A journey to another world starting from a sword

"But that only applies to individuals. Behind the King of Fangs are dozens of people who have just joined the guild." Dante wasn't so optimistic, and respect can fade over time.

“Well, outsiders like us can’t interfere anyway,” Argo casually reassured her, even though she was the one who brought up the topic.

"That's true." Dante stopped dwelling on the matter.

"It's almost time," Mitt reminded him, one foot on the wall. According to the system's time, it was already 9:59.

"Understood," Dante replied, then glanced at the guild members. "Let's go too."

"Oh!" The girls rubbed their hands together, raising their fists in anticipation.

Equipped with brand-new armor and weapons, Dante arrived at the center of the plaza. Noticing them, the players consciously lowered their voices and gradually quieted down.

Even though Kizmel and his companions are very eye-catching, especially given their unabashed beauty, the player's gaze keeps shifting back and forth between Dante and Kizmel.

Even though Ashura tried his best to reduce the weight, Dante's armor looked like a winter limited edition due to the limitations of the materials themselves. The bear mane around his neck looked very warm, and the long hem went past his knees.

The armor itself is not bad-looking, and is even quite pleasing to the eye. At the same time, the white cloak on the outside conceals the details very well.

Combined with the person's physique and the retro black greatsword on his back—"Black Steel Greatsword"—along with the special luster of his full set of equipment enhanced to near its limit, the actual effect was excellent, which explains why it attracted Kizil's original attention.

As for the "Midnight Coat" dropped by the Boss, Dante gave it to Lingyin because there weren't enough skill slots, so the additional effect of the "Midnight Coat" that improved the "Stealth" skill couldn't be used.

Lingyin seemed to want to learn the "stealth" skill, so he went along with it. Perhaps when she went back to do the mission of infiltrating the forest elf camp on the third floor, it would be very easy.

Indeed, the same equipment looks different on men and women in SAO; one looks elegant, while the other looks fashionable.

"Time's up." Dante casually drew his greatsword and slammed it into the ground, sternly ordering, "Captains of each squad, confirm your numbers."

Of the eight newly reorganized squads, six now belong to the "Aincrad Alliance," leaving only the squad led by Dante and Agil.

A squad of two-handed swordsmen was forced to disband because half of its members were specially invited to join the "Aincrad Union Army".

Although the two-handed swordsman later asked Dante if he could join the "Eternal Garden," Dante declined, citing his lack of intention to expand the guild.

After all eight teams, from A to H, reported that everyone had arrived, Dante said briefly, "Let's go!"

Led by Team H, the combined force of forty-eight people began climbing the tower along the route they had explored on the map.

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After navigating through a maze-like area dominated by aquatic monsters, the combined forces finally arrived at their destination.

After pausing briefly in the hall in front of the Boss's room, Dante, Diabel, and the other captains, along with their respective lieutenants, discussed their next move.

"Argo, you decide the exact opening time," Dante instructed Argo, who was not part of the Allied Forces.

"Alright." Argo patted his chest, indicating that he would leave it to her.

"This boss is completely different from the information from the closed beta test, and it's a brand new challenge for us. According to the intelligence from the reconnaissance mission, the boss didn't use any moves that produced a large amount of water in a short time, so it's most likely a matter of HP threshold. Please be careful."

Finally, Dante mentioned some precautions and, looking at the captains of the various squads, most of whom looked very familiar, said, "Everyone."

After looking around at everyone's faces, he said, "Everyone has been through several boss battles and is a veteran player. Be careful to protect yourselves. We'll try to finish this raid within half an hour. We'll have lunch at 'Karuruin' on the fifth floor."

"Hmm." The tense expressions on their faces relaxed, and they even smiled knowingly, nodding in agreement.

Finally, after boosting the morale of the troops, the combined forces entered the Boss room through the opened door.

Suddenly, a faint blue light emanated from all directions in the dark room, illuminating the room and revealing the Boss's figure.

"Horse-headed Fish-tailed Monster - Wizge" is the boss's official name.

Six HPs, the first half is a horse, the second half is a fish.

However, the horse's forehooves were replaced by webbed feet with hooked claws, and the mane on its back turned into a stream of blue, transparent water.

"Attack!" Dante commanded.

"Ooooooooooooo!!!" The combined forces roared their battle cry that echoed throughout the room, and each squad took their designated positions with their captains.

Team A and Team B charged forward first, surrounding the Boss on both sides and launching an attack.

Because the boss has very limited attack methods, consisting of only four types—charge, stomp, tail whip, and breath—players were able to easily and methodically reduce the boss's health by one bar.

"Team C, Team D, prepare to advance!" Dante's approach was basically to switch teams every time HP was used.

