Chapter 04: Ilfang the Kobold Lord

<<Date: December 23th, 2022>>

It was now the day where the expedition raid goes to take on the First-Floor Boss. Kirito who was the leader of the three which he gracefully (forcefully) appointed last night is now explaining the battle strategy to Asuna with Vergil listened carefully.

Kirito: Let's go over it again. We leftovers are supposed to target the boss's helper, the Ruin Kobold Sentinels.

Asuna: I know.

Kirito: I'll use a sword skill to knock their pole axes up. The second I do, switch in.

Seeing the new word, Asuna raised an eyebrow and looked at the boys of the group with a confused expression.

Asuna: Switch?

Vergil: Is this the first time you've ever been to a party?

Asuna: Yes.

Vergil: Well... To put it easily. Players switch positions mid-battle to recover HP and burden the learning abilities of AI-controlled monsters. Are you understand?

Asuna: Mm-mm. Thank you.

Vergil nodded and after half an hour, the expedition raid finally arrived at the First Floor of Labyrinth. Diavel then decided to give encouraging words as he stood in front of the large iron door and spoke up.

Diavel: Listen everyone. I have only one thing to say... Let's win!

Even though most of the players were nervous and scared, they gritted their teeth and nodded at Diavel as the leader of the expedition nodded back at them and put his hand on the door of the boss's room.

Diavel: Let's go!

Diavel pushed the door, open the First-Floor Boss's room. Inside the room, it was a dark hallway, and as soon as the raid enter, the hallway immediately fills with light as a giant monster jump down in front of them.

The monster was over two meters tall, muscular, covered in red fur, and had bloodthirsty, copper-red eyes. It had a large bone ax on its right hand and a leather shield on its left hand. When the monster let out a roar, the name of the boss was revealed to be Illfang the Kobold Lord.

Came out behind Ilfang was three miniature sizes of itself. They carried a large two-handed mace. This monster was revealed to be Kobold sentinels, Ilfang's minions.

Diavel: Commence attack!

Immediately, the group charged at the monsters with a battle cry as the monsters did the same and charge at them. The first important battle of life and die has begun. Following the strategy, squad A, the tank is the first to engaged Illfang at the front. All the attack that Ilfang send was perfectly tanked by them.

Diavel: Squad A! Squad C! Switch!

Did as they told, the two groups switch and they began to counterattack Ilfang. As squad C was the damage dealer, their attack managed to almost end Ilfang's first HP bar. As the battle raged on, Diavel noticed that Illfang was about to use its skill judging by the boss's change in posture.

Diavel: Here it comes! Squad B block!

Squad B, the second tank party immediately stood up in front of the group, and Agil, one of squad B's members swings his two-handed ax at the boss, parried the boss, and leaving it defenseless. Taking the chance, Kibaou, the leader of squad E, one of the damage dealers thrust his sword at Illfang, deflected Ilfang's first HP gauges.

Diavel: Squad C, keep your guard up and prepare to switch... Now!

Squad C then rotated with Squad B and engaged Illfang for the second HP gauge. While squad A, B, and C fight the boss, the rest of the squad minus Kibaou fight the Sentinels.

Diabel: Switch, draw, and prepare to attack from the side! Squad D, E, and F keep the sentinels off us!

Kirito: Roger!

Kirito, one of the squad E's members nodded and rushed at one of the sentinels. Activating his sword skill, Kirito's sword, and the sentinel's polearm clash but Kirito's sword proves to be stronger as he knocked out the monster.

Kirito: Switch!

Vergil: I got it!

Vergil unsheathed his regular katana that can be found at a normal shop, activated the sword skill <<Vertical>>, and performed a single slash from top to bottom. The attack cut the sentinel right hand where it holds the polearm.

Vergil: Switch!

Instantly, Asuna ran past Vergil, much to the white-haired boy shock at her sudden change of demeanor as Asuna draws her rapier from the scabbard and charges a Sword Skill.

Asuna: Number three!

Vergil: (I knew she was one level behind Kirito but she is faster than him. I thought she was a beginner. But she's incredible. Thanks to my training, I can follow her blade.)

