“…… Just let me be a reference, can you tell me, how do you know the ...... of my identity? ”

Heathcliff tilted his head slightly and stared at Zhang Yu with a rather grim expression.

"It's actually very simple, I know my situation. It's impossible for a human being to reach my level, but you can. And it's still so strong that it takes it for granted, even to the point of perfection. This kind of thing is like a bug caused by the imbalance of the game, and you are the only one who has the right to do so. Akihiko Kayaba. ”

After Zhang Yu finished his serious nonsense, he turned around and walked towards the players who were completely stunned. Walked up to Asuna and pulled her up with a smile, and the two stood side by side.

"I didn't expect to be suspicious if I set myself too strong. Looks like your powers of observation are really terrifying......"

Heathcliff nodded slightly, the corners of his lips slightly raised, revealing a somewhat wry smile, which was also the first expression on his face.

"I was originally scheduled to make this matter public when I reached the ninety-fifth floor."

After slowly looking at all the players, and the smile on his face turned into a transcendent smile, the cardinal announced with majesty.

"—Indeed, I am Akihiko Kayaba. Further, it is necessary to wait for your final boss at the top. ”

At this time, Zhang Yu felt that Asuna beside him was a little unsteady on her feet, and he hugged her tightly with his right hand.

"Uh...... Wouldn't that be a little too boring? Is it true that the strongest player has been transformed into the most vicious final boss, just to appreciate our horror? ”

"Don't you think it's a good script? I thought it was going to be a big orgasm, but I didn't expect to be seen through by three-quarters of the way through. Originally, I thought that you were the biggest uncertain factor in this world, but you didn't even have the double knife flow, you didn't expect to have such destructive power......"

Akihiko Kayaba shrugged his shoulders with a similar smile and continued with a smile on his face.

“…… I had predicted that Kirito-kun would be the last person standing in front of me. Out of a total of 10 unique skills, the [2 Blades] skill is given to the person with the fastest reaction speed among all players, and that person will play the role of a brave man against the Demon King, regardless of whether he wins or loses in the end.

Out of a small punishment for you, the [Second Knife Stream] will not appear on you.

But I didn't expect you to show more power than I could have imagined in terms of attack speed and insight. But...... This unexpected development can also be regarded as the flavor of online role-playing games......"

"Brave?"

Kirito was a little stunned when he heard his own Kayaba Akihiko mention his name, and muttered.

At this time, a player who had been frozen and unable to move slowly stood up. He is one of the officers who serves as a cadre of the Knights of the Blood Alliance. The little eyes that looked resolute and wooden revealed tragic and distressed feelings.

"You guy...... You guy...... How dare you put our loyalty—and hope—into ...... To give...... To give...... Totally ruined ——!"

He clenched the huge axe gun in his hand and rushed out with a roar.

The others simply didn't have time to stop him. I saw him swing his heavy weapon and smash it towards the grounds—

However, the Kayaba action was a step faster than him. With a wave of his left hand, he quickly maneuvered through the window where he appeared, and as a result, the man's body immediately stopped in the air and fell to the ground with a loud noise. His HP bar flashed with a green frame. It is a state of paralysis. Akihiko Kayaba's hand did not stop and continued to operate the window.

"Ah...... Jade ......"

Asuna also fell weakly in Zhang Yu's arms, and Kirito also fell to his knees. Except for Zhang Yu and Akihiko Kayaba, everyone around them fell to the ground in an unnatural position and groaned.

"Mom!"

At this time, Yui hidden in Asuna's hair couldn't help it. flew out and changed into the size of the original little Lori, squatting next to her, looking at her with concern. Because this is the highest command of the system issued by Akihiko Kayaba, there is no way for Yui to lift it.

Everyone present looked at the little girl who suddenly appeared in surprise, but when they saw Kayaba Jinghiko, they didn't care too much about this.

"YUI-MHCP001-Emotional AI?"

Kayaba Jinghiko also glanced at Yui and saw her identity clearly. But that's not the most important thing right now, so he doesn't plan to care about it for the time being.

After Zhang Yu took the sword back on his back, he held Asuna's hand tightly, as if to pass on the belief in his heart to her. Softly soothed Yui next to him, and then raised his head to look at Akihiko Kayaba.

