unlock new skills and even increase other skills. I saw one of them is a knight," he looks at Diavel.
"Hey Diavel, you can be a knight," said a player. Some people started laughing. Diavel goes to advanced classes and chooses a knight.
"Thanks for this information. What class would you choose?" said Diavel.
"Don't know yet," said Ryu.
"Probably something that will increase my agility and fighting together," said Kirito.
"I hope to see you two again," said Diavel. He shakes their hands.
"Till next time," said Kirito.
"You guys have fun looking at advanced classes. We're going to open the second floor," said Ryu.
Asuna watched the group walking up the stairs. "I guess this is where we part ways again."
She turned her head to see Yuuki. "You're heading back to the town of beginnings."
"Someone's gotta tell everyone about the boss being defeated."
"You take care then and tell your sister I said hi," the chestnut girl reached her arm out.
"I will and you take care too Asuna," Yuuki shakes Asuna's hands.
While the group walks upstairs, Leafa grabs Ryu, wraps her arms around his upper back and gives him a hug. "Thank you so much," she whispered.
"You're welcome," said Ryu.
Everyone was smiling. Then Kirito noticed Asuna was running towards them.
"Asuna," said Kirito.
"That was brave what you did back there. Sticking up for yourself and helping everyone at the end."
Kirito didn't know what to say, then Leafa joined the conversation by asking Kirito how she knew him. He introduces her to Yumi and Leafa. While the three were walking to each other he looks at Ryu. "Hey Ryu, is it okay if Asuna joins us?" said Kirito.
"She should join us. It's not a good idea to go solo," said Yumi.
"You can get stronger, but eventually you should join a group," said Leafa.
"It's her choice to make," said Ryu.
"Asuna, do you want to join the party?" said Kirito.
"You told me I can become more powerful on my own, but if the day comes that someone I trust invites me to join a guild I should take there offer."
She gives them a smile, "I would love to join you guys."
Ryu invites Kirito and Asuna into the party. They get to the door and it opens and heads to the second floor.
