36 Chapter 36: The Silver Hope.

-Next day, In front of Boss Monster' Entrance.-

"Looks like everybody is ready for it." (Diavel)

On the destiny day of the first boss battle, tens of players have gathered in front of the gate according to their group and parties.

As for Rein's party, they are located at the back since he is the target of terror for most players.

Even Agil and Kirito could only bitterly smile when the players who peek at them avoid their eyes in the speed of light.

Rein, who noticed it talks to them while ignoring their reactions.

There's something more important to do.

"Ignore them. Right now, we should focus on the upcoming battle. Are you all ready?" (Rein)

"Yeah. I'm good at any time." (Kirito)

"Same here." (Agil)

"I'm also okay." (Asuna)

*Nods*

After receiving each of their confirmation, Rein reviews the battle tactics and formation for the boss fight one last time.

The formations are as follows.

Kirito and Asuna pair up each other while Rein and Agil focus on supporting the duo.

To be specific, Agil only will back them up while Rein will take individual action for overseeing the whole battle. In the beginning, Agil did refute his action for being reckless but after showing Rein's level, he could only nod his head while bitterly smiling.

Of course, there's a reason for his reckless action.

(I don't know what will come on that door.) (Rein)

Even before entering, Rein could still sense it.

The Curse.

If it truly influences the world just like what Akashic Record said, then the boss can mutate into more dangerous being than what everybody could predict.

Therefore, it is Rein's role to cover up for that irregular since he is also the same.

"Fuuuhhh...." (Rein)

(Let's do this.)

Diavel, who is standing in front of everyone, stabs his sword on the floor and raise their moral.

*Shuung!!*

*Kiiing!*

"Everyone, I only have one thing to say. Let's win this!" (Diavel)

"OOOOOOHHHHH!!!" (Everyone)

*Shwiing!* *Shwwiiing!* (Players preparing their own weapons)

"..Let's go." (Rein)

Responding his words, each of them shouts according to their personality.

"OU!" (Agil)

"Yeah!" (Kirito)

"Un!" (Asuna)

*Kwiiiik!!* (Sound of Door opening.)

The door has been opened.

Now, it's the first step of conquering this world.

There is no turning back for them.

"ROAAAARRRRR!!"

Their battles have just started.

*****

In front of the players, one huge boss monster is standing in front of them.

However, looking at it directly, the players feel a sense of fear.

"What, what the hell is that..." (Player A)

"Can we...really defeat that?" (Player B)

Rein, who also look the boss, confirm his suspicion.

(It's different.) (Rein)

According to the story, the Kobold Lord should be red overall with a huge stomach. But, the boss in front of him is pure black with metallic armor around his body.

Lastly, the black aura exudes on his makes the boss more ominous.

"Grrrrr...." (Boss Monster)

[The story that you go, please be very careful with it. It WILL NOT BE THE SAME ACCORDING TO THE FICTION YOU KNOW.] (Akashic Record)

This is the warning Akashic pointed out.

The function of the curse could be varied and in many shapes.

But, the purpose of this monster is very simple, which is strengthening the spec of the monster.

Adding to the enormous pressure, no wonder the players are frightened from it.

Even so,

"Don't fall back!" (Diavel)

"!!!" (Players)

The leader didn't flinch from this scene.

Because he has a strong belief in his heart.

"We can't give up after reaching this fight!! Fight with all you have!! Struggle with every ounce of your power!! Because what waits for us is the freedom!!"

"...OHHHHHH!!!!!" (Players)

Just with Diavel' little speech, the players are getting back on their feet to fight back the first boss monster they fought.

This is the power of a natural leader.

Rein, who finished analyzing the monster, also calls his own team member.

He has his own role to accomplish.

"Let's go!" (Rein)

" " "YEAH! " " " (Asuna) (Kirito) (Agil)

*Fwish*

*Fwish.*

*Fwish!!* (Monster Appearing.)

"Rarrrr!!!" (Kobold sentinels)

The minions have also popped out around the boss, just like the servants guarding the king.

The gong for the fight has rung.

"ROAARRRRR!!!!!" (Kobold Lord)

It is the first step of their rebellion.

