Bab 267: -263- That's enough
"Clang!"
The collision of steel against steel resonated clearly in the surroundings.
The two rapier users were like legendary warriors from various tales and novels, ceaselessly wielding their weapons in a battle that turned the sounds of clashes into pleasing musical notes, echoing in all directions.
Watching this scene, the players who had just been treated as prey finally reacted.
"No... regardless, let's go help first!"
"Isn't that female player the one from the rumors? She wasn't the orange player who attacked other players."
"But it's also possible that both of them are criminals who attack players!"
"So, let's surround those two and prevent them from doing anything else!"
The players were making decisions as if in agreement and were preparing to move forward.
However...
"Don't move!"
Rozen stood in front of the battlefield where the two rapier users were clashing, blocking all the players who were ready to step forward.
"This doesn't concern you. Just watch from the sidelines."
Rozen issued this instruction without hesitation, his gaze sharper than ever.
"Gu!"
Rainbow Butterfly also flew in front of Rozen, flapping its wings and scattering phosphorescent powder, as if it would pounce on anyone who dared to come forward.
It had to be said that Rozen's display truly intimidated those players.
Even if he usually appeared lazy and careless, Rozen was still the person known as the strongest and most outstanding Master. He had commanded and directed various heroes from myth and legend, silently exuding a lot of leadership qualities.
In such a situation, even if this group of ordinary players were at the top of the hierarchy in this world, they were still just regular people. How could they act freely in the face of Rozen's overwhelming aura?
As a result, each and every player froze in place, not daring to move.
Rozen then turned his gaze back to the center of the battlefield.
Although it was a fierce battle that unfolded before him, the situation was almost completely one-sided.
In terms of technique, Asuna was nearly impeccable. Even if she didn't use sword skills, she didn't panic, and her rapier under inhuman speed left behind trails, parrying the incoming attacks time and time again, avoiding significant HP loss.
Compared to Asuna, while the criminal rapier user's abilities were also decent, whether it was the completion of sword skills, the agility of movements, or the stability of footwork and direction, he was far from matching Asuna.
As a result, unless the opponent's level or equipment greatly surpassed Asuna's, she had almost no chance of losing.
In fact, the criminal rapier user's equipment and level were not particularly high. It seemed that due to his obsession with attacking players, his proficiency was low, and his weapon wasn't high-performance either. Only his skill proficiency seemed to be quite good, which was how he could display such high strength.
Asuna's level and equipment didn't seem to be high either. After all, she had just left the starting town's inn and hadn't replaced her equipment. The reason she had made it to the labyrinth area was likely due to the journey and not actually much time spent as an active player, probably around half a month?
In other words, the level and equipment gap between the two rapier users was almost negligible.
So, the only factor left to consider the difference in their strengths was their skills.
And Asuna's skill was far superior to the other rapier user's.
Therefore, logically speaking, the rapier user shouldn't have been able to defeat Asuna.
However, at the moment, despite the overwhelmingly one-sided situation, it was Asuna who was falling behind, not the criminal rapier user.
The reason is quite simple.
Asuna was only focusing on defense; she never once directed her weapon towards the rapier user. No, it's not that she couldn't, but it's because she fundamentally resisted pointing her weapon at a living person.
On the other hand, the rapier user, though lacking in skill and unremarkable in equipment, showed no hesitation in inflicting harm. Almost every strike he made targeted Asuna's vulnerabilities, aiming for her throat, heart, abdomen, eyes, and more. He relentlessly attacked her weak points.
With this repeated pattern, even though Asuna had the highest skill, prolonged defense would lead to failure. Her body couldn't avoid being repeatedly slashed by the sharp weapon.
Before long, despite Asuna successfully blocking attacks to vulnerable areas, the rapier user's weapon cut through her thigh, side, armpit, arm, and even her cheek. Effectual scars appeared across Asuna's body.
Naturally, Asuna's HP was continuously decreasing in this situation.
90%...
80%...
70%...
It dropped below 50% fairly quickly, turning her HP gauge yellow.
Even in this state, Asuna's HP gauge kept decreasing.
Until it reached the red zone.
"Haha...! Hahahaha...!"
Seeing this, the rapier user finally descended into an irrational fit of maniacal laughter, laughing while launching even more frenzied attacks.
"Die...! Die...! Die...! In the end, everyone will die...!"
The rapier user had spiraled into madness.
And Asuna was stunned.
"Everyone will die...?"
Indeed.
Wasn't that something she had always believed before?
In the end, everyone would die.
So...
"You're going to be one of the first!"
The rapier user's madness completely consumed him as he roared desperately.
Hearing this, Asuna finally understood.
"This person is... the same..."
Like her, trapped in this world with no hope or future in sight, he had collapsed completely, losing his sense of self and becoming a crazed criminal.
Initially, Asuna thought this rapier user was the same as those players who turned to robbery after running out of money, attacking players to extract the col they needed.
But that was wrong.
The reason this rapier user had fallen to this state was simply because...
"He's given up on himself..."
Just like Asuna.
So, the question arose...
"Will I also become like this someday?"
The answer wouldn't be denied.
Because as long as Asuna continued to sink into this kind of despair, in the end, she would either die at the hands of monsters or, like this rapier user, experience a complete mental breakdown.
By then, would she still be herself?
"No!"
Asuna raised her head forcefully.
"I absolutely refuse to become like you!"
Asuna finally began to fight back.
"Haaaah!"
After blocking the incoming rapier strike, this time Asuna didn't retreat. Instead, as if challenging the path she had denied in front of her, she took a step forward, rushing toward the rapier user.
"Clang!"
The effect of her sword skill flashed on Asuna's weapon.
Even amidst the fierce battle, Asuna had managed to prepare her sword skill's movements and executed it successfully, turning her rapier into a shooting star that flashed forward.
"What...!?"
The rapier user widened his eyes.
Facing an attack that even Rozen had to be amazed by, the rapier user was completely caught off guard.
The tip of the rapier aimed straight for his chest, like an aurora shooting upwards.
This strike, if it connected, would be a critical hit, dealing astonishing damage.
Unfortunately, the strike didn't hit successfully.
"Alright, that's enough."
At this point, a voice without a hint of tension intervened.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone