Sword Art Online: Unforeseen Content
Save File: The First Boss
-December 2nd JST 4:30 PM, Odaiba General Hospital-
Kari sat patiently as she watched her brother's comatose like state. It had been a month since he had been trapped in the death game, and things hadn't improved. They transferred Tai to a hospital alongside several other players, many of which had died already because of the Nerve Gear. Then there was Sora, neither of them had spoken since the launch date. Her father was getting drunk much more frequently than usual, and her mother had a hollow look in her eyes. However every day after school, she would walk out, and visit Tai. Hoping she would wake up soon. However that detail wasn't looking promising, as the death count had just reached 2000.
"Hey kid," She turned to see one of the doctors. "I'm afraid visiting hours are over."
She nodded, grabbed her backpack, and then turned to leave. However before Kari reached the door, the doctor stopped her.
"I know you're worried about your brother and you have full right to be." The Doctor admitted. "I got a few cousins in that game too, but I'm more than certain he's fighting with everything he's got."
Kari gave a weak smile, noticing the man was trying to help. Deep down she knew he was right, Tai was fighting with everything he had.
-Aincrad JST 4:45 PM-
Taiki spun and destroyed another series of boars that attacked. It had been nearly a month since the death game started, and things hadn't turned out like anyone expected. For starters, Akihiko Kayaba had made massive changes to the layout, so Kirito had no idea where the boss area was. And he wasn't the only one who was lost.
Plus 2000 players had died already, though not all of them were because of fighting in game or with each other. The reason was suicide. No one could take the thought of dying over a game, so they ran off and jumped of Aincrad, never to be seen again.
Taiki and Kirito had since formed a party together, getting stronger. Kirito had been focusing on his speed, while Taiki was focused on his new weapon. During a training session the two ran into a group of monsters called Vengeful Goblins. Among the spoils the won was a two handed broadsword called Howling Fang. He was getting better. But not by much.
"Damn pigs." Taiki groaned.
"You'll never improve your reaction time like that." Kirito said smugly, finishing off Taiki's opponent.
"Man shut up." Taiki laughed.
However it was then, Kirito noticed someone in the forest behind his partner. It was a girl roughly the same age with chestnut brown hair sticking out from under her brown cloak's hood. However that was all they could tell. Though they could see a rapier at her hip.
"Hey are you alright?" He asked. The girl then panicked and ran off.
"Who was that could you tell?" Taiki asked.
"No, she seemed so scared." Kirito admitted.
"Be that as it may, we better head to Tolbana, that meeting's supposedly starts soon right?" Taiki asked. "Maybe that's where she's heading."
"Maybe." Kirito admitted.
-Real World Highton View Terrance JST 6:00 PM.-
Kari slowly picked at her food, not bothering to look up from her plate.
"Kari, you need to eat." Yuuko said, noticing her daughter's full plate.
"It's just not the same." Kari sighed. Yuko nodded, knowing what she meant, since it was only the two of them at the moment. Susamu was working late, again.
"You're excused if you want." Yuuko said, finally giving up. Kari didn't even argue, she dumped her plate and went to her brother's room, and lay down on his bed.
"This isn't fair." She cried into the pillow. It was then she was interrupted by the sound of her phone going off. Slowly, she reached for it, and answered. "Hello?"
"Hey, Kari it's me." Ken said over the phone. "I wanted to see how you were doing."
"I'm doing fine." She lied.
"Kari, tell the truth." Ken ordered, not believing this for a second.
"Alright fine, I feel like crap run over." Kari admitted after a minute of silence.
"I figured, it was the same for me after Sam died." Ken explained. "So how about you meet me for coffee this weekend, my treat."
"Thanks, I could use it." Kari said. What she never told anyone was that she and TK had a massive fight over the events of SAO, and he took Sora's side, being Matt's girlfriend. In reality, she needed a friend she could relate too, and Ken seemed like the best option.
-Aincrad 6:25 PM JST-
Taiki and Kirito sat down on the stone steps of the village meeting hall along with the girl they saw in the forest, and several other players.