Asuna used Sword Skill <<Linear>> and performed a single thrust straight forward at the sentinel and performed another <<Linear>>, killing the minion.

Vergil: Pretty impressive...

Vergil chuckled when he noticed Kirito with an awestruck look after witnessing Asuna's precise attack. After a second, he smiled and swung his sword behind him just in time to parried another sentinel attack.

Vergil: (Alright. I can't let them beat me now!)

Vergil then rushed at the third sentinel and began to fight it by himself. The battle continues to rage on with squad D depleted Ilfang's second HP gauges, squad F and G depleted Illfang's third HP gauge out of four.

On its last HP gauge, the raid managed to take 70% HP from Ilfang, leaving the boss in danger. After successfully killing the last sentinel, Vergil stopped when he heard a roar coming from Ilfang's direction, and saw Ilfang throw his ax and shield away.

Kibaou: Looks like the information was right...

Diavel: Stand back!

Everyone looked back and saw Diavel run past them with his sword and shield drawn as he now charged at the Illfang all by himself.

Diavel: I'll go!

Vergil: (Well, I don't really care who's take the last bonus.)

Kirito who is fighting one of the Kobold looked at Diavel with a confused expression.

Kirito: (We were supposed to surround it with the entire group. So why?)

As Diavel running at the boss, he glances at Vergil and Kirito with a small smile, much to the confusion. What is the meaning behind that smile? And what was he thinking of fighting alone? That was what the two thought but Vergil narrowed, suspicious at the blue-haired sudden action.

Vergil: (What are you planning to do?)

Back with Diavel, he charges his sword skill, prepares to finish the boss. But what happens next was a complete shock to Vergil and Kirito. Instead of using Talwar, a type of curved sword, Ilfang draws a large blade with a V shape edge.

Vergil: (Oi, oi, are you kidding me!? That isn't a Talwar! That's nodachi! It's not the same as the beta test! Kirito must realize it too.)

Vergil: Oi hero wannabe! Jump back as fast as you can!

It seems as Vergil's shouted wasn't heard by anyone since everyone was focus on Diavel and Ilfang duel but one certain cactus-haired guy looked at Vergil with a confused expression.

Back at the fight, Illfang's nodachi glowing red as the boss immediately jumped towards a nearby pillar then jumped from wall to wall very quickly before stops right above Diavel and perform its Sword Skill <<Ukifune>> where the boss swung its nodachi diagonally, hitting Diavel on the torso, depleted the leader of expedition HP's bar.

The direct blow of the skill sends Diavel flying high into the air, defenseless.

Kibaou: Diavel!

Kibaou screams out in worried but got cuts off when Illfang landed beside him and the other as the boss roar right in front of their faces, making the group stun in fear but fight the urge to run away and defend themselves from the boss attack.

Kirito: Diavel!

Kirito call as he runs towards the fallen body of Diabel with Vergil followed behind him. When Kirito arrived, he grabbed Diavel from the back of his head and look at the blue-haired guy HP bar, decreasing to red and still decreasing.

Kirito: Why did you try to do it alone?

Kirito then takes out a life potion from his menu and tries to give it to Diavel. But, to his and Vergil's surprise, Diavel holds Kirito's hand, stopping Kirito from giving him a potion.

Diavel: You two were... beta testers, weren't you? You know what I was doing.

Kirito looks surprised at his words while Vergil stood behind Kirito with a frown on his face.

Vergil: You were after the last attack a rare bonus item. You were a beta tester, right?

Diavel nodded his head at Vergil's question.

Diabel: Please... you two... Defeat... Defeat the boss. For everyone...

Before Diavel can finish his last dying words, Vergil had enough and forcefully shoved his own life potion to the blue-haired guy. The potion worked and Diavel's HP increases and is now at the green. Diavel looked at Vergil with a confused expression.

Diavel: Why...?

Vergil: I just did what everyone else should do. I don't care if you want to die or not but... I'm not letting you die on my watch. At least, try to achieve something before you wanna commit suicide.

