-285- It's your turn

"Clang!"

"Clang!"

"Clash!"

"Roar!"

"Ha!"

In the vast room, the sounds of flashing sword techniques, clashing steel, monster roars, and player shouts echoed continuously, persisting without end.

As the closed beta players' team was replaced, the team of regular players found themselves somewhat caught off guard, even though they managed to intercept the pursuit of Floor Guardian Boss Illfang.

This was only natural.

During the closed beta testing period, they had dealt with a First floor Guardian Boss once before. The closed beta testers had coordinated to control Illfang's aggro seamlessly. While Agil's team wasn't composed of closed beta testers, they still perfectly fulfilled the role of tanks. They simply blocked the boss's attacks, avoiding any other actions, allowing the closed beta players to deplete the boss's HP without much danger.

However, the regular players were different.

Facing a Floor Guardian Boss for the first time, combined with their lack of experience in coordinating with such a large group of players, their teamwork was somewhat awkward and unpolished compared to the seasoned closed beta players. This led to aggro shifting several times, with a few damage dealers who couldn't maintain the rhythm attracting aggro and causing chaos.

If this had happened during the closed beta phase when players were typically only at levels 5-7, these moments of chaos could have led to a failed raid.

Fortunately, due to the SAO death game mechanics, players had focused on leveling up to survive, resulting in the average level of top guild players being around level 10. This allowed them to withstand Illfang's attacks and prevent outright defeat.

So, after a few moments of close calls, the regular players eventually grasped the rhythm of coordination, effectively chipping away at the Floor Guardian Boss's HP.

Diabel observed this situation and felt much more assured.

(If things continue like this...)

Diabel thought.

Afterward, there were several rotations between the closed beta players and the regular players.

Whenever the tank team's HP gauge was in danger, they would immediately retreat along with the damage dealers and support team. The other team of players would switch in to intercept the Floor Guardian Boss's attacks.

In this manner, Illfang's HP gauge was finally depleted of three bars, leaving it with only the fourth bar.

During this time, each time the Floor Guardian Boss's HP gauge was depleted by one bar, three Kobold Sentinels would emerge, only to be intercepted by the remaining three teams.

But regarding the Kobold Sentinels, It doesn't matter...

The most important target was the Floor Guardian Boss—Illfang-The Kobold Lord.

(I have to be the one to kill it.)

This was Diabel's ultimate goal.

Currently, it was the team of closed beta players that was chipping away at Illfang's fourth HP bar.

However, that was alright.

At the current pace, when Illfang's fourth HP bar reached the halfway point in the yellow zone, the team of closed beta players would be switched out, replaced by Diabel's team.

(At that point, I'll bring the boss's HP into the red zone all at once.)

Then, it would be Diabel's turn to take the stage.

(I need to take the last hit.)

Diabel thought.

If the team of closed beta players were the ones to push the boss into a desperate situation, naturally, Diabel wouldn't propose a switch; that would be kill-stealing.

But if it was the team of regular players that pushed the boss into a desperate situation, Diabel could legitimately claim the last hit on the Floor Guardian Boss.

(I will be the winner.)

Diabel affirmed this to himself.

However, at that moment...

"It's your turn, Saihou."

A calm voice rang out next to Diabel.

That voice informed Diabel of what was about to happen next.

"Gu!"

Accompanied by a pleasant cry, a streak of light flew towards the Layer Guardian Boss's direction.

The source of the light was a butterfly flapping its wings, possessing high speed and the ability to sprinkle phosphorescent powder.

Seeing this scene, Diabel's expression finally changed. He turned his head quickly to look beside him.

There, Rozen, holding the "+8 Anneal Blade," gave a command casually.

"Paralysis Powder."

With a simple command, the rainbow butterfly responded immediately with a chirp.

Even though in SAO, familiars could only understand a few specific commands and sometimes acted on their own, Rainbow Butterfly perfectly understood Rozen's instruction. It flew above Eilfang and scattered yellow phosphorescent powder.

"Zap...!"

A sound like an electric shock seemed to emerge from Illfang.

"R-ahh...!"

The Kobold Lord suddenly stiffened, and in the midst of a cry, fell to the ground.

A lightning-like effect surrounded the frame of his HP gauge.

Naturally, this was the status effect of paralysis.

"Now's the chance!"

Seeing this, Kirito, who was surrounding the Layer Guardian Boss, was the first to react and shouted loudly.

"Everyone, use your sword skills!"

Upon hearing his words, everyone in the closed beta player team reacted.

"Haaaahhh ...!!!!"

Amidst furious roars, all the players charged forward.

Led by Kirito, the damage dealers unleashed their strongest sword skills, continuously striking the paralyzed Illfang.

Even the tank players, led by Agil, abandoned their shields and equipped double-handed battle axes, delivering heavy blows to Eilfang.

Even the players in the long weapon support team shouted in unison and joined in, using sword skills.

"Roar!"

After a burst of attacks, Illfang finally emitted a painful groan. His HP gauge rapidly decreased, reaching the yellow zone in one breath.

At this point, none of the closed beta player team's HP gauges were in dangerous red, and it wasn't time to switch out.

"Roar!"

Illfang's paralysis state only lasted a few seconds before immediately dissipating, allowing him to stand up.

After all, he was a Guardian Boss-level monster, possessing high resistance to abnormal states. Even paralysis skills could only immobilize him for a few seconds, and Rainbow Butterfly's "Paralysis Powder" was still on cooldown, preventing its immediate use.

However, Rozen issued another command.

"Blinding Powder."

Under this simple instruction, the rainbow butterfly scattered phosphorescent powder once again.

This time, the powder it scattered wasn't yellow but black.

This black phosphorescent powder landed on Eilfang's face, causing him to feel a sudden darkness before losing all of his vision.

"Rahhh!"

Illfang immediately panicked, wildly swinging his weapon but failing to hit anything.

The closed beta player team was overjoyed at the sight, once again launching their sword skills without reservation, significantly reducing Eilfang's HP.

Due to the blindness state, even with the significant damage inflicted, Illfang's aggro remained uncertain, exposing a weakness of blindness.

"Not good!"

Seeing this, Diabel's eyes widened, and he became thoroughly anxious.