-410- [ The Fatal Scythe ]

In that split second, Rozen saw it clearly.

Several meters ahead, at the right-angle intersection of the other passage that crossed the one Rozen was on, there appeared a marker.

It was a red marker.

In other words, there was a monster hiding there.

That alone wouldn't be a cause for Rozen's strong reaction. If it were just like the monsters they had encountered in this labyrinth before, it wouldn't be worth such a response from Rozen.

The reason for Rozen's heightened reaction was only one thing.

It was the color of the marker.

Depending on a player's level, the color of the monster markers they saw would be various shades of red, indicating the level of threat.

In the labyrinth on the 74th floor, the monster markers Rozen saw were a light shade of red, indicating a low threat level.

However, the boss marker for the 74th-floor guardian boss was a deep shade of red, signifying a danger level far too high for Rozen's current level.

As for the monsters encountered in this labyrinth, all of their markers were a pale pinkish color, indicating a threat level similar to non-existent for Rozen.

But at this very moment, the marker Rozen saw was a color he had never seen before.

It was a deep red that was almost black, purplish, and shining brightly, like fresh blood, and it pierced Rozen's heart.

At the same time, the monster's name also appeared on the marker.

"The Fatal Scythe."

The scythe that could truly bring death appeared just like that, and under Rozen's gaze, the marker rapidly moved, arriving at the intersection of the crossroads.

However, Asuna seemed not to have noticed and continued running toward the room, passing right by the scythe's hiding spot.

The enormous dark figure then appeared there, raising its weapon high in the direction of Asuna.

Rozen's heart almost stopped beating.

Because at this moment, any further warning or reminder, even if Asuna were to hear it, would only allow for a single reaction, and then Asuna would be attacked.

Attacked by what Rozen felt was a deadly strike.

In this critical moment, Rozen raised his voice to the highest pitch.

He didn't call out to stop Asuna, nor did he provide a reminder. Instead, he gave a direct command.

"Get down!"

This was the shortest and most appropriate response that Rozen could make in that split second.

Upon hearing Rozen's voice, Asuna froze in her tracks.

If Asuna had not obeyed Rozen's command, in the next second, this rapier user would have faced a potentially fatal blow.

However, the intense emotion in Rozen's voice, the reputation he had built, and Asuna's absolute trust in him allowed this rapier user to narrowly escape death.

Asuna wasted no time and maintained her forward posture, lunging forward and dropping to the ground.

In the next instant, the massive scythe sliced through the position where Asuna had been just a second earlier, like a cold arc of light, cutting through space and creating a terrifying gust of wind.

Sensing the powerful gust of wind passing just above her head, Asuna realized how close she had come to death. Her chestnut-colored long hair swirled violently in the wind, and she took a sharp intake of breath.

"Asuna!"

Rozen, wielding his crystal sword, had finally arrived in front of Asuna, shielding her from harm.

However, Rozen had no time to look back at Asuna. Instead, he swiftly reached into his backpack from behind and summoned his familiars using a crystal, causing them to radiate with light.

"Gu!"

Saichou and Hanachou emerged from the crystal, their heightened senses immediately detecting the imminent danger. They fluttered in front of Rozen, completely still, their gaze fixed firmly on what lay ahead.

"Rozen!"

Asuna instinctively called out to Rozen.

Rozen, on the other hand, paid no attention to her and kept his focus forward.

There, the monster who had just swung the massive scythe revealed its full form.

It stood about three meters tall, covered in tattered black robes. Dark tendrils swirled within the depths of its hood and from the sleeves, writhing ominously. Its eyes, embedded within its dark face, were laced with lifelike blood vessels. In its right hand, it held an enormous scythe, and beneath its robe, there was nothing but emptiness—a skeletal face inside the hood, a truly horrifying sight.

The appearance and visage of this creature were eerily reminiscent of the legendary Grim Reaper.

The black Grim Reaper shifted its eyeballs and fixated its gaze directly on Rozen. Its body floated weightlessly in mid-air, drifting back and forth like a curtain caught in the wind, utterly terrifying.

Rozen's face displayed a forced smile as he looked at the creature.

"This joke has gone too far..."

That was all Rozen could think in this moment.

The Grim Reaper named the "Fatal Scythe" had only attacked once. However, based on the power and speed of that single strike, as well as the countless HP bars visible beneath its marker, Rozen could be certain that this was not a monster that should exist in Aincrad at its current level.

How strong was it?

Rozen could only make a judgment based on what he saw.

And Rozen's judgment was as follows:

"I'm afraid the level of the 90th-floor boss might be about the same as this?"

Rozen struggled to say these words, and his smile appeared somewhat hollow.

Although Asuna lacked Rozen's keen observation and judgment, she could tell from the devastating power of that single strike and the terrifyingly red marker that the monster before them was far beyond what players at their current level could handle.

In Asuna's opinion, whether it was Rozen, Kirito, Heathcliff, or all the players in the clearing group, none of them could stand against this monster.

"How...!?"

Asuna's question didn't even have time to leave her mouth.

Because the black Grim Reaper was charging towards them like a black storm, raising its scythe high once more and bringing it down fiercely towards Rozen and Asuna.

The strike was so fast that it seemed like an arc of light, with power enough to create a skin-prickling gust of wind. Rozen's brain raced at high speed as he came to a conclusion.

"We can't get hit!"

If they were struck, given Rozen and Asuna's defense, it wouldn't be fatal if they managed to block it, but it would still result in losing half or more of their HP.

And if there was no block...

Thinking this, Rozen decisively turned his back, embracing Asuna tightly.

"Rozen!"

Asuna let out a cry of despair.

In this situation, Rozen appeared to be using himself as a shield, facing away from the monster. From Asuna's perspective, it was as if Rozen intended to block the Grim Reaper's strike with his own body, and this horrified her.

However, what Asuna didn't know was that even with his back turned, Rozen wouldn't be hit.

With the "Mind's Eye" skill, Rozen hugged Asuna and leaped in the opposite direction, following the observed trajectory of the attack.

"Boom!"

The arcing light struck the ground heavily, shattering the floor.