“…… Now, what do you want. Is it just the end of the game for everyone? ”

Zhang Yu was not 100% sure that Kayaba Jinghiko would decide with a simple heads-up fight like in the original book. More than a year has passed since the mission, and it cannot be delayed any longer.

"How so? There's no way I'm going to go so far. ”

Kayaba Akihiko smiled and shook his head.

"Now that things have come to this point, there's nothing it can do. Only by making a reservation in advance, go to the top [Red Jade Palace] first to wait for your arrival.

Although it was not my intention to leave the Blood Alliance Knights and the players of the Raiders group who were cultivated along the way in order to give players the strength to fight against powerful monster groups above 90 floors, I think you should be able to reach the top level with your strength. But...... Until then......"

After Akihiko Kayaba stopped talking, the eyes that made people feel full of overwhelming willpower stared at Zhang Yu. Then he thrust the sword in his right hand lightly into the obsidian floor, the sharp, clear metallic sound tearing through the air around him.

"Yujun, I have to give you a reward for seeing my true face, so I'll give you a chance. Give you the chance to have a one-on-one duel with me here now, and of course I'll remove the undead attribute. If you win, all players will be able to log out of this world, even if the game is fully played. How do you feel about ......? ”

As soon as she heard what he said, Asuna in Zhang Yu's arms shook her head and said to him with all her might.

"No, Jade ......! He's trying to kill you now...... Presently...... For now, let's retreat first......! ”

Akihiko Kayaba is a manager who can interfere with the system. Although it is said that there will be a fair duel, it is not known what kind of operation will actually be carried out.

Zhang Yu is also fully prepared for today. The level is full level, all the attribute values have reached the extreme, the equipment is also the strongest equipment that can be obtained at the moment, and the sword skills have also been developed to the point where they cannot be broken through in a short time. Just for the first battle.

"Just what I want."

A smile appeared on the corner of Zhang Yu's mouth, and his heartbeat began to accelerate.

"Jade ......!"

Asuna's cry of grief rang out again, and Zhang Yu turned his gaze to her in his arm. Feeling the slightly trembling delicate body in his arms, he whispered to her with a gentle smile.

"I'm sorry, Asuna. This is the quickest path and the easiest way to succeed. ”

Asuna opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but gave up on the way, replaced by a smile she had worked so hard to squeeze out.

"You're not going to ...... Sacrifice, right......? ”

"Of course...... Asuna, I'm sorry. I've been hiding one thing from you. Actually, I was able to log out of the game normally because I was able to remove the death threat from the real NERvGear. However, there is no 100% guarantee that the death threat of NERvGear will be lifted, so I haven't told you about it. ”

"Great...... Jade. It's good that you're alive. ”

Asuna smiled with tears in her eyes and hugged Zhang Yu with all her strength. At first, I was shocked that he confessed to being able to log out of the game normally, but then I was full of joy. Because she understood that Zhang Yu would not die even if she lost, and she also knew the reason why she occasionally couldn't find him at night before.

"Asuna, believe that I will end this world."

"Hmm. I believe you. ”

"Yui, Mom will be taken care of by you for the time being."

After letting go of Asuna's hand, Zhang Yu placed her body across the obsidian floor and smiled at Yui.

"Dad, leave it to me. You...... Come on, too! ”

Yui nodded solemnly, and looked at him with a worried look on her pretty face.

Zhang Yu smiled and nodded lightly and stood up. As he slowly walked towards the thatched field that looked at the place without saying a word, he pulled out his sword with his hand loudly.

"Jade! Stop it......! ”

"Jade ——!"

Zhang Yu looked at the source of the voice, and could see Kirito and back-to-back Klein and Achill trying to hold up their bodies while calling his name. Turning to face them, he met Kirito's gaze.

"Kirito, if I lose. Then please lead everyone through this game. ”

After smiling slightly at Kirito who was wide-eyed, his face moved slightly.

"Klein Akill, too, live well. I hope to see you in the real world. ”

Kirito's eyes grew moist, and he struggled violently to get back to his feet. shouted loudly at Zhang Yu's back.

"Captain! Come on! ”

drove everyone present to shout and cheer for Zhang Yu.

Zhang Yu raised his right hand and waved, glancing at Asuna who was smiling silently in tears. After muttering "I'm sorry" in my heart, I turned away. Walked towards Kayaba Akihiko, who had always maintained a detached expression.