Chapter 5: Turning the Tide

Robert (Lucian) POV

Just after entering the Boss Chamber

This is not going to end well. I remember Diabel from some of the other boss rooms in Beta, average fighter but good at commanding and always out to get better loot for himself despite the others fighting for it. He sacrificed his entire party to get final kill on the 3rd floor boss, only to be crushed by it himself.

I knew I couldn't mention this to anyone, especially Daniel. He had a habit of over-reacting, I just have to keep an eye on Diabel and make sure he doesn't do anything to stupid that could risk any of my friends.

Strange, friends, I never did have many friends just Daniel and a few others that have come and gone over the years.

I will not let Diabel or anyone else endanger them. Not if I can help it.

I guess that means it would be best not to use my bow in front of people until I have no other choice. It will bring to much attention and while this game is dangerous the players are probably the bigger threat if pushed.

With the way the Beta have been discriminated… I know that we will be in danger; any attention is bad attention in this world, its best just to stay under the radar. Even when Daniel wished to be at the front lines, it was partially because I was worried he would get killed, but also if he succeeded, everyone would know of him.

You become Famous you're judged at every turn, people look up to you and watch your every move. The pressure it can cause could be unbearable.

So no Bow for this boss fight; shouldn't be too much of a loss, while my bow has increased to 30/500 so far it had started to slow down due to the low amount of XP given from the low level mobs.

Illfang was just as he was in the Beta, sitting in the back on a throne, he glared up at as and-

"You've GOT to be fucking kidding me, ANOTHER freaking rat!"

I let out an internal sigh at the predictable line from Daniel; he couldn't be serious at the worst of times.

"Technically, it's a Kobold" Yet again, I suppose I'm not one to be complaining about him.

"Fuck you Lucian, it's a motherfucking rat on two legs and I FUCKING hate rats!"

Blocking out the rest of the conversation I went back to observing the rest of the people here. Kirito was obviously experienced. He mostly played solo in Beta and seemed to have been doing this same here.

Asuna was a bit harder to read since I had never met her before, but she seemed to be quite new to gaming like Akari. I just hope she doesn't get herself killed.

A few others stood out, such as the leader himself, Diabel, and an Agil in another party. But besides that, there wasn't many who stood out in possible combat efficiency.

I drew my thoughts away from the calculations I was making of the outcome by bracing myself for Illfang's entrance, I seem to remember him being very loud.

RAWWWWWWRRRR!

And there it is; I thought with a grim sense of humour.

The room lit up in several colours, they seem to have improved the shadow and lighting effect immensely since the Beta, yet no other differences seem to show right now. It even has the same type of Minion's coming from nowhere.

Have to keep on my feet however; feeling confident is not as good as being on guard.

Daniel (Charlie) POV

I shook my body, trying to dispel the strange fatigue that came over my body, the stinging sensation from the hit was slightly worrying and was the fact my health was now 13% was a little worse

"Charlie!" I looked up at Akari who was putting an arm under my body to help me up, "Are you okay?"

"For taking a hit from Ratzilla? I'd say I'm hanging in there…" I winched slightly at whatever strange phantom pain way going over my skin, it wasn't really painful per say, but it certainly was uncomfortable.

"Here, I think I might have an extra healing potion" She swiped her hand to bring up the menu.

"Naw, I'll be fine, it's those guys over there that need the healing" I gestured at the shabby defensive wall that was being torn through by the boss, Akari looked hesitant, but I set my foot down.

"I don't have a weapon anymore, I'm not a frontline fighter, healing would be wasted on me" I firmly said, she nodded sadly at my words, not happy at my logic.

I just looked over the other players as they were being forced back by the rat bastard, it was not letting up at all, I grit my teeth, this sucked, I felt my mind blame Diabel for the lone wolf act he employed, with him down, there was no one to lead…

But he's dead… so I guess that punishment was enough to forgive him.

"Charlie" I looked up at Robert, who had just came out of nowhere, I didn't see his expression under his hood, his voice was impassive as he kept his face turned to the boss.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm fine" I answered, brushing down my body as I frowned, "But it doesn't matter that much right now, we're getting creamed"

"I know that look, but this time you really can't, no weapon remember? You would do more harm than good at this point"

I bit my lip in frustration, and then I looked towards the other members of our party.

Kirito and Asuna were looking forward, before they took off the next second towards the boss, I widened my eyes at their fearless sprint towards it.

The rat bastard was charging up an attack, but it didn't matter as Kirito swung his sword and parried it in one blow, it stumbled back, and Asuna charged forward to meet it.

But then a spark flowed through its eyes, and it did a quick slash in her direction.

"ASUNA!" cried how Kirito, and immediately, she ducked down to avoid it, the slash missed her, but hit her coat, dissolving it into pixels, she came right back with a counterattack and blew it back!

Wow… I didn't know what Asuna looked like behind the hood, I mean, sure, there was that time in the bath… but I only caught a glimpse and…

Down boy, this is serious… oh wait; don't have to worry about that anymore.

On and on they went with this, whittling down its heath with every strike, I felt myself grin as I stared at them work.

"YEAH! Cut that rat bastard to pieces!" I couldn't help but cheer to them, while Akari and Robert stood by.

"They really are a marvel…"

I looked towards Robert as he commented this.

"Kirito, he was a great fighter during the Beta, he actually took on Illfang all by himself the second time we tried, it's like history is repeating itself, and Asuna, she is quite possibly the fastest player I've seen, I can hardly keep an eye at where she strikes with her sword"

I looked back at the fight and sighed.

"We sure partied up with some remarkable people…"

"Says the Virtual Trap"

Oh don't you start…

But then I looked towards the fight, my heart clenches, and the freaking bastard just did a double attack! What the fuck!

Instantly, the two were blown back onto each other, they were slumped on the ground as the boss made its way towards them.

I started forward but felt a hand on my shoulder, holding me back.

"You're not the only one here Daniel…" He whispered quietly, I watched as Agil then appeared out of nowhere, knocking back the beast, several other players then charged forward to join, "I thought you said you wouldn't take unnecessary risks?"

I grit my teeth as the turmoil entered again, and sure enough, an annoying voice comes up in my head.

"It doesn't matter the problem, when have we really taken the safe way, we gambled daily before all this. If you're freezing up because the stakes are higher, then you really are a weak ass bitch"

I simply gained a determined edge to my face before I shrugged off the shoulder and charged forward, an idea not so clearly made in my mind.

"CHARLIE! YOU DON'T HAVE A WEAPON!"

Oh shit, forgot that.

But I was already full speed, and part of my plan then came to mind when I came across something in my way, I grinned suddenly as I jump up as high as I can, and I grabbed it by the handle.

I felt gravity and the weapon came along with me, the rat bastards axe swung behind me as I continued with a mad sprint towards the overwhelmed party that was about to get axed.

"Hey! Remember me?!" I swung my arms in a familiar way, and the axe came with it, in a long arc, it crashed into the path of the guy's blade, immediately he was knocked back from the force and span a few times before coming to rest, glaring at me with hatred.

"Oh yeah, I just took your axe, what you going to do about it?" I twirled it around me head a few times before letting it come to rest, "Also, always look right and left before crossing Mr Groper's path"

He narrowed his eyes before turning his head a little too late when he was blown back by Kirito as the guy charged in from left field, Asuna not to far behind.

"Thanks!" He called out to me, before hurrying after the guy, I smiled a little tired and slumped to the ground as I tried to regain my breath because that was so… freaking exhilarating.

I watched at the two did it again, knocking the beast back faster than ever, the bastards sword flung out of his hand, and soon he was littered with small zip-scars that didn't have time to heal, before Kirito slashed through his head with a finishing blow, and it's body hung in the air.

