291 -287- Teach them a lesson

As early as the strategy meeting yesterday, Rozen had said these words when all players condemned the closed beta testers:

"Compared to players who know nothing, those who think they know everything and then suddenly find themselves in a situation completely different from what they remembered, those are the true danger."

This was the real reason why most of the closed beta testers had died in the past month.

They believed they understood the information from the closed beta period and could safely and effectively gain advantages to become stronger. However, they didn't anticipate that there would be certain changes in the official launch compared to the closed beta, changes that proved to be deadly.

So, most of the closed beta testers found themselves in traps like stepping into a pitfall and dying in the game.

Now, Diabel had stepped into such a trap.

During the closed beta, when the Kobold Lord Illfang's last HP bar entered the red zone, it would discard its bone axe and shield and switch to using the Curved Blades. The attack pattern would change completely, and it would use Curved Blades techniques exclusively.

However, after the official launch, this setup for Illfang was also changed. After discarding its bone axe and shield, it no longer used the Dual Blades, but instead wielded a large nodachi.

This was a weapon exclusively used by monsters.

During the closed beta, this weapon had only appeared on monsters from the 10th floor.

It was a special weapon used by a humanoid warrior monsters clad in red armor, which was considered the strongest enemy for closed beta players who managed to reach the 10th floor.

Naturally, no players possessed the skill for this special weapon.

During the closed beta, players had faced a dilemma against the unprecedented special sword techniques displayed by this unique weapon. Ultimately, they were stopped at the 10th floor, unable to even face the guardian boss of that Floor.

Now, the first-floor guardian boss's secondary weapon had changed from the ordinary Curved Blade to this large nodachi. What kind of result would this lead to?

The answer would be revealed in the next second.

"Gerahhhh——!"

Illfang, the Kobold Lord, let out a roar, directing all its hatred towards Diabel who was charging towards it.

"Pound!"

The massive Kobold Lord stomped the ground, shooting forward like a projectile.

Its speed was significantly faster than when it used the bone axe and shield.

"What...!?"

Diabel only then noticed something was amiss, halting his steps with a horrified expression.

However, by this point, it was already too late to react.

The first-floor guardian boss, like a cannonball, soared right in front of Diabel.

"Clang!"

The large nodachi, held firmly in its two hands, emitted sword technique effects as it swung. Its trajectory almost skimmed the ground, moving from bottom to top, and it viciously slashed towards Diabel.

This was a nodachi-exclusive sword technique — "Ukifune (Floating Boat)."

Like an arc of faint red light, the heavy nodachi struck Diabel's body.

"Clang!"

The sound of impact echoed as the large nodachi hit a round shield.

In the critical moment, Diabel displayed the qualities of a top-tier player. Subconsciously, he raised the round shield he had equipped on his left arm, blocking this sword technique.

However, for players who had reached the 10th floor during the closed beta and faced off against humanoid warrior monsters with this technique, they would know that the true terror of the "Ukifune" didn't lie in its attack power. Instead, it had the ability to launch players into the air, disrupt their balance, render them unable to use sword techniques or adjust their posture, leaving them defenseless against the next attack.

Diabel was sent flying high into the air.

Meanwhile, the rigidity time of Illfang's sword technique had already passed.

"Clang!"

The blade of the large nodachi once again became enveloped in red special effects.

That's right.

"Ukifune" was merely the opening move of a nodachi's combo.

If hit by this move, players would be subjected to an untrackable three-hit combo consisting of consecutive upward and downward strikes and a sudden pause, called "Hiōgi (Scarlet Fan)."

During the closed beta, players who suffered this combo invariably lost half of their HP, turning their health bars yellow.

If the HP value had already dropped by more than half or a critical hit had been triggered, the outcome goes without saying.

"Garhhhh!"

With a roar, the Kobold Lord prepared to launch a deadly sword technique against the airborne Diabel.

Diabel had no way to avoid it and could only pale as he watched this scene with wide eyes.

The shadow of death descended upon the knight.

Just then...

"Haaa----!"

A deep shout echoed.

A figure wielding the "Anneal Blade +6" single-handed sword dashed towards Illfang, who was preparing to use the sword technique. The figure simultaneously readied the stance for "Slant," the long sword technique effect trailing behind, and fiercely attacked the guardian boss.

"Clang!"

Amidst the clear sound of collision, Illfang's impending sword technique was thwarted.

Kirito's timely sword technique hit Illfang's nodachi, knocking it off course.

Thanks to this, Illfang's sword technique was canceled.

As activating sword techniques required corresponding preparatory movements, Kirito had successfully disrupted Illfang's technique by deflecting its weapon.

This astonishing technique elicited astonished expressions from the players.

"Roar!"

Illfang was completely infuriated and redirected its hatred towards Kirito, charging at him.

Meanwhile, Diabel managed to live. He fell from his floating state and landed on the ground with a thud, his HP dropping further due to the heavy impact.

"Ugh..."

Diabel let out a miserable sound.

"Diabel!"

"Mr. Diabel!"

Led by Kibaou, the group of ordinary players rushed to Diabel's side and helped him up.

"Are you okay, Diabel?"

Kibaou inquired.

"I... I'm fine..."

Diabel seemed to still be shaking, but he shook his head at everyone.

However...

"You haven't forgotten that you're only safe because someone saved you, have you?"

Rozen approached Diabel, looking at him.

His face bore a slight smile, but his eyes held no hint of amusement.

Seeing Rozen in this state, Diabel understood.

His hidden plans had been uncovered.

However, Rozen didn't have the intention to immediately address Diabel's mistake.

"Let's settle this after dealing with the boss."

Leaving these words, Rozen disregarded Diabel's silence and the confusion among the ordinary players, and dashed towards the direction of the guardian boss.

At this moment, Illfang was locked in combat with Kirito.

Facing the incoming large nodachi strike head-on, Kirito was about to defend when a single-handed sword, identical to his , swept in from the side.

"Clang!"

The attack of the large nodachi was deflected by the upward swing of the single-handed sword.

"Gurr...!?"

Illfang's form also retreated.

Rozen arrived at Kirito's side at this point.

"Rozen!"

Kirito's expression lit up with surprise.

In response, Rozen merely smiled.

The two brothers' gazes met briefly, instantly understanding each other's thoughts.

And so...

"Let's teach the players a lesson, Kirito!"

"Yeah!"

The two brothers simultaneously raised their swords.

Following that, they charged towards the boss, whose HP was only a tenth of what it used to be.