-262- Can she do it?

"Clang!"

As the crisp clash resounded through the air of the labyrinth, sparks burst forth like shooting stars, illuminating the entire space.

Asuna swiftly caught up with the orange rapier user, who was attempting an ambush. Just as the opponent unleashed their sword skill, creating a pink effect, aimed at the back of another player, Asuna moved even faster, her rapier also emitting a pink radiance, akin to a Shooting star, aimed towards the back of the player.

Of course, Asuna wasn't attacking others.

The female player's target was the weapon of the orange marker rapier user.

And both sides used the same sword skill, the basic skill for rapiers in the early stages - "Linear."

However, there was a significant difference in the execution of the sword skills between the two.

Although the orange marker rapier user's "Linear" was quite potent, Asuna's "Linear" was exceptionally impressive, quick as a flash, radiant like a shooting star.

Therefore, even though Asuna acted a beat later and initiated her sword skill later than her opponent, her rapier moved at a terrifying speed and caught up in time, intercepting the weapon that was about to strike another player's back.

The two rapiers met behind that player, as if two rapier users simultaneously rushed the player and launched an attack. The result was that their weapons collided, generating sparks and a gust of wind.

"...!?"

The orange marker rapier user was taken aback, not expecting to be intercepted.

"What... what's going on!?"

"What's happening!?"

The other players were even more startled, like scared birds that scattered in different directions.

As for the player who was attacked, they seemed to be somewhat stunned and unable to react.

"Get out of here!"

Asuna reprimanded without hesitation.

Only then did the targeted player come to his senses and quickly run back to regroup with his teammates.

The two rapier users then separated and jumped to the side, putting some distance between them.

The tension in the air became palpable.

The gazes of the two rapier users met in mid-air, sparking as if their glares ignited flames.

"Orange... Orange Rapier User...!?"

"The orange rapier user has appeared!"

"But... why are there two!?"

"What on earth is happening!?"

Seeing the two rapier users facing off, the players present, who were considered prey, couldn't help but become flustered.

Watching from behind, Rozen observed this scene and silently nodded.

As long as someone witnessed two orange marker rapier users appearing simultaneously and confronting each other, they would inevitably think that the real attacker of players and the rumored beautiful female player who unintentionally injured others might not be the same person.

Although there would still be doubt, it was better to have doubt than certainty. At least doubt allowed for some alleviation and room for possibility.

"Next, it's up to Asuna to take him down."

Rozen turned his gaze towards the battlefield ahead, focusing on the two rapier users who were in a standoff.

Then, he muttered something unknown.

"But, can she do it...?"

Rozen seemed to already know the outcome as he watched.

At the same time, the two rapier users engaged in a conversation.

"...Who are you?" Asuna broke the silence, her voice low. "Why are you attacking other players?"

This was the first question Asuna wanted to ask.

Unfortunately...

"...Mind your own business."

The rapier user who emerged from beneath the cloak had a hoarse and somewhat grating voice, not as harsh as nails on a chalkboard but still quite unpleasant compared to Asuna's voice.

And that voice was not female, but male.

In other words, the orange rapier user who attacked players was a male.

It seemed that he understood he had been set up, as he released a strong sense of hostility, even... murderous intent!

In other words, he held a murderous intent towards Asuna.

This caused Asuna's emotions to fluctuate slightly.

Surely this young girl had never experienced such direct malice from someone before?

However, this girl who had previously shown herself to be quite cold and dark in front of Rozen, was surprisingly verbose at this moment.

"Aren't you going to stop?" Asuna pretended to be calm and said, "Don't blame me if I take action."

This statement from Asuna immediately earned a mocking laugh from the rapier user.

"Take action?" The rapier user stared at the rapier tightly gripped in Asuna's hand and said with extreme disdain, "Can you do it?"

Clearly, he saw through it.

He saw through Asuna's attempt to act tough.

If one looked closely, it could be seen that the hand gripping the rapier, which had just displayed remarkable skill, was trembling slightly for a moment.

Yes.

Asuna's current emotions weren't as calm as they appeared on the surface.

Perhaps losing hope for the future and life itself could make this girl not care about her own life and death, but when it came to the life and death of others, that was a different matter.

Ultimately, Asuna not a magus, not a servent, but an ordinary girl.

Even if someone like Mash could feel fear and hesitation in battle, it went without saying that Asuna would feel even more so. Just the thought of her sword tearing through someone's body made her field of vision seem to shrink, her breath became rapid, and even the ground she stood on seemed to gradually move away, causing her to feel dizzy.

This wasn't a game.

This was combat.

Once her weapon cut through the opponent's body, their life would be threatened, and if their HP dropped to zero, they would die in real life.

Just the thought of killing someone with her own hands, how could Asuna possibly remain calm?

And so...

"You can't do it, little girl."

The rapier user sneered and said such words, raising his rapier in his hand.

"If you want to do it, at least achieve this much."

With that, the rapier user shot forward like a spring, charging towards Asuna.

"...!?"

Asuna immediately had an intense reaction, subconsciously stepping on the ground and retreating backward.

Although her sword skill was superior to the opponent's, and her speed was higher, logically she shouldn't have been afraid of being threatened. However, Asuna's first instinct was to back away.

This made the mockery at the corner of the rapier user's mouth even more pronounced. He didn't hold back as he thrust his rapier forward.

The target was Asuna's thigh.

"Splurt!"

In the sound of tearing, the rapier cut across Asuna's thigh, leaving behind a wound with an bleeding effect.

Asuna's HP immediately decreased as a result.

"Ugh...!"

Asuna let out a muffled groan.

In SAO, players didn't feel pain when injured, but the sensation of being attacked by a weapon still lingered.

Asuna felt as if her thigh's skin had been sliced by something sharp, and the discomfort of the weapon piercing her flesh brushed past her mind, causing her movements to momentarily falter.

"This is what a real PK looks like, young lady."

Seizing the opportunity, the rapier user closed in, his face contorted with both mockery and madness. His rapier transformed into streaks of sword light, sweeping towards Asuna's entire body.

Asuna could only lift her weapon and begin a futile defense.

The two rapier users clashed in the labyrinth, their weapons colliding with each other.