Chapter 15: For Chasing Girls, You Betrayed Me!

If we were to name the players who have contributed the most to the progress of SAO’s Gonglve ,

then “Rat” and “Sage” would certainly rank among the top.

Rat Argol is also a beta tester, specializing exclusively in intelligence gathering.

Besides exclusive intel, she compiled a beginner’s guide listing gameplay tips and beta-test information, distributing it free to every player.

Because Argol operates in secrecy and no one even knows what she looks like, she earned the nickname “Rat.”

As for the so-called “Sage,” he is the other player mentioned by “Rat” in the beginner’s guide.

Rat stated in the guide that any new player could borrow money from the “Sage.”

Although the loan carries an interest rate of over thirty percent, repayment can be deferred.

Why such high interest? And why is Shengzai called the “Sage”? The reason is simple.

Because Shengzai offers extremely long repayment terms and lends to anyone without discrimination; though the interest seems high, his personal risk is equally great.

If a borrower dies, he loses everything.

Even if a borrower later repays, Shengzai only earns a thirty-percent profit.

Others gamble with one-to-one odds; Shengzai either loses everything or gains only thirty percent interest.

Under such uneven returns, many believe Shengzai is running a losing business.

Yet for most new players with zero resources early on, Shengzai’s loans dramatically increased their chances of survival.

That’s why he earned the nickname “Sage.”

But since they’re still on the first floor of Aincrad, no player has permission to open a shop, so Shengzai’s “Wenren Guild” remains in its infancy.

Even if players want to borrow from Shengzai, they can only rely on luck to encounter him—so many know of the “Sage” but have no idea what he looks like.

However, Rat’s beginner’s guide states that the “Sage” is a public tester, not a beta tester.

Thus most assume the “Sage” must be an exceptionally skilled entrepreneur; otherwise, how could he amass enough capital to lend so quickly?

Whether “Rat” or “Sage,” both help other players for their own purposes.

Yet undeniably, their contributions have significantly lowered the game’s death rate.

Without Rat’s beginner’s guide and Shengzai’s loans, the number of players who died this month might not have been one thousand, but two thousand—or more…

At this moment, Kibaou, standing beside Diabel, felt his face burn with humiliation.

He had just mocked Shengzai as another selfish “beta tester,” yet never imagined the man was none other than the famed “Sage”!

And according to intelligence, the “Sage” is also a public tester—not the “beta cheater” he’d accused him of being.

“Alright, everyone, you’ve all seen it—now even the legendary ‘Sage’ has joined our Gonglve team. I’m sure you all feel more confident about this mission now?”

“Let’s not delay. As previously agreed, form teams with those you know.”

Blue-haired Diabel is clearly a shrewd man; realizing Shengzai’s high reputation, he immediately spoke up to solidify his own leadership position.

Kirito, already socially anxious, immediately turned to his only close friend upon hearing he had to form a team before joining the Gonglve .

“Shengzai-san, join our team—we’ll coordinate perfectly.”

“Shengzai-kun, come with us—we’re short a skilled commander, and my sister and I need you.”

“...”

Watching Shengzai surrounded by a crowd, Kirito wanted to curse aloud.

He’d always assumed Shengzai was only popular in real life—but damn, even in this game, the bastard was still in high demand.

He was a hardcore gamer, while Shengzai? Just rich, handsome, and quick to learn—what else does he have over him?

Why is this total newbie being fawned over while he, a top veteran, is ignored?

But soon, Kirito noticed he wasn’t the only one left sitting alone.

Not far away, a figure wrapped head-to-toe in a tattered cloak, radiating an aura of “keep away,” caught his attention.

Thinking they were both socially awkward and could at least form a team, Kirito finally gathered courage to approach.

“Ding, player Kirito has sent you a team invitation. Accept?”

“Ding, player Asuna has joined the team.”

Seeing the invitation wasn’t rejected, Kirito exhaled in relief.

When he saw the name in the team list and guessed the player might be female, he was about to smooth-talk his new teammate—when she spoke first.

“Was what they just said true?”

Kirito: (_???

“That any new player can borrow money from that ‘Sage’?”

The voice beneath the cloak was unmistakably female—and young.

From her question, Kirito instantly deduced his temporary teammate was also a public tester, likely just as clueless as Shengzai.

“You want to borrow from that guy? The legitimacy is real—he’s got some integrity.

But knowing his personality, he never does anything without profit. If you don’t desperately need it, don’t borrow from him—it’s a trap.”

After knowing him this long, Kirito knew his friend’s character well.

He’s not outright evil, but calling him “Sage”? No way. He’s always the one taking advantage—he’d lend money freely?

Others think Shengzai’s losing money, but Kirito knows the bastard is secretly raking it in.

“Hey, hey, hey—we’re best friends, brothers in arms! I turned down dozens of team invites just to find you!

And you, to chase girls, stab me in the back? That’s a bit too much, Kirito-kun.”

(End of Chapter)