Chapter 6

After making a shady deal with his exclusive information broker and adding her as a friend on his [main menu], they both parted ways.

As a gift of partnership, Argo sent him a map to a ruin. However, the inside of the ruin hadn't been explored, so she sent it as she got it.

After exploring the ruin, Sharia would send back the mapped data to Argo, who would sell it at a reasonable price to current players—especially beta testers.

From there, Sharia continued on his way.

Along the way, he encountered insect-type monsters and the like, but he dealt with them fairly easily, which in turn provided him with lots of proficiency points.

While it wasn't enough to take any of his current skills to [Level 5], it was enough to bring his other sword skills close to [Level 4].

[Sword Mastery Proficiency (Lv 4): 4,340/100,000]

[Cross Arc Proficiency (Lv 3): 2,190/10,000]

[Vertical Slash Proficiency (Lv 3): 6,670/10,000]

[Horizontal Slash Proficiency (Lv 3): 7,230/10,00]

He was gaining proficiency with his One-handed Sword Mastery at a fast pace, which in turn allowed the remaining four sword skills to gain proficiency very quickly as well.

That aside, after walking for more than 30 minutes, Sharia finally exited the forest and entered a patch of field. In front of him was a broken-down temple-like structure.

Quickly, Sharia looked around to inspect the place for a moment. "It looks like no one has explored this place."

If Blackie-sensei hadn't been to this place, then this place surely must have been somewhere even the almighty Blackie-sensei himself didn't know.

But this was also highly unlikely.

In terms of knowledge of the game, Blackie-sensei sometimes knew more than the information brokers themselves.

That would mean it was either a new ruin that was just discovered, or the map data she gave him came from players who had come here but died before they could send the data of the ruins to Argo.

"Haah. I wonder how that guy doesn't even feel a shard of remorse for the emotional trauma he has caused." Ignoring that thought, Sharia shook his head.

Following the cobblestone path that led inside the temple, Sharia slowly walked into the abandoned structure.

The interior was dark and rather gloomy, with little sources of light, and those few sources coming from some lit torches.

Looking at the desolate walls and pillars, it resembled a religious temple, shrine, or perhaps even one from ancient times.

Rather than just a religious temple or an underground temple from ancient times, it looked like a mix of both.

Right ahead was a statue, resembling a goddess, but one of its arms had broken off and was lying on the ground.

The place where the statue was positioned had an open ceiling above it, allowing a little sunlight to filter through.

Driven by curiosity, Sharia walked towards the statue, brushing his fingers on the cold surface.

"Hmm. No dust? Weird," Sharia murmured as he traced his finger on the statue.

It was then his vigilance heightened, and he looked around more carefully.

Though the temple seemed abandoned for a long time, the interior was relatively well-preserved.

The statue, in particular, was clean, while there was still some dust on the ground—no, wavy lines?

'Shit...' Sharia cursed, quickly turning and jumping backwards, far away from the statue.

Out of nowhere, from behind the statue, masking itself in the darkness, emerged a giant python as thick as a tree trunk, slowly curling itself around the statue.

'What in Elden Ring is this!' Sharia screamed in his mind, looking at the monster in horror.

'Are you kidding me? It hasn't even been an hour yet.'

'And why the fuck is a Rare-class Flag Mob spawning on the first floor? I never heard anything about this!'

[Guardian of Alka]

[Hp: 100%]

[Hp: 100%]

[Hp: 100%]

Seeing the details of the monster, the corners of Sharia's lips twitched.

No wonder there were no other monsters here—there was a boss-level monster!

Of all monsters to encounter, it had to be a red-named monster. And not just any red-named, but a [Red Named Rare-class Flag Mob].

Flag mobs are monsters set up for the completion of a quest or event. While some of them are set up for events or quests, there are some rare ones.

Typical flag mobs would take a few hours to a few days to respawn, while some take months up to a year to respawn, and some never respawn after being defeated.

Rare flag mobs like these are as powerful as mid-boss monsters.

In other words, Sharia was in danger. He subconsciously took a step back and immediately felt chills down his spine.

"Kuh!" The giant python had begun slithering towards him faster than he could react.

Gritting his teeth, seeing as he wouldn't be able to successfully dodge, Sharia immediately pulled out his longsword, swinging it out of its sheath.

CLANG!

Shockwaves coursed through Sharia's body from his hand, sending him flying back.

"Kuack!"

He collided with a wall, quickly checking his health bar. A quarter of it had already drained.

