A Month Later

*Ding*

Fuh... Another horde of ants perished in this clearing. It's good that I found this place, it's very effective to grind here. A month has passed since the release of the game and I need to go to the city of Talbane. There I will meet with the participants of the raid and get acquainted with interesting personalities. Well, then ... Heh, I'm finally having fun. And for some reason during this time not two thousand died, but one and a half. Of course, I have my suspicions because of whom all this happened, but I didn't seem to be too rowdy in the territories closest to the Starting City. It seems that, according to the canon, many people died on the Front Line (Places where the game's tunnellers swing and look for a way out). Also, my game status has changed quite a bit. I'd better not touch my main one for now, I'll arrange a surprise for myself in a couple of years.

Nickname: Azel

Level: 34

HP: 4150/4300

Skills: Explosive Lunge, Double Slash, Eagle Eye, Intimidate, Resilience, Cooking.

The first two skills are from the category of attackers. Explosive Lunge increases the damage of my strike by 20%, and Double Slash allows me to perform two cross attacks in one second. These skills can be combined, so I deal 140% more damage than a normal one.

Eagle eyes are like binoculars.

Intimidate allows me to stun an enemy of my level for a second. Does not work on those who are higher level.

Resilience reduces the damage I take and also increases my regeneration.

Cooking grants some cooking perks and a bonus to food flavor saturation.

It's good that I can swing on a regular basis, I don't even need sleep. So I have twice as much time to grind, and with my perks I can deal very high damage for my level. So, sir, take a break and hit the road.

*2 hours later*

I ran to Talbane and I can say that now it is quite lively, compared to my first visit here. And it looks like I see my future "raid" group. They were gathered on some podium with Diabel in the center. I sat upstairs away from everyone and looked at Kirito and Asuna. Diabel began to explain what and how, but I was somehow not interested. He said that his group found the boss's quarters and that we need to complete the First level in order to instill hope in other players. Everyone started clapping for him, and I just sat and thought about how to troll them. Hmmm... Apparently my bloodline of Satan influences me a little, I don't feel sorry for the local guys stuck in this "deadly" game at all.

"Now split into groups of 6 people." Diabel said.

"Can I go alo-o-one?~." I said, looking at everyone with a sly look. They all looked at me strangely, and I was looking forward to the upcoming performance.

"But you can't beat the boss alone…" he tried to shout something to me.

"Let's bet, hehe. I'll enter the Boss's Chamber alone, while you all wait outside. If I defeat him alone, then you will give me all your money. You're the leader of the raid, you must be quite rich. Well? Not afraid?" I tried to take him out.

"I'm sorry, but I can't put anyone at risk." he tried to answer.

"But if I lose, then all these things that I give you now will remain with you, of course, if I die there. Look, this is the Black Raven Set and the Rare Dorn Sword. Well? Interested now?" as the Devil-tempter I convinced him. And I managed to knock out the equipment itself in a week of continuous massacre in one nest in the desert.

"W-okay, but are you sure about that…? You will die there…" he is still a good guy, but such equipment will make anyone choke with saliva.

"Don't worry~ the Kobold won't last even 5 minutes." I assured him.

I gave him my equipment and suddenly Redhead appeared. Kibao said that the beta testers should apologize and spewed other nonsense, I didn't even listen to him and continued to play with a dagger in my hand. Stop! And where did it even come from in my hand ... When did I manage to get it? And for some reason, everyone was now looking at me, and I looked at them in bewilderment. What happened while I was thinking about mine? Ah, I see... They think I'm a beta tester because of my gear and confidence. But I must try to "whitewash" my name.

"What do you want, gentlemen?" I looked innocently at them.

"You! Looks like you're the one who took the best places to swing, freak! I hate beta testers like you!" this bastard yelled at me. Still, I'm embarrassed.

"Why freak something! And I did not participate in the beta. I'm just smart, strong, cool, fast, lucky and most importantly humble." everyone's eyes twitched. Great~ That's exactly what I wanted.

"You don't even think that you are so fired up so much?! It's clear that you're a beta tester. Look at your gear! I'm sure you're level 10 too!" he attacked me with his presentations.

"Actually, it's higher." I pouted and looked away. How I love their reaction. Boo-ha-ha)

"You do understand that more than a thousand people died because of people like you?! You should at least share your equipment, colls, and boss knowledge!"

"Are you going to settle down or not? What makes you think that I know more than you? And why should I share with you my weapons, which I earned with digital blood and sweat" with a bit of reproach I spoke. It is a pity that there is no camera with you. I would like to capture their faces forever.

Diabel broke off all the fun for me, reassured everyone, and I just went about my business. More specifically, I went shopping for potions, because the boss fight will definitely not be easy, although I am sure that I will win. The raid will start in 2 days. I have time to grind. I think I will raise one or two levels during this time. I'll go or something.

Kirito PoV

Who is this anyway? Collect a whole set of the Black Raven and knock out Dorne in a month. It looks like he really worked hard. And this Asuna also seems unusual. You will need to talk to her. But now we need to follow this guy. I don't think it would be redundant. But it seems to me that this decision will bring me a lot of problems and gray hair in the future. Was not. Let's go after him.