20 members of the Blood Knights, including Heathcliff and Asuna, 23 members including Diabel and Adjutant Schmidt, and 5 members of the Wind Forest Volcano such as Klein participated in the battle, and decided to start a crusade against the "Smiling Coffin, Luffin Coffin", located in a small dungeon on the 10th floor.

It is speculated that the information that the "Coffin of the Smile" is located in a small dungeon on the 10th floor was leaked by a player who felt guilty for committing the murder. Based on this information, the search began, and eventually they arrived at the home of the smiling coffin.

"Ever since I found out about this dungeon, I've had a bit of an impression that it's located in a nice place." It's a low-level, near-safe area with few monsters, as if the designer had just laid it out and forgotten about it.

No, there is indeed a safe zone in the depths here, and since the intel indicates that its base is there, the cave is actually a safe zone. It's easy to strategize unnoticed and stay overnight in such places.

As the assembled members of the strategy team nervously advanced through the mist-shrouded dungeon, we made a loud noise next to me. Ace and best friend Lilan made a "sound".

"Kirito. I would like to ask again, what kind of person is the smiling coffin? According to Asuna, I've heard that this is an absolutely intolerable group, but I don't know much about the specifics.

"Anyway, I haven't told you about [Smile Coffin]"

Contrary to Lilan, Shino, who was walking to my left, interjected.

"I don't know, who is the 'Smile Coffin'? When did it appear? ”

Moreover, not only Lilan, but even Shino did not understand the details of the story of the "Smiling Coffin". It's perfect for preparing for the upcoming battle and reminiscing about the past, so let's talk.

"The smiling coffin has recently appeared ......."

As I tried to recall the "Smile Coffin", I felt a stream of slimy air flow into my body.

Originally, in this Ayn Grandrie, there was an orange organization that plundered other players' money and items from the very beginning of the game of death. But they are all more conscientious than the smiling coffin, caught up in the realm of forced trade, paralyzing poison, and so on.

"Why is that?" Since this game is a game of death, losing all of your health will kill the player in real life. In reality, no one can do something murderous. That's how it should be.

The players trapped in this game were originally just online gamers who wanted to live a crime-free life in the real world. Murder could not have happened.

However, the rule of "let no one lose all their HP" was suddenly broken by one person. Until then, the name of the person who broke the discipline that existed in each player was Vashak Casals. It's a somewhat unique name, but maybe that's why he has a strong charisma.

First of all, Vashak Casals has been a separate presence from us players from the very beginning. Vashak Casals has an exotic and mysterious aesthetic in his own right, and is fluent in Japanese, English, and Spanish slang.

The way he speaks, like the rap of a professional disc jockey, instantly dyes the values of those around him who are just online gamers into those of cool, tough, real, and outlaws.

Another charm of Vašak Casals is its power. Without using sword skills, Vashak Casals flashed his blade like an extension of his hand, slicing the monster and the player to pieces in the blink of an eye, shattered, shattered.

Since then, we have developed a fear of Vashak Casals, but as the game progresses to a certain point, after clearing the 40th floor, Vashak Casals has acquired a dagger with a disturbing name, "Friend Cutter Companion Chopper", and he has terrifying powers. The ability to make us tremble.

In contrast to Heathcliff, who has a positive charisma and gathers the Knights of the Blood Alliance, Vashak Casals has a negative charisma. Players who have been poisoned by Vashak Casals' charm poison show symptoms of poisoning and begin to worship Vashak Casals, lifting their psychological restrictions and becoming red players who like to kill.

Then, on Chinese New Year's Eve 2023, a team of nearly 30 people of Vashak Casals attacked players enjoying an outdoor party at a tourist attraction, claiming the lives of all of them and delivering them to an informant the next day. "Our name is the Murder Guild [Smile Coffin Wood.]

After finishing speaking, Shino and Lilan naturally showed surprised expressions, as if they wanted to spit out the mud accumulated in their hearts.

"The Smile Coffin was established last Chinese New Year's Eve?

"Yes. It was when I met Lilan and Shino that I spent most of my time on the 22nd floor. At that time, Vashak Casals founded a guild that carried out atrocities, the "Coffin of the Smile". "That's when I hang out with you. And read the informant's newspaper. ”

After my explanation, Lilan began to grunt. It's about Lilan, who has a strong sense of justice.

