Chapter 67 - Uncovering Secrets

Drifter grunted when << Fuscus the Vacant Colossus' >> disembodied hand smashed into his side even after he attempted to block it with his spear. While he wasn't quite sent flying, Drifter stumbled a few meters before toppling down. Curling his body, he transitioned into a roll and immediately jumped up, missing a third of his health but just as ready to fight as before. One thing you learned quickly in SAO was to never stay down for longer than it was necessary.

He needn't have worried so much in this case, however, as the boss had already been beaten back by his party. Drifter nodded to them and looked around with a frown. The difficulty of this battle wasn't so much in the floor boss itself as it was in how... Compact the battlefield was becoming. Everywhere he looked, smoldering trails of molten rock split the room into countless sections, each smaller than the last.

The good news was that the trail left behind by the lasers fired by the boss' head did disappear - or cool down - after a while. The bad news was that the rate at which this happened was much slower than the frequency of the lasers - not to mention the annoying burning DoT effect some players had unlucky discovered.

Now, with still two health bars to go, the Assault Team was split into over a dozen different parties, and with increasingly less room to maneuver. Had it not been for Kirito's early demand to change party composition to something more balanced, they would have started to see casualties already.

A scowl took Drifter's face as he watched a giant stone leg appear a few meters away from him and send Liz bowling over, right into Yuuki and Ran. The three fell in a mess of tangled bodies, while Sinon and Merida made a token effort to hit the limb, more worried about their friends than doing damage.

The Reavers had a few precious brief moments of respite after that, as the boss went after the other players. Drifter cradled his spear in his arms and panted. The fight was dragging on for longer than anyone thought it would.

"Argh! This is so annoying!"

As much as he agreed with Asuna, there was nothing they could do, nor any ingenious improvisation Drifter could pull off this time. Maybe he could throw his spear at the Colossus' head repeatedly - he had gotten quite good at that - but the damage would be laughable.

That thought bothered Drifter more than he would like to admit. He knew it had to be possible. There was a skill for throwing javelins, why couldn't there be one for spears? Sure, he knew they weren't the same, and that he was disregarding the different types of spears, but this was, after all, a game set in a fantastic world of floating castles, elves, and monsters. Surely there had to be some leeway.

Drifter had even told Argo about how it was possible to retrieve any weapon you were currently equipping if it was further than 10 meters from you, and how he thought he could use that loophole to transform his spear into an infinite throwing weapon. The info-broker then repassed that idea to Nezha, he later learned, who made good use of them with his chakrams. Now the player didn't need to wait for the time it took for his spinning circles of death to make the return trip, he could simply recall them, basically doubling his attack rate.

Deciding it was worth a try anyway, even if just to annoy << Fuscus the Vacant Colossus >> and possibly interrupt its next laser beam, Drifter assumed the stance he saw javelin-users take when throwing the projectile.

Left leg in front and his left arm stretched for stability, Drifter held his spear by the middle of the shaft above his head with his right hand, took aim, and slingshot his arm forward, hurling the weapon towards the boss' head.

His aim held true, and he hit Fuscus on the right cheek, doing absolutely nothing apart from chipping away some stone. With a sigh, Drifter recalled his spear and turned around to find his guild looking strangely at him.

"Err... Just trying somethin'. It didn't quite work."

The spearman scratched his head shyly. It was weird, but he didn't mind the thousands of players he was sure just watched his pathetic attempt at throwing his spear, but the gazes of his guildmates and their teasing smirks caused him to squirm. Of course, if he knew that there were several million people currently watching the live-stream, including his parents, he would have felt much more embarrassed.

"Look out, it's here!"

Drifter was saved from any teasing remark his friends - especially Yuna - might have when << Fuscus the Vacant Colossus' >> arm appeared next to them. Timing his attack with those of his party, Drifter gladly embraced the distraction by using << Sting >>, << Double Tap >>, and << Martial Arts: Hiza >> to chip away at the boss' HP.

It took the entire Assault Team, almost seventy people, another fifteen minutes before they got << Fuscus the Vacant Colossus >> down to its last bit of health. As soon as the boss entered the 30% red zone, the entire room started shaking as the lines on the ground all lit up at once.

The four detached limbs that had been attacking the frontliners suddenly flew out of the ground, smacking a couple of players aside in the process, and started circling Fuscus' head. There was another bright glowing light that caused all of them to close their eyes, and when they opened them again, a gigantic humanoid monstrosity stood before them. Fifteen meters and several tons of pure, deadly, laser-emitting rock.

