章節 296: -292- I told you, didn't I?
——"Diabel is a beta tester."
Rozen only realized this idea when Argo provided him with information about Diabel.
At that time, Argo had said, "Diabel was one of the first players to leave the town after SAO was announced a death game. He even convinced his teammates to gather the courage and venture out of the town. They made their way into the labyrinth area, forming a strong team among the top players. Their experience and skills were remarkably seasoned. Despite leading a sizable group, he boldly tackled high-level monster zones, villages, and towns right from the start, quickly gaining experience. He also completed numerous hidden quests and limited-time rare quests."
This itself was quite abnormal.
If Diabel had been merely one of the first players to leave the town, that would be one thing. Many players had realized the need to get stronger early on in this world to survive, prompting them to leave the starting town as early as a month ago.
However, it didn't make sense that someone who led a team and had the rare ability to persuade teammates to venture out of the town would recklessly charge into high-level monster zones, villages, and towns right from the start. Furthermore, they managed to complete many hidden quests and limited-time rare quests.
"Even if someone was that daring, without the knowledge and information that beta testers had, no player would rush into high-level monster zones right at the beginning. Even with exceptional skills, doing so would lead to a significantly high death rate, which is evident."
"If it were only himself being reckless, that would be one thing."
"However, a player who could lead a team and persuade these teammates, rallying them to venture out of the town, possessing fine leadership skills, would never commit such a foolish act."
That's what Rozen thought.
Not to mention, under these circumstances, the fact that Diabel managed to outpace even beta testers and complete numerous hidden and rare quests was unusual.
Unless...
"You were a beta tester from the start."
Ignoring the shock of those present, Rozen spoke to the silent Diabel.
"You probably used a different character name after the official launch, in contrast to your beta testing days. Along with the return of real-life appearances due to the death game, you became two entirely different people when compared to the beta testing period."
Using this, Diabel, like the other beta testers, concealed his identity, persuading a group of players to form a team with him and venture out of the starting town. With the knowledge from beta testing, he led the team throughout their journey.
Because of this, Diabel dared to charge into high-level monster zones, villages, and towns right from the start, completing numerous hidden quests and limited-time rare quests.
Because of this, Diabel knew Rozen and Kirito, understood the rumors about their actions during the beta testing period, and when he found the guardian boss's room, he was worried that these two players would join the boss battle and snatch the last attack rewards. This led him to seek out Kibaou and commission him to buy their weapons.
"During yesterday's strategy meeting, Mr. Kibaou expressed strong opinions against beta testers. You didn't stop him, so you must have known each other for a while."
Rozen's voice was calm as he spoke to Diabel.
"As part of the reward for your commission, you allowed Mr. Kibaou to vent his anger against beta testers openly during the strategy meeting."
In other words, for his own benefit, Diabel not only concealed his identity as a beta tester but also lied to Kibaou.
It's likely that Kibaou didn't even know Diabel was a beta tester.
If Kibaou knew Diabel was a beta tester, given his animosity toward beta testers, he wouldn't have acted as Diabel's representative.
In front of Kibaou, Diabel probably posed as a "legitimate player representative standing against despicable beta testers." He might have told Kibaou that Rozen and Kirito were the ones who wanted to snatch last attack rewards, thus stoking Kibaou's animosity.
That's why Kibaou helped Diabel and consistently sided with him.
"I'm not wrong, am I, Mr. Diabel?"
Rozen gazed at Diabel, his tone still indifferent, as he continued.
"If you want to deny it, then please tell everyone here how you knew Kirito was a beta tester and how you knew that Kirito and I were skilled at securing last attack rewards."
Such a question certainly wouldn't have gone unnoticed by Diabel.
However, Diabel remained silent, unable to say a word.
"This... is a lie, right?"
Kibaou looked at Diabel in shock and disbelief.
"Diabel is a beta tester?"
"This...can't be right."
"This must be a lie..."
Diabel's teammates and the regular players were equally shaken.
If Diabel were to deny it here, these players would surely step up immediately to defend him.
Unfortunately, Diabel couldn't deny it.
Because he couldn't explain how knew everything Rozen had said. If he wasn't a beta tester, how could he account for the issues mentioned?
And so...
"...The rare items that drop from the guardian boss are the only high-performance items in this world. Obtaining them significantly boosts combat power."
Diabel finally spoke up.
However, his voice was quite bitter.
"In the current state of SAO, combat power is equivalent to the power to survive. In order to continue surviving in this world and to stand at the forefront of the team and players, I would do whatever it takes to get my hands on the rare items that drop from the guardian boss."
Diabel said these words.
And in doing so, he essentially admitted it.
He admitted to what Rozen had said.
"What..."
"This..."
Diabel's teammates and the regular players widened their eyes in disbelief.
Kibaou, on the other hand, was trembling all over. He staggered his way in front of Diabel.
"Why... why would you lie to me!"
Kibaou's voice was hoarse as he yelled.
"I trusted you so much! I believed you were the person who could lead regular players to fight against the beta testers and this game!"
Kibaou drew his weapon, impulsively wanting to strike at Diabel.
"Stop!"
"Stop it!"
"Do you want to become a criminal!?"
One player after another immediately intervened, blocking Kibaou.
Faced with all of this, the beta testers led by Rozen fell silent.
Only Kirito murmured softly.
"Was it worth doing this?"
Was it worth it?
This question was something Diabel could no longer answer.
"I betrayed everyone, not only betraying the regular players who trusted me, but also betraying the beta testers who played the game together. I'm sorry to everyone."
Now, only this fact remains.
"So, I told you, didn't I?"
Diabel looked at Rozen, a faint illusion of a smile appearing on his face.
"You're better than me."
Compared to Rozen, who stood up for the beta testers and even defended their reputation, Diabel, also a beta tester, chose a path of concealment, deceit, and betrayal.
Now, this deceiver is destined to bear all the consequences.
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