Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

"Because we need to use this innovation to tell other players that this death game can indeed be completely solved! This is a responsibility that we, the players fighting on the front lines, must shoulder!"

"You're right!"

Cheers and applause erupted in response to Fujimaru Ritsuka's appeal, so there was absolutely nothing wrong with what she said.

Kirito clapped along, pleased with the smooth progress of the meeting. Fujimaru Ritsuka and Asuna on the stage exchanged a smile upon seeing this.

But just then, a deep voice suddenly came from the audience—

"Wait a moment, Ms. Ritsuka."

The cheers suddenly stopped, the human wall in front split in two, and a short but muscular man stepped out from the crowd.

His brown hair, which resembled the spiky hair of some kind of cactus, immediately made a deep impression on everyone.

"I apologize, Ms. Ritsuka, for interrupting you."

Although the other person's expression looked somewhat fierce, they treated Fujimaru Ritsuka with great politeness.

After a polite greeting, he said in a low, hoarse voice:

"However, before we continue discussing how to defeat the BOSS, I think there are some things that need to be clarified first."

Although the other party had not yet given their name, Fujimaru Ritsuka recognized them. She was surprised that even after the meeting was changed to be held by them, a famous scene from the story would still occur.

Thoughts flashed through her mind, and Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled at the other person and said:

"Of course, we welcome everyone to express their opinions, but before that, please introduce yourself."

"I see."

The other party nodded, then turned to face the group of players and said in a low, hoarse voice:

"My name is [Tooth King]."

"Before the meeting continues, I believe that some of the players present must first apologize to the more than two thousand players who have died so far!"

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 159. Controversy and Disputes

159.

2023-12-06

Apologize?

And the dead players?

Upon hearing his words, many players vaguely guessed who he was referring to, but they all chose to remain silent, and the atmosphere in the entire square became somewhat quiet for a moment.

"I'll be blunt, the guys I'm referring to are the closed beta testers!"

The King of Fangs' eyes flashed with a sharp light as he looked down at all the players in the square and said fiercely:

"Those beta testers rushed out of the starting town the moment this damn game started, abandoning more than 9,000 new players who were still confused about the situation. They monopolized the best leveling areas and the quests that could bring a lot of benefits, only caring about getting stronger, and then pretending to be completely unaware."

"There must be some cunning guys in the square now, hiding their closed beta tester identities and trying to join the BOSS strategy."

"If I don't make these guys kneel down and hand over all their money and supplies for this operation, I simply can't stay in the same squad as them and entrust my life to them!"

"."

This outburst, uttered with a tone that seemed to want to bite the closed beta testers, truly lived up to the name "Fang Wang" (King of Fangs). Kirito listened to his speech in silence, and none of the other players in the plaza uttered a sound either.

But just then, Fujimaru Ritsuka's voice suddenly rang out—

"Mr. Ya Wang, are you trying to say that because the closed beta testers didn't take care of new players, so many players died, and you want them to apologize and compensate you? Is that what you mean?"

"Yes, that's it!"

Ya-o nodded vigorously, but unexpectedly, Fujimaru Ritsuka continued:

"In that case, I can say a few words on behalf of the closed beta testers."

"Eh?! Ritsuka-san?!"

Upon hearing this, Ya Wang turned around abruptly, staring at her in disbelief with wide, shocked eyes.

As is widely known, one of the reasons why Fujimaru Ritsuka and Asuna are so popular is that they are both new players, a fact assured by many players who have interacted with them.

That's why he couldn't believe that Fujimaru Ritsuka, a new player, would choose to speak up for the closed beta testers.

However, Fujimaru Ritsuka ignored Ya-Oh's reaction and instead took out a booklet from her backpack, looking at the group of players in the plaza and saying:

"This booklet, titled 'Argo Strategy Guide,' is sold for free at the item shops in every safe zone. I'm sure everyone has gotten one, right?"

The players in the square nodded in response one after another. She then looked at Ya Wang and said:

"Has Mr. Ya Wang received it?"

Ya Wang asked, puzzled:

"Of course I received it, so what?"

