-246- Can't go back

As previously mentioned, in this world turned into a death game, there will be an unavoidable conflict between beta testers and regular players.

Beta testers will undoubtedly use their knowledge to gain an advantage over other players and secure valuable resources.

Regular players will only be able to pick up the leftovers behind beta testers, and even rare items like chests, quests, and items will be looted, leading to resentment.

In such a situation, regular players won't tolerate the audacity of beta testers.

They might even think along these lines: "How can they act like this?"

Consequently, the limited group of beta testers will become the target of animosity and even hatred from all players, eventually becoming pariahs.

This is the second cruel reality to emerge in this world after it was turned into a death game.

Because of this, Kirito said that Rozen's situation was quite dangerous.

"You were very famous during the beta test period. Anyone who sees the Butterfly will recognize you, at least the beta testers would, and even some regular players might know of your existence."

Kirito looked at Rozen and said word by word.

"In this way, your status as a beta tester will definitely be hard to conceal."

Other beta testers might have changed their appearances and character names to match the real world, so even if they appear in the main districts, no one would recognize them.

But Rozen was different. Even though his appearance had changed, both his character name and the presence of the Butterfly indicated to others that he was the only player who had obtained a familiar during the beta test.

Such a Rozen would surely be recognized by regular players, possibly leading to accusations, provocations, and malicious framing.

"Judging from the reactions of those beta testers who appeared in the village earlier, you'll be recognized unless you give up the Butterfly. Will you still go to the main districts?"

This was an incredibly dangerous situation, as one could imagine.

This was why Kirito had expressed his concern earlier.

However...

"Didn't I already say it?" Rozen's tone remained light. "What's going to come, will come and we'll just have to deal with that."

"But..." Kirito wanted to say something.

"But what? Should I give up Saihou? Or never go to the main districts for the rest of my life?" Rozen interrupted Kirito and continued, "Since it's something destined to happen, worrying about it won't help. If anyone wants to cause trouble for me, they better weigh the consequences first."

Hearing this, Kirito stopped speaking, his face clouded with worry.

Clearly, this gaming enthusiast couldn't fully agree with Rozen's perspective.

"Alright, you don't need to worry," Rozen could only helplessly say. "I won't be going to the town of beginnings. I'll be looking for NPCs to take on tasks in other villages or towns. Inside the safe zone, there's no need to worry much. And outside the safe zone, even if players approach me with malicious intent, I'll detect them and escape smoothly."

Rozen patted Kirito's shoulder.

"More than that, I'm worried about you, Kirito."

For Rozen, taking risk wasn't a big deal.

Compared to difficulties like facing human arsonists and clan extermination, being targeted by a bunch of players playing the role of ordinary people in a game was minor. If Rozen failed at this, he might as well forget about saving humanity and just go to bed.

Even in this world, Rozen might not be the most anticipated Master in Chaldea, nor was he a prodigy in his clan, and he couldn't even use magic. But when it came to gaming skills alone, he believed he wouldn't lose to anyone.

On the other hand, Kirito was just an ordinary boy from a regular family. Though he had good gaming skills and was well-versed in the online world, he was essentially an average person in terms of his mindset.

But, unfortunately, this average person was Rozen's brother for over ten years.

This reminded Rozen of his other two foster brothers.

Akabane Tenzen.

Akabane Raishin.

The former was a genius who could rival Rozen.

The latter was a stubborn and rebellious problem child.

Both of these individuals had their own ways of driving Rozen up the wall.

In comparison, Kirito seemed quite ordinary, but that's what made him worry even more.

"If it weren't for your exceptional gaming skills, I wouldn't want to see you leave the starting town alone and become a solo player."

Rozen said this.

"It's no use talking about it now," Kirito's face remained clouded, whispering, "I've already abandoned the friends I used to level up with. I can't go back."

"Is that so?" Rozen fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "Since this is your choice, you have to move forward. Otherwise, you won't be able to return to the real world."

These words caused a fleeting moment of loneliness and pain to pass through Kirito's eyes.

Then, Kirito spoke.

"Aoka." Kirito addressed him using Rozen's real-world name and muttered to himself, "What do you think, how are Dad, Mom, and Suguha doing now?"

Kirito finally considered the problems in the real world.

After leaving the starting town, this young man had never mentioned anything about the real world. He had kept his head down and charged forward, avoiding such thoughts, forcing himself to confront the harsh reality.

But now, in front of his only brother, Kirito was finally willing to face this cruel question.

Unfortunately...

"How would I know?" Rozen sighed and said, "Don't be fooled by Mom's carefree appearance. She might seem unbothered by us getting into games and the internet, but once she learns that we're trapped here because of the game, she'll definitely be heartbroken. Dad's reliable though; he'll definitely rush over at the earliest opportunity, even if he's hurt too. As for Suguha..." Rozen chuckled wryly and continued, "She'll probably hate the game even more, hate us, and think we deserve it, right?"

Speaking this far, it wasn't just Rozen, even Kirito had a bitter smile on his face.

"In that case, we'll have to let them scold us properly when we get back to the real world."

With a smile uglier than tears, Kirito said these words.

"Ah."

Rozen lowered his head.

The two brothers, in such a situation, decided to part ways for the first time.

"Don't you dare die, Kirito!"

"You too, Rozen!"

They left these words for each other and, as if cutting through confusion, turned their backs on each other and ran in their respective directions.

"Gu!"

Only then did the Rainbow Butterfly speak up, flapping its wings and emitting phosphorescence as it caught up with Rozen in his sprint.

Rozen lifted his head and gazed at the bottom of the second floor in the sky.

"Just wait."

Leaving behind these words, Rozen accelerated once more, running forward.