Why did Hikigaya save the anime girls in Sword Story?

"really..."

“This will never end.”

"Did Kirito and Asuna discover anything during their discussion just now?"

"Have you noticed that they're particularly obsessed with elite teams, even though they could have a fully staffed raider group?"

“Indeed, even though it’s an integer level, it emphasizes quality over quantity.”

"This means that the enemy either needs elite troops to deal with, or the more people there are, the greater the casualties will be."

Hachiman fell into deep thought and came to a conclusion:

"Okay, this time we'll make plans based on centipedes, spiders, or similar enemies."

"What is the basis?"

"If Heathcliff judges that the enemy is too numerous to attack, it means they have a mass attack capability. If this is the case, the insects are likely multi-legged."

"Indeed, if it's bees, it makes more sense to disperse the forces."

Hachiman nodded and continued:

"Basic strategy: I'll charge the center first to attract the boss. The four participating troops will keep an eye on the sky. If they spot any traces of the boss, they'll immediately retreat. Let the tanks advance with shields raised. Subsequent arrangements will depend on the enemy's situation."

"clear."

"Next is the focus of today."

"Isn't that the point just now?"

"Well, I'm not too worried about the boss battle."

"Why?"

"You know we don't have much time left, right?"

Everyone nodded.

"What would you think if you were Heathcliff? If you were severely damaged here, how long would it take to rebuild?"

"I'm afraid it will take several months, or even longer."

"Will there be players who won't be able to complete the game?"

"really."

"So this is quite disadvantageous to Heathcliff. He wants to look...to the more distant future."

"That's right. I estimate there won't be any major problems until around the 90th floor. Of course, we can't let our guard down. The key lies in Heathcliff's subsequent layout."

Hachiman paused, took a deep breath, and then got to the point:

"I don't intend to delay. Let's decide the outcome right here."

Everyone's Adam's apple rolled.

"My judgment is: Floor 75 will be the most difficult battle before Floor 90. After that, Heathcliff's HP will not drop to half in the short term."

"Makes sense."

"So, in this boss battle, we need to push the captain's HP to its limit?"

"Yes, the system is absolutely set up to prevent HP from falling below 50%, so the hard part is thrown to Heathcliff. He is worried about exposing his identity, so he must be carefully controlling it."

"It's ironic that we have to rely on our enemies."

"Heathcliff will be highly tense during the battle due to my instructions, but even he will relax once the battle is over."

"Since it was you who planned it, it must be so."

"I'll call out to Heathcliff when he turns his back to us—Kirito!"

"exist."

"Attack with full force."

"receive."

"After his identity is exposed, he will probably paralyze everyone and find an excuse to challenge them one-on-one."

"As expected of Hachiman, who knows Kayaba well."

"That's right. There's no other status abnormality similar to paralysis in SAO. Next up, Klein and Agil!"

"To!"

"Is it finally our turn?"

"You need to stand in front of Asuna and me to provide cover. Remember to prepare the antidote."

"Just cover it?"

"Yes, during this time, Asuna and I will detoxify the blind spot and intervene at the critical moment to create a three-on-one situation. When we launch a surprise attack, you will immediately take the medicine and prepare for battle."

"You're using us as human shields to prevent Heathcliff from discovering you can move, right? As expected of Hachiman..."

"This is a safety measure. Is there a problem?"

Asuna asked timidly:

"Um... Hachi, you and Mr. Kayaba are old acquaintances, right? Although we are all prepared, if we really want to kill him."

"Knock him out and the game will be over. He won't actually die, so don't take it too seriously."

"That's it..."

"Do you have any other questions?"

Kirito grinned and said:

"Is it okay if I just take care of him?"

"Of course, it would be easier to say that."

"Come on, Kirito 2 Mio 2⒉, Wing Soccer Dad!"

"But Heathcliff has certainly grown since our last duel. Don't be careless."

"I know. If the situation gets bad, we should switch to a strategy of reducing HP as much as possible."

"Finally, I must say this: if any of us three are killed—"

Everyone turned pale.

"Everyone rush in and kill the enemy within ten seconds. This way, the fallen can be resurrected. But you must remain calm! Even if it takes the full ten seconds, you must ensure the kill, no matter what it takes."

