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13.36% Miracle Summoner / Chapter 267: -263- That's enough

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.


next chapter

Bab 268: -264- That's all there is to it

"Clang!"

The collision, louder than any previous clash, reverberated like an echo as it dispersed along with the force of impact. Asuna's sword skill was deflected by a heavy-looking, yet faintly glowing, one-handed sword wielded by Rozen.

"Ugh..."

Asuna felt a strong force propel her, causing her to stumble back.

At that moment, Asuna finally saw the appearance of the intervening party.

Other than Rozen, who else could it be?

"Take a good look."

Without waiting for Asuna's questions, Rozen pointed behind him.

"If you had landed that attack and triggered a critical hit, it would have caused quite the trouble, wouldn't it?"

At his words, Asuna subconsciously followed Rozen's gesture and looked behind him.

There, the rapier user with the orange tag had collapsed.

"Gu!"

Rainbow Butterflies had flown to the head of the rapier user at some point, sprinkling layer upon layer of paralysis powder, making him moan in misery while slumping to the ground, unable to stand up.

Of course, Rozen wasn't referring to the rapier user himself, but to his HP gauge.

Perhaps due to not recovering from the damage sustained in his battle with Rozen, or maybe as a result of counterattacks while attacking other players, the rapier user's HP gauge was in a yellow state, decreased by more than half.

"Seems like he forgot to bring healing potions? He really doesn't value his life."

Rozen commented on the player's behavior with a fairly objective tone, which made Asuna shudder.

If her previous sword skill had really connected and triggered a critical hit, what would have happened to this poorly-equipped rapier user with more than half his HP gauge already depleted?

Thinking about it, Asuna felt a pain in her abdomen, an impulse that made her want to retch.

Observing Asuna's reaction, Rozen remained silent, merely turning to look at the players who were still frozen in place.

"Those of you over there, do you still have plans for the rest of the day?"

Rozen's sudden question prompted the players to respond almost reflexively.

"N-No... no plans..."

"Because of the presence of the player with the orange tag, we were planning to return to the safe zone earlier today..."

"Y-Yeah..."

Player after player answered.

"Is that so?" Rozen nodded and continued, "Well then, I leave this orange player to all of you. Escort him back to the town."

Once the orange player appeared in the town, the NPC guards would immediately arrest him and confine him in the town's prison, rendering him unable to move freely.

Wasn't this the best way to deal with criminals?

"U-Understood."

The players then stepped forward one by one, escorting the paralyzed rapier user away and taking him with them.

Presumably, when these players realized what they had done, they would feel extremely ashamed and angry, right?

To actually obediently follow the orders of the self-serving Beta Tester, it was beyond embarrassing.

However, that had nothing to do with Rozen.

Naturally, it also had nothing to do with Asuna.

Asuna just stared at the departing rapier user, lost in thought.

"Gu!"

Rainbow Butterflies also flew back to Rozen's shoulder, landing there.

Rozen then sheathed his weapon, putting the "Anneal Blade +8" into the red scabbard. He then turned his gaze towards Asuna.

"Too bad, it seems that the orange rapier user wasn't able to finish you off." Rozen said nonchalantly, "But that's alright. You can continue venturing into the labyrinth, fighting monsters until you're completely exhausted."

Rozen seemed completely uninterested in stopping Asuna and looked at her with an expression that seemed to peer into her innermost feelings, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.

If it were before, wouldn't Asuna have already left without looking back by now?

But now, after witnessing the fate of the rapier user, Asuna felt like she was plunged into confusion, her steps heavy, unable to move forward.

This made Asuna look at Rozen.

Seeing this person, who, like herself, was trapped in this world but didn't seem discouraged at all, who had a demeanor that was both lazy and unconventional, Asuna had one question.

"Why?"

Asuna couldn't help but ask.

"Why can you still be so carefree?"

Could it be that this person wasn't worried about never returning?

Could it be that this person wasn't afraid of dying?

That's what Asuna thought.

To this, Rozen had only one response.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Rozen shrugged his shoulders.

"Compared to what I went through before, this is already extremely gentle."

At his words, Asuna finally remembered.

"That's right..."

This person had mentioned it before, how he, just like her now, couldn't see hope or a future, struggling with all his might but had already accepted his end.

In the end, the reason he managed to survive was because...

"A miracle."

Rozen beat Asuna to the answer.

And he continued.

"If you still believe in it, then your approach shouldn't be recklessly charging forward until you're completely exhausted. Instead, you should consider how to continue surviving."

"As long as you can survive, someday, you'll undoubtedly achieve your desires."

"That's all there is to it."

With these words left behind, Rozen turned around and walked toward the exit of the 17th floor labyrinth.

Seeing this, Asuna opened her mouth, seeming like she wanted to say something, but nothing came out.

In this moment, Asuna was truly lost, not knowing what to do next.

This was Asuna's weakness.

The seemingly strong and cold-hearted girl had her past life planned out by others. She had followed the path set by her parents, never making her own decisions.

How could such a girl not feel lost?

Fortunately, someone showed her a clear path.

"I almost forgot to tell you."

Rozen turned his head as if remembering something and spoke to Asuna.

"In three days, a group of top players will hold a meeting in Tolbana Square to discuss strategies for the first-floor boss."

A strategic meeting...for the first-floor boss!?

Asuna immediately lifted her head.

Seeing her reaction, Rozen spoke with a slight smile.

"There are still many people who haven't given up hope and the future. So, they're gathering players everywhere, hoping to gather a sufficient number and quality of players to defeat the first-floor boss of Aincrad."

This was the information Argo had told Rozen, and it was also the reason she asked Rozen to help find Asuna.

"Whether you want to go or not is up to you."

With that, Rozen waved his hand and left.

Leaving Asuna standing there alone.

"Three days..."

Asuna murmured, tightening her grip on her weapon. Finally, she started walking again.

However, this time, Asuna wasn't acting to exhaust herself. She was preparing to rest for the upcoming boss battle in three days.

By the way, before this, Asuna had already spent nearly two days exploring the labyrinth.

During this time, she hadn't returned to safe zone even once.


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