Bab 293: -289- Not fake
To Asuna, everything in this world was fake.
The sky was fake.
The earth was fake.
Nature was fake.
Matter was fake.
Even the human body was an imagined virtual object, composed of data and files, much like the equations and formulas seen in books. No matter how complex or intricate the structure, it was all composed of numbers and letters, devoid of genuine substance.
In this world, there was only one thing that was real.
Death.
And so, Asuna could only strive for it.
While witnessing the downfall of the criminal rapier wielder, Asuna had once been lost in confusion. Yet, she still couldn't wholeheartedly believe that this world could be conquered one day and that players would eventually find liberation here.
In such a scenario, the reason Asuna continued to participate in the guardian boss strategy meetings was at best to replicate her previous mindset – to give her all regardless of the outcome.
As for whether the strategy would succeed and whether players could have hope, Asuna hadn't really contemplated.
Because...
"The guardian boss, which imprisoned ten thousand players for an entire month and led to the deaths of two thousand, is the strongest creature on the 1st Floor. Even if it can be conquered by sixty players, there will undoubtedly be numerous casualties."
That was Asuna's perspective.
In other words, Asuna had little confidence in the success of this strategy.
Especially after witnessing the division and conflicts between beta testers and regular players, her doubts intensified.
"If they can't even unite, how can they possibly conquer?"
Hence, Asuna had long prepared herself mentally.
She was prepared to give her all in this strategy battle, ready to face death without any regrets.
It was precisely due to this state of mind that Rozen's declaration during the strategy meeting had resonated strongly with Asuna.
"No casualties?"
Could it truly be achieved?
Asuna thought about asking Rozen this several times, but the words never left her lips.
However, Asuna knew.
"If this really is achievable, it must be akin to the miracles he's always talking about."
Thus, Asuna wanted to witness it.
To witness whether this was an illusion or a grandiose lie.
Given this, Asuna accepted the "Wind Fleuret" rapier that Rozen bestowed upon her. She even took it for enhancement. Otherwise, with Asuna's character, she wouldn't have accepted others' gifts without reason.
And now, although the guardian boss hadn't been defeated yet, not a single casualty had occurred.
But that was no longer important.
What mattered was the battle unfolding before Asuna, which deeply moved her.
"Haaaaaaa-----!"
The two youths, tightly gripping the only weapon they had, launching a challenge against an unbelievably powerful monster.
They were formidable.
Unlike other players who relied on the system's assistance to use sword skills, their swords seemed to integrate with their very beings. Every strike was swift, every move was heavy, as if each action had undergone the best optimization, devoid of any excess.
They were relentless.
Not like Asuna's desperate struggle that led to defeat, but as if they intended to use the weapon in their hands to forge a path forward. Whether it was the burning fighting spirit in their eyes or their resounding shouts, they conveyed to Asuna that they hadn't given up due to the current predicament and despair.
In this situation, the guardian boss, originally exceedingly powerful and even stronger after changing its attack pattern, was completely suppressed. Not only were its nodachi techniques constantly interrupted, but its body was accumulating wounds, causing its screams to echo continuously in the air, exuding a sense of desolation.
The two youths continued their relentless charge, using their slight figures to repeatedly repel, knock back, and bring down the massive Kobold Lord.
In this battle, Asuna felt a kind of intensity that couldn't be described merely with the term "strong."
It was a presence that exceeded measurements like strength and speed, something that conveyed a sense of a "different dimension."
What kind of presence was it?
"Spirit..."
Exactly.
Asuna sensed the spirit of the two youths in this battle.
Because of this, Asuna couldn't help but be moved.
"So, this is what true battle is..."
Initially, Asuna believed she had glimpsed into the battle of this world, understanding it through the sensation brought by the "Wind Fleuret" in her hand.
But now, she realized she was still inexperienced.
True battle wasn't just the collision of weapons, but the clash of convictions.
Only those with unwavering beliefs could keep advancing, expanding all pathways, and reaching the end of their dreams.
"This world isn't entirely fake..."
Even if their bodies were fake, players' spirits, enthusiasm, and souls still existed here.
The battle before her embodied this.
"This is true strength..."
A kind of strength that left players dumbfounded.
A kind of strength that moved Asuna.
Faced with this power, how could the guardian boss, left with only a small amount of HP, possibly withstand it?
At least, Asuna understood one thing.
This battle had been won.
"Gah…!"
The Kobold Lord seemed to realize its impending end, releasing its most desperate roar to date. It then lifted its nodachi, sweeping it in a half circle and positioning it directly below.
The glow of sword skills shimmered above.
It was a knock-up technique—〈Ukifune〉.
However, the use of this move had been anticipated by Rozen, who possessed the〈Mind's Eye〉.
"Saihou!"
Rozen called out loudly to his familiar.
"Gu!"
The Rainbow Flower Butterfly immediately flew in from afar, hovering above Illfang and sprinkling yellow phosphorescent powder.
"Roar…!?"
Illfang's entire body froze in place, entering a state of paralysis.
"Kirito!"
Rozen turned to his brother, who was closer to the boss.
Kirito didn't hesitate, rushing forward.
"Clang!"
The glow of sword skills radiated on the〈Anneal Blade+6〉.
It was a yellow-green sword skill glow.
Kirito hoisted his one-handed sword onto his right shoulder, kicking forcefully with his left foot against the ground, shooting forward like a bullet.
It was part of the〈Rage Spike〉series, though its range was shorter than〈Rage Spike〉. However, its acceleration was faster than〈Rage Spike〉, creating a charging technique called 〈Sonic Leap〉.
Thus, like a bullet, Kirito sped toward Illfang, who was readying a sword skill.
Soon, he swung the sword.
"Splat!"
As the slashing sound rang out, Illfang's inevitable final sliver of HP plummeted.
"————"
The Kobold Lord's body froze in the air, unable to move a fraction.
As for its body, it began to freeze into a blue color.
"Boom!"
Polygonal fragments burst, causing the massive body of the guardian boss to scatter in all directions.
In that instant...
[ You got the last attack. ]
This purple system message silently flickered, hanging in the air throughout the boss room.
The appearance of this message conveyed a single meaning.
They had succeeded in their battle.
"..."
In an instant, the entire room fell into silence.
Until shortly afterward...
"We... we did it!"
"We succeeded!"
The players' cheers resounded through the room.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone