Kapitel 264: -260- Manipulated
"Don't dirty someone else's hands?"
The girl's gaze beneath her hood was fixed tightly on Rozen.
Could it be that the man before her was suggesting...
"Didn't you want to give it your all and then fall?"
Just as the rapier girl's mind began to conjure up a certain idea, Rozen spoke without hesitation.
"Well, why not just expose the true culprit behind these crimes, confront them, either resolve the issue and give players peace, making a contribution, or let them take care of it by finishing you like you wanted."
This suggestion caused a slight wavering in the eyes concealed by the hood.
Confrontation?
Undoubtedly, this was a term completely unrelated to the girl's previous life.
But now, things were different.
"After all, the other party was a criminal and deserved to be brought to justice. Moreover, since you had been targeted by them, there was both a moral and practical reason to take action against them."
Rozen gazed at the girl, wearing an enigmatic smile as he continued.
"Or maybe you're not even willing to do that much struggling, preferring to let the situation play out, just to find relief and an excuse to surrender?"
Only at this point did Rozen's tone take on a hint of disdain and mockery.
However, this time, the rapier girl couldn't ignore it, her heart even kindling with anger.
The girl was already fifteen years old.
Yet, her life was constructed by a series of battles.
However, here the term "battle" didn't refer to wielding weapons against others, but rather challenges in life.
Due to her parents' excessively demanding expectations, the girl underwent a series of elite educations, intended to groom her into a remarkable talent. From the entrance exams of kindergarten onward, she faced trials of all sizes and magnitudes.
The girl didn't harbor any doubts or reservations about this; she mechanically followed her parents' arrangements and emerged victorious from these trials time and time again.
The notion was clear: one failure would render her a useless human being.
Guided by this conviction, the girl continued her efforts.
Yet, in her fifteenth year, her life of continuous battles came to an end.
Out of curiosity, she put on a game helmet that should have been used by her older brother, only intending to take a look at the virtual world. However, she ended up in a trial of the death game called "Sword Art Online."
But this time, the girl knew she couldn't win.
Because this was a domain she had never experienced.
Because this was knowledge she had never possessed.
While the victory condition was laid out before everyone—defeat the final enemy on the highest floor of Aincrad and completely clear the game—after a month of the game's launch, the first floor hadn't even been cleared yet.
It was important to note that, in this game, aside from the total novice like the girl, there were many gaming experts.
They had knowledge, they had skills, and they had the power to survive in this world. Yet, even now, they hadn't cleared the first floor.
The most frightening thing wasn't this, however.
The most terrifying aspect was that, after a month, numerous players had already reached zero HP and were permanently ejected from the stage of this world.
These players amounted to two thousand individuals.
Indeed.
In one month, a full one-fifth of the players had died.
And the participants in this game numbered only ten thousand.
A fifth of the people died in just one month?
Learning this, the girl in her room in the town of beginnings finally gave up hope.
Combined with the lack of rescue from outside the game, the girl finally realized.
Waiting inside for others to clear the game was nothing but a futile endeavor.
Everyone would die.
Some sooner, some later, but in the end, everyone would die.
Including herself.
The girl came to this realization.
Then...
Rather than fearing the future, dwelling in despair within her small, dark room, experiencing nightmarish dreams, it was better to leave, to step outside, to learn and train in combat as much as she could.
This was the girl's final choice.
If she eventually perished from exhaustion, at least she wouldn't regret her impulsive decision or lament the lost future.
With this belief, the girl left the inn, stepping beyond the virtual game's language she had no familiarity with, relying on her single sword technique she had mastered, struggling until now, arriving at the depths of the labyrinth zone.
And even in this situation, the girl didn't harbor any hope of conquering the game. She simply thought this way: Even if she were to perish at the hands of monsters, she absolutely didn't want to be defeated by the game, by this world. She gave it her all for this purpose.
Such was her determination that there was one phrase she absolutely couldn't bear to hear: to admit defeat. And so...
"Fine."
The girl lowered her head.
"I'll go."
This was the final decision of a girl who refused to surrender and constantly pushed herself beyond her limits.
Years later, whenever she recalled this moment, she would grit her teeth in frustration.
He completely manipulated me.
That would be a phrase she'd often utter in her future.
Labyrinth Zone, 17th Floor.
At this moment, within this floor, numerous players were gathering together. They battled monsters while remaining vigilant of their surroundings. This was a common formation adopted by player teams: while some engaged monsters, others kept watch to alert the group if other monsters approached.
However, this time, players were on guard not only against monsters but against other players as well.
Within the 17th floor of the Labyrinth Zone, there was a notorious player. This player ambushed groups engaged with monsters from behind, their equipment and level unknown due to the cloak concealing their appearance. It was a rapier user, requiring caution.
This rumor had spread within the Labyrinth Zone today.
Consequently, players couldn't afford to be careless. While hunting, they were more focused than usual, avoiding any sense of complacency.
Presumably, the moment an orange marker appeared in their field of view, these players would likely abandon the monsters and encircle the intruder, perhaps even launching an attack?
In such circumstances, Rozen and the rapier-wielding girl hid in a corner, observing the situation.
"Alright, don't get too close. Otherwise, players with the 'Searching' skill might spot us. We don't have the high-level 'Concealment' skill, you know?"
Rozen cautioned the rapier girl in a hushed voice.
The girl didn't offer any retort or resistance; she maintained her silence. Her face remained concealed beneath her hood, and she positioned herself within the shadows. Only her eyes were fixed intently on the player group ahead, while her hand rested on the hilt of her rapier at her waist.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein