Aincrad Standard Time 12:00 in Town Of Beginning..

After they had moved up to the next grinding spot and reaching level 18 with their HP had reached 3,500 or more . They both sitting close on a bench, Koharu's stomach starts growling out loud, loud enough for Lai to hear it.. She got blushed..

Koharu: *blush*

Lai: How about lunch, Koharu? I still have a bread.

Koharu: Yeah, I think I should have some now..

As Lai takes it out, the bread is no longer a bread now due to expire. It now turns into a stale bread which it's not edible anymore for them..

Lai: ...

Koharu: ...

Lai: I guess it can't be eaten now.. *Sweatdropped*

Koharu: Aww!! What kind of system is this!? Why do we get hungry in VR!?

As she's rambling like a cute, spoiled girl. A girl starts giggling out loud enough for them to notice. Koharu just notice that there's a girl sitting next to them..

Koharu: !!

???: Hehe! Sorry for intriguing. I'm Sachi. I just couldn't help myself. You looked so happy.

Koharu: Oh! I'm..! I'm Koharu! And this is Lai!

Sachi: Hello, Koharu. Lai. It's nice hearing about things besides monsters and quests.

Koharu: Are you a solo player?

Sachi: I'm in a guild with friends from high school. They're somewhere around here... Hey! Do you have time to chat? I've heard all sorts of rumors about you, Koharu.

She got confused with a question mark on her head.

Koharu: Me? Why?

Sachi: You're about our age, but you're amazing! It's so cool that you fight on the frontlines!

She got flattered by her compliment..

Koharu: Ha ha... Er.. Thanks, I guess..?

Lai: Guess I'm not in her list yet..

Sachi: Oh! You said you were hungry, right? Here, try this.

She hands out a pack of sandwiches..

Sachi: I bought enough for everyone, but they're not back yet, and it's about to expire.

Koharu: Sandwiches? Are you sure it's okay? And why aren't you with them?

Her saddened looks reveal out..

Sachi: ...Because I'm a coward. I'm terrified every time I leave town... They're off earning money to buy me a spear, so I can fight far away from the monsters. I'm just a big burden on all of them..

Koharu: It's only natural to be scared!

Sachi: Eh?

Koharu: Don't push yourself. Take it slow!

Sachi: Are you scared too, Koharu?

Koharu: You bet I am. Terrified! I can't handle it on my own... But I've got a friend.

Sachi: Where is he?

Koharu: He's just right next to me. ^^"

Sachi: Oh! Sorry! I thought he was out there too.

He teases her..

Lai: Took you long enough to notice.

Sachi: Hehe! Yeah! Silly me! So are you two just started hanging out?

She got blushed in an instant after listening, but Lai just cool with that.

Koharu: Eh!? It's not like that! We're merely just friends! That's all!

Lai: *Smile serenely*

Sachi: ...I see. But I got friends too, so maybe one day.. Well, thanks for the pep talk.

Koharu: Is there anything we can help? Like where are your friends now?

Sachi: Fighting on the plains! Seems like they're having trouble.

Lai: It's much easier to fight a monster if you know its patterns, right?

Koharu: We'll investigate for you!

Sachi: Really?

Lai: Yeah! Count us in! As a thanks for the sandwiches, right?

Koharu: That's what I thought too!

Sachi: *nod* Okay! Just be careful out there!

Lai: We'll be back, I promise!

5 hours later...

Aincrad Standard Time 17:30...

They both got back safe and sound.. With all the monsters data in this floor and they both leveled up to level 19.

Sachi: Hi again! How'd it go!

Koharu: Easy! Here's the monster data all around this floor!

She receives the book and read it with delighted grin.

Sachi: Wow! This is great. I'm sure everyone will jump for joy. Thank you so much!

Then, a blue hair player who looks like a knight suddenly step in.

???: You two did great! Rather than hoard info for yourselves, you share it with those in need.

Lai: Who are you?

Diavel: Oh, sorry. I'm Diavel. Nice to meet you! Your willingness to share it is truly inspiring! Information can save your life here.

Lai: Uhh... You're too flattering.

Diavel: You see, I'm gathering people to take on this floor's boss right now. If you wish to help us conquer this floor, come to Tolbana.

