The words "closed beta tester" hit the hall like a stone, crashing into it as it had just calmed down.
Some people looked down at their equipment, while others glanced at Diabel, who hadn't fully recovered. The first floor was cleared, but if someone had known the boss would change weapons, this near-death experience wouldn't have been just a mistake.
The Kibaou clearly thought the same thing.
"I'm not saying all closed beta testers deserve to die." He stared at Lin Yuan. "My question is, knowing we had old information, why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I only saw it after I came in," Lin Yuan said. "I didn't know about it before the knife was changed."
"Then why do you think you can use its moves right away?"
"Once you see it, you will."
This answer made Kibaou laugh in anger. Several disgruntled whispers also rose from the surrounding crowd.
Lin Yuan didn't explain further. Erza had told him when she taught him how to hold a sword that whether or not one could perform the same movement was a matter of the hands, feet, and eyes. But saying this while standing here would only make the person in front of him think he was showing off.
Diabel stepped forward. "I didn't check the Boss's weapon change beforehand. In the end, I misjudged the distance myself."
"You almost died, and you're still defending him?"
"I'm not speaking on behalf of anyone," Diabel said, looking at the players. "I'm in charge today. What's due to me shouldn't be pushed onto others."
He admitted it readily, leaving Kibaou speechless for a moment. But the questions in the crowd didn't dissipate: Who exactly was Lin Yuan? Where did the item from the final attack go? How many people would keep what they knew to themselves during the next raid?
"The intelligence from the closed beta test isn't always accurate." A voice came from the side.
Kirito walked between Kibaou and Lin Yuan without blocking anyone's view.
"That knife was different from the one used during the closed beta test. I only realized my earlier prediction was wrong when I saw it being drawn."
Kibaou turned to him. "Are you a closed beta player?"
"Yes."
The hall fell silent once more.
The cloaked swordsman stood not far away, seemingly about to speak, but Kirito didn't turn around. He knew what his answer would bring, and his fingers remained firmly on the hilt of his sword.
"Since you knew the previous tactics, why didn't you explain them clearly before the battle started?" Kibaou pressed.
"Because I didn't know it would change back then," Kirito said. "Today, some people survived thanks to old information, while others almost died because of it. Treating all closed beta testers the same way will only make those who truly know the problems even more afraid to speak up next time."
"You're really thoughtful of them."
Kirito looked up at him. "I wasn't pleading for anyone. I did use my closed beta experience to get ahead of others. If you want to criticize someone like that, criticize me."
Someone recognized his solitary figure in the labyrinth, and the murmurs suddenly grew louder. Kirito didn't reveal anyone else's name, nor did he fabricate an identity for Lin Yuan. He simply laid out what he knew and had done.
Kibaou pressed on to that question, "Then what's the difference between you and those who hide intelligence?"
"Perhaps there's not much difference," Kirito said. "Among the closed beta testers, some just survived to get this far; I had more advantages than them. You can combine the terms 'closed beta tester' and 'cheater' into one, if you want."
" Beater?" someone at the back of the crowd tried reading it aloud.
The awkward word quickly spread and landed on Kirito. The rapier-wielding hand took a step towards him, then stopped.
Lin Yuan could tell that Kirito wasn't saying these things to clear his name. Kibaou's attacks had already bypassed him, targeting everyone suspected. Kirito a target that would give most people something to keep an eye on for the time being.
This method may not be clever, but it was his choice.
Kibaou still didn't believe Lin Yuan: "What about him? The reward for the final blow can't just disappear into thin air."
Diabel's gaze also fell on Lin Yuan. He didn't think the person who had just saved him would lie about a piece of equipment, but the reward record was indeed empty. As a commander, he couldn't let the whole team stop questioning just because he believed someone.
"I'll keep this in mind," he said. "If we can find the combat logs, we'll tell everyone the results."
Lin Yuan nodded. He didn't need Diabel to believe him; he just hoped that these people wouldn't draw their swords against each other before the next battle because of a non-existent prize.
"I didn't," Lin Yuan said.
Who can prove it?
"Cannot."
Kibaou was taken aback.
Lin Yuan glanced at the open stone door. "You can continue investigating. If you're worried about me stealing loot during the next boss battle, don't worry about saving me a spot."
He turned and went up the steps. Someone called to him to stop, but Kibaou didn't chase after him. Diabel was having his team check the wounded and supplies, Kirito remained standing in the center of the crowd, receiving pairs of suspicious eyes.
When he reached the corner of the steps, Lin Yuan looked back.
Kirito happened to look over as well. The two remained silent, separated by the entire hall.
Lin Yuan withdrew his gaze and continued walking upwards.