And thus forever never came....which is a good thing, I hear it has a lot saved up.
So I could have had this out two weeks blah blah blame my family blah blah I will try to get faster blah blah might have a job soon but it might be a bust blah blah ON WITH THE SHOW!
*********************************
Anyways, the raid meeting is not
for another two days. What do you tell them?
What can you do really? You've all been grinding through the floor's tower for days now and you have a feeling that despite being at the level Kirito told you to be at the boss won't be a cake walk. But on the other hand you all have this aggression from the constant fighting has started getting everyone at each other's necks no matter how well you all get along.
Dynamn spends non-combat or sleeping hours jogging, Issin seems more interested in his deal with Silver's group, Dale plays around with his pig DJ, Harry just goes through all of Argo's note and his own over and over and Kunimittz…..actually you don't know what he does in his free time and a part of you doesn't want to know.
It's fishing you pervs.
Honestly, your teams a mess. Some leader you are. Hell Kirito could do better if given the chance despite his age…….or not. The kid is kind of anti-social and probably finds it easier to do everything himself. Kid really worries you like that.
You know what, who cares if he's anti-social, you're gonna go bother him anyways.
TO: Kirito
FROM: Klein
SUBJECT: Floor Boss Plans
'Hey. My party was planning on doing some preparation for the floor boss and I think we need your advice on what to do.'
There. Simple and straight to the point disguised as a plea for help. Man Klein, you are a genius.
"Oink" you hear DJ call from Dale's br
ushing.
"Hm. Hey Klein. Who'd you just message?" Dale in turn questions apparently noticing your actions.
"Hm? Oh, just Kirito. Wanted to see if we could meet up so to get a head start on training for the boss." You reply.
Who's was that Kirito?
"Eh. Don't you think Argo's going to get jealous if you keep going off alone see other people behind her back?" Issin mocks from where he's messing with his menus.
Oh, uh, no one. Just some spam.
"Dude, we're all going to go see him to sin
ce we're all awake this time." You answ…..wait. "And will you shut up about that. Stop making me sound like a pedo." You angrily quip.
'Ding!'
"Well, we'll find out soon enough." He jokes.
TO: Klein
FROM: Kirito
SUBJECT: You're still alive
'Kind of can't. I've got my hands tied keeping a noob from absentmindedly killing themselves from overwork.'
Really now.
TO: Kirito
FROM: Klein
SUBJECT: Really
'You sure? If we come along that's seven people to look out for them instead of one. We can go grind levels instead boss training if you're hiding that you're a Beta.'
Damn it Klein, not now.
TO: Klein
FROM: Kirito
SUBJECT: I'm sure
'No I'll be just fine. Ill-Fang might not be the same boss but Argo should be able to give you the Beta version.'
Okay? That's weird. Normally Kirito goes out of his way to help. Does he hate crowds or something? He could you guess but eight people aren't that big of a group.
More spam?
'Ding!'
Yeah. I need to fix that. Let's Asuna, we still have some mobs left to find.
Huh? Did he change his
mind? Nope, this one's from Argo.
TO: Klein
FROM: Argo
SUBJECT: Kiri-bou being shy
'The noob's a girl and he's too embarrassed to let anyone else know. They're practicing around in the D12 grid of the floor but you'd better get here soon or he'll be gone. Plus, don't mention that he's a Beta. He still wants to hide it.'
You hope she happens to be there or the timing of that message comes off as…a little odd.
TO: Argo
FROM: Klein
SUBJECT: Will do
'And thanks. See you soon Argo."
Oh Kiri-bou. There are many thin's for ya ta learn.
"Alright, call up Kunimittz and Dynamn. We're pulling an unwelcome surprise on two awkward teens." You say to a room of confused looks.
*************************************
Okay. Seven left.
"
Damn it Klein, are you sure this is the right way?" Kunimittz complains for the dozen or so time.
"Argo said the D12 grid, that's all I know. Just put up with it for a bit. I swear it will worth it if we find them." Is your reply. You've already explained to them what Argo told you about Kirito wanting to hide being a Beta so other than everyone's normal tendency to be asses they hopefully don't cause too much trouble.
What were you kidding yourself? The first chance they get will be to make trouble. If it goes well you'll be on their side you hope.
Keep it up A-chan.
"Oh I'm gonna swear if we spend all day long looking for some…."Kunimittz starts to stop and look around. "Ho
ld on…do you guys hear combat?"
Ow. Why are their tongue's so sticky?
Combat? You listen out and soon enough the faint noise of sword swipes along with grunts and mob death squeals coming from-
"That way I think." Harry guesses. Everyone nods in agreement, even DJ, as you all begin following it.
It only takes about two minutes till you come to the each a small cliff overlooking a clearing were two people were finishing a few large toad mobs. The first one you noticed wore a long brown cloak and fought at a blinding speed with a rapier. Argo? No, too tall, this one the same height as guy in a black jacket using a single handed long sword that just killed the last toad and you were pretty sure was-
"
OI, KIRITOHoooWAhyaHE! OW! OW! OW!" You tried to call only lose your balance on the cliffs edge and slide down its story and a half slope hitting a few of the large rocks along the side and landing on your face. Why did it always have to be your face?