It was then, the grand organizer of the meeting made his appearance. He was a tall guy with blue hair and bronze armor on. "Hi everyone, thanks for coming." He said joyfully. "My name is Diavel, and the job I rolled was knight."
Everyone laughed. "There's no job system in this game." One player pointed out.
"Be that as it may," Diavel said, his tone never wavering, however his tone quickly jumped to serious. "Our scouting party found the boss room today."
Everyone took interest. "First we need to defeat the boss and move on to floor 2, then we need to tell everyone that it is possible to beat this game." Everyone looked at one another and started to agree. "It is our duty as the most capable players to do this."
It was then, everyone started clapping. "Now then." Diavel began. "We need to figure out how to defeat this boss, so we need to team up into parties of 6."
Kirito and Taiki freaked at that. Since starting, it had only been the two of them. Klein was still elsewhere, and they hadn't seen anyone else they knew IRL. Before the two had realized it, people were already partnering up.
"A typical raid group doesn't stand a chance against a floor boss, we need multiple groups if we're going to succeed." Diavel explained.
However, Kirito noticed the girl from earlier, then started to scoot towards her.
"Kirito you sly dog." Taiki thought with a smile. He stood up and decided to walk up to her too.
"So you got left out too?" Kirito asked.
"Not even." The girl said quietly. "It's just everyone already seems like friends."
"Well you heard our local knight." Taiki said. "We need to team up, so are you up for a temporary partnership?"
The girl nodded. Kirito flew through his screen and sent an invite. Taiki and Kirito saw the girl's HP bar added to their own, her avatar name was Asuna.
"HOLD IT!" A rude voice said. Everyone turned to see a new and unfriendly face in the area. Everyone turned to see a guy with orange hair spiked in various directions. He jumped down and landed next to Diavel. "My name's Kibaou, and I have something to say."
"This should be good." Taiki said rolling his eyes. However Kirito got a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach.
"We all know about the 2000 people who have died already." Kibaou shouted. "Well some of you need to apologize to them right now!"
Taiki looked at him strangely.
"Kibaou, are you referring to the beta testers?" Diavel asked, somewhat understanding what he meant.
"Of course." Kibaou explained, still infuriated. "They've been hogging all the monster spawn points, high paying jobs, and leaving the rest of us in the dust."
People were actually starting to agree with him.
"Every beta tester has up and vanished leaving us in the dust." Kibaou explained, his arms crossed. "How can we trust them if they can't trust the rest of the party?"
Kirito looked down in shame, while Taiki was considering becoming a player killer.
"So here's the way I see it." Kibaou shouted. "Every beta tester here right now has to drop all their inventory and gold right now!"
"Is that so?" Another player asked sarcastically. Everyone turned to see a rather muscular man of African descent walk up to Kibaou. "The names Agil, and let me ask you something, did you get one of these?" Agil pulled out his inventory and grabbed a leather book. "You should have, you get it free at any item shop."
"Yeah so?" Kibaou demanded.
"Where do you think these came from?" Agil asked. "The beta testers themselves." Kibaou and the others soon started shutting up.
"Did you make one of those?" Taiki asked quietly. Kirito shook his head.
"Everyone had access to this guidebook, and you blame everyone's deaths on the beta testers." Agil summarized. "Now I didn't come here to point fingers, but we have no right to blame the beta testers for the rookies' death. Especially since everyone had equal access to this information."
People were starting to think Kibaou was an asshole for suggesting the beta testers were at fault.
"Now I don't know about the rest of you, but I want to learn from our fallen comrade's deaths." Agil finished. Everyone agreed.
"Thank you Agil." Diavel said, taking over, and pulling out his own book. "Now according to the guidebook, the first boss is called Illfang the Kobold Lord, and he has minions called Ruin Kobold Sentinels, three for each of his four health bars." The knight then paged through the book. "This boss has two weapons, an ax and a buckler, as well as four health bars. Then when he reaches his last bar, Illfang will pull out a weapon called talwar, a type of sword."
Everyone picked up their own books, and started reading the same.
"Now all EXP and rewards will be given to whoever gets it, while money will be divided among everyone equally." Diavel explained. "Any objections?"
