‘Clang~!’

A crisp sound echoed.

The scene suddenly became silent, and everyone looked at Kirito and Hitzcliff in a daze. Because the situation was changing too quickly, people's brains were unable to bear for a while, and unfortunately they fell into a state of crash.

"Immortality? How is that possible!?"

Finally, Asuna's exclamation awakened everyone in a daze. At the same time, an incredible guess appeared in people's minds.

"I didn't expect it to be exposed here, Kirito-kun, when did you discover it?"

After a brief surprise, Hitzcliff quickly accepted this reality and showed a psychological quality far beyond ordinary people. He looked at Kirito calmly and asked curiously.

"During the duel before, there was a moment when I felt a sense of incongruity from your movements. My sword should have been able to hit you, but your movements suddenly accelerated, thus avoiding my attack."

Kirito slowly pulled out his second sword and looked at Hitzcliff seriously and said.

"It was indeed that time?"

Hitzcliff nodded in a clear understanding and then took the initiative to explain to everyone.

"In order to be able to observe the players' performance in this world up close, I chose to pretend to be an ordinary player.

But I think everyone should be very clear about the dangers of this world. I am a scientific researcher and fighting is not what I am good at, so in order to avoid accidents, I have added some insurance measures to myself.

Before duel with Kiritokun, I learned about Kiritokun's attributes and combat style through the backstage to ensure that I could win. But unexpectedly, Kiritokun made a breakthrough at the last moment. This unexpected situation led to me having to take temporary measures, and Kiritokun discovered something abnormal.

How to say it, it turns out that things are impermanent. No matter how well the preparations are done, accidents will inevitably happen."

"So are you very upset now? Hitzkli...No, it's Akihiko Kashiba!"

"Annoyed? No, how could I be upset? Rather, I feel very happy. It is this uncertainty that makes the world more charming. Don't you think so?"

Unexpectedly, Kayaba Akihiko actually smiled. He looked at the people present who were still immersed in shock and said loudly:

"Originally, I planned to wait until you reach the 100th floor to reveal my identity, and then use the final boss to meet the challenges from the 'braves' people. But since my identity was exposed in advance, I can only go to the 100th floor of Hongyu Palace now."

"Go to die! Akihiko Kayaba!"

However, if Kayaba Akihiko wants to leave, he has to ask the players present whether they agree.

A player took advantage of the previous speech of Akihiko Kayaba before and secretly walked around behind him. At this time, he started a sudden attack and slashed at Akihiko Kayaba's head with a sword, trying to completely end the other party's life here.

"I'm really impatient, this won't work."

Faced with the attack from behind, Kayaba Akihiko calmly summoned the system menu and then operated it twice. Then, all the players fell down in numbness, and the player's sneak attack naturally ended in vain.

"What do you want to do! Kill us all here!?"

As the only player present who was not paralyzed, Kirito first glanced at his companions not far behind him with concern, and then looked at Kayaba Akihiko with alertness.

"How is it possible? I wouldn't do such a cruel thing. After all, everyone present is the most elite among the players. I still hope that you can reach the 100th floor as soon as possible.

Don't worry, Kirito-kun, I will not kill any player through this foul, and of course I will not hurt your companions here."

"Then why..."

"This is a reward, Kirito-kun, as a reward for debunking my identity.

Now, I can give you a chance to fight with me one-on-one. If you can defeat me, it will be considered a game that will be passed, and all players will be liberated.

And if you are defeated, I will kill you mercilessly.

So, Kirito-kun, what should you choose? Should you challenge me alone now, or should you face me with everyone later?

By the way, I will remove the Immortal attribute, but accordingly, I will also enable all auxiliary functions as bosses. That is to say, the acceleration system I used in the last duel, this time I will enable it from the beginning.”

After saying that, Kayaba Akihiko looked at Kirito standing there with interest, looking forward to what choice the other party would make.

"I said Akihiko Kaedaba, you are a big man, and you still bully a child like this, that's not appropriate."

Just as Kirito was struggling, suddenly, an inappropriate voice sounded, interrupting Kirito's thoughts and attracting everyone present.

"President? Why are you..."

Yulier turned her head hard and looked at Lin Tianya, who was getting up from the ground in surprise.

If she could, she really hoped that her president could restrain her unreliable temperament at this time and lie down honestly. But obviously, the facts proved that the ominous premonition she had started from early this morning was likely to be revealed soon.

"It's really amazing. I should have attached a paralysis attribute to President Lin."

As he said that, Kayaba Akihiko also specially called out the attribute panel of all the players present, found the one belonging to Lin Tianya, and carefully checked the paralysis mark on it.

"So can we discuss it? You can eliminate this paralysis state. This is really painful."

Lin Tianya grinned and moved his hands and feet, but from his unstoppable movements, he could not tell that he was feeling any discomfort.

"...Hahaha, I am worthy of being the only one among all players who have obtained special skills by relying on their own strength. President Lin, you are really an incredible existence."

After staring at Lin Tianya for a while, Kayaba Akihiko suddenly laughed.

"Special skills? Does President Lin also have special skills?"

As the holder of the special skill - [Double Sword Stream], Kirito never knew how he obtained this skill, so he always hoped to communicate with players who also hold special skills.

Unfortunately, he and Hizcliff were not familiar with each other before and had never found an opportunity to communicate with each other. After the duel, he realized that Hizcliff had problems and it became even more impossible for him to communicate with each other.

"The only one? Don't you and Kirito have special skills, too?"

Asuna, who was also lying on the ground and unable to move, keenly noticed the abnormality in Kayaba Akihiko's words.
Chapter completed!