-387- The death of Kuradeel

"Clang!"

As the sword skill's dazzling effect emanated from Kuradeel's two-handed sword, most of the players in the area hadn't reacted in time to the unfolding situation.

There were only two people who reacted promptly within the entire clearing group.

"Rozen!" Kirito couldn't help but shout.

"Rozen!" Asuna rushed forward without hesitation.

As for the rest of the players, although a few of them realized what was happening, they were too slow to react.

Kuradeel, with his hands gripping the sword skill's radiant effect, wore a menacing expression as he charged toward Rozen. He swung down with tremendous force at Rozen's head, leaving behind a magnificent trail with his two-handed sword.

It was the overhead slash technique of the two-handed sword—"Avalanche." Among the techniques for two-handed swords, it was known for its exceptional power. When facing this move, even if one managed to block it with a regular defense, the impact would be too great to immediately counterattack.

Dodging it was also challenging because the attacker had enough time to reposition. It could be considered a high-level sword skill, although not on the same level as techniques like "Vorpal Strike" and "Flashing Penetrator" that required mastery of weapon skills to unlock. It was not something you could casually acquire.

Kuradeel's ability to use this technique indicated a considerable level of strength. Despite his questionable character, his strength was likely why he could join the Knights of the Blood Oath, a guild with strict requirements for its members.

However, faced with this high-power strike, Rozen didn't dodge or avoid it. He didn't even draw his weapon. He simply looked on with indifference, his face bearing a mocking expression.

The immensely powerful blow landed heavily on Rozen's head.

"Clang!"

Just at that moment, a purple barrier appeared above Rozen's head, forcefully deflecting Kuradeel's merciless sword strike and producing a shower of intense sparks.

This was a unique phenomenon triggered only when inside safe zones—a specific automatic barrier designed to prevent criminal actions. It rendered all attacks entirely ineffective.

This area was the Transfer Gate Plaza in Kamdet, which was part of the main street zone. There was no way Kuradeel's attack could have any effect here.

Yet, as Kuradeel's attack was deflected, Rozen abruptly drew his crystal sword.

"Clang!"

A vibrant red sword skill effect radiated from Rozen's crystal sword.

It was the one-handed sword's powerful attack technique—"Vorpal Strike."

Despite being inside a safe zone, Rozen initiated an attack, causing his crystal sword to transform into a red spear that pierced toward Kuradeel's face. As Kuradeel was pushed back by the automatic purple barrier, Rozen's attack landed squarely on Kuradeel's face.

Naturally, the purple barrier automatically appeared, shielding Kuradeel's face and blocking Rozen's attack.

However...

"Boom!"

A deafening explosion-like sound erupted right in front of Kuradeel, accompanied by a brilliant flash that was like a sonic boom, piercing Kuradeel's eardrums and overwhelming his vision.

"Ahh!"

Kuradeel let out an inaudible scream as the intense flash and explosion startled him.

Indeed, when attacking a player inside a safe zone, even if the attack landed, it wouldn't cause any harm due to the presence of the translucent barrier. However, that didn't mean the target would be entirely unharmed.

As the attacker's stats and skill levels improved, the system's light effects and sound effects when preventing criminal actions became more intense. Depending on the strength of the sword skill, there could even be a knockback effect.

Although it couldn't cause substantial damage, players who couldn't adapt to the shockwaves and flashes would find it unbearable.

For this reason, high-level players sometimes bullied lower-level players inside safe zones, relying on their superior stats.

Now, Rozen was essentially bullying Kuradeel.

Taunting him for his foolishness and ignorance.

"If you want to intimidate people inside a safe zone, you should at least do it to this extent."

Rozen dropped these words with a smirk. He once again imbued his crystal sword with the effect of a sword skill, this time akin to a lightning strike. He struck Kuradeel's face heavily.

"Boom!"

Another explosion accompanied a blinding flash. Kuradeel let out a pitiful scream as he rolled and crawled away, even dropping his weapon.

The intense flash brought tears to Kuradeel's eyes, and his ears were filled with a continuous ringing.

Rozen slowly approached Kuradeel.

Only at this moment did Kuradeel feel genuine fear.

"Don't... don't come any closer...!"

Kuradeel screamed in terror as he desperately tried to escape the plaza.

Unfortunately...

"Where do you think you're going?"

With his dual swords strapped to his back, Kirito appeared in front of Kuradeel, blocking his path, and the other players quickly followed suit.

Kuradeel was taken aback and hurriedly changed direction, but he was immediately blocked again, this time by Klein, who held a katana and wore a mischievous grin.

Before Kuradeel could change direction once more, another player appeared behind him. This time, it was Agil, with his massive physique, blocking the way from a higher vantage point, looking down at Kuradeel, who couldn't help but feel a sense of dread.

Soon, one by one, players blocked Kuradeel's escape routes, surrounding him. Inside the safezone, not only could players not harm each other, but they also couldn't forcibly move someone else. On the contrary, by blocking the path like this, no matter how powerful a player was, they couldn't break through. They had no choice but to obey the other players' instructions.

This was how players escorted criminals to the in-game prison.

Kibaou, along with members of the "Army," also surrounded Kuradeel, and he growled at him, "You'll be locked up in prison until the game is completely cleared!"

Hearing this Kuradeel knew he couldn't escape, despite his sweating forehead and pale face, he continued to laugh.

"You... you can only lock me up in prison! You can't truly harm me!" Kuradeel shouted desperately.

"Even if I'm locked up until the game is cleared, as long as I'm alive, I can still do as I please!"

"Or are you planning to publicly execute me outside the safezone?"

"In that case, you'll become vile criminals, you know?"

"Hahaha!"

Kuradeel laughed manically, making the other players' faces turn unsightly.

In this situation, Kuradeel even said:

"This world really is the best. Kayaba Akihiko, the creator of this world, is the best. I really want to thank him for creating this game that allows me to have so much fun. This place truly is...!"

Just as Kuradeel was proudly shouting these words, the next moment...

"Bang!"

The sound of shattering rang out.

It was the sound of Kuradeel's body disintegrating into polygons.

Just like when HP reached zero, Kuradeel's body shattered without any warning.

Fragments scattered across the entire plaza, causing all the players to slowly widen their eyes.

Their expressions underwent a sudden and dramatic change.