-1781- The most crucial part

This incident not only served as a wake-up call for Rozen and his group but also for those involved in the Virtual Division.

From the very beginning, the government had concerns about this issue. They feared that players who had lived in SAO for two years, surviving in a death game filled with killing, might be psychologically and emotionally impacted, potentially causing problems in the real world.

As a result, numerous measures were implemented, such as enrolling these students in a temporary school under centralized management. This was why Rozen, Asuna, and others were currently attending the same school.

However, there were exceptions, such as individuals like Red-Eyed XaXa, who had long dropped out of school, were unemployed, and could not be subjected to supervision.

No one could guarantee that such individuals wouldn't lash out violently like Death Gun at any given moment.

In particular, Laughing Coffin, the notorious murder guild, was an especially significant concern. Due to its very nature, many of its members likely couldn't escape their identities as murderers. A single grudge or trigger could turn them into reapers in the real world, harming innocent civilians—a scenario no one wanted to see happen.

Because of this...

"I've already requested Kikuoka Seijirou to push the government to monitor individuals in SAO with prior criminal records or who became orange- or red-name players. If necessary, agents must be assigned to infiltrate their surroundings and conduct round-the-clock surveillance."

While walking along a crowded street, holding Asuna's hand, Rozen explained.

"Before this, the government may not have taken such actions. Assigning personnel to monitor every player with a criminal record in SAO would have been considered a waste of manpower and resources."

However, with Rozen's proposal, the Ministry of General Affairs had taken action.

Rozen suggested, "There's no need to assign agents for every individual. Based on the records, focus on those with high crime values and assign personnel to monitor them. For those with lower crime values and less risk, recruit informants from their social circles. These informants can keep an eye on them and report any problems immediately. That will be sufficient."

With this suggestion and Rozen's request, the Ministry ultimately issued directives to the Virtual Division to begin implementing these measures.

"Currently, while other players are being dealt with as needed, those who had joined Laughing Coffin have either been placed under surveillance or isolated entirely. Some have even been arrested for committing hidden crimes," Rozen shrugged and said.

"Even Johnny Black has already been apprehended by government agents because it turns out he was an accomplice of Death Gun. Before this, he had provided some assistance to Death Gun's plans."

Hearing this, Asuna was momentarily stunned and then surprised.

"Johnny Black was an accomplice of Death Gun?"

"That's right." Rozen nodded, continuing, "Shinkawa Shouichi's health wasn't great, and his younger brother, Shinkawa Kyouji, was only a high school student. They managed to acquire a drug that could induce heart failure and leave no trace, thanks to their father's position as a hospital director. But infiltrating others' residences and killing them undetected isn't simple."

Thus, having a third party assist them in their plans became a natural conclusion.

Considering XaXa's relationship with Johnny Black, contacting him for help with their murder plots was easy.

"That guy has already been taken away by the Virtual Division. Soon, he'll probably be tried alongside the Shinkawa brothers. As for other members of Laughing Coffin, they've been brought under control, making it unlikely for any incidents to occur again."

At this point, Rozen paused, pondering.

Because...

"The only exception is probably PoH."

Rozen narrowed his eyes.

"PoH?" Asuna tensed, immediately asking, "Is PoH not under surveillance?"

"Correct." Rozen nodded again, affirming Asuna's suspicion. "After investigations, it seems that guy left the country a long time ago. He's currently not even in Japan, so there's no way to monitor him."

Hearing this, Asuna couldn't help but feel worried.

"Of all people, it's PoH?" Asuna muttered under her breath.

It couldn't be helped. Compared to others, PoH was the most dangerous.

After all, whether it was XaXa, Johnny Black, or others, many who joined Laughing Coffin were incited by PoH into becoming ruthless killers. Even many orange-name players unaffiliated with Laughing Coffin had been led astray by PoH's provocations. Calling PoH the darkest force in SAO wasn't an exaggeration.

As long as that man remained at large, there was always the risk of him inciting more people, leading to the formation of a new Laughing Coffin.

This was a scenario no one wanted, especially those who had crossed paths with PoH, such as the frontline players who had fought against him.

Even Rozen wouldn't hesitate to eliminate PoH if he learned the man was up to something.

But for now...

"There's no need to worry too much about that guy," Rozen reassured. "The Virtual Division has already investigated him. According to the latest intel, although PoH escaped abroad, he became addicted to marijuana after leaving SAO. Given that, it's unlikely he has the mental clarity to cause trouble."

When Rozen learned this yesterday, he knew PoH was essentially ruined.

/// Welp, no Alicization arc.. so yeah, PoH is a drug addict now lmao///

At the very least, addiction to drugs affects both mental and neural states, making it almost impossible for PoH to reclaim his status as the feared prodigy swordsman.

"If he dares to come looking for trouble in his current condition, I won't hesitate to show him what it means to seek death."

Rozen's confident remark finally eased Asuna's worry.

"So, the incident is entirely resolved now, isn't it?" Asuna asked, looking at Rozen.

"You could say that." Rozen smiled at Asuna, patting her head. "More importantly, focus on the next phase of the campaign. On Christmas Eve, floors 21 through 30 of New Aincrad will open."

Hearing this, Asuna's eyes gleamed with determination.

"You're right." She nodded firmly. "The most crucial part lies ahead, and there's no time to dwell on other matters."

Asuna had been eagerly awaiting this moment.

"Once the new floors open, we must clear the 21st floor and reach the 22nd floor as quickly as possible."

She clenched her small fists in determination.

"Exactly."

Rozen chuckled.

The two stopped discussing Laughing Coffin, as if drawing a line under their past entanglements. Instead, they turned their attention to the upcoming floor clearings and continued forward.