Miracle Summoner

Aincrad, 24th Floor.

For Rozen, and for all members of Crimson Wing, this floor carried a special sense of familiarity.

No, to be precise, it was the original members of Crimson Wing during the SAO period who felt this connection, not necessarily the current members of the guild.

This was because, back in SAO, this floor served as the base of operations for Crimson Wing, with the guild hall established here.

For those original members, the 24th Floor had become a deeply familiar place.

The 24th Floor was a lake-and-marsh-themed area, with most of its terrain submerged under water. At the very center of the floor, a massive lake housed an artificial island. From this island, countless narrow floating bridges extended in all directions, leading to numerous smaller islands.

This artificial island was home to the floor's main settlement—Panareze.

It was here that Crimson Wing's guild hall had once been built.

Now, though the guild had transitioned to ALfheim Online (ALO) and the area had undergone revisions, the scenery of this floor had not changed much.

When players cleared the 23rd Floor and reached the 24th, Rozen had brought the original members of Crimson Wing here for a visit, as a way to reminisce about their past.

But today, their purpose wasn't to reminisce in Panareze. Instead, they were headed northward to a sightseeing island.

There, a famed massive tree stood.

It was said that Zekken, the Absolute Sword, had fought challengers from around the world beneath that tree—and to this day, remained undefeated.

Players flocked in droves from Panareze, their wings flapping as they hurried toward the northern island.

"Quick, quick!"

"It's almost 3 PM!"

"The challenge is about to start, right?"

"We need to hurry over!"

In the skies, countless players flew northward, their voices filled with urgency.

It was unclear, however, whether they were all intending to challenge Zekken themselves.

With Zekken's fame drawing countless players, many came not to fight but simply to witness skilled players attempt the challenge.

Intense battles had always been a core theme of VRMMOs, something that no true VRMMO player could resist.

And if they were lucky, they might even witness Zekken's legendary Eleven-Hit Original Sword Skill. That alone was enough to attract an audience.

An Eleven-Hit OSS!

Currently, among all OSSs, the highest combo count belonged to Rozen's fifth skill of his Seven Original Sword Skills, the single-handed sword Ten-Hit OSS—Alioth.

Thus, with Rozen's final two Original Sword Skills yet to be revealed, Zekken's Eleven-Hit OSS was currently the highest combo OSS in ALO.

In a game where even Five-Hit OSSs were considered high-grade treasures, the allure of an Eleven-Hit OSS was unimaginable.

Many players were drawn here with the hope of even catching a glimpse of this skill.

This was the magnetic appeal of the Original Sword Skill system.

Unlike predefined skills, Original Sword Skills could only be used by their creators, making them genuine exclusive abilities and ultimate techniques that no dedicated player could ignore.

Today, however, the area was destined to be even livelier than usual.

At some point…

"Look!"

"Is that…!?"

The players flying toward the northern sightseeing island suddenly noticed something and turned to look in a specific direction. Their eyes widened in astonishment.

From afar, a massive formation of players, numbering at least in the hundreds, was flying toward the northern island in an orderly formation, maintaining a low altitude.

Leading them was none other than Rozen.

This colossal group of players was none other than ALO's strongest guild—Crimson Wing.

When word spread that Rozen intended to challenge the famed Zekken, the guild members had clamored to join, resulting in the impressive sight of such a massive and well-equipped group flying together.

Each player in the group was a top-tier expert, their equipment of the highest quality, exuding an intimidating aura that could not be ignored.

Under Rozen's lead, the members of Crimson Wing flew toward the northern island, weaving through treetops until a massive hill came into view.

At the summit of the hill stood an enormous tree, its sprawling branches reminiscent of a miniature World Tree.

"There it is!"

Flying alongside Rozen, Kirito pointed toward the summit.

"It's over there, Aoka-nii-san!"

Leafa also gestured toward the hilltop.

Following their guidance, Rozen directed his gaze to the indicated location.

At the base of the massive tree, a large crowd of players had gathered in a circle, forming a human wall. Cheerful cries and applause echoed from the scene, adding to the lively atmosphere.

"Has the duel already started?"

Lis perked up with interest.

"That… someone's already challenging them?"

Silica shrank her neck nervously.

"Gu!"

"Gu!"

"Pi!"

The familiar companions Saichou, Hanachou, and Pina flew excitedly, chirping in response to the noise and commotion rather than being scared.

"I can see someone fighting!"

Perched on Asuna's shoulder, Yui cupped her hands around her eyes, imitating a lookout as she observed the scene.

"Is it an aerial battle?"

Asuna also noticed that above the cheering crowd, two figures were clashing mid-air. The sound of swords clashing—"clang clang clang"—rang out continuously.

However, the fight didn't appear evenly matched.

"One side is clearly outclassed," Rozen commented, smirking slightly as he observed the duel.

The faster figure moved with the speed and precision of a shooting star, while the other was visibly struggling, on the verge of collapse, and continuously retreating under pressure.

"Interesting."

Rozen's lips curled into a grin. Then he issued an order.

"Alright! Let's descend!"

"Yes, sir!"

The members of Crimson Wing responded loudly and in unison.

Their dramatic arrival finally drew the attention of the cheering crowd.

"So many people are coming!"

"Wait… isn't that The Magus?"

"Oh my god!"

"Even The Magus came?"

"Are those all members of Crimson Wing?"

"I see The Black Swordsman and The Berserk Healer too…!"

"And the Sylph, Leafa!"

"Are they here to challenge Zekken as well?"

"Haha! This is going to be fun!"

Amidst the uproar, Rozen and his group descended in a grand display, landing on the hilltop.

"Hm?"

Within the battlefield above, the player currently dominating the fight glanced over, their attention drawn by the commotion below.