Chapter 17 - Illfang the Kobold Lord

Rubbing his belly after what was probably the best meal he had in weeks, Kirito sighed in contentment. He usually would have saved his money to enhance his gear, and made do with just bread and that reward sauce he got from a quest, but today was a special occasion. He joined a party.

Sure, it was only for the boss fight, but to him, it was a monumental occasion. Okay, maybe that was a bit of an exaggeration. But Kirito had always been that kind of socially awkward gamer kid, who went solo no matter what game he played.

One by one, he looked at the other five on the table with him. To his left was Sinon. The girl's eyes were a piercing gray, the kind that made it look like she could see through you. Then, to his right was Drifter.

Kirito could tell that the older man was trying his best not to sound like he was taking charge. He was grateful for that. Kirito already didn't work well in parties, and even more so if someone he never met tried to order him around. Next to Drifter was Nautilus, the blade-user with a round shield of the songstress' party.

Yes, the songstress' party. That was how they were known, even if Drifter was their leader. The pretty young girl who played the flute every night in Tolbana's plaza was known to all. Even Kirito listened to her from a hidden corner quite frequently. That there was someone willing to play and sing made their prison somewhat more bearable.

The girl in question, Yuna, was sitting to Nautilus' right. She and Sinon had sandwiched Asuna between them, and were talking quietly but excitedly with the last member of their temporary party.

Asuna. Kirito had yet to see her face. They all had, with maybe the exception of Sinon, who seemed to know her. Even during dinner, Asuna never took off her hood. Kirito couldn't help but wonder why. Throughout the meal, his gaze kept wandering to her, but he always quickly averted it.

"Ehem. Should we discuss tactics?"

Sinon cleared her throat, and Kirito turned his head to her. She seemed to be the quiet and serious type, even when she was smiling.

"How about we start by saying what we are good at? It will give us an idea of what to expect."

Seeing that no one had an objection, Drifter went first, as the one who suggested it.

"Well, I'm Drifter, a spear user. I'm good at crowd control and can give vanguard fighters backup from behind them."

"Nautilus, close combat. I am the main tank for our party."

"And I'm Yuna! I play support and healing, though I can also use a dagger if the situation calls for it."

"Healing?!"

Kirito couldn't help but interrupt the introductions with a surprised shout. The two other girls were just as shocked as him. Yuna kept the grin on her face, though she did give Drifter and Nautilus a short glance, and they nodded subtly. They probably had discussed ahead of time if they should reveal Yuna's ability or not.

"Yes, healing. It's very little and very slow, but I can regen health through my songs."

Kirito and Sinon looked at each other, mouths open, but unsure of what to say. So, the girl decided to just push past it and introduce herself.

"Err... I'm Sinon, as you already know. I also use a dagger, but what I'm really good with are these."

Sinon showed the many throwing picks she carried with her. Kirito had already noticed them before, and he would have to ask her where he could get a few.

"Pity SAO doesn't have bows, I would love to try one. Asuna?"

"Hm. I use a rapier. I'm fast but I don't deal as much damage in a single hit as others."

A rapier, huh? Asuna probably put all her stat points into DEX. That was what Kirito would do in her place, at least. That meant she would be fragile. Asuna and Drifter could probably partner up as crowd control, or maybe the swordswoman might be better placed on standby, ready to switch in at a moment's notice.

"Kirito?"

Startled, he realized everyone was looking at him, waiting for the last member of their party - him - to introduce himself. Meanwhile, he had been staring at Asuna, deep in thought, for the last few seconds, trying to think how to better coordinate with her. Kirito felt his cheeks burning.

"Waa... I'm Kirito, and I use a one-handed sword, no shield. My major attributes are STR and DEX."

The group lapsed into silence after they finished the introductions. Drifter seemed to be thinking, his fingers scratching his chin, while the others were just quietly looking at their empty plates or each other. The one who broke the silence was Sinon.

"I guess... Nautilus and Kirito are our vanguards? Drifter, Asuna, and myself are the second line, and Yuna supports us from the back?"

Kirito found himself nodding, and so did the others. That was the best party configuration they could use considering they knew practically nothing about each other. Drifter seemed to think the same.

"Mm. We don't have time to train together before the boss raid, so we will have to make do. I believe it would be for the best if, during the fight, we each did our own thing, but keeping an eye open. Temporary party we may be, but we must have each other's back."

The way the spearman said that left no room for discussion. Especially that last sentence. Kirito - no, not just him, everyone - sensed the steel-like resolve behind it. The kind that had a very good reason, and probably not a pleasant one.

"What about the switch, Drifter?"

Nautilus raised a question that had Asuna and Sinon tilting their heads in confusion - or at least that was what he thought the slight moving of the hood meant. Kirito, on the other hand, nodded thoughtfully.

"Right. Do any of you know how to switch? Sorry if I'm being blunt, but it is a technique that involves two players, and you are all solo."

Kirito raised his hand. Asuna and Sinon didn't. He saw Drifter consider things for a moment, then pull up his menu. From how his eyes moved, he guessed the spearman was looking at the clock. Then he looked back at the group.

"Switch is a must-know. Do you think we can get some training in today?"

"It's night already..."

"I don't mean in the tower, just the wolves and pigs outside. We can have two of us keeping watch while the others practice."

"That... Could be a good idea. Even if there isn't much time, just understanding how a switch works would be beneficial. It would also give us a chance to fight as a party. The << Ruin Kobold Sentinels >> spawn in duos or trio's according to the guidebook, so we can target fighting multiple enemies too."

"Err... Sorry, but can I ask what is a switch?"

