Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

"It's nothing, it's just that hearing the names of these heroes together makes me feel a little awkward."

More importantly, it feels too out of place.

For example, when she's wielding a shield and warhammer like Gilgamesh, she really can't hold back.

When she first heard Roland's name, she wondered if he was a servant of Chaldea, but now she immediately dismissed her previous guess.

Putting everything else aside, she was certain that King Gilgamesh would never choose to become a shield-wielding warhammer user.

If you told her he was a one-handed axe wielder, she might have believed you.

At that moment, Kirito seemed to have thought of something and asked her curiously:

"Does Ritsuka, you like stories like heroic legends?"

"Well, that's right."

She could only nod reluctantly. Although she couldn't be considered a fan of Hero Legends, she was at least fairly familiar with the stories of the Servants in Chaldea.

Of course, all she knew was the history of the moon.

Asuna asked curiously:

"So, Ritsuka, are you fully aware of the names and deeds of these heroes that led to their being named?"

"I wouldn't dare say I fully understand, but I do know some things."

Fujimaru Ritsuka gave her a brief introduction:

"Roland goes without saying; Beowulf is the protagonist of the Old English epic poem 'Beowulf.' Cú Chulainn is a hero in Celtic mythology. Gilgamesh and Enkidu, on the other hand, come from Sumerian civilization."

Although she used simple language to tell the story, everyone listened with great interest.

After listening, Kirito smiled and said:

"I can understand that. If a game ranking list mixed Galgame, FPS and MMO games together, I would probably frown too."

"Forget about frowning, this kind of behavior would directly provoke criticism from players of various games."

One of the players in Agil's team chuckled and made a sarcastic remark.

At this moment, Asuna thoughtfully used a metaphor:

"Is it like taking an English and math test together? If so, I can understand it."

Well, more or less.

Asuna's bizarre analogy left everyone with a speechless expression.

Getting back to the main topic, Agil continued talking about the players known as the "Legendary Heroes".

They weren't frontline players in the first tier, but began to stand out in the second tier, gradually becoming known among frontline players.

One of the most impressive things about them was that all of them were equipped with very luxurious gear.

"Their weapon enhancement levels are probably all at +5. Not only their weapons, but even their shields are highly enhanced. The armor they wear is also the best available right now. It has to be said that they are quite eye-catching."

Although Agil's words were an expression of amazement at the other party's equipment, Fujimaru Ritsuka and the other two felt somewhat strange upon hearing them.

Asuna frowned slightly and said:

"In that case, we must have seen them before, right?"

To upgrade equipment to that level, a considerable amount of resources are required, and in today's game environment, the amount of resources collected is almost directly proportional to one's ability.

In other words, since the other party was able to collect so many resources, they should logically be players who have been fighting on the front lines since the first level, or even the best among the front-line players.

If that's the case, then those of them who are also fighting on the front lines should at least have met each other.

"maybe."

Agil shook his head and said:

"But at least the frontline players I know didn't see them when they were on the first floor."

"However, that's not the most important issue."

At this point, his expression turned somewhat serious, and he lowered his voice slightly as he said:

"Just recently, our team was leveling up in the same area as them. I observed their team's battles for a bit and noticed something strange."

"Those people's combat skills are rather poor; to put it bluntly, they are far below the average level of frontline players."

"This"

Upon hearing this, the three of them immediately frowned.

In normal games, this type of player is quite common; the vast majority are pay-to-win players.

They may not have great skill, but they can acquire in-game resources by spending real money, thereby obtaining the best equipment and joining the ranks of top players.

In many games, the strongest player is often the one who spends the most money on in-game purchases.

However, SAO, which has now become a death game, does not have a pay-to-win system; players can only obtain resources by grinding on their own.

Given SAO's emphasis on skill, the resources players can acquire are almost directly proportional to their skill level.

In other words, the situation of these players, the "Legendary Heroes," is somewhat abnormal.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 177: Reaching the Maze Area, Meeting Up and Investigating

177.

2023-12-15

Of course, while they all thought the situation of the "Legendary Hero" was somewhat abnormal, they couldn't definitively say that the other party had used any despicable means.

In SAO, besides the clearly marked missions, there are many hidden missions that will only be triggered after certain conditions are met.

These tasks often come with generous rewards.