Everyone agreed to the terms and headed out. Asuna left immediately, not saying a word to her part members.
Later that night, while everyone was enjoying themselves, Asuna was quietly munching on a roll of bread in a side alley.
"Room for two more?" Taiki asked, as he came up with Kirito. Each had their own roll in hand.
"I guess." She shrugged quietly.
Kirito then scrolled through his inventory and pulled out a bottle of cream. "Here, it's a little something I pick up on a job." He applied it to their three rolls.
"To those who failed, and our fights to honor them." Taiki said, raising his roll. Kirito did the same, and Asuna slowly lifted hers. She nibbled on the roll a bit, and then quickly chewed it. In mere seconds, the roll was gone.
"Girl, did you even taste that?" Taiki asked amused. Asuna shrugged quietly.
"I got this cream off a job I took in the village before this." Kirito explained, trying to start a conversation.
Asuna then stood up, "I'm sorry, but I don't want to hear it, and I didn't come here to eat good food."
"So why then?" Taiki asked, taking a bite out of his.
"So I don't lose sight of who I am." Asuna said quietly, however it sounded like she was on the verge of tears. "I don't want to lock myself in a room and slowly rot away in the Town of Beginnings." She then clasped her hands together. "Even if I die at the hands of a monster, I don't want to lose, to this game or this world."
"I can't deny what you said makes sense." Taiki said, while Kirito looked at her in sympathy.
"I wouldn't want a party member dying on me." The beta tester finally admitted after a moment of silence, and trying to sound sincere. "So try not to die tomorrow."
Noticing how dark it was getting, the two boys decided to leave.
"We'll see you tomorrow." Kirito said, trying to get a reaction out of her. "Man, am I ready for bed."
"Or, do you mean that bath?" Taiki smirked. Asuna looked at the two shocked.
"Man, shut up." Kirito laughed a bit. While their avatars didn't need to get clean, certain houses a player could buy actually had full baths and showers in them. However it was a very popular thing among female players.
"You, you have one, a bath?" Asuna asked, completely surprised and actually showing signs of joy.
The house Taiki and Kirito owned was decent in size and bore a resemblance to a farm house, and could fit at least four people total.
"Upstairs and to the right." Kirito said, moving out of Asuna's way.
"I knew you were a sly dog." Taiki smirked. "Or is this an attempt to make it look like we aren't gay?"
The black haired teen freaked at Taiki's statement. "I'm just helping her out." Kirito insisted.
"Uh huh, the helping out an innocent girl routine, that's very classy." Taiki chuckled, pulling up his menu and exchanging his armor for more casual clothes. The trapped digidestined then landed on the couch.
"If we are going to work together, she does need to trust us." Kirito reminded, then sitting on the adjacent chair as Taiki.
"Dude, I want you to be completely honest with me now." Taiki said, getting serious. "Did what Kibaou say earlier, get to you, or what happened with Diavel after the meeting?"
Kirito stopped for a moment, then nodded.
"Dude, don't go blaming yourself for what happened." Taiki said, getting serious. "That rat bastard Kayaba is responsible, and I don't blame you for any of it."
"Thanks for that." Kirito said with a smile. Then he got serious, "Can you keep that a secret, about me being an ex-beta tester?"
"Ok, why?" Taiki asked, straightening up.
"Because I don't want the pressure." Kirito admitted. "You were in the crowd, people were starting to agree with him originally, who's to say they still don't."
"True." Taiki sighed. He then noticed an oncoming person. "Speaking of ex-beta testers."
To Kirito's surprise it was none other than the self-proclaimed greatest informant of SAO, Argo the Rat. She wore a long hooded cloak and had blond hair with three red whiskers like marks on each cheek.
"We better see what she wants." Kirito sighed
The two opened the door to see Argo present, an eager look on her face.
"How did you find were we live?" Kirito asked, knowing this was about information.
"Where is she?" Argo asked.
"Asuna?" Taiki asked. "Why?"
"I heard she made an attempt for the hidden log out area, and I want info." Argo said eagerly.
