Maverick POV

[I wake up. I see Koharu holding on to me. She looked so innocent like a child. I've only known her for a short period of time and yet I feel attached to her. I try to move slightly but she holds tighter to me and almost has a look of fear on her face]

Koharu: (Whispers) Don't leave me.

[I won't, Koharu. I promise. I kiss her forehead which makes her snap awake. She sees our position and pushes me off the bed. It hurt. What did I do wrong? Anyway, we go and get breakfast. It may be virtual food but it still tastes amazing. Koharu says that we need to go shopping before the meeting so we head to the market]

Koharu POV

[I had a dream that I was fighting a monster and I had Maverick by my side. In the dream he started to fade. I screamed, "Don't leave me!" He didn't leave. He kissed my forehead instead. That snapped me awake. I woke up and saw the awkward position that we were in. I push him straight off the bed. I hope I didn't hurt him too bad. We got breakfast later. Well, I go breakfast. He didn't want to eat so I got him a plate too. We then went shopping. I made sure he bought some outfits. If he had it his way, he'd stay in whatever. I know we're virtual and we don't need to wash our clothes or shower but still. I got a few dresses as well. Just in case the occasion arose. We then left the market and head to the meeting]

3rd Person POV

[The next day...]

Koharu: Today's the day. Looks like people are headed for the amphitheater already. I'm starting to feel a little anxious.

[Maverick and Koharu head over. They see a bunch of people gathered]

Koharu: Look at all of these people. There's got to be at least 40, maybe more. These are all the people who have been out there on the front line. I suppose now's not the best time to ask, but do I fit in here> It's a bit daunting.

Maverick: You definitely do.

Koharu: Thanks, Maverick.

[The two look and see the hooded girl again]

Koharu: There's that girl from yesterday! And next to her is...

[The two see Kirito]

Koharu: Oh, I guess Kirito is joining too. Nice to see some familiar faces.

Maverick: I'm not surprised.

[Diavel steps forward and the meeting begins]

Diavel: Now then. I suppose it's about time we got started.

Koharu: Diavel is always so full of energy.

Diavel: Thank you all for coming out here today and answering my call. My name is Diavel. I play as a Knight, at least in spirit.

Maverick: Not weird at all.

[Koharu elbows Maverick]

Maverick: I'm going to start counting those.

Participant: Ain't no job system here, pal! Try to play the hero, eh? Oooh, our darling knight!

Koharu: Diavel is really just what you'd expect him from a story book knight. I think it suits him.

Maverick: Still weird.

[Koharu elbows Maverick]

Diavel: Today our party located the boss room at the top of the labyrinth. We'll defeat this boss, head to Floor 2, and show everyone in the Town od Beginnings that this life or death game can be beaten! That is the duty of all of us gathered here today. Are you with me?

Participant: Yeah! Let's do this!

[Maverick claps along with Koharu]

Diavel: Okay! Let's get right to it then and start discussing our strategy.

Kibaou: NOW HOLD UP JUST ONE MINUTE!

[Kibaou steps forward]

Kibauo: The name's Kibaou, and I think we oughta clear something up before we start. We got some here among us who have apologies they need to say to the 2,000 players we've already lost.

Koharu: This game has already claimed 2,000 lives?

[Maverick sees Koharu start to shake. He hold her hand which seems to calm her down for a moment]

Koharu: But what does that mean? Who has to apologize for that?

Diavel: Kibaou, I'll go ahead and assume you're talking about the former beta testers here with us?

Kibaou: Ain't hard to piece together! All those damned testers right from the very start they all cut loose and left the beginners behind. They knew all the grind spots and easy quests and they staked them out for themselves. But they still act like they're not o blame.

Koharu: What! But we were beta testers and we've done nothing of the sort!

[Koharu shakes some more. Maverick then wraps his arm around her waist]

Kibaou: Those same testers are here now right in our ranks! We should drag 'em all out here and strip 'em of all that money and items they stashed or else we'll never be fighting on fair grounds here.

