Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

164.

2023-12-08

"Fourth and sixth squads, maintain your attack rhythm and don't be greedy for damage!"

Eighth squad, spread out a bit more and keep an eye on your substitute positions!

"Fifth Squad and Seventh Squad, don't let the follower monsters huddle together, keep their distance!"

Clear commands came from Fujimaru Ritsuka's mouth, and the previously somewhat chaotic battlefield and troops quickly became orderly, dividing the area into two distinct zones.

First, regarding the area where the Kobold Lord is being conquered, both Diabel and Kirito, as closed beta testers, clearly felt the increased aggression of the enemy, and their stats also improved.

Even so, the tank team composed of top players was not too struggling to defend against the opponent's massive and clearly trajectorized attacks.

In addition, the large number of players in three teams totaling eighteen ensured ample room for rotation, so the players' health could be kept at around 80%, which was a favorable situation.

Supporting the tank squad in the attack was the main assault squad led by Ya-o and Asuna.

Because Fujimaru Ritsuka was in charge of command from the rear, Asuna's squad only had five members.

However, both Asuna herself and Kirito in her team performed exceptionally well, displaying outstanding skills and dealing exceptional damage, almost stealing the spotlight from other main attackers.

But this is natural.

Leaving aside the technical issues for now, it's important to know that among the players present, only a very small number have equipment enhancements up to +5, and only they and Fujimaru Ritsuka have reached +6.

Back to topic.

The eighth squad stood on the outermost edge of the encirclement, looking for opportunities to interfere with the kobold lord while also replacing and filling in for the injured players in the main attack squad.

On the other side, the fifth squad and half of the seventh squad, a total of nine players, are responsible for dealing with three monster minions.

Even without tank support, dealing with a monster minion in a squad of two main attackers and one support player is by no means difficult.

Although it looks complicated, it is simple and easy to understand for each player in position, because they only need to focus on their own task and listen to the commands to make changes.

Moreover, everyone present was a top player with extensive gaming experience. Although there was still a gap in skill and equipment, almost no mistakes were made.

In this situation, the one who would be most tested was undoubtedly Fujimaru Ritsuka, who was in charge of command.

The Kobold Lord has four health bars, and each time a health bar is depleted, it will summon another wave of minion monsters.

Therefore, she must always pay attention to the situation on both sides to ensure that the next wave of monsters does not appear before the previous wave of minions has been eliminated, and she must always keep an eye on the changes on the field.

Overall, the strategy has been progressing very smoothly so far. The Kobold Lord's health has been steadily decreasing, and now it only has two health bars left.

If this trend can be maintained, then it is foreseeable that this will be a resounding victory.

Nevertheless, Fujimaru Ritsuka did not relax; her eyes remained fixed on the kobold lord's health bar.

When the kobold lord's health bar is down to its last level, he will drop the two weapons he is currently holding, draw the scimitar from his waist, and completely change his attack pattern.

If nothing unexpected happens, this part will be the most difficult part of the entire BOSS strategy.

"The second health bar is almost depleted, all squads prepare—"

Time passed, and the kobold lord's health bar slowly but steadily dwindled to the last one. The instant the second health bar was emptied, she shouted:

"Everyone, retreat defensively! Get out of the BOSS's attack range!"

All players reacted quickly and retreated.

However, the kobold lord did not switch weapons as quickly as expected. Instead, it opened its jaws again and roared with all its might—

"Gurgle gurgle ahh ...

This roar actually carried a tangible sonic wave effect, which quickly overwhelmed the retreating tank squad and the main assault squad, freezing them in place and rendering them unable to move.

Only the outermost support squad and the squad responsible for clearing out the minion monsters survived.

A roar with a deterrent effect!?

This is a skill that did not appear during the closed beta!

Amidst the horrified gazes of the front-row players, the black gas surrounding the kobold lord grew increasingly dense and chaotic, its crimson eyes emitting a blood-like glow, as if it had entered a berserk state!

Not only that, the opponent threw away the axe and round shield in his hand and drew the weapon at his waist, but it was not the scimitar mentioned in the closed beta information, but a nodachi!

The kobold lord swayed slightly the moment he drew his weapon, then leaped into the air, twisting his body as he charged his weapon, a red glow with skill effects enveloping the massive sword—

The intimidation effect on the front-row players had just worn off, but there was no time to retreat, so they all stood still and assumed a defensive stance.

Even if it's a BOSS skill, as long as you can defend against it, you'll only lose a maximum of half your health.

But at that moment, Kirito, Asuna, and many other players noticed the abnormality on the BOSS.

The opponent didn't appear to jump vertically; after ascending high into the air, the kobold lord's body gradually broke through their encirclement, and its landing point—

"Ritsuka—!" ×2

Asuna and Kirito's pupils contracted as the suppressed, disturbing memories resurfaced, and they shouted out Fujimaru Ritsuka's name with all their might.

