Breathing Techniques in SAO

"Hey, Aki-bou, I've already looked into it. This is their information."

Argo converted the intel into a scroll and tossed it to Akimi.

Opening the scroll, the three of them looked over the information and discussed:

"Hmm, looks like it's pretty much what we expected."

"Yeah, all their names come from those legendary heroes."

"But I didn't expect Beowulf to be a Danish hero."

In this intel, Argo had recorded in great detail the levels, weapons, and the origins of the names of the so-called "Legendary Heroes."

However, there was one point that struck Akimi as a bit odd.

"Nezha... So it's just a transliteration, huh..."

In terms of level, they were around level 11—slightly below top-tier players like Kirito and Akimi, who were level 14, and others like Asuna, who was level 12.

However, without exception, all their weapons and gear were +4 or higher.

"Tch, that's pretty extravagant."

"With equipment like that, their combat strength might already surpass that of Kibaou and the members of Lind's squad."

Kirito spoke seriously to Akimi and the other two: "We need to upgrade our gear too. On the second floor, level alone won't cut it. We'll need the attribute boosts from equipment to resist monsters' control-type skills."

The two nodded in agreement.

At that moment, Argo, who had been drinking beer off to the side, suddenly spoke up: "Ahem, just a little tip for you guys—Nezha and his team have already arrived at Talan Village."

"Tch. Even though their scam has already been exposed, they still dare to come to a frontline town?"

Akimi was a little puzzled.

Logically speaking, after the last time when he retrieved the Nichirin Blade, Nezha should've been aware of the situation—but he acted like he wasn't worried at all.

"Hmm… Maybe it's precisely because they want to be cautious that they came to Talan Village instead," Kirito said.

"He probably didn't expect us to arrive here so soon, so he left Urbas—where we exposed him—and came to Talan Village."

"Truly… shameless! If he's still doing business, does that mean he's going to keep scamming people?"

By the end of her sentence, Asuna's voice had already dropped to a low murmur.

Everyone fell silent, then gradually began to feel a rising anger—after all, in this death game, how was this any different from killing someone?

"I think… probably, yes. But he'll likely pick his targets carefully. He probably wouldn't go after front-line raiders… right?"

Akimi spoke slowly, but his voice grew increasingly uncertain.

What Akimi originally thought was that if Nezha tried to scam front-line players, his reputation would quickly go down the drain.

His credibility would plummet, and eventually, no one would ask him to enhance their equipment anymore.

The "Legendary Heroes" might even get dragged down with him.

However, Akimi immediately considered another possibility—that once Nezha had outlived his usefulness, Orlando and the others would simply kick him aside and sever all ties, distancing themselves from him entirely.

After all, forming a guild required reaching the third floor and completing the guild formation quest.

For now, there was no icon showing that they belonged to the same guild.

In other words, as long as their relationship with Nezha wasn't exposed, other players wouldn't know they were working together.

That meant Orlando and his group could have Nezha accept all commissions without refusing anyone, and then abandon him when players stopped trusting him.

This way, they could protect their own reputation while still reaping the benefits.

The tone in Akimi's voice made Kirito and Asuna realize all this too, and the thought left them feeling a bit disheartened.

Kirito argued, "From the way they looked yesterday, it seemed like they were already friends before SAO. Orlando and the others probably… wouldn't make him do something like that…"

Having finished her third glass of beer, Argo saw that their conversation was wrapping up and stepped forward.

"Ahem~ Now then, let's talk about the reward for the commission."

Akimi thought for a moment and decided to try getting it for free.

"Tomorrow, we're heading into the Labyrinth Area to explore. How about we give you the map info from that as your reward?"

"Oh my, oh my, Aki-bou's trying to get something for nothing, huh? But…"

Argo chuckled and threw him a playful wink. "Considering our relationship, I'll allow it."

Feeling Asuna's icy stare, Akimi didn't dare move a muscle.

His body stiffened as he replied, "Mm… Thanks."

Early the next morning, the three of them entered the Labyrinth Area, ready to use Kiriko A-dream's beta test experience to thoroughly loot the area's treasures.

However, when facing the monsters in the labyrinth, something seemed to go wrong.

"Ah—! Don't come any closer! Stay away from me!"

Asuna let out an ear-piercing scream at a towering figure.

"Miltank! Ram it now—!"

At her command, Miltank (her familiar or summoned creature) charged fiercely at the hulking figure.

Though it didn't deal much damage, it managed to knock the creature back a bit.

The monster raised its warhammer and continued charging toward Asuna.

A hint of anger appeared on Asuna's face as she raised her rapier, Luminous Silver, and used the skill "Linear Attack" on the monster, dashing forward and thrusting the rapier's tip into its chest.

Facing the warhammer that had already begun to glow with the light of a sword skill, Asuna didn't retreat—instead, she moved in even closer and unleashed another skill, "Parallel Thrust."

Before the warhammer could strike her, the two-hit rapier skill landed on the monster's waist, instantly depleting its HP.

"Moo—ooohhh!"

The humanoid minotaur-like monster, with large bull horns and a metal nose ring, let out a pained wail.

Its muscular, half-naked body leaned backward before shattering into light fragments as it fell.

Asuna shot a cold glare at the two boys who had been watching from the sidelines, sending a chill creeping up their tailbones and stabbing straight into their spines.

At first, there were no problems on the first floor of the Labyrinth Tower—they happily opened treasure chests.

But after entering the second floor, the appearance of the Bull Tribe changed the situation somewhat.

A half-naked minotaur, wearing only a pair of shorts and a belt tied in an X-shape across his chest approached them.

He charged straight at Asuna, wielding a warhammer, leading to the scene that had just happened.

"This is not a bull at all!"

That was Asuna's gritted-teeth voice.

"Hah… haha… indeed… it's mostly human at heart."

That was Akimi's awkward laugh.

"But… in online games, Minotaurs are usually designed like this, right…"

That was Kirito explaining.

Asuna calmed down a bit and said, "Minotaur?"

"Yeah, the kind from Greek mythology."

Kirito said.

Akimi stroked his chin and said, "It's a monster that lives in the underground labyrinth on Crete, whose real name is 'Labyrinthos.' In the end, it was killed by the hero Theseus. Isn't that a perfect element for an online game?"

"But I remember most online games call it 'Minotaur' instead."

The loot dropped by these Minotaurs were quite good.

The two men, who cared only about stats, happily decided to give the X-shaped belt to Akimi under Asuna's cold gaze.

Thanks to Kiriko A-dream's presence, they quickly filled their inventory with the loot and decided to return to Talan Village to regroup.

After handing the map information over to Argo, on their way to the item shop to buy consumables, they heard the familiar "ting, ting" sound of a hammer striking an anvil.

The three of them froze for a moment, then ran toward the source of the sound.

---------------

Exclusive access : 40+ch on paetron

Join now : patreon*com/DeCakraWnloverz