"I, Vašak Casals, am indeed a being who disturbs the minds of the inhabitants and players of this world. If this is their stronghold and he is there, then we should be the first to catch him.

"That's right." It all started with Vashak Casals, who can be said to be the most unsettling existence in the world, even more terrifying than monsters. If I can find him, I must beat him up at all costs, put him in jail, and keep him out of the way. - Before the number of players poisoned by "Poison Charm" increases.

"That Vashak Casals, if left unchecked, will continue to spread venom, just listening to the story, I think Vashak Casals is a poisonous insect that appeared in Aingrant or something." \"

"That's right, you could say, he's a poisonous insect himself. The poisonous insects must be killed, and if there is no antidote, the addict must be quarantined somewhere. ”

Lilan, who was listening to Shino talking to me, had a slightly disappointed expression.

"In short, I don't think it's a very pleasant thing to fight him for. Moreover, something very ominous is about to happen, and the battle begins now

Lilan seems to feel it, too. Ever since I met the "smiling coffin" guy yesterday, fought and fled to the city, I always felt something squirming in my chest.

It's going to be a battle with the "smiling coffin", but in the midst of it all, I have a hunch that something extraordinary is about to happen, like a catastrophe that never happened, and I didn't stop. When I look at the other capture groups, none of them exhibit this state, so I guess it's just my imagination.

"I didn't know what was going to happen. Let's err on the side of caution. ”

Shiina, and Lilan nodded at my words and continued walking with a slightly relieved expression.

Strange dungeons, with floating scaffolding, like a misty mountain road, carefully pushed over to see if there were any smiling coffins nearby, and when we got there, we stopped. Diabel looked around and said cautiously.

"We are about to start a crusade, but they do not hesitate to take our lives.

Heathcliff, the complete opposite of Vashak Casals and with a positive charisma, turned to call out to the members.

"However, even if they are the Red Guild and are all masters, we are also masters, and we are the capture group that survived the battle with various monsters, they may come, but it is not without sense to be careful." Let's fight as we always do and catch them. ”

Hearing Heathcliff's somewhat cheerful command, everyone's faces relaxed, and a slight laugh erupted. Sure enough, there are Lilan, the "Holy Sword" messenger Heathcliff, the sage commander Diabel, the reliable and kind deputy head Asuna, and the ultimate sword Yuki.

There are too few factors to lose, so as Heathcliff said, the "smiling coffin" could be intimidated and surrender unconditionally. If the fight is over without anything happening, then the grunting in my chest must be caused by my imagination, so I want it to happen anyway.

"Kirito"

"What"

"There's something I want you to say to everyone. Whatever happens, stay calm, don't panic, and respond calmly.

I tilted my head when I heard Lilan's anxious "voice", but I thought the content was the same as usual. If you lose your cool and panic, that's exactly what they think. Some people say that calmness is the key, so let's spread Lilan's instructions.

"Everyone, whatever happens, deal with it calmly, if you lose your composure, that's what they think, and you will fall into their trap, so whatever happens, be calm"

Just as I was about to give a command to everyone, my Enemy Detection skill sensed the reactions of multiple players, and I turned my head in that direction. Some players wear black cloaks, black trousers, and wield menacing swords, greatswords, and daggers with orange icons. The number of people is about 40 people. - The "Coffin of Smiles" we want to conquer!

"[Smile coffin wood]!!"

Could it be that the information has leaked? - The next moment I thought so, and the corners of the mouths of the "smiling coffin wood" maniacs rose and jumped up, as if the beginning of a happy party, like a beast attacking its prey. They waved their swords at us. After confirming the blade of the beastly madman, we all drew our weapons and began to fight back. I also unleashed my dual wielding, blocking the incoming madman blades, sending them flying, dissolving, and tying them with ropes to bind them.

Look at the people around you, compared to the monsters in the "smiling coffin", they are nothing at all. If you look at Heathcliff, the strongest paladin in the Blood Knights, he blocks the madman's weapon with his shield without a sword, and then slams the maniac's weapon with his shield while the knights around him catch him. He is repeating actions such as entering. Sure enough, Heathcliff's attack power was enough to kill the "Smiling Coffins". This time it's a strategy of barely killing, so don't take it seriously I don't think I can't.

