Chapter 62: Dual Blades VS The Holy Sword

Chapter 62: Dual Blades VS The Holy Sword

Around the arena on the 75th floor, an unprecedented crowd made the area lively and bustling.

Basically, there was almost no purely entertaining content in SAO.

Therefore, for the players, this event was practically the first occurrence of something that could be called entertainment.

The area around the arena was filled with players' open-air stalls, creating a festival-like atmosphere.

"Kirito, how's your condition?" "Hm, it's alright." "I see."

Hachiman admired Kirito's naturally calm attitude, showing no signs of nervousness. 'Looking at him like this, maybe Kirito really can win. More importantly, this is much more relaxed. I'll have Asuna return and infiltrate the Knights of the Blood, and before then, we'll take it easy a bit — the road ahead is still long.'

Hachiman was entertaining this somewhat reckless thought, but Kirito was completely unaware of it.

Actually, the reason Hachiman thought like this was subconsciously because he didn't want to see Kirito lose, though he himself didn't realize that.

This kind of mindset was definitely very typical of Hachiman.

"But for me, if I can find that guy's weakness, I'd be thankful." "Does he have a weakness?" "Who knows? His fighting style is incredibly steady, and I heard this time they're using a 'one-hit knockout' rule. The key is how to disrupt the opponent's stance or catch a flaw."

"Catch a flaw, huh..." "Actually, you can also keep using small attacks to accumulate damage and aim for a half-HP decision."

The so-called 'one-hit knockout' rule means that when either side lands a strong attack, the match immediately ends.

Using only small attacks only slightly reduces the HP bar and cannot decide the winner.

If both sides fail to land effective strong attacks and the match stalls, then according to accumulated damage, the winner is decided when one side's HP drops to half.

"I'll try to find some clues in this match, just like Hachiman hopes." "Sorry to trouble you." "Leave it to me."

After finishing his conversation with Kirito, Hachiman walked over to where Asuna and Argo were sitting in the spectator area.

Agil was also there, coincidentally meeting Hachiman.

"Agil, Hachiman." "Yo, Hachiman! This is getting interesting!" "Which of those two guys is stronger anyway?" "I'm not sure, but I have a favor to ask from both of you."

"Hm? What is it?" "Please stand in a position where you can protect Asuna and me while watching the fight."

Both showed confused expressions at this request. "Hachiman, who's actually on-site has no problem, but Agil, you must have heard rumors about me and Asuna, right?"

"Ah... are those rumors true?" "Sort of." "As expected of Hachiman." "In any case, that's the situation. I'm counting on you both to keep watch."

"No problem!" "Leave it to us." "Sorry, thank you." "For Asuna-sama! Rest assured, we'll take care of it!"

"By the way, why do you both address me so politely? Just call me by my name." "Th-that... we'll talk about that later!" "Well, it just feels like we should use honorifics. If it bothers you, we'll be careful." "Okay."

After entrusting the two to act as guards, Hachiman cleverly used this dead angle to quietly ask Argo: "How is it, Argo? Any important intel?" "Security is tight, haven't found anything unusual, meow." "I see."

"If I had to say, I heard that Heathcliff's HP has never turned yellow." "Really? I think I've never seen it either." "Maybe that's the breakthrough, meow."

The phrase "never letting HP drop below half" triggered Hachiman's memory. (I think I saw something similar during the test phase... right!)

"That's it!" "What is it, little Hachi?" "During the test, players with GM permissions never had their HP turn yellow. If they take an

attack that would normally make the HP yellow, it displays 'Immortal Object' and the damage is invalid." "I see, so this match is critical, meow." "Okay, I'll go back to Kirito." "Got it, tell him to try to drag the fight to a half-HP decision, meow." "That's right."

Hachiman returned to Kirito's side. "Hm? What is it, Hachiman? Did you forget something?" "Listen carefully, Kirito. Pay close attention."

Hachiman told Kirito in detail about his conversation with Argo. "I see..." "If this time the HP can turn yellow, it will prove Heathcliff is not Akihiko Kayaba. For that, please aim for the half-HP decision." "Got it, I'll try." "Sorry for making it harder for you." "There's always a way."

As the match officially started, Kirito crouched low and charged toward Heathcliff.

At the moment they were about to clash, Kirito twisted his body and swung his right sword, but the cross shield blocked the strike.

Kirito's left sword immediately stabbed from inside the shield.

However, that attack was also blocked with a sharp clang by Heathcliff's longsword.

"His defense is really solid." "That's my only advantage."

Before the words finished, it was Heathcliff's turn to charge with the shield. Kirito, focusing on the right sword, suddenly noticed the shield was glowing.

Accompanied by the glow, the shield surged forward like a battering ram. "Whoa!"

At the last moment, Kirito crossed his swords and barely blocked the charge. "Even the shield can use sword skills? This is basically dual blades." "Consider it a return gift."

Heathcliff took advantage of Kirito's unguarded moment and thrust his sword with full force toward Kirito's abdomen, but Kirito had already jumped back to avoid it.

"Enough with the small talk, let's get serious." "Just as I like it."

Both exchanged multiple combos but couldn't deliver a decisive blow.

Their attacks were either blocked or dodged.

Kirito noticed that if he launched a strong attack during the opponent's post-combo freeze frame, even if blocked, it slightly reduced the opponent's HP.

"Great reaction speed." "Your defense is airtight, beyond imagination."

While talking, Kirito had a new idea. 'It looks like suppressing him with combos is the best strategy.'

Kirito switched to multiple-hit attacks, gradually reducing Heathcliff's HP.

But since he used moves with somewhat long freeze frames, he was occasionally hit and his own HP kept dropping.

When both their HP bars approached the yellow zone, Heathcliff's face showed impatience for the first time. 'Just as Hachiman said, having the HP yellow is disadvantageous for him.'

Kirito made up his mind and cautiously started to look for an opening. 'If I can catch the instant of a flaw, I have to attack full force even through the shield. If I get the initiative now, I can push his HP into the yellow zone and end the match.'

"Tch!"

Kirito kept testing with short freeze-frame attacks and finally caught a slight delay in Heathcliff's movements right after a defense.

Seizing the chance, Kirito gave up defense and attacked with full power. "Starburst Stream!"

Kirito's movements suddenly accelerated.

Even Heathcliff had to focus on defense, unable to counterattack.

It seemed certain that Heathcliff's HP would be pushed into the yellow zone, but just before the final sword strike landed, space seemed to distort.

The attack, which should have hit, completely missed. Kirito was stunned, but the skill's freeze frame had already started.

Heathcliff took the opportunity and unleashed a sword skill, finally pushing Kirito's HP into the yellow zone.

"Damn it!"

With the [WINNER] letters lighting up, Heathcliff's victory announcement made the arena erupt.

Among the cheers, Hachiman confirmed from Heathcliff's last move that he really was the true Akihiko Kayaba.

"System assist..."

The words slipped out involuntarily.

Heathcliff seemed startled and looked toward them.

Hachiman immediately clutched his head, pretending to be devastated at Kirito's loss.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Heathcliff regain composure and start talking to Kirito, clearly having successfully covered up.

"What's system assist?" Argo glanced around and whispered. "It's the system forcibly controlling a character. Heathcliff really is Akihiko Kayaba."