-253- A busy day

Floor 1 of Aincrad, the Labyrinth Area.

This towering structure directly connects to the second floor and comprises a total of twenty layers. After a month of progress, the top guilds' players have already conquered up to the 18th floor.

The Guardian Boss of the Floating Castle Aincrad's 1st Floor resides in the largest room on the 20th floor of the Labyrinth Area. True to its name, it guards the entrance to the previous floor and serves as the ultimate enemy for players ascending to the next level.

"If possible, I really wish I could face the Guardian Boss alone," Rozen murmured, standing at the entrance to the Labyrinth Area, gazing at the tower's pinnacle.

"Gu!"

Rainbow Butterfly chimed in, though it was unclear if it was in agreement or subtly hinting at Rozen's recklessness.

Different from the smaller boss areas that Rozen could tackle solo, the Guardian Boss area is on a grand scale. It boasts an enormous size, terrifying HP, and various abilities. During the beta test, when players were only around level 57, large joint teams were repeatedly wiped out in front of the Guardian Boss. Although Rozen had reached level 14, close to the 1st-floor limit, he knew that taking on the Guardian Boss alone was nearly impossible without fully opening his Mind's Eye.

Only with the Mind's Eye activated, Rozen could accurately evade all attacks, anticipate the enemy's every move, and unleash critical hits that would always trigger, thanks to the insights he gained from the fluctuations and trajectories he saw. However...

"Even now, my Mind's Eye can only be sustained for ten seconds before it deactivates. And to activate it, I need several seconds of preparation, which is very challenging," Rozen explained helplessly.

If it were regular magical techniques, Rozen's outstanding talent would likely have allowed him to master them already. However, the Mind's Eye was different; it depended on comprehension. It could remain incomplete for a lifetime, or perhaps, due to some opportunity, be fully understood and become a tool Rozen could use extensively.

For now, Rozen could only continue honing it and wait for the moment when he could fully grasp its use.

"Let it be. I won't force it," Rozen concluded.

With the Mind's Eye's peculiar nature, the more one pushed, the harder it became to reach that state. Only by letting things progress naturally could he possibly achieve it.

"Now, let's focus on the task at hand."

After saying that, Rozen stepped forward and entered the Labyrinth Area.

In general, players needed to collect map files for training areas and labyrinth zones outside of towns.

Until a player personally explored an area, the map would remain pitch-black. It would only gradually unveil and be recorded as the player traversed every inch. Once recorded, players could navigate using the maps they had. Purchasing map files from players who had them was a sensible investment, providing maps for unexplored regions and significantly enhancing safety, reducing the risk of getting lost.

During the beta test, map files were a popular commodity. Many top players liked selling map files to earn currency (col), and this continued in the official launch despite the game's death game feature adding a layer of complexity.

Speaking of which, Rozen had almost completely mapped the Labyrinth Area up to the 19th floor. He had battled through this area, even defeating a mini-boss that hadn't respawned since he faced it. The hard-fought battle had allowed him to obtain the Thousand-Layer Robe, a rare armor piece.

Thus, navigating the Labyrinth Area had become almost second nature to Rozen.

"According to Argo's information, the rapier user was confirmed to be active on the 17th floor until morning," Rozen said, increasing his pace in the real world but moving astonishingly fast in the game world. He went through the map, assessing the situation.

"The 17th floor, huh?"

Following the map's recorded path, Rozen selected paths with fewer monster spawns, steadily ascending.

Under these circumstances, it didn't take him long to reach the 17th floor.

However...

"Hmm?"

Rozen suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Ahead in a safe area, several teams of players had gathered there.

That, in itself, wasn't unusual. Given the Labyrinth Area's high rewards, top players would venture in daily to gain experience. Players forming teams here wasn't uncommon.

The issue was...

"What's with that atmosphere?"

Upon closer inspection, Rozen noticed that the mood among the player teams seemed off.

Gathering together, they seems to be having a conversation, but their expressions were tense and foreboding.

"Is there a conflict?"

No, that doesn't seem to be the case.

If there were conflicts between player, they would likely divide into two groups, facing each other with hostility.

However, the player before Rozen seemed to be cooperating. They gathered together, conversing without any visible animosity.

It was more like cooperation than conflict.

"Cooperation?"

Rozen had a faint feeling that something wasn't quite right.

While most players nowadays preferred to have teams before venturing into monster-hunting and leveling outside the main street area, the 1st-floor Labyrinth Area wasn't too difficult. During the beta test, players had broken through it when they were around level 5-7. Currently, top player groups had an average level of 10, which meant they could retreat quickly even in unexpected situations, maintaining a safe range from death.

Given this, these players were more than sufficient to conquer the Labyrinth Area. It didn't make sense for several teams to gather unless they were planning to challenge the Floor Boss.

Or...

"Do they have some target that requires multiple players to handle?"

An idea sprouted in Rozen's mind.

If that were the case...

"This is not gonna be good."

Rozen sighed and then proceeded forward.

The player teams ahead finally noticed Rozen approaching and saw Rainbow Butterfly following closely behind him.

"He...hey."

"Isn't that..."

"Hmph."

The players seemed to recognize Rozen's identity. Their expressions changed, and they cast hostile glances his way.

One player, in particular, a fierce-looking character, glared at Rozen. He stepped out of his team and blocked Rozen's path.

"Well, well, if it isn't the mighty beta tester?"

He sarcastically remarked with a malicious smile.

"To dare stroll around so openly under the sun, you've got quite the nerve."

This remark came from a man with a small stature but a sturdy build. He carried a slightly oversized one-handed sword and had spiky, cactus-like chestnut-colored hair.

Pointing his thumb at his own nose, the man introduced himself.

"I'm called Kibaou. Remember that name."

Upon hearing this, Rozen had a single thought.

"Today's gonna be a busy day."