"Hey, your physical strength has reached the point where you will die if you are hit, surrender quickly."

Nearby, Ekir's voice was heard, and when he looked back, he saw Ekir and several members of the Holy Dragon Alliance chasing one of the "Smiling Coffins" whose strength was about to be exhausted. Indeed, Achill was right, he was now in a state where he would die if he took another blow.

"But he's a madman, and even if he's cornered, he should resist." I'm sure everyone who faces him thinks so. However, I was taken aback when Egil pointed his two-handed axe at me.

The people of the "smiling coffin", who originally thought that they would definitely resist, suddenly dropped their weapons on the spot, knelt down, and pressed their hands on their heads. It is a posture that does not attack because it does not resist. The sound of the battle suddenly stopped, and everyone in the "Coffin of Smiles" began to live happily ever after.

As for Shino, who is an archer, she can't hide her surprised expression, because the person in the "smiling coffin" she is referring to has stopped resisting and is lying on the ground.

"I'm sorry, oh, it's our fault. I'm going to be cleared of my sins and go to jail, so please forgive me. ”

Everywhere the bloodthirsty man went, the "smiling coffin" began to beg for mercy in a frightened voice. Suddenly, the capture team made a slightly confused sound and looked at each other, but when they looked around, all the "Smiling Coffin Wood" guys stopped resisting, so I found that the "Smiling Coffin Wood" had been cleaned up by me. The first goal is to suppress everyone.

"Yo, okay, everyone, go and take the coffin of the smile."

As expected, Diabel was unable to decipher the development. It's gone. The "smiling coffin" was no longer visible in the dungeon, and all those who attacked them were captured and unable to move. At this point, the operation was completed, but I was a little disappointed that it ended so easily.

\"That, Kirito. This battle is over, right? \"

"Ah, I thought it was going to be a quagmire, but it ended too easily."

I answered Shino's conversation, but the murmuring in my chest showed no signs of stopping. If the fighting had really ended like that, the riots would have stopped, but the experience of witnessing countless scenes of fighting and slaughter still rings alarm bells in my heart. It's as if they were shouting that the battle is not over.

What the hell will happen, what kind of events will happen to hit us, Shiina's body was pulled closer, and at this moment, I heard the sound of metals colliding against each other behind me, and immediately shifted my attention to what was happening.

There, a knight with a knightly evil face on his face was swinging his sword at Heathcliff. Needless to say, Heathcliff blocked the knight's sword with his shield and showed a grim expression.

"What do you mean, Kuradil? \"

\"It's raining, Knight Chief! \"

I felt a chill when I saw the sword-wielding face of the knight named Curatier. Curadil's face, his eyes, were as murderous as a smiling coffin, and the expression of an angry glare at the villain.

Those eyes, what the hell are you going to do—I was just thinking about that when I heard the sound of swords that should have stopped, one after another. The situation spread there almost as much as Heatscliffe and Kladir did, with one of the coalition forces swinging its sword at Asuna, Diaberu, and the executives to stop it. Noda. Everyone looks like a villain.

"What is this...!?"

Yuki, who was brandished by his companion, was also among them, and raised his voice in confusion and blocked the opponent's sword with his sword.

"What's wrong? What's wrong!? ”

The swords-wielding ones, who looked like bad guys, didn't even answer. At this moment, Kraidier suddenly raised his voice.

"Leader, let's act!!"

Curadil's voice, with the eyes of a villain, and his face as if he had experienced the thrill of killing, resounded around.

"Players, players are pouring in here like an avalanche! This number is 90!! \"

"yes, 90!?"

A frightening number coming out of Lilan's mouth. I don't think about why so many players poured in, and the huge gate that was the entrance was slammed open. - Behind it is a group of players in black cloaks, black pants, and wielding vicious weapons that look like the smiling coffins of hungry beasts.

"Reinforcements!?"