"She believed that rumor?" Taiki asked. Both he and Kirito had heard the rumor. Apparently there was a back door program which would allow players to log out, once they reached a certain area on floor 1. However one guy had returned from it, only to explain it was a just an area with a hidden boss in it. The theory was it was some asshole had spread the rumor around.
"Yeah, and she beat the boss." Argo said eagerly.
"She is good." Taiki said with a smirk.
"She's upstairs." Kirito explained. "But."
"Thanks." Argo rushed passed the two and ran upstairs.
"MOVE!" Taiki shouted, running after the girl.
Asuna was in paradise. It actually felt like a real bath, she could feel the warm water running across her body, and soaking into her skin. It was in this one sole spot in this whole nightmarish world, where she could forget her troubles. Not only because of her fears of SAO, but also why she logged into SAO. In actuality, the Nerve Gear didn't belong to her in the first place. It was actually her brother, Kouichirou. He had to go away on a business trip and couldn't play SAO on launch day so she borrowed it. The reason being, to get away from it all.
Asuna came from a wealthy family and her mother wanted nothing but the best for her, except for happiness. Because of Asuna's mother, she always pushed to be the best in school, or anything for that matter. Plus there was also her "fiancé" Sughou, a massive creep. Just thinking about the man sent shivers down her spine. Plus there were also her classmates at her all-girls school. Because of her mother's strictness, she was considered to place in the top percent for the mock college entrance exams that took place the day after the launch day. Everyone praised her, saying she would place first. Now, she didn't know what to expect anymore. Not from this game, or what awaited her in the real world.
Asuna finally decided to get out of the tub. However just as her undergarments were materializing, the sound of multiple people running up the stairs. It was then Kirito flew in,(although from another angel it looked like he was thrown in), and landed right between her breasts. Naturally both of their faces were pure red.
"Do you see what you do?" Taiki asked Argo, who was being held in the air by the back of her hood.
"YOU BIG DUMMY!" Asuna delivered a powerful roundhouse kick to Kirito's face.
-December 3rd Aincrad 8:57 AM-
As an apology for walking in on her, the boys decided to help Asuna with a little early morning training. According to Kirito, Asuna was picking the tactics of the game up at a greater pace then Taiki did. Argo had decided to come along too for some reason. Presently, the two were trying to perfect the switch tactic. With it, two players could switch places while one attacked, and the other healed.
It was then, Asuna finished her opponent, a wild bee, and a screen popped up in front of her.
"Are you going to check what your drop item is?" Argo asked the confused girl.
Asuna clicked the icon then a slim rapier with a dark green guard appeared in her hand. "A Wind Fleuret?"
"I've heard of that weapon." Taiki explained. "It's not only better than those iron rapiers you get at an item shop, but it's also meant for speed and accuracy players."
"Cool." Asuna said, liking the idea. She then pulled the weapon out of it's sheathe and admired the silver blade.
-10:15 AM JST Area outside of Illfang's lair-
The multiple raid members trekked through the forest area. Most however in silence.
"Remember, we just take out the minions." Kirito explained. "After they're dealt with, then we join the fight against Illfang."
"Dude, we've been over this how many times?" Taiki asked somewhat upbeat.
Asuna looked at him curiously as Taiki explained. "Just because we're going for the big guy, doesn't mean this is the end."
Despite his cheerful demeanor, Tai was terrified. The thought of never seeing his family and friends again horrified him. This wasn't the Digital World, Agumon couldn't just jump in and become Greymon and torch the boss for them.
Unbeknownst to the party, it was then the cloaked figure took to the area, in the trees above. "Time to cause a little mischief." The then swung his arms, and summoned a page in front of him. One meant for an administrator to log into.
Administrative Login ID: LPH 0M3G
Password: *******
It was then the info page of Illfang appeared. "This is going to be good."
The clearing party soon reached a large door, and Diavel turned to the players. "I have one piece of advice, win." No one argued with that.
It was then, they saw Illfang, a massive jackal like being with blue armored helmet, and in each hand were the weapons they read in the beta guide.