*****

*Clang* *Clang!* (metal Clashing)

*Shuung!* (Sound of activating sword skill.)

In this huge dome, players are fighting according to the formation assigned by Diavel before the start of the fight.

For most players, they are given the role to repel the sentinels from joining the boss fight.

Diavel himself control the flow of the overall battle.

"Team A, switch with Team B and recover!" (Diavel)

"Team D strikes back! Don't give the sentinels chance the attack!!"

"Team E and F! That's the pace!! Don't stop your attack so the boss can't counterattack!!"

"ROGER!!!" (Players)

*Clang!*

One by one, he gives new orders to all teams without any error nor mistake in perfect timing. Due to that, even if the sentinels have their spec strengthened from warcry of the boss, all players are still alive.

(Note: Warcry is a skill to increase the party's attack.)

However, it is impossible only with just Diavel's command.

Just as mentioned before, The kobold lord including the sentinels has been corrupted with the curse so the players are on losing side on ability's spec.

Then, how is this hole being covered?

"AAHH! H-Help! Su-Support!" (Player A)

"Graaarrr!!" (Kobold sentinel)

Just due to one person.

One player, who is on critical state and separated from his team is only an inch away from Sentinel's attack.

Even if Diavel noticed and back him up, he won't make it.

That's why,

"Leave it to me." (Rein)

Rein fills that gap.

*Shuung!*

"KWAR!?" (Sentinel)

*Pring!!* (Monster Dissolving)

In an instant, Rein closes up the gap and stand between them while counterattacking the monster with his one-handed sword in just one strike.

After that, he faced toward the fallen player and give the potion.

"Use this. After that, go back to the front line." (Rein)

"E-eh..? AH! Y-yeah! Thanks!" (Player A)

"(Smile) You are welcome."

*Fwish*

After that, Rein moves immediately to another place where the monsters are gathering in one place and plan to attack one party from the blind side.

The numbers are 8 to 10 sentinels.

In a split second, he immediately changes his weapon into a two-handed sword. With an extraordinary speed, he closes the distance in just one second from his original location and stands in front of them.

Then,

"Huhp!" (Rein)

*Bang!*

"GRAAA!?* (Monsters)

*Pring!* *Pring!* *Pring!*

Just like before, with just one swing, he defeats all of them in a short moment.

"Don't lower your guard. Look your back at all time." (Rein)

"Y-yeah! Thanks for the backup!" (Player in the team)

*Fwissh!*

Although Rein's equipment and level are high, that doesn't mean he can be this overpowered until he can do one-hit kill at all times.

So he used the booster.

[Limitless activated. Countdown: 27:30...27:29...27:28...]

During this battle, Rein maximizes his speed without hurting nor forcing himself.

Even so, it already reaches almost par with the speed of sound due to his superior SAO level so that could explain his movement.

As for the one swing-power, he immediately shifts the booster from speed to power.

This is the true strength of limitless.

Just by augmenting one attribute, Rein's fighting style is truly orthodox and freestyle.

Faster than any existence.

Stronger than any monsters.

Or, tougher than any other metals exist.

When a player is at the risk of death, he immediately covers it.

When a team is near to brink, he supports them in no time.

"...Amazing." (Kirito)

"...Yeah. I don't even know which one is the monster now." (Agil)

Kirito and Agil could only praise his unrealistic and near impossible actions with a half-opened mouth. They themselves have already function enough as a strong party so there's no back up needed.

However, Rein's power is several dimensions above.

Just his existence only, he is taking dozens of players' role at the same time.

The sight of him moving like a gale and strikes the monster is like a spear that never misses the target.

Asuna, who also see it ended up mutter under her breath.

Yes, if she could describe it,

"...Just like a silver shooting star." (Asuna)

That is so.

His silver, glowing hair and his fast movement truly could be seen as a shooting star with silver color.

Even so, it doesn't change the fact they still need to fight.

No matter how strong an individual is, it won't change that there are still dozens of sentinels spawning around the area.

Rein himself is outrageously strong, but that doesn't mean his sole actions only could cover all of the areas.

