By night, few players noticed the defeat of the field boss guarding the path towards the Labyrinth of the second floor.
By the next day, many made their trek towards the final village, Taran, and entered the labyrinth. The ambitious ones. The reckless ones. The prideful ones.
Many players fell that day, and the days succeeding it.
Most from organized "guilds" that strive to get ahead of others, no matter the cost.
Some from smaller parties who sought survival by gaining strength, only to fall short due to unpreparedness, recklessness, and each other.
Some were skilled players, who were unfortunate. Some were players who bit off more than they could chew. Some were beta testers, who still held blind belief in their knowledge of the beta version that they were blind to see the differences that would kill them.
Despite the information disseminated and shared through the guidebooks, many still fell. Lives were still lost.
Still, through the joint efforts of several organized guilds and miscellaneous, yet skilled, players such as Kirito, Asterius the Taurus King, Baran the General Taurus, and Nato the Colonel Taurus —the floor boss and mid bosses of the second floor— were defeated.
The Divine Dragon Alliance, led by Diavel, and the Aincrad Liberation Front, led by Thinker, Yulier, and Kibaou, served as the shaft of the raid party.
At the tip of the spear were the two mysterious players heavily recommended by Diavel and Thinker, the guild leaders of the two currently largest guilds in the game.
The former, due to his previous association with the two. While the later, trust built at the realization enlightened by a trustworthy information broker.
Thinker knew of the player behind the guidebooks. The one who shared his desire to help those in need, spreading information and resources equally among as many players as possible in order for them to use that mutual aid to clear the death game.
Then later, he found out about the person who helped, or rather, provided and verified most of the information shared by the guidebooks.
His admiration and respect bloomed into a quiet friendship, one Yuuji appreciated and accepted upon knowing his character.
Though his appearance remained a mystery to Thinker, his name and character didn't.
And because Yuuji trusted the mysterious female player, he believed in her as well.
Although some voiced their displeasure of becoming the support rather than the protagonists themselves by masking it with carefully measured words of hesitation, logical argument, and strategic soundness, no one said a word more after witnessing Yuuji and Asuna's prowess in battle.
A few fell in the battle against the three raid bosses. They knew the chances of there being a difference compared to the beta version existed.
No one expected a third raid boss to appear as the true floor boss.
This was impossible to know and verify.
Still, more would've fallen if not for Yuuji and Asuna's DPS. And the timely information of the floor boss's weakness delivered physically by Argo during the raid.
The same outcome was repeated for the third, fourth, fifth, and so on.
The players rushed through each floor in fairly quick succession. Sometimes in just a month. Other times, a few weeks.
And the two mysterious players were often, if not always, the core of the raid parties. With most of the last attack bonuses claimed by one of the two.
But despite their significance to all of the raid bosses that got them this far, few could name them. Only those, who knew how to respect privacy, were made aware.
And despite them receiving all of the last attack bonuses, none of the raid party members voiced their displeasure. Not after seeing their prowess. At least, not to others.
Only close friends voiced their envy half jokingly, half seriously. Though such things would quickly disappear after a while.
Despite their near-legendary status as the pioneers of the floating castle, the tip of the spear, and the strongest clearers, amongst many other embarrassing nicknames Yuuji and Asuna would rather not hear, their figures remained mostly unknown to the public.
After all, only the handful of clearers who joined the raid party saw them. And they'd often change their hoods and concealing outfits to better blend with the masses.
Thanks to that, they were able to farm and live their lives peacefully without the constant attention from players who wanted many and gave none.
--------------------------------X--------------------------------
A few months later.
11th Floor. Taft.
Kirito found himself walking through the urban city that served as the main settlement of the 11th floor.
A city with stone floor streets and mostly 2-storey brick buildings that are lined up along the main street with barely no space in-between.
It has been quite a while since he was here. Three months, at the very least. It was since he, Yuuji, and Asuna joined the raid party to defeat the 11th floor boss and opened the path to the 12th floor.
Now with the 35th floor unlocked, Kirito would've normally spent his time grinding there. And he had.
He had risen up to level 40 a few days ago. And he came to the 11th floor now for a change of pace.
