-430- Let me step on you first!

Heathcliff's statement was correct.

Rozen indeed wasn't a hero.

His true role was more of a leader, strategist, and advisor rather than a direct combatant against the Demon King.

He could lead countless warriors to victory on the battlefield, devise numerous strategies for various situations, and even turn ordinary familiars into formidable creatures beyond Heathcliff's expectations. He was even able to bring high-performance weapons into existence ahead of it's time.

This is why Rozen could become a Master capable of saving humanity, even commanding and employing heroes and legends from history.

Rozen, rather than being called a hero, could be more aptly described as a king.

Despite his occasional laziness, childishness, and lack of seriousness, he possessed a charisma that could attract anyone to follow him.

He could achieve miraculous victories, and he had the capability to build a vast and enduring kingdom.

This role was quite distinct from that of a hero tasked with defeating the Demon King.

However, Heathcliff seemed to hold Rozen in even higher regard because of these unique qualities.

"I'm quite curious about how far you can develop those two familiars, how early you can forge high-performance weapons, and how far you can lead the clearing group in their struggles. These are all things the system can't provide, they belong solely to you,"

Heathcliff held his gaze on Rozen, his eyes started lighting up.

"To witness such things, how could I let the elements of this world affect you?"

It was for this reason that Heathcliff did not give the "Dual Blades" skill to Rozen.

This is the essence of a man named Heathcliff, or rather, a man named Kayaba Akihiko.

The creator of this world, who had gone beyond all the rules and regulations of the real world to build this alternate reality, even imprisoning ten thousand players within it.

Rozen had gradually broken free from the designer's framework and rules in this world, relying on his own talents and abilities.

He achieved miraculous, flawless clears until now, even surpassing Heathcliff's expectations by developing Saichou and Hanachou to extraordinary levels and causing the creation of "Azure Abyss" on the 60th floor, which shouldn't have happened.

Heathcliff saw his reflection in Rozen, and in his role as the creator of this world, he continued to observe Rozen, eager to discover the extent of Rozen's potential and what he could accomplish in this world.

That's why Heathcliff made adjustments in secret, granting the unique skill "Dual Blades" to the player with the second-fastest reaction time in this world, Kirito, rather than letting this world's powers become Rozen's sole reliance.

He wanted to witness Rozen's unique potential and future, seeing him as the one who could break the rules of the world he had created.

"So, creating this situation wasn't my original intention,"

He didn't plan for things to unfold this way

However, he didn't expect that before reaching the 100th floor, Rozen had already uncovered his true identity.

What's more, it was due to his own oversight.

Given these circumstances, Heathcliff had to step forward and take responsibility for this mistake.

Even if Rozen didn't reveal Heathcliff's identity himself, he still wouldn't have been able to bear it.

"By ignoring your capabilities, I would be going against my own intentions," Heathcliff stated firmly.

In light of this, Rozen ultimately stood here as the one to face Heathcliff in the final battle.

"Originally, the one standing before me should have been the clearing group players with Kirito standing in the front, with you as their leader. It's a bit regrettable that it has turned into a one-on-one duel like this."

Heathcliff, viewing it from the perspective of a game developer, as if he were an uninvolved god observing the plot unfold.

This was another fundamental difference between Heathcliff and others.

He had always held a position of superiority, looking down on the world's development as if it were a part of his own design, watching with an objective, calm, and indifferent attitude.

This time, if it weren't for Rozen's influence causing significant deviations, this man would never have chosen to reveal the final battle in this manner.

"However, unexpected events like this might not be a bad thing. Real reality doesn't operate according to anyone's will, and from that perspective, the occurrence of these unexpected events could be seen as further proof of the world's completeness, right?"

Heathcliff muttered to himself.

But to be honest

"Alright, I'm getting tired of this."

Rozen sighed and said.

"After all, your schemes were destined to fail."

Hearing this, Heathcliff became intrigued and asked, "And why would you say that?"

Rozen simply smiled faintly in response.

"Because when you declared the SAO death game in the Town of Beginnings teleport plaza, I had already made up my mind."

About what...

"To give you a taste of something."

That's why...

"Want to clash with a hero?"

Rozen grinned but had no humor in his eyes.

"Let me step on you first!"

With those words, Rozen suddenly stomped on the ground, and his entire body turned into a blur as he rushed forward.

Heathcliff, however, remained calm, with a faint smile. He, too, focused his gaze and charged forward.

But at this moment, to Heathcliff's surprise, Rozen reached to his waist during his charge and pulled out an item. It was a pitch-black projectile adorned with tiny lights.

"!?"

Seeing this, Heathcliff's expression changed for the first time. As the creator of this world, he naturally had extensive knowledge of its items.

Thanks to this knowledge, he immediately recognized the origin of the sharp projectile.

"Magic Marrow!"

Magic Marrow was a type of throwing item.

It was a projectile that, once it hit its target, would penetrate deep into anything, bypassing any defense.

In other words, its effect was armor-piercing.

Upon hitting, it would deal significant damage and, if the target's defense relied on equipment, it could destroy that equipment, depleting its durability instantly.

Due to its astonishing effect, this type of throwing item was considered an S-rank ultra-rare item in this world.

It had an extremely low chance of dropping, only occasionally from boss-level monsters on floors 70 and above.

Now, Rozen had taken out such an S-rank item.

"So you have a high defense huh?Then you should give this a try!"

Rozen raised the pitch-black sharp projectile in his hand.

"Clang!"

The effect of a sword skill radiated on the Magic Marrow.