-408- A hidden labyrinth

In terms of results, Rozen and Asuna managed to slip into the Black Iron Palace quite smoothly.

Even with six guards stationed at the entrance, Rozen's "Hiding" skill had become nearly perfected, and Asuna's proficiency with the skill was also high. While it might not work against players like Kirito, who had fully mastered the "Searching" skill, it was quite useful against the semi-proficient members of the "Army" who hadn't been at the frontlines for a while.

Asuna expressed surprise and a hint of skepticism, saying, "I can't believe it was this easy. As the headquarters of a guild, shouldn't they have at least one or two players with high proficiency in 'Searching' to prevent intruders?"

Isn't this too careless?

But Rozen didn't find it strange at all.

"After all, the 'Army' have always been stationed on the 1st floor. While they have a massive presence, compared to large guilds on the frontlines that are experienced and constantly gathering the latest information and knowledge, they actually fall short in many aspects."

That's what Rozen said.

This difference comes from whether or not they are on the frontlines. Guilds that focus on strengthening their individual members and guilds that are constantly expanding their organization fundamentally differ.

So, in clearing groups, players tend to prioritize improving themselves first. Unlike guilds like the 'Army,' they strengthen their group combat capabilities, and it's normal for no one to specialize in skills like 'Searching'.

As the Vice Commander of the 'Knights of the Blood Oath,' Asuna is somewhat skeptical of this approach.

"Then at the very least, they should have one or two skills or items for countering infiltration, right?"

Asuna evaluated.

"Even if they don't have the 'Searching' skill, like you, using something close to Saichou and Hanachou's 'Discoloration Powder' skill to substitute for it and detect players using 'Hiding' skill approaching within ten meters is still a viable method."

Kuradeel fell into Rozen's hands because of this. Surely, in this world, there must be quite a few skills or items that serve purposes like countering the 'Hiding' skill, right?

"You mean that powder?" Rozen casually dropped a bombshell. "Actually, that's just a bluff."

"Huh?"

His words rang in Asuna's ears, leaving her stunned.

Rozen repeated, "It's just a bluff. Saichou and Hanachou don't possess any 'Discoloration Powder' skill. Most of their skills are geared towards afflicting negative statuses on targets. How could they have any skill to counter 'Hiding'?"

Rozen's statement left Asuna utterly flabbergasted. "So you're saying you tricked Kuradeel?"

Asuna stared at Rozen, wide-eyed.

Rozen, unperturbed, shrugged and said, "Well, if I didn't do that, there would have been no way to corner that stalker, right?"

With that remark, Rozen walked on ahead without paying any attention to the dumbfounded Asuna.

In the end, Asuna could only sigh and mutter to herself, "Poor Kuradeel..."

After saying that, she followed Rozen.

After walking for a while, they soon spotted Yui ahead. Yui appeared completely oblivious to her surroundings, as if sleepwalking, continuing to move forward. However, she didn't head for the main entrance but instead took a detour to the rear of the building.

Seeing this, Rozen didn't approach her this time. Instead, he maintained a certain distance and silently followed Yui from behind. Although Asuna was concerned about Yui's condition, seeing that Rozen seemed to have a plan, she suppressed her anxiety and followed in silence as well.

Rozen and Asuna followed Yui until they reached a specific location. It was a set of stairs leading down towards the water in the trench nearby. Upon closer inspection, there was an entrance on the right side of the front of the stairs, leading into a dark pathway. Yui entered without hesitation, disappearing from Rozen and Asuna's view.

Seeing this, Rozen and Asuna hurried forward and arrived at the entrance.

"Where is this?" Asuna asked, looking surprised. "Is there such a place behind the Black Iron Palace?"

This question, Rozen could answer for Asuna.

"No," Rozen replied, keeping a close eye on the entrance in front of him. "At least, during the closed beta test period, there was no such entrance here. Even after the official launch, I've never seen or heard of it."

What did this indicate?

"This place could either have opened after a certain period of operation or after clearing a certain floor. Alternatively, it could have been hidden all along, undiscovered by anyone," Rozen explained. "Of course, both possibilities exist."

In other words...

"Could it be the work of the Army?"

Asuna made this guess.

Rozen neither confirmed nor denied, just shrugged.

"In unexplored mazes like this, not only are there unopened treasure chests, but there are also rare items that appear only once or a few times. Moreover, the monsters emerging from the maze are equally attractive to players who need experience points to level up. If such a place appears in their territory, it's perfectly normal to monopolize it, right?"

That was Rozen's perspective.

In other words...

"Is there a Labyrinth inside?"

Asuna stared at the entrance, attempting to see what was inside. Unfortunately, all she could see from here was darkness; everything else remained concealed.

"Let's go in."

Rozen said so and walked in first.

"Alright."

Taking a deep breath and tightening the sword at her waist, Asuna followed him.

...

Rozen's guess was correct.

This was a Labyrinth.

And it was a relatively high-level Labyrinth.

Despite being on the lowest floor of Aincrad, the most basic monsters in this maze had a strength equivalent to around the 60th floor. Players below level 70 would be overwhelmed the moment they entered here.

Fortunately, both Rozen and Asuna had much higher levels. Rozen, who was nearly level 100, wasn't worried at all. Even Asuna was already level 95, making her unafraid of the monsters here.

"Ribbit!"

"Ribbit!"

With annoying croaks echoing around, groups of giant frog-like creatures with slimy skin began to converge towards them.

"Let's go, Asuna!"

"Okay!"

Rozen and Asuna drew their weapons from their waists without hesitation and charged forward.