[Sharia]

[75%]

His eyes widened in alarm. 'Tsk! I won't be able to run away.' Heck, he couldn't even turn his back on the monster.

He had underestimated this game. To be precise: CURSE YOU KAYABA!

From this moment on, Sharia swore he'd make Kayaba's life a living hell if he could.

[A Block has been successfully detected.]

[Block Proficiency (Lv 1): 0/100]

Originally thinking of a plan, Sharia was surprised by the menu that blocked his view, but seeing this menu, he changed his mind.

He quickly opened his menu and got the healing items ready as he stood up.

"Since we both know you won't let me go," he wiped the sweat trickling down his forehead before continuing, "then I'll play with you."

The python, seeing its prey alive, flicked its scarlet tongue happily and hungrily, its golden slit pupils locking onto Sharia.

WHOOSH!

The sound of the wind cut through the air as Sharia quickly assumed an iai-like stance. He was taking a gamble.

The longsword was thin and fragile, and he doubted he could use it for long.

He would have loved to switch weapons, but under the monster's watchful gaze, it wouldn't be easy.

Besides, he already had the item menu opened up so he could quickly take out the crystals in dire situations.

Again, the python lunged at him.

As a QTE, block, and parry player, everything became clear to him now. The moment the monster opened its mouth, Sharia immediately aimed for the fangs, blocking it from swallowing him.

Successfully initiating a block, this time, Sharia didn't get knocked back. However, he was being pushed back by the python, which hissed angrily.

[Block successful]

[Block has been upgraded.]

[Block (Lv 2): 0/1,000]

The python, relying on its primal instincts, was shocked that its small prey could block its attack.

Enraged, it pressed its fangs harder, trying to push Sharia back and swallow him in one gulp, sensing a different vibe coming from him.

However, Sharia consistently adjusted his blade, preventing the python from swallowing him.

'This damn monster—!' Sharia knew the python intended to swallow him whole.

Frustrated, the python pushed Sharia against the wall.

However—Sharia gritted his teeth, and at the moment of impact against the wall, he let go.

In a burst of agility, he kicked the wall behind him, using it as a springboard, launching himself into the air above the python while drawing his longsword back.

[Direct Thrust has been activated.]

His blade shimmered with a creamy white light as Sharia descended towards the python's torso, thrusting his longsword.

SCHLUCK!

The longsword pierced its hard scales and into the flesh beneath.

HISSS!

The python, in agony, thrashed around violently, trying to shake off Sharia.

The force of its movements sent Sharia flying back, and his sword broke, leaving the blade lodged in the python's flesh.

Despite the loss of his weapon, he had dealt a significant blow to the python.

[Guardian of Alka]

[Hp: 65%]

[Hp: 100%]

[Hp: 100%]

The python wiggled around before coming to a stop, coiling around itself and raising its body as it glared at Sharia with full animosity.

"Hahahahaha. Does it hurt?"

"Don't worry, there's more where that came from."

Sharia glared at the monster as he drew his other sword from his inventory and equipped it.

"Let's dance, monster."

[Steel Sword]

- [Attack: 65]

- [Defense: 30]

....

Intermission.

Useless Fun facts:

Even though the author of the two series, Sword Art Online and Accel World denied it, however, in contrast:

The editor has made somewhat contradictory statements implying that Accel World might have been born from Sword Art online.

And this is very much clear in the Accel's anime and Light Novel.

....

Sharia was very calm at the moment. As for why he was, even he himself did not know.

Perhaps he was currently under an adrenaline rush, but he felt he could not lose at the moment.

He prepared a stance.

His legs slightly bent, holding his left arm forward to support the sword held by the cocked back right arm.

As the python recovered, Sharia dashed towards it with another [Direct Thrust], not giving it a chance to react.

The python hissed loudly and lunged straight at Sharia, opening its mouth in an attempt to swallow him again.

However, Sharia, experiencing an adrenaline rush, calmly stepped to the side, letting the python pass.

As it did, Sharia turned the [Direct Thrust] into a [Horizontal Slash].

CLANK!

'Tsk. Stupid busted ass armor.'

[Guardian of Alka]

[Hp: 60%]

[Hp: 100%]

[Hp: 100%]

Not only does it have high attack power, but because of its scales, it also has high defense.

'However, even such a monster should have a weak spot,' Sharia thought as he jumped away again.

At his current level, he wouldn't be able to deal significant damage. He doubted the monster would just wait for him to hit a critical damage.