Eyes ominously glowing, << Fuscus the Vacant Colossus >> fired another laser. Only, this time it wasn't in a straight line like before, but rather a sweeping attack that hit almost half of the boss room, and everyone who was unlucky enough to be in that portion of it.

Even so, the frontliners still let out shouts of joy. While the second phase of the boss may be harder, it was also much shorter, and allowed them to see the end of what was the hardest boss raid any of them ever participated in, with the exception of Illfang's.

There was a guild, however, which wasn't nearly as excited as the rest. The members of Reaver's Requiem exchanged wary glances. Now came the most important part of their plan: getting the last-attack bonus.

While most of the Reavers went wild on the offensive, to the point where they ignored the 'burning' effect inflicted by the aftermath of the lasers, Sinon, Kirito, and Yuuki all hung back. They were still attacking, to avoid suspicions from the rest of the raid-party - and, indeed, from all the SAO players watching - but less frequently than they could have if they were trying their best.

This kind of behavior, holding back when everyone else was putting their lives on the line, left a bitter taste in their mouths, but they had all agreed it was better than the alternative. They wouldn't - couldn't - allow the two criminals to succeed in their plot.

It had been decided that Kirito, Sinon, and Yuuki would be responsible for dealing the last hit mainly because of the absurdly high reaction speed of the two sword-users, and Sinon's unique position which let her overlook the battlefield more easily and prepare ahead of time.

With every percent of HP the boss lost, the more nervous they felt. When << Fuscus the Vacant Colossus >> was down to 10% health, Drifter started scanning the battlefield. If one of the two would-be PK'ers was indeed part of the ALS or DKB, as they suspected, he should start showing signs now, considering how close to its end their plan was.

Or so Drifter thought. But all he saw were the crazed expressions on the frontliners' faces as the finale of the boss raid approached. The spearman saw the exact moment when everyone switched gears from 'trying to defeat the boss' to 'striving to get the last hit' - just about when << Fuscus the Vacant Colossus' >> HP bar had only 5% left. No one was acting strange - or more strangely than normal, he supposed.

The Reavers watched with rabid attention the slow decline of the boss' health.

4%.

Kirito and Yuuki stopped attacking altogether, charging up their long cooldown skills.

3%.

Drifter, Asuna, Liz, Ran, and Merida jumped forward, unleashing a bunch of normal attacks on the boss, and just so happening to get in the way of some ALS and DKB players.

2%.

Sinon fired her strongest skill to date, << Breaking Airflow >>. The arrow embedded itself in the right eye of << Fuscus the Vacant Colossus >>.

1%.

Two dozen players charged at the floor boss, with Kirito and Yuuki in the lead, both of their swords glowing in a threatening red hue. << Vorpal Strike >>.

0%.

With a final roar, << Fuscus the Vacant Colossus >> crumbled, the twin red streaks forming an 'X' across its torso, the most glaring wounds in its body. The boss shattered.

[ CONGRATULATIONS! ]

There were the normal shouts of happiness and celebratory pats in the back, as well the now customary laying on the floor and panting - the frontliners had long since stopped caring for their image, especially after such an excruciatingly long boss raid.

Drifter and the Reavers did the same, but their gazes were glued on Kirito and Yuuki, who were both scrolling through their notifications at light speed. Finally, a huge smile parted Kirito's face, and he showed a thumbs-up to his guildmates.

"Ahh... Hahaha! Thank god."

Feeling as if a huge weight had been lifted off of his chest, Drifter flopped down, limbs spread wide, and whispered softly to himself. It said a lot about his state of mind over the last two and a half months that even though he was literally laughing in relief, he still had his fingers wrapped around his spear. By now the weapon was almost like an extra limb to him, an extension of himself. He would have trouble adjusting to a life without it once they left SAO, but that was a concern for the future.

"Wait! Who got the last-attack bonus?!"

Freezing mid-laughter, Drifter suppressed a groan. Talk about subtly, which Kibaou obviously had none of. Drifter shot a glance at Kirito, and saw the swordsman also was looking at him. He nodded. Seconds after, Drifter retrieved an item from the guild inventory.

"I did."

A large red flag wrapped around a pole appeared in Drifter's hand. He stabbed it on the ground while proudly announcing his ownership of the item. The entire Assault Team stared at him, most in confusion, but more than a few with knowing - and greedy - expressions. Clearly, the rumors about the << Flag of Valor >> had made the rounds.

Two of the players specifically were looking at Drifter with distaste, as if they had just been forced to swallow a slug. To no one's surprise, they were Kibaou and Lind. Quite clearly, they liked the fact that the beater's party had gotten their hands on the last-attack bonus even less than they would if the opposing guild had.

"Ya better hand..."

