34 Chapter 34: We are Never Equal.

*Shiiin*

For a moment, the audience becomes silence again after hearing the unexpected but clear answer.

Refuse?

He actually has the balls to reject even on this situation!?

Kibaou, who heard it clearly, felt anger coming inside his mind and pops out his vein for hearing the unexpected answer.

"DON'T SCREW WITH US!!" (Kibaou)

(Damn it!! Does he have a screw loose or something!?)

In this situation where all odds are against Rein, he actually could reject their wants bluntly without going around the bushes nor trying to convince them.

Of course, it will make most players becoming his enemies inevitably.

Moreover,

(Sh*t! Is reputation meaningless to him!?) (Kibaou)

This is also not favorable for Kibaou.

His main purpose is to gain items and know-how so his future life could be easier. In addition, he could be the leader if things go well.

The kneel part would only be just an extra to satisfy his pride only.

If Rein 'accidentally' get killed by players outside the city, then his plans will just become smoke.

While facing Kibaou who is red from anger, Rein only calmly states his point.

After all,

"In the first place, I don't have the obligation to apologize." (Rein)

"...YOU BASTARD!!" (Kibaou)

Not only the players, but even Kibaou also become hot-headed hearing that. If it already reaches this point, then he won't even care his plan anymore.

In fact, screw it.

Right now, he just wants to punch this asshole who's too selfish in his eyes.

However, before he could do so, Rein continue his claim.

In order to end this farce once and for all.

"Then I will ask you back. Why do you decide me as a beta tester in the first place?" (Rein)

"...What?" (Kibaou)

"Just now, you point me as being unfair for beta tester not sharing own experience. However, why do you even decide me being so? I AM NOT A BETA TESTER."

Hearing that, Kibaou scoff his baseless claim.

"Hah!! Make your lies be more convincing!! I know it all you know!! In this two months, you just steal the good area all for yourself without sharing it! Your equipment, items, and treasures... all of it are the proof of you being a beta tester!!"

"That's all?"

"What!?"

"As I said, is that all for your so-called 'proof'?"

Without giving a chance to continue his words, Rein immediately glances toward to the gallery.

"This is my first time playing this game without knowing anything beforehand. I don't even have acquaintances of a beta tester who share it to me. Just by me doing leveling in solo form makes me a cheater and unfair to other players?" (Rein)

"....What do you want to say?" (Kibaou)

While shrugging his shoulder, Rein can only state the fact plainly.

"..*sigh*...you are slow aren't you? I only get all of this with my ability only and nothing more. "

"That's why you are--"

"Besides, they didn't even abandon all of you."

While taking out a small book from his inventory, he still continues his argument to the players without any signs of stopping.

"After we come to this game, we automatically got this guidebook from our item box to all of the players. In this book, it describes the key point of this game including the use of skill, the best place to hunt, and many other useful bits of advice. I myself also referenced it for these two months." (Rein)

"WHAT!!!" (Players)

"Now then, I will ask you again. Even knowing this fact, do I even need to apologize?"

"...T-That's" (Kibaou)

Just like a lie, the place which is becoming more and more dangerous changed into surprises at once.

After all, they didn't even bother checking it because they are too panicked with the death game.

But Rein is not telling a lie.

Using the book, he really did go to many hunting areas that are high in exp and quests that are profitable to make himself stronger.

The only differences are that he does it in tremendous pace since he's not that careful nor afraid like other players.

Therefore, he or even the beta testers doesn't have the duty to relieve their burden since they already give enough help.

Even so,

"...No, that still doesn't explain your superior equipment!! It doesn't change the fact you are still cheating!! If you already have that much, then share it with us!! " (Kibaou)

It won't be resolved easily.

(...No good huh.) (Rein)

Seeing his words has little to none impact, Rein could only give up solving this peacefully.

If possible, he doesn't want to make things uglier than now.

Even so, he has to do it for his own safety.

That's why he will change his way.

Into more drastic, cruel, and most of all, painful.

Responding to his accusation, Rein stares at Kiabou directly without avoiding his eyesight.

He already gave them a chance.

But, that cross the line.

He is not a pushover nor having mercy for this kind of scum.

"I have to give my items so we could be equal?" (Rein)

"Yeah, that's right!! If you--" (Kibaou)

"Shut up."

*Fwussh!*

"GAK!! Ku, kuh---"

Unable to continue his words, Rein immediately grab his neck strongly until it makes him suffocate.

In this world, it would only be count as a crime if the players attack another player with their weapon or/and on another form of a duel with no permission.

