-320- How about a duel?

In the bar, two men sat facing each other. One raised an eyebrow, looking up directly, while the other maintained a calm smile, his eyes full of mystery.

Staring at the man before him named Heathcliff, Rozen remained silent in response to his earlier words.

However, it was Asuna who, puzzled and perplexed, posed a question.

"Why do you say it's only half true, Guild Leader?"

Asuna inquired, seeking clarification.

Heathcliff didn't hesitate to elaborate.

"Let's use an analogy."

Heathcliff didn't provide an immediate explanation but rather, like a teacher in class, began with his calm voice.

"For example, if a player's character level cap in this game is set at 50, can they handle a level 100 monster?"

This question had an obvious answer.

"Of course not," Asuna responded without hesitation. "In SAO, level signifies the gap between players and monsters. If there's a 50-level gap, even if players wear the best equipment and use the strongest skills, they can't lower the monster's HP because the monster's defense surpasses the player's attack. So damage can't be dealt."

"Exactly," Heathcliff nodded, approving Asuna's answer and continued, "In SAO, the upper limit for challenging higher-level monsters is within 20 levels. Beyond level 20, there's no chance of victory, as there's an insurmountable gap in stats."

Heathcliff then changed the focus of his explanation.

"However, isn't it the same logic that a level 50 player can easily handle a level 10 monster?"

Heathcliff's question also had an obvious answer.

How could a level 50 player struggle against a level 10 monster?

Even the dimmest of individuals could calculate this result.

However, Asuna understood the implications in Heathcliff's words.

"In other words, the strength limit of familiars, if like that of a level 50 player, is destined to be ineffective against level 100 monsters, but it will definitely work against level 10 monsters, right?"

Understanding dawned upon Asuna.

Heathcliff smiled, for this was exactly what he wanted to convey – the reason for the extraordinary power of the Rainbow Butterflies.

"Let's assume Guild Master Rozen's familiars are set to a limit of '50' in the game's system. When their strength is '1', their skills wouldn't affect the guardian floor boss on the first floor. But when their strength is '50', while their skills won't work against the guardian boss on the 50th level, they would indeed be effective against the one on the first floor."

Heathcliff stated.

In other words...

"Perhaps, according to SAO's game designers, the limit for the Rainbow Butterflies is set at the 50th level. Beyond that point, their skills won't work against monsters, especially resistant and high-HP guardian bosses, but they'll definitely work against lower-level bosses."

Heathcliff eloquently explained.

"The game designers surely didn't intend for mere familiars to be strong enough to take on guardian bosses. That would strip players of their significance. However, they also couldn't design familiars whose limits were so low that they couldn't handle even early-level monsters. Otherwise, familiars wouldn't have a purpose to grow and exist. Thus, when designing familiars, the intention was to let them grow stronger gradually alongside the player, but with limitations."

In the eyes of game designers, players who had familiars with a limit of "50" would undoubtedly need them to grow gradually before they reached that limit.

In this process of growth, according to the game designers' judgment, familiars wouldn't become too powerful too quickly, so as not to obliterate early monsters before players had reached the later stages of the game.

However, Rozen had achieved just that.

By cultivating and leveraging his skills, Rozen had developed the potential of his familiars at an astonishing speed. This growth was so rapid that it even exceeded the game designers' expectations, achieving the strength that would only be expected in later stages and devastating early bosses.

This was how a familiar with initially weak direct combat power, which should have only provided slight assistance, had become capable of dealing with guardian bosses. This transformation marked Rozen's familiars as extraordinary.

Heathcliff's "half true" explanation rested on this foundation.

"Indeed, the game designers did set limits for familiars, but you've broken their expectations by allowing your familiars to grow beyond their set potential, reaching a level where they can't be ignored even by current guardian bosses."

Heathcliff looked at Rozen, as if trying to see through him, as he spoke.

"Presumably, Guild Master Rozen can also understand this right?"

In response to Heathcliff's words, Rozen simply shrugged.

It was precisely because he understood that Rozen could devise unconventional methods to nurture the Rainbow Butterflies and accelerate their growth.

Of course, Heathcliff's explanation elevated Rozen's estimation of him even further.

This man before him possessed an in-depth understanding of SAO, including a wealth of game knowledge, not limited to in-game information but encompassing the fundamental essence – the system itself.

In other words, Heathcliff's grasp of the game was beyond others.

Having realized this, Rozen's gaze shifted subtly to Asuna, who seemed to be having an epiphany.

(Presumably, Asuna's game knowledge was imparted by this man.)

This explained why Asuna had transformed so much in just four months and held such respect for Heathcliff. She willingly stood by his side, conveyed his words, and carried out tasks. To Asuna, Heathcliff wasn't merely a superior in the guild; he was also a teacher who imparted knowledge about the game.

Perhaps, even in terms of understanding SAO, Rozen might not match up to Heathcliff.

Unbeknownst to Rozen, Heathcliff held an equally astonishing view of Rozen's ability to develop game familiars.

Precisely because of this, Heathcliff wanted to meet Rozen in person.

Heathcliff proceeded to say, "Guild Master Rozen, how about a duel?"

This statement changed the atmosphere in the entire bar instantly.

"A duel?"

Rozen raised an eyebrow.

"A...A duel...!?"

Asuna's face showed the same surprise.

However, Heathcliff remained resolute in his idea. He fixed his gaze on Rozen, his eyes devoid of provocation or calculation, but full of quiet observation and inquiry.

"Of course, you can decline."

Heathcliff calmly offered these words.

Rozen's eyes flickered as he met Heathcliff's gaze. He didn't immediately accept or reject the proposal; he maintained his silence.

Heathcliff wasn't in a hurry either, he just waited quietly.

Not long after...

"Alright."

Rozen finally agreed.

"However, I'll have my familiars with me."

Rozen was preparing to give it his all.

Heathcliff didn't show any displeasure. Instead, he welcomed the situation with a smile.

"Naturally."

In those few words, an undisclosed duel was decided upon.

An intense atmosphere immediately filled the air.

Asuna, unable to prevent the duel, could only remain silent, bowing her head, lost in thought.