Vergil just stood up without giving a glance at Diavel as Kirito smiled at his best friend's action.

Vergil: Kirito, let's go. It's about time to take down the false king.

Kirito nodded and get back on his feet, looking much more determined than before. As the two of them look towards a roaring Illfang, Kirito clenched his sword as Asuna quickly stands beside Vergil, with him in the middle.

Asuna: I'll go too.

Vergil nodded without glancing at her and immediately, the three of them rushed at the Illfang.

Vergil: We'll do it like the sentinels.

Kirito: Roger.

Asuna: Got it.

Noticed the three about to attack it, Ilfang lowering its nodachi to its left hip as it quickly charged Sword Skill <<Tsujikaze>>. The boss then delivered a diagonal slash from bottom-left to top-right at such a speed that the human eye can't keep track of the sword.

However...

Kirito, one of the beta testers knew the skill beforehand and parried the attack by using <<Rage Spike>>. Instantly, Kirito closes the distance between him and Ilfang and delivered an upward slash from the right, blocked the skill.

Kirito: Switch!

Vergil activated his Sword Skill <<Hiogi>> and delivered upward, downward, then thrusting combo at the boss, giving Asuna a quick opening to strike the boss.

Vergil: Switch!

Asuna charges on Illfang, but to Vergil and Kirito's surprise, Illfang quickly recovers from the attack which is impossible during their beta time. Vergil noticed that Ilfang set its sight on Asuna.

Vergil: Asuna!

Illfang slashes Asuna, but to the two boys' surprise, she evades, though her cloak got destroy in the process, revealing her beautiful long orange-brownish chestnut hair and her determined brown eyes. Immediately, Asuna charges up her sword skill <<Linear>> as her rapier glowing in green.

Asuna: Hyah!

Asuna thrusts her rapier, throwing Illfang to the back. Vergil and Kirito slightly stun seeing Asuna from behind her cloak and looked at her with amazement. Vergil quickly snapped back to reality when he saw Illfang stand up and spoke up.

Vergil: It's not over yet!

Once again, the three continued with their tactics. Kirito parried the attack as Vergil and Asuna dealing the damage since the two is faster than him. The attack worked very well until...

Vergil: Switch!

After parrying the attack, Vergil switched with Kirito and immediately the black-haired boy charged up his sword skill and attack Illfang but Illfang manage to evade Kirito's attack and was about to attack him.

Kirito: Crap!

Vergil: Your opponent is me!

Vergil got in front of Kirito, blocking the hit but the attack was much stronger than he expected. The attack sent Vergil and Kirito slamming into Asuna who standing behind the two because she was about to launch her own attack.

Asuna and Kirito look down at Vergil's HP gauge and see it decrease as the white-haired boy now has about 50% HP. Asuna then looked up and saw Illfang about to attack them but suddenly, someone dash and block the attack.

Kirito looked at the player and it was Agil. Before the Ilfang attack hit them, Agil used his Sword Skill <<Whirlwind>> and delivered a single, whirlwind-like swing with a two-handed ax from the lower-right to the upper-left, push the boss away from the three.

Diavel: Go!

Diavel, who now stood back on his feet ordered the rest of the expedition raid to launch an attack at the boss, giving Vergil and his party to recover their HP.

Agil: We hold him off till you recover!

Kirito: Let me help you.

Agil looked at Kirito and see the determination of the black-haired boy, then nodded in agreement.

Agil: Alright. I'm counting on you.

The two then take off and rushed at the boss along with everyone else. Meanwhile, Asuna looked down at the healing potion on her right hand which was given to her by Kirito before he rushed at the boss.

Asuna: Here.

She gave the potion to the white-haired boy as Vergil accept it and drink the potion. Back at the fight, all the players attack the Ilfang at the same time but Ilfang counters the attack then jumps high in the sky to attack them and charge its Sword Skill <<Tsumujiguruma>>.

Kirito: Stand back!

Before the attack hit everyone, Vergil used Sword Skill <<Sonic Leap>>, jumped up, and delivered a single top to bottom vertical slash at the Ilfang in mid-air, preventing the boss from using its Sword Skill on the players below.

