Chapter 5

Collaboration.

I intended to work together with others. I had decided. I had to fight with others at my side. The way I saw it, working together was more efficient that going solo on the front lines. The reliance that you have when working together is a must in this trap world. That's why I had decided to join a guild.

Guilds were pretty new and not many were available. Since the discovery of the third floor quest to form a guild, few have successfully formed one.

We were now on the ninth floor and a handful of guilds were formed. It was probably due to the fact that not many people have the confidence to join others. The majority of the players were in fact still stuck in the Town of Beginnings. But others were confident and formed guilds; groups that the system allows for players to ban together and be more powerful.

But the problem was: who do I join?

I was determined to join one, but who? I didn't know anyone and to simply ask to join up was out of the question. I couldn't just walk up to some random guild and ask to join. I was also pretty shy, so that was out of the question.

Unless…..

There was still an option. Out of all the newly formed guilds, only two or three were on the front lines permanently. I intended to fight on the front as long as I can, so that left me with one option.

The [Aincrad Liberation Squad].

It was formed with Kibaou as the leader; he was the man that I somewhat despised, yet I couldn't deny the fact that it was him that encouraged the clearing party to its limit. With only around twenty or maybe even thirty members, the ALS was the biggest guild yet; and the good part was that they needed even more recruits.

It was no secret that the clearing party was tiny in comparison to the remaining players. We were probably around fifty or so players. The clearers were in serious need of more players contributing to finishing the game.

"It's decided then, tomorrow… I'll go"

January, 2023

Between clearing floors, hunting and personal everyday activities, around two months have passed and we've cleared floors like we were on a time limit (which we were). An astonishing speed of two or three days to clear a floor. At this rate, we might reach a quarter of the floating castle in just under one more month.

But it was a pain. Everyone was exhausted, yet we always seem to have enough strength to get by every day. Fighting in the boss battles does raise your level, but it's still not enough exp. One must hunt on spare time just to be on the average 10 levels above the current floor level.

Things like eating and sleeping were becoming more like luxuries than necessities, let alone activities like cooking your own meal or even fabricating your own clothing. Yet, I always found some time to cook a bit, yearning to recreate the cuisine I was used to.

I would also go snooping around whenever I got the chance. Sightseeing the marvelous landscape of the ever changing floors. From great crystal-clear lakes and lush coniferous forest, to dry deserts and snow covered mountains. Even though it was all virtual, I found it beautiful in a way. I had always been so busy with school and work to even stop and glimpse at my surroundings, let alone travel. And now, I was able to go places even I couldn't imagine.

But not today; after a well-earned rest day, and after a satisfying meal, I returned to where it all began; Starting City.

A huge medieval type city, with hundreds of stone and wood buildings, it was quite a sight. A 1 km. diameter city, players were bustling towards shops and restaurants and NPCs were awaiting clients, as a typical day in this floating castle unfolded. As expected, the main plaza was a bit crowded. Many players coming and going from the teleport gate at the center, disappearing as they teleported.

The only reason I came back to this place, this space that still has the same vibe as the first day, was to join the only guild I knew that might accept me, the Aincrad Liberation Squad.

Like any other guild, they had a base. But this was no ordinary little house, no, with the congregation of many players in the guild they managed to acquire the biggest landmark in Aincrad, the [Black Iron Palace].

Entering the massive building, I was struck with the drastic change in temperature, seemingly cooler inside. Passing thru the giant black pillars, I reached the ultimate tombstone, the [Monument of Life].

Inscribed on it, were the names of every single player stuck in this death game. And once you die, your name will forever be crossed of from the humongous list. Knowing that standing there would lead to nothing, I hurried towards the inner part of the palace not before saying a small prayer for those who are no longer in this world.

Walking down the massive hallway, I was met with quite an unexpected figure.

"Stop right there, where do you think you're going?"

"Excuse me sir, I came to join"

As I said proudly, the man looked as if he was about to burst into laughter.

"Young man, you don't know what you're getting yourself into, get out of here now before you get into trouble"

This man, probably in his thirties, with a large complexion, a little overweight and a shabby face, was a recent member of the clearing party. I had seen him on the last boos battle on the eighth floor. He looked like he was in a high position within the guild from the look of his gear, which was pretty strange considering I had only seen him recently. Still I had no intention of backing off from his warning.

"My mind´s made up, I need a guild if I want to continue fighting on the front lines, so can you tell me where I can sign up"

"Hahaha, boy you have much to learn. The name´s [Brock]. I'm currently in charge of recruitment around here. So… you want to join so bad, now don't you? Well of that's what you want, why don't you show me your skills, in a [DUEL]!"

"Ughh!"

A duel, here and now? …I'm confident in my skills, but still, why would someone want to duel inside a confined space? I may not know his intentions, but a fight is a fight, and I´m not about to lose to this man!

"I accept your challenge, yet if I win, let it be clear that I WILL join"

"Ha, I have no intention of letting you do that, now let's see what you're made of!"

What's his problem!? The front needs more men, yet here he is, testing me out!

Accepting the request, I waited for the 60 second mark as I unsheathed my weapon; my sword: [Resilence Blade], a one-handed broadsword with a dark gray blade and silver hilt, from the sheath on my waist. I had recently acquired it from a monster drop and didn't waste time to make it my main weapon. It wasn't a rare drop, but it was superb weapon.

As I did, the somewhat arrogant man also took out his battle axe. It was double-edged two-handed weapon with dark purple decorations.

Bracing myself, I took an attack pose and awaited the clock. I had dropped the shield because after a while I felt it was quite unnecessary; and also, I was no longer in the tank groups, but rather in the attack groups, so I felt it interfered with battle.

As soon as the last second disappeared, the man took a strange pose and as soon as I realized it, he hurled his axe towards me.

Swoosh!

As if it was in slow-motion, the tip of the blade was pointing straight at me with killing intent. An electric surge ran thru my body making me feel immovable for a second, as if my feet couldn't respond. I didn't expect something so reckless, yet it was quite original trying to end the duel in one swing.

But I won't go down so easily!

I hit the ground with all my might as I hurled towards the axe in midair. Leaning towards the right and managing to roll on the ground as I landed, I wasn't without injury. The axe flew right passed me and managed to scrape me on my left arm before crashing on a black pillar but doing no damage to it.

A soon as I finished my consecutive roll on the ground, I activated a sword skill [Uppercut]. A bright light shone and my blade took full damage on the man from his lower left towards his right shoulder.

Slash!

His HP gauge and his surprised expression said everything; the duel was over.

But his expression was expected. I knew from the start that he would try something reckless but I didn't imagine something like that. But he underestimated me. I hadn't been practicing and leveling up for nothing.

Reaching for a healing potion, I handed it to him. Despite his apparent anger and surprise, he took the glass bottle and drank the life-giving liquid. I had faced off with a few players in duels, yet all of them would curse and yell as soon as I offered help. But this man was different; he swallowed his pride and accepted my assistance. As soon as the bottle dispersed, he stood up and turned to face me.

"You've got quite the skills there; I reckon you've been leveling quite hard"

"Just the necessary to be on the front"

"Is that so, well I guess I have no other choice than to let you join"

"…"

As he walked towards his weapon and began to head towards the inner palace, he uttered in a tone similar to a military officer.

"I'll be waiting for you tomorrow, cero seven-hundred hours on the clock, to appoint you to your new party; that is all!"

Standing there, I was about to express my gratitude but the man had already disappeared into the massive doors on the other side of the great hallway.

He's not that bad, in fact, he's pretty cool!

"Ha, guess I really did it"

Going back thru the same route, I had a feeling that this was going to be a pretty good day.