Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

It's important to know that the first batch of players participating in the SAO open beta only numbered 10,000. The 2,000 casualties already represent one-fifth of the total player base.

This is only on the first level, and more than one-fifth of the players have already been sacrificed. This is definitely a heavy piece of news that is not something to be optimistic about.

"A significant portion of these casualties are probably due to that guy's enhancement of the monster's AI."

Argo continued to laugh without changing his expression:

"At this point, I'm starting to believe that guy might actually be a genuine AI."

"On the one hand, they intentionally or unintentionally give players hope, and on the other hand, they deliberately put players to death, as if they just want to see players sacrifice themselves in the battle against monsters, simply and ruthlessly toying with life."

"Such a cruel and perverse sense of humor, perhaps only AI could pull it off?"

"But speaking of which, Kayaba Akihiko is no less of a madman."

"."

After hearing Argo's account, everyone fell into a brief silence.

"So, what was her purpose in doing this?"

At that moment, Asuna's puzzled murmur reached everyone's ears, but no one could answer.

In this atmosphere, no one noticed the fleeting bitter smile on Fujimaru Ritsuka's face.

Although she couldn't explain it to outsiders, this was indeed the style of BB that she was familiar with.

BB never saw herself as a 'tool to save humanity'; she saw herself as a 'demon who sometimes bewitches humanity and sometimes saves humanity'.

And that's exactly how she behaved most of the time.

In short, in this slightly somber atmosphere, Argo bid them farewell and left, preparing to inform the other players about the BOSS strategy meeting.

After Argo left, they composed themselves and began discussing their next task—

Since they were the ones who convened the strategy meeting, they were naturally responsible for hosting and explaining the content.

But how should it be done, and who should do it?

"Let me state upfront, I can't do it."

Kirito was the first to refuse, shaking his head vigorously like a rattle-drum, his expression full of resistance.

"I'm not good at speaking. If I had to face so many players, I'm afraid I'd be too nervous to utter a single word."

Most importantly, he didn't want anyone to know that he was teaming up with Fujimaru Ritsuka and the others.

If the news leaks out, he'll definitely be dead, right?

"I have no problem with giving speeches and hosting events."

Asuna raised her hand.

Her father is the CEO of a company, her mother is a university professor, and her brother also holds an important position in their father's company and often gives speeches.

Having received elite education since childhood, public speaking is a natural thing for her, influenced by what she has seen and heard all along.

"But Ritsuka, as the captain, you should at least say a few words at the time, right?"

Asuna looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka and smiled:

"After all, when you're taking down a boss, you definitely need a commander-in-chief. I think Ritsuka, you're absolutely the best choice for this important position."

"In that case, we need to make sure everyone knows you first, right?"

Kirito nodded in agreement. After spending this time together, he genuinely acknowledged Fujimaru Ritsuka's leadership abilities.

"In that case, I'm fine."

Upon hearing Asuna's words, Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded in agreement. Although she wasn't particularly good at public speaking, just as Asuna had said, she needed to gain everyone's approval first.

Because she has an additional task to complete.

And so the decision was made.

However, at that moment, Kirito suddenly remembered something.

The maximum number of players who can team up to defeat the BOSS is 48. Each team can have a maximum of six members, meaning there are a total of eight teams.

Their team currently only has three members, meaning that if there are enough players, they will need to recruit three more temporary members.

But wouldn't that expose his situation within Fujimaru Ritsuka and Asuna's team?!

Suddenly, he seemed to see the omen of death flashing above his head.

It's recovered to about three-quarters.

Also, it's almost the end of the month, so please give me your monthly votes, guys!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 158. The Meeting Begins and a Famous Scene Reenacted

158.

2023-12-05

The central square of Tolbana is a semi-circular sunken plaza with concentric semi-circular staircases around its edge, which can serve as seating for those who gather.

At 9:50 a.m., ten minutes before the scheduled start time for the strategy meeting, a number of players had already taken their seats on the steps.

For his own safety, Kirito chose to leave Fujimaru Ritsuka and Asuna's group last night and return to being a solo player.

