Chapter 14: The Saint Called Shengzai!

Just as Kirigaya and Shengzai had previously competed for quests, the resources on the first layer of Aincrad were limited.

The number of players flooding in this time was nearly ten thousand.

In this death game, securing an early advantage and acquiring useful resources naturally greatly increases one’s chance of survival.

Compared to ordinary players, those who had already experienced the game during the closed beta—“beta testers”—naturally knew better where the early-game resources were located.

The player named “Fang Wang” suddenly stepped forward now to condemn the beta testers for hoarding all the limited resources for their own selfish gain.

This directly left ordinary players, who were already struggling, with not even a chance to sip the broth.

So Fang Wang’s point was that the beta testers present should step forward and apologize to the deceased ordinary players.

As Fang Wang spoke, he subtly cast his gaze toward Kirigaya’s position.

Clearly, he knew Kirigaya was a beta tester, but he wasn’t sure whether there was any history between the two.

Upon hearing Fang Wang’s words, the crowd’s reactions varied; many beta testers like Kirigaya lowered their heads in silence, while some ordinary players, clearly stirred by Fang Wang, now looked equally hostile.

A dark-skinned giant sitting among the crowd frowned slightly upon hearing Fang Wang’s words, pulled out a small notebook from his pocket, and was about to speak—when suddenly, someone behind him burst into laughter.

Hearing the laughter, Fang Wang, feeling his dignity insulted, turned furious and glared at the black-haired boy who had laughed.

The boy was a young black-haired, black-eyed youth, arms crossed, standing high behind them, his gaze toward Fang Wang as if watching a clown’s performance.

“Kid, what do you mean? Do you think what I said is wrong?”

Fang Wang, judging by appearance alone, was clearly an adult who had entered society—at least his weathered look made him far too old to be a student.

In contrast, Shengzai, who had just laughed loudly, looked no older than fifteen—barely more than a brat in Fang Wang’s eyes.

To be mocked by such a child, a “grown man” like Fang Wang naturally felt deeply angered.

“Sorry, sorry, I didn’t mean to disrupt the strategy meeting—I just couldn’t help laughing at the absurdity of your words and viewpoint.”

“You look like you’re well past your youth, but I never imagined there’d still be someone as naive as you—so I couldn’t help laughing.”

Shengzai might have been fine if he’d stayed silent—but now that he’d explained himself, Fang Wang grew even angrier.

He even drew his weapon, declaring that if Shengzai didn’t properly explain how naive he was, the next second he’d crush Shengzai’s skull with his iron hammer.

“Isn’t this ridiculous? You want to speak up for the ordinary players—that’s not wrong, and what you said is true.”

“The limited resources on Aincrad’s first layer are indeed mostly taken by beta testers—but what obligation do beta testers have to care for ordinary players?”

“Don’t you understand? SAO is a real death game!”

“In a situation where everyone is fighting for survival, do you expect everyone to be a saint? Would you share your limited water in an endless desert with strangers?”

Shengzai’s words instantly silenced the once-furious Fang Wang.

Even the ordinary players who had previously felt united in anger now fell completely speechless.

That’s right—humans are selfish. “If you don’t serve yourself, heaven and earth will destroy you”—especially when your own life is at stake.

Put yourself in their place: if you were a beta tester, would you really give up your limited resources to ordinary players?

“Hmph, I can tell you’re one of the beta testers yourself, saying something like this.”

“As one of the beneficiaries, of course you speak from the beta testers’ standpoint.”

Fang Wang was left speechless by Shengzai’s words, but realizing how humiliated he was, he could only retaliate.

“So you’re an idiot and still don’t believe it? In a strategy meeting, what matters most is unity—but you, idiot, started off by stoking conflict between ordinary and beta players.”

“If you’re so fond of moral blackmail, why don’t you donate your gear and all your belongings to everyone here?”

“After all, there are plenty of people here weaker than you, Fang Wang.”

As the argument between Shengzai and Fang Wang escalated, Diabel, the meeting’s organizer, had no choice but to step in as mediator.

“This young brother is right—whether ordinary or beta players, our main goal now is to defeat the floor boss and escape this death game as soon as possible.”

“So what matters most right now is unity. Other matters can be discussed later.”

“Mr. Fang Wang, and this young…”

“Just call me Shengzai.”

“Mr. Fang Wang, and this young man named Shengzai—please give me some face. Let’s focus on discussing the floor boss strategy first.”

Diabel smiled warmly as mediator, his expression politely courteous, but inwardly he cursed Fang Wang for meddling.

“Shengzai? You mean the Shengzai from Wenren Trading Company?”

At the moment Shengzai gave his name, the dark-skinned giant Akihiko—who had been eager to speak—finally found his opening, pulled out his notebook, and asked.

Thanks to Akihiko’s reminder, many in the crowd suddenly realized something, pulled out their own notebooks, and stared at Shengzai in astonishment.

“No way—it’s really Wenren Shengzai? Is this really him?!”

“I thought Wenren Shengzai was some businessman—I never imagined he’d be such a young boy.”

That’s right—compared to Kirigaya now, Shengzai’s name was already quite famous in SAO.

And Fang Wang, who had previously disliked Shengzai intensely, was now utterly speechless upon learning Shengzai was the “Saint.”

In SAO, some extremely famous players were given strange titles.

But since the game had only been open for a month, the number of players with such titles was extremely small.

Kirigaya wasn’t yet the “Black-Cloaked Swordsman,” but Shengzai had already gained remarkable popularity and was called the “Saint.”

(End of Chapter)