Conversation[ | ]
External narrator: The next day...
Koharu: Today's the the day. Looks like people are headed for the amphitheater already. I'm starting to feel a little anxious...
Koharu: Look at all these people. There's got to be at least 40, maybe more. These are all the people who have been out there on the front line.
Koharu: I suppose now's not the best time to ask, but do I fit in there? It's a bit daunting.
Asuna: ...
Koharu: There's that girl from yesterday! And next to her is...
Koharu: Oh, I guess Kirito is joining in, too. Nice to see some familiar faces.
Diavel: Now then! I suppose it's about time we got started!
Koharu: Diavel is always so full of energy.
Diavel: Thank you all for coming out here today and answering my call!
Diavel: My name is Diavel. I play as a Knight, at least in spirit!
Participant: Ain't no job system here, pal! Trying to play the hero, eh?
Participant: Oooh, our darling knight!
Koharu: Diavel is really just what you'd expect from a story book knight. I think it suits him.
Diavel: Today our party located the boss room at the top of the labyrinth!
Diavel: We'll defeat this boss, head to Floor 2,and show everyone in Town of Beginnings that this life or death game Can be beaten!
Diavel: That is the duty of all of us gathered here today!
Diavel: Are you with me?
Participant: Yeah! Let's do this!
Me: Clap.
Diavel: Okay! Let's get right to it then, and start discussing our strategy!
Kibaou: Now hold up just one minute!
Kibaou: The name's Kibaou, and I think we oughta clear something up before we start.
Kibaou: We got some here among us who have some apologies they need to say to the 2000 players we've already lost.
Koharu: This game has already claimed 2000 lives...?
Koharu: But what does he mean? Who has to apologize for that?
Diavel: Kibaou, I'll go ahead and assume you're talking about the former beta testers here with us?
Kibaou: Ain't hard to piece together!
Kibaou: All those damned testers, right from the very start they all cut loose and left the beginners behind.
Kibaou: They knew all the grind spots and easy quests, and they staked them out for themselves. But they still act like they're not to blame.
Koharu: What! But we were beta testers, and we're done nothing of the sort...!
Kibaou: Those same testers are here now, right in our ranks!
Kibaou: We should drag 'em all out and strip 'em of all that money and items they stashed, or else we'll never be fighting on fair grounds here!
Koharu: That's just cruel... I... I've got to go out there and stop him!
Argo: I wouldn't. Look at you, you don't have it in you.
Koharu: Argo!
Koharu: But this is just too much. Kinanit and I, we've both worked hard just like everyone else...
Argo: I feel you, but now is definitely not the time to make your stand.
Argo: All that'll happen is that you'll get flaunted around as proof of what he's saying. Just watch for now.
Agil: If I may?
Agil: My name's Agil. Let me get this straight, you're saying...
Agil: The beta testers didn't watch over everyone enough, and as a result people died and they should own up to that, yes?
Kibaou: Well... yeah.
Agil: Now, I'm sure you have a copy of this monster book here, yes? It's given out for free in town.
Kibaou: Of course I do. What of it?
Agil: The ones giving out that book? Former testers.
Kibaou: Wha?!
Agil: All that info was out there for anyone to see. Yet still we've seen countless deaths.
Agil: I was under the impression that this meeting was to learn from those mistakes defore we take on the boss.
Diavel: Agil is right. We need to keep our sights forward. Even if that means we bring testers. In fact, I think we need the strength of the testers to defeat the boss.
Diavel: I'm sure everyone has their own thoughts on this, but for now we need to focus our strength on taking down the Floor 1 boss!
Kibaou: Hmph! Fine then. I'll follow along for now. But karma will find its due someday, you'll see!
Agil: Sorry for interrupting there. Please continue, Mr. Knight.
Koharu: Ágil and Diavel really are something. They de-escalated that so fast. But what guidebook are they talking about...?
Koharu: Huh? Where did Argo disappear to? She was here a moment ago, right?
Diavel: Okay, let's refocus again here. Now, about the boss we face. Truth is, the newest version of the guidebook just came out.
Diavel: According to it, the boss is called Illfang the Kobold Lord. And...
External narrator: Despite Kibaou's interruption, the remainder of the meeting went smoothly.
Diavel: Okay, so we mmet tomorrow by the Central Tolbana fountain. Dismissed!
Koharu: I never expected that Kibaou had that much on his mind...
Koharu: Hey, Kinanit. Do you think we should tell Diavel that we were testers, too?
Diavel: Tell me what, now?
Koharu: Diavel, you see, we were...
Diavel: Ah yes, I saw you both during the meeting. Thanks for deciding to join us. Let's show that boss what for!
Koharu: O-Of course! But you see...
Diavel: Hey, so, I know now is not the best time, but there's something I want to ask of you.
Diavel: So, during our meeting we got an update on boss info from the beta test, yes?
Diavel: After looking it over, quite a few members are suddenly expressing concern about their weapons. Their levels are all high enough, though.
Diavel: So I'm going around finding people who are free to help get weapons.
Koharu: It's a boss battle, after all. No matter how carefully we prepare, it's not like we can be too ready.
Diavel: And weapons that can take on a boss will do fine on Floor 2.
Diavel: Speaking of which, I'd like you to get me some weapon material that the Slate Boar in Honkura Woods drop.
Diavel: If you can get me five of the Melted Metal I need, that should be plenty.
Diavel: Bring them back here when you're got them. Good luck.
Koharu: Missed my chance to tell him, huh. But maybe now isn't really the time. Let's stay focused for now and talk with him later.
Notes[ | ]
All names can appear with "???" but I will always put the name of the character's name even before they appear.
When I said Kinanit it's my name in the game, you can change my nickname for yours.