Morning. I lead them to it. The Black Iron Palace, now ruins, holds the gravestone of death game victims, names crossed out with causes of death.
As expected, a stone lists all players' names. Over 100—maybe 200—are already crossed out.
"This…" Diavel gasps.
"In one night?" Sinon whispers.
Speechless, as expected. Over 100 dead in under 24 hours. The cold stone confirms their deaths as I touch it. Another name's crossed out—cause: [Falling]. Suicide, trap, or PK?
The dead don't rest here, but they warn the living: "Don't end up like us."
"No preaching, but if you're fighting this shitty game, be ready to end up here. If you're surviving, hold the conviction not to."
I'll conquer DBO. The mastermind, Kayaba's heir, will face me as the final boss. I'll end them, no matter the cost—even if it's my name on this stone. But I won't drag Diavel or Sinon into that. Safe strategies exist—hiding in a secure town, waiting for someone to clear the game, is valid.
"I… I…" Diavel stammers, unresolved.
"I'll fight. Alone. I'll gain strength my way," Sinon declares.
She's reckless. Her resolve's quick but unstable—a ticking bomb. She won't join us, and I can't babysit her. Fine. Her choice. She might grow stronger elsewhere, maybe even outlive me and face the mastermind.
"Got it. But stick with us until the next town. Share all beta tester info, as promised. I'll teach death game survival tricks. Even trade. Fair, right?"
"Fine. I was gonna suggest the same. But if Diavel's in, he pays too."
"That ring was rare! It covered yesterday's lecture with change!"
Sinon glares, but tough luck. Diavel's joining—his sharp mind will process info better than my reckless brain.
We return to the tavern. No player traces—nobody's crazy enough to visit this shady place on day two.
"DBO's end goal is unknown. The game probably starts with finding it," Sinon begins, sharing beta tester intel:
Beta test lasted 60 days, limited to the [Dying City], its grasslands, and two dungeons. North: an ancient underground labyrinth, post-apocalyptic cyberpunk, leading to a new area. South: a giant bridge with a maze inside, leading to another area. Small villages around the city are hostile, filled with traps, no real events. The game's bleak world might hint at its goal.
"East or west?" Diavel asks.
"Deep fog. Endless. Likely area boundaries."
"Which dungeon's easier?"
"I soloed in beta, same style. Both are tough. North's underground has robot mobs—need high attack power. South's bridge has smart humanoid mobs, trickier than most players."
Diavel's sharp, pulling info and planning despite his hesitation. I'm just a bystander now. Two dungeons feel off. Even a madman like the mastermind, claiming Kayaba's legacy, wouldn't half-ass game design. There's meaning behind the dual dungeons. The fog's suspicious too.
"That's my info. Event details can wait, right?"
"Thanks, very helpful," Diavel says.
"No thanks needed. It's a trade. Kuri, your turn—death game survival."
Sinon, legs crossed, looks calmer. The rookie panic's gone, though her edge remains. My turn. My methods are chaotic, so I'll stick to safe advice.
"Here goes. First, how SAO started—similar to DBO. Kayaba wasn't as tacky, but same deal: handed out mirrors—"
"Wait. Why's your avatar unchanged?" Sinon interrupts.
Why'd she notice that? It's irrelevant!
"Seriously, Kuri, you didn't use the mirror?" Diavel adds.
Too sharp, knight. Save it for combat.
"It's fine! I like this avatar!"
"We're a team, even briefly. We showed our faces. Fair's fair," Sinon insists.
She's right, but I'm sticking to my path. They exchange a glance. Before I react, Sinon, powered by DEX, pounces.
"Diavel, hold him! I'll force his menu open!"
"Got it!"
Their teamwork outclasses mine. Diavel pins me with STR; Sinon forces my fingers to open the menu.
What's with their passion? Obsessed with my face? Too chill for day two of a death game!
"Stop, stop! I'm no handsome Diavel! I'm a short, creepy dude!"
"Sinon, hurry! Kuri's elbow's hitting my HP…"
"Almost… Storage… [Hand Mirror], use!"
The mirror materializes. Diavel releases me. Damn them!
Light engulfs me—not transfer, but my body reshaping. When it fades, my view's dropped over 10 cm.
"You… you bastards…" I cover my face, collapsing in tears. My psyche's fragile as glass!
"Sorry," Sinon says.
"Didn't expect this," Diavel adds.
They're apologizing, but smirking. Figures.
The full-length mirror, meant for gear checks, feels like the mastermind's trap. Reflected isn't the shady mercenary but me: 151 cm, baby-faced, worse than him. The face I hate most.
"If this wasn't a death game, I'd kill you both."
"It's not bad. Kinda cute. Buy a long-hair plugin later—it'd suit you," Sinon teases.
"Right, Kuri-chan. Height and face don't matter. It's the heart!" Diavel says.
They're 100% messing with me! I activate my claws, but they don't flinch. What's wrong with them?
"This sucks. I wanna be a rugged, muscular hunk. You wouldn't get it!"
"Your bad mouth hides your complex. It's manly… in tone," Sinon smirks.
"Your high voice makes it look like a kid trying too hard, Kuri-chan," Diavel piles on.
I swear, I'll make them cry someday. My grudges are snake-level persistent, you jerks.
---------------------------
Note:
Thanks for reading!
Starting now, each foreword will introduce skills and items that have appeared, are planned, or might never show up in the story.
Skills
[One-Handed Sword]: Boosts one-handed sword performance. Enables one-handed sword skills.
[Two-Handed Sword]: Boosts two-handed sword performance. Enables two-handed sword skills.
[Rapier]: Boosts rapier performance. Enables rapier sword skills.
Items
[Phosphorescent Grass]: Faintly glowing herb. Heals slightly, recovering 10% HP over 10 seconds. Not particularly valuable.
[Red Rose]: One-handed sword. Wielded by the Dark Rider. Its red rose emblem hints at a renowned knight's ownership. True potential unlocked with proficiency.
[War Pick]: Warhammer-class weapon. Has piercing and blunt attributes. A pickaxe built for combat, simple but powerful and reliable.