A tension went through the room, before the boss's body then lit up, glowing a bright light, and suddenly filled the entire room, I gave an exhausting sigh as I closed my eyes against the flash, before it all disappeared.

I looked, and there was nothing there, I looked up however to catch the 'Congratulations' message that floated in the air, for a moment, all was quiet.

And then everyone cheered loudly as they jumped around, I was overcome by the celebration for a moment, but quickly gave way with a large smile on my lips.

We did it… we finally did it…

I lifted myself up, still uneasy on my feet after it all, so I leaned on the axe for support, I looked to the side to see Robert and Akari running towards me.

"Hey guys, what a party right?"

SMACK!

"Owwww…" I mumbled as I pressed a hand against my cheek, I looked confused at Akari's face before I was then embraced in a hug.

"Don't do that again you idiot… I don't want to be left alone again…" She mumbled into my neck, I froze up a little, before wrapping my arms around her as well, the axe falling to the ground behind us.

"I won't… don't worry…" I looked at Robert who gave me a steady look, before nodding.

"Good job" We were then interrupted by a ping on our inventories, we got some gold and experience for complete the fight, which I decided to worry about later, right now, I wanted a nice bath… that didn't include fainting or the other girls, I don't think my heart could take it.

The room then dimmed, and the rainbow show that was displayed before, disappeared into black, I looked over at Agil, Asuna and Kirito as they stood together.

"That was some fine swordsmanship, good job; today's victory was all thanks to you'

What am I? Chopped liver?

The rest of the players started cheering to Kirito for a job well done, I have to say I was kind of jealous, but I guess I would be complaining about the spotlight or something if I was in his position, looks like everything turned out alright-

"STOP CHEERING!"

Fuck you Murphy, just fuck you.

"Why did you do that? Why did you let Diabel die?" the echo resonated out for everyone, and I felt myself frown at his crouching state.

"Let him die? Dude, he's the reason most of us are alive right now!" I pulled myself away from Akari to stand in front of the guy, who I now recognise as the beta-hater from the meeting.

He glared at me with teary eyes, "He knew the technique the boss was going to use, he could have told us! That way we could have stood a chance!"

I growled out in anger, "That's BULLSHIT! You can't just blame the guy because he didn't notice some small detail!"

"He wouldn't have had to die if he had told us earlier!" He stubbornly shouted back, I wanted to walk over and slap some sense into him, I felt a familiar hand grab my shoulder this time, while Akari helped by holding back my arm.

Soon, everyone else was mumbling, actually listening to the guy, what the hell!

"I know why he knew! He must be a Beta Tester!" some random guy shouted from the side, "That's how he knew the bosses attack patterns!"

"Are you really questioning the guy that just saved you're sorry asses!?" I growled viciously, I felt the hands holding me back grip tighter.

"Calm down…" Robert whispered, "It's not a good idea to get them riled…"

"In fact, I bet there are more of them out there, well? Show yourselves!" I resisted the urge to look at Robert, I wouldn't put him in a spot like that, and I only stared at each of the players who were getting edgy, daring them to try something.

Sure enough, they were doing the same thing, only for less honest attentions, each looking into another's eyes, trying to gauge whenever someone had bloody been pulled into this mess sooner than themselves, I couldn't help but bring up a memory of a video, when in Blackwater, the slaughter began when everyone decided to look out for number one.

This was not helping my nerves at all.

Suddenly, a cackling started up in the empty room, confused, I turned to the source to see Kirito was the one doing it, and he sounded pretty evil right now…

"So you guys think I used to be a Beta Tester?" He stood up with his back against us; his tone was filled with a kind of mocking that set my teeth on edge, "It's not cool to put me on the same class as those noobs…"

…

Noobs? Seriously? That term was actually made it to Japan?

I glanced at Robert, who had gained some understanding on his face, what? What was he doing?

"Wha- what did you say!?" The spiky haired guy questioned, Kirito then walked, with slow and deliberate purpose to the centre of the crowd.