After Klein screamed, a man jumped to the front of the crowd of 90 "smiling coffins." Of course, the man did not appear despite being his home base, he was the leader of the "Smile Coffin" that corrupted the player with his poisonous charm, and the butcher of Ayn Grant 1, Vashak Casals. His face was as fierce as ever, and his eyes were sharp.

"Poof!!"

Vashak Casals seemed to hear me, but instead of answering me, he spoke.

"Are you still alive? Today is the best gathering to smash the capture group here and make this world eternal. Yes, this is our utopia! Come on, it's show time!! ”

That's when I realized for the first time that we were in a trap. The reason why Vashak Casals did not appear in this place that should have been their base camp must have been to collect the smiling coffins and wage an all-out war against our captive team.

Then, in order to gather information about the capture group and set a trap for them, Kuradir and the people around him, the spies of the "Smiling Coffin", infiltrated our capture group. Presumably because the spy of the "Smile Coffin" of Kuradil reported the matter to Vashak Casals, the information was leaked.

(I'm trapped!!) ）

And, while we came here to defeat the "Coffin of the Smile", we were actually forced to come to the palm of Vashak Casals' hand. From now on, the "Smile Coffin" will go all out in the form of sack hitting. - Destroy those of us who seek to end the world and turn it into a slaughterer's utopia.

"Goo, goo"

Just as I was thinking about what to do, I heard a scream and I turned my head in that direction, but then my eyes widened. The members of the "Smiling Coffin", who were supposed to have been captured by us, tore the ropes, took up arms, and slaughtered the stunned captives who were attacked by the main force of Vashak Casals.

Those who were attacked from behind by the "Smile Coffin" fell to the ground, turning into light blue figures and exploding into polygonal pieces. The number of people is 5 people.

I checked the number of players here, and the captive team, which was originally close to fifty people, has been reduced to nearly thirty due to the surprise attack of the other party, plus the spies among them. On the other hand, due to the release of the arrested, the end of espionage and the arrival of the main force of Vashak Casals, the number of "smiling coffins" increased to 140 people. This is not an easy thing to do, such as the difference in quantity.

"30 to 140!?"

The capture team fell into a panic. Even though I use a teleportation crystal, the opponent is an agile player with an AGI boost. I couldn't decide what to do, I was like a rat in a bag. There was no countermeasure at all - just as I was thinking about it, I couldn't help but widen my eyes when I realized that someone was evenly matched with such a large group of people.

Even with a shield and sword in hand, the man moves and attacks frame by frame, as if he is challenging the time around him, against one madman after another who attacks him. It's as if a person is using a special skill to take advantage of the chaos and take advantage of the unwatched—as if he alone can steal the time of those around him.

That man was Heathcliff, the leader of the Knights of the Blood Oath. Heathcliff is known as a paladin and is a player who wields the "Holy Sword", a skill similar to my second sword style.

No, first of all, according to Asuna, the "holy sword" should be something that blocks and repels the enemy's attacks with overwhelming defense, and sets up a strong counterattack, so it is possible to do this. A sport. It shouldn't be that way. What exactly is that action? - At this point, Alice's words echoed in my head.

"Mr. Kayaba is using a super account.

Obviously, Heathcliff's movements are different from other players. Impossible, Heathcliff?

(Nope!) ）

"We'll think about it later." If you are lost in thought, now is the time to die. If you don't find a way to break this situation as soon as possible, Shino, Asuna, Yuki, Klein, Ekir, and Diabel will all be killed.

"First of all, why are there so many 'smiling coffins'?" If Vashak Casals had just been recruited, it probably wouldn't have reached that much, but what happened in such a short period of time?

Just then, I saw a sword coming at me, and I immediately blocked it with my twin swords. I saw my opponent's face in the red glow of the sparks, but that face surprised me.

"Long time no see, batsman."

It's hard to say since he wears a poncho, but he's a villain-faced one-handed swordsman with orange hair and chestnut-like spiky hair. After the boss battle on the first floor, he unreasonably criticized Diabel, created the cause of splitting the player into the military faction and the Holy Dragon Alliance faction, and was expelled from the army for the violence of the first tier. It's the Tooth King.