Kirito had been so focused in his exchange with Drifter - how had that even happened anyway? - that Sinon was forced to interrupt both of them. Kirito scratched his head somewhat embarrassed, while Drifter only smiled.

"Sorry, we got too distracted there. By the way, I'm glad to see you opening up more, Kirito. That's some quick thought you've put into this night outing."

This time Kirito definitely blushed at the praise. Drifter grinned, then turned to the rest of the party.

"I don't think we should decide on a party leader, considering we know almost nothing of each other. I would... I am reluctant to entrust my life to you, no offense. I believe you should feel the same. Which is even more reason why any and all suggestions should be shared, even if you think they are dumb. Better that than to regret it later on, don't you agree?"

When several heads nodded, Drifter smiled, and Kirito saw once again that glint in his eyes. Then the spearman turned to him, and Kirito suddenly had the feeling he should have kept his mouth shut.

"Back to your question, Sinon. Kirito, would you mind explaining?"

--------------------------

It was an hour and a half later, already deep into the night, that Asuna and Sinon found themselves back at the inn, this time in the room they would be sharing, just tonight. With the sudden influx of players in Tolbana, there were no more single rooms left, so they decided that the boys would sleep in one room, and the girls in another. That also meant Yuna was sleeping with them.

Not that Sinon was complaining. The musician was one of the kindest and most charming people she had ever met. Not to mention the songs she played after dinner were beautiful. For a moment there, Sinon had forgotten she was inside Kayaba's death game.

The girl in question was humming a melody as she unpacked - in SAO, that meant a few clicks on the menu. When she was done, she plopped down on her bed, sighing. Sinon wondered why that was, but then noticed the songstress was looking at Asuna, who had finally unequipped her cloak.

"Woah... You are pretty, Asuna."

The rapier user - Sinon had heard someone call her a fencer - blushed promptly, then smiled so sweetly even Sinon was moved. There was something about those hazel eyes of hers that could captivate just about anyone.

(A/N: Okay, I may be a little of an Asuna simp. I just like her character a lot, okay?! Instead of being one of those weak damsel-in-distress-type of female lead, she is independent, skilled, and badass af. But I promise I will tone it down ;) )

"T-Thank you."

Yuna grinned, and the three girls chatted for a while more. But there was something weighing on her newest acquaintance's mind. Sinon could tell by the way the songstress opened her mouth but said nothing, or how she kept frowning at her HUD.

"What's wrong, Yuna?"

"Ah, it's nothing."

That meant it clearly was something, but Sinon wasn't about to pry. The trio fell in silence for the next few seconds, before Yuna spoke again.

"Actually..."

"You don't need to say it if you don't want to, Yuna."

That was Asuna. Quiet as she may be, she was pretty quick to open up to others, Sinon discovered. Or maybe it was because they were going to fight their most dangerous battle yet tomorrow, so even Asuna was feeling chatty.

"No, it's not that I don't want to speak about it, Asuna. Err... Okay, it kinda is. It's just... I want to ask you two a favor, but it is somewhat embarrassing to do that since this is the first time we met."

Well, after she said that, there was no way the two wouldn't at the very least hear her out. Sinon gave Yuna an encouraging grin, while Asuna moved to sit a little closer to the songstress.

"Go ahead, Yuna. We belong to the same party now, so you don't need to hesitate to ask for help."

"Thanks. How should I say it... Both of you seem like level-headed people. I will be at the back playing, so I wanted to ask if you could keep an eye out for Naut and Drifter. They can both get quite into it during a fight. Especially Drifter. He is somewhat... Overprotective of his party members. That will include you, of course. But he might endanger himself because of that."

Asuna just nodded, as if it was a no-brainer. Sinon was a little more cautious - not because she saw any reason to reject, that was just her nature.

"Sure, no problem. But it feels like there's a story there."

Yuna smiled, but it was a weary, tired one.

"There is. Maybe someday I can tell it, if you decide to stick around."

"Let's see how the raid tomorrow goes."

"Yeah."

---------------------------

December 3rd 2022, 1st floor labyrinth.

CLANG!

With a loud noise, Diavel stabbed his sword into the ground. He was looking at the forty-eight players that composed the boss-raid party. Behind him were huge, menacing double doors, with many iron engravings, and dimly illuminated by flickering torches.

"Listen up everyone. I have only one thing to say..."

Diavel met each player's gaze as he spoke. Drifter gripped the shaft of his spear, his determination mirrored by all the other players.

"Let's win!"

Without wasting time, maybe because he didn't want to give anyone the chance to back out, the leader of the raid party placed his hand on the doors, which opened with just a touch. Cautiously, the players entered the boss room, a long hall shrouded in darkness. It didn't stay that way for very long.

As the group walked inside, the room lit up, revealing the monstrosity sitting on a throne at the opposite end. With a roar that shook all of them to their very core, the monster jumped across the hall to meet them.

<< Illfang the Kobold Lord >>

---------------------------

AUTHOR'S NOTE

This chapter was hard to write, I don't know why. I just didn't seem to be able to get enough inspiration. Maybe it was because I was focusing on Kirito's and Sinon's PoVs. There will probably be an Asuna one coming up soon too. Not next chapter, though. I want Drifter's view of the battle.

On a similar note, Kirito is hard to write too. At the start of SAO, he was kind of a shut-in, after what happened with Klein. But he is also the main character. So I have to write him as someone who doesn't speak much, but also has enough presence. I don't want to have Drifter overshadow Kirito. Like I said, it's hard. Tell me what you thought of this chapter, and please give suggestions!