Vergil: Don't you dare forget about me!

The attack sent Ilfang crushed at the ground, few meters from everyone. Argonaut then landed on the ground and prepare to finish the boss.

Vergil: Kirito! Asuna! One last hit! We'll do it together!

Kirito and Asuna: Roger!

The three of them rushed down at Ilfang but it seems like the boss wasn't about to go down without a fight as Ilfang recovered from the last attack and charged its own Sword Skill.

Follow their strategy, Kirito went to parried the attack with <<Slant>>, landed a single bottom-left to top-right slash, then Asuna used <<Linear>> to attack the boss furthermore to the point Ilfang had to let go of its nodachi, leaving the boss defenseless.

Kirito and Asuna: Switch!

From the two, Vergil lowered his knees and put his right hand on his katana grip as he charged his Sword Skill with his katana glow in light blue color.

Vergil: (Rest in agony, you monster.)

Everyone's eyes widen in shock when Vergil instantly vanished from his spot then reappeared behind Ilfang.

Vergil: You are not worthy as my opponent.

Vergil then put back his katana on the scabbard and at the same time, a blinding light started to appear around Ilfang, and instantly, Ilfang shattered into million pieces, death.

...

Silence. The room was silent as everyone including Kirito stunned at what just happened. They did it... They (technically Vergil) managed to defeat the boss.

Random Player #1: W-We did it!

[CONGRATULATION!! You managed to defeat the boss and clear this floor]

Everyone stared at the words that stand in the middle of the room and started to cheer. Simultaneously, everyone received the EXP from clearing the boss, leveling them up and Vergil got the highest since he got the last attack bonus.

Vergil smiled at the sight of everyone shared a laugh as he lets out a relieved sigh before turning his attention to the new message he just received. He raised an eyebrow in shock and confusion when he saw that he got two bonus items.

~~~

[Congratulation. You got the last attacking bonus!]

Bonus Items:

-Coat of Alpha

-Coat of Midnight

~~~

Kirito: Good work.

Agil: That was excellent swordsmanship. Congratulations. This victory is yours.

Vergil: No...

Vergil lifted his head and saw Kirito, Asuna, and Agil walked up to him. As Vergil is about to deny the statement since it was everyone's hard work that it was possible, he was cut off as every player clap their hands for him.

Kibaou: Why?!

Kibaou yelled, making everyone stopped and looked at Kibaou who glared at Vergil.

Kibaou: Why didn't you told us about the technique that the boss used?

Vergil: What do you mean?

Kibaou: I mean what I have said! You knew the technique that boss used! Because of you, Diavel almost dies and it was all your fault! If you told us upfront about that, we can conduct a plan to counter that attack!

Diavel: Calm down, Kibaou! It's not that guy's fault. I'm still alive so I don't really mind.

Diavel tried to calm down the rage Kibaou but looks like it doesn't work. A whisper then broke among the crowds at that information. After a few seconds, a player then started to point their finger at Vergil.

Random Player #2: He must be a beta-tester! That's why he knew all the boss attack patterns! He knew but didn't tell us! Other beta-user are here, too, right? Come out!

The crowds begin muttering again, but now they all suspect each other of beta-testers. Diavel just looked down in guilt since he was a beta tester too but didn't say anything, doesn't want to worsen the situation.

Vergil: (Foolishness. One second I'm a hero and now I'm the villain. What a horrible joke.)

Vergil who silent from behind and his hair shadowing his eyes. Agil, Kirito, and Asuna join Diavel and tried to talk with Kibaou.

Agil: Hey, come on...

Vergil: Ridiculous...

Everyone stopped what they doing and focused their attention on Vergil as his white hair shadowing his eyes but everyone can see the glint of crystal blue eyes on his eyes. However, unlike Vergil's usual eyes, this one seems cold and emotionless making everyone shivered at the sight.

Vergil: A beta tester? I wish you wouldn't compare me to those newbies.

Kibaou: W-What?!

Vergil: Most of the thousands of beta testers were beginners who didn't know how to level up. You guys are better than they are. But I'm not like them.

