--- Kirito ---
It's been a month since the game began.
During this time, 2,000 players have already died.
Some couldn't adapt quickly enough to the situation, while others simply overestimated themselves and lost everything.
In a way, all those deaths were a wake-up call for the 8,000 who were left.
Players became more cautious when they explored, and the number of solo players drastically dropped.
Well, I don't blame them.
Being alone can be scary. I know that better than anyone.
But now isn't the time for gloomy thoughts.
It took a while to find the Floor Boss's location, but at last, the meeting to decide on a strategy to take it down was underway—
Before I could think further, I was interrupted by a commotion.
A man frantically running towards the fountain at the center of Tolbana, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"T-There's a problem!" he cried, and everyone on the scene immediately turned to look at him.
The man finally reached a figure clad in bronze armor, with a large longsword at his waist and a kite shield on his back. Judging by the fact the unknown man immediately looked for him, he must be the leader.
"Calm down and explain what's happening," he said, trying to bring order to the chaos as he calmly placed a hand on the man's shoulder, urging him to catch his breath.
After a moment, the man spoke again, his voice shaking with urgency. "A two-player party...e-entered the Floor Boss room alone!!"
A gasp of shock went up from the crowd, and I felt a cold chill run down my spine. Those two reckless idiots!
How in their right mind did they think challenging a Floor Boss with just 2 people was a good idea!?
Sure, you can get a lot of experience points if you can actually succeed in defeating a boss with just two players, but if you lose your life before then, it's all meaningless!
We have no respawn button, did you forget!?
I immediately made up my mind and started sprinting towards the Floor Boss room, knowing that I would never make it in time but even so...
Knowing this, how could I not try to save them?
The other players hesitated for a moment, but the blue-haired man nodded and began following me.
"It's in situation like these that us players should band together. It may be reckless, but we can defeat the boss if it's us! I'll go ahead. Anyone who wants to is free to follow after me!"
Spurred on by his example, the strongest level players also joined in.
Although there was no proper meeting, at the very least I have confidence in my knowledge of the Boss' patterns.
I hope those two know them as well, because if they don't...
They'll die soon.
--- Akira ---
[Status]
[Name: Haru]
[Level: 6(82%) ➔ 13(1%)]
[STR: 10 ➔ 24]
[AGI: 7 ➔ 14]
[Skills: Spear(Lv. 11(39%)) ➔ (Lv. 35(17%)), Threefold Piercer(Lv. 7(23%)) ➔ (Lv. 29(97%))]
[You have 2 ➔ 3 Skill Slots left]
"A bunch of them will likely hurry here to see if they can steal the loot from us, and the even dumber bunch will think we came here to die, assuming their own ideology as heroes in need of approval. Don't you think it's interesting?"
I chuckled, because I could almost see it.
Knowing Diavel, there's no way he wouldn't want to use this situation to his advantage.
But I couldn't care less.
"...Well, without information on us, I would also assume whoever attempted to do something like this was either a dummy or utterly unable to sense danger."
She sighed, trying to appear relaxed, but I knew her well enough to see through the facade.
Anxiety, fear...
Those feelings are impossible to erase completely.
Even I felt them back in the First Trial, so I knew exactly what she was going through.
But our strength lies in our ability to keep moving forward, despite feeling that way.
You don't stop just because it's scary.
My grip tightened around the shaft of my spear as I exchanged a glance with Asuna.
Are you ready?
That is what my gaze asked.
In reply, she only nodded, determination clear in her eyes.
I smiled.
You never fail to amaze me, Asuna.
Let's go, then.
We confirmed our strategy with one last nod, as I positioned myself to activate my Threefold Piercer skill, feeling its activation as the tip of my spear ignited with a fiery glow.
This skill was composed of three moves.
With a swift motion, I lunged forward, aiming my first thrust at the nearest Sentinel.
The glowing spearhead sliced through the air like a bolt of lightning.
It found its mark with a resounding clang, piercing through the nearest Sentinel's chest as if it were mere butter, leaving a deep gash in its armor.
The difference in levels was overwhelming, after all.
The force behind the blow was staggering, sending the Sentinel hurtling away to crash into the nearest wall.
It was a bit strange to not see any blood, but I got kind of used to it in the past month.
But there was no time to dwell on the first strike.
The more I went on with the skill undisturbed, the stronger it got.
This is the main advantage of the Threefold Piercer, although its downside is that it's slower to execute, and its post-motion is on the heavier side.
As the momentum built, I seamlessly transitioned into the second phase of the skill. With a sweeping horizontal motion, my spear carved a perfect arc through the air, cutting through the Second Sentinel's defenses with ease.
Metal clashed against metal as the blade ripped through it, not even sparing its flesh as its upper body was severed, leaving the monster split in two before it dissolved.
More than a spear, what I hand in my hand seemed more like a sword instead.
But I was not done.
Summoning all my strength, I unleashed the final strike.
With a primal roar, I swung the spear in a powerful downward arc, aiming at the third Sentinel charging towards me. The spearhead descended with unstoppable force.
When it connected with its head, the blow crushed both the monster's helmet and skull. The impact was so strong that it slammed the creature into the ground, its HP instantly dropping to zero.
But my triumph was short-lived. The first Ruin Kobold Sentinel, undeterred by its fallen comrades, lunged at me with its halberd raised high. I could feel the paralysis setting in, the post-motion of my skill leaving me vulnerable and unable to dodge.
Just like I predicted, the first strike wouldn't have been enough to one-shot the first minion.
"Switch!" I shouted, my voice echoing through the chamber.
In an instant, Asuna was at my side, her rapier already in motion. Her skill, Linear, already prepared.
She thrust forward, the tip of her rapier striking the Sentinel.
The creature reeled, but Asuna didn't stop. She chained [Linear], each rapid thrust pushing the Sentinel back.
Her movements were a dance of death, the rapier a silver streak as she targeted the gaps in the Sentinel's armor.
The creature could barely keep up, its attempts to counterattack falling short as it was no match against her assault.
Finally, with a powerful final thrust, she pierced through its throat, the Sentinel collapsing as it dissolved into more experience points.
All according to plan.
The post-motion of my skill ended shortly after.
"Three Ruin Kobold Sentinels will spawn each time one of the four bars of the boss's HP is taken down, but we can handle them as they come," I explained confidently.
I had a plan.
'There's a short gap before they fully spawn, giving us a chance to strike first. We can take advantage of that vulnerability.'
And if that fails...
One of us can handle the minions while the other keeps the Boss occupied.
Even though it might take a bit longer, it's no big deal. Our attack damage alone is comparable to a normal player's skill at level 4 or 5.
The level difference really gives us an edge. That's why we'll keep exploiting it until the Boss is brought to its knees.
---
Author's Note:
Well, the Boss Fight is about to unfold!
Any thoughts so far??