Koharu: Wait! This is too sudden!

Diavel: Yeah, sorry. But well, only if your mind's made up. So good day, I hope to see you soon!

He takes his leave to the next town, Tolbana.

Koharu: So... Yes? No?

Lai: ...

He goes into thoughts carefully..

Lai: Info from the front will help us a ton. So let's do it. I bet many players are there too.

Sachi: You're challenging the floor boss?

Lai: Don't worry! I can tell we're getting stronger after finishing a lot of quests!

Koharu: Yeah! And we almost reach level 20!

Sachi: Wow! Really!? That's amazing!

Koharu: Yeah! All thanks to Lai for the hardworking! Really!

Sachi: Well if you insist on going... Survive, okay? And come see me again!

Koharu: We will! That's a promise!

Lai: It's 5:35pm now. The meeting's too early for us.

Sachi: Oh, I guess we can hang out a little more before that!

Koharu: Yeah! Let's stretch more legs while we wait!

Lai: Okay!

They both bring Sachi with them to do some leveling. Then, time passes as Lai and Koharu constantly grinding out mobs and farming items for the collecting quests on their own.

1 month later...

December 2nd, Friday. Aincrad Standard Time 16:00 in Tolbana: Amphitheater.

They had reached level 38. They both sitting on the seat with other top players around them. Everyone are currently now having their conversations.

Koharu: I guess our levels is enough, I think.. I bet the other's might have higher levels than us.

Lai: You know we haven't fight the boss on this floor yet. Besides, I bet we're gonna break the world record of reaching level 40 first.

Koharu: Just to make sure the boss fight will be easy so there'll be no casualties at all. Oh, the meeting is about to start.

Everyone focus back as the meeting starts, Diavel is the one who will be the one announcing speeches of this.

Diavel: Thanks to everybody for coming, good to see you! My name is Diavel, and in this game, the job I rolled is knight!

Some other players start making fun of him casually.

Spear User: Ha! Ha! Dude! There's no job system in this game!

Axe User: Ooh, Knight! Cool, Lol! I'll be the Berserker then!

Diavel: You guys wanna hear this or not!?

Then, everyone just went shut up in an instant.

Diavel: Right. Anyway, here's the deal! Our party had found the boss room at the top of the tower today.

Everyone got curious..

Player: What!?

Diavel: First, we need to defeat the boss make it to Floor 2! The next step is, we have to tell everyone, waiting in the Town Of Beginnings, that is possible to beat this game! Fact is, it's our duty as the most capable players here. Do you agree or not?

Then, everyone starts discussing. As they nod, they all giving an applause to Diavel, some of them also blow the cheering whistle.

Kirito: Huh.. That's cool..

Diavel: Okay! Glad to hear you all with me on this! Now let's figure out how we gonna beat the boss! First off, we team up in a party of six!

Kirito: !!

Lai and Koharu: !?

As they look around, everybody had their party planned out. Only leaving Lai, Koharu, Kirito and a mysterious red-hood girl.

Koharu: Ehh!? There's only two of us!

Diavel: A typical party doesn't stand a chance against the floor boss. We need a raid group, made out of multiple parties!

Koharu: What should we do? We're gonna be left out at this rate.

Lai: Our levels are high enough for that. Huh?

He notices two players got left out too.

Koharu: What's wrong?

Lai: There's two more players over there! Maybe we can form a party with them!

As she looks at where Lai is pointing, she saw a familiar faces.

Koharu: That's.. Him?

Lai: Who?

Koharu: *nod* You'll be surprised by him! Anyway, let's go join them!

They move themselves to Kirito..

Koharu: Hey!

Kirito: Hm? You're Koharu, right? Nice to see you, here.

Koharu: Yeah! And..!

Lai: Wait! I remember that armor!

Kirito: Huh?

He stares at Lai's armor who hasn't changed a bit. They both recognize each other immediately.

Kirito and Lai: Is that you, Kirito/Lai!? And is that how you looks!?

Then, she teases..

Koharu: Hehe! Your synchronization is so perfect!

Kirito and Lai: Come on, it's not that funny.. Hey!

Mysterious red-hood girl: *chuckle*

Timeskip...

Kirito: So you two got left out, huh?