But as he went to the labyrinth to kill some time, he saw a few low-leveled players having trouble.
'Be careful. You're skilled, but not enough to keep testing your luck with your hero's complex.'
Yuuji's warning and advice rang in his mind.
Kirito understood that Yuuji didn't tell him to abandon those in need of help. He told him to become stronger, so he could save those in need of it.
After living in this Death Game for months, he had come to a realization. To be weak, and stay weak, was to surrender yourself into the whims of those stronger.
Saving others was a luxury only those who were strong could afford. So, there were only two choices.
Become stronger, strong enough to save those who needed saving. Or die trying.
That was why Kirito had been trying his hardest to level up. Polish his swordsmanship. Upgrade his weapons and equipment. And push himself to become stronger.
Because he knew, he wouldn't be able to just abandon someone in front of him who needed help.
'Perhaps, this is also why Yuuji-san is working so hard to level up and help everyone around him become stronger.'
All the information he shared through Argo. The hours he spent grinding like a madman. Even Kirito couldn't help but wince when hearing just how much time he spent in the Labyrinth from Asuna.
He had always been working hard to gain the strength to save others. To save everyone from this death game.
But with this being the labyrinth on the 11th floor, Kirito was confident in his ability to help these players.
He saved them safely.
And now, the members of the Moonlit Black Cats guild were all walking with him right after arriving in the city through the teleporter, leading him to an alehouse in Taft to thank you for his help.
"Come on! It's this way!"
Ducker pointed, walking ahead of the group enthusiastically as the night wind slightly fluttered his dark yellow coat though failing to blow his dark yellow hair too much because of his grey beanie.
Tetsuo and Sasamaru followed after him, while Keita, the guild leader of the Moonlit Black Cats, and Sachi matched their pace with Kirito. Though, only Keita tried engaging with conversations with him while Sachi listened quietly from the side with a soft smile on her lips.
As they walked through the city lit by the yellow-orange light of gas street lamps, Kirito suddenly halted in his steps.
"Eh? Is that…?"
"Hm? What's wrong, Kirito?"
Keita stopped a step late before turning towards Kirito, and the rest of the members also stopped upon hearing their voices.
Then, they followed the direction of his gaze, and saw a beautiful girl.
"Wow…"
Gasps of awe muttered under their halted breath resounded softly, as if trying not to snap themselves out of their daze.
But Kirito's attention was to someone else.
He had, of course, seen the beautiful girl. But her figure only brought along memories that sent chills down his spine.
Instead, his eyes focused on the man by her side, his figure concealed under his dark-colored hood and her radiance.
And as they stopped so suddenly, the pair seemed to notice them as they turned their gazes towards them.
The girl, who had been smiling excitedly, suddenly frowned upon seeing Kirito.
"Eh? Why is he even here…?"
"Hm?"
The man by her side turned to her, before shifting his gaze towards the group that had stopped to stare at them.
Yuuji had long since realized that they were staring. But he simply didn't bother giving them any attention.
After all, he and Asuna would often attract attention, at least when Asuna wasn't wearing her hood.
Although he would always wear his hood whenever they were outside, if there were not many people, Asuna would take hers off because it looked ugly and Yuuji wouldn't be able to see her properly.
That's why he expected her to attract some attention. What he didn't expect was finding a familiar figure among them.
"Kirito?"
"Yuuji-san…!"
Kirito's voice snapped the rest of the Moonlit Black Cats guild members out of their gaze, and only then did they realize the man standing beside the beauty there were enamored with.
"Do you know them, Kirito…?"
Sachi asked, her voice soft and hesitant. But in the silence, they were heard clearly.
"Mm. They're friends."
Kirito nodded and walked up with a smile as the hooded man approached them with the beauty following from behind.
The two raised their fist and bumped them together.
"I didn't expect to see you here. What are you doing?"
The hooded man said, his voice surprisingly smooth, gentle, and enticing. They'd believe it if he were to say he's the main vocalist and center of the most popular idol group.
"I was going around the labyrinth here for a change of pace."
"Hmm~ So you've been lazing around?"
Kirito's face soured when Asuna suddenly teased him from behind Yuuji, her face grinning like a Cheshire cat.
