Outside the [Dying City], a grassland stretches, dotted with ruined buildings and sword-pierced skeletons—an ancient battlefield. Players swarm, fighting slime-like mud humanoids from the tutorial, but these are faster, smarter. They whip their arms, target light-armor players, and unleash explosive AOE attacks. One cheap-armored player shatters into light, HP halved despite a near-full gauge.
"Your light gear won't survive that explosion, Kuri," Diavel says.
"Not if I dodge it."
Awkward at first, I'm warming to Diavel. He's got a calming knack—probably has tons of friends IRL.
"Level 1s can't beat that mob, even with ten players. Total balance breaker. Tutorial was too easy."
"Really?"
"It doesn't flinch. Hits barely dent it. Fast attacks, slow movement—easy to flee. Classic dev trap. Huge EXP if you win, but the death penalty's probably not worth it."
"Got it. Good insight."
Diavel ponders, likely scheming to take it down. Debuffs could work—poison for chip damage, paralysis for a beatdown, or sleep to snipe weak points. My turn. At the market, I grabbed a war pick—trickier than a mace but with piercing and blunt damage potential. Also, level 1 poison for steady damage on mobs like these.
"Debuffs won't work," Diavel says, shaking his head. "That mud thing's not alive. Poison or paralysis rarely affects non-living mobs."
"Right, makes sense."
How did I survive SAO with such slow thinking? Blame the hiatus.
We pivot to other mobs: rabid dogs gnawing bones, tattered skeleton warriors with swords and shields, or crested boars—all quirky. But standing around earns no EXP. Gotta fight.
"Diavel, let's hit a skeleton warrior. You tank with your shield."
"And you strike from behind with the war pick. Solid plan."
"Meat shield, go!"
"Your mouth's rougher than I thought," he chuckles.
Diavel draws his longsword and engages. His moves scream experience—no newbie. He could solo this. Safety's key, though—thrills are best in moderation.
"Diavel! Manage hate too!"
"On it!"
Diavel blocks and chips away at the skeleton's HP. I wait for him to pull aggro, then land a heavy blow. Decent teamwork for a pickup group. But something's off. The skeleton's HP drops too slowly, like SAO fights without sword skills—missing that critical edge.
"Not bad EXP," Diavel says. "Only 4 Col, though."
"Good for grinding."
The skeleton shatters into light, [Congratulations] flashing. EXP and Col split between us. A few more, and we'll level up. But Diavel's not smiling. He feels it too.
"Hey, Diavel, DBO has sword skills, right?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Check your skill menu for activation motions."
His smile feels forced. No need to pry—don't want to ruin this comfy party. I check [Warhammer] skills. One sword skill available.
"Yo, Diavel, heads up—company."
Two skeleton warriors spawn, one with a greatshield and spear—trouble.
"I'll take the spear. Kuri, handle the sword."
"You good solo? I'll back you up."
"That's my line."
Hell yeah, I'm pumped—first time since SAO. The sword skeleton fights defensively, mimicking Diavel's style. I hammer its shield with my war pick—its shoddy state won't block much.
"Take this!"
[Warhammer] sword skill [Impact Smash]. A red glow launches my war pick, shattering the shield and crushing the skeleton's skull. That rush—the thrill of wiping an enemy's gauge! Sword skills are the best!
Diavel triggers a sword skill, [Vertical], slicing the spear skeleton's shield. Defenseless, it's easy prey.
"…!"
An arrow flies toward Diavel's head. Reflexively, I flick my claws, deflecting it just in time.
"What the hell? Where?!"
Diavel, focused on the skeleton, jumps. No time to gawk. On a hill, three bow-wielding skeletons stand, joined by an armored knight on a rotting horse, radiating a unique menace.
"No way… are you kidding me?!"
The knight's name: [Dark Rider].
Named mob. In SAO, that meant elite. It charges at terrifying speed, swinging a halberd. I block with my war pick but get blown back meters, slamming the ground. First damage in DBO—no pain, but a sickening discomfort. The devs are nuts; damage or HP loss seems to trigger this feeling.