Koharu: Yeah, I'm glad you're here! Can we join in for the time being?

Kirito: Sure, mind if you let them, Asuna?

Asuna: ...Sure..

Lai: Thanks a lot! Or else Koharu couldn't calm herself down.

Koharu: Yeah.. Thanks, Kirito.

Kirito sends a party invitation to both of them. They both accept it immediately.

Koharu: Ah! We can ease right now!

Kirito: Okay, the party is just formed.. We can't beat the boss on our own.

Diavel: All right, looks like everyone's teamed up. Now then!

Kibaou: Hold on a sec!

Kirito: Huh?

Lai: No.. It's him again..

Everyone looks at him who is at the top. He jumps all the way to the center with Diavel.

Kibaou: My name's Kibaou! Got that!? Before we take on the boss, I wanna get something off from my chest!

Kirito: ?

Kibaou: We all knew about 1,990 people who died so far, yeah!? Well, some of you need to apologise to 'em right now!

Everyone starts discussing about Kibaou's referring to. Kirito looks uneasy..

Koharu: No way! 1,990 people!?

Diavel: Kibaou. I think who you're referring to. You mean the ones who is ex-beta testers, right?

Kibaou: Course I mean them!

Lai: (What!?)

Kibaou: The thing is in this stupid ass game started! The beta guy just have them a headstart, right!? They've been stalled us beginners!

He starts clenching his fist..

Kibaou: They snagged all the hunting spots! And they grabbed all the easy quests too! They were the only one's getting stronger in here, this whole time they've been ignoring us like we're nothing! Grr...! Hell I bet that some of them are here! Come on out, beta testers!

Lai: You piece of..!

Koharu: That's just cruel..! After we've been work on!

Kirito: Calm down, you two. Making a trouble isn't a good idea for both.

Kibaou: You should make apologise to us AND we should make them all give out their money AND the items they got! They can't expect the party to trust them when they don't trust us! Why should we!?

Kirito: Tsk...

???: Can I say something?

Koharu: Huh?

Everyone stare at Agil, who stands out against Kibaou at the center.. He got shocked by Agil's height.

Kibaou: Ugh!

Agil: Hey, my name is Agil. Kibaou, right? I wanna make sure I'm on the same page. You said the ex-beta testers should be blamed for the rookie's deaths because they didn't help them. And you want 'em to apologise to give up their winnings. I leave anything out?

Kibaou: No, you didn't.

Then, he takes out a notebook and shows it to Kibaou.

Agil: The item store hands this out, this is a guidebook. You got one, didn't you?

Kibaou: Sure I got one, so what about it?

Agil: You know who was handed these out? The ex-beta testers.

Everyone got curious..

Kibaou: Guh...!

Agil turns around to everyone.

Agil: Listen out! Everyone had equal access to this information. Even so, lots of players still died. I ain't come in here to point fingers at anyone. I'm here cuz I want to learn from those player's deaths. I'm here because I want to find out how we're gonna beat the boss.

Kirito: Phew...

Lai: Thank God..

Koharu: We're clear, for now..

He turns back to him as he watches Kibaou leaving with arrogant face and sit back onto his seat. Crossing his arm.

Kibaou: Hmph!

Diavel: Okay! Can we go back to the meeting now? For info on the boss, it's all in here. The latest issue of the guidebook you just heard about.

Kibaou: Huh?

Diavel: According to the book, the boss's name is Illfang the Kubold Lord. Also, he'll be surrounded by his minions. The ruined Kubold Sentinels. Illfang carries an axe and a buckler. He has four health bars and when the last one turns red, he switches to a curved sword-type called a Talwar. He can change his patterns of attacks too.

Everyone start coming up for the strategy, Diavel closes the guidebook.

Diavel: That's it for the briefing. As for the distribution of loot. Money will be divided equally among everyone. The party that defeats the boss gets the Exp and whoever gets an item, gets to keep it. Any objections?

Koharu sits a bit near and whispers to his ear.

Koharu: I'm worried if they know about us as the beta testers.

He replies..

Lai: We sold our guidebooks to Argo, remember?

Koharu: Yeah, and I'm worried about you might get worked up.

Lai: ...

Diavel: Good! We leave tommorow at 10 in the morning! Meeting adjourned, people!

