บท 1789: -1769- Deception?
On the other side, Rozen naturally recognized the sword skill XaXa was using at this moment.
"Using Star Splash without system assistance, huh?"
As Rozen continued to retreat rapidly, he used his dagger to deflect the rapid residual glimmers of the attacks, blocking XaXa's thrusts.
However, XaXa's Star Splash seemed endless. After eight consecutive strikes, another set of eight immediately followed. Combo after combo, there was no stopping it.
This technique had already surpassed Asuna, even surpassing Kirito.
But in some ways, that was only natural.
"During the time I was imprisoned in the Black Iron Palace… every moment… I thought about nothing but revenge against you…!"
XaXa's raspy voice reached Rozen's ears as he launched countless sword strikes.
"Unable to earn money or experience points… unable to kill… unable to acquire any items… I… could only stay in the darkness… endlessly swinging my sword…!"
It was XaXa's only source of entertainment, the only thing he could do.
For half a year, or nearly an entire year, while imprisoned in the Black Iron Palace, XaXa had nothing to do but continuously practice sword skills.
As a result, XaXa had repeated the rapier's sword skills thousands, tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands or millions of times. Every move, every trajectory, and every ounce of strength had been completely etched into his body, memorized by his brain and nerves.
Thus, when XaXa said he was no longer the person he once was, it wasn't an exaggeration.
Now, XaXa's swordsmanship had grown several times or even dozens of times stronger than before. He could now easily execute all the sword skills he had once used, even without system assistance.
Frankly, XaXa's technical skill had reached a level where not even Kirito could match him—unless Kirito reclaimed the unique skill of Dual Blades.
And for XaXa, the reason for this achievement was singular:
"To kill you…!"
The rapier in XaXa's hand accelerated as though propelled by hatred, transforming into a chilling comet that sped towards Rozen, aiming for his vitals.
This strike was clean and precise. Even when observed through Mind's Eye, Rozen couldn't detect any flaws.
A perfect thrust, sharp and lethal, like a scorpion's stinger, darted toward Rozen's head.
"Splurt!"
The sound of flesh tearing finally echoed in the air.
The cold rapier grazed Rozen's cheek, leaving a wound.
The simulated effect of the injury splattered crimson-red mock blood, creating a dramatic scene.
At the last critical moment, Rozen tilted his head swiftly to avoid the lightning-fast thrust.
Still, due to his low AGI (Agility) and DEX (Dexterity), even though Mind's Eye had predicted the attack's trajectory, Rozen couldn't fully evade it. A gash was left on his cheek.
In the real world, this would have been a minor scratch.
But in the game, damage was damage. Rozen's HP bar trembled for the first time, showing a visible decrease.
"——!"
Rozen's gaze sharpened. The dagger in his hand spun reflexively, slicing forward like a crescent moon and slashing towards XaXa.
This sharp counterattack seemed to catch XaXa off guard. By the time he realized, the crescent arc of the dagger had already reached him.
"Splurt!"
A ripping sound pierced the air.
At the critical moment, XaXa relied on his instincts to dodge the dagger's fatal slash.
However, the uncovered part of XaXa's face—unprotected by his broken mask—was directly grazed, creating a simulated wound effect.
XaXa's HP bar also appeared, sliding downward.
In this intense close combat, both had managed to wound the other's cheek.
"You… bastard…!"
XaXa's voice carried a trace of anger.
And naturally so.
On the surface, it seemed like both had inflicted damage in equivalent locations—each on the other's cheek—indicating a draw. But to any expert, the truth was obvious: Rozen had the upper hand.
After all, XaXa was using a rapier, the weapon he was most skilled with. He had honed its techniques to a terrifying degree, surpassing even Kirito without Dual Blades.
On the other hand, Rozen was wielding a dagger—a weapon he wasn't particularly adept with—and couldn't even employ sword skills. Yet, relying solely on reflexes and incredible reactions, he managed to retaliate and trade blows with XaXa. It was clear who was stronger.
Rozen, however, paid no mind to such notions.
"If this is all you've got, you'd better just give up."
With that, Rozen stepped forward instead of retreating. Like an arrow released from its bow, he dashed towards XaXa at breakneck speed, closing the distance between them. The dagger in his hand gleamed as it slashed towards XaXa's throat.
From the fact that XaXa was a sniper, it was clear that his AGI (Agility) and DEX (Dexterity) weren't particularly high. Sniper rifles generally required a significant STR (Strength) investment to equip, so even if XaXa hadn't allocated all his points to STR, he was undoubtedly a Strength-type player.
This strike would be almost impossible for XaXa to dodge.
But just then…
"Buzz!"
XaXa's figure was suddenly enveloped in a mirage-like shimmer, as though cloaked in camo. His form fragmented like the shards of a kaleidoscope before vanishing completely.
"Whoosh—!"
The cold dagger slashed through empty air, its arc leaving a faint trail of light in the void.
XaXa's figure had completely disappeared.
"Optical camouflage, huh?"
Rozen immediately identified the technique.
It was the very ability XaXa relied on to avoid satellite scans—Optical Camouflage.
Undoubtedly, this was a power granted by XaXa's cloak.
Rozen had temporarily lost his target.
"You… are still as terrifying… as before…"
XaXa's voice echoed from all directions.
"But unfortunately… this isn't Aincrad… I now wield… a power… I didn't have back then…!"
As the words fell, a cold glimmer erupted from behind Rozen, thrusting towards his back like a lightning strike.
"Clang!"
A crisp sound rang out as Rozen spun around just in time to deflect the thrust with his dagger.
But that was just the beginning.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"
Residual glimmers from the rapier flashed from all directions, forming a storm of relentless thrusts, enveloping Rozen entirely.
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Rozen remained rooted in place, his dagger spinning and deflecting the relentless assault from all directions. The clash of steel echoed alongside bursts of sparks.
However, this left Rozen completely on the defensive, seemingly buried beneath the storm of attacks.
"Too bad… such a shame… it's such a shame you're holding a mere dagger… instead of your favored single-handed sword…!"
XaXa's voice rang out again.
"Tighten your nerves… grind your teeth… don't let your guard down…"
"Otherwise… if you die… you know the consequences…"
"For I am… Death Gun…!"
The implication in XaXa's words was clear.
"I will use this power… to kill you…"
"I will use this power that transcends the boundaries of worlds… to kill your in-game self… and then your real-world self…"
"You are doomed to die…!"
XaXa's raspy declaration echoed menacingly.
Possessing the ability to kill in the game, XaXa did not bother to conceal his murderous intent.
He completely failed to notice the cold calmness in Rozen's expression, even as he endured the onslaught of attacks. A hint of mockery even glimmered in his eyes.
"Do you really think I haven't seen through your little tricks?"
Rozen's voice carried an unmistakable edge of scorn.
"Power that transcends the boundaries of worlds?"
"You dare call it that?"
"You're an embarrassment to the Laughing Coffin!"
Rozen's words caused the flurry of thrusts to halt abruptly.
And that pause was enough.
"I saw through your deception long ago, you fool."
Rozen's voice rang out, clear and resolute.
"You can't kill anyone in this game."
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