SAO part 9: Trial.

The wind was blowing lightly on the trees, making a rustling sound by shaking all their leaves.

The moon had only a half of him showing up in the night sky, but even so, it still illuminates this floor.

The sound of bug and small animals filled the forest, bringing a touch of realism into this game.

This's the night in Aincrad that being designed by only data, even so, it still very realistic.

A night that most of the players got used to it and some still didn't accept it but they can't deny that it is more beautiful than any night they saw in the real world.

It's almost midnight now, most of the players already ended their leveling and loot gathering before hurrying into the safe zone to spend the night.

After a hard day in this death game, most of the player didn't want to think more about the survival and fighting while trying to forget everything about this game in their dreams that might never come true.

When most of the players were having their dreams in the different towns. A bunch of players were heading towards a place in the forest far from Tolbana city, to be exact, the forest next to the labyrinth.

Some players started to arrive at a cave entrance that had a giant stone statue blocking its entrance.

Players stood all away from each other while some of them made groups while waiting for something.

But compared to regular players that afraid of death and feeling unsure from this game. All the players here had a calm expression that made the atmosphere very awkward with the silence that continued for almost an hour.

However, even if the players were separated in small groups, there was a bigger group with more than 10 players sitting next to the cave entrance.

All the players in the group were smiling and joking with each other while drinking or eating. In the middle of the group, there was a muscular man with a beard.

The man was smiling and talking with his friends, but if someone looked closer, he'll see that all the other players next to him were very nervous while talking to him.

<There are more than I expected...> In a place above all the other players, Akashi(DIO) was sitting on a tree branch while looking at all the players around.

Nobody was able to see Akashi(DIO) because of his <<Hiding>> skill was on while he was able to see everything using <<Moon Sight>>.

<Mostly beta players mixed with some game space players...> Akashi(DIO) observed the players around before activating <<Reveal>>.

The moment Akashi(DIO) activated his level 22 <<Reveal>>, a lot of other hidden players appeared in his sight.

<Hidden huh...> Akashi(DIO) thought while looking at the large number of game space players appearing in front of him.

<With those players in the front... There at least 30 players from the game space here> Akashi(DIO) frowned while looking at the game space players before he saw an acquaintance in the group.

<That guy...> Akashi(DIO) watched the blond player holding a long spear with a smile of excitement on his face.

<Battle maniac?...> Akashi(DIO) looked at Golden Cat that almost wanted to rush towards the entrance before shaking his head.

<Number of players isn't a big problem, but the problem in a few players> Akashi(DIO) looked at some players in the group and especially Golden cat and that bearded man in the cave entrance.

The game space players even if they had higher stats than normal humans they don't pose a threat for Akashi(DIO), but the problem is the players that have abilities that work in SAO like prediction or reflexes increasing.

<That Golden something... He got stronger> Akashi(DIO) looked at Golden Cat while feeling the threat feeling from him increased slightly from the last time he saw him.

<Does this have something to do with his talent? Or maybe it's a skill?... My informations are very lacking> Akashi(DIO) frowned while looking at the players around.

Information usually means half the battle for someone like Akashi(DIO). Usually, Akashi(DIO) was always using D4C ability to spy on his enemies and collecting information before putting the dots on his plans, but now he is lacking a lot of information about players.

Knowing the player's abilities always allowed Akashi(DIO) to make a good plan for using those abilities for his advantage, and even if the information changed in the middle, Akashi(DIO) can keep up with the change if he had a good amount from the previous details.

But now, Akashi(DIO) knows only the surface information about the players' abilities, which put someone like him that likes to work with a clear plan at a disadvantage.

<However... It seems there were some conflicts in those guilds in this period> Akashi(DIO) looked at the bearded man while thinking he saw him with a guy that had a scar on his face when the game just started.

<Did they separated temporarily?... No, from the players faces it seems they take the bearded man as the higher leader> Akashi(DIO) looked at the scared and stressed players around the man.

