My SAO adventure is wrong, as expected

Chapter 60: Fierce Battle

When the group hurriedly rushed into the room, the scene they saw was a liberation squad formation on the brink of total defeat. Looking at the enemy's HP bars, one and a half had already been cut off, indicating they resisted more fiercely than expected. But since their numbers were too few, almost every member's HP bar was deep in the red zone.

"Damn it, why aren't they using teleport crystals? Did they not prepare any?" Kirito cursed involuntarily. "Probably because the BOSS's attacks are too fierce for them to have the chance. The three of us suppress the enemy's attacks first, and also prepare for poison and paralysis countermeasures. Klein, you take the Fuurinkazan group to rescue the troops." Just as Hachiman gave the order, Kobaz, who had been hit by the BOSS's attack, was thrown flying.

"Hey! Are you okay?" "Ho...how could this be..." As Kobaz's words fell, a special effect burst out before everyone's eyes.

"You're the idiot! Damn it, let's go!" Klein shouted as he charged to rescue the troops, and the three of them began attacking the BOSS. "Tch, no wonder it's a BOSS-level attack, it's really heavy."

The enemy's assault was fiercer than expected, and Hachiman struggled to fend it off.

Even so, he successfully delayed the enemy's offensive, barely maintaining a relatively safe fight without a dedicated tank team.

At this moment, Klein, who was on the rescue mission, suddenly shouted: "Hachiman, trouble! This area forbids the use of crystals!" "What...?" Never before had they encountered a BOSS room where crystal items couldn't be used; Hachiman cursed himself for never considering this possibility.

"Damn, no choice, Klein come help! The rest, carry the army members to the entrance!" "Got it, coming!"

'Though they said that, without healing crystals, they really couldn't hold out long, our HP is only about 70% left. Should we just abandon them and run?' Hachiman thought, glancing at Kirito and Asuna.

Seeming to understand Hachiman's thoughts, Kirito said, "Leave it to Hachiman to decide," while Asuna wore a troubled expression.

'Asuna wants to save them, so we have to tough it out.' "Klein! Asuna! Hold out for ten seconds! Don't overdo it!" "Okay!" "Got it!"

Hachiman stepped back to the side where Kirito switched positions. "Hey Kirito, looks like we have to use that." "Yeah, I was just thinking that." "How much HP do you think your finishing move will cut off that guy?" "Based on previous damage estimates, probably about one and a half bars." "Alright, get ready and give the signal. Sorry for making you take the risk." "Don't worry, go ahead."

While Hachiman faced the BOSS alone, the enemy's HP remained at about two bars and 20%.

"Nice job, Hachiman!" Hearing Kirito's voice, Hachiman decided to launch the final attack.

"Asuna! Klein! After I knock the enemy back, you two launch your strongest attacks! Immediately retreat once the stun ends! Go!"

Hachiman fully parried the enemy's weapon and struck the open shoulder with 'Flash Strike,' then followed with an eight-hit combo 'Accelerated Assault' to the face. The enemy staggered backward, and Asuna and Klein's all-out attacks reduced the remaining HP to only one and a half bars.

"Kirito, it's your turn!" Hachiman, the first to recover from the stun, forced his immobile body to move, parried the re-formed BOSS weapon, and withdrew. Asuna and Klein also took the opportunity to escape.

At this moment, Kirito burst into the battlefield with incredible speed, holding "Interpreter" in his right hand and "Dark Pursuer" in his left.

"Starburst Stream!" With a shout, Kirito unleashed a special skill he had only recently mastered.

Asuna and Klein stared in awe at the move they had never seen before. Hachiman was immobilized by the load from 'Flash Strike' into 'Accelerated Assault.'

Under the trio's prayer-like gaze, Kirito and the BOSS's HP rapidly decreased. Judging victory was assured, Hachiman didn't order another charge. When the BOSS finally exploded, Kirito's HP barely stayed above the critical red zone.

"That's great..." Just as Hachiman finished speaking, he collapsed from exhaustion, and Kirito fell simultaneously.

"Hachiman-kun! Kirito-kun!" "Hey! You two, pull yourselves together!"

Hachiman regained consciousness, hearing his name called faintly.

His head seemed to rest on something soft. Upon opening his eyes, he saw Asuna's face close to his. "Wah!"

"Klein-san, Hachiman-kun is awake!" Hachiman realized he was resting on Asuna's lap.

As he tried to get up, he found his body still unable to move.

"Oh, Kirito! You're awake!" Klein's voice came from nearby. Turning around, Kirito saw he was resting on Klein's lap.

"Eh, I passed out?" "What's... what's going on?" Kirito screamed in surprise.

"Kirito, you're awake?" "Hachiman, are you okay?" "Yeah, but I can't move my body."

"I think I can move now." Kirito got up and asked Klein, "So why are you giving me a lap pillow?" Klein smirked and replied, "Since Hachiman has Asuna's lap pillow, I couldn't just leave you lying alone on the ground." "Compared to your lap pillow, I'd rather keep lying down..." Kirito sighed and walked over to Hachiman. "This is such a mess." "No mess, just a bit thoughtless." "But getting Asuna's lap pillow is not a bad deal."

"Uh... Asuna, um, I'm okay now." "Can move?" "..." "Then lie down a bit more." Asuna showed no intention of letting go, so Hachiman blushed and accepted.

"More importantly, Kirito, that move you just did was so cool!" "That, that's dual-wielding, it should be a special skill." "Really? Wasn't it written what triggers it?" "No." The onlookers gasped at this. "That's too mysterious! Hiding such a powerful skill." "I don't know either, but Hachiman seems to be in the know." "Kirito and I have a tacit agreement to keep each other's skills secret. Sorry we couldn't tell you." "I didn't know Hachiman's skill setup either." "We discussed that leaking could cause danger, so we couldn't be honest. Sorry." Kirito's explanation reassured the others.

"Putting that aside for now, about the other people..." Klein looked toward the survivors, and Hachiman asked for them, "Can you return to the city on your own?" "Yes, once outside, we can use teleport crystals without issue."

"Go back and tell the higher-ups: this is the second time, no third. If you want to properly clear the dungeon, follow the rules."

After the soldiers thanked them and left one after another, Hachiman's body gradually recovered. "Asuna, um... thanks." "You're welcome." "Time to head back." "We'll activate the teleport gate." "Thanks." "Oh! See you later!"

After Klein and the others left, Asuna suddenly spoke: "I plan to temporarily quit the guild." "Why so suddenly?" Kirito asked. Asuna hesitated and said: "After seeing Kuradeel's actions today and witnessing the army's tragic state... the Knights of the Blood Guild has changed from what it was at the start.

I want to observe the guild from the outside. Also, I have to prepare for moving." "If Heathcliff agrees." "Yeah, I'll talk with the guild leader."

The 74th floor was conquered in a way nobody expected.

For a long time afterward, rumors about the newly minted special skill hero Kirito, and the relationship between Hachiman and Asuna, became the hottest topics in town.