-261- [ Asuna ]

Although they had decided to find the criminal rapier user, achieving this goal wasn't as easy as it seemed.

"The diameter of the 1st floor labyrinth area in Aincrad is 300 meters, and it's shaped like a tower. Even just one layer occupies the same area of 300 meters. Additionally, this is a labyrinth with intricate and complex paths, shadows, and corners. The opponent also possesses the high-level 'Concealment' skill. Finding that rapier user in such a place is undoubtedly very difficult."

Rozen had explained this issue to the girl.

Of course, the girl was well aware that this task was quite challenging.

"Perhaps the opponent has already left the labyrinth area."

Anyone would naturally think this before attempting to find someone, right?

However, Rozen negated this possibility.

"The rapier user has already incurred the wrath of many players here. The player groups in this area won't let them escape easily. So, there must be a portion of players diligently searching the exit to the 17th floor labyrinth area. The opponent can't simply leave."

Evidence of this was when Rozen, accompanied by the rapier girl, left the 17th floor and headed to the 19th floor, encountering player groups once again.

However, Rozen, relying on his familiarity with the labyrinth and the map files of all areas except the 20th floor, managed to evade the player search by using a roundabout route.

"I don't believe a player who's only interested in ambushing from behind would meticulously record labyrinth maps like I do. More detailed map files than what I possess probably haven't circulated. Hence, the opponent can't maneuver like we do and must still be lingering on the 17th floor."

This was Rozen's reasoning.

So, the only question left was this:

"How can we find that rapier user?"

In the 19th-floor cave space, the girl had asked Rozen this question.

"If the opponent has the high-level 'Concealment' skill, won't it be difficult to find them?"

Otherwise, other players would've already exposed them.

Yet Rozen's answer was swift and decisive.

"Find a party with the lowest defense and stay close to them. This way, the opponent will reveal themselves."

There were two reasons for thinking this way:

"One: Since the opponent has already provoked such anger, he must have attacked many player groups. Being so committed to attacking players and unable to leave, the criminal will continue to seek prey and won't back down, resolving this matter."

"Two: The opponent wields a rapier, with not particularly high attack power. As an assassin with the 'Concealment' skill, the best targets for him would be players with low defense. This increases his chance of a one-hit kill."

For these reasons, Rozen, appearing to have low defense due to his cloth attire, and who was also alone, had been targeted by the rapier user.

Summing it up, this was Rozen's conclusion.

"As long as we find a party with generally low defense, and stay close to them, we will definitely catch that rapier user in the act."

Thus, Rozen and the girl left the 19th floor together, returned to the 17th floor, successfully found a party with generally low defense, and concealed themselves in the shadows to observe.

Of course, there were risks involved.

"If we don't manage to spot the target and instead get discovered by players, we'll be in quite the trouble."

Rozen said this without any hint of nervousness, despite his words not carrying any humor.

Indeed, it wasn't a laughing matter.

Imagine if two individuals – a beta tester who had antagonized many players and an orange rapier user who was suspected of attacking players – were hiding in the shadows, vigilantly watching others. What would others think? They'd definitely believe Rozen and the girl were up to no good.

By then, conflicts would be minor issues; an all-out brawl would be a major concern.

Even with Rozen and the girl's skills, even if they managed to escape from a confrontation with a top-level player team, the true culprit they intended to apprehend would be able to watch the chaos unfold and reap the benefits.

"That's the situation. So, please don't take it lightly. Act as you see fit."

"... You don't have to remind me."

After their discussion, Rozen and the rapier girl used Rozen's map files to navigate a roundabout path and returned to the 17th floor of the labyrinth area.

Next was just waiting.

"You don't have to be nervous, you know?"

Rozen spoke quietly without turning his head to the girl behind him.

"Who's nervous?"

The girl immediately retorted with a hint of annoyance.

Also...

"Don't keep saying 'you, you, you.' I have a name."

The girl protested in a hushed tone.

"Is that so?" Rozen responded with little interest. "Then, what's your name?"

The girl didn't answer right away, seemingly contemplating whether or not to reveal her name.

It wasn't until a short while later that she sighed as if giving in, and answered.

"Asuna... that's my character name."

Asuna.

Upon learning the rapier user girl's character name, Rozen immediately remarked.

"Could it be that this is just a different reading of your real name? Like 'Asuna' being 'Asuna' in japanese?

These words made the girl named Asuna shudder visibly.

... Quite a straightforward reaction, huh?

Rozen thought to himself.

Just then...

"Gu!"

The rainbow-colored butterfly that had been floating above them suddenly seemed to react to something and let out a cry.

Both Rozen and Asuna immediately reacted, looking towards the player group in front of them.

In the next moment, they saw it.

At the corner of a path behind that player group, hidden in the shadows, a figure dressed in a cloak and holding a rapier emerged. The figure had an orange marker and moved extremely swiftly towards the player group in front.

Upon closer inspection, the player group's attention was all focused on the monster they had just defeated, which had shattered into polygonal fragments.

Taking advantage of this moment, the rapier user emerged from the shadow where no one noticed, launching a sudden attack on the back of one of the players.

Unfortunately, that player not only wore leather armor and had low defense, but their HP gauge had also decreased by a third due to the battle with the monster.

If they were to be ambushed by the opponent's sword skills now, that player's HP gauge would undoubtedly drop into the red zone.

Moreover...

"...!"

Beside Rozen, Asuna, who was tightly gripping her rapier's hilt, showed no hesitation as she suddenly charged forward.

Her speed was so remarkable that her figure seemed to leave afterimages, akin to an arrow, as she shot straight ahead.

Seeing this, Rozen was momentarily taken aback, then he smirked and followed suit, charging forward as well.

At that moment, the two rapier users had already met each other.

"Clang!"

Amidst the clear clash of weapons, the two rapiers collided.

Sparks flew from the collision of the two blades.