"Wait," Asuna suddenly spoke up, her voice full of resolve. "Didn't we all read the same guidebook? According to it, even the Beta testers only had that much information, no more, no less."
"We were too confident relying on the original plan. When everything collapsed, it was thanks to his experience that we escaped disaster."
"I don't buy it," a hoarse male voice rang out, thick with suspicion. "He and that info broker Argo must be in cahoots. Don't forget...they've always used information to manipulate others."
"Those Beta testers are colluding, working together to deceive us and steal all the valuable resources through fake intel and unverified rumors."
Ren's brow furrowed. He tightened his grip on the sword's hilt, eyes sharp as they scanned the circle of accusers, searching for the instigator in the crowd.
Then a mocking chuckle tore through the tense air. All eyes immediately turned to Kirito.
"Collusion? Don't make me laugh," Kirito sneered coldly.
"Don't be so quick to judge others. You're not so different yourselves. Beta tester? Info broker? Don't be stupid enough to lump me in with them."
He stepped forward, breaking through the wall of accusations, each step steady and full of conviction:
"Did you know? Out of the 1,000 players in the beta, only a handful were truly exceptional."
"Most idiots just chased after levels and gear, they never understood the deeper mechanics."
"I know what they know, and I know what they don't know. I've fought hundreds of different monsters, memorized skills floor by floor… That's the truth you can't deny."
Kirito paused, his gaze sweeping across the crowd like a cold blade. His voice dropped low, absolute in tone:
"And more importantly, I'd never do the things you're accusing me of."
He took a deep breath, then spoke with calm yet commanding presence:
"The info in that guidebook is only the tip of the iceberg. The most important stuff, the real keystones, those are what you don't know, or deliberately refuse to know… and they're what determine who lives and who dies."
"You only see the immediate gain, the loot, the final blow. But you've forgotten who's really keeping you alive."
"And more than that," Kirito looked around at the doubtful faces, his eyes unflinching, "I don't need your praise. I'm not a hero."
Slowly, he raised two fingers, voice cutting through the air like a verdict: "You know what it takes to become a hero? Just two simple steps. Do something great… and… die."
Kirito let out a cold laugh, eyes as sharp as blades. "The dying part is what seals it. People only become heroes after they're dead."
Lind gritted his teeth, voice hissing through clenched jaws: "You bastard…" He made to lunge forward but was quickly restrained by his teammates.
"Damn it… how is this not cheating?"
"That bastard's rigging the game…"
"Beater…!"
Kirito smirked. His fingers moved quickly, opening his equipment menu. A soft green glow enveloped him, and in the blink of an eye, a jet-black coat...sleek as raven feathers, appeared, its hem reaching down to his boots, draping his frame in mystery.
"Beater, huh? Nice name. I'll take it, as a nickname and as the reward for landing the last hit."
With that, Kirito stepped away from the crowd. His voice rang out with finality, "I'll go unlock the teleport gate to the second floor for you all. You lot can wait back in town."
He turned to face them one last time, eyes scanning each face like a quiet warning, "There are a lot of fools who defeat a boss only to die to the mobs upstairs...or never even find them. We saw plenty of those in the beta."
"Apologize… apologize to Diavel… RIGHT NOW!" Lind screamed, voice choking on grief and fury, but Kirito never looked back. His figure vanished into the cold darkness, just like the day he parted with Ren on the very first day…
Ren quietly watched Kirito disappear, then turned to Asuna, his voice soft and sincere, "Hey, go after him. You know Kirito means no harm… and tell him this for me...'See you again.'"
Asuna looked surprised, but a determined gleam quickly filled her eyes. She nodded and began walking after Kirito.
Behind them, Agil smiled. His warm voice followed her, "Hey, pass this on for me too: we'll be facing the next boss soon. I'd feel better if he were with us."
Kibou didn't hesitate either, his gaze sharp. "I've got something for him too. Maybe today we escaped thanks to his knowledge...but don't think we're weak. We'll break this game ourselves, with or without anyone's help."
Asuna gave one last nod of farewell to the group, her eyes landing on Mito, who still stood silently in a far-off corner, hesitant. Asuna offered a soft smile, her voice warm but full of hope, "See you around, Mito…"
That moment felt like a quiet promise, a silent thread connecting the two of them, no matter how the battlefield might divide them.
...
"So… what now?" Kibou finally asked, his eyes fixed on the path leading to the next floor. The massive doors had opened, revealing a black void that seemed to stretch endlessly forward, ready to swallow everything that had happened in the boss room.
Agil silently strapped his double-headed axe to his back. His voice was steady, but carried a note of caution: "We should head back and inform the others in town. This news is going to shake the entire community, and we'll definitely have our hands full in the days to come."
Kibou nodded, his expression grave. "It's not just about fighting. It's about mental preparation. Many will be shaken when they hear what happened to Diavel... and to Kirito as well."