Kirito: I guess we're leaving now, see you both tonight.

Everyone dismissed from the meeting. Kibaou apologises to Diavel as Kirito and Asuna leave the Amphitheater. As everyone had left except Lai, Koharu and Diavel. As they are about to leave as well.

Diavel: Thank you for coming! You two! I'm glad to have more allies!

Koharu: Uhh... We're still not sure we're joining the raid.

Diavel: I see... Would you mind bringing these Melted Metal to everyone at the Town's inn?

Koharu: Sure, Lai and I can handle that...

He shakes his head..

Diavel: No, I'd like Lai to stay here with me. I have something I want to discuss about tomorrow.

Lai: Eh?

Koharu: Oh, all right. See you later then, Lai!

He watches her leave with the weapon materials..

Lai: ...

Diavel: Now.. Lai, there's something I want to ask of you.

Lai: Yes, ask away.

Diavel: You were a beta tester, weren't you?

Lai: ...Yeah I am, how did you know?

Diavel: When Kibaou starts blaming about beta testers. You were about to stand out before Agil did.

Lai: Yeah.. I can't stand his arrogant side..

Diavel: He's actually right.

Lai: Huh?

Diavel: You see, I'm also a beta tester too. I used a different name, different avatar and played a different way, I've been beyond Floor 2.

Lai: Wha-!? Really!? I only just stick to this Floor because I wanna get used to the full dive at all!

Diavel: Yeah anyway, about what Kibaou said was absolutely right. As soon as things took a bad turn, I.. I should have been there for everyone.

Lai: Diavel...

Diavel: I knew how to fight the monsters here, I knew how to make money fast... But I can't save 10,000 players. While I'm away saving one anywhere, another one would die somewhere else. And when they do, could I bear that responsibility? The mere thought of it kept me silent all this time.

Lai: What are you talking about, Diavel!? Snap out of it!

Diavel: Huh?

Lai: It should be 2,000 people who died in this game. But why it's 1,990 on today's news? Because I saved them out from the Quest Plains! And I was too late for the others who are already died!

Diavel: You did?

Lai: Listen.. Players or Beta testers. Each of us can only do so much and there's limit on how much that every person can do.

Diavel: I'm glad to hear that from you. Still though, I haven't been straight with everyone. And now here I am. The one who didn't help... Now I'm hiding the truth from all the players in this world with us. But I like to think that I'm at least doing what is necessary here.

Lai: Yeah, glad you think in that way.

Diavel: Taking charge as leader, gathering all the strong players who were soloing, and moving on, until we hit Floor 100. I'm here to set everyone free. That's my role in this world now. It's the only thing I can do.

Lai: What will you do when it's all over?

Diavel: Hm? You mean after Floor 100?

Lai: Yeah!

Diavel: It seems so far off I never gave it much thought. But I guess... Just so you know, I've been calling myself a Knight, but my name, Diavel, actually comes from the Italian word for devil. I spent a ton of time crafting an avatar to match that name too. With a face meaner than even Agil's. That was the real me I had planned for SAO.

Lai: Cool! Sounds exciting!

Diavel: Once this is all finished with I think I'll make a character worthy of the name Diavel, and stir up trouble.

Lai: Well..!

Both of his hands place behind his hands as he smiles confidently.

Lai: And I'll be the one to take you down!

Diavel: Hah! I like the sound of that! I'll think of it as my reward for beating this. Tomorrow I'm back to my blue-haired Knight again, though. Follow me, and Floor 100 is ours!

Lai: And let's save everyone for now!

Diavel: Yes we will! Anyway, that's all. Thanks for hearing me out.

Then, Koharu just came back with her cheerful smile.

Koharu: Diavel! I finished making the rounds. Everyone seems primed for battle.

Diavel: Sorry for making you do the footwork. We're just finishing with our little chat here. I'll get you your reward, so just rest up and get yourselves ready. I'll see you tomorrow!

Then, the Knight leave. Only left are Lai and Koharu this time.

Koharu: So, you guys had a good talk, then? What did he say?

He smiles at his partner..

Lai: I'll tell you someday.

Koharu: So it's a secret for now, then? All right, I guess.. But don't forget to fill me in sometime!

He pats her head like petting her..

