*Klang*

Thousand years from the past, there was a ritual where samurai performing a dance with their katana.

*Klang.*

In the modern age, there are still performers who do it, but it's very rare to find it in the first place.

However, all players in this field are able to enjoy the most spectacular and...

*KLANG!*

The craziest dance of swords.

*****

"A-am I dreaming?" (Player A)

"This is crazy... is it even possible?" (Player B)

"Ha-hahaha...as expected of the strongest player..." (Player C)

After Rein has taken the vanguard, He charges alone without coordinating with the other three.

They are the insurance for the later situation.

Of course, that means he will handle the boss alone.

So what?

*Klang!*

*Stab!* *Stab!* *Stab!* *Stab!*

For one time, it's a rapier stabbing the boss' vital spot.

*Fwing* *Fwing* *Fwing*

For one time, it's a dagger's stabs and slashes in the joints.

And,

*Bang!* *Buk!* *Brak!*

"GYAAAHHHHHH!?" (Nicholas The Renegade)

The next moment, it's a combination of two-handed sword strikes.

Kirito, Asuna, and Agil who already see this scene dozens of times doesn't react much anymore.

...Maybe being numb is more accurate.

"As usual, he's still absurd as ever." (Kirito)

"Don't say absurd. He's our guild master, you know?" (Asuna)

With a dumbfounded and tired face, Kirito points his finger toward the fight of Rein between the event boss.

"Then can you give another word to describe that?"

"...Ahahaha. None." (Asuna)

Unfortunately, Asuna could only say no with a bitter laugh.

In fact, even she herself feels that Rein is insane.

A boss is not something to fight only with one player.

They are called BOSS because they are drastically stronger than normal ones.

Event Boss and Floor Boss are also the same.

Usually, it will take tens of players each assigned with specific roles while having a good sense of coordination between each other.

That's the common logic.

All the more so in SAO where you bet your life on the line.

But the sight in front of them is denying that common sense to the very end.

*BANG!*

"GYAAHHHHH!?"

"Too noisy. Don't cry like a girl." (Rein)

If the monster could complain, then it would already do so after experiencing this kind of injustice.

Not only that, Rein wouldn't even forgive the boss for crying loudly due to the barrage of strikes.

It is quite funny.

The boss which is supposed to overwhelm the players instead get squashed mercilessly just by one puny player.

Worst,

*Shuung!* *Shuuung!*

*ZAB!*

The damages on each of his attack are seriously no joke. If there is a job class of berserker in this world, then they would be ashamed comparing with Rein's damage.

One minute.

After he charges toward the boss, only one minute has passed.

But in that one minute, each second passed is equivalent to a rapid drop of the boss' HP.

"GYAAAAHHHH!" (Nicholas)

Even if the boss has the chance to counterattack...

*FWUUSH!*

"Come on, do your best. Even monkey could wield it better than you."

Rein will dodge in a minute distance.

Then,

*Stab* *Stab* *Stab!*

"GRAAAH!?"

....He will accumulate the combos before the boss could recover.

He is really crazy from any players' view.

Usually, there would be the tank that would fend off the attack or the player will take extra caution to avoid the risky move.

This is not just a game, but a world where you put your life on the line.

But Rein throws all of that and focus toward full front battle from the beginning until the end.

The sight of him dodging and attack the boss with elegant steps is like a dance.

The Dance of Death.

Take a wrong step, then the dancer will die.

But no matter how would the boss attack, it will always be predicted, parried and be counterattack in the perfect moment.

That is why,

"Grrrr....."

The boss HP is already less than 10%.

At this rate, Rein would finish the boss easily after giving a few strikes to it without himself taking even one hit.

The Silver Star, Rein.

This is the true strength of the strongest player in SAO.

Seeing this unexpected development, players from other guild woke up from the shock. Not only did they expect any of this situation, now Rein could finish the boss easily and take the item in front of their eyes.

How could they tolerate that?

*Shwwing* *Shwwiiing* *Shwiing*

Therefore, they immediately raise their weapons and charge to the front without caring the time limit.

A verbal promise is the same as no promise to keep.

Since there's no penalty in breaking it, then they could take a blind eye to it.

Sincerity?

Trust?

Loyalty?

Pride as the clearing guild?

All of that comes second before the resurrection item!

"...Sigh, it really comes to this." (Kirito)

"Well, that's why we are here in the first place." (Agil)

"Stop chit-chatting, both of you. Prepare to fight." (Asuna)

*Shwing* *Shwing* *Shwing*

All three of them only take their weapon calmly without panicking at all.

This is the precaution Rein took before fighting the boss.

How couldn't he predict this obvious development?

Human's greed has no limit to it.

Even Rein has already heard news where players will kill each other just for one rare item.

This situation is exactly the same.

However, there is one unexpected factor.

Only Fuurinkazan didn't take a move.

Instead,

"What a mess isn't it? A waste for Christmas Eve, huh?" (Klein)

They stand up with the three of them.

Kirito who stand beside Klein only look him with a mix of a surprised and worried face.

"Klein...are you really sure? If you do this, you won't be able to walk out from it." (Kirito)

"Heh". With a snicker, Klein only smiles strongly to Kirito.

"If I couldn't protect my friend, then what use is the resurrection item?" (Klein)

What an amazing guy.

"....Thanks."