"What are the stats, Drifter?"

Just as Kibaou was starting to shout something which would most certainly cause a fight, Shivata, bless his heart, cut off the other player. DKB's vice-guild leader shared a glance with Kirito, who subtly nodded in thanks. Meanwhile, Drifter was looking at his HUD, suddenly feeling a little bit hopeful when he turned to address the others. Maybe the worst-case scenario wouldn't happen.

"It boosts attack and attack speed by 20%. Just twenty."

No one who knew what the original stats of the << Flag of Valor >> were missed the emphasis Drifter put in his words.

Shivata sighed, Drifter didn't know if in relief or disappointment. Either way, the shield-bearer put a hand on Lind's arm to calm down his guild leader. After a brief struggle, Lind huffed and turned to look the other way, but didn't say anything. If only Kibaou could do the same.

"Hold up! That item doesn't belong to a cheater! It should be ours, the great Aincrad Liberation Squad! Tell your man to pass it over, beater!"

"Are you stupid, Kibaou?! You know the rules! Whoever gets the last-attack bonus keeps it!"

"You shut up, girl! Don't talk to our guild leader like that!"

"Yeah! The beater doesn't deserve that flag! Just look at the name!"

The situation was rapidly dissolving into a shouting match between Asuna, Yuna, Liz, Kibaou, and the more vocal members of the ALS. Drifter ignored it for the moment, having already expected something like that to happen. His piercing gaze was focused on the first player to jump to Kibaou's defense.

It was a male player, using a tattered black coat. He looked a few years older than Drifter, maybe twenty-five or so. His weapon of choice seemed to be a short-handled axe, which didn't fit in the description Kirito gave of the player he dueled. But his expression... While everyone else was red-faced and angry, Drifter saw the very moment his lips curled up in a smirk. And then he, as if sensing Drifter's gaze, turned to the spearman and gave him a mocking smile.

His blood running cold, Drifter stared back. The player knew they knew his plans. And yet, not only he was still going through with them, fanning the flames of Kibaou's unhappiness, but he was also provoking Drifter. Something was very wrong.

Passing the flag to Nautilus so he could hold his spear with both hands, Drifter sneered at the ALS player and walked over to Kirito, who had joined the shouting match.

"I found him, Kirito."

"Where? Who?"

Drifter gestured with his chin to the player. He didn't know who it was, but chances were his guild leader did. Argo had spent a lot of time with the boy yesterday discussing possible candidates.

"Morte. He's one of ALS' party leaders. Are you sure?"

"Very. And he knows we know who he truly is. He mocked me."

Kirito's head whipped to look at Drifter, eyes wide open. The spearman put a firm hand on his trembling guild leader's shoulder.

"Call Argo, if she's not already on the way, and let me continue to do the talking, Kirito. Kibaou's a little less likely to blow his top if I'm the one who makes the suggestion."

"All right. I'll tell everyone to stick together, just in case Morte decides to go through with it anyway."

Drifter nodded, and took the flag back from Nautilus. Once again stabbing it into the ground, this time a little more forcefully, he yelled.

"Shut up!"

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AUTHOR'S NOTE

I usually don't do this because it's not something I enjoy, but it seems necessary: people, if you dislike something about the fic or it as a whole, that's entirely okay. I already said I'm not afraid of criticism or suggestions - in fact, I welcome them. But you have to give me something to work with other than a simple "I don't like that" or "this sucks". I'm more than willing to listen to your suggestions and make changes (as long as they fit the very loose outline of the plot I have in my head).

But what really annoys me are some of the reviews (and I say that fully knowing people are going to be pissed with me, but so what). Reviews are what most readers look at to see if they want to give the fic a try, and then some people write reviews that are simply a repetition of the phrase "I don't like...". They literally haven't reviewed grammar, story development, world-building, etc. In fact, they haven't reviewed anything at all. They just find one singular thing in the novel they dislike, give it the lowest rating, and don't actually inform potential readers of anything, only bring the rating down.

If you disliked the fic, then by all means go ahead and give it a low rating. But please, please actually write a real review, so I can know what to do better, and new readers can know whether they want to give the novel a try or not. Don't be an ass.

I won't delete reviews or comments, no matter how critic or obnoxious it may be, even if I think I don't deserve it, so you can all go check what I'm talking about if you want. The only time I ever deleted a review was in my other novel, Broke, because of the very explicit racial slurs and political connotations used in it. The one who wrote it was also reported. Other than situations such as that, you don't have to be afraid I'll delete negative reviews. Good or bad, write it all, just please make it constructive so I can improve where I'm lacking. Remember the fic is as much for my enjoyment as it's for yours.