Lai: I will, Koharu..

Koharu: *pout and blush* Stop that!

Aincrad Standard Time 21:00 in Central Tolbana: Fountain..

The top players are having a night party tonight, Kibaou and Diavel are getting along very well, Lai and Koharu are sitting at the side of the fountain, eating buns with cream and drinking cocktail heartily. Kirito and Asuna also are together but they're away from the crowd.

Koharu: Hey, do you think Kirito and Asuna are getting along like Kibaou and Diavel?

Lai: Hm? Why's that?

Koharu: Well, they both are solo players, right? And I guess they haven't been in a party before. They probably don't know about switching.

Lai: Well, Kirito knows it very well. As for her, I really had no clue. Maybe Kirito will teach her that. You should think about us sometimes.

She says confidently..

Koharu: We? I'm sure we're pretty fine on almost everything.

Lai: Yeah, I hope.. Wait.. Aren't you too confident tonight?

Koharu: I don't know.. A part of me still scared about the raid. But another part of me still had faith on you and I know that, clearly.

Lai: Glad to hear that. And I'll protect you no matter what.

She smiles happily..

Koharu: Thanks! But don't overdo it.

Lai: Well, of course I won't! I'll always keep our promises till the end!

Koharu: Hehe! For somehow, you really made me smiling happily. Seeing that face of you and your avatar makes me think you're not lying to me. It's like, we're meeting each other as real life person but in a Virtual World!

Lai: What? You thought I'm gonna ended up looking like Ulrik?

She looks away and blushes while smiling..

Koharu: Honestly, yeah. I was a bit afraid about that.

He puts his hands behind his head as his pillows while laying on the side of the fountain. With his head resting next to Koharu..

Lai: Well, I'm glad you're not a guy with girly avatar. I'd be freaking out everyday. It's like I'm in a nightmare and I'm having a nightmare in my sleep.

Koharu: Hehehe! Yeah!

They spend the rest of the night before getting back for their sleep in their inn. Koharu muttering out smiling while they heading back.

I'm glad that I met you, Lai..

December 3rd, Saturday. Aincrad Standard Time 10:40 in Floor 1 Labyrinth.

As every raiding parties reached the top of the Floor and in front of the room, Diavel stabs the ground with his sword as he announces.

Diavel: Listen up, everyone. I've only got one thing to say to you. Let's win!

Everyone was prepared as they hold their weapons on. In Party E..

Lai: You ready?

Koharu: Yeah, I promised Sachi that I'd fight and I'd live. And I'd protect you.

Lai: Hey, that's my line.. Just don't overdo it.

Koharu: Yeah. With everyone here. I'm sure we'll win.

Diavel: Come on!

He pushes the door and beyond it was a room filled pitch black. Then, light floods in as they all stepping in. The boss jumps up from his throne and carries axe and shield, he also has 4 health bars and three Sentinels spawn around it just like the guidebook said.

Diavel: Chaaaarge!!!

Everyone: Haaaaaaa!!!

Their weapons clash against the Kobold's. Diavel commands the raiding parties.

Diavel: Squad A and C! Switch in!

As the boss is about to strike..

Diavel: Here it comes! Squad B! Block!

As Diavel commands, Agil parries the boss's attack and Kibaou counter back with his Sword Skill.

Diavel: Squad C! Keep guarding and prepare to switch! Everyone else, when you fall back, regroup and flank them! Squad D, E and F! Keep those minions off us!

Kirito: Yeah you got it! Asuna!

He parries the Sentinel's attack. Then, switch with Asuna who is prepared to unleash her Linear Sword Skill.

Asuna: I'm on it!

She rushes in his place and dashes to the enemy, stabbing it very fast that Kirito can't even see the tip of her Rapier. The other two both witness that.

Koharu: She's really good at this.

Lai: Focus!

Koharu: Huh?

A Kobold jumps on her with its Mace ready to strike, but her reaction was fast enough to party it and cut through it with her 3-combo Slice Skill.

Koharu: Got it!

Lai: Haaa!

He parries one of the Sentinel's weapon, Lai jumps forward and snatches its weapon away. Throwing it to another one and slashes the others. He notices more of them are coming in his direction by his aggro.

Lai: !?