Therefore, it is possible that the other party discovered and completed a hidden quest that could yield a large amount of resources, and then used those resources to purchase and upgrade equipment.

Aside from this, they can't think of any other way to obtain a large amount of resources at the moment.

The discussion had to end there. After saying goodbye to Agil's team, they continued onward, venturing deeper into the southern area of ​​the second level.

While the continuous, round-table mountain range has remained unchanged, unlike the more pastoral and leisurely northern region, the southern plains are completely covered by lush, dense forests. Vines climb the rocks of the mountains, and the dense fog in the forests makes visibility quite poor.

Even so, one can still vaguely see the silhouette of the maze tower that stretches straight through the sky and connects to the third floor in the distance.

Two huge, curved shadows extend from the upper ends of the maze tower; they are a pair of enormous bull horns, corresponding to the second floor's theme of bull-type monsters.

Continue moving southeast for about one kilometer, and you will arrive at the last safe point on the second level, [Taran Village]. The maze area lies in front of Taran Village.

Although Agil's party, upon returning to Mamero Village, would likely spread the news that the leveling area boss had been defeated, they still sent a message to Argo, asking her to help spread the word.

After entering the village, as usual, I found and rented the two best guesthouses. Then I wandered around the village, accepted all the worthwhile tasks, and then went into a resting state.

The three arrived at a restaurant in the village, ready to enjoy their dinner.

There is a local specialty in Talan Village called "Talan Baozi" (Talan Steamed Buns).

Because it's called "baozi" (steamed bun), and the monsters on the second floor are all cows, it's easy to imagine that it's a food like beef baozi.

But actually, the filling of the buns is custard made with milk and sweet and sour fruit, and the outer skin of the buns is also the chewy type, so it is a complete dessert.

Of course, the taste is still very good. The creamy aroma of the custard sauce and the sweet and sour taste of the fruit are a perfect match. It tastes great whether it's fresh out of the oven and hot or after it has cooled down.

While the three were enjoying their meal, Argo suddenly sent a message saying that she had arrived in [Taran Village].

After sending her their location, the four of them quickly reunited.

"Mmm... Mmm, it tastes really good!"

After swallowing the taran bun he was chewing, Argo's eyes lit up, and he gave it a rave review without hesitation.

While eating the steamed buns, she praised Fujimaru Ritsuka and the other two with an amazed tone:

"Although I seem to have said something similar before, I still have to say that you three are really amazing! You actually made it to the maze area in just two days."

"At this rate, it should only take about a week to completely clear the second level, right?"

Kirito nodded in agreement, and then said:

"The current progress is indeed very fast, but that's largely because we spent too much time on the first floor."

"Normally, players only need to reach an average level of around seven or eight to clear the second level."

Asuna put down her glass of grape juice, which was a third full, and continued:

"But SAO isn't a normal game anymore, so of course the higher the level, the safer it is, right?"

That's not wrong.

At this point, the average level of players on the front lines should be around level 12, and by the time the strategy begins, they should be able to reach an average level of level 13, which is more than enough.

Having just defeated the leveling area boss, the three of them had reached level 14, and it would be difficult to level up any further.

At this point, Argo added:

"However, when it comes to defeating the floor boss, upgrading your equipment is more important than leveling up."

"yes."

Kirito sighed and nodded in agreement.

According to information from the closed beta, the boss on this floor will have a sword skill that can inflict a paralysis effect on players. If you get hit by this, it will become very troublesome. To resist this negative effect, you need to strengthen your weapons and equipment to increase their resistance.

As offensive players, the three of them have only averaged out the enhancement of their armor, currently only at an average level of +3, but that's enough.

In particular, the armor he is currently wearing is the Midnight Coat, a reward from the first-floor boss in LA, which is more than enough for the defensive capabilities required by a one-handed swordsman.

However, for tank players at the forefront, upgrading their armor to an average level of +5 is probably the only way to be safe.

Argo's strategy guide hasn't been updated with information on floor bosses yet, but it's safe to assume that once the boss information is released, blacksmiths will be in high demand.

After chatting for a while, Argo looked at Fujimaru Ritsuka, who had been sitting with her hands on the table and hadn't said much until now, and asked with a curious smile:

"What are you thinking about, Ritsuka? Why have you been so quiet since earlier? Is something bothering you?"

".nothing."

Fujimaru Ritsuka only came to her senses after being asked a question, and subconsciously shook her head.