-344- Let's give it a try

The situation suddenly reversed.

Looking at Rozen with a half-smile and Kirito smiling calmly, leaving aside the rest, at least PoH understood.

He had been tricked. That's just how it was. "Turnabout is fair play." How many times could this saying be used in this confrontation?

Originally, Rozen was prepared to take advantage of the moment when the Laughing Coffin was recruiting new members to eliminate the threat and danger of the Orange Guild. He had sent all the members of the clearing group to various floors to execute tasks while he came alone to the 35th floor, entering this labyrinth forest to cut off all external communication.

But PoH realized this and thought that Rozen was trying to lure him into a trap. He believed Rozen had come here alone, thinking that he wouldn't personally take action, and thus he brought the two highest-ranking members of the Laughing Coffin with him to eliminate Rozen. Yet, Rozen's true plan was different.

To draw PoH out, Rozen intentionally led the clearing group away, making himself appear to be in danger.

This was what Rozen truly intended to do. He knew that unless he went to such lengths, PoH who had made countless players fall into madness and leading the Orange players to become joyous killers, will never appear.

Now, Rozen's plan succeeded. In this labyrinth forest where they couldn't leave or send messages for help, the infamous highest-ranking members of the killing group would meet their demise.

Rozen and Kirito didn't need to express this, but their silent gaze conveyed their determination.

This left PoH silent. Only then did the other two killers finally speak.

"Who cares if he's the 'Magus' or the 'Black Swordsman'!"

The one who spoke with sharp tones was Johnny Black, the user of the poison-coated daggers. He seemed unable to bear Rozen and Kirito's provocations any longer and nervously spoke out loud.

"Just two people, yet they're so arrogant. Boss, let's show them what we're made of!"

As Black said this, he tightened his grip on his blade, his eyes filled with madness fixed on Rozen, ready to charge at any moment.

Apart from Black, Sasa, the user of the rapier, also stepped forward.

"Kill them... all..."

XaXa's voice sounded hoarse, almost like an undead creature without flesh, uttering low and unclear words.

"Cowardly ones who only fight monsters... is no match... against us..."

His words implied that players like Rozen and Kirito, who usually didn't engage in player-versus-player combat but instead fought against monsters, were no match for the highest-ranking members of the Red Guild, who specialized in hunting players.

And that was indeed the case.

While members of the clearing group were experts in tackling boss monsters, their experience with player-versus-player combat was limited. Even among monsters, those with humanoid forms were still ultimately monsters, lacking tactics and strategy, and could only follow predetermined programming. These differences meant they couldn't be compared.

XaXa's intention was to convey this point. Furthermore, even if Rozen and Kirito had been calculated, the situation wasn't too bad as long as they were the only opponents. Wasn't this what Black and XaXa wanted to express?

However...

"Is that really so?"

Rozen closed his eyes, smiled slightly, and then suddenly opened his eyes.

"Then let's give it a try!"

As his words fell...

"Thud!"

Rozen stomped his foot, and he shot forward like an arrow released from a bow.

Even though there were three of the most powerful and vicious killers ahead, Rozen fearlessly initiated the attack.

"...!?"

"Bastard...!"

"Kill...!"

PoH, Black, and Sasa didn't seem to expect Rozen to strike first. They were initially surprised, then immediately became furious, raising their weapons.

"Gu!"

"Gu!"

At this moment, Saichou and Hanachou also flew over.

"Haa!"

Kirito, just as determined, planted his foot in the mud and dashed forward, flipping his black leather coat.

In that very instant, all the top members of the strongest guilds on the surface and underground burst into action.

A fierce battle erupted in the next second.

...

"Rozen-nii...!?"

Seeing Rozen engaging in a fierce battle with the most vicious guild, Silica panicked and almost subconsciously wanted to step forward.

"Chu!"

Pina quickly bit down on the edge of Silica's clothes, stopping her.

Because Silica absolutely couldn't intervene in this fight. The battle that unfolded there involved players who were at the top of SAO, ranking among the top ten among the existing thousands of players. They were practically at the pinnacle of this world.

Facing this group of players, who were causing an all-out and ruthless battle, Silica, who was only level 45, would definitely be caught in the crossfire if she approached, becoming a meaningless sacrifice.

Therefore, Silica couldn't step forward, and even if she did, she wouldn't make any difference.

"Pina...!"

Silica realized this and stopped her steps, hugging Pina tightly and closing her eyes.

Facing the brutal fight unfolding before her, Silica was completely helpless and dared not look. After all, this girl was only thirteen years old, and the sight of the battle presented before her was something she couldn't accept at her age.

Silica could only close her eyes, hide behind a tree, and pray for Rozen.

"Please, don't lose... Rozen-nii...!"

As Silica prayed in this way, Pina in her arms stuck out its tongue, gently licking Silica's cheek in a comforting manner.

As for Rosalia, she had already abandoned her subordinates and fled long ago.

But where could she escape to?

Since she had already tangled with the leader of the clearing group and had been exposed, Rozen could easily have her wanted with just a word afterwards.

At that time, Rosalia, who had lost her subordinates, would only end up in prison.

After all, Rosalia was just a minor character.

The real big players were just about to come into play.