-331- [ Laughing Coffin ]

As SAO had been running for about a year and a half, apart from the clearing group gradually growing stronger and mid-tier and low-tier players slowly progressing, another type of entity had become more brazen in their actions: Orange Guilds and Red Guilds.

Due to Aincrad being more than halfway cleared, players began to feel hopeful about returning to the real world. This led many to step out of towns, pick up weapons, and engage in battles against monsters. As a result, some aimed to join the clearing group, working to improve themselves. Meanwhile, others took a darker path, resorting to inhumane actions for virtual in-game gains.

This caused the influence and power of Orange Guilds and Red Guilds to increase gradually.

Among these, there was an exceptionally powerful and infamous group, even within Orange Guilds or Red Guilds.

— "Laughing Coffin."

This was currently the largest and strongest PK (player killing) guild in SAO.

"Since death is a natural part of a death game, killing is also a natural right for all players to enjoy the game."

This was the argument put forth by the guild leader of Laughing Coffin, "PoH." This viewpoint attracted numerous criminal players and even tempted and brainwashed a considerable number of Orange players, leading them down the path of madness and crime.

To put it plainly, the influence and strength of this guild were on par with that of "Crimson Wing" or "Knights of the Blood Oath," guilds capable of standing at the pinnacle of SAO.

What was even more frightening was that the motives behind the crimes of this guild weren't for money or equipment. Their actions were purely driven by a desire for killing, making them the ultimate destination for criminal players.

This guild was formally established about three months ago, and to commemorate its formation, it wiped out a sightseeing small guild.

In the subsequent month, the guild committed frequent murders, ultimately leaving players in a state of panic.

This incident eventually caught the attention of the clearing group.

As the leader of the clearing group, Rozen, at that time, gave the order:

"Dispatch a reconnaissance team. Even if the pace of our progress slows temporarily, we must identify all the members of this guild."

This directive was approved by the clearing group, and even Asuna, who regarded clearing as everything, didn't voice any objections, silently agreeing to this action.

Consequently, over the next month, while maintaining the pace of their clearing progress, the clearing group simultaneously searched the already cleared floors, ultimately identifying twenty members of "Laughing Coffin" and sending them to prison.

This achievement was largely thanks to Rozen's leadership and judgment. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to locate these red-named players hidden within training zones and labyrinth areas, who rarely appeared in towns.

After that, "Laughing Coffin" seemed to disappear completely, no longer appearing frequently.

However, Argo would occasionally bring back bits of information about "Laughing Coffin" to aid Rozen in making judgments.

The "those guys" Kirito mentioned referred to the members of "Laughing Coffin."

"It's said that those guys, in order to replenish the members they lost last time, are currently scouting suitable Orange Guilds to persuade and brainwash."

Kirito brought this message from Argo.

"Argo conducted an investigation and found that 'Laughing Coffin' has set its sights on several Orange Guilds simultaneously. Here are the lists and information about the recent actions and activities of these Orange Guilds."

Kirito took out several pieces of parchment from his pouch and handed them over to Rozen.

Rozen immediately took them and quickly scanned through the information.

"What should we do?" Kirito asked concisely.

Rozen didn't hesitate in his response.

"Since we have information about the movements of the Orange Guilds, there's only one choice."

Rozen's words conveyed his intentions to Kirito.

"Expose them," Rozen made this decision.

"I don't have any objections," Kirito responded without surprise and even added with a hint of amusement, "But if members of the clearing group are dispatched to take down these Orange Guilds, could it potentially alert 'Laughing Coffin' and make them go into hiding again?"

"If they go into hiding, so be it," Rozen shrugged, "Even if we can only eliminate those Orange Guilds, that's enough."

Compared to dedicated player killer guilds, Orange Guilds undoubtedly brought greater disaster to players. Although in terms of sheer fear factor, 'Laughing Coffin' was more terrifying, there was only one of them, while there were numerous Orange Guilds. In terms of the scope of harm, the threat of Orange Guilds was higher. By eliminating these Orange Guilds, more players could avoid being harmed.

As for 'Laughing Coffin,' if they could be caught, great; if not, it didn't matter.

"Similar to how players in the clearing group come from the mid-tier and low-tier players who have grown stronger, the ones responsible for 'Laughing Coffin' getting stronger are these potential members of Orange Guilds and Orange players. Removing these roots may not drastically reduce 'Laughing Coffin's' threat, but it definitely won't increase it further. Not to mention, taking down Orange Guilds can help prevent more players from being harmed."

Rozen randomly took out a piece of parchment from the stack and handed the rest to Kirito.

"You can distribute these lists among the clearing group. Let guilds like 'Knights of the Blood Oath,' 'Divine Dragon's Alliance,' and 'FuurinKazen' mobilize and send members to eliminate these guys."

Rozen's decisive approach impressed Kirito, who, while receiving the parchments, said, "And what about this?" He gestured towards the parchment in Rozen's hand. "Is this the target assigned to 'Crimson Wing'?"

Rozen chuckled lightly, saying, "No. This one's my target."

"You?" Kirito was momentarily puzzled, then his expression changed, and he exclaimed, "Do you mean to single-handedly take down an Orange Guild?"

"Yeah," Rozen nodded calmly, adding, "These Orange Guilds aren't the top-tier guilds within the clearing group. Some of them are just small guilds formed by mid-tier players. Is it really a problem for me to handle them alone?"

"This..." Kirito hesitated.

Rozen had just one thing to say in response.

"It's also a chance for me to test my current abilities."

Rozen's words carried a deeper meaning, making Kirito smile wryly, as if he had grasped something.

"Seems like the approach you would take."

Kirito gave this somewhat cryptic appraisal.

Rozen grinned.

After all...

"Even if it's just a matter of gaining something along the way, I hope to gain the most."

Rozen put it that way.

Seeing this Rozen, Kirito knew he couldn't stop his foster brother.

"Alright."

Kirito sighed once more, put away the parchment, and looked at Rozen.

"I'll make the arrangements."

Upon hearing this, Rozen nodded his head slightly, looking at the parchment in his hand.

The activity areas of the Orange Guilds mentioned on the parchment were...

"The 35th floor?" Rozen concluded as he put the parchment away.

"Gu!"

"Gu!"

Saichou and Hanachou flew back to Rozen's shoulder, and together with him, they left the tavern.