However, Asuna stopped them with a calm expression.
"Look at the boss's HP."
The Capture Group's players preparing to attack were stunned, then looked over. It was only then they noticed the HP bar of the giant spider boss.
The originally nearly full HP bar was now rapidly decreasing, dropping continuously without pause, quickly bottoming out.
The moment it hit zero, the [Dragon's Bite] ice dragon coiled around the spider, tearing and biting, also dissolved into specks of ice crystals and vanished into the air.
Then, the giant spider turned into piles of data and disappeared, and two large words appeared before the players:
[Raid Successful!]
The Capture Group's players were dumbfounded. They looked at each other, seemingly unable to believe that what should have been an intense and thrilling boss raid had ended so abruptly.
Seeing Yusei and Shiro safe and sound, Kaguya also breathed a sigh of relief, but then curiosity showed in her eyes.
'What was that Doryusen: Dragon's Bite just now? Is that a move in Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu?'
Seeing this sword technique for the first time, Kaguya intended to go ask Yusei about it.
Yusei was currently checking the rewards from the boss. He skipped over the equipment and Col, directly looking for the special dropped item.
[Identity Search Warrant (Target: Dragon Knight)]
[Item Introduction: Can inspect a player's identity, but can only confirm whether he/she is the Dragon Knight. Usage Count: 3/3]
Yusei looked at this search warrant. After a moment's thought, he directly handed it to Asuna.
"You're the raid leader. I think it will serve its greatest purpose in your hands."
Yusei looked at Asuna with firm and trusting eyes, "I believe you can definitely ferret out that Dragon Knight. Make good use of this search warrant."
Asuna stared blankly at the search warrant in her hand. She felt both touched and apprehensive.
She was touched that the other party would give such an important item to her... After all, this could directly determine if someone was the Dragon Knight.
Once the Dragon Knight was found, they could secretly identify them, obtain the item to slay the dragon Kanna... and finally get the ticket back to reality.
This item wasn't particularly rare... nor was it a legendary item. But the role it played, the chain reaction it could cause, was immense.
To unhesitatingly hand over an item that could allow someone to leave SAO early to her… how could Asuna not be touched?
Simultaneously, she felt apprehensive, 'Does Yusei-kun like me? Why would he give it to me for no reason?'
'Wouldn't it be better for Yusei-kun to keep and use it himself? Give it to his sister, or even to his master's granddaughter, Kaguya.'
'Why give it to me? Could it be... he really does like me?'
Asuna's thoughts ran wild, a blush spreading across her face, her mind in a bit of a jumble. She didn't know how she should respond if he really did like her.
Kaguya, watching this scene from the side, felt an inexplicable discomfort in her heart for some reason.
She looked at Yusei, who had already returned to Shiro's side. She had originally wanted to ask about [Doryusen: Dragon's Bite].
But her lips moved soundlessly, and in the end, she said nothing.
Labyrinth Area, 25th Floor. The players waiting outside the boss room.
Those who had been quietly waiting suddenly grew restless. A line of text collectively appeared on their game screens:
[25th Floor - Raid Successful!]
Seeing this news, the entire player base erupted, the scene becoming lively once again.
"As expected of the Capture Group! It hasn't even been ten minutes, right?!"
"Sure enough, there was no chance for us this time. Those frontline players are just too strong."
"Sigh, regardless, let's go try our luck. Maybe we'll catch the Dragon Knight?"
"That's all we can do."
Behind the players, Kiriko, clad in a black coat, looked curiously at the bronze door of the 25th-floor boss room.
"Could the Capture Group be this fast? It must be those two who took action. If they acted, ten minutes should be enough to finish it." Kiriko muttered.
"Who took action?" A gentle, smiling female voice sounded beside her.
Kiriko smiled back, "They're two very strong players... you could say they're my friends too."
"I see. But I think Kiriko-chan is more amazing."
"Haha, I'm not that good. Come on, Sachi, let's hurry to the 26th floor. Maybe we'll run into the Dragon Knight."
"Mhm. Thank you, Kiriko-chan!"
Kiriko looked at the bronze door ahead, a flicker of determination in her eyes. She took Sachi's hand and followed the crowd entering the boss room.
They also wanted to try their luck!
26th Floor.
As one of the first groups to arrive on the 26th floor-
the moment the Capture Group's players reached the 26th floor, they scattered to search for field mini-bosses... to get drops containing clues about the Dragon Knight.
They were smart, not choosing to attack the dragon Kanna immediately. They had all seen the system's warning.
[Note: The giant dragon Kanna is extremely dangerous!!]
Players who made it to the Capture Group level weren't foolish, nor would they risk their lives to test that warning.
So the best method now was to find the Dragon Knight. That was why they were all out grinding field elite bosses.
However, Yusei had other thoughts. He figured since everyone was busy looking for clues about the Dragon Knight, and no one was going to the Dragon's Lake right now...
Couldn't he just go directly to the Dragon's Lake and merge with the dragon Kanna?
Compared to saving Kanna openly in front of everyone, wouldn't it be better to go secretly now?
Having made up his mind, Yusei watched as the others prepared to go grind field elite bosses and suddenly spoke up.
"Um... Asuna, Kaguya, I just remembered an equipment I commissioned was left on a lower floor. I need to go back and get it first."
"You guys go look for the Dragon Knight's clues. I... I should be back by the time you go to besiege the dragon Kanna. Oh, and please look after Shiro for me!"
Asuna and Kaguya were taken aback. Before they could say anything, they saw Yusei quickly pat Shiro's little head and then leave the 26th floor, disappearing to who knows where.
Asuna and Kaguya exchanged a glance, both seeing the confusion in the other's eyes. They turned their gazes together towards Shiro.
Shiro's expression remained placid. She just said flatly, "Nii lied. But Shiro also doesn't know where Nii went."