The morning of the strategy meeting arrived. Lizbeth, deemed unready for the floor boss, opted out.
"Sorry, guys," Liz said.
"No need to apologize," Asuna said.
"Yeah, do what you can. That'll help us. Fighters aren't the only heroes," Hachiman added.
"Thanks. I'll maintain your weapons. Come back victorious," Liz said.
"Promise," Hachiman replied.
"Absolutely," Asuna agreed.
Asuna headed to the meeting first. Hachiman dropped off Argo's boss guidebook at a shop, then joined Asuna in the back, asking for a recap.
"Diavel's leading. Calls himself a knight," Asuna said, her face grim.
(Knight? I'd love to say I'm a shadow assassin…) Hachiman's chuunibyou flared briefly.
"Then Kibaou, that weird-haired guy, started yelling about beta testers causing 2,000 deaths, demanding accountability," Asuna continued.
"What a moron," Hachiman muttered.
"Egir, that big guy from the church, said info was shared, calming things down. He seems nice."
"Got it."
Hachiman regretted underestimating tensions. Recalling the guidebook's beta test disclaimers, he paled. (Mentions enemy numbers and weapon switches are fine, but listing sword skills, estimated HP, and damage with a "beta data, may change" note? Dangerous. Did Argo know? I didn't expect this newbie-beta tester rift. Argo's at risk.)
"Hachiman-kun, something wrong?" Asuna asked, worried.
He explained Argo's potential danger.
"Diavel-san!" a player rushed in. "Found this at the shop—Argo's boss guide!"
"Just found the boss room, and already this detailed?" Diavel said. "Not too strong numerically. We can do this."
Kibaou erupted. "See? That woman's tied to beta testers! Probably one herself! We need answers!"
Players echoed him, turning anti-beta tester. Hachiman scrambled for a solution. (Redirect their anger to me. Use Kibaou as a target with a logical reason.)
His post-Christmas resolve wavered toward self-sacrifice. As he stepped forward, Asuna grabbed his sleeve, staring into his eyes. He looked away.
"Yup…" she murmured.
Hachiman, thinking she'd read him, hesitated. Before he could speak, Asuna confronted Kibaou. "Don't you want out? Why can't you be grateful for useful info?"
Her words, from a girl, stunned Kibaou and the crowd. Murmurs spread, shifting the mood.
(Like the sports festival. Fight emotion with emotion.) Hachiman seized the moment. (Egir and Diavel seem reliable.)
Stepping in front of Asuna protectively, he whispered, "I've got this."
"No reckless moves?" she asked.
"None."
Facing Kibaou, he said, "I get your frustration. I won't demand you change your mind. But—"
He paused, scanning the crowd. "Everyone here wants to escape this nightmare. We've got info and allies now. I'm grateful for that. Egir, you?"
Egir caught on. "Yeah, I want back to reality. Got people waiting. Like you."
His deep voice resonated. Hachiman turned. "Diavel?"
"Our enemy's the boss, not beta testers. Let's be thankful for the info. Cool, Kibaou?" Diavel said.
Kibaou, sensing the shift, grumbled, "Fine, for now."
"Thanks," Diavel smiled, sparking crowd approval.
Hachiman felt Hayama-like charisma in Diavel, settling beside Asuna.
"Nice job," Asuna said.
"You flipped the mood. That was huge," Hachiman replied.
"Felt you were about to sacrifice yourself again. Sorry for acting alone, but I knew you'd handle it."
"Couldn't have done it without you. Thanks, Asuna."
"You're welcome."
The meeting moved to forming raid parties. "What's our plan?" Hachiman asked.
"Forty-five players, so one three-person party. Invite a solo player?" Asuna suggested.
Hachiman scanned the room. Most were grouping with friends, forming six-person parties. Spotting a lone, fidgety player, he said, "That guy's free. Okay to invite?"
Asuna nodded. Hachiman approached the player, who met him halfway.
"Hey, both leftovers, huh? Join us?" Hachiman offered.
"Sounds fun. I'm in," the player grinned.
Back with Asuna, they introduced themselves.
"I'm Hachiman."
"I'm Asuna."
"Kirito. Nice to meet you both."
The name jogged Hachiman's memory. "Kirito, didn't you teach some guy—Kura-something—combat early on?"
Kirito's face darkened briefly, then lit up. "Klein, you mean? You were there?"
"Yeah, wild coincidence."
"Haha, no kidding."
Asuna, hearing about Kirito, seemed to trust him. The meeting set joint training and raid dates, then ended. As a three-person party assigned to minions, they skipped training—Hachiman's laziness prevailing.
As they planned, Egir approached, grinning. "Nice work."
"Thanks for reading me, Egir," Hachiman said.
"We met?"
"You were at the church. Asuna saw you, said you seemed cool, so I leaned on you. Sorry if I overstepped."
Asuna smiled. "I'm Asuna. Nice to meet you, Egir-san."
Egir laughed. "No problem."
Hachiman and Kirito introduced themselves, and the four shook hands.
"Let's do this tomorrow," Egir said, leaving.
The trio headed outside to practice formations. Hachiman was stunned by Kirito's skill. (He syncs perfectly with our high-speed combos, and his damage is insane. Strongest in SAO?)
Kirito was equally shocked. (Their speed matches beta's top players.)
Formations set, they disbanded for the day. Kirito hesitated, then spoke. "Heard rumors of a strong, fun duo. Didn't know who, but after today, it's you two. Argo was right."
"You know Argo?" Hachiman asked.
"Yeah. And… thanks."
Hachiman got the unspoken gratitude. "Did it for us. Don't sweat it, Ki-bo."
"Why that nickname?!"
"Argo calls me Har-bo. Guessed she'd tag you too."
"Ugh, she's a handful."
"No kidding."
They laughed loudly, Asuna joining in. Despite the short time, a bond formed.
"Tomorrow, let's do this," Kirito said.
"You got it," Asuna replied.
"Deal. After the fight, let's prank Argo," Hachiman grinned.
"I'm in!" Kirito said.
"Me too!" Asuna added.
They parted, Kirito leaving cheerfully. Hachiman marveled at his ease with a stranger, feeling good. Asuna noticed. "Think you can be friends?"
"Dunno, but it feels… nice."
"Cool."
Thus, they met, ready for the first floor boss battle.