[Maverick was livid. He started to take a step forward but Koharu saw this and held him back]

Koharu: That's just cruel. I...I've got to go out there and stop him.

Maverick: You and me both.

Argo: I wouldn't. Look at you, you don't have it in you!

Maverick: Watch your mouth!

Koharu: Argo...But this is just too much. Maverick and I, we've both worked so hard just like everyone else.

Argo: I feel you but now is defiantly not the time to make your stand. All that'll happen is that you'll get flaunted around as proof of what he's saying. Just watch for now.

[Maverick, who was shaking in anger, starts to calm down]

Koharu: You okay, Maverick?

Maverick: I'll be fine. Thanks.

[A man walks forward]

Agil: If I may? My name's agil. Let me get this straight, you're saying the beta testers didn't watch over everyone enough, and as a result people died and they should own up to that, yes?

Kibaou: Well, yeah.

Agil: Now, I'm sure you have a copy of this monster book here, yes? It's given out for free in town.

Kiabou: Of course I do. What of it?

Agil: The ones giving out that book? Former beta testers.

Kibaou: WHAT!

Maverick: (Whispers) In your face, Kibaou!

[Koharu giggles]

Agil: All that info was out there for everyone to see. Yet still we've seen countless deaths. I was under the impression that this meeting was to learn from those mistakes before we take on the boss.

Diavel: Agil is right. We need to keep our sights forward. Even if that means we bring testers. In fact, I think we need the strength of the testers to defeat the boss. I'm sure everyone has their own thoughts on this but for now we need to focus our strength on taking down the Floor 1 boss!

Kibaou: Hmph! Fine then. I'll follow along for now. But karma will find its due someday, you'll see.

[Kibaou walks away]

Agil: Sorry for interrupting there. Please continue, Mr. Knight.

Koharu: Agil and Diavel really are something. They de-escalated that so fast. But what guidebook are they talking about? Huh? Where did Argo disappear to? She was here a moment ago, right?

Maverick: Strange. I wonder where she is.

[Koharu sees the look on Maverick's face and doesn't like it. She elbows him]

Maverick: Ow! What was that for?

Koharu: No reason.

Maverick: Then why?

Diavel: Okay, let's refocus here. Now about the boss we face. Truth is, the newest version of the guidebook just came out. According to it, the boss is called Illfang the Kobold Lord. And

[Despite Kibaou's interruption, the remainder of the meeting went smoothly]

Diavel: Okay, so we meet tomorrow by the Central Tolbana fountain. Dismissed.

[People begin to leave]

Koharu: I never expected that Kibaou had that much on his mind. Hey, Maverick. Do you think we should tell Diavel that we were testers too?

[Diavel walks over]

Diavel: Tell me what now?

Koharu: Diavel, you see we were...

Diavel: Ah yes. I saw both of you during the meeting. Thanks for deciding to join us. Let's show that boss what for!

Koharu: Of course. But you see...

Diavel: Hey, so I know now is not the best time but there's something I want to ask of you.

Maverick: (Thoughts) OH MY GOD! WHY DOES THIS ALWAYS HAPPEN TO US! WE'RE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE IN THIS GAME!

Diavel: So, during our meeting we got an update on boss info from the beta test. Yes? After looking it over, quite a few members are suddenly expressing concern about their weapons. Their levels are high enough though. So I'm going around finding people who are free to help get weapons.

Koharu: (Thoughts) Another task with Maverick? Yes! (Out loud) It's a boss battle after all. No matter how carefully we prepare it's not like we can be too ready.

Diavel: And weapons that can take on a boss will do fine on Floor 2. Speaking of which, I'd like you to get me some weapon material that the Slate Boar in Horunka Woods drop. If you can get me five of the Melted Metal I need that should be plenty. Bring them back here when you've got them. Good luck.

[Diavel walks away]

Koharu: Missed my chance to tell him, huh. But maybe now isn't really the time. Let's stay focused for now and talk to him later.

[Maverick looks at Koharu who has a smile on her face. He doesn't want to run this errand but he loves her smile more. So he agrees to go]