A full month had passed since the start of this death game—a game where our lives are the ultimate stakes.
We were still on the first floor of Aincrad, unable to break through to the next level. Looking at the reality of our situation, this was hardly surprising. Sword Art Online was meant to be a source of pure, lighthearted entertainment, but it had morphed into a living nightmare where a depleted HP bar meant certain death in the physical world. Scarcely a fraction of the player base was willing to risk their lives to clear the game.
By this point, the death toll had reached nearly two thousand. This meant that twenty percent of the ten thousand players who logged in at launch had perished in just one month. This grim reality paralyzed the vast majority of players, who remained huddled within the «Town of Beginnings».
During the one-month beta period, players managed to reach the tenth floor. As a former beta tester with knowledge of that time, I belong to the group best positioned to clear the game. However, the fact that I haven't even breached the boss room yet proves that the task is far from simple.
In the current world of SAO, there is no room for recklessness or suicidal bravado. Every step forward must be calculated and cautious; otherwise, you forfeit your life. There are no "retries" in this world.
A sudden roar from a nearby monster jerked me back to reality. The rough texture of the stone wall against my back reminded me where I was: the eighteenth floor of the first-floor labyrinth in Aincrad.
I was currently infiltrating the area, scouting the labyrinth while grinding for experience. Since I was in the final stretches of the floor, the monsters roaming the halls were formidable. Although I, Mitsuki, had reached Level 13 as a safety measure based on my beta experience, no level is high enough to forgive a moment of carelessness.
Perhaps in the future, when the front lines reach the double-digit floors, we will crush these first-floor monsters as easily as any common mob... but who knows how long it will take to reach that point. More importantly, there is no guarantee I will still be alive by then.
"...Time to head back. I'm hungry."
I muttered to myself, pushing off the wall with effort. I began the long trek back through the maze where I'd spent the last four hours. Navigating back from the eighteenth floor of a twenty-story labyrinth—boss room included—required considerable time and stamina. If I had one of the «Teleport Crystals» found on higher floors, I'd be back in an instant, but I quelled the thought; wishing for what didn't exist was a waste of energy.
Until recently, I had a partner who would sharply tell me to 「Snap out of it!」 but she wasn't by my side now.
"Sigh... right, I need to hand over the map data to Argo."
I let out a heavy yawn, opened my message window, and typed a brief note to the information broker.
After hitting send, I waited in a corner of the town, gnawing on the black bread that had become my staple diet. It wasn't long before I heard footsteps on the cobblestones. A lightly armored player with three whisker-like tattoos on each cheek appeared—it was the information broker, Argo, in the flesh.
"Kept you waiting, Tsu-ki boy."
"It's fine, I just got here. Here's the map data for the eighteenth floor."
"Understood... received. Sorry for saddling you with such a dangerous task."
"Don't worry about it. I actually enjoy the cartography. But ask someone else tomorrow; I'm exhausted."
"I appreciate the help. I've added a little extra to your commission."
Navigating the complex, overlapping zones of the labyrinth is a different beast entirely with a map in hand. By adding notes like 「Beware: powerful mobs in this room」, subsequent players can level up safely.
This was our arrangement: I explored uncharted dungeons while leveling up, and then handed the data to Argo. In essence, I acted as a field scout for her. I didn't start this out of greed, but perhaps out of Argo's own consideration—or her pride as a merchant—she always paid me a fair sum.
I truly wonder how much she sells this information for; I hope she shows some mercy to her customers' wallets.
Given that the map data up to the tenth floor was published the moment I entered the labyrinth, other players are clearly doing the same thing. At least one, for certain.
I recalled a black-haired swordsman using a one-handed sword whom I'd parted ways with long ago, and took a sip of water from the flask I'd filled at the town square fountain. Argo watched me intently.
"...Something else?」
"I notice you're not with that girl today."
"That information will cost you. Nine hundred ninety-nine thousand, nine hundred ninety-nine Col."
"Nyahaha! If you keep talking nonsense like that, she might show up and scold you herself, don't you think?"
"Impossible. We already dissolved the party. We didn't even add each other as friends, so there's no way for her to track me. Unless... she bought the info from you...?"
A cold sweat broke out down my spine. It was possible. Argo's motto was «We sell anything that can be sold». While she has her own "red lines," she will tell you anything within those bounds as long as you pay.
Which meant...
"Yes, I already bought it. And contrary to my expectations, the price was quite reasonable."
Which meant that the person standing behind me in her dark blue hooded cloak—the fencer Alice—knowing exactly 「when and where I would appear」 was very possible.
