In the early days of ALO, when Rozen first entered the game, he had already showcased incredible attack speed and precision, displaying overwhelming offensive power.
Even high-level bosses in the outer training fields could be defeated within three strikes, and he accomplished this using only the beginner's weapon available at the start of the game. This demonstrated that Rozen's offensive capability was extraordinary from the very beginning.
Now, not only does Rozen possess the highest-level equipment in the game and a legendary weapon, but he also wields a unique two-hit sword skill and the "Steel-Severing" attribute, which partially ignores the opponent's defense. If his attacks hit, his enemies' HP plummets rapidly.
As for the Salamander leader, despite being equipped with top-tier armor, his HP pool wasn't particularly high. Otherwise, even the first star of the Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, Dubhe, wouldn't have nearly taken him down in one strike.
Regardless, the Salamander leader couldn't even last a second in front of Rozen, and that was an undeniable fact.
At the moment, the Salamander leader was utterly horrified.
"Ma… Mage squad…!"
The Salamander leader stumbled back in panic, nearly collapsing, as he shouted desperately.
Hearing the call, the mages in the allied forces at the rear finally snapped out of their shock. They hurriedly raised their staffs and began chanting magic spells.
Unfortunately for them, their chanting speed was akin to a snail's pace compared to Rozen's.
"————ぃ·し·た·ど·づ·ぜ————"
As magic symbols flashed one after another, a fireball formed in Rozen's raised hand. He threw it, and it landed in the center of the allied forces.
"Boom—!"
The next moment, the fireball exploded like a bomb, unleashing a wave of intense heat and a violent shockwave that spread through the center of the allied forces.
"Ahhhhhhhh…!"
A chorus of anguished cries rang out as countless players were blown away by the sudden shockwave and heatwave, scattering across the ground like garbage.
The allied mages' chanting was interrupted, and not a single spell was successfully cast.
Naturally, the swordsmen fared no better, also being blasted away. The area was soon littered with fallen players groaning in pain. Only a few players, who had adapted to the stun effects of ALO's explosive attacks, managed to stand up, albeit shakily.
Among them was the Salamander leader.
"Damn it…!"
Holding his head in frustration, the Salamander leader shouted furiously.
"Charge! Everyone, charge! If we wait for the Crimson Wing main forces to arrive, we're done for!"
Hearing this, the scattered players flinched in realization.
It was clear now: Rozen's immediate attack on them suggested he was entirely confident and likely backed by reinforcements from the Crimson Wing.
If the enemy's main forces arrived, they would undoubtedly all be sent back to their respawn points.
Realizing this, the players gritted their teeth, forced themselves up, and charged toward Rozen with determined roars.
Seeing this, Rozen narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners of his lips curling into a faint smile.
A main force?
Such a thing was unnecessary.
Indeed, Rozen was confident, but not because he had summoned a massive army to encircle these players. His confidence came solely from his own strength.
Thus, Rozen had not mobilized any forces. He had come alone, facing this supposedly elite allied force single-handedly.
The allied players could not fathom that their so-called elite numbers were entirely insignificant in Rozen's eyes.
However, in one aspect, they were correct.
They were doomed.
"Saichou, Hanachou," Rozen called out calmly, his gaze fixed on the horde of charging players.
"Gu!"
"Gu!"
Two streaks of light—one cyan and one pink—shot through the air. Saichou and Hanachou darted toward the oncoming players, scattering glittering powders in their wake.
"Ah!"
"What is this…?!"
"I… I can't see!"
"I can't move!"
"I'm poisoned!"
"Help me!"
The players hit by Saichou and Hanachou's powder were immediately thrown into disarray, their cries filled with panic.
Under the effects of the powder, statuses such as blindness, paralysis, poisoning, and sleep afflicted the players. Some stumbled around like headless chickens, others collapsed on the spot, and still others turned pale as their HP steadily drained, spreading chaos throughout their ranks.
Since the SAO era, Saichou and Hanachou had evolved under Rozen's care to an entirely new level. While still lacking direct combat abilities, they could now simultaneously unleash multiple debilitating effects on a wide range of targets.
With a faint smile, Rozen stepped into the fray.
"Merak."
A burst of starlight erupted as four galaxy-like slashes swept through the air, cutting down four players in an instant. Their screams echoed as they fell.
"Phecda."
After a brief pause, starlight shimmered again—this time in six swirling arcs. Like a celestial storm, the strikes spiraled outward, sending blood effects and players flying.
"Megrez."
In the blink of an eye, the swirling stars vanished, replaced by a larger ring of light. Eight trailing arcs slashed outward like ribbons, tearing through the players on the outskirts, their HP plummeting with every hit.
"Alioth."
This time, ten slashes burst forth like torrents of stellar light. They intertwined and converged, forming a radiant star that shot skyward before detonating spectacularly, shredding several players into fragments.
The Seven Stars of the Big Dipper, Rozen's original sword skill, seemed to bloom in full force. Trapped in various negative states and unable to respond, the players were struck down one after another. Amid anguished cries, their HP bars plummeted to zero.
"Boom!" "Boom!" "Boom!"
Flames erupted one after another as the fallen players burst into flames, leaving nothing behind but flickering embers scattered across the ground.
Standing amidst the sea of fire, sword in hand, Rozen resembled a god of war descending upon the battlefield. A faint smile graced his lips, as if he relished the opportunity to unleash his swordsmanship. His demeanor exuded carefree elegance and satisfaction.
But to Rozen's enemies, this was far from an idyllic sight.
"Ugh.. ah…"
The Salamander leader sat paralyzed on the ground, staring at Rozen with trembling teeth.
His gaze resembled that of someone facing a devil.
/// Will upload more tomorrow, super busy, sorry ///