I THINK I OVER EXAGGERATED BUT WHATEVER CHAPTER YEY.
ENJOY TAT
"Kurokocchi, is that you?!" Kise yelled, pointing at the two approaching players. After getting his armor and sword upgraded, also gaining another sword, Kuroko had started walking to their meeting place with Himuro who had taken him inside the shop.
"Kise, what are you- Whoa, Tetsu.." Aomine said in surprise, and everyone looked over, wondering why even Aomine was surprised.
Kuroko walked up to them with Himuro by his side, and he removed his hood, pulling down his mask. "Yes, it's me, Kise-kun." He said, seeing everyone stare.
"Whoa, why does your stuff look better? Is that a new sword?!" Kagami asked, pointing at the two swords on Kuroko's back.
"Yes, it is." Kuroko said simply, glancing around. He didn't want anyone noticing him, as he remembered those men from earlier saying that they were going to spread rumors about the 'Shadow Beater'.
"Tetsuya, how did you get all of this? It looks like it's made by a master forger, and you don't have much money." Akashi asked, and Kuroko shrugged.
"Some of my team from Seirin play SAO too, and they're Smiths. Really good Smiths. And they gave me this for free." Kuroko said, making Akashi frown.
"You shouldn't accept anything for free, even if it's from your friends." Akashi scolded, and Kuroko blinked in surprise.
"I know, but-"
"No buts, Tetsuya. Don't accept anything free again, that's not how a real swordsman earns his swords." Akashi said, and Kuroko silenced himself. "You can use it because I don't want you to die."
"Don't worry, Akashi." Himuro said, gaining the redheads attention. "While I'm in this group, I'll make sure Kuroko and everyone else in your team is safe."
Akashi stared at him for a moment, studying him, before turning away without another word. "We should move on and try to find the next dungeon as we level up. Tetsuya, you stay in town and go around, listen for any information of where the dungeon may be. If you can't find any information after an hour, go train in the fields at the monster spawns."
"Why am I the only one looking?" Kuroko dared to ask, and Akashi glanced at him.
"Are you questioning me?" Akashi asked, before sighing. "Right now, you have the best hearing and lowest presence thanks to your... Armor." The way he explained made Kuroko frustrated, but he showed no reaction.
"Everyone else, go train and level up. We need to be able to pass the next boss without anyone dying." Akashi said, and everyone nodded. "Let's go." He said, turning away towards the fields in the level.
As every one walked away, Kuroko frowned once they were gone. It was only him and Himuro left. "Is he underestimating me..?" Kuroko asked softly to himself, and Himuro lightly touched his shoulder. "Don't worry about it, he just wants you safe."
"Thanks, Himuro-san.." Kuroko said, before raising his hood and mask again. "Let's go."
"You want me to come with?" Himuro asked, and Kuroko nodded as he began walking.
"Not unless you want to train?" Kuroko asked, and Himuro shook his head. "No, we have lots of time to train. I want to help you." Kuroko just nodded, glad that Himuro cared.
They began walking in silence, training their hearing to listen for any information about the boss or the dungeon. There was a decent amount of people on the streets, but none were talking about what they needed to know.
"The streets probably won't have a lot of information." Kuroko murmured quietly, and Himuro nodded.
"We should split up and look inside food houses and Inns for information." Himuro whispered back, and Kuroko hummed in agreement. "I'll take the east side of the town, you take the west. If either of us get any information, send a message to meet at the fountain."
"Spoken like a wise warrior." Himuro said with a small smile, making Kuroko look away. Luckily most of his face was covered with the mask and hood. "Let's hurry, in case we miss any information."
With a nod, they both split off, Kuroko heading to the East side while Himuro took the West. Kuroko just hoped that they would find any information soon.
It took a long while, but Kuroko began moving from restaurant to restaurant, anonymously looking for any information without conversing with anyone.
Sighing, Kuroko walked inside another food house, not having a lot of hope for today. He headed over to a booth behind a group of men, sitting down with an exhausted sigh. Even in this game, after a while, you can get tired. It's amazing though.