But at this moment, the kobold lord's attack had already landed, transforming the accumulated power into a deep red light, and then releasing it like a tornado, heading straight for Fujimaru Ritsuka behind him!

The trajectory is horizontal, the attack angle is 360 degrees, and this is a unique sword technique of the Nodachi.

[Rotation Wheel]!

"boom--!"

With a tremendous roar, the six bright red special effects that burst forth looked like pillars of blood, completely obscuring Fujimaru Ritsuka's figure.

The other players stood there, somewhat stunned.

Roaring and intimidation skills and weapons never seen during the closed beta, an unknown state similar to berserk mode, and bosses that inexplicably broke away from combat and attacked those they commanded.

Despite being somewhat prepared, this series of unexpected events still dealt a heavy blow to all players.

Especially after that attack from the enemy, their command was probably—

"Ritsuka!"

However, just as the new players were in despair, Asuna's surprised and delighted shouts rang out again.

A beautiful figure broke through the kobold lord's line of sight and suddenly appeared in mid-air. It was none other than their commander, Fujimaru Ritsuka!

The other players also looked at her in shock. It seemed that after taking the sword attack of the kobold lord head-on, Fujimaru Ritsuka's health bar was completely intact!

However, in reality, Fujimaru Ritsuka did not suffer any harm.

The moment the kobold lord jumped, she noticed his unusual behavior before anyone else.

Unable to determine the range of the opponent's sword technique, she quickly decided to jump towards the opponent, narrowly avoiding the falling nodachi and completely escaping the damage!

In mid-air, under everyone's gaze, she brandished her spear and once again shouted her command:

"Everyone, continue the attack!"

"Ohh ...

Round two begins!

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 165. Duel, Final Battle, Victory!

165.

2023-12-09

Although orders to continue the attack have been issued, the current crisis is not yet over.

In mid-air, Fujimaru Ritsuka's figure began to fall.

In the instant she clashed with the kobold lord, her spear pierced his back, carving a long vertical line down his body, as if ripping him open, instantly causing massive damage!

The opponent's last bit of health was reduced by 10% by this exaggerated attack!

"Goohoo—!"

The kobold lord let out a pained scream, the stun effect of casting the skill was lifted, and after a slight pause, it gripped the sword hilt with both hands and swiftly swung its blade upwards.

The massive blade sliced ​​through the ground almost vertically, aiming straight for Fujimaru Ritsuka. However, she only took a slight step to the left and narrowly avoided the attack.

The gust of wind generated by the slash messed up Fujimaru Ritsuka's hair, but she had no time to care about such details at the moment.

Because she keenly noticed that the red glow of the skill effect reappeared on the opponent's blade.

At that moment, Kirito's loud shout suddenly came from behind—

"Defend quickly, that's just a starting move!"

No one expected that the Kobold Lord's second-stage weapon would change from a scimitar during the closed beta to a nodachi now. Fortunately, during the closed beta, Kirito had fought a floor boss wielding a nodachi in the upper levels.

Although he was brutally tortured by his opponent at the time, he also benefited from it, and he memorized many of the unique sword techniques of the nodachi and was deeply impressed by them.

For example, the sword technique "Floating Boat" that the kobold lord just used is a starting sword technique with a very short stun time. If you are accidentally hit by this move, do not make futile struggles, but only try to defend as much as possible.

Although Fujimaru Ritsuka dodged the attack, it didn't mean everything was fine, because the follow-up attack was the most deadly move!

Sure enough, accompanied by a red skill effect, the kobold lord swung his nodachi with astonishing speed, unleashing a double attack from top to bottom!

With such terrifying slashing speed, in the current SAO, perhaps only players with full agility points could barely dodge it, but that's unrealistic for Fujimaru Ritsuka. However—

"Qiang! Qiang!"

She didn't need extreme speed; with a slight movement of her spear, she perfectly deflected the barrage of attacks without sustaining any damage.

However, the skill effects on the blade of the nodachi had not yet dissipated. After the two-hit combo ended, the nodachi was sheathed at the waist by the kobold lord. After pausing for a moment, he unleashed a final, powerful thrust!

Triple-hit combo, [Crimson Fan]!

However, the pause of that one beat was a huge opening for her. As her opponent unleashed his final thrust, she, who had been waiting in the wings, instantly launched her attack!

As if anticipating the future, he stepped to the side in advance, dodging the final blow. He then leaped up again, his spear, now imbued with skill effects, moved like a dragon, precisely piercing the kobold lord's left eye!

Basic gun skill: [Thrust]!

Skill interrupted!

Weakness Critical Hit!

"Guhooa ...

The kobold lord roared again, but this time it was more of a mournful wail. His body involuntarily leaned back and fell to the ground with a dull thud.