-282- The most crucial battle

Labyrinth Zone, 20th Floor.

Without a doubt, this was the place closest to the 2nd Floor of Aincrad.

Physically, this floor, located at the top of the 1st Floor Labyrinth Zone, directly connected to the bottom of the 2nd Floor.

By passing through this floor, find the staircase leading directly to the floor above, players could move to the 2nd Floor, welcoming new maps, challenges, dangers, and opportunities.

Unfortunately, the staircase to the 2nd Floor was located within a room.

And within this room resided the strongest monster of this floor according to its setting—the Floor Guardian Boss.

It was the most formidable obstacle on this floor.

It was the most significant barrier on this floor.

Only by defeating it could players claim to have conquered a floor and proceed to the next.

Now, a total of sixty players had arrived here.

"Gulp..."

Someone swallowed hard, the clear sound echoing around them.

Yet, no one mocked the player for their nervousness.

Because the scene before them was indeed tense enough to make anyone swallow hard.

There was no light around, only the candles on the walls burning.

The air was still, filled with an oppressive weight that anyone could feel.

Sixty players stood before an ancient-looking door.

It was made of gray stone, tall and heavy, with a terrifying beast-headed humanoid monster relief carved onto it's surface.

Looking at the relief, combined with the surroundings' ambiance, it was impossible for players not to feel nervous.

Even Rozen stood before the door, gazing fixedly at it.

"Is this it?"

Rozen turned to Diabel, who was standing beside him, seeking confirmation.

"Yes."

Diabel opened the main menu, checked the map, and then nodded firmly.

In other words, behind this door was the room where the Floor Guardian Boss resided.

And within that room, there should be the staircase leading to the 2nd Floor.

"Whether we can step onto that staircase depends on what comes next."

Rozen's words intensified the tension in the air.

In this situation, Diabel turned around and looked at all the players present.

"As you can see, the room ahead is where the Floor Guardian Boss resides."

Diabel spoke with an unprecedentedly solemn expression.

"I hope each of you can successfully pass through here."

"No, you must pass through here."

"Otherwise, players trapped in this world will never see hope."

With these words, Diabel cast a weighty atmosphere, causing the expressions of the players to tense up.

Including Kirito, Argo, Agil, and Kibaou.

At this moment, whether they were closed beta testers or regular players, they all shared the same feelings.

Even Asuna didn't express any opinions about this.

Because everyone knew that Diavel wasn't exaggerating.

"Gathered here are the highest combatants in SAO right now," Kirito said in a hushed tone. "If the people here fail or even get wiped out, this news will spread throughout the 1st Floor, reinforcing the pessimistic belief that 'this game cannot be beaten.'"

"Exactly," Agil agreed with Kirito. "If it really turns out that way, we might need more time to assemble a second clearing group, or there might even be no one left willing to challenge it."

This was why Diavel attached such importance to this clearing attempt.

If they could successfully clear this floor, players would realize that the game was gradually being deciphered, and they wouldn't just have to sit and wait for their doom. More people would muster the courage to leave the towns, grind harder, and catch up, becoming a force to clear the game.

On the contrary, if they failed, even top player groups couldn't clear the simplest 1st Floor, and other players would feel that there was no hope left to crack the game, plunging them into despair.

Therefore, even though this was just the 1st Floor, it was a crucial one.

If they could clear it, the players would climb upwards.

If they couldn't, the players would never see the future.

It was because of this understanding of the importance of this clearing attempt that Diavel repeated these words continuously.

"I won't say anything unnecessary."

Diavel raised his weapon.

"Now, I have only one thing to say to all of you."

And that is...

"We must win!"

Diavel declared with a resounding voice.

"Ooooh!"

The players immediately shouted in response, echoing Diavel's words.

Then, Diavel looked at Rozen.

Without hesitation, Rozen nodded.

Then, the leaders of the two clearing groups turned simultaneously and faced the door ahead.

Soon, two hands symbolizing future and hope stretched out from their bodies and rested on the door.

"Boom..."

The next second, amidst a heavy sound of the door opening, it swung wide.

Guided by Rozen and Diavel, the players entered the room slowly.

It was a rectangular space that extended deep within.

The width of the space was about twenty meters, while the distance from the door to the wall at the far end was around a hundred meters. It was spacious and pitch-black, with no hint of light.

However, as the players stepped into the room, the entire space suddenly illuminated, transforming into a colorful hall.

And at the deepest part of this space, a crude yet enormous throne stood.

Players all saw it.

Upon that throne sat an enormous figure.

"Clang..."

The eyes of the massive figure suddenly glowed red.

"Whoosh..."

Amidst the sound of a gust of wind, the figure slowly stood up from the throne.

Only at this moment did the players manage to see the figure's full appearance.

Covered in red fur.

Over two meters tall.

A burly, bulky physique resembling an orc's.

In one hand, it held an axe carved from bone, while the other gripped a circular shield covered with leather. On its waist, there was a blade-like weapon about a meter and a half in length.

This was the Floor Guardian Boss of the 1st Floor of Aincrad—"Illfang- The Kobold Lord."

"Roarrrrrr-----!"

A menacing roar erupted from the creature's mouth.

With this sound, three heavily armed Kobold Sentinels jumped down from openings on the walls to its sides and appeared before Illfang.

"So... so that's the Guardian Boss of this floor!?"

"And there are Sentinels too!"

"Just as the intel said!"

"Same as the closed beta's Floor Guardian!"

"This is great!"

The players were initially awed by the massive stature of the Floor Guardian Boss, but soon their excitement overtook them, and they shouted in joy.

"Rozen-kun!"

Diavel shouted to Rozen.

"I know."

Rozen calmly nodded.

"Then..."

After pulling out the "Anneal Blade +8" from his back, Rozen pointed its tip forward.

"Commence the attack!"

Following Rozen's order, players let out roars and rushed forward in unison.