I'm a Sword Master in Sword Art Online

The old hunter's calloused fingers groped under the wooden table for a moment, then suddenly clicked open a hidden compartment. He took out a black bone horn, its surface covered with ancient runes, which glowed with a faint blue light in the dim wooden hut.

"The Bison Horn has been prepared long ago." The old hunter placed the horn on the table, his rough fingertips lightly tracing the runes.

With a soft click as the horn struck the desktop, system notification windows simultaneously opened in front of the two individuals:

[System notification: The mission "Roar of the Wilderness" is complete].

[Obtained: Bison Horn x1]

[Received: 2000 Cor].

Asuna curiously reached out and touched it; the moment her fingertips touched the surface of the horn, a detailed explanation automatically unfolded:

【Bison Horn (Special Item / Cooldown 50 seconds)】

[Effect: After playing the instrument, it can cause a 3-second forced stun to the second-floor boss.]

[Note: An ancient horn imbued with the spirit of the grassland bison].

Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Second Floor Boss

Mochizuki Kaede and Asuna exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes. They hadn't expected the reward to be a special item that could directly affect the floor's boss.

"【Effect: After playing, it can cause a 3-second forced stun to the second-floor boss】..." Asuna read the system description softly. In SAO, a death game, the value of an item that can directly control the boss's actions is simply immeasurable.

Mochizuki Kaede immediately pressed, "Can you tell us more about the BOSS?"

The old hunter paused for a moment, then tapped his rough fingers on the table: "The lair of the [Taurus Admiral] is at the foot of the Forgotten Colossus."

After saying that, he waved his hand to indicate that the conversation was over: "Alright, the things have been handed over to you, you can go now."

After being "invited" out of the hunter's cabin, the two stood in the sunset, speechless for a moment.

“At least we know the BOSS is called [Taurus General] now,” Asuna broke the silence first.

Mochizuki Kaede frowned: "But the BOSS room is at the foot of the Forgotten Colossus... that hint is too vague."

He looked up into the distance: "The second level is so big, who knows where the colossus is?"

The two were caught in a delicate emotional state.

There's the joy of acquiring powerful items, but also the urgency of finding the boss room. The three-second stun duration is crucial for turning the tide of battle in a boss fight, especially in this death game where every second could be fatal. But if you can't even see the boss, even the most powerful items are useless.

Just as the two were about to leave, a swordsman in black walked over, holding a map in one hand. He was clearly taken aback when he saw Mochizuki Kaede and Asuna.

"You...you guys?"

Mochizuki Kaede looked closely and immediately recognized the player who had fought alongside her in the first floor's boss battle: "Kirito?"

Kirito rolled up the map, his gaze lingering on the two men for a moment before looking at the hunter's hut behind them: "You're here to get the [Bison Horn] from the old hunter too?"

His tone carried a hint of surprise, clearly indicating that he hadn't expected to run into an acquaintance here.

Asuna nodded slightly: "I just finished the mission."

Upon hearing this, Kirito scratched his head with a wry smile: "It seems you guys got the special item before me."

Mochizuki Kaede asked, "Kirito, are you aware of this mission?"

Logically speaking, he and Asuna also received the chain quest by chance from the herbalist. Kirito's ability to find this place so precisely indicates that he possessed information they were unaware of.

Kirito nodded and said, "I bought the information from the information broker. They said there's a special item that can stun the second-floor boss."

In fact, Kirito, as a closed beta player, already knew about the item [Buffalo Horn]. During the closed beta, this item could accurately interrupt [Taurus Admiral]'s [Paralysis Impact], which was an AOE skill that could paralyze all players present.

However, the current SAO is vastly different from the closed beta version. During the closed beta, this item could be purchased directly from the shop, but now it has become a hidden reward that requires completing a series of quests. Therefore, he specifically sought out an information broker to purchase the quest trigger conditions, but he was still a step too late.

Mochizuki Kaede stared at Kirito and continued to ask, "Since you know the function of this item, do you also know the location of the BOSS room? The old hunter only said it was at the foot of the Forgotten Colossus."

Upon hearing this, Kirito replied, "The latest issue of the 'Early Survival Guide' has been updated with the specific location and route to the BOSS room."

He paused, then said, "The strategy team led by Diabel has decided to officially set off tomorrow. Are you... coming?"

Asuna and Mochizuki Kaede exchanged a glance. In the brief silence, the two had already reached a consensus through their eyes.

“We will also participate,” Mochizuki Kaede said briefly.

Asuna then added, "Now that we've obtained the key item, we should contribute our share."

Kirito's lips curled into a knowing smile; this answer seemed to have been expected. He took a half-step back, his black boots churning on the grass: "Tomorrow morning, Diabel will be gathering in the central square."