"Tooth King! Why are you here!? \"

"It's simple. The interests of the [Smile Coffin] group and WAI are aligned. Wai still loves the world. I think I'm going to have to kill those of you who are trying to end this world. tanya

"You mean, after you were expelled from the army, you went to the Coffin of Smiles?"

"Let's go, after killing you, I'm going to find the thinkers and Juliel, kill them, and reclaim the first layer once and for all. For this, I will let you die! ”

Just then, the Tooth King's sword approached me.

"I didn't expect him to be so stupid." I thought that being expelled from the military might have cleared my mind a little and made me think about something serious, but even so, I still couldn't think of stopping my outrageous behavior.

(Is that so...!!) ）

At the same time, I also understood that the addition of the tooth king to the "smiling coffin" is the true identity of this large group of "smiling coffins". Before the disbandment, the army numbered more than 100 people, including about 40 members of the Yawang gang and violent elements. Now it's becoming a "smiling coffin" and is attacking us. Children in order to make the world of Vashak Casals belong to those who have committed violence.

"This!!"

With two swords, he pushed away the approaching Tooth King's sword and the sword of the gang wielded with the Tooth King, kicked the ground, soared into the air, and landed. That's Lilan back. To reverse this, Yuichi used Lilan's power, which blocked the orange players' movements.

"Start over, it's your turn! Use your previous attack to block the movement of the Coffin of Smiles. I'm going to call the others ahead of time—"

\"No, no, no, stop fighting, no, disturb the heart, mess up the world, mess up the world. \"

When I tried to give instructions to Lilan, something strange felt in my mind. I could hear Lilan's "voice", but it was intermittent and felt like it was mixed with noise, which was noticeably different from usual.

"Oh, hey, Lillan, what 'sound' is that?"

As I turned my attention to the most important part of his body, I saw him with his mouth open, his nose wrinkled, his hair standing on end, and his muscles as hard as steel. It's as if you have a strong aversion to something and are now trying to get rid of it.

"Lilan?"

Lilan's "voice" rang in his head again.

\"Yu, Ru, Zha, Nu forgive me, Nu uu\"

"Lilan!?"

\"Yu、ru、za、nu… Forgive me, nu... uu\"

"Lilan!?"

Kirito's body suddenly stiffened, his whole body was creepy, and his eyes widened involuntarily. Not only his body, but even his eyes turned into glowing red spheres, and his "voice" became something strange that had never been heard before. Seeing Lilan, who had never seen him before, Kirito looked around in confusion.

What they see is crazy people attacking their comrades, they are wildly brandishing their weapons, basking in the thrill of killing. And even the companions were so engrossed in preparing for the madman's attack and counterattack that they didn't notice that the dragon's appearance had become a little strange. It seems that the room itself has turned into a swamp of chaos.

"Lilan, what's wrong, Lilan!?"

The next moment, Lilan's body suddenly emitted a strong light, and at the same time, Lilan roared high and rose into the sky. Kirito's eyes were obscured by an extremely strong light, and when he saw the light that seemed to explode, the people around him, the people of the cleanup team, finally noticed the dragon's anomaly. On the other hand, "Smiling Coffin" and others prioritize the thrill of killing, wielding deadly blades against the capture team even when bathed in bright light.

The light lasted for about two seconds, then stopped as if it had been sucked into the dragon's body. When Kirito, who was bathed in light on his back, opened his eyes, his eyes immediately turned into dazzling eyes.

The general shape has not changed, but judging from the temporomandibular joints, the dorses of the arms and legs, and the wing claws of the dragon wings, there are huge sword-like spines, wrapped in thin white light, and the hair on the whole body is enveloped. Standing upright and muscles as hard as steel, Lilan has become a figure who ignores all biological bases and focuses solely on fighting and attacking.

"What is this, what is Lilan, what the hell are you!?" \"

The moment I called to him, his companion spread his wings with his master and flew straight up. Because of the speed, my ears were obscured by the sound of the wind blowing, I couldn't hear anything else, and I couldn't open my eyes because of the storm. Lilan continues to fly around a large room that looks like a boss room.

The interior of the room seemed to be bigger than I expected, with the clean-up team and the "smiling coffin" visible from the side. However, the speed of the replay was something I had never experienced before, and the scenery in front of me changed many times, and my eyes began to spin because I saw what was displayed on the status bar. In the end, it disappeared.

