Chapter 13: The Curtain Falls on the Boss Battle
Finally, the morning arrived for the raid on the higher-level boss.
In that moment, Hachiman's mind was filled with thoughts of his important companions left behind.
'Today marks the true first step. Everyone… I will protect them. I'll definitely come back alive.'
In a daze, he seemed to hear someone shouting from outside, "What about me?! Don't forget me too!" But Hachiman deliberately pushed those thoughts away.
"Morning, you two."
"Yo."
"Morning."
"Let's trail behind the others. It wouldn't be good if the three of us stood out too much."
Asuna and Kirito shrugged in tacit agreement and followed behind Hachiman.
Thanks to the large group, the journey went unusually smoothly.
Despite encountering several battles along the way, they finally reached the boss room.
After confirming the battle plan, Diabel asked if anyone had questions.
Hachiman and Kirito raised their hands at the same time.
Perhaps influenced by yesterday's events, Diabel chose Hachiman first.
"I want to confirm the plan if the boss's behavior deviates significantly from the intel.
If a retreat is necessary, you'll be in charge of making the judgment and giving the command, right?"
"Of course. Safety is our top priority. We've simulated the battle perfectly—no one will be put in danger."
Then, Kirito was asked the same question.
"Guys who didn't even join the joint training should stop criticizing!
Diabel-san, ignore them—after witnessing your leadership, there's nothing to worry about!"
Hachiman and Kirito ignored the interruption and, after receiving confirmation, stepped back. However, they privately commented on the speaker's attitude.
"What do you think, Hachiman?"
"Hmm… something feels different from yesterday."
"His tone's the same, but he's speaking more gently."
"That should reduce the risk of internal conflict during the battle."
"That's one less thing to worry about."
At that moment, Diabel addressed everyone:
"Thank you for your trust!
This is our first time challenging a floor boss, but you are the elite of the elite. Let's achieve victory together...
Move out!"
With a battle cry, the group charged into the boss room.
Agil suddenly turned around and gave the three a thumbs-up. They responded in unison with raised fists and thumbs-up of their own.
"Whoa, looks like a military signal."
"He's actually kinda cool."
"Haha, true."
Their tension eased noticeably.
Suddenly, Hachiman turned serious.
"Listen, Kirito, Asuna. There might be casualties this time. I've never seen a player die before. If the shock causes me to lose my judgment—slap me awake.
If all three of us get shaken up, the first one to recover has to wake the others. We all have to survive and clear this floor!"
"Understood."
"Okay."
The moment they finished speaking, the three of them charged into the boss room.
When the Kobold Lord boss appeared, tension swept through the group.
Diabel's voice dispelled the anxiety just in time:
"Bone axe in right hand, curved blade in left. Three minions. Intel matches exactly! Teams, proceed as planned!"
Under precise command:
Teams A, B, and C tanked the bossTeams D, E, F, and G focused on damageThe trio operated as the mobile strike unit
Initially, the mobile team had nothing to do, but soon cries for help echoed out.
"Two G team members injured and retreating! Strike team, hold the line!"
"Roger that!"
As others anxiously watched, an astonishing moment occurred—a minion was instantly defeated by the trio in a flash of glass-shattering effects.
"W-what…?"
"The strike team took down a minion?"
"But the other teams are still on the first one…"
"Mission complete, pulling back."
The G team stood stunned until Hachiman shot them a glance, snapping them back to reality.
"Understood! Our team will support the others!"
During the battle:
Kirito's greatsword was lightning fastAsuna's thrusts were too quick for the eyeHachiman's simple-looking blocks were flawless
Their seamless coordination left Agil watching in awe, and even Kibaou had to reconsider his views.
"Don't get cocky! We can do that too! Just sit tight!" Kibaou taunted as he passed them. But the three replied with radiant smiles, enraging him into charging back to the front lines while cursing.
With the strike team's support, the boss's HP finally neared zero.
But just as cheers began, disaster struck—Diabel's entire team was stunned by a newly drawn katana, and Diabel himself was knocked into the air.
"Kirito, take command! Asuna, you're with me—let's stall the boss!" Hachiman shouted.
At the critical moment, Kirito directed the wounded to retreat while the trio threw their bodies into resisting the now-enraged boss.
Hachiman's HP continued to fall, but thanks to Asuna's nimble distractions, they held on until Kirito returned.
"We will not die!" Hachiman shouted while retreating.
A call from the rear—"Diabel-san is okay!"—offered brief relief, but the near-death boss lashed out again.
Just as Kirito was about to be hit, Hachiman deflected the fatal blow, and Asuna yanked him to safety.
"Sorry I'm late."
"Right on time, partner."
"Weren't you the one who said 'This is bad' earlier?"
"You heard that?!"
Before the incoming Agil's team could stabilize, Diabel's furious shout rang out:
"Watch me pierce its throat!"
Everyone watched in horror as Diabel, with only 20% HP restored, charged the boss now wielding a new katana...
"NOOOOOO!!!"
A flash of blood-red light—Diabel shattered into fragments and vanished.
Hachiman stood frozen at his first sight of death.
Asuna trembled at the cheap-looking death effect. Kirito stared into the void—until a crisp smack broke the silence.
Kirito, honoring their earlier agreement, slapped both Hachiman and Asuna back to their senses.
The pain jolted them awake. The three exchanged glances and shouted as one:
"Everyone, snap out of it! Tank teams, hold the boss!"
"Assault teams, flank and strike simultaneously!"
"Low-HP players, fall back!"
As if inspired by their voices, everyone moved again—and the final counterattack began.
But in its berserk state, the boss's strength was overwhelming.
Wearing it down was no easy task.
Meanwhile, Hachiman whispered something to Asuna and Kirito.
The trio acted immediately.
First, Asuna circled behind the boss.
The moment it raised its weapon, she launched a precise shot at its left knee.
Unbalanced, the boss staggered—then Hachiman charged in and struck the knee again.
The double hit threw it off balance.
Kirito's voice rang out toward Agil in front of the boss:
"Agil, get down!"
Reacting instantly, Agil ducked—Kirito used his back as a springboard and leapt high into the air.
"This is the end!"
With all his might, Kirito cleaved the boss from head to waist.
After a brief silence, the boss's body began to glow—then shattered with a visual effect.
As "CONGRATULATIONS" bloomed across the screen, players' floor progress was updated by one level.
After a month since launch, the players had finally cleared the first floor—at the cost of Diabel's life.