<Was it benefits or a decision that the players didn't like...> Akashi(DIO) watched the bearded player before he closes his eyes and turned his head away.

The bearded man started looking around while frowning before focusing on Akashi(DIO) location for a second, but he didn't see anything, so he just turned his attention to his team again.

<Instinct? not that simple... It felt like a beast staring at me> Akashi(DIO) frowned while thinking about the player skill or talent.

<Either way. Just this instinct can pose a threat to me...> Akashi(DIO) looked at the bearded man once again before looking at his side.

There was an open screen of the SAO system with a quest description on it.

---

Trial of the oracle.

After proving your worthiness, the pope gave you the choice of going into the ancient trial to see if you can be blessed by bringing the holy orbs from the ruins that only open at midnight.

Reward: EXP, Cols, hidden reward.

---

<7 days... So this's how> Akashi(DIO) watched the cave entrance closed by the status while thinking about a possibility in his head.

<The runes and symbols are almost the same as the book I have... It seems I have come to the right place> Akashi(DIO) looked at the symbols around the cave before looking at SAO menu that shows it less than 5 minutes to start the quest.

"Everyone, could you give me your attention" suddenly, Akashi(DIO) looked down to see the bearded man clapping his hands while drawing all the crowd attention.

"I want you to leave this quest for my guild to take..." the bearded man said directly while most of the player frowned.

"I know what you're thinking, but what the point of risking your life for a quest like this and you know that the information changed after the Beta so you have no guarantee..." the bearded man smiled while a lot of players especially Beta players started to hesitate.

Most of the Beta players here just came to see if someone would clear the quest or to get another clue on it while some weak game space player just doesn't want to get in conflict with a guild.

Then the bearded man started to talk about reward and compensation if they left the quest for his guild, which made most of the players leave after they got some cols and loot from the guild.

<Reducing the competition or you don't want someone to interfere...> Akashi(DIO) frowned while looking at the bearded man's actions.

<Either way... It's starting> Akashi(DIO) stood up while looked at the time is less than a minute from midnight.

All the players that remained here looked at the stone statue that glowed while moving to the side.

The moment the players all started to get ready while looking at their watches and the statue moving away from the entrance.

[23:59:44]

Akashi(DIO) bends his waist slightly while all the players started to move closer to the entrance, but they stopped by a glare from the bearded man.

[23:59:50]

The statue almost left the entrance while Akashi(DIO) foot started glowing and other hidden players moved closer to the entrance.

[23:59:55]

Looking at the entrance, Akashi(DIO) foot glowed even more while the bearded man and his team tried to enter from the gap, but the game didn't allow them.

[23:59:58]

Akashi(DIO) used both <<Leap>> and <<Dash>> to blast towards the entrance like a rocket.

Passing above all the players, Akashi(DIO) reached the entrance in a mere second.

[23:59:59]

The bearded man flinched before taking an ax and swing it behind him, aiming at Akashi(DIO) head instantly.

Akashi(DIO) watched the ax getting closer to his head calmly before putting a hand above it and using it to rise his body above the bearded man.

[00:00:00]

The bearded man that turned into an orange player was surprised, but before he did anything, Akashi(DIO) stepped on his face before rushing towards the entrance.

Leaving the angry screams behind him, Akashi(DIO) entered the cave and rushed towards the front before getting engulfed in blue light pillar and teleported from here.

After Akashi(DIO) vision returned from the teleport he found himself in an old stone hallway with a lot of symbols around and some torches to bring some light.

Akashi(DIO) looked at the place for a second before moving forwards because he doesn't want to lose the lead on this quest.

But the moment Akashi(DIO) took a step forward. A lot of holes opened in the walls showing arrow tips aiming at Akashi(DIO).

<Traps huh...But> Akashi(DIO) closed his eyes for a moment before opening them again, but this time even if his eyes didn't change... The emperor eye that recovered its power is working now.

"...Useless" Akashi(DIO) said before rushing forwards while the arrows shot at him.