He hard hits its head with the back of the sword hilt. Making it flinch a bit, he grabs its arm and starts spinning fast until he let go of it. Knocking the rest of them down. Then, he executes them all with stabbing when they're vulnerable.

Lai: Not so tough, are you?

Kobold the Illfang Lord: Roaaar!!!

His HP has dropped to 25% of its last health bar. He throws away his Axe and Shield.

Kibaou: Hmph! Looks like the guidebook was right!

Diavel: Stand back! I got it!

Everyone looks at Diavel who is about to rush in for the final attack. Kirito stops as he feels something's wrong.

Kirito: I thought the plan was for everyone in the group to surround it...

Lai overhears it..

Lai: Wha-!? So he's trying-!?

Kirito: Yeah...

Koharu: The last attack bonus..

Without wasting any seconds, Lai follows up to Diavel's side as soon as possible.

Koharu: Lai, where are you going!?

Kirito: Wait! We should stick as a group!

Before Diavel rushes to the boss, he gazes back to Kirito. But when he turns to Lai, his eyes widened..

Diavel: Lai?

Lai: You're idiot, Diavel! You can't just risk your life for that bonus!

But Diavel didn't listen, he focused back and when is about to unleash his sword skill after fully charged up. The boss grab something out from his disposal, instead of a curved-type weapon that everyone expected in the guidebook, it's a straight sharp long blade. Kirito and Lai both just notice that.

Lai: Huh?

Kirito: That's not a Talwar! It's a Nodachi! This isn't like the beta!

Lai: Wait!! Stop!!! It's no good!! Get out of there, Diavel!!

Diavel: !!

The boss jumps around the boss room, as his feet step on the ceiling and jumps straight to Diavel. As the moment his blade lands on him.

*Klank!*

Diavel: Huh?

In front of him was Lai who is sword-clashing against the horrifying boss. Then, he notices his blade is about to break.

Lai: No good!!

His sword breaks through his Anneal Blade. The forces pushing Lai and Diavel far enough to crash against the pillar.

Koharu: Lai!!

Lai: Ugh!!!

The boss roars out before he attacks everyone, Lai forcefully tries to stand up with his wound. Kirito, Asuna and Koharu just got there for their aid.

Kirito: You guys, okay!? What were you both thinking!?

Lai: *wheeze* Ask Diavel for God's sake...

Koharu: Lai..

Diavel: Why...!? Why did you do that in all of a-!?

Lai: Shut the hell up, Diavel! This is just the Floor 1 and you gonna abandon us ALREADY!?

Diavel: You...

He opens the menu for a quick change. Then, a long 2H spear equips in his right hand. He chugs down a few healing potions and several buffs potion that boosts his stats. He spins his weapon with both hands before getting into his fighting stance.

Lai: I won't break my promise! Especially for Koharu! So I'm not gonna lose here!

Koharu: !!

After hearing that, she unsheathes her dagger and slowly, she stands alongside with her partner..

Koharu: Let me fight with you.. Two is better than one..

Lai: Let's win!

They both rush to the boss who just blows some of the DPS players away and notice them heading to his direction.

Kobold the Illfang Lord: *Roaaar*!!!

As he charges with his Nodachi towards and lands a strike on the ground, Koharu backsteps away and Lai hops and runs onto the blade. He jumps onto him and cuts the boss several times and a stab thrust through the boss with 2H Spear. Then, he switches with Koharu who jumps onto him and slices him times with Misty Edge. Lai finishes it with Edgefall as the killing blow but got parried by a Minion, as another one tries to land a blow on Lai. Kirito cuts in and slash the minion who gets in their way.

Kirito: Did you guys forget about me?!

Then, Asuna unleashes her Shooting Star to another one. As the boss charged up his sword. Agil parries his attack.

Agil: Keep it up on the boss! We'll handle the minions!

Lai: C'mon!

Koharu: Right with you!

Lai throws several knives at the boss's foot to inflict a status ailment: Slow before they land their last team attack.

Koharu: This is it!

Lai: It's over!

They both stab on the boss's vital spot which does critical damage to him. After the defeat of the floor boss, his body vanish into Blue Polygons and everyone just receive their Exp, Cols and drops.

Koharu: Are we.. Did it?