Even though the HP of players in both teams A and B is still within a healthy range, they can switch teams after a while.

However, considering the need to ensure that all player teams attack the Boss and gain skill proficiency, it's impossible for a single team to fight for an extended period.

"Dante, when are we going to go?" Kizmel asked, standing beside Dante, seemingly eager to join the battle.

"Once the Boss summons the water, humans can't stand on water, after all," Dante said, sensing Kizmel's fighting spirit.

“Okay.” Kizmel nodded in response, her hand resting on the hilt of the knife, her pretty face remaining serious.

Turning back, Dante observed the situation on the battlefield again. In his memory, the Boss summoned the flood when he had only one HP left.

According to his plan, by then, the Boss's last HP would be taken down by him and Kizil's squad.

Diabel, who handed over the command to himself, probably tacitly agreed to this.

Chapter 113: Tomorrow is Christmas Eve

As they were talking, the Boss's HP dropped by one bar again, so Dante called out to Team E and Team F, which was his and Agil's team.

Kirito was already considered a semi-permanent member of Agil's team, and his "powerful leather belt underwear" was finally replaced with cloth equipment made by Ashurai after Dante's introduction.

Because these are all quite rare materials and items, Dante felt that Ashley would also like such high-quality customers.

Its chest features a small metal breastplate, likely a work by Liz.

This finally eased some of Dante's guilt. That wicked Argonaut, making the slender boy wear such bizarre-looking equipment was truly an eyesore.

“I’ll join you too.” Drawing her saber, Kizmel intended to abandon her comrades and join the battle alone.

"Okay." Dante nodded. If all the soldiers went at once, it might be a bit crowded, but the battlefield was wide enough to accommodate one more person.

Then...then the Boss's HP dropped to zero within a minute, and the other players in the squad watched this scene in astonishment.

It really was one sword technique per person, or at most two, that caused "Horse-Headed Fish-Tailed Monster - Wizgei" to drop its HP "swoosh".

"Team G and Team H, prepare to switch."

"Huh?" Asuna exclaimed in surprise from a meter away, then looked up at the Boss's HP bar and realized why she had switched.

After she left, she immediately complained to Dante, "I feel like we could defeat this boss with just the two of our teams."

"It's probably because this monster was originally meant to fight in the water, but now it's on land, which prevents it from using its full fighting power," Dante said, offering his deduction. He added that if you didn't know that the Boss could summon large amounts of water, you could easily be killed on your first encounter.

"Ah, what a pity, we could still fight."

Lingyin behind him had a similar attitude to Asuna, but Dante turned around and smiled, "There's no other way; fairness is necessary after all."

Even if it's relative.

The boss's fourth HP bar decreased quite slowly, mainly because most of the people in teams G and H were newcomers who failed to attack in time, causing the boss to run around aimlessly.

After the squads were reorganized, the original Team A became Diabel's squad, Team B became Lind's squad, and Team C became Tooth King's squad. Since all six squads belonged to them, Dante intentionally made these appointments.

At this point, the difference in performance between Team G and Team H became even more apparent, as if the members of these teams belonged to the Fang King's faction. Fang King's expression at this moment was quite grim.

After Ya Wang's gaze swept over Dante and the others, a growing anxiety welled up within him.

If this continues, wouldn't it prove that Linde's theory is correct?

Yes, he also categorized Dante and his group as elitist, concentrating resources on a select few. At least anyone with eyes could see the achievements of this small guild, and no one would think they weren't elite players.

"Team A and Team B, prepare to switch." Dante was constantly observing the situation from the rear of the battlefield; this was the safest place later.

With Diabel entering the fray, the emotions of the Aincrad Alliance returned to normal, and Teams A and B lived up to expectations, cutting off one of the Boss's HP within three minutes.

When the King of Fangs' C team entered the arena, Dante specifically reminded them, "Pay attention to the Boss's special abilities."

"Hmph, I know!" Ya Wang replied in an unfriendly tone; he's always been this foul-mouthed.

"He could have just said it properly." Asuna pouted and complained about Kiba's behavior. He could have spoken properly, but he chose this annoying way of speaking.

"Hahaha..." Dante laughed, clutching his stomach. "Well, Asuna is right."

"Hey, at this rate, Ya Wang and his crew will really get LA." Mito, standing to Dante's left and behind him, said calmly, carrying a scythe, but his eyes were fixed on the Boss in front of him.

"Hmm... Remember to hide behind the pillars on both sides to avoid the water flow, and remember to stick your sword in there." Dante watched as the King of Fangs unleashed a "diagonal slash" that struck the Boss's horse's face, causing it to let out a painful howl. The King of Fangs laughed triumphantly, "Good! Just a little bit more!"

