-1658- What about you?

"————"

Silence.

A deathly silence.

In that instant, whether they were Salamanders, Sylphs, or Cait Sith, all were left speechless.

Everyone could only stare at the young man floating in midair, facing off against the army of Salamanders, feeling a storm brewing in their hearts.

To the average players, they could not possibly know the truth behind SAO, and most avoided anything related to it. With the information sealed, they knew little about what a "Magus" was, or even the significance of the clearing group.

They didn't even know that Rozen was the hero who liberated all of SAO. Otherwise, they surely wouldn't have forgotten the name "Rozen."

Yet, even so, the shock Rozen's words brought was hardly insignificant.

At the very least, just the fact that he was an SAO survivor was enough to stun everyone present.

Anyone who survived without dying even once in that two-year death game—could they really be ordinary?

Unless he was one of those who hid within the safe zones, avoiding any combat, simply to survive. But if someone dared to hunt outside the safe zones and survived that two-year death trial, they had to be far from ordinary, no matter how average they might seem.

And Rozen—did he look like someone who hid in the safe zones, never daring to go out and hunt?

Certainly not.

Not to mention, he was the leader of a guild, a commander of the clearing group, someone with titles. Judging by his strength, it was evident he wasn't an ordinary person in that death game.

He was one of the highest, most elite players.

And someone who reached the pinnacle of that death game, upon entering a skill-based game like this, would they not naturally shine?

"...I didn't expect that, after surviving that hell, you'd dare to put on a FullDive device and re-enter a game."

Eugene's gaze at Rozen had completely changed.

Rozen, however, seemed entirely unfazed.

"Though that game has been cleared, the incident is far from over," Rozen said calmly. "Three hundred players are still trapped, aren't they?"

These words made some of the more perceptive players present start to look serious.

Because from Rozen's tone, they could pick up on something.

"You came into this world with a purpose?" Eugene asked, puzzled and uncertain. "This world is related to those three hundred trapped players?"

Upon hearing this, everyone's heart raced. They didn't even dare to breathe loudly, feeling a creeping sense of fear.

If that were true, did that mean this game was dangerous like SAO?

Could this place also turn into a death game?

Just the thought of it made no one able to stay calm.

But Rozen didn't say anything further.

Though he revealed his identity, Rozen did so only for his own safety.

If he hadn't, even if he massacred the Salamander army here, they wouldn't let it go. They would continue to send assassins to ambush Sakuya and Alicia Rue on their way back.

But Rozen didn't have time to protect Sakuya and Alicia Rue indefinitely.

So, Rozen chose to reveal his identity to intimidate them, deterring them from further action.

However, he would only reveal his identity, nothing more.

If he said any more, it would undoubtedly cause a commotion throughout ALO, which would eventually alert RECT's people. This could frighten the mastermind behind the three hundred trapped players, causing them to become vigilant, possibly relocating, which would make Rozen lose his target—a consequence he couldn't afford.

Thus, aside from his identity, Rozen didn't plan on revealing anything further. Just intimidating them was enough.

And so...

"This game isn't bad at all. Although it's different from SAO, it has enough similarities that I could easily immerse myself in this world, saving me a lot of effort."

Rozen turned his gaze toward Eugene.

"Your skill and strength aren't bad. Even in SAO, you might have ranked in the top five."

This was the truth.

To become the strongest player in ALO, Eugene's skills were exceptional. Even in SAO, he could have been one of the top players, comparable to, if not stronger than, Kirito or Asuna.

For example, if Kirito didn't use the unique skill of "Dual Blades," his technical skills might only be on par with Eugene's, not significantly stronger.

Such a strong Eugene was undeniably impressive.

But, unfortunately...

"Even if your skills are strong, when it comes to SAO players, forget about ranking in the top five, you wouldn't be able to beat any of the top ten."

Rozen stated this with confidence.

"Because, unlike you, we risked our lives, never allowing even a single HP point to be wasted, nor giving up when at a disadvantage."

"Wasting even one HP means we were that much closer to death."

"Giving up meant that death itself was reaching for us."

"We did not permit failure."

"So, even if we faced an elite force of 68 top players, or an army of a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand—we had to fight."

Rozen's gaze turned cold as he looked at Eugene.

"Facing a battle, I'll hold out to the end, no matter what."

"So, what about you?"

"How long do you think you can last against me?"

Though succinct, his words sent a chill through everyone present, leaving them speechless.

The Salamanders, especially, looked at Rozen's lone figure and suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of futility, a certainty that they could never defeat him.

Was that not natural?

For them, a game was just a game.

But to Rozen, any game was a real battle.

A person who survived that two-year death game without ever dying—would he die here?

No.

Even Eugene and the others felt this.

In other words...

"You're no match for me. Even if you come with more people, it won't change anything."

Rozen declared directly.

"So? Do you still want to continue?"

His words were met only by an endless silence.

Leafa, Sakuya, Alicia Rue, and the others held their breath as they watched.

Eugene glanced at his comrades, seeing the fear in their eyes, the complete lack of fighting spirit.

Looking again at Rozen's calm, unwavering gaze, Eugene knew that no matter what he did, he could never win.

And the Salamander army, having lost all resolve, was even more defeated.

Eugene could only grit his teeth and take a deep breath.

"Retreat!"

As if venting all his frustration, Eugene gave the order.

The Salamanders, as if granted amnesty, responded without hesitation.

And thus, the Salamanders' assault concluded in failure.