He would try this food house, and if he couldn't find any information, he would send a failed message to Himuro and call it a night.
He sat back, trying to listen around him. The men behind him were talking about the frontlines from what he could tell, some couple in the corner were whispering giddy things to each other, and the waitresses by the counter were talking about the customers that came inside.
'Doesn't seem so lively here..' Kuroko thought, glancing around. Would any of these people have information?
He heard someone get up from behind him, and started walking in his direction. Kuroko closed his eyes, hoping that they didn't notice him with his armor. He peeked his eyes open as he heard the man walk by, heading towards the waitresses. Sighing in relief, Kuroko finally listened to the conversation behind him.
"There are lots of people on the frontlines for now, but will it always be like that? Surely people will start to give up, and you know it. So I need to know if you guys will be in it till the end." A man said, and as Kuroko glanced back, he noticed it was three men and a woman.
"And by end you mean...?" One young male asked, and the older one shrugged. "Until the game is beat or you're dead."
"But... If you die, you die in real life!" The woman said, obviously scared.
"We know." A new voice replied. "But people have to risk their lives to save others."
"Something those Damn Beta Testers don't do." The first man replied, and Kuroko's eyes widened as he froze. There they go again, speaking of the Beta Testers...
"You're right... They left us behind didn't they?" The female asked, and the old man snorted. "They know almost every thing this game has to offer."
"And they take over all the good hunting grounds!" The young man replied, and Kuroko frowned, closing his eyes. He couldn't let these men get to him.
He knew he should get up and leave, but something made him keep still. What did he have to gain of hearing such negative words? Was it curiosity? His pride, his honor? Or the fact that these people knew nothing?
"They aren't even the worst of it. Haven't you heard of that Beater?" The middle man replied, and Kuroko closed his eyes. 'Please don't...'
"The Shadow Beater? Yeah, I heard rumors. I didn't believe it, but it would make sense if they really were a Beta Tester Cheater." The young male replied.
'I'm not a cheater, I just want to help!'
"Who knows if they even fight on the frontlines or kill other players. One thing for sure.." The woman said, hesitating. "If they're doing this to beat the game, wouldn't it be best?"
"It's cheating!" The first man replied, and Kuroko heard him stand up, his hands slamming on the table. "A real swordsman or even a gamer would beat a game without cheating! Those who cheat are cowards!"
Kuroko looked down at the table, his eyes wide in shock. He wasn't cheating. He wasn't a Beta Tester Cheater! He knew nothing...
"Maybe they have reasons?" The woman asked shakily.
"No man should cheat." The middle man replied. "They are lower than the creator of this game, stooping down to such levels."
"These Beta Testers, especially that Shadow Beater should just disappear. Cheaters shouldn't be standing side by side with real swordsmen in the frontlines-"
"Beta Testers AND other people are risking their lives to save everyone else's." Kuroko said, standing up. He couldn't contain his anger no more.
"Who are you to talk like that to me?" The man replied, stepping out of the booth and turning to face Kuroko. "...Black hood, a mask, and low presence.."
"It's that Beater, Quinn!" The young male replied.
"Quiet, Koori." The man named Quinn replied, not taking his eyes off Kuroko. He then snorted, stifling his laughter. "He's short. Is he an imposter?"
Kuroko ignored his words, staring hard at him. "Whether someone is a Beta Tester or not, everyone is taking risks in this game. One wrong move and they'll be gone; Forever."
"And? They're taking everything for themself. They need more people if they want to beat the game. They're selfish and arrogant, thinking they can do it themselves." Quinn replied, barley glancing at Kuroko.
"They're risking their lives-" Kuroko was cut off by the man again.
"So are we!" He yelled, getting a warning from the restaurant owner. He turned, looking at the woman who owned the restaurant. "Brats like these need to be taught a lesson. I won't stand by and shut up while they think they're so high and mighty. So don't tell me to quiet down-"
The man stopped when he felt a tight hand on his arm. Looking down, he saw Kuroko glaring hard at him. "Don't talk to or about other players in such ways."
