(Sure enough, I guessed a little when I heard the name.) ）

(yes, you too...... ）

In a brief eye contact, Kiriri and Diaberu have already established the fact that both have been closed beta players.

As early as the closed beta period, someone had the habit of 'tail knife'. In other words, the 'tail knife' is the habit of all solo players, but Kirito's techniques and skills are higher.

As for Diaberu, he probably guessed his identity from Kirito's character name, so he wanted to be the first to strike.

It's just that they all forgot that the current game may not be the same as the closed beta period.

"Drink, ah, ah!!"

"Hah——!!h

With a shout, the two weapons pierced the bloodied monster almost simultaneously.

Seeing this scene, the ranks behind them all burst into cheers.

However, to the surprise of the two, the prompt for successfully clearing the floor did not appear, let alone the items that appeared to kill the boss.

(This is not true——!!! ）

Kirito's expression, which first noticed the problem, changed again and again, and he shouted at Diaberu on the other side.

"Diaberu! Get out of here! ”

“——！？”

In front of the two men, the stone slab carved with the ring swirled and rose, and the smoke rose immediately, as if something was forming.

After a few breaths, a monster with a crown in the middle of the horns, and a monster that was even bigger than the previous boss appeared in front of everyone.

Along with the six blood bars, its name also appears at the same time.

- "Taurus King Asterius", which is also a real floor boss.

……

As he stepped step by step, he found himself with a human at his feet and roared loudly, and a huge sound wave hit everyone's eardrums.

At the same time, the Taurus monster that was pierced by the two also raised its weapons again and entered a state of rage with silk blood.

- Caught in the flank!

This idea instantly appeared in Kirito's mind, and he fell into a desperate situation because of his 'miscalculation', and it was difficult to rescue him because he was too far away from the team.

Despair welled up in my heart.

……

"Brother!!

At the back of the team, seeing Kirito in danger, Naoba couldn't help but scream.

And before her voice sounded, someone had already reacted faster.

"Uncle, borrow your shield and use it!"

Seeing his team in danger, Heathcliff was unmoved, and if one looked closely, they could even see that he was smiling with his lips pursed.

It was only the voice that suddenly appeared in his ears that he was slightly startled.

Looking at the black-haired girl who landed lightly on her giant shield, the two eyes met for a moment, and then quickly staggered.

（…… Ooh. ）

Using the shield as a pedal, Yuki jumped high and slashed at the head of the Silk-Blooded Taurus monster that was about to attack the two of them.

The health bar finally zeroed, and the Taurus monster, which had been mistaken for the boss, turned into pieces and disappeared into thin air.

"Really, if you die, Xiao Zhi will definitely be sad."

"Remember, you both owe me my life."

“——！”

The black-haired girl with her back to the two of them and facing the real boss confidently made a declaration.

"Well, it's almost time to work out, and it's time to put an end to this strategy."

On the raised sword, a dazzling light flickered.

Having accompanied his team to fight soy sauce in the rear for so long, it was time to make a good shot.

Looking at the girl who came to the rescue in front of him with a complicated expression, Kirito and Diaberu also knew that now was not the time to talk nonsense.

After a brief thank-you, the two quickly returned to their positions, and Mr. Knight re-commanded the team to launch the strategy.

This time, there was no accident, with everyone's cooperation and onslaught, with the crushing of the crown, the Taurus King finally fell down in the cheers of the players.

Not long after breaking through the first layer, the second layer was successfully cleared by the player.

The spark of hope was rekindled.

And this time, it also made everyone remember the team that was active in the front line of the strategy and was composed of all female players.

Especially the girl who behaved like a boy as the captain.

************************************************************************************************************************

After passing through the steps of the second floor, the third floor of "Ayn Grant" that appeared in front of him did not change much from what he had seen during the Yuki Sealed Beta period.

It is still a forest and village floor.

Not long ago, the battle report of the frontline wing attacking the second layer has been quickly passed through the players waiting outside the labyrinth area, and everyone will soon know this exciting news.

Declining the invitation from Diaberu and the others again, Yuki and the others decided to continue their adventures with such a team.

……

"Everyone, Xiao Zhi will leave it to you."

At the entrance of the third floor, Kirito solemnly said his request to everyone in Yuki's team.

Although he wanted to stay by his sister's side to protect her, now that he had promised the man to join his guild, the young swordsman did not want to give up halfway.

Maybe only by playing through this game a day earlier will they be truly safe.

Without hesitation, all five of them accepted the request.

"Well, brother, you too, don't be reckless."

Knowing that the separation was imminent, Naoba's mood was not very high, and he asked with some concern.

If Yuki hadn't reacted quickly in the previous battle, the consequences would still make her body a little chilly.

“…… Yes. ”

Responding softly, Kirito, who was about to leave, just turned around, but heard Yuki's voice ringing in his ears.

"Kirito, do you still like this world?"

“……！”

Turning around in surprise, he seemed to have heard this question somewhere.

Gradually, a shadow from a memory appeared on the black-haired girl's body.

"—are you!"

"I hope you won't be too surprised when we see each other next time. ”】

Recalling what 'he' said, is that what it meant......

At this moment, all the doubts in Kirito's heart were solved.

(Perhaps, Naoba doesn't need his own protection at all.) ）

Smiling with relief, the boy raised his head slightly and answered the question.

"I don't like it."

Turning to leave, his heavy footsteps were noticeably relaxed.

"But it's not annoying."

“……”

……

As the news spreads, more and more groups move into the third tier, and players can finally form guilds and officially go on adventures as groups. It also confirms what Akihiko Kayaba said in an interview, the adventure of "Ayn Grant" has only officially begun from the third layer.

Among them, it made a name for itself in the second-tier boss battles, with the first guild called "Holy Dragon United" led by the knight Diaberu, and the "Ayngrunt Liberation Team" led by a player named Xinka, and the "Knights of the Blood Alliance" established by a player named Heathcliff who stood out from it.

In addition to these big guilds, many small guilds have also sprung up and begun to emerge.

And among them, there is a small guild that all players talk about.

It was the only team of female players active on the front lines.

The name is.

- Arcadia

With the girl and the sword as the banner, according to its chairman, it means a utopia established for the freedom and adventure of the girls.

At this point, Ayn Grant's strategy has also opened a new chapter.