-236- Monopolize all resources

The sunset continued, casting a beautiful rosy hue over the entire 1st floor of Aincrad, making it look stunning. However, this beauty was unlikely to capture anyone's attention. At least, until the players freed themselves from the fear of being trapped in a death game, everything within this game would be met with rejection and curses.

In this situation, the so-called picturesque scenery wouldn't be noticed, and might even attract one-sided hatred. Perhaps in the future, when players no longer lamented the current situation, these beautiful scenes would be rediscovered. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case right now.

Just five minutes had passed since Kayaba Akihiko declared this was a reality where Sword Art Online had turned into a true death game.

While players were still in the central square in a state of panic, Rozen had already left the town of beginnings and arrived on the outside grasslands.

To dare to leave the town after the game had become a true death game and venture into the monster-inhabited areas, one could only say that Rozen, is truely a Magus who had experienced the burning of human order.

But one could easily assume that Rozen wouldn't choose to hide simply because the world had become dangerous. Otherwise, there would be no talk of saving human order or being a Magus.

Surprisingly, when Rozen left the town, there was another person who left as well.

"Aoka."

The person leaving the town was Kirito.

Just like Rozen, Kirito's appearance as a valiant hero based on his character setting had disappeared, replaced by a more neutral real-world appearance.

As for his equipment, it was the same as when he first entered the game today, clad in leather garments. The only addition was a sheathed sword strapped to his back.

It was a small sword, a one-handed sword, that could be bought from weapon shops during the early stages of the game.

As Rozen had anticipated, Kirito had indeed chosen a one-handed sword as his main weapon, making him a single-handed sword user.

And despite appearances, Kirito was a game expert no less than Rozen.

In all the games they had played together before, if Rozen didn't cheat using magic, the win-loss ratio between them was probably 6:4. Rozen's higher win rate was largely due to him having played games for a longer period. If they had played for the same amount of time, the outcome would be uncertain.

Moreover, Rozen had always played as a mage in games, while Kirito consistently chose the warrior class. In this Sword Art Online without magic, Kirito's skills might even surpass Rozen's, making him a formidable opponent.

It was precisely due to this that Kirito left the town just five minutes after the death game briefing ended, arriving here.

The reason was simple.

"You also realize that staying in the town won't solve anything, right?" Rozen said, unaffected by the situation. "And, don't call me by my real name in this world."

Although, in reality, that was indeed his true name.

"It's surprising that you can stay so calm."

Kirito fell silent for a moment before stiffly addressing Rozen with a tense expression.

Unaware of Rozen's true origins, Kirito couldn't possibly imagine that this so-called death game meant nothing to a Master who had experienced the burning of human order.

So...

"What good would it do if I weren't calm?" Rozen sarcastically asked. "If crying could solve the problem, I'd cry for you right now."

A remark that was both blunt and direct.

"Gu!"

Rainbow Butterfly let out a call, as if echoing Rozen's words.

Only now did Kirito notice that behind Rozen's shoulder was a cute and beautiful butterfly.

"As I expected, you found Rainbow Butterfly," Kirito said with a mixed tone. "In SAO, which has become like this, having a familiar like that is a huge advantage."

In this world, SAO, which had become a one-life death game, everything had turned into a cruel reality. In order to survive, to avoid being killed, players had to possess the ability to overcome any danger.

This ability could be level.

This ability could be weapons.

This ability could be items.

Naturally, obtaining a familiar that could aid in battle was also a tremendous advantage. Anything that could enhance one's strength became highly sought after in the current SAO, as it determined life and death.

Otherwise, once players stepped outside the town, they could be unilaterally massacred by the monsters that nearly filled every area outside the town, leading to the destruction of their real-world brain.

Adding to that, there were various other dangerous factors in this world, such as poisoning. If one didn't possess the strength to resist any means of reducing HP, there would be no guarantee of survival.

Of course, besides improving one's strength, there was another way to stay alive more easily.

That was to stay within the "Safe Zone," the effective area where criminal activities couldn't occur.

In this world, while there are training areas and labyrinth zones filled with dangerous monsters, there are also main street zones where players can rest, regroup, and relax. These areas are generally found in towns or important villages on various floors. Once players enter these zones, they receive protection from the system. Unless they accept a duel request, they won't take any damage.

Inside these absolutely safe main street zones, it's referred to as being within the "Safe Zone" Even if a player maliciously attacks others, the system generates light effects and blocks the attack with a system popup. The player's HP won't decrease, harmful items won't work, and direct criminal actions are ineffective.

So, if the sole goal is to stay alive, then staying in the starting town and not venturing out, waiting for someone to clear the game or for external personals to find a way to save everyone, is also an option.

However, Rozen wouldn't choose that approach.

"I will conquer all the floors together with Saihou and completely clear this game," Rozen said, looking directly at Kirito.

"And you? What's your plan?" Rozen asked.

Kirito had clearly already considered this question.

"I'm going to fight."

Kirito didn't lift his head; his voice was low, more like he was avoiding than resolving.

"As long as it's something that can level me up, obtain high-performance equipment, or get my hands on rare items, I'll give it my all," Kirito said.

This was both to protect himself and to uphold his dignity.

Even if Kirito chose the worst possible method, it was the same.

"Based on our experience from the closed beta, we can quickly make ourselves stronger," Kirito said in a low voice. "We have to monopolize all the resources that can help us grow stronger."

That was Kirito's choice.

A choice that would draw others' resentment.

"Are you coming too? Aoka?"

Kirito looked at Rozen.

In response to this...

"I told you to call me Rozen."

Rozen answered without changing his expression.

"Let's go!"