Another month passed, bringing the timeline to May 15, Year 3 of the League Calendar.
SAO Survivors: 34,000.
Total Trainers: 4,300.
Current Floor Progression: 96.
To everyone's surprise—including the Raid Party themselves—their progress had not slowed significantly despite the absence of Madara and Izuna.
With each battle, players grew more confident, and their speed increased. According to the Raid Party's plan, they were on track to reach Floor 100 by the end of the month!
Lisbeth, now both the leader of the Raid Party and the acting guild master of Akatsuki, managed everything with precision.
At only 16 years old, the past month had matured her greatly.
The carefree demeanor she once showed only surfaced in front of her closest friends. In public, she had molded herself into an image resembling her master, Madara.
Because she had no way to turn back.
Half a month ago, on May 1, when SAO launched its Labor Day event, many players noticed something that left them in shock.
In their Friends List, the names 'Madara' and 'Izuna' had turned gray.
Under normal circumstances, in most games, this would simply mean a player had logged out.
But in SAO, there was only one meaning behind a player 'logging out'—death.
Panic swept through the Raid Party.
Their planned boss battle against Floor 92's 'Dragon of Ruin' was abruptly halted.
Many members of Akatsuki lost their will to fight, wandering aimlessly through towns like leaderless ants. Some even walked blindly, as if lost.
But just when everyone expected Lisbeth to collapse under pressure, she stood firm and rallied the group.
Even Kirito, usually unshaken, was unable to recover—just like how Naruto had lost himself after Jiraiya's death.
But Lisbeth didn't have an 'Iruka' to comfort her.
She forced herself to regain her composure on her own.
Of course, she was devastated. She cried uncontrollably at night, leaving even Mukuchi unsure how to console her.
But in public, Lisbeth remained strong.
She refused to let her master's efforts go to waste. They had come too far to give up now.
She had promised Madara—she would bring everyone in Akatsuki back to the real world.
With Asuna's support, Kirito also managed to recover, standing once again at the frontlines alongside Lisbeth.
The loss of Madara and Izuna was a devastating blow to the Raid Party.
But after overcoming their grief, the players rose up with renewed determination.
They poured all their rage, sorrow, and frustration into each battle, relentlessly attacking every monster and boss that stood in their way.
This wasn't just for Madara and Izuna.
It was for the countless players who had died in this game.
For nearly a year of suffering trapped in this death game.
Now, at the final stage, their fury erupted.
...
First Floor: The Heroes' Rest
Once a small plain, the First Floor had been transformed into something entirely new.
A graveyard.
This was The Heroes' Rest—the resting place for the warriors who had perished on the frontlines.
Lisbeth had always imagined she might end up as one of the graves here someday.
But she never expected to visit the grave of her strongest master instead.
"Master, we're almost there."
She sat alone beside the tombstone, clad in the same armor as Madara.
"Leading everyone in battle is exhausting. I have to watch over everyone, always worried that one mistake from me could cost lives."
"Before, I only had to follow your commands. I never realized how heavy this responsibility was. The pressure is unbearable."
"Master… you were truly amazing."
Lisbeth sat from afternoon until evening, quietly recounting everything that had happened in the past month.
She had no idea that Madara had been watching over her all along—her growth, her struggles, her resolve.
"Why didn't you take me with you that day?"
The moment she voiced that question, she immediately shook her head and laughed bitterly.
That was a foolish question.
A month had been long enough for her to understand the truth.
Back at the tavern, Madara and Izuna had already known they would 'log out.' That's why they left alone to complete their mission.
Because she knew her prideful master—no matter how strict he was with her, he would never let her face a certain-death scenario.
And if the situation were reversed—if it had been her instead—
She would have done the same.
"If I reach Floor 101… I'll be able to see Growlithe again, right?"
She placed a finger on her chin and smiled.
"I'll visit him for you, Master."
"That's enough for today. I'll come see you again soon."
Compared to Lisbeth, Kirito's visit to Izuna's grave was far quieter.
He simply sat there, motionless, for three to four hours.
When he finally snapped out of it, he bowed deeply and left.
The Raid continued.
The players had fully adapted to fighting without Madara and Izuna.
Lisbeth and Kirito had become their rightful successors.
The once 'Fighting Girl' had become the 'Fighting Princess', and the 'Dual-Wielding Trainer' had become the 'Dual-Blade Sword Saint'.
The Final Assault
For the next two weeks, every SAO player united as one.
Even those who had once slacked off or hesitated—now, no one wanted to be the weak link.
All of Aincrad's currency, materials, and items were funneled into the frontlines.
The mid and lower floors were stripped bare, with players running around nearly naked.
Yet their faces glowed with determination—their eyes filled with hope for the future.
One by one, the final bosses fell.
Floor 96: 'Devourer of Flames' Antoon – Cleared.
Floor 97: 'Seraph of Destruction' Seraph – Cleared.
Floor 98: 'Lich King' Arthas Menethil – Cleared.
Floor 99: 'Ruler of the Reverse World' Giratina – Cleared.
On June 1, the remaining 33,492 SAO survivors gathered at Floor 100.
Crimson Jade Palace.
On this final day, players sold every useless item to buy only what they needed.
Lisbeth's gauntlets were forged from Giratina's 'Reverse Obsidian.'
Kirito wielded Arthas's legendary blade—'Frostmourne.'
Zack's scythe was crafted from Seraph's 'Angel Wing.'
Asuna's rapier was reforged from Antoon's 'Eternal Flame Shell.'
The four strongest players now wielded Aincrad's most powerful weapons.
The 2,500 max-level players of the Raid Party marched toward the final boss room.
The Final Battle Begins
Unlike the previous floors, Floor 100 had no labyrinth.
At its center stood a massive blood-red palace, towering ominously.
This was the Crimson Jade Palace.
The stench of blood wafted from within, making even the most battle-hardened players gulp nervously.
The sheer pressure emanating from within was unlike anything before.
Lisbeth stood before the palace gates, facing the 2,500 warriors behind her.
"Everyone, it is my honor to fight alongside you today."
"Thank you for following my master… and for trusting me."
"In this battle, I will stand at the front. Please… believe in me one last time."
"Not tomorrow. Not later. Today—we will liberate SAO and return home!"
"No matter what's behind these doors… we cannot fail!"
"OOOHHH!" xN
The players and Pokémon roared into the sky.
The blood-red clouds above the palace scattered, revealing warm, golden sunlight.
"Advance!"
"Yes!"
BOOM!
The doors burst open—revealing the final boss seated upon its throne.
[Radius]
The strongest boss in Aincrad, personally designed by Akihiko Kayaba.
But this boss wasn't AI-controlled.
It was piloted by Akihiko Kayaba himself.
And as the players charged forward—
Kayaba smiled.
He clapped his hands together.
"Mokuton: True Several Thousand Hands!"
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[+500 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter]
[Thank You For Your Support!]