Vergil stood back on his head and slowly walked toward Kibaou with his hair shadowing his eyes before stopping in front of Kibaou and continue speaking.

Vergil: I made it higher than anyone else during the beta test. I knew the boss's skills because I fought monsters with katana skills on floors far above us. I know a lot more. Way more than any information broker.

Upon hearing the new information, everyone except Kirito and Diavel looked at Vergil with a shocked expression.

Kibaou: W-What... That's... That's way worse than a beta-tester! Your cheating! A cheater!

Random Player #1: Yeah! A cheater!

Random Player #2: A beta tester and a cheater! A beater!

Kirito and Asuna then looked at Vergil worriedly.

Kirito: Vergil...

Vergil: A Beater... What a lame and horrible name. From now on, called me... Dark Slayer. I will slay anyone who stood in my way whether you like it or not.

Everyone minus Kirito and Asuna stared at Vergil with scared expressions, knowing that this guy is deadly serious. Vergil opened his menu and taps his equipment options.

Vergil: From now on, don't confuse me with the other testers.

Tapping the <<Coat of Alpha>>, Vergil's attire immediately changed into a long, silver buttoned blue coat with three separated coattails. A white, serpentine pattern runs around the collar, with a snake's head hanging over the coat's left shoulder, and its tail slinking down the right, all the way to the bottom of the coat. A gold lining runs across the edges of the coat, and a silky, golden flower blossom pattern decorates the inner lining.

Vergil: Try to stop if you want.

Vergil sent a glare at Kibaou before he started to leave the stunned and scared crowd and walk up the stairs, head toward the next floor.

???: Wait!

Vergil stopped when he heard a voice and when he turned around, it was Asuna.

Asuna: You called my name when we were fighting.

Vergil: Sorry for just using your first name. Or did I mess up the pronunciation?

Asuna: Where did you learn it?

Vergil: You can see another HP gauge below yours, right? Isn't something written next to it?

Asuna then looked at her HP gauge below her name.

Asuna: Vergil... Vergil? And Kirito? Is that your and that black-haired guy name?

Vergil: Yeah.

Asuna then started to giggle, confusing the white-haired boy.

Asuna: Oh, it's been there all this time!

When he saw her smile, Vergil's eyes soften as he smiled at Asuna.

Vergil: That smile of yours, it looks really pretty. You should smile more often.

Asuna stopped giggling as she blushed at the unexpected compliments.

Asuna: T-Thank you.

Vergil: (Cute.)

Vergil: You'll be strong. So if someone you trust ever invites you to join a guild, don't turn them down. Might control everything and without strength, you cannot protect anything; let alone yourself.

Asuna: Then, what about you?

Vergil: After my announcement before, I doubt someone gonna let me join their guild. Well then, goodbye.

Vergil opened his party menu and disband the party. He then continues to walk upstairs before arriving at the door that led to the next floor. Vergil then turned to his left when he senses someone and saw it was Kirito.

Vergil: So what you gonna do Kirito now?

Kirito: Of course, I'm gonna head to the next floor before you. Can't let you shine me anymore, right?

Vergil just smirked at the indirect challenge.

Vergil: Challenge on. Before that, take this.

Vergil opened his menu and send Kirito the other bonus item, the Coat of Midnight. Kirito's eyes widen in shock when he receives it.

Kirito: Huh?! I can't accept it. It's you that defeat the boss after all.

Vergil: Just take it, you ungrateful kid. When your elder gave you something, just be a good boy and take it.

Kirito: ...-_-... We are the same age.

Vergil: Anyway, just take it. I don't need it since I have this coat of mine.

Kirito sighed and accept the item. He then equipped the coat as he now wearing the black leather coat over his old armor. Kirito inspected his new coat and smile at it, liking the new coat.

Vergil: Let's go, blacky.

Kirito looked at Vergil and nodded.

Kirito: Alright-- wait, what are you calling me just now!? Take that back!

Vergil just ignored Kirito and continue walking toward the new floor with Kirito following behind while complaining about his new nickname.

///To Be Continued///