Quinn jerked his arm away, growling. "You brat! Don't act so tough. If you want to act tough then fight me. I'll go easy on you, and we don't have to battle with swords either, since I can see you cheated to get them." He said, nodding his head towards Kuroko's armor and swords.
"I didn't cheat-"
Kuroko was cut off by a fist to his cheek. He knew that in towns, they were safe zones so you can't get killed unless in a duel, but it still hurt. And the man's power, Quinn's power, was at a high level.
He stumbled back into a table, holding the side of his face. "Not so tough huh?"
"A real warrior, a real swordsman, doesn't need to fight like this to prove a point." Kuroko said, not backing down. If it meant taking a beating to get the man to understand that Beta Testers weren't what he thought they were, then he'd do it.
"What would you know about what it's like being a real swordsman?" The man asked in anger and moved forward, hitting Kuroko again on the other side of his face.
"Stop! I won't tolerate violence in my restaurant!" The woman said, and the man scowled.
He grabbed Kuroko's arm, which surprised the younger boy, and threw him out the restaurant doors. Kuroko didn't get a chance to react, falling on his back. He coughed in pain, trying to stand up. He heard words of surprise from around him, but he ignored them.
"Don't think a restaurant owner is going to stop me." Quinn said, kicking Kuroko down again, causing gasps of surprise all around.
"A real swordsman doesn't need to teach others less-"
"Shut up Brat!" The man replied, yanking off Kuroko's hood. He grabbed his hair, making him stand. Kuroko was just glad it wasn't as painful as real life.
"Hey! He's just a kid!" He heard a woman shout, and the man didn't pay any mind.
"Got anything else to say, Shadow Beater!" Quinn yelled, more gasps escaping from players all around. Kuroko tried hiding the pain from his face, and frowned, his teeth showing.
"Beta Testers and players are all the same. We are all fighting to survive! We are all risking our lives for each other! Beta Testers are no different!" Kuroko said in his defense, as well as the other Beta Testers'.
The man snickered, releasing Kuroko's hair, but made sure to lay another hit on Kuroko's jaw. Kuroko made sure to keep his footing, refusing the back down. "A real swordsman fights with his sword, for honor, not to teach a lesson!"
Another hit to his cheek, and another on his stomach, pushing him back. Kuroko stayed up right. He wasn't going to have this man have his way, but if he lashed out, that would look bad.
"You're scared of dying, so you're talking bad of others to make you seem better." Kuroko continued, and refused to cry out as he felt himself being pushed back with more hits to his body. He has never been so glad that this was a game.
"Shut up!" The man yelled, kicking Kuroko to the ground. Kuroko felt like his breath was taken away from him, but he refused to be beaten down. He slowly stood up, and the man didn't even wait for him to be ready before more hits rained down on him.
"Hey, stop that!"
"He's just a child!"
"Leave him alone!"
Kuroko heard all the yells around him, and he hoped the man didn't take it out on them. "A real swordsman fights if need be-"
A hard hit to his stomach, sending him falling back. He tried standing but the man kicked him down. He just continued trying to get up.
"A swordsman fights for honor-"
A hand grabbed his hair, and threw him back. He felt cement hit his back, and he heard water. This must be the water fountain.
"A swordsman doesn't hurt others just because he feels like it-"
"Shut up!" The man said, grabbing Kuroko's cloak and lifting him off his feet. Kuroko looked down at the man, his eyes full of anger and unforgiving. His hands held onto the man's tightly, his nails digging into the skin.
"And most of all, A swordsman does his best to keep everyone safe! He won't hurt children just because they're brats. He won't yell at other players who give him advice. And a real swordsman respects the others fighting on the frontlines along side him, ready to risk their life to keep everyone from dying!"
Quinn looked up at Kuroko in shock, his eyes wide at his outburst. Kuroko narrowed his eyes, truly angered. "That is why you are even lower then the Beta Testers, who risk their lives facing high bosses to get the experience to save these people! Leave them alone." He growled out, staring straight into the man's eyes.
The center of town was silent, no one saying a word. Even the man didn't say anything. He then growled when he saw the crowd, and without another thought, pushing Kuroko back so he landed in the fountain. "Whatever brat. When you die on the frontlines because of words like those, I'll be laughing." He said, before walking off.
Kuroko breathed heavily and glanced at his health. You can't die in safe zones, but your health can go down until it hits oranges. He didn't care if he was wet thanks to the water as he tried standing up. Though his body was tired, and he fell back into the water.
For a moment, no one walked forward to help. They probably heard that he was the Shadow Beater and didn't want to help him. Fine, he didn't need any...
He watched in surprise as a small kid ran towards him despite his mother calling him to come back. The boy reached his hand over the fountain, reaching for Kuroko. He blinked in surprise, before smiling and gently touching his hand.
The kid wasn't strong enough to help him up, but he didn't give up trying. Kuroko just sighed, letting go slowly. "It's okay, I don't want you to get wet or even hurt. Go back to your mother." Kuroko said, before trying to stand again.
To his surprise, the kid jumped into the fountain and tried to help him. That's when the mother started running over, as did a few other players. The players, who were teens like him, helped him up carefully. "Are you alright?" One of them asked, and Kuroko just simply nodded.
"Kuroko!"
Kuroko turned his head slowly, seeing Himuro running towards him. "Himuro-san.." He murmured, and tried climbing out the fountain, but his arms gave out and he fell.
Before he could hit the hard ground, he felt hands catch him. He slowly looked up, seeing Himuro there, looking at him in concern. Kuroko wanted to reassure him, but soon his eyes fell, as he slowly fell unconscious. How strange it was to be able to sleep in a video game.
Himuro looked at Kuroko, and hoped he was okay. His health was orange and he passed out...
"He's just tired." The mother from before said, holding the little boy that tried to help Kuroko.
"What happened?" Himuro asked as he got help from the other players on getting Kuroko onto his back. Himuro made sure Kuroko was secure on his back, before turning to the woman.
"He was thrown out of some restaurant by some man who kept beating him up, and that young man didn't fight back at all. I know it's a safe zone and you can't die, but it's still frightening watching a fight..." The woman explained, holding her kid closer.
"Did they say anything?" Himuro asked, wanting to know why Kuroko would even be in a fight.
"The man was calling him a brat, and the kid was talking about something like being a real swordsman, the Beta Testers, and honor?" The mother said hesitantly, and Himuro slowly relaxed, smiling. Kuroko did get angry when someone talked harshly about the things he loved.
"I see. Well I'll take him to an Inn to rest. I'm in his party." Himuro explained, before turning his head when he heard footsteps.
"Tatsuya!" Kagami said as the whole group followed him. They must've saw that Kuroko's health was low when they finished leveling up. "What happened?"
"Don't worry, Kuroko is fine Taiga. He just needs rest." Himuro explained, and Akashi glared at him as he walked closer.
"I trusted you to watch over Tetsuya, and now he is at orange in a safe zone." Akashi said, crossing his arms.
"I'm sorry Akashi. He got in a fight and-" Himuro tried explaining, but Akashi cut him off.
"Why did he get in a fight? Why didn't you stop it?"
"I wasn't there." Himuro explained, and Akashi glared at him.
"You left him?" Akashi asked, and Himuro shook his head.
"No no, you have it all wrong." The mother said suddenly. "The younger man had been having a fight with an older man, and this one came to help."
Akashi continued glaring at Himuro, as if debating to continue scolding him, before turning away. "Let's get him into an Inn to rest."
Himuro sighed as he saw Akashi walk off, and he turned to the woman. "Thank you."
"It's nothing. That young man, I don't care if he is that Shadow Beater or whatever, but he was speaking like a real warrior." She said, before taking her son and walking off.
Himuro watched after her, before smiling. He looked back at Kuroko, who's head was resting on his shoulder as he slept. He wondered if maybe, just maybe, Kuroko would be the right swordsman to save the people trapped in this game.