Therefore,

"Kirito! Asuna! Let's continue. We still have things to do too!" (Agil)

*Bang!*

"Gyak!?" (Kobold Sentinel)

"...Yeah! You are right!" (Kirito)

*Shuung!*

"Kiii!?"

"Un! Leave the left side to me! I will pierce them all!" (Asuna)

*Stab!*

"Gueh!?"

*Pring* *Pring* *Pring!* (Monster dissolving.)

(Fufu, they are really dependable.) (Rein)

Looking at them fighting gallantly as a team, it makes Rein naturally smile on his face. He team up with them not as baggage to carry but as trustworthy companions.

That's why,

"Fuh!"

*Zubam!* (Blasting the Sentinel)

"GYAAKK!!?"

He could trust his back to them.

*****

"..We can do this. It's only a bit more!" (Player A)

"Come on, show your spirit! The boss' hp is already near to zero!" (Player B)

"Don't stop your attack!" (Player C)

With his support only, all the players' moral dramatically increases over the top.

'As long as we have him, we could win!'

That thought stuck on their head during the battle at all times.

Of course, Diavel's role is also a huge help but it can't be denied that Rein is like their lifeline.

Rein becomes the invisible backbone supporting the overall group.

After for a few minutes, all of the sentinels have been dealt with. At the very least, it won't spawn for a minute.

Adding to that, the boss's hp is already in the red bar so only a few more strikes will K.O.ed it.

That's why it is the critical point.

"GROAARRRRRRRR!!!!!!" (Kobold Lord)

*Kling!* *Klang!*

After the boss has reached the red zone, it throws its ax and shield, replacing it with his sword on the back.

"Hehe, just like the information said." (Kibaou)

"Alright, just a bit more!" (Player A)

Seeing that, the players are becoming more excited than now because It's the sign for the boss nearing its end.

Usually, the normal logic is for them to strike together.

However, this is also the time for the team to fall apart.

"Fall back. I will do the finishing strike!" (Diavel)

*Shwing.* (Diabel taking out the sword.)

(With this, the drop will be mine.)

Diavel is truly a talented and charismatic leader.

Everybody, including Rein, acknowledges this fact.

However, as long as you are human, you will bound to make a mistake.

As for him, the greed beats his priority to win in a group.

Just like what Rein said,

"Our problem is our own to care."

The guidebook truly gives much helpful information.

But, there's also information ONLY for beta testers too.

Diavel, who is also a beta tester, wants to monopolize that.

Even if he needs to trick the others for own benefit.

Unfortunately, there's a huge mistake on his plan.

True, the beta tester could use their past experience to be stronger at a faster pace than the normal players.

However, who said that everything will also be the same as the trial phase?

"Tch!? Diavel, fall back!! The information is wrong!! That's not a talwar! It's a nodachi!!" (Kirito)

Kirito, who notices this fact faster than anybody tried to warn him.

However, it's too late.

*Shwiing!* (Kobold Lord taking out the sword.)

*Dash!*

"ROARRRRR!!!" (Boss Monster)

"Kuh!?"

Surprised at the sudden and unexpected attack, Diavel ended up being shocked. moreover, since he's commencing the sword skill already, he can't cancel his attack even if he wants to.

Worse, the Kobold Lord has prepared his ultimate move too.

In other words,

(...I'm over.) (Diavel)

Even he himself realizes that his fate is sealed in stone. No matter what equipment or potions he has right now, it is meaningless to an attack that will instantly kill him.

Is that why?

Maybe because of him facing his upcoming death, everything becomes slower on his eyes.

With a bitter smile on his mouth, he regrets his foolish action.

(...I shouldn't be greedy.)

The reason he breaks his leadership at the last moment is not only due to greed but also due to Kirito too.

As a beta tester, he envied and see Kirito as his rival to overcome.

Alas, everything become meaningless.

If it's going at this pace, Diavel is truly going to die.

Closing his eyes, Diavel is preparing his miserable death due to his selfish greed.

Just like in the original story.

However, this is not the original story anymore.

Therefore,

"Huhp!"

*KLANGGG!!!* (Sword clashing each other.)

"GRRR!?" (Boss Monster)

His fate is not absolute either.