The Dark Knight of Aincrad

Chapter 2: Kobold Lord

Just days after leaving the Town of Beginnings. Diluc, Percival, and Jean were already on the next town after grinding for days, the three of them were already high leveled for newbies standards. But as for those three, it's still weak.

Currently, the three of them stayed in an Inn in the village. Percival counted how much they have left, Jean on the other hand was busy writing a diary, and as for Diluc. He just entered the room with some cheap food.

"Here guys, dig in." He said as he placed the tray of food on top of the table.

The two took some food from the tray and they started eating it. While eating, Percival look towards the window and saw several other players walking towards somewhere.

"You know?" Percival said gaining everyone's attention. "It's a shame that both Koharu and Kaeya rejected your offer."

"It's fine. It's actually understandable. Koharu- like the rest of us are scared, Kaeya wanted to protect her, they just want to finish this at their own pace. Let's not force them into things they don't want to." Diluc said.

"You got that right." Jean commented. "Hey, Diluc. We have a problem."

"What is it?"

"Our Cor is running out. We've been buying potions and food but we don't have anything for equipment.  What do you think we should do?" Jean asked.

Diluc thought about it for a while. Thinking that the other players will head to another town and may attack the floor boss before them, which would be a problem for them I'd they can't win this.

Diluc sighed. "I... Don't know. I really have no idea."

"They why don't we do an all-nighter? Grind until morning." Percival suggested.

"Good idea. Though we should try and evade enemy attacks. We don't want to keep using those potions of ours before the actual fight." Jean said.

"Well, it's much better than doing nothing than sitting in this room." Diluc stopped eating and placed the food back on the tray and took his claymore. "Well? No time like the present." He said.

The three of them left their room and left to grind, from killing boars to wolves to plant monsters. They kill, kill, kill, and kill. With each swing. The three grow stronger and stronger. The sun was setting and the three of them were tired. Panting over and over again as they rest before continuing for another session of grind. 

Another session of grinding. Diluc manages to learn every monster attack pattern, meaning he can dodge them swiftly even with a huge sword that would normally slow someone down. Percival on the other hand manages to take more hits with his armor and Jean does it with balance. After another hour or two, the three were already high enough level and their resources doubled from before.

"Man, that was a tiring grind." Percival said. "We should be able to buy new equipment for the three of us." 

"Are you going to get a new set of armor, Percival?" Jean asked.

"Yeah, I think I should be the one tanking since I mostly took damage." Percival said.

"Brother, you should be careful. Good thing, Jean here has been healing your wounds." Diluc said as he looked around the area.

"Yeah, I know. I am careful. But what about you, Diluc? You really need to learn how to take damage, because. One day you might face an enemy that you can't study with your perception... Thingy." Percival said as he scratches the back of his head. 

"It's just perception, brother. I know I should but the thought of dying..." Diluc faced down on the ground with his hair covering his eyes, he was interrupted with Percival holding his shoulder. Diluc looked up and saw Percival smiling at him.