"...just treat it as a reference. Can you tell me how you know my identity...?"

Hitzcliff turned his head slightly and stared at Zhang Yu with a very serious expression.

"It's actually very simple. I know my own situation. Humans cannot reach my level, but you have reached it. And it's so strong that it's so natural, or even reaching perfection. This kind of thing is like a bug caused by game imbalance, and only you have this right. Kayaba Sakurahiko."

After Zhang Yu finished talking serious nonsense, he turned around and walked towards the players who were completely stunned. He walked to Asuna and smiled and pulled her up. The two of them stood shoulder to shoulder.

"I didn't expect that if I set myself too strong, I would be suspected. It seems that your observation ability is really terrifying..."

Hitzcliff nodded slightly, and a corner of his lips raised slightly, showing a bit of a bitter smile, which was the first time that his expression showed on his face.

"I originally planned the guide to the 95th floor before I announced this matter."

After slowly looking at all the players, the smile on their faces turned into a transcendent smile, the Paladin in Red announced with majesty.

"——Indeed, I am Akihiko Kayaba. Further, I have to wait for the final leaders at the top."

At this time, Zhang Yu felt that Asuna beside him was a little unsteady, and he hugged her tightly with his right hand.

"Uh...will this be a little too boring? The strongest player directly transforms into the most vicious final leader, just wanting to appreciate our horror?"

"Don't you think this is a good script? I originally thought that this should cause a considerable orgasm, but I didn't expect that I would be seen through when it was three quarters. I originally thought that you were the biggest uncertainty factor in this world, but you, who didn't even have a double sword flow, wouldn't have such destructive power..."

Kayaba Akihiko shrugged while showing a similar smile, and continued with a smile on her face.

"...I had originally predicted that Kirito-kun would be the last person to stand in front of me. Among all the ten unique skills, the [Second Swords] skill is to give all players the fastest reaction speed, and that person will play the role of a brave man against the Demon King, whether he wins or loses in the end.

Out of a small punishment for you, [Second Snow] will not appear on you.

But I didn't expect that you will show power beyond my imagination, whether in terms of attack speed or insight. However... this unexpected development can also be regarded as the taste of online role-playing games..."

"Brave?"

Kirito was a little stunned when he heard his Kayaba Akihiko mention his name and murmured.

At this time, a player who was originally frozen and unable to move slowly stood up. He was one of the cadres of the Knights of the Blood Alliance. His little eyes that looked resolute and dull showed a miserable and distressed feeling.

"You guy...you guy...you guy...you dare to completely ruin our loyalty and hope!"

He held the huge axe and gun in his hand tightly and rushed out while roaring.

The others had no time to stop him. He waved his heavy weapon hard and smashed towards the yard-

However, Kayaba's movements were one step faster than him. He waved his left hand and quickly manipulated the window that appeared. As a result, the man's body immediately stopped in the air and fell to the ground to make a loud noise. His HP strip was flashing with a green frame. It was a state of paralysis. Kayaba's Akihiko's hand did not stop and continued to operate the window.

"Ah... Jade..."

Asuna also weakly fell into Zhang Yu's arms, and Kirito also collapsed on the ground. Except for Zhang Yu and Kayaba Akihiko, everyone around them fell to the ground in an unnatural posture and moaned.

"Mother!"

At this time, Yui, who was hiding in Asuna's hair, couldn't help it. She flew out and changed into a small luoli squatted beside her, looking at her with concern. Because this was the highest system command issued by Kayaba Akihiko, Yui couldn't help it.

Everyone present looked at the little girl who suddenly appeared in surprise, but when she saw Kayaba Akihiko, she didn't care much about this.

“YUI-MHCP001-Emotional AI?”

Kayaba Akihiko also glanced at Yui and saw her identity clearly. But this is not the most important thing now, so he didn't plan to care about this for the time being.

After Zhang Yu took the sword back on his back, he held Asuna's hand tightly, as if he wanted to pass on the belief in her heart. He softly comforted Yui next to him, and then raised his head and looked at Kayaba Akihiko.