"Kuri!"
"I'm fine! Finish the skeletons! It's after me!"
The Dark Rider fixates on me. Why? I landed the killing blows on both skeletons—hate magnet?
"I'm coming! Hold on!"
While I dodge, the three archer skeletons fire at Diavel. He drops his shield, fighting barehanded, struggling. I counter with [Impact Smash], landing a hit. The Dark Rider's not as tough as it looks—linear attacks, easy to read.
"Round two!"
Ducking the halberd, I swing my war pick like a bat, cracking its armor. Sword skills shine. But suddenly, breathing's hard. A red haze clouds my vision. I miss the halberd's arc and take a direct hit, tumbling. My HP drops to red from one blow—impossible, even for a critical.
"This is bad… really bad…"
Panting, I ditch the war pick—suddenly heavy. Claws are my only weapon. The knight's armor is cracked at the heart, HP still green but down 30%. If I land a claw hit, I can buy time until Diavel returns.
"Underestimated you, huh? But this is just another solo day!"
I dodge a sweeping halberd, using it as a springboard to lunge with my claws.
"Too naive," the knight seems to sneer from its helm, parrying with a drawn longsword. Its AI feels human—unnervingly sharp.
It charges again, aiming to trample me. Breathing's impossible; I drop to one knee. No dodging this.
"Kuri!"
Diavel's swarmed by archers. Hope the death penalty's light. I raise my claws for one last hit to help Diavel.
"Sorry to interrupt your surrender, but if you're not killing it, I will."
Before it crushes me, the Dark Rider falls, slammed to the ground. A green-glowing arrow, blazing fast, pierces the horse's brow, throwing the knight off.
"Shoot the horse first, then the rider. You're done."
Arrows riddle the horse's head, shattering it into light in seconds. The knight stands, deflecting arrows with its halberd, but a well-timed shot hits the armor's crack, dropping its HP to red. It lunges for me, but another arrow pins it back.
"This ends now."
The knight swings at the intruder, but she's faster, plunging a dagger into the crack.
"Impressive," the knight growls, amused, before dissolving into red-black light.
Sheathing her dagger, the intruder offers me a hand.
"Sorry for stealing your kill."
Her fierce smile says otherwise. I take the sky-blue-haired woman's hand, scratching my cheek awkwardly.
"Tch-tch-tch…"
"Tch?"
"Th-thanks. You saved me."
Talking to a new girl, even an avatar, is brutal. She accepts my shaky gratitude.
"You cracked its armor. Not bad for a non-tester, nearly killing a Dark Rider. Beginner's luck gift."
She hands me the knight's one-handed sword, [Red Rose], etched with a rose emblem. My STR's too low to use it.
"Thanks from me too," Diavel says.
"No need. I wanted the Dark Rider. You avoided a death penalty; I got an easy kill. That's it."
She shakes her head at Diavel, expression icy. Yeah, she's like me—socially awkward.
"Still, thanks for saving Kuri. I owe you."
Diavel's charm holds. Too perfect, man. My breathing eases—temporary debuff, probably.
"I'm off," she says.
"Wait," Diavel calls. "You're a beta tester, right? Can you coach us a bit? I know it's a lot, but I'll pay."
She pauses, hand on chin, then nods.
"Fine. What's the payment?"
"My tutorial gift—a ring."
"[Holy Sloth Ring]? Rare. Deal, but upfront."
Diavel materializes the ring; she slips it on her middle finger, clearly pleased.
"You sure, Diavel?" I ask.
"Yeah. Tutorial items are usually mid-game stuff, tradeable anyway."
Still, Diavel shouldn't take the hit alone. I pass him the [Red Rose]—his STR meets the requirement. He equips it.
"Double the power and reach of my longsword. Perfect for a knight," she notes, refilling her quiver and crossing her arms. Coach mode on.
"Introductions first. I'm [Sinon], beta tester. For one hour, I'll drill you on the basics."