Since Rein is just using his hand, then Kibaou couldn't even send him to jail. No, even if he could do so, he won't have the leisure anymore.

His sudden grip makes Kibaou unable to breathe and panic. Moreover, it even makes him float on the air due to Rein's superior power.

Dominating.

That's the world that can only describe him right now.

All players immediately become shocked after seeing Rein's unexpected actions.

But Rein doesn't even care about their reactions and just continue.

"Since this is the opportunity, I will say this to you all. STOP WHINING LIKE A KID." (Rein)

*Gripp!* (Putting force on his gripped hand.)

"Guk, Kuh!?" (Kibaou)

"Unfair? Hah. Say that to the other world we live. In that place, we are never equal the moment we are born. Some people are being spooned fed with a golden spoon, while some people have to struggle for getting foods to barely survive."

"St-Sto--AHk!?"

"You all are the same. In school, you are decided on the ranking based on your score. In society, some people are higher than you with no chance to overcome them due to overwhelming differences. This world is also the same."

It's just a simple fact.

In the world humans living right now, there is always someone who is luckier than you with no reason without doing anything special.

Some religion may teach people that humans are made equal.

However, to Rein, he will never accept it.

(This world, is unfair from the start.) (Rein)

"If you explain to me on that logic, what did you all do in another world? Did you share your abundance with the less fortunate ones? Did you donate them to be equal until it makes you poor too?"

"...." (Players)

Seeing the players didn't answer and only lower their head, Rein only scoff at them with condemn.

"Hah! In the end, you all are the same. Just like this guy, you are just a hypocrite. Nothing more, nothing less."

Nobody could rebuke him.

No, they CAN'T.

In this current age, all players in this plaza are not a selfless person who share own wealth just for the sake of equality.

Then what did they do for these poor souls?

Nothing.

Just like what Rein said, humans are never equal the moment they are born.

Humans only prioritize own selves the most before caring for others.

Talent, wealth, environment, ranking.

All of that is being given to humans on an unequal scale.

Just because you are more fortunate, you have to share your wealth with the poorer ones for the sake of equality?

That's not an ideal but hypocrisy and selfishness.

"Don't screw around, is it? That's my word. You all are the one who needs to face it. No matter what the world is, we always put our life on the line. For our dreams, for our goal, or maybe for our future.

Just because this death game makes us easier to die, that doesn't mean I have to babysit you all. OUR LIFE IS OUR OWN PROBLEM TO CARE." (Rein)

*GRIP!!!*

"Pl-please---" (Kibaou)

"Stop it." (???) | "That's enough, Rein." (Kirito)

To Rein gripping Kiabou's neck tightly, two different hands grab each of Rein's shoulder.

One side is Kirito who comes to his side while another one is a middle-aged man with a brown skin, huge body size, and bald head.

"...Fuuh." (Rein)

(I guess this is enough.)

*Plop*

*Buk!* (Kibaou falling to the ground)

"Kahaak!! Hah...haahh..." (Kibaou)

Ignoring the guy who is suffering, Rein faces to Diavel who stayed silent all the time.

"Now then, Diavel-san. Are you the same as this person? Will you force me to "share" my equipment?"

Seeing Rein's action just now, Diavel could only raise both of his hand while facing him with a bitter smile.

He's not idiotic enough to make an enemy of this terrifying person.

"No, not at all. Just like you said, our problem is our own to care." (Diavel)

"(smiles) That's good then. Sorry for interrupting your speech middle way. Please continue."

After that, he headed toward his seating place with the two people who stop him.

"Fuuhh... Thanks for stopping me, you two. I was getting blood on my head." (Rein)

"Sheesh...I was having cold sweat all this time, you know?" (Kirito)

"Well, I can understand your feeling though." (???)

For Kirito, he can only wryly smiles while the other guy smiles toward Rein to show his understanding.

*Clap* *Clap* (Diable clapping)

After that clap, players immediately wake up from the stupor and focus on Diavel again.

Their main focus is to kill the boss, not the beta tester right now.

*****

"Looks like the problem is solved. Let's continue our meeting again. Just like what Rein-shi said, this guidebook has the detailed description even the floor boss of this level. Its name, weapon, skill, and even the attack pattern." (Diavel)

"Is that true!?" (Player A)

"Amazing...then it's going to be a lot easier!!" (Player B)

"We can do it... We really can do it now!!" (Player C)

One by one, the gloomy atmosphere have turned bright because of having hope to conquer this world.

After all, Information is the strongest power to have in any era.

"The name of the boss is Illafang The Kobold Lord. Its weapons are shield and ax. However, there's always kobold sentinels at his side at all times. Therefore, we need to form several parties for assigning the job."

