No one's POV

It's been over one month since this game of death began, and during that time, Over 1000 people had died. But not a single person has cleared the first floor. Today, a boss fight conference is being held and both Zora and Rumia had made their way to the location and were both sitting up top away from a lot of people and a blue haired man standing on the stage started to clap his hands to get the others attention.

Blue haired man: Listen up!! I'll be starting the conference now! Thank you, for responding to my summons today. My name is Diabel and in this game... the job I rolled is Knight!

Players started to laugh at Diabel and Zora just sighed, while Rumia giggled, then Diabel looked at everyone with a serious face and attitude.

Diabel: Today, our party discovered the boss room at the top of the tower.

Zora: Seriously??

Everyone then looked at him completely shocked.

Diabel: First, We need to defeat the boss, and make it to floor two. The next step is, We have to tell everyone waiting in the Town of Beginning that it is possible to beat this game. The fact is, it is our duty as the most capable players here! Isn't that right, everyone?

Everyone then looked around each other and nodded and started to clap at Diabel and he spoke again.

Diabel: Okay! Then without further delay, I'd like to get this boss-raid meeting started. First, I want you to team up into a party of six.

Zora: Eeeeh?!?!

Zora looked completely annoyed and he looked around and saw everyone forming parties with each other.

Rumia: Come on, let's go join one...

Zora: I don't think I want to...

Rumia: Zora...

Zora: You know I don't like being around other people....

Rumia: I know, but we can't win this with the two of us only. We need to form a party.

Zora:....

Zora just looked down but Rumia rubbed his head and Zora looked at her.

Rumia : It's okay... I'll stay by your side until the end.

Zora just looked at Rumia and give her a warmed smile.

Zora: Alright...whatever you say, Rumia.

Rumia: Good. Look, there's two players over there, let's see if they want to form a party!!

Zora then looked over and saw a hooded figure and a black haired boy, he immediately realized, it is the same boy he saw on the first day. He saw that the boy had the "Annual blade" with him.

Zora: Wow... He has an "Annual blade" too, just like I do.

Rumia: Then he must be a pretty good player. Not so many players can clear that annoying quest. So come  let's go!

Zora and Rumia made their way to the two players.

Rumia: Hey..! Do you guys still in need of a member in your party??

The boy and the hooded figure looked back at the two of them.

Boy: Do you want to join as well??

Rumia: Of course...

Zora: If you don't mind...

Rumia said with a big smile on her face, while Zora said it while rubbing his back and giving them a warm smile.

Boy: Sure. Having four players in a party is better then just two.

Rumia: Yup... the more the merrier.

The boy pulled down his menu and sent both Zora and Rumia a party Invitation and they both accepted it and Zora saw the two players names.

Zora(mind): Asuna...and...NO WAYY!!

Zora then saw the other player name and was completely shocked and he looked up and saw the other player was looking at him shocked as well.

Zora/Kirito: Kirito/Zora?!?

Rumia: Wait, Kirito? Isn't he the player you met and would actually party with during the beta?

Zora: Yeah, never thought I'd run into him here .

Kirito: I could say the same to you.

Zora: Well...I'm glad to see your still alive.

Kirito: Same goes for you.

Both Zora and Kirito give each other a fist bump.

Rumia: See, it all worked out in the end. We managed to party with someone your comfortable with.

Zora: Yeah, sure...

Zora said it with an embarrassed looked and a blush on his face. Then Diabel speak again.

Diabel: Okay, are you done forming your parties? Then...

Before Diabel could finished his sentence everyone heard a voice on top of the stairs.

???: Hold up one second!!

Suddenly an orange haired man jumped down onto the stage, and had an annoyed looked.

Kibaou: The name's Kibaou. There's something I wanna say before we take on the boss.Some of you here need to apologize to the 1000 who have died so far!

Everyone looked confused and Zora, Rumia and Kirito automatically knew what he was talking about and Zora had an annoyed looked on his face.

Diabel: Kibaou, these people you're referring to... do you mean the ex-beta testers, right?

Kibaou: Of course I do! On the day this stupid game started, the beta guys ditched us beginners, and they all disappeared. They took all the good hunting spots and easy quest for themselves, so they were the only one's getting stronger. And since then, they've just ignored the rest of us. There's got to be some of them here! Guys who were beta testers! We should make them get on their knees and apologize, and give up all the items and money they've hordes. As party members, we can expect to trust them when they don't trust us. Why should we?

Zora had a composed looked but bit deep down he was completely furious and was about to burst any minute.