Just as Sharia jumped away, a massive tail swung towards him.

Despite the python's lightning-fast reactions, Sharia's increasingly calm mind easily saw through this, which is why he jumped.

Watching the massive tail hurl towards him, Sharia adjusted his steel sword into a defensive stance.

CLANG!

The entire temple seemed to tremble, with dust falling from above as if it could collapse at any moment.

Despite the chaos, Sharia managed to firmly block the python's attack.

Seeing its thwarted attempt, the python grew enraged and repeatedly whipped its tail.

BANG!

BANG!

BANG!

More than ten powerful strikes rained down, each seemingly stronger than the last.

Unable to match the python's speed, Sharia stood his ground, focusing his defense on one spot.

However, he knew he couldn't sustain this for much longer.

[Sharia]

[Hp: 55%]

But it wasn't just the python's attacks that intensified.

The repeated onslaught of the python, provided Sharia with enough experience to level up his blocking skill.

[Block Proficiency (Lv 2): 1,000/1,000]

[Requirements have been met.]

[Upgrading Skill: Block to Skill: Block Counter.]

A series of notifications flashed before him, catching Sharia's attention.

He had initially thought he might need to endure the python's rampage until it exhausted itself, possibly needing to use a recovery crystal.

But now, there appeared to be an opportunity.

The python, realizing that Sharia's defensive stance made it difficult to harm him, ceased its attacks.

Its massive, thick body coiled around the temple, circling Sharia as it seemed to search for a weakness in his defense.

Sharia intentionally maintained his defensive stance, taking a moment to glance at the newly upgraded skill.

[Special Skill: Block Counter Proficiency (Lv 3): 0/10,000]

[Block Counter: Timely parry an enemy's incoming attack, causing significant armor-piercing damage that cannot be defended against. Limited by Stamina.]

Sharia nodded calmly, though he hadn't expected to possess a parry skill.

At the same time, the stamina limitation concerned him.

Currently, his stamina was low, and he had no stamina recovery crystal with him at the moment.

'Guess I can only tough it out.'

'Let's give it a try then,' Sharia thought as he turned towards the python, which eyed him cautiously.

Entering his [Direct Thrust] stance again, he dashed at the huge, menacing python.

The python, now cautious of Sharia's ability to block its attacks, raised its head high and lunged at him, its body writhing.

Despite Sharia's speed, the monster proved faster.

Before his sword reached it, the python's menacing head was already upon him.

However—

"HA!"

"I've been waiting for this!" Sharia smirked, suddenly switching moves mid-charge.

The python, which had charged to drive its head into Sharia and pin him to the ground, suddenly sensed something was amiss.

[Block Counter]!

Before it could comprehend what was happening, shockwaves surged through its body. It attempted to hiss loudly but found itself unable to make a sound.

[Guardian of Alka]

[Status: Stunned] [00:30]

[Hp: 15%]

[Hp: 100%]

[Hp: 100%]

The python remained in a stunned state as Sharia unleashed a flurry of sword skills, each blow meticulously upgraded.

The initial [Block Counter] had already inflicted significant damage on its first Health bar.

But this was not without cost.

"Ack—!"

Sharia himself had begun to feel the strain. Fatigue set in, weakening his grip on the sword. It was then he realized.

'Shit, not only did I use Block Counter, I'm also recklessly releasing Sword Skills.'

Gritting his teeth, Sharia jumped up, reassessing his next move.

[Guardian of Alka]

[Status: Stunned] [00:05]

[Hp: 00%]

[Hp: 53%]

[Hp: 100%]

But then, he now remembered.

"Since it's a python, it should have its own reversed scale, shouldn't it KAYABA!"

Seeing the exposed weak point on the python's head, a glint crossed Sharia's eyes as for the first time, he shouted in a cringe manner.

"[Direct Thrust]!"

As the saying goes. "Hit the snake seven inches below its head." This critical area was vital, even for a python.

[Guardian of Alka]

[Status: Stunned] [00:03]

With the stun status nearing its end and almost no time left.

Sharia swiftly pierced the python's weak spot, stabbing it multiple times to ensure it died in this single chance he had.

And soon....

[Hp: 00%]

[Hp: 00%]

[Hp: 00%]

[Congratulations.]

[You have slain the Guardian of Alka]

[Your rewards are being calculated.]

"Haah. Haah. Haah."

"Eat sh*t Kayaba. Haah."