"Owe you a favor." (Agil)

"Thank you for supporting us." (Asuna)

Throwing his chance to get the item, Klein even supports Rein's guild without caring the later consequences.

Not only that, even the guild members followed him albeit with a bitter smile.

He is a true man.

However, his support won't be that much of a help anymore.

Why?

"Thank you for siding with us, Fuurinkazan. We appreciate your help."

*BANG!*

"GYAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

*PRING!*

Because Rein has finished the job before all guilds could even reach them.

*Shruk* *Shruk* *Shruk*

Step by step, he walks toward his guild members and Fuurinkazan while carrying the drop item from the boss.

Divine Drop of Returning Soul.

Befitting its use, the name is quite mystic while the appearance is a huge, blue jewel with simple decoration around the edge.

"You finished?" (Kirito)

Responding to Kirito, Rein only shrugs his shoulder.

"Yeah, it wasn't much. I didn't even break a sweat." (Rein)

"I'm sure only you who could say that."

"Pft, I guess so."

They don't show any sign of being nervous at all.

Either they have a screw loose,

Or,

"Now then..." (Rein)

They are that confident.

With a smile, Rein faced toward all of the clearing guild members.

" Could any of you explain your actions?"

The fight has not ended yet.

******

The fight with the boss has ended safely.

Rein has also got the resurrection item.

But, the real deal comes after this.

"The Silver Star, Rein. Also, Familia Myth. I would like you to hand over the resurrection item."

From the army' side, one player walks to the front while saying his demand boldly without embarrassment.

Kobatz, the guild master of Army.

After taking a huge loss from the boss fight, they have been laying low for a few months already without participating in the raid.

However, Kobatz isn't that wide-hearted for able to hold the humiliation after his failure.

Therefore, he sharpens his blade, recovers his casualties and waits for the perfect opportunity.

The resurrection item is the catalyst for that.

If he could get that item, then he has the chance of going back to the front line again to satisfy his bloated pride.

Even if he will stomp other people's effort while himself taking the free-ride.

(...Hmph, that item is befitting the most for us, Army. Not you idiots who play this game for fun.) (Kobatz)

Role Playing Game like SAO could make the players be immersed in it until creating a new persona.

However, Kobatz takes things too far.

He sees himself as a missionary who will free all of the players because it is destined to.

Adding to his arrogant and stubborn personality, he is one of the worst leaders existed.

In short, he's an extremely hopeless case who sees himself as right while other players are wrong.

Rein, who listen to his demand only look at him still with a smile.

"Oh, but don't we just promise? If the guild could defeat the boss during the time limit, then the drop will be theirs?"

With a scoff, Kobatz only says his argument loudly.

"Our goal is, all the same, no matter who we are! To bring every player out of this world! To get our freedom! That's why we, the army is the one who should get that item!"

"But isn't that your logic? Besides, you who have retired already have no reason to get this item, no?"

"Then all the more so!! We never stop our feet and hands to fight! If we have that item, we could return back to the front line with pride!"

It is not on the level of having a thick face anymore.

"...(Mutter) What 'pride'. Isn't that just your selfishness?" (Kirito)

"What a coincidence. For once, we agreed." (Asuna)

Even Kirito and Asuna feel disgusted hearing that.

Kobalt says it as pride, then what is the action of robbing other people' possession without consent is called?

A thief doing a burglary.

However, Rein didn't change his facial expression and only nod his head.

"I see. I understand your standing now." (Rein)

After that, he faced toward the Divine Dragon Alliance and Blood of the Knight.

"Now then, for the other two esteemed guilds. Are you the same as The Army? Will you break the agreement too?"

Hearing that, each guilds' representative stands to the front while claiming their wants.

"Heh, for a rare item, we won't spare no effort to get it." (Divine Dragon' representative)

"If we have that item, our guild will progress much faster." (Knights of the Blood' Representative)

Although not extreme like Kobatz, their main target is the same.

Humans didn't change, no matter what world they live.

To get what they want, they will step down the others.

Nothing has changed at all.

From the past, present, and until the future.

"I see." (Rein)

After their claim, Rein didn't get mad but just store the item and still face them with a smile.

"Okay, I will hand it over."

"Eh!? Rein-shi, you get that item painstakingly and you are giving it just like that!?" (Klein)

Klein gets surprised for Rein's unexpected actions.

He thought a guy like him would rebel until the bitter end.

That's correct.

HE WILL DO SO.

That's why Rein's guild members didn't feel surprised at all.

Because everything is happening according to what he planned.

"But, with one condition."

*Fwish!*

*Shuung!*

"Only if you could defeat all of us."

"...Huh?" (Kobatz)

For an instant, Kobatz couldn't understand the situation.

No, every player in this place is the same.

In a split second, Rein is moving from the original spot to Kobatz' back while carrying a dagger.

Not only that,

"...How?" (Kobatz)

Kobatz' body has slash marks all around of his body.

"....Impossi--"

*Pring*

That is the last word for a miserable man who meets a pathetic ending.

Shocked by the sudden development, most players are flabbergasted with their mouth open.

Rein, who just killed the leader of The Army only raise his weapon while smiling faintly.

But that smile brings chills to the core for the three guilds.

"Come to me with all you got. I will kill all of you without MISSING. A. SINGLE. ONE."

The Death God raises his scythe to take their heads.