-293- [ Crimson Wing ]

Diabel returned to the Town of Beginnings.

However, unlike before when he led a variety of players, this time Diabel went back alone.

Having deceived his comrades and betrayed the beta testers, Diabel couldn't continue standing in front of others anymore.

Yet, the people here weren't going to punish Diabel to that extent.

"No matter what, at least he still wanted to conquer this game and save all the players," Argo said, gaining acknowledgment from Kirito and Agil.

Rozen also had no intention of saying anything about this.

So, Rozen allowed Diabel to leave and return to the Town of Beginnings.

According to Diabel himself, he wouldn't return to the frontlines again.

"I will keep hunting monsters in this world, earning money, and using it to help those players who are too scared to leave the town," Diabel left these words behind and departed alone.

As for the players who came with Diabel, they left silently under these circumstances.

Even Kibaou lowered his head, tightly gripping his one-handed sword as he walked away slowly.

Not long after, the room where the guardian boss was defeated was left with only the members of the beta testers.

Naturally, they soon disbanded as well.

"The guardian boss of Floor 1 has been defeated, and news of Floor 2 opening is imminent. I'll head back first and leave the activation of the Teleport Gate to you," Argo left these words and left alone as well.

"Although a lot happened, overall, today truly broadened my horizons. Hope to learn more from you in the future," Agil and his team greeted Rozen and the others, then led their team back to Tolbana. They said they needed to reorganize before advancing to Floor 2.

As for the beta testers, they gathered around Rozen and Kirito, asking about their plans moving forward.

"You guys plan to head directly to Floor 2, right?"

"Will you continue solo?"

"Rozen and Kirito seem quite close. Are you planning on forming a permanent party together?"

"Why don't we stick together like this and form a 'guild' in the future?"

"That's not a bad idea!"

The beta testers enthusiastically proposed such ideas.

As long as they can reach Floor 3, they can take on the quest of establishing a guild in the main area of Floor 3. Once the quest is completed, they can form a guild and invite other players to join.

Joining a guild means benefiting from all the advantages that guild members have. It not only boosts leveling speed but also increases strength. The most important part is having an organization for mutual safety and unity.

Of course, upon joining a guild, a small portion of a player's earnings will automatically be contributed as operating funds for the guild.

However, on balance, joining a guild is undoubtedly advantageous. Moreover, since SAO has already become a death game, it's extremely dangerous to venture alone. There's always a limit when one is alone.

Therefore, once they reach Floor 3, various guilds will undoubtedly be formed successively.

Knowing this, the beta testers made suggestions.

"Let Rozen be the guild leader."

"No objections."

"Agreed."

"I'm on board too."

One by one, the beta testers said as much.

Knowing how capable Rozen is, they undoubtedly want to align themselves with him. Moreover, after all the hardships they've endured over the past month while trying to get stronger on their own, now that the beta testers have somewhat risen to prominence, it's only natural for them to want to gather and stick together.

While it's true that the beta testers forming guilds will likely lead to various conflicts with regular players, giving those players a vent for their resentment against beta testers, but having witnessed Rozen's abilities firsthand, the beta testers are still willing to place their bets on him.

At that moment, all the beta testers turned their hopeful gazes towards Rozen.

Even Kirito looked at Rozen.

This young man probably doesn't want to go solo either, right?

Previously, it was only to get stronger that Kirito chose to abandon everyone, forcing himself to go solo. However, deep down, Kirito always wished for companions by his side.

Now, it's a crucial step for Kirito to break free from his solo identity and truly start having companions.

If he misses this step, then until this game is conquered, Kirito is likely to continue going solo. And the dangers of going solo are self-evident.

Even though Kirito's skills are highly advanced, going solo always carries risks. Rozen doesn't want to see anything happen to his only brother in this world.

As a result, Rozen hesitated.

Not long afterward, Rozen made a decision.

.....

The beta testers all eagerly headed to the deepest part of the boss room on the first floor.

There was a door there.

A door leading directly to the second floor.

The beta testers' mission was to pass through that door and head to the main area of the second floor. There, they would activate the teleport gate located in the town, enabling it to connect to the first floor.

When the time comes, players still in the town can use the teleport gate to travel to the second floor at any time.

Rozen fell behind everyone.

Because someone called out to him.

"Do you really believe this game can be completely conquered someday?"

A voice like this called out to Rozen from behind.

Rozen halted his steps without turning around.

But his words didn't hesitate.

"Of course."

Rozen gave this answer.

The girl behind him lowered her head, and even her voice became softer.

"What if no one can accomplish it?"

This was the girl's final question.

And Rozen's response was simple.

"I will accomplish it."

Rozen's voice was neither resolute nor determined. It was casual, almost as if stating the obvious.

There's no help for it.

"This was a decision I made on the day I stepped out of the Town of Beginnings."

Rozen said this.

Yes.

This was a decision he had made long ago.

"To completely conquer this game and show Kayaba Akihiko what I'm capable of. That's my goal."

Rozen finally turned his head, looking at the rapier-user behind him.

"What about you?" Rozen asked, "What are your going to do next?"

This question made Asuna fall silent.

But Asuna didn't stay silent for long.

Asuna raised her eyes, gazing at Rozen.

Though she still couldn't see hope.

Though she still couldn't see the future.

However...

"I want to fight too."

Asuna's voice came from her heart.

"To fight like you guys do."

This was Asuna's answer that emerged from this battle.

Rozen smiled.

He smiled casually.

"Then do your best."

After saying that, Rozen turned around and headed towards Kirito and the others in front.

Asuna kept her eyes fixed on him for a long time.

.....

"By the way."

Running up the stairs towards the second floor, Kirito suddenly asked Rozen, who was carrying Rainbow Butterfly.

"What should we name our guild?"

Kirito asked this question.

"Yeah!"

"What should we call it?"

"You decide, Guild Master!"

"Your call!"

One by one, the beta testers who ran together shouted out in succession.

"A name, huh..."

Rozen nonchalantly thought of a name.

"Let's call it 'Crimson Wing'."

———Crimson Wing.

This name would resound throughout this world for the next two years.

Because it's the strongest guild in all of SAO. Moreover, it's the first guild that was formed and has existed the longest.