The massive iron doors of the boss room creaked open, revealing the dimly lit chamber within. Kirito's heart pounded as he and the others stepped inside, the echo of their footsteps amplifying the tension. The room was vast, with towering pillars lining the sides and an ominous silence hanging in the air. At the far end, a shadowy figure loomed, its glowing red eyes piercing through the darkness.
"It's Ilfang the Kobold Lord," Diabel announced, his voice steady but carrying a note of urgency. The boss emerged into the dim light, a towering, menacing figure wielding a massive shield and axe.
Diabel and Asuna led the charge, their weapons glinting as they rushed forward. The other players followed suit, their determination palpable. Kirito, however, found himself frozen in place, the sight of the Kobold Lord overwhelming him. Fear gripped his heart as he watched his comrades engage the beast, their attacks barely making a dent in its formidable defenses.
Asuna's swift sword strikes and Diabel's calculated blows inspired the other players to fight with everything they had. Kirito stood rooted to the spot, his mind racing. How could he contribute? Could he even make a difference?
Then, he saw it. The Kobold warriors, smaller but no less dangerous, were causing havoc among the players. Kirito knew he had to act. Gathering his courage, he unsheathed his sword and charged at one of the Kobold warriors. The thrill of the fight surged through him as he parried and dodged, his movements growing more confident with each swing.
With a final, decisive strike, Kirito defeated the Kobold warrior, its form disintegrating into data shards. A sense of accomplishment washed over him, but there was no time to celebrate. The Kobold Lord roared, summoning a Talwar and swinging it with deadly precision. Players fell to the ground, their HP bars depleting rapidly.
Kirito's fear threatened to overwhelm him again, but seeing Diabel, Asuna, and the others fighting valiantly gave him the strength to continue. As the Kobold Lord bore down on Asuna and Tiffany, Kirito saw an opportunity. He rushed forward, his sword poised for a powerful slash. The blade connected with the Kobold Lord's right side, causing it to howl in fury. The boss retaliated with a fierce strike, sending Kirito flying across the room. His sword shattered upon impact, and he crashed into one of the pillars.
Dazed and injured, Kirito struggled to his feet. His HP was dangerously low, and he quickly consumed a healing potion. The liquid worked its magic, but he was still far from fully recovered. As he watched, Diabel put up a brave fight, rallying the players and giving them hope. But hope was fragile, and with one wrong move, the Kobold Lord's blade cut through Diabel, ending his life in a flash of crimson.
A cry of rage echoed through the chamber as Asuna, her face contorted with grief and anger, launched herself at the boss. Her sword skills were impressive, but the Kobold Lord's relentless attacks were wearing her down. The other players, demoralized by Diabel's death, began to falter.
Kirito, now recovered, knew he had to act. His sword was broken, but he still had his spear. Summoning his resolve, he let out a sigh and drew the weapon. Asuna was fighting bravely, but she couldn't hold out much longer. Kirito watched for the perfect moment, his eyes locked on the battle.
The Kobold Lord struck Asuna with a powerful blow, sending her sprawling. As it leapt into the air to deliver a finishing strike, Kirito saw his chance. With all his strength, he hurled the spear. The weapon flew true, piercing the Kobold Lord's heart. The beast landed heavily on its knees, stunned by the sudden attack.
Asuna, seizing the opportunity, gathered her remaining strength and charged. Her sword gleamed as she thrust it into the Kobold Lord's throat with all her might. The beast let out a final, agonized roar before disintegrating into data fragments.
The room fell silent, the tension dissipating as the players realized they had won. Cheers erupted as they gathered around Asuna, congratulating her on the victory. Kirito stood apart, watching the scene with a mixture of relief and exhaustion. He had played a crucial role in the battle, but it seemed no one noticed his contribution.
Asuna received the prize for defeating the boss, a sleek black overcoat that suited her perfectly. Kirito couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment as the others lavished her with praise, seemingly oblivious to his efforts. He sighed, picking up his spear and turning towards the door leading to the second floor.
He paused for a moment, glancing back in the hope that someone might acknowledge him. But the players were too busy celebrating. With a resigned sigh, Kirito stepped forward, unlocking the door to the next floor. The bright light of the portal enveloped him as he entered, his figure fading into the glow.
Asuna, glancing around, noticed someone entering the second floor. She watched as Kirito's image disappeared into the light, a fleeting glimpse of determination and solitude. The door closed behind him, leaving the players to their victory and the promise of new challenges ahead.