This is similar to how they wouldn't know that Heathcliff also had a backup plan, after all, Heathcliff is Kayaba Akihiko.

Kayaba Akihiko is also known as GM.

The GM is an absolute force in the game, so even though Heathcliff was slightly at a disadvantage, he wasn't panicked. He knew he possessed overwhelming strength, but he didn't know that there was someone even more terrifying in this world besides the GM.

That is—Lin Yan.

Moreover, Lin Yan is the one who controls everything.

Next, Heathcliff launched another attack. Every attack by Heathcliff was spectacular, eliciting cheers from the audience each time.

"What a fantastic match!"

"This trip was definitely worth it."

"As expected of Boss Lin."

"Awesome!!!! Awesome!!!!"

Everyone was enjoying the match, but no one expected it to last for three hours without a result.

"Why is there still no winner?"

"No way? Three hours have already passed..."

0219 Draw [Please Subscribe]

"Why is there still no winner? I really want to see how it ends."

"I feel hungry just looking at it."

"Luckily there were people selling food, otherwise I really wouldn't have made it to see the outcome."

"Keep it up, Boss Lin!"

Although many people have left, many others have chosen to stay and see how the game will ultimately end.

but--.

Three more hours passed.

Half of the people left.

Some even shouted, "I'm the one who persevered to the end!" But the competition continued, lasting into the afternoon and then into the evening.

It has been going on for twelve hours.

A prompt appeared at this point.

[The match has lasted for twelve hours. Should we stop? If we choose to stop, the score will be tied, and there will be no winner.]

"Yes."

Lin Yan also felt a bit bored.

This game should end now.

Heathcliff was the most shocked; he seemed to have a feeling that he had been utterly defeated and there was no way to recover.

Sweat streamed down Heathcliff's face; his body was utterly exhausted.

Lin Yan, on the other hand, was still looking refreshed.

His expression was calm, as if nothing had happened.

"Yes."

Heathcliff also chose yes.

And so the match ended.

At this point, everyone left, and the few remaining people also left dejectedly, since they hadn't seen a winner emerge from the competition.

"It's actually a draw."

No, I lost.

Heathcliff was quite frank and spoke his mind, "But the system determined that we were tied, so I have nothing to say."

In fact, Heathcliff used his GM status to see if Lin Yan had used any methods.

but--

Got nothing.

“Since it’s a draw, then Mr. Lin and Asuna don’t need to join the Knights of the Blood Oath,” Heathcliff said.

"Oh."

Lin Yan said calmly.

Actually, his purpose in engaging in the duel was to personally test Heathcliff's true strength, but Heathcliff was also intentionally holding back. This is certain, so it seems we'll have to wait a while longer to truly gauge his power.

After parting ways with Heathcliff, Asuna remained silent and withdrawn throughout the journey.

Her gaze drifted elsewhere.

He was clearly somewhat annoyed.

"What? Are you still angry?"

Lin Yan asked.

Asuna pursed her lips and said with a smile, "I really don't understand you at all. You didn't even show your full strength when you were competing against Heathcliff's captain. What if you had accidentally gotten injured? It was so nerve-wracking to watch."

"I'm still scared to this day."

"Even if you join the Knights of the Blood Oath, it's really not a big deal. You're the kind of person who has no desires or wants, so why would you care about these things?"

"But what I most want to see is..."

Asuna whispered, but what really angered her wasn't Lin Yan, but rather his lack of regard for his own life.

In SAO, death is death.

It's no longer a game.

Everyone knows this.

Although this kind of PK is not fatal, Asuna could only recall those bloody scenes in her mind.

Extremely terrifying.

0220 Smiling Coffin [Please Subscribe]

What is it that we don't want to see?

A smile played on Lin Yan's lips as he asked softly.

"It's nothing, I'll head back now."

"Then I'll go back to the shop."

"Oh."

Asuna glanced at Lin Yan, then turned and left.

A few days later, Lin Yan received news that Kradir was dead. He had been murdered, and the survivor claimed that he had been framed by Kradir and nearly lost his life. Kradir also had a tattoo on his body.

It was a pitch-black coffin.

The lid is decorated with smiling eyes and a mouth, and there are also skeletal arms sticking out from the gaps in the lid.

"That's the Smiling Coffin."

Asuna's eyes showed a hint of hatred when she spoke of the Smiling Coffin.

"The Smiling Coffin".

For a long time, the entire Aincrad lived in the shadow of the "Smiling Coffin".

That was an utterly wicked guild.

Their leader was cunning, cruel, and despicable; his methods of killing were endless, and those who died at his hands were truly pitiful.

The mainstream forces in SAO wanted to resolve the "Smiling Coffin" issue through negotiation, but they instead killed the "Messenger".

So the plan failed.

Later, the strategy team thwarted an attack force that destroyed the "Smiling Coffin".

"Is he a remnant of the 'Smiling Coffin'?"

Asuna was also pondering this question. She knew the threat posed by the "Laughing Coffin." If the remnants of this force were still active, more people would inevitably be killed.

In this cruel game, everyone is unfortunate.

Asuna hopes to conquer the game so that everyone can escape this cruel world.

Every life is precious.

"I'm afraid things aren't that simple. I suspect there are still people from 'Smiling Coffin,' and they've recruited new members."

Lin Yan recalled the original plot.

In the original storyline, Cladier almost killed Kirito, but Asuna saved him.

So, who was attacked by Kradir here?

It seems that the plot will change, but the original plot will not be omitted; instead, it will happen to other people.

It's truly a cruel twist of fate to one's reputation.

"Even a centipede dies hard; they're a really troublesome guild. They've been doing dirty things in the shadows all along, and we must stop them."

Asuna said with a slight frown.

What she despises most are those who treat life like dirt.

Asuna seemed a bit off all day. Although she still smiled gently at Lin Yan, something just didn't feel right.

sunset.

The setting sun cast its last rays upon the world, its rosy cheeks blushing with a touch of shyness as it hung obliquely atop the western mountain, gazing longingly at the lovely human realm. The stream rippled with shimmering light, displaying magical colors, making it seem like a magnificent crystal palace, concealing countless dazzling treasures. The willows, tall and short, swayed gracefully in its glow, and the chirping of birds created a scene truly like a fairytale world.

Lin Yan looked at Asuna and said.

"Asuna, I'll take you home."

0221 Sharing a Bed [Please Subscribe]

Lin Yan was still a little worried about Asuna, as Asuna was the only person he was exploring this world with.

She is strong, but also vulnerable.

They need someone to care for them.

"Ah."

Asuna nodded.

Asuna strolled with Lin Yan in the sunset, she was unusually quiet.

Once they arrived at the apartment, Asuna prepared dinner, and she remained quiet while the two ate together.

He seemed to be deep in thought.

"Ah~~~~ I'm so sleepy, I'm not going back, I'll just sleep here."

Lin Yan collapsed onto the living room sofa, stretched, and lazily closed his eyes.

Asuna looked at Lin Yan.

Although Lin Yan usually seems indifferent to everything.

but--

Asuna knew very well what was going on in her heart.

Lin Yan is not a cold or heartless person.

On the contrary, Lin Yan treated her more gently than anyone else; he was a person with a pure heart.

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