บท 1786: -1766- [ Red-Eyed XaXa ]
On the other side, when Death Gun appeared on the screen and entered everyone's sight, it caused a visible reaction—especially among Asuna and her group, who all stood up immediately.
There was no helping it.
"A black cloak… a skull mask…"
Kirito stared intently at the cloaked figure on the screen.
"Is he one of the remnants of Laughing Coffin…!?"
Klein raised his voice without realizing it, his fists clenching tightly.
"That's…"
Leafa, Lis, Silica, and Sachi all held their breath.
Although they had never seen members of Laughing Coffin before, as experienced Full-Dive users, they could sense something unusual emanating from Death Gun.
It wasn't something an ordinary player could exude.
For most players, a virtual world was ultimately just a game. However, the survivors of SAO understood that the virtual world held a level of reality, where the mental and emotional investments—and even attitudes—could carry significant weight. In other words, they had truly lived in the virtual world, treating it as a second life.
Players who had genuinely lived in the virtual world were fundamentally different from those who saw it as a mere pastime. Although others might not notice the distinction, SAO survivors and top-tier players could easily detect it.
Death Gun, however, carried an even stronger and darker aura.
The players of Laughing Coffin were more than just serious participants in the virtual world—they prioritized it over the real world, pouring their deepest obsessions and fixations into it.
Such individuals, whose twisted personalities led them to join Laughing Coffin as cold-blooded murderers, were often social outcasts in reality who sought twisted freedom and pleasure in the virtual realm.
Thus, ironically, Laughing Coffin members were more serious about living in the virtual world than regular SAO players. However, their survival was built upon the suffering of others, deriving pleasure from causing pain.
Now, everyone present could feel that oppressive aura emanating from Death Gun.
Previously, when Rozen mentioned that Death Gun was a remnant of Laughing Coffin and had found a way to continue committing crimes, many had hoped he was mistaken.
But now, upon seeing Death Gun's figure, no one could deny the truth.
The man confronting Rozen at this moment was indeed one of the remnants of Laughing Coffin, a player-killer guild infamous for its atrocities in SAO.
Within Crimson Wing, there were quite a few players who had fought against Laughing Coffin. Upon seeing Death Gun, their expressions turned grim.
"Hey, don't you think that guy seems… familiar?"
"You feel that too?"
"That atmosphere… could it be…?"
"No way…"
The members of Crimson Wing seemed to realize something, their faces growing pale and uneasy.
Meanwhile, those who had not participated in SAO but had joined Crimson Wing later in ALO looked confused, unsure of the situation.
"Agil," Asuna turned toward Agil, who was tending the bar.
"Got it. I'll go calm them down a bit," Agil nodded, stepping out from behind the counter to address the players.
The others, however, remained focused on Rozen—or rather, on the confrontation unfolding between the two figures.
"Papa…"
Yui's face was filled with worry.
Even though she had been reassuring Asuna earlier, deep down, Yui was clearly concerned.
After all, she was still a child. Her emotional stability program had nearly collapsed during SAO, so it was impossible for her to remain entirely calm in this situation.
Asuna realized this and silently blamed herself for being too preoccupied with Rozen's situation to notice Yui's feelings.
As the adult and the mother, it was her responsibility to comfort and reassure everyone.
Although Asuna had found satisfaction in her current peaceful life after escaping SAO, becoming gentler and more composed, people should not forget that she was once the Flash, the vice-commander of Knights of the Blood Oath, second only to Crimson Wing. She was a strong, unyielding girl who never backed down from reality.
This unshakable resolve made Asuna the unquestionable vice-commander of Crimson Wing.
In the past, this position had belonged to Kirito. However, after Asuna joined, Kirito voluntarily stepped aside.
After all, while Kirito surpassed Asuna in raw combat ability, he was far less skilled in managing teams or guilds. Compared to Asuna, Kirito couldn't even match Klein, who once led Fuurinkazan, or Agil, who had his own fixed team in SAO. Without Rozen, Kirito would likely have remained a lone wolf in SAO.
With this understanding, Asuna began to steady her emotions.
"There's no need to worry too much."
Asuna cast her gaze across the group and spoke with conviction.
"We should trust Rozen and leave this to him."
Her words left everyone momentarily stunned before their expressions turned serious, nodding resolutely in agreement.
"You're right, Mama," Yui looked at Asuna, taking a deep breath before nodding as well. "Papa will be okay."
"Exactly." Asuna held Yui in her arms, speaking gently. "Papa will be fine."
That much should be undeniable.
After all, Laughing Coffin had once been the largest and most fearsome PK guild in SAO. They killed countless players and posed a significant threat, even rivaling the efforts of the clearing group. And yet, Rozen had hunted them all down, leaving none behind.
How could someone like him possibly lose to a mere remnant of Laughing Coffin?
"Stay safe…"
Asuna's eyes stayed locked on Rozen as he confronted Death Gun, silently praying for the one she cherished most—the man she saw as both her lover and her future partner.
Inside the guild hall, the players collectively fell silent, their eyes fixed on the screen as the atmosphere grew heavy.
---
In the abandoned city, at the central square.
As if sensing the prayers from another world, Rozen slightly raised his head, glancing at the sky. His eyes flickered for a moment.
"Don't worry…"
Muttering softly, as though speaking to someone, Rozen returned his gaze to his opponent—the cloaked figure standing before him.
Then, Rozen spoke.
"What should I call you?"
His voice was calm yet commanding.
"Sterben?"
"Death Gun?"
"Or perhaps…"
Rozen's lips curled into a faint, knowing smile.
"Red-Eyed XaXa."
That name made the cloaked figure snap his head up.
In his eyes, a noticeable shift emerged.
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