"...Oh, uh, hey. It's been a while... or maybe not that long."
"Right. It's been a week since we dissolved the party and you vanished from my sight, Mitsuki."
Beneath the cloak, Alice had her arms crossed. At her waist hung the «Anneal Blade», the quest reward we earned back in Horunka Village.
Since then, I'd spent some time accompanying her to hunt monsters and upgrade her sword, but once the inn rental expired, we dissolved the party. Alice continued living in that windmill cottage, while I stayed at a different inn.
The truth is, I'd been avoiding Alice—let alone forming a party with her—for specific reasons.
"...Sigh. Regardless, I'm relieved to see you're still alive."
"W-well, thanks. I'm glad you were worried. To have a beauty like Alice concern herself with me means I'm not a total lost cause—"
"I didn't come here to listen to your tired jokes."
I tried to play the "charmer" to hide my awkwardness, but the noble fencer shut me down coldly.
"I have no grievances regarding the party dissolution; that was a mutual agreement. But what is the meaning of this total silence?"
"...I have my own circumstances."
"That isn't an answer! ...If I was a burden to you, you should have just said so clearly—"
"It's nothing like that. You've become very strong, Alice. Honestly, I felt you didn't need my help anymore. As they say: "I have nothing left to teach you.""
"...Are you mocking me?"
"No, I truly mean it."
"Now, now, you two. Calm down."
Argo, the very person who brought us together again, stepped in to break the tension.
"This situation is partly your fault too, Argo."
"Alright, alright. As an apology, I'll give you both a tip—tomorrow, a «Floor Boss Strategy Meeting» is being held in the city of Tolbana."
"—! They found it? The boss room."
"Not quite yet. Today, a party managed to reach the top floor of the labyrinth. At this rate, they'll likely find the boss room tomorrow."
That was impressive. I thought the progress through the maze was moving slowly; I didn't expect anyone to reach the top floor before us. Since it was a "party," I assumed (or hoped) it wasn't Kirito.
"The Floor Boss... you mean the monster guarding the exit of each floor in Aincrad?"
"Exactly. How about you two put aside this lovers' spat and focus on the boss raid? I'll make this information free of charge, just for you."
"Who are you calling lovers!"
"Nyahahaha! Good luck, Tsu-ki boy."
Argo left, looking thoroughly amused. I considered chasing her to warn her about spreading baseless rumors, but I thought better of it. Her nickname, «The Rat», didn't just come from the whisker tattoos; her agility matched the name. She had a very high Agility (AGI) stat, and I wouldn't be able to touch her even at full sprint.
I remained behind, stealing a glance at Alice, who seemed lost in thought.
"Mitsuki... what did Madam Argo mean by "lovers" just now?"
"Huh? Oh, nothing... it's fine if you don't know. It's completely irrelevant. Better left a mystery."
"Is that so..."
"That's how it is."
Alice wasn't entirely convinced, seemingly analyzing the word in her head. Taking advantage of the moment she closed her eyes in thought, I quietly slipped away.
"Hmmmm... wait! Besides that—!"
By the time Alice moved to question me again, I had successfully escaped.
"Honestly, that man... huh? A message from Madam Argo?"
A message arrived for the frustrated Alice from the recently departed Argo.
『The reason Mitsuki is avoiding "Ali-chan" is something I can't say myself. But if you go to the strategy meeting tomorrow, perhaps you'll understand? This is just some meddling from an "older sister," so no need to pay.』
── The next day, at sunset.
In the circular plaza west of Tolbana, just as Argo had said, a group of players had gathered. The final count was forty-five players, including myself—and while I expected this, the number felt worryingly small.
In Sword Art Online, a single party consists of a maximum of six people. Eight parties can be linked to form a "Raid" of forty-eight players. To defeat a boss without casualties, it's best to have two raids for rotation during combat... but here, we couldn't even fill one.
"Alright! Let's get this meeting started!"
Just as I found a spot in a quiet corner of the plaza, a blue-haired man standing in the center—presumably the organizer—clapped his hands to draw everyone's attention.
"First, thank you all for coming today! Some of you might know me; my name is «Diabel». And for the record, I consider my class to be a «Knight»!"
Laughter rippled through the plaza. This was natural; although Diabel's gear suggested knighthood—despite not being heavy plate—the SAO system has no fixed "job system." Some call themselves «Merchants» or «Blacksmiths» based on their production and trade skills, but I had never heard of a combat title like «Knight» or «Samurai»; it was purely a self-appointed role.
However, Diabel's humorous introduction won over the crowd. Cheers and whistles filled the air, and someone shouted: "You really want to say you're a "Hero," don't you!".
Diabel silenced the noise with his hands, his expression turning serious as he got to the point.
"Today, our party discovered the boss room at the top of that tower!"
Suddenly, tension filled the air. The party that reached the top floor yesterday, as Argo mentioned, was his.
"A month has passed... it took us far too long. But we must defeat the boss and ascend to the second floor to prove to the players in the «Town of Beginnings» that this game can be cleared. This is our duty as the elite players gathered here. Isn't that right, everyone!"
Applause broke out again. Diabel's ability to unite the hearts of these elites—who had lived in isolation until now—made him truly worthy of the title «Knight».
"Alright, let's move straight to the planning phase. First, I ask everyone here to form parties! As most of you likely know, you cannot face a boss with just one standard party."
"...Heh?!" A faint sound escaped me.
The phrase 「Alright, everyone, pair up」 is a curse to an introvert like me. I wished Diabel had assigned us himself, but you couldn't expect that level of care for strangers meeting for the first time.
If I thought about it, the players in SAO were mostly people like me. It wasn't easy to form groups with strangers on the fly—
"N-no way..."
I thought as much, but luck was not on my side. Players around me began calling out to one another, and in the blink of an eye, seven groups were formed.
There were forty-five players. Subtracting seven parties (six players each) left... three people, including me. It was clear there was a shortage, but being the one left standing alone made me feel a bit pathetic.
"—Huh?"
Suddenly, a system window appeared before my eyes. It was a party invite. I'd seen this countless times since the beta. Perhaps another loner saw me in the same situation and sent the request out of pity. Without hesitation, I hit the «Accept - ○» button.
I breathed a sigh of relief, but when I looked at the member's name in the upper left of my HUD, my breath hitched. Written there, with unmistakable clarity, was: «Alice».
"What's wrong? Aren't we forming a party? It seems you were unlucky enough not to find anyone else to join you."
Standing behind me with her usual pride was Alice, her beautiful golden hair hidden under her hood. She ignored my stunned expression and sat down beside me.
Since I hadn't seen Alice when I was counting the attendees, I assumed she was late, but it seemed she had been hiding behind one of the pillars at the back of the plaza from the start. As the sunset deepened the shadows, the cloak I'd given her acted as perfect natural camouflage.
I truly wished the effectiveness of that cloak hadn't shown itself in a place like this.
"I've been listening. If the fight against the floor boss requires group coordination, it will be easier to work with someone you know well."
"Well, that's true, but..."
"...Do you hate forming a party with me that much?"
"I told you, it's not that... fine, I'm counting on you this time. Honestly, nobody else was going to invite me anyway."
As I tried to refocus on the plaza, someone tapped my shoulder. At first, I thought it was Alice, but she was looking behind me. When I followed her gaze, I saw a familiar face. Black hair, light leather gear, and an upgraded «Anneal Blade» slung across his back.
"It's been a while, Mitsuki."
"Kirito...! You're safe too."
This boy, with whom I'd shared many moments in the beta, had also made it this far.
"Sorry for the sudden approach, but have you joined a party yet, Mitsuki? If you haven't—"
"Well, I expected as much... we're also short on numbers, so please, join us."
As I spoke, I noticed another player behind Kirito. They wore a deep crimson hooded cloak that hid their face, making them look like a red version of Alice. The only difference was the weapon at their waist; it wasn't a sword, but a «Rapier».
Kirito noticed Alice as well and seemed to consider the situation.
"Ah, is that fencer beside you an acquaintance?"
"Yeah. And who is that with you?"
It turned out Kirito had also formed a temporary duo with this fencer. Surprising as it was, she was another female player joining the ranks of Argo and Alice. By pure coincidence, we had gathered here under identical circumstances.
Of course, I had no objection to forming a group. We decided Kirito would be the leader, and Alice and I joined his party. As we dissolved our duo to join him, I caught a glimpse of Alice's face under her hood; she looked slightly dissatisfied.
Thus, the 45+1 players gathered at the meeting managed to form their parties peacefully (?). Although our party was the only one that didn't reach the maximum of six, four people were enough to fulfill basic roles.
"Alright! I believe everyone has finished forming parties. Therefore—"
"Wait a minute, Mr. Knight!"
A harsh voice suddenly echoed through the plaza. A man with spiked hair like a cactus—«Kibaou»—hurried down the steps.
"My name is Kibaou. And before we go into this boss fight, I have something to say."
The players were confused by this sudden interruption. Kirito and I were no exception, listening closely to what Kibaou had to say.
"There are people among us who need to apologize to the two thousand who have died so far! Those who died miserable deaths because you kept everything for yourselves!"
Kibaou pointed his finger at the players in the plaza, his sharp gaze scanning the crowd. At that moment, I knew exactly what he was getting at.
"Mr. Kibaou. By "those people"... do you mean the beta testers?"
"Exactly! Those who came from the beta ran away from the Town of Beginnings on the very first day this cursed game started! They left behind over nine thousand beginners! They hogged the best hunting grounds and the most profitable quests for themselves, got strong fast, and have been ignoring everyone else ever since!"
Kibaou's eyes grew harsher. Although I knew his gaze wasn't fixed solely on me, that wretched tension didn't leave my gut.
"There are people here right now hiding their past as beta testers and trying to join the boss raid! They should get on their knees and apologize, and hand over their money and items, or we can't trust them with our lives as party members!"
He seemed to have said his piece, but no one dared to raise their hand. Doing so, even in self-defense, would make one's position dangerous. Since there is no system-level way to prove if someone was a beta tester, suspicion of others is endless.
The accusation Kibaou leveled at the beta testers was something most beginners had likely thought at least once.
Why didn't they help us? Do they only care about themselves? They must be laughing at us in secret.
I expected resentment toward beta testers to grow as the game progressed. It was true—if I, Kirito, and the other beta testers had shared our knowledge and experience with the beginners from the start, perhaps two thousand people wouldn't have died.
But that's a "what if" scenario that assumes everything would have gone perfectly. People would have died even with information, and it's highly likely beta testers would have died trying to help beginners. If we took the first path, the deaths would be blamed on the testers anyway. If we took the second, the loss of the veteran players who form the core of the raid would lead to a loss of morale.
...I had a lot to say in response, but what I wanted to scream most was: "Why do you assume no beta testers have died?"
Knowledge and experience don't guarantee safety. In fact, the arrogance and overconfidence born from them can lead one into a trap. I hesitated to say it. If I did, I would likely be ostracized and stripped of everything by the anti-beta faction.
But at the same time, I didn't want to remain silent under this attack. As I clenched my fists on my knees, trying to decide, a powerful, resonant voice rang out.
"May I speak?"
The speaker was a massive man sitting at the front of the plaza steps. He stood well over 190 centimeters. In SAO, muscle mass doesn't affect stats, but I could easily imagine him swinging the two-handed axe strapped to his back.
After a slight nod to the other players, he faced Kibaou, looking down at him from his massive height.
"My name is «Agil». Mr. Kibaou, the gist of what you're saying is that many beginners died because beta testers didn't care for them. Therefore, they should apologize and pay compensation. Is that correct?"
"Y-yes! Two thousand people could have lived if those people hadn't abandoned them! And not just two thousand—most of them were pros in other MMOs! If those beta fools had done their duty, our numbers here would be double... we might have cleared the second or third floor by now!"
I couldn't laugh and ask if this cactus-head was delusional, because there was a grain of truth in his words. The beginners who died had the same resolve to clear the game as we did. If they were alive, our strength in this boss battle would be much greater.
However, Agil's response was not what I expected.
"But Mr. Kibaou, setting aside money and items, I believe the information was available."
Agil said this as he pulled a familiar small book from his pouch. On the cover was a logo resembling three rat whiskers—it was the strategy guide sold by Argo.
"This guide, you got one too, didn't you? It was being distributed for free in every village we've passed through so far."
"...Eh, free?"
This was news to me. When I got the strategy guide, I paid a full five hundred Col for it. Beside me, Kirito had the same reaction. He had definitely bought every issue of the guide too.
"...I got it for free too."
"Me too. From the tool shop in Horunka."
Good grief... it seems the free distribution started the moment we went to get Alice's sword. The two fencers in our party who got the info for free don't know that between fifteen hundred and two thousand Col had vanished from our inventory for the same thing.
"—I got it. So what?"
"I found this book in the tool shop every time I reached a new village or town. Don't you think the information was spreading incredibly fast?"
「I said, so what!"
"Don't you understand? The person who provided the monster data and maps in this book to the information broker could be none other than a former beta tester."
"...!"
Kirito and I opened our eyes in shock. The rest of the players began whispering.
"Listen, everyone. The information was available. The reason so many died is because they were pros in other MMOs. They judged Sword Art Online by the standards of other games and miscalculated the moment they needed to retreat. What matters now is how we face the boss based on those mistakes. That is what I thought we were here to discuss."
