-244- Problems from the beta test

Rozen wasn't entirely dismissive of the possibility of Kirito learning Mind's Eye, but he also felt that the chances were slim.

"While it's true that some ordinary people can develop Mind's Eye, they are usually accomplished monks, revered sages, or even martial arts masters who have reached the pinnacle of their field. Can Kirito achieve it?"

Indeed, Kirito had good talent and his passion for games was such that even Rozen couldn't claim to surpass him. He quickly grasped player techniques as well. In the past, during their sword skill training, Kirito's progress had been faster than Rozen's, demonstrating his potential.

"However, can he really reach the level of Mind's Eye?"

That would depend on Kirito's circumstances.

Rozen couldn't help but hope and think along these lines.

"Regardless, he can't surpass me anyway."

This childlike sentiment was far from comprehending all things.

Under these circumstances, Rozen imparted the basics of Mind's Eye to Kirito.

Then, the two resumed monster hunting.

After about ten minutes, Kirito finally managed to defeat the fourteenth Little Nepenthes and leveled up.

However, unlike Rozen, Kirito allocated his ability points to 1 Strength and 2 Agility, just as he had mentioned earlier. It seemed he was indeed abandoning the shield and opting for a speed-focused single-handed sword user style.

The different allocations destined Rozen and Kirito to follow separate paths even though they were both single-handed sword users.

Typically, single-handed sword users were vanguards who utilized swords and shields as their primary combat tools.

Kirito, on the other hand, was the speed type, likely using techniques and skills adeptly to engage enemies solely with his sword.

Rozen was an unprecedented new type, relying on his familiars to hinder enemies, using blade throwing to bait and disrupt foes, and ultimately delivering lethal blows with his one-handed sword skills.

With their distinct fighting styles, they continued their relentless monster slaying for another hour and both reached level 3.

During this time, luck favored them. They encountered a flower-adorned Little Nepenthes and defeated it, obtaining the quest item that could complete one of their quests.

Yet, neither of them stopped there. They continued crazily grinding for experience until reaching above level 3, and then encountered the second Little Nepenthes with flowers. Kirito defeated it, obtaining the second ovule.

Finally, at this point, both of them came to a halt.

"Gu?"

Rainbow Butterfly's confused chirp caught their attention. It was different from the alert it gave when monsters were nearby, causing Rozen and Kirito to cease their monster hunting.

"What's wrong?"

Kirito inquired with a puzzled expression.

In response, Rozen, who had experience with such situations from the closed beta, explained:

"It's also a kind of warning, but not for monsters—for players."

In other words,

"Is there another player around?"

Kirito was taken aback.

Rozen, however, shrugged indifferently.

"After all, if it chirps when players are near, then in the main plaza, won't Rainbow Saihou end up overworked?"

Rozen said with a half-smile.

"To be more precise, it should be that someone is approaching."

Rozen's words made Kirito widen his eyes, and then he quickly caught on, gripping his weapon tightly. With a vigilant gaze, he scanned his surroundings.

Thanks to his searching skill, Kirito had a slightly expanded field of vision, allowing him to notice more.

"It's true, a player has hidden themselves," Kirito spoke in a hushed tone.

"They must be using a Concealment skill."

The skill's name accurately described its purpose: to hide a player from detection.

Of course, the effectiveness of the concealment varied based on the mastery level, which was why Kirito's Searching ability and Rainbow Butterfly's perception had managed to detect the presence.

"Those with ill intent often approach secretly. Those with good intentions don't hide," Rozen quirked a corner of his mouth. "It seems another closed beta player has arrived."

Though only a few hours had passed since the announcement of Kayaba Akihiko's death game, ordinary players would likely not have reached this location. Only closed beta players were aware of it, and they were the ones capable of arriving here within such a short span.

The newcomer probably had similar idea like Rozen and Kirito, aiming to complete the quest for the Anneal Blade and gain levels through the monsters here before others.

"Let's go."

Kirito spoke softly.

"Since our levels have matched those of the Little Nepenthes and our experience gain has greatly diminished, plus we've obtained two ovule, let's quickly get our rewards, boost our combat power, and move on to areas with higher-level monsters."

Rozen had no objections to this.

"Considering how many Little Nepenthes we've taken down, the monster spawn rate has dropped significantly. We can leave some for others."

Rozen agreed with Kirito's assessment.

And so, Rozen and Kirito left the area together.

Both of them knew that the other player might not necessarily give up on the quest.

If the other player thought that Rozen and Kirito had obtained the ovule and wanted to directly seize them to complete the quest or even had some thoughts on their belongings, it was possible ill intentions could arise.

However,

"SAO has become a death game now. No one would be foolish enough to initiate player versus player combat outside just for this, right?"

Kirito voiced his thoughts.

However, he hadn't realized that his own words were more about comforting himself.

If it really had come to that,

Kirito couldn't help but think along those lines.

Fortunately, when they had moved a considerable distance, Rainbow Butterfly's alert ceased, and Kirito didn't detect any signs of pursuit.

Kirito sighed in relief.

Contrarily, Rozen remained nonchalant.

"It's probably because there are two of us here, and both of us are closed beta players. The other person wouldn't recklessly provoke us, would they?"

Of course, avoiding player killing might also be a reason.

Just as Kirito said, the game had truly become a death game, and no one dared to engage in casual player killing, leading to others' deaths.

With this, the two teenagers who had reached level 3 left the forest and returned to the village of Horunka .

As they arrived at the village together, they saw several players in the village square.

These players were likely also closed beta testers and, moreover, single-handed sword users. That was probably why they had arrived so quickly.

When these players saw Rozen and Kirito, their initially wary expressions turned into astonishment, as they noticed the Rainbow Butterfly perched on Rozen's shoulder.

"Could it be...?"

"It's him, right?"

"The one who obtained a familiar during the closed beta."

"As expected, he managed to get the familiar using his previous experience. Quite cunning."

These players exchanged whispered remarks and then hastily departed.

However, this situation left Kirito with a worried expression.

"Rozen, you..."

Kirito seemed ready to say something, but Rozen stopped him.

"I know what you want to say," Rozen said lightly. "But it's inevitable. We'll have to face whatever comes at us."

With those words, Rozen walked ahead, making his way towards one of the houses.

"..."

Kirito could only remain silent and then followed suit.