Because of using Weapon Block, Seiya had taken Illfang's strike head-on, his body crashing to the ground like a falling meteor.
But thanks to the counter-shock effect of the skill, the Kobold Lord's nodachi was also knocked wide open, leaving it defenseless.
At the very moment Seiya shouted "Switch!", Asuna darted forward with astonishing speed, sliding across the ground and closing in on the Boss in an instant.
Her rapier Flying Star gleamed as she unleashed a flurry of thrusts so fast they blurred before the naked eye. Countless strikes landed in rapid succession, tearing into Illfang's body and driving its HP bar all the way to the brink.
In SAO, skills came with a brief post-action delay.
To prevent being killed during this vulnerable state in a Boss battle, players used the Switch system.
Asuna's flurry had pushed Illfang to its limit, but the Boss regained its balance, raising its nodachi high to strike her down.
"Switch!"
Right as she called out, Kirito finally descended from above. Just as Illfang's nodachi was about to fall, Kirito's blade drove straight down into the Boss's skull.
That aerial strike instantly emptied its HP bar, shattering the Kobold Lord into fragments on the spot.
"Yeah! We finally killed it!"
"Awesome, we did it! The First Floor Boss is down!"
With Illfang defeated, the teleport gate to the second floor opened.
The raiding party erupted in excitement.
Clearing the First Floor Boss not only gave them tremendous confidence, but also made them the first group eligible to enter the second floor, securing early access to resources others could only dream of.
For landing the final blow, Kirito received the special reward: the Coat of Midnight.
And as he donned it, preparing to begin his life as the fabled "Black Swordsman," trouble came knocking again.
"Why? If you guys already knew the Boss's moves, why didn't you share that information earlier?
Do you realize Diavel almost died just now because of that?!
This isn't just a game anymore—if his HP had hit zero, he would've really died!"
It was Kibaou, stirring things up again.
Kirito, still admiring Asuna's perfect coordination a moment ago, froze at the accusation.
Never good with words, he stood there awkwardly, unable to respond under Kibaou's harsh questioning.
Having downed a healing potion, Diavel's HP returned to a safe zone, and his mind finally cleared.
When he noticed the black coat Kirito wore, and the glowing teleport gate behind him, his expression grew complicated.
"…That's enough, Kibaou. This was my own fault, not theirs.
And if it weren't for Seiya, I'd be dead already."
Diavel hadn't expected that after all his effort, someone else would reap the final glory.
He felt some regret, but ultimately accepted it with a sigh.
After all, he had his own selfish motives, and if not for Seiya's intervention, he wouldn't even be standing here.
"Diavel, you're just going to let this go? If those beta testers hadn't hidden information, you wouldn't have—"
"Kibaou! I said that's enough! If not for Seiya, I'd already be dead.
Our goal was to defeat the Boss, and we succeeded. We should be celebrating, not sowing discord among players!"
Diavel was exasperated. Earlier, he had thought Kibaou might make a decent underling, loyal if nothing else.
But now it was clear—the guy was loyal, yes, but not very bright. Worse, he had a knack for making things worse.
Seiya had gone out of his way not to expose Diavel's selfish motives, sparing him face.
And yet Kibaou, this idiot, just had to keep pressing the issue.
Seiya finally lost his patience.
"I honestly can't understand how someone with a brain that underdeveloped even survives in this world.
Before, I thought you were just stupid. But now I see you have no brain at all.
Arguing with someone like you is my mistake.
Even if I explained it, with that walnut-sized head of yours, you wouldn't understand anyway. So let's not meet again."
Waving his hand dismissively, Seiya didn't spare another glance for Diavel or Kibaou's darkening face. He simply strode straight into the teleport gate leading to the second floor.
Asuna blinked in surprise.
"Wait… Seiya actually has a poisonous tongue?"
Until now, she had always seen him as polite and knowledgeable. Never would she have guessed he could tear someone apart with words like that—sharp and cutting, yet without a single swear word.
This kind of eloquent venom was something few could withstand.
"That just means he's really angry. In all the years I've known him, it's rare for him to show that side."
Seeing Seiya leave without even saying goodbye, Kirito knew his friend had truly been pushed too far.
Just as he was about to follow, Diavel called out to stop him and Asuna.
"Regarding Kibaou, let me apologize on his behalf. You can probably tell—he doesn't mean harm, he just speaks without thinking.
And I owe you my gratitude. You saved me, covered for my mistakes, and defeated the Boss when it counted. Otherwise, the outcome would've been disastrous.
Because of my selfishness, I nearly caused a tragedy. For that, I sincerely apologize again."
As he spoke, Diavel bowed deeply to Kirito and Asuna.
With such a humble apology—and being the softhearted types they were—any lingering resentment in the two of them quickly dissolved.
"Actually… there's one more thing I'd like to ask."
(End of Chapter)
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