Chapter 6 – A Power That Leaves a Mark
After returning to the inn, Kamikawa Hikaru pulled out his sword—Bloodlust—and laid it gently on the small table beside the bed. He let his body fall back into the mattress, a faint smile still tugging at his lips. That short conversation with Asuna earlier... it may have only been a few words, but for him, it was a meaningful step forward.
"Let's keep pushing forward…" he murmured, clenching his fist before slowly closing his eyes to rest.
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The next morning, Hikaru left the inn and made his way to the meeting spot from the night before. Since they'd all agreed to gather there again, it only made sense for him to join.
By the time he arrived, several players were already present. His timing was perfect.
"If everyone's here, let's head out!" Diabel's voice rang out, cheerful and full of spirit as he pointed toward the massive tower that pierced the sky. The group began moving in unison, excitement humming in the air as they made their way toward the floor boss.
That massive tower was actually the path to the next floor. While it looked like a lifeless stone pillar from the outside, its interior was divided into multiple levels, each crawling with monsters. That entire area was known as the Labyrinth Area.
Monsters in the Labyrinth Area were far more dangerous than the field mobs outside. Their offense, defense, and durability were in an entirely different league.
Because of that, almost no player dared venture in alone, let alone try to grind monsters there solo.
Even players like Kirito and Asuna—who had exceptional reflexes and in-game skills—only dared to operate near the outer rim of the Labyrinth. Diving deep inside? That was a death wish.
But Hikaru was different.
With reflexes and motor coordination far beyond human limits, and top-tier gear to match, he'd managed to clear most of the Labyrinth solo—armed with nothing but his sword. He hadn't located the boss room, though, which was why he'd decided to attend the strategy meeting in the first place.
The group made their way through the first floor forest. Hikaru, Asuna, and Kirito walked at the back, keeping a bit of distance from the others. The three were quietly discussing the boss raid tactics. They were assigned as a backup team.
"When the battle starts, I'll use a sword skill to knock away the boss's axe," Kirito explained. "The moment I do that, both of you should switch in and strike—"
"'Switch'?" Hikaru and Asuna asked at the same time, then paused, glancing at each other awkwardly.
Kirito froze. "Wait... You guys seriously don't know about switching?" He sighed and facepalmed. "You've gotta be kidding me…"
They wandered the Labyrinth for a while until, finally, they arrived at a massive sealed door.
The boss room.
Hikaru stared at the door. No wonder he hadn't found it before—this route was way too complex to navigate alone.
In Aincrad, there were a hundred floors. Each had a powerful floor boss guarding the gate to the next. The only way forward was to defeat them.
"There it is. Let's go," Diabel said, drawing his sword and raising his right hand. The giant doors creaked open slowly.
As the doors parted, a chill swept through the gathered players. Many began to tremble unconsciously. Hikaru reached into his inventory and unsheathed Bloodlust.
The crimson blade glowed faintly at first... then flared with a deep red light. It had been strengthened over the last few days—now far surpassing the quality of ordinary player weapons.
The boss room was massive. Darkness swallowed everything at first, but as soon as everyone entered, colored lights danced across the floor, illuminating the massive chamber.
"That's the boss?" Hikaru's grip tightened. His body instinctively entered battle mode.
A hulking figure leapt forward, landing with a heavy thud, shaking the ground beneath them. Glowing red eyes, a snarling hound-like face, crimson flesh, a heavy axe in one hand and a shield in the other.
Its mere presence made weaker players recoil in fear.
With a roar, smaller mobs—about half the boss's size—spawned alongside it. These were the Ruin Kobold Sentinels, the mini-bosses.
"Attack!!" Diabel shouted, raising his sword high.
With that signal, dozens of players surged forward, weapons flashing, clashing steel with the boss's guards. Energy trails from sword skills lit up the room.
Kirito took a deep breath and turned to his two teammates. "Let's go!"
Asuna drew her slender rapier and leapt into the fray, quickly engaging one of the Sentinels. Kirito followed right behind.
The raid team split into smaller units, each moving with precision. Tanks rotated positions when wounded, while damage dealers coordinated with stunning clarity.
Hikaru, meanwhile, stood still.
He was watching.
Observing.
Analyzing how much damage Asuna and Kirito dealt, how the enemies reacted, and how much effort it took to take one down.
"…My turn."
With a sharp step forward, Hikaru vanished—only a blur of afterimages left in his wake.
He reappeared beside Asuna, just as her rapier clashed with a Sentinel's shield. Bloodlust ignited in his hand.
With a single slash, his sword carved deep into the monster's side—so deep it tore through like a red-hot blade through butter.
The Sentinel didn't even get a chance to roar. Its health bar plummeted in an instant and it shattered into countless glowing fragments.
Asuna stared, stunned. "…What?"
Before she could process it, Hikaru was already gone—dashing toward another target.
Kirito watched in disbelief. "What... the hell was that slash?! That monster... it just vanished?!"
Even Diabel, the group leader, stood frozen. Now he understood. This guy... he really could solo a floor boss.
In the blink of an eye, Hikaru wiped out all of the boss's guards. The room, once filled with clanging steel and roars, fell silent.
Everyone just stared.
"Who is this guy…?"
"He's way too strong…"
"Incredible…"
Then, without hesitation, Hikaru charged straight toward the main boss. Bloodlust blazed even brighter in his hand.
The boss snarled and raised its shield—but it was too slow.
Hikaru's strike slammed into its chest and sent the massive creature staggering two steps back.
"…That's insane," Asuna whispered, her eyes wide. "He pushed that thing back with just one blow…"
"This isn't over yet!" Hikaru shouted. The sword in his hand began to hum, vibrating with energy. He raised it high, gripping it with both hands.
"Flash Sword Slash!"
In an instant, a flurry of afterimages lashed out like a storm of blades. Each strike landed with precision, driving the monster back, again and again.
Then—one final swing.
With a massive upward slash, Hikaru launched the boss into the air, its body curling midair like a ragdoll before crashing back down with a thunderous impact.
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