Zora(mind): Like hell, it's the beta testers fault. If it weren't for us, all of you would have died by now.

Suddenly, another voice spoke up and it was a very large man.

Agil: Can I say something? My name is Agil. Kibaou, let me get this straight...you're saying that because the ex-beta testers should be blamed for the rookies death because they didn't help them. Then they should take responsibility, apologize, and provide compensation. Isn't that right?

Kibaou: Y-Yeah.

Agil then pulled out a small book.

Agil: You received this guidebook too, didn't you? It was provided for free at the item store, after all.

Kibaou: Sure, I got it...So what if I did?

Agil: It was the ex-beta testers who were distributing these.

Everyone looked at Agil shocked and Kirito and Rumia had a relief face. While Zora still remains composed as ever.

Agil: Listen up! Everyone had equal access to this information. And yet, many players still died. What to learn from those failures, and how to defeat the boss...That's what I thought we'd be discussing here.

Agil then looked back at Kibaou and he had an annoyed look and the both of them sat back down.

Diabel: All right, can we resume the meeting now? As for information on the boss...Actually, the latest edition of that guidebook was just issued. According to it, the boss name is called Illfang the Kobols Lord. Also, he has mobs known as the Ruin Kobold Sentinels. The boss is armed with an axe and a buckler. He has four health bars, and when the last one is in the red, he switches to a curved sword-type weapon called a Talwar. His attack pattern changes too. That concludes the conference. Lastly, regarding item distribution, money will be automatically divided equally. EXP goes to the party that defeats the monster. And whoever received an item keeps it. Any objection? If not, we leave tomorrow at ten in the morning. Alright....dismissed!

(Timeskip)

It was night time, many players were partying with one another, many were sharing drinks and stories. Some only chat with friends and some are enjoying the night view.

Both Zora and Rumia are having dinner near the bench and he saw Asuna sitting down a little bit further behind them while eating a caramel sweet bread. Then he saw Kirito walking towards her.

Kirito: it's pretty tasty, isn't it? Mind if I sit down?

He ask as Asuna didn't answer, so Kirito took it as a yes from her and sit down next to her. Asuna just move away from him, making Kirito sweat drop.

Asuna: Do you really think it's good?

Kirito: Of course. Ever since I came to this town, I've been eating at least once a day. I do change it up a little though.

Asuna: Change it up?

Kirito put a jar in the middle.

Kirito: Try putting some on the bread.

Asuna look at the jar wearily, as she touch it, her finger glow and slowly putting her glowing finger on her bread. Golden liquid appeared on the spot she touch.

Asuna: Cream...?

Asuna looked towards Kirito who is eating happily.

Kirito: Give it a try.

Asuna look at her bread, before slowly taking a bite on it. Kirito stopped for a moment to see her reaction, then suddenly she immediately finished it in an instant.

Kirito: It's a reward for a quest called "The Heifers Strikes Back" one village behind us. Do you want to know how I did it?

Asuna just shook her head.

Asuna: I appreciate the offer but I didn't come to this town to eat good food.

Kirito: Okay, why are you here?

Asuna: So I don't lose sight of who I am. I rather stay myself until the very last moment than lock myself inside an inn back at the Town of Beginning, and slowly rot away. Even if I'm defeated by a monster and die, I don't want to lose to this game... to this world. No matter what.

Kirito: I wouldn't want a party member dying on me... So try not to die tomorrow.

Zora: Well aren't you two a love birds.

Both Kirito and Asuna saw Zora and Rumia behind them sitting beside each other while still eating their dinner.

Kirito: When did you get here, and how come I didn't detect you with my searching skill?!

Zora: Me and Rumia had been sitting here even before she sat right behind us. I can't believe you didn't notice that, and by the way you two look cute together.

Rumia: I know right...they look like husbands and wife.

Both Rumia and Zora said with a smirk and a smile on their face while both Kirito and Asuna started to turn red.

Kirito: We look cute, what about you guys? The two of you are always together. If anything you guys who look like husband and Wife.

Zora: Yeah...but she's my sister.

Both Kirito and Asuna looked at the both of them shocked.

Zora: But, I agree with you Kirito, I won't let someone in my party die. No matter what...Even if it cause me my life.

Zora said it with a smile on his face while Kirito just smirked and both Rumia and Asuna had a smile on their face.

Rumia: Oo... who knew that my little brother is such a gentleman?

Zora: Shut up...!!