A Congratulations just show up to everyone.

Lai: Here's the answer.

It is a silent moment for all of them before the cheering begins, everyone starts celebrating their first win from the boss fight.

Agil: That was some fine Cooperate attacks. Congratulations, you two.

Lai: Yeah.. Is everyone okay?

Kirito: Diavel managed to stay alive, thanks to you. I couldn't get to him that far, sorry about that.

Lai: Hey! At least there's no casualties. But seriously, I thought the plan was to get everyone to surround it. Never thought Diavel would risk his life for the bonus.

Kirito: That's what I thought.. But about that boss, the weapons he's using wasn't like the beta or like the guidebook said.

Lai: This is a full game released, remember? Kayaba must had modified the boss's weapons and the attack patterns.

Kirito: Yeah, good thinking, Lai. So what's the rate item?

Lai: I guess it's...

He open the details of the item. He also notices the same reward in Koharu's.

Lai: Coat of Midnight. And looks like she got one too.

Asuna: Today's victory is all thanks to you both.

Lai: Huh?

She removes her hood, reveals a long, beige hair. Along with a crimson smile.

Koharu: Is that how you looks in real life, Asuna? You look beautiful!

Asuna: Oh thank you, Koharu.

Lai: Oh! And thanks for backing us up! We couldn't done it without your help.

Asuna: I thought you two were just casual players who're just having fun around. Never expect that you're something.

Lai: Hey! Koharu and I both had worked hard on our ourselves since the first day.

Asuna: *giggle* Just kidding. Congrats on getting the last attack bonus.

Koharu: Thanks!

As they all watch the players applausing them from a distance as like their MVPs. But then, someone shouts out loud.

Kibaou: Stop cheering!

Everyone got silent and look at Kibaou.

Kibaou: Why'd you do it, huh? Why'd you let Diavel risk himself, Kirito!?

Kirito: What?

Lai: Dude, he's safe and sound now!

Diavel: Yeah I'm fine.. Kibaou, you don't have to-

Kibaou: You knew the technique the boss was gonna use! You could have told us, then Diavel would have stood a chance. He wouldn't have to risk!

Everyone start wondering..

Spear User: I know why he knew! He used to be a beta tester! Think about it, he knew the boss's attack patterns! He knew but he kept it from us! And I bet he's not the only beta tester here! Come on, show yourself!

His words makes Kibaou more furious. Koharu defends.

Koharu: That's not true! We all don't know about it at all! Even we do, we could had shared it to everyone already!

Spear User: Of course a naive girl like you would think it that way, so get lost!

That's what had crossed Lai's line. He stomps the ground with his 2H Spear. Create a shock on the ground to everyone else.

Lai: Not to use the harsh words.. But.. Who are you!? A damned idiot!? I know the game was released for like couple days ago, OFFICIALLY! And after the closed beta, you'd expect that the game master, Kayaba had already made a lot changes to this game before releasing it!

Everyone starts wondering again.. Most of the players agree with him, including Asuna.

Asuna: Yeah.. He's right.. This isn't the beta anymore. It's the official..

Agil: That fact can turn the table for sure.. And it should put some ease to every beta testers from getting singled out..

Kibaou: Ugh..

Lai: Get it now!? Stop blaming the beta testers and shut the feck up, you goddamn newb!

Spear User: What did you say!?

He acts more arrogant and shows even more hostility.

Lai: What, you mad bro? Why don't you just come and say it to my face, tough guy!

Spear User: Grrr!!!

Koharu: Stop antagonizing them, Lai! We all blind about this.

After hearing from her, he immediately cools himself down.

Lai: *sigh* Sorry, Koharu... I just can't withstand that.

He proceeds forward...

Koharu: Where are you going?

Lai: To the next floor..

He walks towards the Gate to the Floor 2. Koharu follows up to his side. Before the teleport, Diavel catches up.

Diavel: Lai, you don't have to do this..

He stops..

Lai: Oh yeah, sorry for snatching your last attack bonus, Diavel. And we made a promise to save everyone out and reach 100th floor together, remember? So don't die on me for God's sake. I leave the leading role to you.

Then, he teleports to the next floor along with his partner, Koharu. Leaving everyone in silent atmosphere.

End Of Chapter...