"As far as I know, a significant portion of the information in the manual was provided by closed beta testers."

"!?"

She looked at the players again and said loudly:

"Of course, not only closed beta testers, but also many ordinary players fighting on the front lines are also providers of intelligence."

"While it might sound like boasting, my team and I were among the intelligence providers. I imagine there were other players here who provided intelligence as well?"

Some of the players nodded silently, and she continued:

"There may indeed be selfish individuals among the closed beta testers, but it's by no means that no closed beta testers offered any help to new players."

"To crudely categorize all closed beta testers as bad people, exclude them, and create antagonism among players is, in my opinion, a biased view."

"In addition, the reason why everyone is gathered here is to complete this game and defeat the first floor's BOSS. This requires everyone to work together."

"In this process, I believe the strength of closed beta testers is indispensable."

"That's my point of view."

Fujimaru Ritsuka's distinctly different viewpoint from that of the King of Fang immediately sparked another round of discussion among the players in the plaza, and soon players began to agree with her.

Compared to Ya-o's somewhat emotional pronouncements, Fujimaru Ritsuka's arguments were indeed more reasonable and well-founded. With just a little calm reflection, it becomes clear that Fujimaru Ritsuka's arguments were undoubtedly more convincing.

The players who are able to gather here today are mostly top players who are fighting on the front lines. They must have experienced some dangerous situations. If they hadn't been calm, they probably wouldn't have been able to get here.

Therefore, the players' opinions in the square quickly shifted towards Fujimaru Ritsuka's side, and Kirito in the corner couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, looking at Fujimaru Ritsuka in the center with a grateful expression.

On the other side, looking at the overwhelmingly unfavorable situation before him, Ya Wang's expression was somewhat grim.

Immediately afterwards, Fujimaru Ritsuka's gaze fell on him again, and she smiled and asked him:

"Mr. Ya Wang, what do you think?"

"Alright, since you've said so, Ms. Ritsuka, let's leave it at that for now."

In the end, Ya Wang chose to back down.

But before returning to his seat, he let out a cold snort and uttered a harsh sentence:

"However, I must figure this out after the BOSS battle!"

In any case, as Ya Wang returned to his seat, the atmosphere at the scene returned to normal.

Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled and said:

"Let's continue the meeting then."

"The BOSS battle allows eight teams, or forty-eight players, to participate in the strategy. With such a large number of players, there is no doubt that a player is needed as the overall commander."

"Here, I would like to volunteer for the position of commander-in-chief, and I also welcome other players to actively compete for it."

The reason she wanted to take on the position of commander-in-chief was because of one of the requirements BB had previously set for her to pass the game—

In the strategy for defeating the BOSS, you must personally participate and play a certain role.

She has been pondering the question of what constitutes a certain level of effectiveness.

Do we need to deal the maximum damage to the BOSS?

Should we still try to secure the final kill on the BOSS?

Even if Kirito, the protagonist in the original work, did this, it would still look like this.

But she always felt something was off.

Although she is now playing the game as an ordinary player, she personally fights monsters, rushes to the front line of the game, and her team has found the room of the first boss.

But ultimately, these are not her most frequently used, most fundamental methods—

She's a Master!

From the Master's perspective, how can one participate in the game and how can one play a role?

Thinking about this, she believed she had found the real answer—

That is to lead the players participating in the BOSS battle to perfectly defeat the BOSS on the next floor!

But the prerequisite is that you must first become the leader of the strategy team.

Back to topic.

After Fujimaru Ritsuka volunteered, the plaza quieted down for a while, but no other players stepped forward, so it seemed the outcome was already decided.

Seeing this, Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled and said:

"In that case, then I will..."

"Wait, I have an objection!"

Just then, a rude voice came from the edge of the square, interrupting Fujimaru Ritsuka's words.

Everyone looked toward the source of the sound and saw a burly man in armor, carrying a greatsword, stand up and say to Fujimaru Ritsuka:

“I know you and I know you are very popular, but now is not the time to play house.”

"Having a female player in command is ridiculous; I cannot agree with it!"

(End of this chapter)