(Timeskip)

Currently the raid party is heading toward the boss room. Zora, Rumia, Kirito, and Asuna were discussing their plans.

Kirito: Let's review the plan. We're the backup, our target is the Ruin Kobold Sentinels, the boss's minions.

Asuna: I know.

Rumia: Right.

Zora: Me and Kirito will use a sword skill to knock their poleaxes up. The second we do, the two of you switch and jump in.

Asuna: What's a switch?

Kirito: Don't tell me... Is this your first time you've been in a party?

Asuna: Yes.

Zora: It's fine, everyone got to start somewhere right.

Rumia: Right, a simple way to explain is that we switch positions in mid battle.

Asuna: I see.

Once everyone made it to the boss room, Diabel looked at everyone.

Diabel: Listen up, everyone. I have only got one thing to say. Let's win! Let's go!

Diabel opened the boss room and everyone walked in and drew their weapons and the room started to glow and the boss jumped from his throne and his sentinels appeared next to him and they all started to run at everyone.

Diabel: Commence attack!

Everyone then started to run at the boss and mobs and they clashed with one another and Diabel was giving orders.

Diabel: Squad A! Squad C! Switch!

The boss started to charge up an attack and Squad B blocks it and Diabel told Zora squad to fend off the mobs.

Kirito: Roger!

Zora: Yeah, you got it!

Zora and Kirito blocked its attack and pushed it back.

Zora & Kirito: Switch!

Both Rumia and Asuna ran up and used their sword skill to take them out.

Zora: Nice work, both of you! But we're not done yet.

Kirito: Let's keep going

After a hour of fighting the boss is in it's final HP bar and got to the red zone. It let out a terrifying roar amd threw away it's axe ans buckler and Zora and Kirito noticed this.

Diabel: Stand back. I'll go!!

Zora: That idiot, what is he doing?

Kirito: This is when we should have everyone surrounded it... not attack by himself.

Diabel run ahead and Diabel looked over at Zora and smirked and Zora eyes widened and looked over at the boss and noticed it wasn't a Talwar, but a Nodachi.

Kirito: That's not a Talwar, its a No-Dachi!

Zora: It's not the same as the beta test!

Zora shouted with all of his might.

Zora: Wait stopped! Jump back as fast as you can!

It was to late, the boss then started to jump all around Diabel and then slashed Diabel and sent him flying back.

Kibaou: Diabel, Nooo!

The boss then jumped in front of everyone and just roared at them and Zora ran to Diabel.

Zora: Diabel!

Zora saw that Diabel HP was draining and he pulled out a HP potion and went to give it to him, but he refused.

Diabel: You were...a beta testers, weren't you?

Zora: You were after the last attack bonus, the rare item. You're just like me a beta testers.

Diabel: Please....you have to.... defeat the boss. For everyone here...

Diabel HP then reached zero and his avatar died and turned into pixel and Zora and everyone looked completely shocked.

Zora(mind): When this death game started, all I thought about was Me and Rumia survival. But Diabel... even though you were a beta testers, you never abandoned the other players. You led everyone, and you fought brilliantly! You try to do what I couldn't.

Zora then stood up and looked at everyone fighting the boss amd Kirito walked up to him along with Asuna and Rumia.

Kirito: Let's go!

Asuna: I'll go too.

Rumia: The four of us together.

Zora: Let's go! Same as the sentinel.

Kirito: Right.

Asuna: Got it.

Rumia: Roger.

The four of them then ran towards the boss and it noticed them and started to charge up an attack and Zora and Kirito changed up a sword skill and blocked its hit.

Zora and Kirito: Switch!

Both Rumia and Asuna rushed in and charged up a sword skill, but the boss looked at them and got ready to attack them.

Zora and Kirito : Rumia, Asuna!

Asuna and Rumia managed to dodge and Asuna cloak was destroyed and both of them pushed the boss back with their sword skill.

Kirito: He's coming back!

Zora and Kirito then rushed over and blocked its hit and Rumia switch with them and land her on attack. And the boss went to slas Rumia , but Zora took the hit for her and sent him flaying back into Kirito.

Kirito and Rumia: Zora!

Kirito and Rumia saw that Zora's HP was in the yellow and the boss went to attack them , but Asuna got in front of them to defend them, but Agil came behind and use his sword skill to push it back with the other players rushing in.

Agil: We can hold it off until you recover!

Zora: You got it...

The players then rush the boss and attack it, but they were all pushed back and Rumia had healed Zora and saw this.

Zora: Watch Out!

