Sword Art Online: From Spark to Flame

Part 3 - The First Floor Boss

----- December 3rd, Aincrad 15:00 -----

"How many guilds are here?"

"Four."

"Which ones?"

"<Front Line Soldiers>, <Crossed Swords>, <Seventh Katana>, and <Player's Swords>, overall average level 8."

"Which leaves us with how many participants?"

"The guilds make up 33, but there are also half a dozen unassociated players who wish to join, leaving us with 39 participants in today's meeting."

"Good," <Hikari> said, nodding to the <Crossed Swords> guild leader, <Remnant>. She was now the leader of <Player's Swords>, and after hearing about the discovery of Floor 1's boss room, had contacted several other guild leaders and organized a strategy meeting in Horunka Village. She still possessed the Knight's Longsword she had bought from within the village with <Nagami>, but the rest of her armor was replaced by stronger gear, and how had a metal chest plate, small steel shoulder guards and knee guards, dark leather gauntlets and belt, and leather boots with metal shin guards.

She looked at the other guild leaders.

From <Front Line Soldiers>, accompanied by two members of his 10 member strong guild, was <Abrador>, a large built and heavily armored player, and a beta tester. He wielded a large two handed battle axe, and had heavy plate armor on his chest, shoulders, and gauntlets, as well as a helmet. The rest of his armor was chain body or leather, covered with simple blue cloth.

From the <Crossed Swords> guild was <Remnant>, a red color themed spiky haired player who wore a leather chest plate, plated metal boots, leather gauntlets, and a short cape that covered his left arm, a guild with 8 members.

<Seventh Katana>, lead by <Shudashi>, a katana player with her curly black hair up in a high ponytail wearing a white battle skirt, leather armor on her shoulders, chest, waist, and legs, possessed another 7 players, three members of her guild also beta testers, as <Abrador> was.

Finally, under <Hikari>, was <Player's Swords>, completing the 33 guild players with 8 members.

<Hikari> nodded to the other guild leaders, who returned the nod. With <Hikari> leading the group, they exited the inn they were holding the pre-strategy meeting in, and entered Horunka villages main square, where the remaining 27 guild players and 6 unassociated players were conversed, the small conversations coming from the small crowd hushed as the guild leaders approached. The two members of Front Line Soldiers who had accompanied <Abrador> to the pre meeting returned to the ranks of the rest of their guild.

Silence arose as the four guild leaders lined up, <Hikari> positioned in the middle. She took a deep breath, preparing herself for the speech she and the other guild members would deliver. She glanced at the other guild members, who nodded, then stepped forward.

"<Crossed Swords>. <Front Line Soldiers>. <Seventh Katana>. <Player's Swords>," she began. "These four guilds have joined together today in an alliance." She paused. "As you may know, Floor 1's boss room has been located in the labyrinth's 20th floor. As the duty of the <Front Line Soldiers>, <Player's Swords>, <Crossed Swords>, and <The Seventh Katana>, it has been decided that we, as a group, will engage and defeat this boss!" She finished with a serious tone, which was accepted by the crowd with a handful of cheers. After the cheers died down, she looked back at <Remnant> and nodded, then stepped back into line as he stepped forward.

<Remnant> began pacing. "The first floor boss," he informed, "is <Illfang the Kobold Lord>." He lifted up a Player's Guide handbook developed by players in Sword Art Online from behind his back. "According to this player's handbook, <Illfang> has four health bars. At the start of each health bar, three Kobold minions will spawn. The <Seventh Katana>-" He glanced back at <Shudashi>. "-has volunteered to server as executors to these minions, as well as the 6 unassociated players." He opened the Player's Guide to the first boss page. "A total of 12 minions will spawn throughout the fight, and get progressively stronger with each spawn. As for <Illfang>, his attack methods revolve around his Bone Axe and leather shield, meaning he will use heavy slash attacks and shield bash methods. <Crossed Swords> has volunteered to counter both methods." A few cheers from the <Crossed Swords> members came from the gathered crowd. "<Crossed Swords>' main objective is to stun and deflect <Illfang>'s attacks." He paused. "Finally, the guilds <Player's Swords> and <Front Line Soldiers> will be tasked with dealing the brunt of damage to <Illfang>. Members of these guilds should approach with a flanking advantage, as well as work with <Crossed Swords> members."