He sat alone in a corner, observing the players who had come to attend the meeting.

Forty-six, forty-seven, forty-eight. The number of players who have arrived so far has exceeded the number of a combined force; there are currently fifty-five, and it is not expected to exceed sixty.

Although, as far as he knew, the best way to defeat the BOSS without casualties was to have two combined forces attack alternately, which would require 96 players, the current number was clearly far from enough.

However, he was already somewhat surprised that he was able to assemble a full-strength joint force.

As for how to allocate the spots later, let Fujimaru Ritsuka and Asuna worry about that.

Most of the players present were gathered in twos and threes, and they all seemed to be members of a small team. There were very few solo players like him.

Of these, he knew five or six of them, had seen more than twenty familiar faces before, and the rest were complete strangers, the vast majority of whom were male players.

To be more precise, the only female players present were Fujimaru Ritsuka and Asuna in the center of the square, and Argo sitting on the high wall on the other side of the square.

The meeting hadn't started yet, and the players were whispering among themselves, making a few quiet noises.

He listened for a moment; half the conversation was about how to defeat the boss, and the other half was about Fujimaru Ritsuka and Asuna.

This shows how wise his decision to temporarily leave the team was.

"Clap! Clap! Clap!"

Suddenly, a clear slap silenced the hushed discussions around them. Asuna, standing in the center of the square, declared loudly:

"It's almost time. Since we don't have a sound system, we hope everyone can move forward a little before the meeting officially begins. Thank you!"

"She's a genuine female gamer!"

"Even cuter than from a distance!"

"Your voice is so beautiful!"

Amidst this discussion, the players obediently moved forward a little, gathering more closely together, and looked more like a proper strategy team.

At this moment, Fujimaru Ritsuka, who was standing next to Asuna, spoke up with a smile:

"Thank you all for responding to the call to come here. Let me introduce myself first. My name is Ritsuka, and the person next to me is Asuna. Nice to meet you."

The two girls are undoubtedly the most famous star players in SAO now. Even if everyone present had never seen them before, they had at least heard of their exploits.

Her words immediately caused a commotion, with some people jeering:

"Introductions are unnecessary! Surely no one doesn't recognize you two super rare and beautiful female players!"

These words immediately drew enthusiastic applause.

"Hahaha, that's right!"

"After all, they are the twin stars of Aincrad!"

"Lord Ritsuka! Lady Asuna!"

"I'm a big fan of yours!"

Like a bombshell that instantly exploded among the players, the atmosphere at the scene immediately became quite lively.

Although the two had already learned of their current popularity from Kirito, they were still quite surprised to experience this enthusiastic atmosphere so closely at an offline gathering.

However, if this continues, the meeting will be unable to continue.

Just as Asuna was thinking of a solution, she saw Fujimaru Ritsuka pull out the spear from her back and begin to swing it rhythmically.

Although the movement was small, it gradually attracted the attention of the players and made the scene quiet down.

Seeing this, Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled generously and said:

"We didn't expect everyone to be so enthusiastic; it really took us by surprise."

"However, the reason I invited everyone here is not to hold a fan support event for me and Asuna, so please be a little restrained."

"Ha ha ha ha.!"

Her remarks elicited another round of laughter, but this time, after the laughter subsided, everyone obediently fell silent.

Seeing this, Kirito, who was sitting on the platform, felt relieved and continued to listen.

Asuna glanced at Fujimaru Ritsuka with surprise. Although the other woman had said before that she wasn't very good at public speaking, she now seemed to be quite good at it, at least in handling unexpected situations.

Fujimaru Ritsuka continued:

"I think everyone understands why we, the players who are fighting on the front lines, have gathered here."

"Just yesterday, our team reached the twentieth level of the maze area and successfully discovered the first level BOSS's room!"

Another commotion broke out among the players, but they tacitly maintained control within the area.

"Since everyone has voluntarily gathered here, it means that you all share the same goal as us—"

"Beat SAO and be free from the game!"

"Defeating the first floor boss and advancing to the second floor is the first step we need to complete, and perhaps the most important one."