But Yuuji, used to their exchange, ignored their sibling-like banter.
"I see. Then these people are…"
"I met them in the labyrinth and lent them a hand when they came across a bit of trouble. Let me introduce them to you."
Kirito gestured towards Keita and the others and began introducing them one by one.
Yuuji lowered his head slightly.
"It's nice to meet you. My name is Yuuji and this is Asuna. Friends of Kirito."
"Is that so! Then, would you like to join us for dinner? We're just about to repay Kirito for saving us in the labyrinth. We'd be happy if friends of his were to join as well!"
"That's a great idea! The more the merrier!"
"Mm."
The members of the Moonlit Black Cats supported their leader's idea with bright smiles.
Yuuji turned towards Asuna, who simply shrugged, leaving the decision to him.
"Thank you very much for inviting us. Then, we will take you up on your offer."
--------------------------------X--------------------------------
"Let's raise our cups to the man we owe our lives to, Kirito-san! Cheers!"
""Cheers!""
"C-Cheers…"
All members of the Moonlit Black Cats raised their cups and cheered, while the introverted Kirito only slightly raised his cup.
"Then, to new friends, Yuuji-san and Asuna-san! Cheers!"
""Cheers!""
"Cheers."
"Cheers."
On the other hand, Yuuji and Asuna accepted the cheers with more decorum.
The celebratory feast, courtesy of the Moonlit Black Cats, began as they all dug into the inn food.
The feast was average, perhaps only slightly average at best. But it was the intention and sincerity that counted. It was the best food the inn could offer and what the budget of a mid-low leveled guild could afford.
Naturally, the main focus of the celebration wasn't the food. Even the Moonlit Black Cats cared less about it.
Instead of the food, they were more excited to talk with their savior and his two friends.
"I was so scared of my mind, so I was very relieved when you came to help us."
Sachi held her cup with both hands, the memories of their troubles in the labyrinth still fresh in her mind, along with the fear and dread it brought.
"I-I'm glad I could help."
Yuuji stayed silent as Kirito became the center of attention. He had no intention of helping him.
Why would he? It was more entertaining to watch the introverted little hero squirm in his seat.
"Uhm, Kirito-san, Yuuji-san, And, Asuna-san…"
Keita leaned in slightly, lowering his voice.
"I know it's rude of me to ask… But what level are you?"
"Around 20 or so…"
Kirito averted his gaze as he told his lie, and the number "40" on his HUD now felt like it was pricking him with guilt.
He spoke instinctively, not wanting the members of the Moonlit Black Cats to see him differently if they knew he was a beta tester.
Although the label was no longer as frowned upon as it was when the death game first started thanks to Yuuji, there were still some who considered them "different" and treated them differently.
It was inevitable. After all, no matter what they did or how different the game now compared to how it was during the beta, the beta testers would always be seen as having an advantage over other players.
Low-leveled players would look at them with jealousy. While high-leveled players would often make them take the brunt of the danger, because they had more advantage than the rest.
Of course, there were cases where beta testers were respected and had their voices and advice heeded. But that wasn't something Kirito wanted.
He didn't want to gain that kind of attention. Even being in this kind of attention was enough to make him a bit uncomfortable.
"I see. That's about the same level as us. I can't believe you're running solo."
Keita then turned towards Yuuji and Asuna.
"What about you, Yuuji-san and A-Asuna-san?"
Despite his conversational skills being the best amongst his friends, before such an aloof beauty like Asuna, even Keita couldn't help but feel nervous.
"I'm almost at level 40."
"I'm the same as him."
"Eh?! Almost level-?!"
Keita quickly caught himself before announcing to the entirety of the inn of Yuuji and Asuna's level. The rest of the Moonlit Black Cats also gasped in shock.
While Kirito looked at the two with a different kind of shock.
'There's no way they're only at level 40!'
He didn't believe that these two monsters were on the same level as him.
----------------------------------------------------------------
AN: I hope you guys enjoy this chapter~! Please comment your thoughts~! I would love to hear what you think about it~!!!!
Also, if you'd like to read additional chapters ahead and get a pdf version (Light & Dark), please feel free to check out my at patr_eon.com/verglasx ~!
Thank you~!