Just as Kirito and Seiya had gone to snatch quests, the resources on the first floor of Aincrad were limited. This influx of players numbered nearly ten thousand. In this death game, being the first to get useful resources greatly increased your chance of survival.
Compared to regular players, the beta testers who had already experienced the game knew exactly where the early-game resources were. Kibaou's sudden outburst was to condemn those beta testers, who, for their own gain, had hoarded all the limited resources. This left the already struggling regular players with nothing.
Kibaou demanded that the beta testers present should apologize to the deceased players. As he spoke, he kept glancing at Kirito. It was clear he knew Kirito was a beta tester, but whether they had a past grudge was unknown.
The crowd's reactions varied. Many beta testers, including Kirito, bowed their heads in silence, while some regular players, swayed by Kibaou's words, looked on with solidarity. A dark-skinned man in the crowd, listening to Kibaou, frowned and pulled out a small notebook. Just as he was about to speak, a loud laugh erupted from behind him.
His face turning red, Kibaou glared at the source of the laughter, a young black-haired boy. The boy, who looked no older than fifteen, stood with his arms crossed on a raised platform behind the crowd, his eyes fixed on Kibaou as if he were watching a clown show.
"What's so funny, kid? Do you think I'm wrong?" Kibaou, by his appearance, seemed to be an adult, certainly older than a student. Being laughed at by a young kid like Seiya was deeply infuriating.
"Oh, sorry, sorry. I don't mean to cause a disturbance at this strategy meeting. It's just that your words and ideas are so incredibly naive that I couldn't help but laugh."
Seiya's non-apology only fueled Kibaou's anger. He pulled out his iron hammer and threatened to crush Seiya's skull if he didn't explain himself.
"Isn't it funny? You want justice for the regular players, which isn't wrong, and what you said is true. The beta testers have monopolized most of the resources on the first floor. But what obligation do they have to take care of regular players?"
"Do you not get it? SAO is a real death game! In a situation where everyone is in danger, you expect people to be saints? In a vast desert, would you selflessly share your limited water with others?"
Seiya's words silenced the enraged Kibaou. Even the regular players who had been stirred up by Kibaou were now speechless. It was true; humans were selfish. Especially when their lives were on the line, no one would put others before themselves. If they were beta testers, would they really give up their hard-earned resources for others?
"Hmph. The fact that you're saying this proves you're a beta tester, too. As one of the beneficiaries, you're obviously taking their side," Kibaou retorted, feeling cornered and embarrassed.
"That just shows what an idiot you are. In a strategy meeting, the most important thing is unity. But you, an idiot, started by picking a fight between the regular players and the beta testers. If you're so into moral high ground, why don't you share your equipment and belongings with everyone? There are plenty of people here who are weaker than you, aren't there?"
Seeing the argument between Seiya and Kibaou escalate, Diabel, the meeting's leader, stepped in as a mediator. "This young man is right. Whether you're a regular player or a beta tester, our main goal is to clear the floor boss and escape this death game as soon as possible. So the most important thing is for us to be united. We can discuss other matters later. Mr. Kibaou, and this..."
"You can just call me Seiya."
"Mr. Kibaou, and this young man, Seiya, please give me a little face. Let's discuss the boss strategy first." Diabel was all smiles as he played mediator, but inside he was cursing Kibaou for meddling.
"Seiya? You mean Seiya of the Wenren Merchant Guild?" At the moment Seiya gave his name, the dark-skinned man, Agil, who had been trying to speak, finally found his chance. He pulled out a small notebook and asked.
Agil's question seemed to trigger something in the crowd. Many people took out their own notebooks, looked at the name, and then at Seiya, gasping in surprise.
"No way, it's really Wenren Seiya? Is that him in person?"
"I thought Seiya of the Wenren Merchant Guild was a business tycoon. I didn't expect him to be so young."
That's right. Compared to Kirito, who wasn't known yet, Seiya's name was already famous in SAO. And Kibaou, who had been antagonizing him, was now completely stunned into silence after learning that Seiya was known as the "Saint".
In SAO, many famous players were given special titles. But with the game only open for a month, very few players had a title. Kirito wasn't the "Black Swordsman" yet, but Seiya had already gained a great reputation and was known as the "Saint."