Every word, every exchanged glance, revealed the exhaustion and anxiety etched across their faces. They all knew, the road ahead wasn't just filled with monsters, but with hidden tensions and mistrust among players themselves.
Lind remained standing, a cold demeanor about him, sharp eyes fixed on the dark corridor ahead. His fist clenched tightly, veins bulging visibly.
Each heavy breath seemed filled with a rage that hadn't yet erupted. But in the end, he said nothing more. He simply turned away in silence, leading another group of players. Their footsteps were heavy, yet determined.
Kibou watched Lind's back and sighed. "He's angry, but he knows this can't be solved with fists. At least... not yet."
Agil placed a hand on Kibou's shoulder and gave a firm nod. "We'll need to stay united, to keep ourselves from splintering in the trials ahead. More than that, we have to hold on to the belief that we're fighting for something greater than ourselves."
The dim light from the lanterns on the walls cast shadows over their faces, a painting of fatigue, resilience, and fragile hope, all blending in the stillness before the next storm.
"What about you, Ren?" Agil looked up, his gaze lingering on the silver-gray hood covering Ren's hair.
Today, Ren had surprised him and everyone else.
Ren's combat abilities far surpassed most other players. Though small in stature, he possessed agility and an unpredictable, latent strength.
He moved like a shadow, striking with precision and sharpness rivaling even seasoned warriors.
Agil tilted his head slightly, his voice sincere: "Do you have any plans moving forward? Will you keep going with us, deeper into the higher floors, or… choose your own path?"
Ren lifted his head, eyes quietly gazing into the void ahead. He shook his head slightly, his voice a faint whisper, as if speaking to himself: "I don't know... I honestly don't know what to do next."
The death of Diavel still lingered in his heart. The sudden loss of such a steadfast leader struck a heavy blow to his spirit and faith.
Maybe... he didn't want to keep going. Didn't want to face more loss and pain.
But somewhere deep inside, a small flame still smoldered, a part of him still yearned to press on, to fight, so that nothing already lost would be in vain.
Agil looked into Ren's eyes, as if trying to read that thought, then gently nodded. "Whatever you choose, know this, we'll always be here. No one has to walk this path alone."
Silence returned. Only the steady breathing and pale light from the lanterns remained, casting shadows across Ren's thoughtful face, this small warrior standing at a crossroads in his own life.
"I plan to start a guild... a guild to lead other players in conquering Aincrad," Kibou suddenly joined in, his voice filled with resolve. "If possible, I want you to be the first to help lay its foundation."
His gaze rested on Ren's face, full of conviction and trust.
Ren looked straight at Kibou and replied softly, "I'll think about it."
Kibou sighed, running a hand through his cactus-spiked hair, with a wry smile: "I figured you'd say no... but I had to say it. Because you're the only one who can truly do it."
A quiet stillness settled in again. Ren closed his eyes, as if weighing new responsibilities against the burdens in his heart. A new longing slowly began to take root, even if still wrapped in pain and doubt.
Kibou patted Ren gently on the shoulder. "Don't say no before you've even tried. A guild isn't just an organization, it's a home. It's the strength we need to not be crushed by the hardships ahead."
...
Suddenly, they were back in Tolbana Town, where a lively celebration was being held to honor their recent victory... and to remember a hero who had fallen forever...
Agil took a deep breath, emotion flickering in his eyes. "News sure travels fast...," he said, his voice growing quiet, before abruptly turning around. "I've got to get back to the shop. We'll meet again soon."
Ren also said goodbye to Kibou, then silently turned toward Resting Willow, the peaceful inn amidst a chaotic world.
On that familiar path, he unexpectedly ran into Nautilus and Yuna.
Ren didn't say much. He simply gave them a quiet nod and walked past. But Yuna's voice stopped him.
"Ren… you… thank you..." Her voice was a blend of gratitude, shyness, and something unspoken.
Ren paused, his gaze softening slightly. He gave a faint smile. "It's nothing, really.
I just didn't want the kids in the Starting Town to go hungry… like I once did. And that money...it was just a little. But isn't that also the reason you two left the Starting Town?"
He turned and quickened his pace, leaving behind two friends frozen in place, their eyes meeting with unspoken thoughts, like silent notes in a song yet to be finished.
"You both did great. Don't stop… no matter how cruel this world may be."
[Volume 01: The World of Swords]
[End.]
....
Pheww, what a grueling journey, finally, it's come to an end. Let's take a quick look back.Since its launch in early February, the story has reached 247 chapters with a total of 418,000 words, over 750,000 reads, and 1,100 collections.
I hope everyone will continue to vote and share it with others. I know the beginning was a real mess, so thank you all so much for sticking with it.
As always, I'll be taking a few days off to prepare for Volume 2. Have an Good day!