"Well, there's ugly, so where's his pals?" Taiki asked, though he kept it to himself. As if on cue three miniaturized jackals in knight armor appeared. The four then charged fast
"Everyone, to battle." Diavel shouted, as the parties charged.
"He couldn't have just said get him." Taiki joked, as he attacked one sentinel with his party.
The parties attacked, constantly switching with each other on Diavel's command, it was then Illfang's second health bar depleted, and he growled, dispersing the sentinels remaining.
"Uh, what's going on?" Asuna asked confused.
Illfang then threw his ax to the side.
"He must be switching to his tawlar." Diavel suggested. "Must be a change in the programing from the beta."
"Uh, that doesn't look like a sword to me!" Agil shouted, slightly afraid. Everyone stopped to see Illfang bring out a massive spiked flail with a long chain. He swung the weapon around, and sent several players flying.
"Holy hell in a handbasket!" Taiki shouted surprised.
"Our shields!" Kibaou shouted shocked. As it turned out, Illfang's attack had destroyed the shields. Everyone made their way to the side of the room, behind the pillars.
"Did anything like this happen in the beta?" Taiki asked Kirito in a hushed voice who nodded.
"Yeah, but not on floor one." He answered quietly. However it wasn't quiet enough.
"I heard about the shield destroying ability monsters can get from Argo." Diavel explained. "But that power wasn't accessible until at least floor 5 in the beta."
"Ok, anyone have an idea?" Agil asked.
"I got one," Kirito said, standing up. "He breaks our toys, we break his."
"I'm for it." Taiki said, while Asuna nodded, taking off her hood, revealing her long hair.
"Hold on, that can't work." Kibaou shouted.
"Then why does his weapon have a health bar?" Diavel asked, noticing it. It was then everyone saw the name Enchanted Spike next to the health bar.
"Well since you asked so nicely." The cloaked figure chuckled from the woods. He was watching the events from his screens in the forest still, and then summoned what looked like a control stick. He pushed it forward and the spike covered ball followed.
"Incoming!" Everyone moved to the side of the room, avoiding the attack.
"Alright, new plan." Diavel said. "Those of you who took damage use your healing crystals now, then join your original party. Teams A-D join me in fighting Illfang, Team E-G, destroy that mace."
"Let's go." Kirito said, while Taiki nodded. Asuna charged forward and slashed with her sword, leaving a red grid like portion of the weapon exposed.
"That girl is fast." Agil said, using a crystal on himself.
"No wonder you like her." Taiki joked to Kirito.
"Shut up and fight!" Kirito ordered. However, before the next wave of attacks could hit, the weapon retracted, and reconnected to Illfang's staff. The jackal like boss then swung it to avoid Diavel and his group's attacks.
"It's like he's fighting like a player!" Kibaou realized.
"More or less." The figure said in the woods. However it was then a warning light went off on a side panel of this mystery hacker.
"Damn, it's what's his face again." The figure stopped working Illfang's weapons and summoned a keyboard. "Take a hint, jerk." Then he started altering some commands.
"Go for it!" Diavel ordered, noticing how Illfang had stopped. Several more attacks hit, and they managed to get Illfang's HP down to the last sliver of his fourth bar.
The first boss then threw his weapon to the side, reaching for the sword on his back.
"I'll finish this." Diavel shouted triumphantly. The self-proclaimed knight charged with sword in hand.
"You are that kind of guy." Kirito frowned.
However, it was then he noticed something. "Stop, that's not a talwar, that's an nōdachi!" But it was too late, Illfang swung the weapon around his body, and in this one combo, completely depleted the man's HP.
Kirito reached for him and cradled his head. Before he died and turned into a pixelated dust, Diavel weakly whispered. "I'm sorry."
Kirito was quiet for a moment, the he stood up and shouted. "CHARGE!"
"Oh what the hell." Taiki said with a smirk.
The three swung their weapons and blocked the attack.
"You got us this far, it's only fair you finish it." Taiki said with a smile. Asuna nodded in agreement. Kirito charged and ignited the sword skill, Vertical Leap, ended the boss.
It was then the holographic banner saying congratulations appeared, as Kirito received the last attack item.