"You heard me, most of the one thousand players that scored the slot as Beta-Testers were rookies, they were so green, they didn't even know how to level up, hell, even you guys were better than they were"

Was that a dual compliment/insult?

"But me? I'm nothing like those guys man" He then stood in a sort of pose as he addressed us, "In the Beta, I went to floors way higher than the other testers, that's a fact, I knew about the boss, in fact, I fought bosses with way higher sword skills on higher floors!"

This… wow, he really was selling himself the villain, even I doubt if he was really as embarrassed and awkward as before.

"I know a bunch of other things as well, more than you can imagine, more than any info broker"

Everyone was stunned silent, before Spiky started up again, "The… hell? If that's true, then you're even WORSE than a Beta-Tester, you're a *beeeeeep* tester that's what you are!"

The fuck! There was censoring in this game!? Hold on Daniel, focus, focus on the conversation.

Everyone then began throwing out insults of their own, I heard one guy fuse the names Beta and Cheater to make Beater, and I inwardly sighed at the title.

"A Beater… yeah, that's good, I like it"

Kirito… just no, you're confusing the heck out of me, just start making sense already!

"Okay, you can call me a Beater; just don't confuse me with those Beta-Testers anymore"

… Oooooo, THAT'S what he is doing.

A suddenly flash, and Kirito was standing in a black coat, that was actually pretty badass, and completing his villain image to a T, before walking towards the exit.

I gulped and stared after him, he was willing to take all the hatred amassed over the Beta's? All of it to stop the looks and anger…

Kirito… you're the biggest hero I know…

Asuna ran to catch up to him, while I simply shrugged off the hands that were now not gripping so tightly. I picked up the boss axe and walked towards the exit myself; I didn't have to look to know that my friends were following.

When we caught up with them, Kirito was going through his menu, it was clear what he did when a message flashed up, saying Kirito had left the party, walking past Asuna, I found myself walking side by side with Kirito.

He glanced at me, and all I did was nod, and he did in return.

We wouldn't be meeting each other for a while after all, so I simply hurried forward, trying not to glance at him as I felt a heavy feeling on my chest.

"Charlie-Chan? Are you okay?"

I simply looked at her and smiled, "It's alright Akari… it's nothing at all, I just figured out what I want to do here"

"And what's that?" Robert questioned as we went up some winding steps.

"Never hesitate" I answered confidently, we found ourselves at an opening, and the sky opened up over our heads, leaving a landscape of large mountains all around.

"I've been doing too much thinking here, and it's not really me, I find myself worrying, thinking second thoughts and all around being Lucian"

Said person's eyebrow twitch violently.

"From now on, I'm not going to hesitate, because sometimes, it only takes a moment to lose it all" I looked into the dawn with determination, "I'm going to grind levels, fight bosses, get items, sell treasures, and do my best, I'll leave the complicated parts to you Lucian"

"I'm starting to like you're depressed tune better" He snarked at me, but I knew he was joking with the slight smile on his face.

"We are a team aren't we? I do the smashing; you do the planning, am I right?" I felt my mischief return to full, and Robert simply groaned at me, Akari simply smiled at the both of us.

"I promise we're going to get out of here, and I'll be doing it my way, full throttle, and never hesitate!"

I then felt my arm give, and frowned as the axe thudded on the ground, before I fell with it.

"The fuck! Why is this thing heavy all of a sudden!?"

Robert looked down at me before snapping his fingers, "Ah, it has to be you're heath right? It must have regenerated to over twenty percent, thus cutting the strength you need to wield it"

"What!? No way! That means I can't take this badass weapon with me!?"

"Sorry Charlie-Chan, it won't be very practical then"

"No! You won't make me leave Natasha!"

"You named it already? You get attached too easily…"

"Come on Charlie-Chan, Natasha has to stay here"

"NOOOOOO!"

And so, the first floor boss as cleared and the second was open, with new resolve, I marched onto tomorrow…

Or in a week, depending on when I find a way to carry the axe Natasha out of here.