Resonate with Lilan, a human-dragon unified scale that has been around since I met him, and it is necessary to fight with Lilan in boss fights. Now, although its form is similar to that of Lilan and the human dragon, there is no ?? There is a blue bar that says "Error" in red instead.

\"Uh, is there a mistake!? \"

Why exactly are these characters shown? What's happening to Lilan now? If you don't catch it, you'll be dropped, and if you fall to the ground from here now, you'll take a lot of fall damage and will definitely be attacked from above by the madman. Kirito couldn't think, he couldn't draw his weapon, all he could do was cling to Lilan's body.

However, after a few seconds, Lilan began to swoop down towards the people below. A floating sensation wrapped around his body, as if he was riding on a screaming machine, and as his eyes spun again, Kirito noticed a slight unpleasant sound in his ears. Although it was still small, it was mixed with the sounds of mosquitoes, metal, the screeching of wild beasts, and the howling of wolves. - That's what Lilan is trying to say now. Aim for the following targets.

"Run again, stop!"

Lilan didn't listen to me at all, and my "voice" didn't reach my head. Kirito realizes that he can no longer stop the attack of Lilan Voice, and shouts to his companions.

"Everyone, cover your ears ————————————!!!"

Kirito's voice reached the ears of Shino, Yuki, Asuna, Diabel, Klein, and Ekiel, and the six of them understood Kirito's words and immediately covered their ears. At this moment, Lilan's mouth opened wide and she made a "sound".

A loud, unpleasant sound, like a mixture of sounds that humans find unpleasant, such as the sound of a mosquito, the sound of metal, and the high-pitched voice of a beast. That sound, if listened to, was sure to make one faint, because it echoed throughout the room, hitting the ears of those present.

A sound that seems to hit the brain directly. The people who heard Kirito's screams immediately covered their ears to prevent the sound from reaching their ears, but even so, the sound took everything away from them, and they felt their brains vibrate, attacked, and slipped. The weapon detached from his hand, gagged his ears, and he couldn't move.

In such a state, I thought that the vase of the "Smile Coffin" would be attacked by an opening, but when I opened my eyes, except for about fifty people of the "Smile Coffin", it was like a puppet with a broken thread, and it collapsed to the ground on the spot, the whites of its eyes peeled off, and foam erupted from its open mouth like a fish. - Because of the thrill of killing, and with a weapon in my hand, I couldn't cover my ears, and I heard Lilan's voice.

The remaining 50 people covered their ears and could not move. Of course, there are also members of the capture team who received Kirito's voice later than the six, as well as members of the smiling coffin such as Vashak Casals, Johnny, Zaza, and Tooth King.

What the hell is this sound - when the arresting team and the members of the "smiling coffin" who are still reasonably conscious cover their ears, they feel a huge shock wave and an explosive wind. What's going on this time? When I opened my eyes, a monster in the shape of a white dragon appeared, with swords sticking out from all over its body. A young man dressed in black and carrying two swords on his back rode on its back as if swinging.

Just as those who knew the boy tried to call out his name, the dragon carrying the boy on his back bit the bodies of the unconscious madmen,

"Stop, Lilan! Stop it!! Stop it!!! ”

Ignoring the pale screaming boy on his back, he let out a wild beastly roar and bit the madmen in his mouth with his fangs, biting them to pieces. Without saying a word, the madman whose body had been cut in half turned into a pale blue figure and disappeared like a shard of glass.

Continuing on, the dragon reached out to the conscious people nearby, grabbed the three or so men, and threw them to the ground with all his might, stringing them together with the lightsaber that grew from the back of his arm. When I turned it into polygon shards, I reached out and grabbed about two people, pinned them to the ground, and tore them apart, turning them into polygon shards that glowed blood-red while glowing blood-red.

Then, the dragon stabbed the ground with the sword with its jaw outstretching, chiseling the ground open, picking up about fifteen unconscious madmen and lifting them up, a scorching pillar of light erupting from the depths as they danced in the air. Let it devour those madmen. By the time the beam stopped, the madmen were gone, and the eyes of the dumbfounded.