Rising Nova — one of the highest-level one-handed straight sword techniques, second only to special sword skills, and the ultimate non-special continuous attack skill.
It delivered a full ten-hit combo.
Although its attack power was much lower than the Water Breathing Sword Style, in the current situation, it would actually prove more effective.
The high-speed flurry deflected the tentacles' sword techniques one after another, forcing them into a state of stiffness.
While Akimi also took some recoil damage, it hardly mattered right now.
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form — Striking Tide!"
A tide-like series of multiple strikes instantly severed all of the tentacles.
Akimi then plunged his Nichirin Blade into the flesh of the leech wrapped around his leg, twisted the hilt, and forced it to release its hold through injury.
Once freed, Akimi immediately leapt back to evade Wakuraba's attack.
After retreating several steps to put distance between them, he glanced at his calf — it was covered with fine wounds, glowing faintly red from a status effect.
Beneath his HP bar, a bleeding icon appeared.
The bleed wasn't fast, but given enough time, it would certainly become a problem.
Wakuraba fixed its gaze on Akimi and said coldly, "Didn't think you'd survive that… You're quite the troublesome little rat."
But Akimi's response was a Water Surface Slash.
Wakuraba's insult was cut short — literally — and it scowled, raising an arm to block the strike.
Just as it braced one hand against the Nichirin Blade and opened its mouth to continue cursing, Akimi swiftly pulled a small dagger from his inventory and thrust it straight into Wakuraba's mouth, then kicked it under the jaw.
The plain dagger was unsurprisingly crushed by Wakuraba's teeth, but its lower lip was left with a sizeable cut.
When Wakuraba turned back with a murderous glare, it saw Akimi already using the newly sprouted tentacles as stepping stones to leap high into the air.
He cut the tentacles mid-leap, then came down with Waterfall Basin aimed directly at its neck.
Alarmed, Wakuraba quickly crossed its arms in front of its throat.
The sheer force of the blow drove Wakuraba's body downward, and its arms were nearly severed.
Unfortunately, no matter how much strength Akimi applied, the Nichirin Blade could go no further, stuck between Wakuraba's forearms.
Locked in a contest of strength — Akimi trying to behead it, Wakuraba struggling to pull away for a counterattack — the blade trembled between them.
Then Akimi's lips curled ever so slightly, and his grip tightened again.
Wakuraba felt a chill at the back of its neck, a growing sense of dread.
Its instincts were right — Asuna, who had been hiding nearby and waiting for the perfect opening, seized the chance Akimi had created.
With her Radiant Silverlight rapier accelerating constantly, she charged straight in.
As she closed the distance, Akimi's smile widened.
He bore down on Wakuraba with all his strength, refusing to let it move or defend.
"How's this? Familiar, isn't it—" Akimi said cheerfully.
"Just like me earlier… Right now, you've got no way out."
Wakuraba gritted its teeth and summoned tentacles toward Asuna, trying to block her path.
But at level 60, with Water Breathing enhancing her, Asuna's Agility stat was nearly 300 — not far off from a pure-Agility build like Argo's.
The tentacles couldn't even keep up with her speed.
When Wakuraba tried to repeat its earlier trick — controlling the leech's muscles to restrain her — Asuna dodged easily.
She wasn't blind, after all; she had seen Akimi's situation clearly moments ago.
If it weren't for her trust in him and his calm demeanor, she would've rushed in to help earlier.
Just as Wakuraba prepared to gamble everything by letting go of Akimi to intercept Asuna, Akimi twisted the blade, driving Wakuraba's arms along with it into its own chest.
Then he pressed both hands against the hilt, giving it no chance to escape.
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form — Constant Flux!"
As the massive water dragon tore off Wakuraba's head, Akimi said with a hint of mockery,
"A demon that likes calling people 'rats'… just got taken down by the very rat it mocked."
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On the outskirts of Norfret, the main town on the thirty-ninth floor, inside a small house, a large group of people in red-and-white armor sat gathered around a round table.
At one end of the table, a silver-haired, thin-framed, bespectacled man with a lean figure fixed his deep gaze on the opposite side and said in a low voice,
"Well then… Kirito-kun, what is your decision?"
"Sorry, I've already joined a guild."
"That's fine. If you wish, your guild companions can join the Knights of the Blood Oath as well."
On the other side of the table, Kirito, still in his black coat, stayed silent for a long time before shaking his head slightly and calmly refusing.
Before Heathcliff could speak again, a man beside him—with sharp, triangular eyes, a gaunt, narrow face, and a body as thin as a bamboo pole—raised his voice in irritation.
"Hey, hey, hey! You brat! Having the commander personally invite you to join the Knights is an honor! Agreeing to let your useless little guild join too is the commander's generosity—don't you know what's good for you…"
"Kuradeel."
Just as he was about to go on, Heathcliff stopped him flatly, giving him a sidelong glance.
Kuradeel swallowed lightly, then said in a meek tone, "I… Commander, I understand…"
Only then did Heathcliff turn his eyes back to Kirito, adjusting his glasses slightly.
"I understand your intentions, Kirito-kun… But know that the Knights of the Blood Oath will always welcome you and your companions."
"…Thank you. I'll be going now."
"Mm. Take care."
After Kirito left, Heathcliff opened the world map, narrowed his eyes toward the direction of the thirty-fifth floor, and murmured,
"I wonder… Akimi-kun, Asuna-san, will the two of you be able to give me a pleasant surprise?"
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