Kapitel 320: -316- My "Battle"
Thirty minutes later, the battle against the 26th-floor training area boss began. Of course, it wasn't the entire clearing group launching the attack, but just over a dozen players clad in red and white knight uniforms.
The clearing group members stood on a hill that offered a clear view of the boss battle, observing as the small group of players challenged the massive training area boss. The scene of these players charging towards the boss amidst its roaring cries left a strong impression on the onlookers.
"Seems quite chaotic."
"Just a few players trying to take on the 26th-floor training area boss? It's almost a joke."
"Even if this boss is relatively manageable, not everyone can defeat it, right?"
"Is it really necessary to attract attention like this to prove themselves?"
"Exactly."
The clearing group players shared these sentiments, creating a bustling atmosphere on the hill.
Zahard continued to smirk, seemingly looking forward to the potential misfortune of Knights of the Blood Oath, as he crossed his arms with a smug expression.
Amidst this situation, Kirito, Agil, and Klein gathered around Rozen.
"Rozen, can we really just leave it to Knights of the Blood Oath?" Klein asked earnestly, "This is the first boss battle since the 25th floor. It might turn out like the 25th floor incident. Even if it's a training area boss and not a floor boss, shouldn't we get involved?"
"I agree," Agil chimed in, supporting Klein's point. "At the very least, we should be closer to the battlefield."
"I think the same way," Kirito said with great concern. "So that if something were to happen we can help them immediately."
Clearly, the others were skeptical about Knights of the Blood Oath taking on the training area boss alone.
However, Rozen continued to gaze ahead at the battlefield and calmly responded, "No need to worry. Let's just watch quietly."
With that, Rozen adopted a silent stance, leaving Kirito, Agil, and Klein no choice but to gaze at the battle ahead.
Even from this distance, the appearance of the training area boss was unsettling. Its massive size and thunderous roars sent shivers down their spines, shaking the air around them.
As Argo had once said, the boss was described as an elephant, but that description hardly did it justice. Covered in brown fur and sporting sharp tusks, it resembled more of a mammoth.
The mammoth let out a bellow and charged toward the players of Knights of the Blood Oath, who boldly faced it under the command of the elegant swordswoman.
Though it wasn't swift, as Argo's information had suggested, it was cumbersome. But if struck by its massive body or sharp tusks, the danger was undeniable.
In addition, as it charged, the mammoth secreted a sticky substance from its fur, covering its surroundings. Anyone who stepped on it would become immobilized, and its long trunk flailed like a whip, shattering rocks, trees, and dirt. Players couldn't approach it.
Nevertheless, disregarding all hesitation, Asuna commanded her guild members to strike from behind. Under her lead, they charged into the battle with their swords raised and their fearlessness on display.
Facing the mammoth's sticky secretion, these players stepped on it directly. With their incredible strength, they managed to free their feet in less than a second. Several shield-wielding tanks took the brunt of the mammoth's trunk, while other players flanked around to attack from behind, coordinating their sword skills for a collective output.
Normally, such direct use of sword skills on a massive target would be effective due to its size, as there was little worry about weapon collisions. However, high damage output risked transferring aggro to the attacker, a situation they desperately wanted to avoid.
Yet, Asuna showed no hesitation. She confidently ordered her guild members to output damage from behind.
In the midst of this frenzied attack, the mammoth roared in anger and diverted its attention as expected, preparing to counterattack. However, as it turned, it stepped on the sticky substance it had secreted earlier, effectively immobilizing itself.
Of course, given the mammoth's size, its strength was immense. Within a second, it managed to free its foot from the sticky substance.
But during this time, the players of Knights of the Blood Oath had already withdrawn, allowing players wielding long-reach weapons to charge forward. They applied delaying sword skills while circling around to the boss's back, setting up for another round of output.
Surprisingly, the mammoth's bodily fluids were being utilized against itself under the control of Knights of the Blood Oath. It repeatedly stepped on its own secreted fluid, further slowing down its already sluggish movements, making it incapable of hitting the agile DPS players.
The mammoth's trunk attacks were blocked by players holding shields, rendering them ineffective.
"What... What is this technique!?"
"When did they figure out this strategy?"
"So cunning, isn't it!?"
On the hill, the clearing group players who witnessed the scene were all astonished, creating a cacophony of voices.
Zahard's smug expression had vanished since the beginning and he looked increasingly displeased.
No one had expected Knights of the Blood Oath to employ such a strategy to conquer the boss.
Especially Asuna. With the battle progressing smoothly, she abandoned her command post and dashed into the fray. Swift as a shadow, she swiftly moved forward with incredible speed and agility, avoiding the sticky substance on the ground and weaving left and right, her orange chestnut-colored hair flowing behind her. In a flash, her sword glowed brilliantly, transforming into a streak of light that struck the mammoth's nose with terrifying speed, causing the beast to howl in pain.
Seeing Asuna's sword skill, the players erupted in excitement once again.
"Th-that was a sword skill!?"
"So fast!"
"Like a shooting star!"
"No, it's more like a flash!"
"Exactly!"
"Flash!"
The players were all awestruck by the dazzling sword skill.
And this is how Asuna earned her subsequent nickname.
Her title was————"Flash."
And so, the dozen or so players of Knights of the Blood Oath maintained their high focus and spirit, skillfully maneuvering around the battlefield of the training area boss. By utilizing its own sticky substance and exploiting its slow movement, they prevented the boss from causing any significant trouble.
An hour and a half later, with a final, agonized scream from the boss, its remaining HP was depleted, and its massive body froze and shattered into pieces on the spot.
"Oooooh!"
Even though each player from Knights of the Blood Oath was exhausted from the highly concentrated battle, they still let out a spirited cheer.
Seeing this scene, the clearing group players collectively lost their ability to speak.
Including Kirito.
Including Agil.
Including Klein.
Of course, including Zahard.
Only Rozen, as if he had anticipated it all, exchanged a gaze with the swordswoman amidst the knights.
The girl who sheathed her sword locked eyes with Rozen directly, as if telling him,
"This is my 'battle'."
Rozen squinted his eyes and silently sighed to himself.
"What an idiot..."
That was his only evaluation.
Not for any other reason.
"It seems you've walked down another crooked path again..."
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein