"Yaaaaaaah!"
"We did it! We won!"
"Our victory!"
"As expected of the Big Four!"
Cheers erupted from all sides, but the loudest praise was for Hachiman. As for Hachiman himself, he was busy catching Asuna, who'd launched herself into a jumping hug. Most of the crowd gaped, unaware of their relationship.
"Uh, guess I didn't mention. Asuna and I got married recently," Hachiman said.
Reactions varied: some nodded in understanding, while others—mostly a mix of sadness and jealousy—groaned. Asuna, with a smug grin, addressed the crowd.
"See, everyone? My beloved husband is this amazing!" she said.
Some rolled their eyes, muttering "Here we go again," while others stood dumbfounded.
"Asuna, maybe cool it with that in public. It's embarrassing," Hachiman said.
"But it's true!" Asuna said.
"Alright, alright," Hachiman said, gently patting her head.
Asuna clung tightly to him, beaming.
Snapping out of their daze, the crowd shouted.
"Damn it, stop flaunting!" one yelled.
"Asuna-san, no way…" another whined.
"I always thought you two were perfect together," Klein said.
"Me too!" Agil added.
"Let's celebrate their marriage!" Klein said.
"Yeah!" the crowd agreed.
"Thanks, everyone!" Asuna said.
"Uh, thanks," Hachiman said.
Surveying the group, Hachiman confirmed Heathcliff's HP was near half and whispered to Asuna, "I'm going to Nezha. Get everyone in position, then talk to Heathcliff. Keep him from using potions."
"It's time, huh? Got it," Asuna said.
Hachiman raised his voice for Heathcliff to hear. "I'm gonna check on Nezha. He hasn't rested."
"Okay!" Asuna said.
Hachiman approached Nezha, patting his shoulder and shaking his hand, slipping him a paralysis recovery potion while shielding him from Heathcliff's view. "Nezha, act natural. No time to explain, but something's about to happen. Use this item when the time comes and strike. You'll understand soon. Sorry."
"I understand," Nezha said.
Nezha didn't press for details, his trust in Hachiman absolute.
"Sorry, man. Rest for now, but keep that item in hand," Hachiman said.
"Yes," Nezha said.
Hachiman returned, swapping with Asuna to face Heathcliff.
"Sorry for not giving you a break in the second half," Hachiman said.
"No matter. We got the best outcome, didn't we?" Heathcliff said.
Hachiman nodded. "I'm taking a breather. Yo, Godfrey!"
Godfrey jogged over at Hachiman's call.
"Godfrey, give the Commander some praise," Hachiman said.
"Yeah! Great job, Commander!" Godfrey said.
Confirming Godfrey had Heathcliff's attention, Hachiman slipped behind Klein and Agil, signaling Kirito. Kirito charged at Heathcliff with full force.
"Hm?" Heathcliff grunted.
Godfrey noticed first. Heathcliff turned, spotting Kirito's charge, and tried to block, but he was too late. A loud clang rang out. The crowd turned to see Kirito attacking Heathcliff, with IMMORTAL OBJECT flashing above his head.
"What the hell are you doing to the Commander?!" someone shouted.
"Wait, hold on, that's…" another said.
"Huh…?" a third muttered.
"Immortal Object… Commander?" another said.
Heathcliff let out a long sigh. "Haa…"
Under everyone's gaze, Heathcliff addressed Kirito. "How did you know, Kirito-kun? I thought if anyone would figure me out, it'd be Hachiman-kun."
"You're not wrong. Hachiman caught on first. Heathcliff—or rather, Kayaba Akihiko!" Kirito said.
The crowd erupted at Kirito's words.
"Heathcliff is Kayaba? No way…" one said.
"But you saw that Immortal Object prompt, right?" another said.
"No… impossible…" a third muttered.
"Commander!" someone shouted.
"Commander, are you really Kayaba Akihiko?" Godfrey asked.
Heathcliff sighed again. "I didn't expect to be exposed this soon, but yes. I am Kayaba Akihiko."
With that, he manipulated a window, and everyone froze in paralysis.
"Guh… what's this…?" someone groaned.
"Commander…" another muttered.
"Now we can talk calmly. Hachiman-kun, when did you realize?" Heathcliff asked.
"You used system assist in front of me before. I had suspicions, but that confirmed it," Hachiman said.
"That moment, huh? Your attacks were so sharp, Kirito-kun, I instinctively used system assist. I thought you didn't notice, but you were acting," Heathcliff said.
"Yeah, pretty much," Hachiman said.
"I've been outplayed. Well done," Heathcliff said.
"Careless move," Hachiman said.
"Indeed. I wanted to adventure with you all a bit longer," Heathcliff said.
"Commander!" a Knight shouted.
"Say it's not true!" another pleaded.
The Knights, still in disbelief, called out desperately. Heathcliff addressed them.
"I planned to reveal myself around Floor 95 and face you as the final boss on Floor 100," he said.
"Figured you'd do something like that," Hachiman said.
"You saw that far? Impressive, Hachiman-kun. But I'm disappointed. I'll wait for you on Floor 100. Still, just leaving feels dull. How about a final gift?" Heathcliff said.
"Gift?" Kirito asked.
"Yes. I'll duel one of you here. If you win, I'll consider the game cleared," Heathcliff said.
"…I'm in," Kirito said.
Kirito, Klein, and Agil were stunned—Hachiman's predictions were unfolding perfectly. Asuna's reaction was, as usual, unfazed, but best not to dwell on that.
"So, Hachiman-kun, will you face me this time?" Heathcliff asked.
"No way. My style can't beat you," Hachiman said.
"Then it's a rematch with Kirito-kun," Heathcliff said.
"Looks like it. You're up, Kirito," Hachiman said.
"Got it," Kirito said.
"I'll restore our HP and lift Kirito-kun's paralysis. Full-decision duel. I'll disable my immortal status too," Heathcliff said.
"Finally, we settle this, Heathcliff," Kirito said.
"Indeed, let's finish it properly," Heathcliff said.
Kirito shouted, not just to those present but as if to all of Aincrad, "I fight for everyone trapped here. I'll free them all. Heathcliff, if you're this world itself, I'll surpass it with everyone's will!"
"Surpass the system with willpower? Show me if you can," Heathcliff said.
"Here I go," Kirito said.
"Come," Heathcliff said.
(Willpower over the system, huh? Time to get ready, Hachiman thought.)
As the two readied, Hachiman whispered to Klein and Agil, "As planned, use paralysis potions the moment Asuna and I move. We'll use ours when the duel starts. This is the final fight. I'm counting on you."
"Got it," Klein said.
"Let's do this," Agil said.
"We end it here," Asuna said.
With the signal, the fateful duel began.
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