A sandstorm ruffled his bangs: "Well then... see you tomorrow."

Watching Kirito's retreating figure, Mochizuki Kaede turned to Asuna: "Looks like I'm going to be busy again."

Asuna nodded: "I need to go back and prepare for tomorrow's battle..."

Mochizuki Kaede gazed at her profile, flushed red by the setting sun: "Nervous?"

Asuna's fingers traced the rapier at her waist, and she remained silent for a moment. In this deadly game, every battle was a gamble with death itself; the slightest misstep could lead to annihilation. It would be a lie to say she wasn't afraid. But when she looked up and met Mochizuki Kaede's calm gaze, the surging fear suddenly subsided.

“We’re partners, after all.” She gave a confident smile, her voice soft yet firm. “This level is absolutely no problem.”

The last ray of sunlight pierced through the gap between the two, casting interlaced shadows on the ground. Mochizuki Kaede paused slightly, then gave a barely perceptible smile: "Let's go, let's go to the weapon shop to get ready."

The two walked side by side toward the town. Night was about to fall, but their hearts were brighter than ever, knowing that they would have each other to rely on on the battlefield tomorrow.

……

The next morning.

As dawn broke through the clouds, Diabel's expedition group had already arrived at the canyon entrance.

The expedition team cautiously advanced along the rugged canyon, the map in Diabel's hand gleaming, marking the safe routes explored by the advance team. Weathered rock walls rose high on either side, casting suffocating shadows.

As you go deeper, a huge minotaur statue gradually comes into view.

Half-embedded in the rock face, its massive horn, weathered by time, still exudes majesty. Below the statue, a dark stone gate stands silently, its surface covered with ancient battle reliefs.

"This is it." Diabel put away the map, his blue and white knight's armor gleaming coldly in the dim light.

Looking around at the massive raiding party behind them—their numbers had doubled since the first level of the battle—the new players still wore expressions of tension, but their grips on their swords were unusually firm.

"Gentlemen," Diabel's voice echoed through the canyon, "pass through this door and you'll reach the second level's guardian boss, [Taurus General Balan]."

He paused for a moment, his gaze sweeping over every face: there were reliable partners like Nozomi and Asuna, lone masters like Kirito, and many newcomers participating in the strategy for the first time.

"We have only one goal—"

The longsword was drawn, its blade pointing straight to the sky.

"Everyone survives to clear the second level!"

Chapter Thirty: General Golden Bull

"Gentlemen, according to intelligence..."

Diabel's voice was steady and powerful: "Admiral Taurus's [Paralyzing Impact] is the biggest threat. This skill has an extremely wide range and comes with a five-second paralysis effect, which is enough for it to complete a fatal combo."

His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Mochizuki Kaede: "At this crucial moment, I'll have to rely on your props."

On the way to the canyon, Mochizuki Kaede had already informed Diabel in detail about the [Bison's Horn]. This special item, capable of forcibly interrupting the BOSS's skills, will be a crucial asset in this raid.

Mochizuki Kaede nodded slightly, his right hand reaching for the black horn at his waist. Asuna stood beside him, her rapier already drawn three inches from its sheath, its blade reflecting a cold, sharp light.

"Remember the formation!" Diabel said. "The shield warriors will rotate in three groups. The healers should manage their mana carefully, and the DPS should wait for my instructions before acting."

He took a deep breath, turned to face the stone door, and placed his left hand on the stone door, which was covered with ancient runes.

"Second Layer of the Strategy—"

With a forceful push, the heavy stone door groaned and slowly opened. A chilling gust of air, carrying the smell of rust, rushed out.

"start!"

As the stone gate fully opened, the sight before them stunned everyone—

A magnificent ancient Roman amphitheater appears in the darkness.

The surrounding area is encircled by weathered marble columns, their carved animal heads long since blurred and indistinct, yet still exuding a chilling majesty. Broken arches intersect at the top, with a few pale beams of light filtering through the cracks. The center of the space is slightly sunken, and dark brown stains, whether rust or dried bloodstains, remain on the broken brickwork.

Heavy footsteps came from the shadows opposite.

The moment Admiral Taurus stepped fully into the light, the air in the entire Colosseum seemed to freeze.

Its towering form exceeded five meters, making it even more imposing than the kobold lord on the first level. It was entirely covered in heavy armor woven from bronze and gold, and its thick hands gripped a massive golden warhammer.

Most striking was the luxurious gold ribbon wrapped around its waist, which gleamed even in the dimly lit arena. The heavy chains hanging from its shoulders were also made of pure gold, producing a dull metallic clang as it moved. Crimson fur covered the areas not covered by armor, rippling in a wave-like pattern with its movements.