"Ming〈〢引卅linXg一器四"武踹思7就爸爸白."

"I will handle it!"

"keep Calm."

"I will definitely defeat the leader!"

"Everyone must survive!"

“We’ll pray!”

"Please, everyone."

The two meetings concluded with this. The next day's combat meeting went smoothly, and it was finally decided that thirty-two people would challenge the boss on the seventy-fifth floor.

SAO: Chapter 79: The Eve of the Rebellion

"Now, let's begin using the Corridor Crystal. I look forward to your hard work."

Following Heathcliff's declaration, the entrance to the corridor in front of the boss room opened, and the selected elites were teleported in one after another.

After confirming that everyone had moved, the expedition entered through the door to the boss room. As predicted, the boss was nowhere to be seen, and the door remained open.

"I'll advance toward the center first. Everyone, please be alert. Once the door is closed, be vigilant all around, especially upwards."

Having said that, Hachiman cautiously moved deeper. When he reached a certain distance, the door slammed shut, and Asuna cried out in surprise.

"It appeared, up there!"

The moment he heard the cry, Hachiman sprinted towards the entrance. The boss aimed at him and swooped down, but was outpaced, finally revealing his true form behind Hachiman.

Skeleton Harvester

"Although it's called a centipede, I didn't expect it to be made of bones."

"The attack power of those two sickles is probably extremely terrifying, so we must absolutely avoid direct hits!"

"The rest of the feet also appear to be covered in sharp blades. The flanking attack team must always keep this in mind."

Hachiman's accurate prediction left Kirito, Klein, and Agil in awe. Only Asuna continued to murmur, "You are worthy of being my Hachiman-kun."

"The tanks will deploy in a semicircle with Heathcliff at the core! Test your strength by withstanding enemy attacks head-on!"

"The rest of the personnel will flank from both sides and monitor enemy movements from a distance! Report any unusual lower body movements immediately!"

"learn!"

"Tank troops, forward!"

Heathcliff stepped out in response, and when the scythe came down, he blocked it with his shield and remained motionless, while the member on the other side who was bearing the attack was knocked away.

"Fill the gap in the formation immediately!"

Hachiman shouted as he rushed towards the tank that was knocked away, drank the potion and asked:

"How does it feel to be hit?"

"It's ridiculously heavy! A direct hit would have instantly wiped out HP."

"I understand... I'll return to the team after I'm fully recovered."

"okay!"

Hachiman raised his voice and warned:

"The scythe attack is extremely dangerous! A direct hit will kill! Use the original tactics to steadily reduce it, and be sure to block carefully!"

The moment they heard the declaration of imminent death, tension filled the air, but none of the elite soldiers flinched, and fighting spirit ignited in their eyes.

"No major movements on either side! The lateral foot is suspected to be a defense mechanism."

"I see, I might consider giving up one side."

Hachiman immediately adjusted his tactics:

"Heathcliff suppresses the right scythe! Pin down the enemy when he turns."

“Easy to say”

Heathcliff blocked with a wry smile, but that expression disappeared in an instant.

"In this critical moment, please seek help immediately, Captain."

"clear"

"Leave the left scythe to the Holy Dragon Alliance main tank group! Just contain them, don't take the direct hit!"

"learn!"

"The remaining tanks concentrate on defending the right side! Abandon the left side!"

"The attack team will time the scythe's drop to disengage! No lingering! Use skills that shorten the stun to strike with precision!"

"understand!"

Then he gave Bakaha an order:

"Bakaha! Attack Heathcliff's head with all your strength from behind! There's a chance of stun."

"As you command, Mr. Hachiman!"

The battle situation gradually stabilized, but the HP of the tank group under attack by the scythe continued to drop sharply. The tanks on the left frequently rotated to take drugs, but Heathcliff single-handedly defended for a long time, even cleverly preventing the boss's attempt to turn.

(It would be a tough fight if I fought Kirito alone. He's much stronger than before.)

After estimating Heathcliff's HP loss, Hachiman decided to switch players before the final stage. He first called out to Asuna:

"Asuna, I'll temporarily hand over command. Remember safety comes first."