*Plop* (Closing guidebook)

"That's all for the meeting. Tomorrow, you all will form your own party and meet in this place again at the same time. Dismissed!!" (Diavel)

After that, most players immediately form a party with the ones close to or beside them in no time at all.

Except for some players.

"...Crap." (Kirito)

To Kirito, this situation is hopeless for him. He doesn't have a good communication skill to boot either.

(What should I---...Ah, right!.) (Kirito)

There's actually one player that will accept him.

In fact, he can be called as his close friend to talk comfortably with.

"Rein, wait!!" (Kirito)

"Hmm?" (Rein)

Turning his head on the back, Rein stops his feet and face toward Kirito who calls him.

"What is it Kirito? Is there something wrong?" (Rein)

"That's my line, you know? Why do you leave quickly before partying with anybody?" (Kirito)

"I'm sure you know the reason, right?"

"Then party up with me."

"....Are you really sure?"

To that offer, Rein can only look worriedly toward this guy who is smiling toward himself.

After all, Teaming up with Rein in this current situation is the same as saying,

"I am the same as this guy."

In other words, Kirito will tighten his own neck.

To Rein himself, that is something he wants to avoid because he doesn't want Kirito to get in danger as much as possible. Even if he can't prevent him from entering this world, at least he wants Kirito to avoid any unnecessary risk.

But Kirito won't care.

*Shakes head*

While faintly smiling, Kirito blast away all the worry Rein have.

"I don't care. Even if teaming up with my friend is a wrong thing to do, I will still do so. Because,.... my action is myself to decide." (Kirito)

"...Geez. It makes me an idiot to worry in the first place." (Rein)

Hearing his idiotic and reckless answer, Rein could only shake his head while closing his eyes with a wry smile.

(He's really the protagonist.) (Rein)

Even so, logic aside, he really felt fortunate able to be friend with this person.

Because Kirito looks who he really is.

Besides, looking at it from another angle, he could protect him from a closer distance. All in all, it is not a bad deal to take.

While raising his right hand, Rein smiled faintly to his only friend in the world.

Responding to his action, Kirito shakes his hand tightly.

"Please take care of me." (Rein)

"Me too." (Kirito)

[You have partied with Kirito.] (SAO interface)

While these two are having a passionate moment, one more person interrupt them.

"Could I join you guys too?" (???)

It is the other guy who stopped Rein.

Facing him, Rein could only question this man' intention.

Although he knows this guy from the original story, he doesn't understand the purpose of him joining with Rein, who is labeled as 'dangerous.'

Seeing his doubt on the face, the man only smiles while shrugging his shoulder and point his toward the players.

"Just say it as intuition. Rather than them, I felt safer to be with you guys." (???)

"....Intuition, huh. Are you really sure? It may endanger you on the future too." (Rein)

*Nods*

looking at Kirito for agreement, he responds to it by nodding his head.

"Then, welcome to our party. You can call me Rein." (Rein)

"It's Kirito." (Kirito)

"The name's Agil. Nice to meet you guys." (Agil)

[You have partied up with Agil.]

With this, three of them are set on going for tomorrow's battle.

However, for Rein himself, he felt a bit dissatisfied with the number.

(One more person.) (Rein)

The reason is simple.

In SAO, there is an attack system called switch when players could swap their locations immediately during parry to support each other. By having two pairs supporting each other, it will be a lot easier for the upcoming fight.

Luckily, God didn't forsake Rein.

While looking around the plaza, there is still one person who hasn't joined anybody while sitting alone.

However, nobody would come to this person because of the hood.

Seeing 'her', Rein smiled faintly.

It is the first meeting of the most popular character in the story.

Before going to her side, Rein asks both of them for adding one more, which both sides agree simultaneously.

(The more the merrier.) (Rein)

Heading toward her side, the hooded player raises her head.

Although not visible under the hood, her face changed into alert.

"....What do you want?" (???)

Hearing her cold and serene voice, Rein only calmly and patiently respond to her.

It isn't strange for her to be on alert, especially to a guy like Rein. After all, her life in SAO makes her mind and body tired extremely just to survive.

"If you don't mind, Do you want to party with us? Just like what Diavel-san said, this raid is not something could be solved by solo only. I see you haven't party up with anybody." (Rein)

"...." (???)

"I'm not saying for you to party with us permanently. After this battle is finished, you could leave immediately. Of course, you can stay if you want to."

After a short moment of pauses and stares between each other,

"....I understand. Then, just for a short moment, I'll be in your care."

"Likewise."

[You have partied with Asuna.]