"... Now, what do you want? Just let everyone end the game?"

Zhang Yu was not 100% sure that Kayaba Akihiko would decide with a simple one-on-one fight like in the original work. More than a year has passed in the mission and can't be delayed any more.

"How could it be? I can't do such an excessive behavior."

Kayaba Akihiko smiled and shook her head.

"Since things have reached this point, there is nothing we can do. We can only make reservations early and go to the top [Red Jade Palace] to wait for you to arrive.

Although I left behind halfway to give players the power to fight against the powerful monster group above the ninety levels, the Blood Alliance Knights and the players in the strategy group that have been cultivated along the way are not my intention, but I think you should be able to reach the top level with your strength. But...before that..."

After Kayaba Akihiko stopped talking, the eyes that made people feel overwhelming willpower stared at Zhang Yu. Then he gently inserted the sword in his right hand into the obsidian floor, and the sharp and clear metallic sound teared the surrounding air.

"Yu Jun, I have to give you a reward to see through my true face. I will give you a chance. Give you a chance to have a one-on-one match with me now. Of course, I will remove the immortal attribute. If you win, even if the game is completely guided, all players can log out of this world. What do you think...?"

As soon as he heard what he said, Asuna in Zhang Yu's arms tried hard to move her numb body, shook her head and said to him.

"No, Yu...! He wants to destroy you first... At present... Let's retreat first...!"

Kayaba Akihiko is a manager who can interfere with the system. Although he said that a fair duel would be held, it is unknown what kind of operations would actually be carried out.

Zhang Yu made sufficient preparations for today. The level is full, the attribute value is all at its best, the equipment is also the strongest equipment that can be obtained at present, and the sword skills have also been developed to a point where they cannot be broken through in a short period of time. Just for a fight.

"Just to my wish."

Zhang Yu smiled softly at the corner of her mouth and her heartbeat began to accelerate.

"Jade……!"

Asuna's sad cry sounded again, and Zhang Yu looked at her in her arms. Feeling the slightly trembling body in his arms, he whispered to her with a gentle smile.

"Sorry, Asuna. This is the quickest way and the easiest way to succeed."

Asuna opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but she gave up on the way, and replaced it with the smile she tried to squeeze out.

"You don't plan to sacrifice... are you?"

"Of course... Asuna, I'm sorry. I've been hiding something about you. Actually, I can log out of the game normally because I can remove the death threat of NERvGear. However, it is not 100% guaranteed to be lifted by other people's NERvGear's death threat, so I have never told you this."

"That's great... Jade. Just be alive."

Asuna smiled with tears and used all her strength to hug Zhang Yu. At first, she was shocked that he could log out of the game normally, but behind her was full of joy. Because she knew that even if Zhang Yu lost, she would not die, and she knew the reason why she could not find him occasionally at night.

"Asuna, I believe I will end this world."

"Yeah. I believe in you."

"Yui, mom will leave it to you for the time being."

After Zhang Yu let go of Asuna's hand, he placed her body horizontally on the obsidian floor and smiled at Yui.

"Dad, leave it to me no problem. Come on, too!"

Yui nodded solemnly, and his pretty face also looked at him with a worried look.

Zhang Yu smiled and nodded slightly and stood up. While walking slowly towards the Maochang where he looked at the place without saying a word, he pulled out the sword with his hands loudly.

"Yu! Stop it..."

"Jade--!"

Zhang Yu looked at the source of the sound and could see Kirito and Klein back-to-back, Aikir and the other two trying to support themselves, calling his name at the same time. He turned around to face them and looked at Kirito.

"Kirito, if I lose, then please lead everyone to guide this game."

After a smile at Kirito who was staring at his wide-eyed Kirito, his face moved slightly.

"So too, Klein Aikil, you guys, live well. I hope to see you in the real world."

Kirito's eyes gradually became wet, and he struggled violently to stand up again. He shouted loudly at Zhang Yu's back.

"Captain! Come on!"

The people present also started shouting and cheering for Zhang Yu.
Chapter completed!