"Mr. Kibaou. I understand your feelings, but this is not the time for conflict. We are facing a powerful boss, and we will need the strength of the beta testers. There is no point in ostracizing them if it leads to the failure of the boss raid, is there?"
Agil's logic was ironclad and clear, and Kibaou found no room to argue. With Diabel's further persuasion, he snorted and retreated quietly.
"Now, let's resume the meeting. Regarding the boss we will be fighting... the latest version of the strategy guide was just released. According to it—"
The information Diabel read about the boss was identical to what I'd seen in the beta.
The name was «Ilfang the Kobold Lord». He uses a bone axe and a buckler. He is accompanied by guards known as «Ruin Kobold Sentinels», with three appearing every time one of the boss's four HP bars is depleted. We will face twelve guards in total.
Most importantly, when the boss's HP hits the final bar, he will throw away his axe and shield and draw a curved sword—a «Talwar». The ability to handle his completely shifted attack patterns is the key to this fight.
"After the meeting, make sure to review the boss fight data yourselves. Finally, regarding loot distribution, money will be divided automatically. Items will go to the person who gets the drop. Any objections? —We set out tomorrow at 10:00 AM. Meeting adjourned!"
As the players left the plaza, Kirito's and my steps were heavy. Hearing that anti-beta sentiment so clearly was disheartening. Perhaps the existence of understanding people like Agil and Diabel was our only consolation.
By the time the meeting ended, night had fully fallen. In the city's central plaza, the players participating in the boss fight were enjoying themselves to boost morale and get to know each other.
I watched the scene from the corner of a dark alley, gnawing on black bread topped with cream (a quest reward), when I saw a shadow approaching. Usually, she would politely ask if she could sit, but it seemed she thought I would leave if she spoke, so Alice sat beside me in silence.
"...Madam Argo told me yesterday that if I joined the meeting, I might understand why you were avoiding me."
"...I see."
Damn Argo, she told Alice unnecessary things.
"I apologize for what happened. You were doing it out of concern for me, weren't you?"
"You don't need to apologize, Alice. It was a decision I made on my own."
The reason I distanced myself from Alice was simply because I was a beta tester. On the day we dissolved the party, I heard several parties of beginners complaining about beta testers. Their words were similar to what Kibaou shouted, and included some unsettling remarks.
If you stayed with me, people might think Alice was a beta tester too. Since she was starting to adapt to this world, I thought it was the right time to cut our ties.
"..."
The conversation stopped there. Despite having a reason, the distance we had maintained made it hard to find words. As I tried to find a topic, Alice spoke up.
"...Is that black-haired swordsman you were talking to so warmly also a former beta tester?"
"Ah, yeah. We spent a lot of time together in the beta. We parted ways in the Town of Beginnings."
"...So there are others besides me..."
When I was about to ask what she had murmured,
"Hello. Can we join you, if we're not disturbing you?"
Kirito appeared before us with his calm voice and an apologetic smile, accompanied by the hooded fencer whose face remained hidden, «Asuna».
Holding the same black bread I was eating, Kirito sat beside me, and Asuna sat beside Alice.
"By the way, Mitsuki. Is Miss... Alice, a former beta tester too?"
Before I could answer, Alice beat me to it.
"You can just call me Alice. And no, I am not a beta tester. I am a beginner who has been fighting alongside Mitsuki from the start."
"I see. So did Mitsuki help you get that «Anneal Blade»?"
"To an extent. But Alice got the «Ovum» (upgrade material) herself. The material I got ended up turning into a massive amount of Col. Rare drops are truly amazing."
"What?! You didn't tell me! Did you have that material too?!"
"I got it just before you did. Since you got yours the moment we joined up, I didn't think it mattered."
"...You seem very calm."
Asuna said this sharply, cutting through our bickering. A silence fell, as if time had stopped.
"Tomorrow is the boss fight. Shouldn't you all, like everyone else, be making preparations or something?"
"It's definitely a battle we can't afford to lose, but excessive tension before a fight only leads to exhaustion. Since we're forced to live in this world, we have to know when to tighten our nerves and when to relax them, or we won't last."
I swallowed the last bit of bread, grabbed my spear resting beside me, and stood up.
"I'm counting on you tomorrow. Let's do our best so that none of us die."
I said this and walked toward the inn. Alice followed me out of the alley. I thought my last sentence was ill-suited for a beta tester who ran and left everyone at the start, but those were my honest feelings.
"—Mitsuki."
Alice called out as we approached the windmill cottage where she stayed.
"Tomorrow's battle. Let's definitely survive it."
"...Yeah. You too, Alice."
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