Dante also noticed that Lind's expression suddenly turned much uglier, probably because he was worried that Tooth King would get LA.

Just then, the horse-headed, fish-tailed monster raised its front hooves, causing the players in front to scatter. Then it turned around and used its tail to sweep away the players from Team D on the other side.

“Dante!” Kizmel approached him and reminded him, her intuition as an elf or a knight suggesting that she had sensed something.

"I know!" Dante nodded solemnly, then gestured to the girls in the guild, "Get ready..."

The Boss, having temporarily broken free from the encirclement, let out a sharp roar, and a blue halo appeared beneath its feet.

"Run!" Dante shouted after confirming the move, not only to his girls but also to the allied forces ahead.

"Hey, hey—" Ya Wang took a step back in surprise. Just as he turned around, he heard the sound of rushing water behind him, which was so fast.

"Ah—glug, plop..."

Poor Ya Wang didn't even get to utter a word before he was drowned by the floodwaters that were right next to him.

Linde, who was standing very close to the King of Teeth, turned around and ran a few steps before being knocked down by the heavy current and instantly disappeared into the waves.

Kirito and Diabel reacted relatively quickly, running directly to the nearby pillar. Only Kirito managed to stick his sword into the pillar, while Diabel, because he was too close to the boss, was swept away by the water.

"Mite!" Dante called out to those behind him.

"Hmm!" Mitt swung out the chain, which wrapped around the pillar in the next second and pulled himself over.

She reached her hand behind her back, "Dante! Asuna!"

Asuna, who almost lost her footing, grabbed Mito's hand and planted the sword in the pillar, while turning around and reaching out to Lingyin and Mito behind her.

Dante, on the other side of the pillar, gripped the chain with one hand and held Silica tightly in his arms with the other.

The water that had soaked his boots rose again in the next second, and the surging waves hit his lower body directly. Luckily, he hid behind a pillar and avoided the direct impact.

Kizmel and the Dark Elf soldiers, who remained in place, chanted a spell and stood on the water, albeit precariously and steadily.

"Unfortunately, this magic can only be applied to elves."

Mitt, who was huddled back-to-back with Dante, said with great regret.

“Indeed.” Dante nodded in agreement and sighed.

He looked around and saw that most people had been swept away by the water, with only a few hiding behind pillars and struggling to hold on.

"Argo, when are you going to open the door?" Asuna peeked out from behind the pillar and saw that even after the room was flooded, Kizmel was still walking on the water with ease and continuing to attack the Boss's last HP bar. Thanks to them, the Boss's attention was not focused on the drowning player.

A wave of water surged in, and she quickly pulled her head back and hid behind the pillar again.

In fact, Argo outside had already seen water seeping out little by little from the cracks in the heavy granite gate.

"It's about time," Argo thought to himself, counting to ten. Then he gripped the patina-covered door knocker with both hands, steadied himself, and pulled the door open with all his might.

As it turned out, there was no need to pull the door so hard; the door, which was bearing enormous pressure from inside, opened quickly the moment it was pulled.

"Wow wow wow—" Then she quickly flew away from the doorway, watching the players flowing out from behind the open door along with a large amount of water.

With the railing of the hall preventing them from drifting very far, the water flowed directly through the railing downstairs, forming a waterfall.

"That's terrible," she said with a mocking laugh.

Pulling his feet out of the lowered water, Dante drew the "Black Steel Blade" from his back and shouted to his companions, "Attack together!"

"Okay!" Asuna twirled her sword and charged forward first, following Dante.

The boss's HP, which had been attacked by Kizmel and his group, had dropped by half, meaning it could be defeated with just a few more sword attacks.

Asuna's eagerness to rush out might well stem from a desire to seize LA, given her previous failures to outmaneuver Dante, which has left her somewhat concerned.

"Aaaaaah!" She raised her rapier and unleashed a meteor-like flash, piercing the Boss's eye. With just one strike, she visibly reduced the Boss's health by a significant amount.

Without Asuna's agility, Dante swung his slash at the Boss's abdomen, which was much softer than the scaly part behind him.

Silica then used her short sword to perform "Armor Penetration," applying a debuff that reduced the boss's defense.

Every second, the boss's health was decreasing. Both Lingyin's one-handed sword and Lisbeth's one-handed hammer could deal considerable damage to it with the help of sword skills.

"Dante, Asuna! The guardian beast is about to die." Kizmel and his soldiers stopped wielding their swords.

The dark elves' move seemed to be an attempt to give this honor to the human warriors who had fought so hard.

In order not to disappoint Kizmel's kindness, Dante and Asuna simultaneously unleashed their strongest sword techniques to date.