"So that's what you were after, you bastard!" Kibaou shouted at Kirito with tears in his eyes. Everyone was looking at him at that outburst. "You were a beta tester, and your damn party members knew!"
"What?" Asuna asked confused.
"Don't try to cover it up, I heard you two talking when the boss brought out that weapon." Kibaou ordered. "If you hadn't kept that information secret, then Diavel wouldn't be dead, you, you beater!"
"Beater?" Taiki said quietly, then spoke up. "Yeah, I knew and it's because of you blaming the beta testers yesterday he kept quiet about it!"
Everyone stopped to think about what he said about Kirito, with the exception of Kibaou. The man had declared everything was Kirito's fault more or less, and he was still kept in the dark.
"And besides so was!" Taiki began, only for Kirito to step forward.
"A beater, is that what you called me?" He asked with a hollow laugh. "I like it, so what if it was my fault?"
"Kirito, what are you doing?" Taiki asked, confused.
"I'm not going to avoid the blame for what happened here, not ever." Kirito activated his menu and put on the last attack item, a long black trench coat.
"Taiki, Asuna, I'm sorry, but I'm done being party members with you two." Kirito said, turning for the stairs leading to level 2.
"Wait, how did you know my name?" Asuna asked.
"We saw it next to your health bar when we partnered up." Taiki explained, then turned to his now former partner. "Then what about us?"
"I want you two to get stronger, and if your asked to join a guild, don't ignore the request." Kirito said, before vanishing.
"Good riddance you beater!" Kibaou shouted.
Taiki left the dungeon right after that, and headed for the fields, leaving every monster he met a pixelated dust.
"Dude, calm down." Agil ordered. Taiki stopped for a moment, to see the taller voice of reason and Asuna walk up.
"I'm reliving stress." Taiki insisted.
"Yeah, I get that but I need to know something." Agil said walking up. "What were you going to say to Kibaou before Kirito interrupted you?"
Taiki stopped and looked at the two. He took a few breathes, and sighed. "Alright, you both deserve to know this, but Diavel was a beta tester too, and he knew Kirito was one."
Both players looked shocked at that statement. "Seriously?" Asuna asked surprised.
"Kirito and I found out after the meeting yesterday." Taiki explained, sitting down. "He thought Kirito was a potential rival, so he decided to bribe him for his best weapon and had us in the back."
"That, that doesn't sound like the Diavel we saw today." Asuna gasped.
"But it does make sense." Agil admitted with his arms crossed. "I was wondering how he knew Kibaou was taking about the beta testers."
"Yeah, I was surprised too," Taiki admitted. "We found out he wanted the last attack item, and all the glory to go with it."
"So, we never knew the real Diavel?" Asuna asked quietly.
"If you knew all this, then why didn't you say anything?" Agil wondered. "I'm not mad or anything."
"It's because of what he was doing to people, giving them," Taiki began, then corrected himself. "Giving US hope."
Agil and Asuna agreed in silence on what he was saying. Diavel only wanted glory and rewards. But in doing so, he inspired hope into all the players.
"So now what?" Asuna asked.
"I'm going to stay here on floor 1 for a while, and take Kirito's advice and get stronger." Taiki said, standing up.
"I'm off to floor 2, see what all needs to happen." Agil said with a nod.
"I'm going too, but to get stronger." Asuna said, referring to Agil's plan.
"Well, then to us." Taiki said turning to leave.
"What was it you said yesterday?" Asuna asked. "About fighting to honor those who fell before us?"
Taiki turned to see something on Asuna's face, a true genuine smile. One he gladly returned.
"Enjoy this victory boy." The cloaked figure muttered angrily under his breath from a high up tree branch. "Get as strong as you want, you're going to need it for what I have planned for you." He disappeared with a teleportation crystal.
And here is chapter 2. Yeah this chapter has bits and pieces of the Progressive story line in it. It's just something I felt had to be put in. Like my own take on Asuna's bath. Also I want to apologize, due to a typo, someone thought Tai was getting a new partner. That is not happening, it's still going to be Agumon. So leave a review and see you next time. So leave a review and see you next time.