Chapter 109: The Black Goat
In this battle, Kirito only brought one weapon.
Because the battlefield was slightly narrow, this was to prevent accidentally hitting allies. Kirito raised his greatsword and charged toward the enemy lines.
"OOOOOOOOOH!"
With a loud roar, Kirito swung his greatsword down onto the enemy's shields.
The heavily armored warrior who received the blow immediately felt numbness in his arm, and the impact sent him flying several meters backward.
"Wh-what kind of attack power is that?!"
"You guys are just too light, that's all."
"What nonsense! This is with two layers of shields stacked!"
"Hah? You thought just raising your shield was enough? Oh, I see now."
Kirito rested the greatsword on his shoulder and looked back, shouting to Hachiman:
"Hey~ Hachiman, these guys are just rookies temporarily posing as heavy warriors. Come help out—none of them even have real weapons. This'll be easy."
The enemy warrior looked like he wanted to question, "How do you know that?"—but before he could, Kirito spun around and sliced an off-guard opponent in two.
Seeing this terrifying scene, the fire elf members were all visibly shaken.
"Wow, Kirito-kun is amazing!"
"Maybe big brother could do something like that too..."
"Senpai, what should we do?"
"Well, since Kirito invited us, let's go wipe out a wave too. The ones in the back look like the real threats. Yukino, is that okay?"
Hachiman asked Yukino for her opinion. She readily agreed. "I think it's fine. Their movements are indeed amateurish."
"Okay. Hey Kirito, hold up a second."
"Sure."
"We'll just hold them down for now. Once we see an opening, clean them up."
Before he even finished speaking, Hachiman had already slipped to Kirito's side.
"Alright, let's finish this quickly before those guys in the back catch up."
"No problem. Looks like we won't be attacked for a while. Kirito, go wild—I'll handle anyone who shows an opening."
"OK OK."
"Feels like it's been forever since we fought side by side."
"Yeah, oddly nostalgic."
"Shall we go?"
"Yeah!"
Hearing this, the first row of enemy heavy warriors snapped out of it and raised their twin shields to press forward. At the same time, The enemy leader issued commands:
"Frontline, hold no matter what! Healers focus on the front! Mage units, be careful of friendly fire—target the enemy rear! We'll support the front soon! Rear units, defend any gaps!"
As Kagezong commanded, Kirito knocked down enemy after enemy, while Hachiman plunged into the enemy ranks and began cutting them down. Anyone who dropped their shield out of fear was instantly sliced in half by Kirito.
"D-Damn!"
More enemies, now panicking, turned their backs toward Yukino's group. Leafa and Yui seized the opportunity to strike from behind.
"Where are you looking? Your back is wide open~"
"Heave-ho, heave-ho."
Though Leafa's tone was carefree, her strikes were extremely precise and deadly.
"You two are pretty good."
"Coming from you, that feels kinda awkward..."
"Seriously, you two aren't normal at all!"
"Really? We're totally normal, right Hachiman?"
"Yeah, pretty normal."
Elsewhere, Yukino and Iroha held back to conserve MP, watching the battlefield while staying alert.
"I knew they were strong, but not to this extent, Yukino-senpai."
"Looks like it's not our time to step in yet. Let's leave it to them for now."
"Ugh~ Komachi is totally falling behind! I'll keep guarding the rear!"
Hachiman and Kirito rampaged across the battlefield like a storm.
Yui and Leafa followed up with pinpoint finishers. By the time Kagezong's reinforcements arrived, the enemy vanguard had already been wiped out.
Hachiman pulled back to the rear, quickly reformed the formation around Yui, with Kirito and Leafa guarding both flanks.
Kagezong's unit halted their advance and set up their own formation.
"Damn it! No one said Yukino's team had monsters like that."
"Of course not. We never told you."
"How could no one know about such strength until now?"
"The world's a lot bigger than you think."
"Damn it. Letting newbies handle shields was my mistake—but the rest are all pros!"
Indeed, the remaining enemies all adopted stances that screamed "seasoned heavy warriors."
"Yui, stay by Yukino. Alert us immediately if enemies approach from the rear."
"Got it, Papa! Good luck in battle!"
"Looks like breaking through their lines won't be easy."
"Yeah, flanking isn't an option, and even if we leap over, their rear mages will snipe us."
"Let's try a probing attack. If that doesn't work, we'll use the trump card."
"Trump card?"
"Yukino, a word."
Hachiman whispered into Yukino's ear. "I heard that magic skill can't be used if the level's too low?"
"No worries there. I confirmed with Kirito."
"...And you?"
"Well, Kirito won't teach me no matter what, but don't worry—it'll work."
"Alright. Let's include it in the plan. If it gets too dangerous, pull them out immediately."
"Understood."
After a brief discussion, the battle resumed. Kirito attacked the frontlines as usual, but this time, he was blocked.
"Hooh, not bad—true professionals."
"Kirito-kun, what now?"
"Normally, we'd go after the rear first..."
Just then, a fireball flew at Kirito. "Whoa!"
He dodged it easily. Iroha followed with interference magic: "It's not lethal, but at least I can mess them up!"
A string of quick spells effectively disrupted the enemy's casting.
"Let's try pushing through the frontlines first."
"Right."
Amidst the fierce fighting, Kirito was quietly astonished: 'Every time I need healing, it arrives instantly. Buffs are perfectly timed too. Just how does Yukino's brain work...'
Seeing the tide turn into a battle of attrition, Hachiman judged the moment was right.
"Yukino, if we drag this out, we're at a disadvantage. That guy Kagezong's no joke. Time for that move."
"We could consider a full-force charge to take out the rear first..."
Though the odds were good, neither Hachiman nor Kirito would accept casualties.
"Sorry, but Kirito and I can't tolerate any of our allies falling."
"Understood. Then we'll use the trump card."
Though resurrection was possible, Yukino respected their resolve and waited for the right moment.
"Kirito, time for that move! Ready?"
"Finally, its time to shine. Leafa, buy us some time."
"Got it!"
"Don't know what it is, but leave it to us!"
The two began chanting. Hachiman cast a spell—black smoke engulfed the corridor. Yukino shouted: "Everyone, fall back now!"
At the same time, Kagezong shouted: "It's a confusion spell! Watch for enemy ambushes!"
Screams rang out as the black mist slowly cleared— A massive shadow began to take shape.
"What is that..."
"A-a monster, Mr. Kagezong! There's a monster in front... ahhh!"
"Hey! What's going on!"
As the black fog completely lifted, Kagezong saw the truth— A massive beast with goat horns, resembling a demon, loomed before them.