"Klein? You alive there?" Kirito ponders from the short distance way, not moving from where he was when you first called out.
"Guh. Yeah. In all but my pride." You groan as you get up shaking out the phantom pain as you somehow took no damage from that. "And is that phrase becoming a running gag to you?"
"Maybe." Was all he said along with a shrug and smirk to drive it farther down into your soul.
"Yo. Clean-bou. Took ya long enough." Argo called from a one of the large rocks of in the clearing, legs crossed with a pleased grin on her face from the way you fell.
"Hey Argo!"
Issin yelled from where the rest of your team stood at the top of previous said cliff. "There any other way to get down so we don't go ass over head like Klein?" Ever worried about their leader. Such noble souls.
"Mm, yeah. Just go down tat way a bit ya can find a smaller slope to slide down or just a ways farther ta the end tha cliff." She pointed off behind herself opposite from where everyone else was. "Tho ya could hop down from where ya at and save tha time so long as ya don't go and slip like ya leader."
It to Argo.
"Ah don't be silly, no way we'd stupid enough do thaAAHehahA! OW! OW! OW!" and in karmatic ironyon his first down Issin slipped falling down if not the exact way you did then hilariously similar. You wonder if some programmer went out of their way to write a script that caused people to fall on their face.
"You were saying?" You ask as he took your o
ffered hand.
"I was saying Shut Up."
***************************************************************************************
"
Well now that our tumbling and bumbling are over," You begin after the three minutes it took the rest your guild to take the long way around and finally regroup "let me introduce you to each other. Guys, this is Kirito, swordsman master of the early game."
"I won't go that far." Kirito rubbed the back of his head, somber eyes slightly off to the side. "I just have some RL experience that help me figure out stuff fast."
"Well, anyways," You continue on, "Kirito, this is the Guild Fuurinkazan that I lead. Which basically mean I plan our route and make sure everyone has the proper equipment and skill for the route."
"I guess I'll go next. Names Issin. Old friend of Mr. Mobius here. I mostly just work as our team's treasurer."
"Names Dale and the pig here is called DJ. I work as the tank in battl
e but watch mob attack patterns and locations so me, Klein and Kunimittz can plan for later formations."
"Which means I'm next. As said I'm Kunimittz. I'm just back support but also as said help figure out mob patterns."
"I'm Dynamn. Also part back support but work as the group's trap master and treasure hunter."
"And I'm Harry One, oh ah that's English H.A.R.R.Y. and English number one though everyone just calls me Harry. Uh, I tend as the vanguard and keep record of the quests so that we can work through the flavor text for other possible quests."
"Eh. Not bad Klein." Kirito complimented you "With people like these with you no wonder you were able to stay alive." Only to back hand you.
"Oi."
"Ha. I was worried for a second there but if the kid can mock Klein like that he'll fit in just fine." Issin quipped in his usual manner.
"Oi."
"But there is something none of us are pointing out." Dale shifts his mood trying not to be threating despite his tone. "Little miss, why are you looking at DJ like that?"
"Eh? A-A-I uh S-s-s-sorry, I-I-I d-did not realize I was starring. Sorry." The cloaked girl stumbled over words before taking a full bow. You yourself felt like she wanted to stay out of this conversation and were happy to let her. Though why would Dale of all people would call her out? "Uhm, my name is Yu-I-I mean my name is Asuna," Wait, did she almost give you her real name? "I, uh, I am still learning how to fight so I do not have a group or role yet but…I apologize again for starring but…um…Mr. Dale…c-can I…can I pet DJ?"
Oh. Was that all? Dale you magnificent bastard you.
"Hmm. It's okay with me. It okay with you DJ?"
"Oink." The pig nodded and raised a leg as if saying 'yes'.
"In that case," Dale slowly moved DJ off his head to allow Asuna to hold him. ", be gentle though, he's still young."
Asuna nodded and handled DJ as if he was a brittle paper lantern. The starred into each other's eyes for a untold amount of time until DJ broke the silence with a tail wagging 'Oink' causing a switch to turn on in the girl.
"SO~ CUTE~!" Asuna cuddled the teacup boar against her cheek and petted its neck while he wagged its tail and oinked happily.
Wow. Eh, girls may be a one in a hundred to guys here but if most of them are like this then…hold on a second.
"Kirito. You'll start catching flies if you let your jaw hang like that." You warn the boy as he closed his mouth and turned away with a blush. Oho, seemed someone had a cru…..oh. Well, that could complicate things with Argo. Damn.
"Actcually, Klein," Kirito spoke up after a tone, ", what are you guys really doing here?"
"Hm?" You answered. "Isn't it obvious?"
[ ] For preparing for the floor boss.
[ ] Want to make sure your level was high enough.
[ ] For Argo, duh.
[ ] Wanted to see the cute girl you were trying to hide away from us.
[ ] To troll you of course.
[ ] Write-in
