-323- [ Holy Sword ]

In the present day, the existence of special skills is no longer a secret.

While some special skills with hidden learning conditions might not have all been discovered, once someone learns them, the information becomes public.

For example, the "Martial Arts" skill Rozen learned and Klein's "Katana" skill were both made known either by the player who learned them to enhance the collective strength of players or were dug out by information brokers like Argo, revealing them to the world.

Even if someone intends to keep their special skill hidden, if another person learns it after some time, the information inevitably becomes public.

In addition, various NPCs also provide hints about the existence and learning conditions of hidden skills, allowing players to discover these special skills and learn them. Rozen himself learned about the setting of the "Rainbow Butterfly" from an NPC gardener and gathered information about raising butterfly familiars from other similar NPCs. He then combined this information with his own considerations and plans to bring Saichou to its current state.

There are many such instances, and NPCs don't intentionally hide information, resulting in more and more people learning these special skills, and thus, the information can't be kept secret.

However, Heathcliff's use of sword skills was clearly a case of using a weapon skill that hadn't been publicly revealed so far. Otherwise, Rozen wouldn't have been so unaware.

This suggests two possibilities.

Either Heathcliff's learned skill is so rare that hardly anyone else can learn it, or he learned it recently and the information hasn't spread yet.

Or...

"That's right, I don't even know the conditions to learn this special skill myself."

Heathcliff spoke calmly, as if he could read Rozen's thoughts.

"This skill suddenly appeared in my skill list one day without any reason. I learned it. As far as I know, no other player currently possesses it, and no NPC mentions the conditions to learn it. If I'm correct, this should be a unique skill that only one person is allowed to learn. Rather than calling it a 'special skill,' it's more appropriate to call it a 'unique skill.'"

—"Unique Skill."

In other words, a special skill that only a single individual can learn.

"The skill is named—'Holy Sword.'"

Heathcliff raised his cross sword and cross shield, as if displaying the truth of this world. A faint smile appeared on his face.

"How will you deal with this one-of-a-kind skill?"

With that, Heathcliff forcefully stomped the ground and charged toward Rozen once again.

"...!? Rozen thought without hesitation, quickly raising the King's Sword of Protection.

The two clashed again, engaging in a fierce battle.

Heathcliff's cross sword traced unknown paths, leaving behind ethereal lights as it struck like a tempest, launching a fierce assault against Rozen.

Faced with this overwhelming onslaught, Rozen, unable to rely on his experience and memory to predict the enemy's attack trajectory, tightly focused on Heathcliff's cross sword. He used the King's Sword of Protection to barely withstand Heathcliff's attacks.

Unfortunately, Heathcliff's shield also had an attacking capability. It always launched an ambush against Rozen when he used the King's Sword of Protection to block Heathcliff's cross sword, striking Rozen forcefully.

As a result, Rozen found himself constantly retreating to cope with the dual attacks of the cross sword and cross shield, struggling to maintain his defense.

(He's strong...!)

Rozen braced himself while tension welled up within him.

In this world, Rozen had encountered formidable players before.

For instance, Kirito, his brother, was a top-tier player with exceptional gaming skills. Relying solely on a one-handed sword, Kirito was at the top of the Clearing Group, surpassing all except Rozen. Within the Clearing Group, Kirito was the strongest player, and even among those of the same group, most could only last a few minutes against him. Only players of Klein's and Agil's level could contend with Kirito, and still, they weren't truly his equals.

But Heathcliff was in a league of his own.

Rozen initially thought that Argo's evaluation of the Guild Leader was high enough to place him in the top three of the Clearing Group. He assumed Heathcliff could stand on par with Kirito, or possibly even surpass him in strength.

Yet, Rozen realized he had underestimated Heathcliff.

This Guild Leader was indeed stronger than Kirito.

But, it wasn't just by a small margin.

(If Kirito were to face him, could he last for a minute?)

Rozen pondered this question.

Therefore, without considering their gaming skills, purely evaluating their ability as single-handed swordsmen, Rozen was slightly inferior to Kirito.

Consequently, if Kirito had difficulty holding his own against Heathcliff, Rozen would naturally fare similarly.

However, Rozen's is only slightly inferior to Kirito under two conditions.

One condition is to not use familiars.

The other condition is to not use the "Mind's Eye" technique.

As for the current situation...

"I can't hold back anymore!"

Rozen forcefully raised his head and swung the King's Sword of Protection with all his might, deflecting Heathcliff's incoming cross sword.

"Saichou! Hanachou!"

With Rozen's shout, the two familiars that had been on standby finally sprang into action.

"Gu!"

"Gu!"

Saichou and Hanachou flew in from the left and right, their long tails of light trailing behind them as they positioned themselves above Heathcliff.

"Rustling..."

Amidst the friction-like sound, countless phosphorescent particles fell from Saichou and Hanachou's wings as they fluttered.

"——!"

Heathcliff's expression shifted, abruptly halting his actions and evading to the rear, almost springing away.

"Gu!"

The two Rainbow Butterfly familiars immediately gained momentum, relentlessly pursuing Heathcliff.

At this moment, Rozen closed his eyes.

His consciousness delved deeper into his inner being.

The world around him was about to undergo a significant change.