-321- A method to decide a winner

Regardless of the type of RPG, dueling is often considered one of the systems to be included.

While there are games that don't allow "player killing" (PK), dueling between consenting players is a common feature in many RPGs. After all, constant battles against monsters can get boring, and having players compete against each other, showcasing their game skills, adds an extra layer of enjoyment.

Therefore, even in the world of SAO, a dueling system exists. Outside of safe zones, if players initiate PK without consent, the attacker is flagged as a criminal, their player color changes to orange, and they cannot enter safe zones. Within safe zones, players can't engage in criminal activities, making it a secure environment.

However, in the case of a duel, it's possible both inside and outside of safe zones, provided both parties agree. In such cases, attackers don't become orange-named.

During the beta testing period, players often used dueling to test sword skills, organize events, or resolve disputes. However, since SAO became a death game, dueling was prohibited due to the risk of true death when HP reaches zero.

In SAO, dueling is designed with three modes:

1. "Total Loss Mode" where the battle continues until one player's HP reaches zero.

2. "Half Loss Mode" where the battle ends when one player's HP falls below 50%.

3. "First Strike Mode" where a powerful attack that hits the opponent ends the duel.

During beta testing, players rarely chose the overly simple "First Strike Mode" or the less engaging "Half Loss Mode" for dueling. However, after the official launch, "Full Loss Mode" became the true taboo; no player would choose this mode for dueling.

So, when there's an issue to be resolved, players usually opt for "Half Loss Mode" or "First Strike Mode."

But even in the remaining two modes, there's still a risk. For example, in "Half Loss Mode," if a player's HP drops below 50%, any attacks they launch after the duel result window appears will be blocked by the system's protection, rendering them ineffective. If the duel is outside of a safe zone, the damage will continue to accumulate, constituting a criminal act and turning the attacker into an orange-named player.

Although this sounds relatively safe, if a player has 1000 HP and their remaining HP is 510, a powerful attack that deals 600 damage would drop their HP to zero, causing death. Once HP reaches zero in a duel, the player dies, regardless of the mode chosen.

On the other hand, the attacker won't become orange-named for killing another player using the duel system, which has led to misuse by orange-named players or even orange-named guilds, causing the death of many players and generating widespread fear.

To summarize, "Half Loss Mode" has also been classified as a taboo, so players no longer blindly choose it. This leaves only the last mode: "First Strike Mode."

"In 'First Strike Mode'..."

In a deserted plaza in the 24th floor's main district, Heathcliff, clad in a crimson robe and wielding a cross-shaped shield, looked at Rozen across from him. His calm voice resonated.

"When one player's HP reaches half or when a powerful attack is landed, the match ends. Is this acceptable?"

Upon hearing Heathcliff's words, Rozen, who was teasing the flying Saichou and Hanachou beside him, had yet to answer. Asuna, who was present as an observer, was the first to voice her concerns.

"But, Guild Master, doesn't 'First Strike Mode' also come with risks?"

As Asuna pointed out, even in "First Strike Mode," there were risks involved.

For instance, if both duel participants refrain from using attacks strong enough to be considered "powerful," and they weaken each other's HP values until the opponent's HP is just a sliver away from half, then launching a powerful attack that would take away the remaining HP would still pose the same death risk as the "Half Loss Mode."

However...

"But for that to work, both parties must have the intention to kill each other. Intentionally restraining oneself from using powerful attacks is possible when both have the desire to kill. But when only one person intends to kill the other, not only must they control themselves, but they also need enough skill to see through and evade the opponent's powerful attacks. That level of difficulty is quite high, isn't it?" Heathcliff said with an unchanged expression.

"So, attempting murder in 'First Strike Mode' is very difficult. If you can't do that, the only option left is to refuse the duel."

Having said that, Heathcliff turned his gaze to Rozen.

That probably meant, "Will you do it?"

Rozen didn't answer.

"Let's begin."

With this statement, Rozen communicated his choice.

"..."

Asuna fell silent and just stared at the scene, her thoughts unclear.

Heathcliff, on the other hand, smiled suddenly as he observed Rozen. He looked at Rozen and the two rainbow-colored butterflies fluttering around him. He smoothly called up the main menu and manipulated it.

The next second, a window appeared before Rozen.

"Player — 'Heathcliff' — has requested a 1vs1 duel with you. Do you accept?"

Looking at the window, Rozen didn't hesitate to press the "yes" button and chose the last option among the three displayed — "First Strike Mode."

"Ding!"

A large window appeared between Rozen and Heathcliff, displaying a 60-second countdown.

In that instant...

"Clang!"

With a clear sound, Rozen drew the single-handed sword from his waist.

"Swish..."

On the other side, Heathcliff slowly drew a weapon from the cross-shaped shield equipped on his arm.

It was a sword longer and slimmer than Rozen had imagined.

However, it likely wasn't a rapier but a single-handed sword, just like Rozen's.

"A single-handed sword and a cross-shaped shield?"

Rozen lowered his stance.

Although it appeared to be a very standard set of equipment for a single-handed sword user, Rozen faintly felt that it wasn't that simple.

"Gu!"

"Gu!"

As if sensing Rozen's seriousness, Saichou and Hanachou released cries and entered a combat state alongside him.

Watching the two men facing off, Asuna remained silent as always, but her hand had unknowingly grasped the hilt of her waist-sheathed sword, gripping it tightly.

And so, the countdown continued.

10...

9...

8...

7...

6...

5...

4...

3...

2...

1...

"— 'Duel' —"

When a window like that replaced the countdown, appearing between Rozen and Heathcliff, both of them pushed off the ground simultaneously and dashed forward.

The duel between the two guild leaders officially began.