The lower half of the 74th floor of the labyrinth area was made of reddish-brown sandstone, but as you climbed higher, the building materials gradually changed to damp blue stones.
At the very top of the labyrinth area, the entire space was composed of a maze-like corridor, giving the feeling of entering another world.
Rozen had explored this area yesterday and encountered a boss-level monster known as the "Lizardman Lord." However, he had been unable to find the key to fully conquer this floor, which should have been present on every floor.
Today, the room for the floor's guardian boss was finally discovered. It was at the end of this environment, within the corridor. At the end of the corridor, there was a large door with grey-blue relief carvings resembling demons and emitting an eerie aura. Without a doubt, this was the door to the room of the floor's guardian boss.
"That's it..."
Asuna's voice carried a hint of nervousness.
"We've finally found it."
Rozen also focused his gaze ahead. The members of the "Aincrad Liberation Force " cheered loudly. This was due to a statement made by Kobatz.
"Look! This is the door to the room of the floor's guardian boss!"
Kobatz pointed towards the door ahead with his weapon, exclaiming joyously.
"We, the 'Aincrad Libration Force,' have successfully conquered the 74th floor's highest level and found the room of the guardian boss. This proves that we are no less than the clearing groups and top players!"
Kobatz made this proclamation, and his subordinates joined in with shouts and cheers. After a tiring battle, seeing the room of the guardian boss after reaching this point in their exploration was a form of reward for these players.
So, they had every reason to shout and cheer.
Not to mention, following the disastrous defeat on the 25th floor, the "Aincrad Liberation Force," formed by merging "Aincrad Liberation Squad" and "MMO Today," hasn't encountered a guardian boss for a full year and a half.
Now, returning to the forefront once again and successfully finding the guardian boss's room holds extraordinary significance for the "Aincrad Liberation Force."
However, the issue arose in the next moment.
"Next, let the whole world witness the strength of our 'Aincrad Libration Force '!"
Kobatz was carried away by his enthusiasm and issued this reckless command.
"Defeat the guardian boss! Let's further enhance the reputation of our 'Aincrad Liberation Force'!"
Since the 25th floor, they hadn't seen the appearance of a guardian boss, and the "Aincrad Liberation Force" had completely forgotten how terrifying these guardian bosses could be, leading to this foolish decision.
If it were any other time, even with Kobatz's high status, the players under his leadership might have hesitated about such an order.
But now, under the influence of the charged atmosphere, the heightened morale clouded their judgment.
"Defeat the guardian boss!"
"Defeat the guardian boss!"
"Defeat the guardian boss!"
The players of the "Aincrad Liberation Force" chanted these slogans one after another.
They didn't realize that they were walking towards their own doom.
"Let's go!"
Kobatz, full of enthusiasm, waved his cape and gave a reckless command. At this point, even Asuna couldn't stand it.
"Wait!"
In the midst of this fervor, a voice rang out through the corridor, firm and commanding. The players who were about to take their final steps froze in their tracks.
Asuna appeared like a gust of wind, swiftly emerging from the shadows. When she arrived behind the "Aincrad Liberation Force," she immediately stomped the ground forcefully, leaping high and landing in front of the door to the guardian boss's room.
"You are... Asuna, the 'Flash'...!?"
Kobatz immediately recognized Asuna and was first surprised, then his expression turned menacing. His subordinates started whispering among themselves, some surprised by Asuna's appearance, and others in shock. The atmosphere grew restless.
Facing this group, Asuna stood firmly in front of the guardian boss's room's door, her expression grave.
"You can't continue any further," Asuna made this obstruction.
This left the players of the "Aincrad Liberation Force" in stunned silence, and it also made Kobatz's eyes twitch suddenly.
This reckless leader seemed to have a hot temper.
"Why do you have the right to stop us?" Kobatz angrily shouted, "Are the 'Knights of the Blood Oath' planning to monopolize the conquest of the guardian boss?"
Kobatz unjustly accused Asuna.
At this moment...
"Who said that only members of 'The Knights of the Blood Oath' are here?"
With the appearance of a somewhat lazy voice, everyone on the scene was taken aback. They turned their heads abruptly to look behind them.
The next moment, everyone saw Rozen slowly walking towards them.
"Really, you just rushed out without a second thought."
Rozen arrived in their sight with a complaint. Since Saichou and Hanachou were still inside Rozen's summoning crystal, no one recognized him immediately.
However, when they saw the conspicuous crystal sword hanging from Rozen's waist, the players present widened their eyes.
"Magus...!?"
"He... he's the Magus...!?"
"Why... why is the Magus here...!?"
The players belonging to the "Aincrad Liberation Force" collectively became unsettled, and even Kobatz couldn't help but show a surprised expression.
Asuna, as the vice-leader of the "Knights of the Blood Oath," had a strong reputation, high popularity, and formidable strength, but she couldn't intimidate Kobatz and his party who came to conquer the labyrinth. However, Rozen was different.
Rozen was not only the guild master of "Crimson Wing," the strongest guild, but also the leader of the clearing group. His words were enough to mobilize the entire clearing group and even sway the hearts of all players because they had placed high hopes on him and considered him the hope for completely clearing the game.
Therefore, the weight of Rozen and Asuna in this situation was entirely different.
"I... I didn't expect even the Magus..."
After a moment of hesitation, Kobatz spoke with a mixture of awe and reluctance.
"What... what's going on? Does the clearing group have rules against letting other players defeat the guardian boss?"
If there were such rules, it would indeed imply an intention to monopolize the guardian boss.
"I can't afford that accusation," Rozen shrugged, speaking as if it didn't matter. "The clearing group has never had any rules against letting other players defeat the guardian boss. In fact, if anyone can defeat the guardian boss faster than us and expedite the clearing progress, we would be grateful."
With that said, without waiting for Kobatz's response, Rozen changed his tone.
"But that's on the condition that they are capable."
Rozen looked at the twelve players in front of him and delivered a ruthless statement.
"As for all of you, you'd better go home and take a nap."