(Sure enough, I had a little guess when I heard the name.)
(Yes, you too...)
In the brief exchange of eyes, Kirito and Diaber had already confirmed the fact that both of them were former closed beta players.
As early as the closed beta period, someone had the habit of "tail sword". In other words, "tail sword" is the habit of all solo players, but Kirito's methods and skills are superior.
As for Diaber, he probably guessed his identity from Kirito's character name, so he wanted to take action first.
It's just that they all forgot that the current game may not be the same as the closed beta period.
“Drink ah ah ah!!!”
"Aha--!!"
Screaming, the two weapons almost simultaneously penetrated the monster with remaining health.
Seeing this scene, the team behind them all cheered excitedly.
However, what surprised the two of them was that the prompt for successfully clearing the floor did not appear, let alone the props that appeared after killing the boss.
(This situation is wrong——!!!)
Kirito, who was the first to notice the problem, changed his expression again and again, and shouted towards Diaber on the other side.
"Diabell! Get out of here quickly!"
"——!?"
In front of the two of them, the stone slab carved with rings continued to rotate and rise, and smoke rose immediately, as if something was forming.
In a few breaths, a monster with a crown in the middle of the horns, even bigger than the previous boss, appeared in front of everyone.
Along with the six blood bars, its name also appeared at the same time.
——"Taurus King Asterius" is also the real floor boss.
…
Taking loud steps with each step, the Taurus King discovered that there was a human being at his feet and roared loudly, and the huge sound waves impacted everyone's eardrums.
At the same time, the Taurus monster, which was impaled by the two men, also raised its weapon again and entered a bloody state of rage.
——Been flanked!
This idea suddenly appeared in Kirito's mind, and he fell into a desperate situation due to a 'misjudgment', and it was difficult to rescue him because he was too far away from his team.
Despair welled up in my heart.
…
"elder brother!!!"
Behind the team, seeing Kirito in danger, Suguha couldn't help but scream.
But before her voice rang out, someone had already reacted faster.
"Uncle, please lend me your shield!"
Seeing his team members in danger, Heathcliff showed no emotion at all. If someone looked carefully, they could even see that he was smiling with his lips pursed.
Just the sudden sound in his ears startled him slightly.
Looking at the black-haired girl who landed lightly on his giant shield, their eyes met for an instant, and then quickly separated.
(…oh.)
Using the shield as a platform, Yuuki jumped up high and struck the head of the silk-blooded golden bull monster that was about to attack the two of them.
The health bar finally returned to zero, and the Taurus monster that was mistaken for the boss turned into pieces and disappeared into the air.
"Really, if you die, Xiao Zhi will definitely be sad."
"Remember, you both owe me your life."
"——!"
The black-haired girl, who turned her back to the two of them and faced the real boss, made a confident declaration.
"Then, the training is almost done, it's time to bring this strategy to an end."
On the raised sword, the light of sword skill charge flashed.
After accompanying his team in the rear areas for so long, it was time for him to take action.
Looking at the girl who came to the rescue with complicated expressions, Kirito and Diaber also knew that now was not the time to talk nonsense.
After a brief thank you, the two quickly returned to their positions, and Mr. Knight again commanded the team to start the strategy.
This time, there was finally no accident. With everyone's cooperation and fierce attack, as the crown was shattered, the Taurus King finally fell to the cheers of the players.
Not long after breaking through the first level, the second level was also successfully cleared by the player.
The fire of hope was rekindled.
And this time, everyone also remembered the team that was active on the front line of the strategy and was composed entirely of female players.
Especially the girl who, as the captain, behaves rather boyishly.
After passing through the steps on the second floor, the third floor of "Aincrad" that appeared in front of you did not change much from what Yuuki had seen during the closed beta period.
It is still a floor dominated by forests and villages.
Not long ago, the battle report that the frontline team conquered the second floor was quickly passed on to the players waiting outside the maze area. I believe everyone will know this exciting news soon.
After declining the invitations from Diabell and others one after another, Yuuki and the others decided to continue their adventure as a team.
…
"Everyone, I leave it to you, Xiaozhi."
At the entrance of the third floor, Kirito solemnly expressed his request to everyone in Yuuki's team.
Although he wanted to stay by his sister's side and protect her, since he had agreed to the man joining his guild, the young swordsman didn't want to give up halfway.
Maybe they will be truly safe only if they conquer this game one day early.
Without hesitation, all five people accepted the request.
"Well, so are you, brother. Don't try to show off your strength."
Knowing that the separation was imminent, Suguha's mood was not very high, and she asked with some worry.
If Yuuki hadn't reacted quickly in the previous battle, the consequences would still make her body feel a little cold.
"……ah."
Kirito responded softly and turned around as he was about to leave, but he heard Yuuki's voice ringing in his ears.
"Kirito, do you still like this world now?"
"...!"
He turned around in surprise, as if he had heard this question somewhere before.
Gradually, a shadow from a certain memory appeared on the black-haired girl's body.
"——You are!"
【"I hope you won't be too surprised when we meet again next time."】
Recalling what 'he' said, did that really mean this...
At this time, all the doubts in Kirito's mind were cleared.
(Maybe, Suguha doesn’t need her own protection at all.)
Smiling in relief, the young man raised his head slightly and answered the question.
"dislike."
Turning around and leaving, his heavy steps relaxed a lot.
"But I don't hate it either."
"..."
…
As the news spread, more and more groups entered the third level. Players could finally set up a guild and officially go on adventures as a group. This also confirmed what Kayaba Akihiko said in the interview, "Aingar
"Lante's" adventure is a prophecy that officially begins on the third level.
Among them, the one who made a name for himself in the second floor boss battle was the first to establish a guild called the "Holy Dragon Union" headed by the knight Diaber, and there was also the "Ain" headed by a player named Xinka.
"Grant Liberation Team", and the "Knights of the Blood Alliance" established by a player named Heathcliff who emerged from it, etc.
In addition to these large guilds, many small guilds have also sprung up and begun to make their mark.
Among them, there is a small guild that all players are talking about.
That was the only team of female players active on the front line.
name is.
——"Arcadia"
With a girl and a sword as its flag, according to its president, it means a utopia built for girls with freedom and adventure.
At this point, the strategy for Aincrad has also opened a new chapter. (To be continued)