"This is even more exaggerated than the intelligence reports described..." Asuna unconsciously gripped her rapier tighter.

General Taurus suddenly slammed his golden warhammer into the ground.

"boom--!"

The entire arena trembled, and rubble rained down from the vaulted ceiling. Beneath its deep red fur, muscles bulged, and its eyes, beneath its horned helmet, burned with a savage crimson light.

"Roar--!"

General Taurus once again raised his golden warhammer and smashed it down on the crowd, Diabel's voice booming like thunder in the team channel—

"First team, raise your shields and defend!"

The six heavily armored warriors at the front simultaneously raised their tower shields, the clanging of metal echoing through the air. The shockwaves of the warhammer slammed into the shield walls, sparks flying, but the defensive line remained unmoved.

"Second team, Ya Wang will lead the flank to create pressure!"

The King of Fangs charged in from the left, his sharp twin blades slicing across the Taurus General's leg joints, leaving several wounds on his deep red fur.

"Third team, Kirito and Agil, prepare for control!"

Kirito, wielding a one-handed sword, and Agil, carrying a battle axe, led the players in a surprise attack from the right. Agil's battle axe slammed heavily into the BOSS's golden chains, while Kirito's one-handed sword glowed with a brilliant blue skill effect, aiming straight for the BOSS's hammer-wielding wrist.

The golden warhammer suddenly erupted with blinding lightning, and several players who couldn't dodge in time were hit by the aftershock, instantly stiffening their bodies—a paralyzing effect. They could only move their fingers with difficulty, slowly drinking healing potions from their waists.

Admiral Taurus raised his golden warhammer once more, golden electricity crackling at its head. Mochizuki Kaede and Asuna exchanged a glance and immediately sprang into action.

"Leave the hatred to us!" Wang Yuefeng shouted, his longsword flashing in a sharp arc before striking the leg armor of General Jinniu with a heavy blow. The loud clang of metal against metal successfully attracted the BOSS's attention, and its crimson eyes immediately locked onto him.

Asuna circled to the side like a silver whirlwind, unleashing three precise thrusts with her rapier, the tip of the sword sparking through the gaps in her armor.

"Over here!" she called out softly, her nimble figure moving around the BOSS to ensure that the aggro was firmly fixed on the two of them.

General Taurus roared in fury, turning his warhammer to smash towards the two men. Mochizuki Kaede rolled to the side to avoid the main attack, the hammer's force grazing his armor and creating spiderweb-like cracks in the ground.

On the other end, Kirito and Agil were already preparing for the next offensive.

The five-meter-tall Taurus Admiral is like a mobile fortress, and every swing of its golden warhammer carries overwhelming power. However, its enormous size also brings sluggishness; although its turns and strikes are incredibly powerful, the transitions between movements are noticeably clumsy.

Kirito and Agil seized the opportunity and led the third team in a counterattack.

Kirito's one-handed sword aimed straight for the boss's Achilles tendon, while Agil's battle axe whistled through the air. Amidst the sparks of clashing metal, the Taurus general stumbled, and his aggro was once again diverted.

"Switch!"

Mochizuki Kaede and Asuna immediately stepped forward again, their swords flashing like silk, once again firmly attracting the BOSS's attention.

"Roar--!"

Admiral Taurus suddenly changed his attack rhythm, his golden warhammer sweeping down from an unexpected angle. Asuna's pupils contracted, and she retreated hastily—

"boom!"

The edge of the warhammer grazed her left shoulder, shattering her armor instantly. Asuna groaned, staggering a few steps from the force of the impact, her health bar dropping by a third. The system immediately displayed a [Paralysis] status notification, and her limbs began to stiffen.

"Asuna!" Mochizuki Kaede shouted, her longsword, carrying a sharp sword aura, stabbed straight at the BOSS's throat, forcibly drawing the aggro back to herself.

Asuna gritted her teeth and laboriously pulled the potion from the pouch at her waist—a high-grade healing potion made with the old herbalist's recipe. She forcefully pulled off the stopper and drank the potion in one gulp.

"Gudong-"

The cool liquid slid down my throat, instantly transforming into a warm current that swept through my body. The numbness receded like a tide, and my health bar rapidly replenished at a visible speed.

"I'm fine!"

Asuna flipped over and stood up again, her rapier glowing with skill light once more. Her movements were more agile than before, and the potion's buff increased her attack speed by 15%.

Chapter Thirty-One: The Golden Bull King

"Switch!"

As soon as Mochizuki Kaede gave the command, Agil and Kirito charged out like a whirlwind. Agil's axe blade glowed with a deep blue skill light, while Kirito's one-handed sword trailed a dazzling arc of light.