Zora then jumped into the air and used the sword skill "Avalanche" and slash the boss, sending it to the ground.

Zora: Your going down! Come on Rumia, Kirito, Asuna! One last attack! Let's do it together!

Rumia, Kirito, Asuna: You got it!

The four of them ran towards the boss together, blocking and parrying its attack using a sword skill and Kirito use the sword skill "Vertical Arc" slashing it across the chest and Zora used the sword skill " Vertical Square" and slashing it one more time, killing it.

After they did , the congratulations screen popped up and everyone started cheering that they cleared the first floor and Zora and Kirito were completely exhausted and Zora looked up that he got the final hit bonus.

Zora: "Coat of Midnight"

Rumia then hugged Zora from behind with tears coming down her face.

Rumia: You idiot I was so worried about you.

Zora: Sorry, I made worried.

Asuna: Good job.

Kirito: Nice work.

Agil: That was some swordsmanship. Congratulations. Today's victory is all thanks to you.

Zora: No...

The other players then started clapping at Zora and then Kibaou spoke up.

Kibaou: Stop cheering! Why? Why...Why did you let Diabel die?

Kirito and Zora: Let him die?

Kibaou: Exactly! You knew what the technique the boss would use! If you'd given us that information up front, he wouldn't have to die!

Players: I know why he knew, he must be an ex-beta testers! That's how he knew all the boss attack pattern. He knew, but he kept it from us! There's gotta be others here too, right? Come out!

Agil: Settle down!

Both Rumia and Asuna try to say something but the didn't. Then they all heard Zora's laughing and everyone looked backed at him.

Zora: An ex-beta testers, did you just say? I wish you wouldn't compare me to those newbies. Most of the 1000 players who won SAO beta test slots were beginners who didn't even know how to level up. Even you guys are better than them.

Rumia: Zora? What are you saying?

Kirito immediately know what he was doing and started to clenched his fists unable to do anything.

Zora: But I'm not like those newbies. During the beta, I made it to higher levels than anyone else was able to reach. The reason I knew about the boss sword skills was because I fought tons of monsters with those skills from floor above us.  I know a lot of other things too. Way more than any information broker.

Zora said it with a smirked on his face and everyone then looked at Zora completely shocked.

Kibaou: W-What? That's... That's worse than a beta testers! That's a cheating! Your a cheater. That's what you are!

The crowd started to get mad at Zora while Kirito, Rumia, Asuna and Agil unable to say anything.

Players: he's a beta testers and a cheater... he's a beater!

Zora started laughing maniacally again.

Zora: A beater... that's a good name. I like it. That's right...you can call me a beater. From now on, don't confuse me with the other beta testers anymore.

Zora then equipped his " Coat of Midnight", and left the party. Kirito, Asuna and Rumia looked back at everyone else and follow him.

When they were out of people sight Kirito stopped Zora from advancing.

Kirito: You do know what this means don't you?

Zora: Yeah... you and the other testers won't be hated anymore...or looked down on...

Kirito: But that hatred is now being directed to you alone. Players are gonna hate you and looked down on you.

Zora: it's fine... I'm used to it.

Kirito and Asuna looked at Zora confused and then looked at Rumia that she just closed her eyes and shook her head.

Asuna: Wait up. When we were fighting the boss, you guys called me by my name.

Kirito: I wasn't trying to be rude.

Zora: I'm sorry, did we mess up the pronunciation?

Asuna: Where did you guys learn it?

Kirito: If you look to your top right, you can see another HP gauge below yours. There's a name written down next to it.

Asuna than looked at it and saw their names.

Asuna: Kirito, Zora, and Rumia. Is that your names?

Rumia: Yup.

Kirito just smile at her while Zora just nodded his head.

Zora: What are you going to do, Rumia?

Rumia: Huh?

Zora: After what I just did. People are going to looked down on you if you stay with me. I think it's best if we split up.

Rumia just walked up to him with her hair shadowing her eyes. Bith Kirito and Asuna thought that she was going to hit him but she just hug him tightly. And Zora had a confused and surprised looked.

Rumia: Remember...what I said? That I won't abandon you no matter what. I will always be by your side no matter what. I don't care what people say.

Zora than looked at Rumia with tears in his eyes and nodded to her.

Rumia: Together?

Zora: Together... thank you, big sis.

Rumia then held Zora hand and the two of them headed to the second floor and teleported away. And Kirito and Asuna just looked at them smiling.

A/N: Chapter 2 is done. I hope you enjoy the story and thanks for reading.