Diamonwolf's approach isn't wrong. Trust is nearly impossible in DBO. Effort alone won't cut it.
Unlike SAO, PKs are already rampant—a chaotic festival PoH would love. Uniting players is tough. Using shills isn't a bad move.
I silently back Diamonwolf's plan. No way I'm speaking in front of strangers. Diavel's the leader, so I'll follow him.
Besides, boss, mob, or player—survive. Fight, fight, fight, and keep 1 HP. That's all that matters.
"Can you hold off on that plan?" Diavel says, stalling after Shinon's objection.
Diamonwolf's face sours. With the death game progressing and casualties rising, showing players it's clearable is urgent for him.
"Don't misunderstand, Diamonwolf. I'm asking for a delay because we need to finish mapping the North Dungeon and reach the boss."
Diavel's not just buying time. His eyes gleam with purpose, like a fish in water.
"Why haven't you announced the South Dungeon clear? Rumors are already spreading in the town—your strategy, right?"
"Nice, pretty boy. I might fall for you," Rayfox purrs, her ample chest swaying.
Warning bells ring. She's the type to toy with guys like me—zero romantic experience—and ruin them. I'd fall hard and get played.
Shinon, why are you glaring at her? Jealous of her… armor? I'm staying out of this. Burn with envy alone. But one thing: jealousy at your level pisses off those with thinner armor. Source: two people I know tied to him. No specifics.
"You're keeping it quiet to prevent a rush on the North Dungeon, right? Showing the game's clearable is good, but only top players can manage it. If underleveled, undergeared players charge in, deaths skyrocket."
"Exactly. To prevent that, we finish mapping the North Dungeon, leaving only the boss. Then we announce the South Dungeon clear and boss kill, holding a North Dungeon boss raid meeting to select top players. Right, Diavel?"
These guys are too clever. I'm not cut out for brainwork—just kill what's in my way.
"That's not all, is it? You're not announcing the South Dungeon clear because there's no new area yet, right?" Shinon joins in.
Stop it! My non-brainy stats make me feel pathetic.
Ignoring me, the conversation accelerates.
"In the beta, the dungeon's end had a tough mob, but it was designed to lead somewhere. Yet you haven't mentioned a new area. Even an idiot could see it."
Sorry for being that idiot. I glare at Shinon's smug face, munching bread. I want more stew. And dessert—something light, like fruit.
"So you figured the North and South Dungeons' boss kills unlock a new area, right?"
Diamonwolf raises his hands in surrender, but he's not upset. I thought his rivalry with Diavel showed a small ego, but he's a bigger man than that. Grizzly said he's a teacher—dealing with problem kids like me requires mental toughness.
"As Shinon said, the South Dungeon's end was a dead end. A path continued but was blocked by a misty wall."
"The same mist as the east and west ones?"
"It looked identical. It's a deliberate area-restricting gimmick. I believe clearing both dungeon bosses unlocks the new area. Announcing the South boss kill now would either flood the North Dungeon or crush players with despair if no new area opens."
"But finding us in the dungeon changed your plan. More players are tackling dungeons than when you hit the South. You want to unite them under a single goal—clearing DBO—organizing top players to minimize casualties."
Stop the high-level talk! My brain's frying.
Diavel and Diamonwolf nod in sync, understanding each other. Do whatever—I'll follow.
"Dessert's here," Swallow says, serving blue jelly-like treats. She's an angel. Probably the youngest in ZOO, handling grunt work like a first-year club member.
The jelly looks like jelly but feels like yokan. If you're going this far, make it taste like jelly!
"For our plan, we'll map the North Dungeon to the boss. Meanwhile, ZOO recruits players for the raid and gathers recovery items."
"Nice. We've got connections and cash," Rayfox says.
"And if we lend our stockpile of recovery items to skilled but broke players, they won't hesitate to join. Boss kills mean big Col, so we get repaid, no loss! Add interest, and we profit!" Kingliger adds.
Please, punk blond guy, don't join the smart talk. You're crushing me.
Diamonwolf covers his mouth, thinking briefly, then nods.
"Let's do it. Diavel, we'll leave the North Dungeon to you. How long to reach the boss room?"
Diavel looks to Shinon, the beta tester.
"Seven days to the boss room at our pace. Three more to map safe routes. Ten days total."
"Ten days? Impressive for a three-person party," Diamonwolf says.
"Yeah, we've got a guy who thrives on reckless, impossible odds," Shinon says confidently, eyeing me. She's competitive, huh?
If they expect that much, I'll deliver—just short of betraying them. My low HP from minimal VIT is rough.
Finishing the jelly-yokan, I swear to the archangel Swallow I'll dive into the dungeon tomorrow with gusto.
Bonus: Kayaba's Successor, Bored as Ever
Kayaba's Successor (KK): "It's been about a month since the death game started. So many players dead—I'm ultra-happy! (｀▽´)"
KK: "Sorry, Kayaba-san, but I'm not letting them clear the first area in two months like SAO. Half a year per boss, at least! ヽ(゜∀゜)メ(゜∀゜)メ(゜∀゜)ノ"
System: "Report: The South Dungeon boss has been defeated."
KK: "( ﾟдﾟ)"
KK: "(つд⊂) rubs eyes"
KK: "(;ﾟ Дﾟ) No way… My design was… perfect! (´;д;`)"
Somewhere, Kayaba (Somewhere-Kayaba): "Heh. Even a brutal Very Hard mode gets cracked once gamers find a thread. You've got more to learn, KK-kun. (´_ゝ｀)"
KK: "Damn it! I need to crank up the North Dungeon's difficulty and double the traps before they clear it! (｡´Д⊂)"
Somewhere-Kayaba: "No way. That's against the rules. Didn't I tell you to beta test properly? You're too obsessed with surprises. (￣□￣＃)"
KK: "(´・ω・｀)"
Somewhere-Kayaba: "Don't sulk. Check the other areas and events before players arrive. I'll help a bit. (ゝ∀･)"
KK: "Right! The game's just started. Time to meticulously torment players with surprises! (≧∇≦)"
Somewhere-Kayaba: "That's the spirit, KK-kun! d(^^*)"
KK: "Thanks, Kayaba-san! I'm pumped now! (´▽`)"
~Fin~