"If you want to kill me, then do it! We'll all die sooner or later anyway," Kobatz said coldly. Asuna was taken aback, at a loss for words.
"We've been logged into this game for almost a year now, and no one knows what's become of our real bodies. Every day, we rely on nutrient injections just to cling to life. Our muscles are wasting away, our nerves deteriorating. Someday, we might simply vanish from this world without suffering any damage here—gone because we died in reality."
Kobatz's words shocked everyone, striking fear deep into their hearts. Asuna froze, her expression pale and uncertain.
"The idea of living in this game forever—that's a lie. Our physical bodies can't last forever. Sooner or later, everyone will die. Whether one person dies or everyone dies, is that even a choice worth debating? Do it." Kobatz's tone was icy as he spoke. The members of the Army Guild immediately threw abnormal status potions toward Kurumi. Now consumed by the shadow of death, they had all gone mad.
Whoosh... A blue silhouette retreated swiftly. Asuna stood beside Little Honda, her golden eyes blazing with fury as she faced the trembling crowd. "I don't know why you fear death so much. But for me—there are many things far more important than life itself."
Bang... The abnormal status potions exploded. Little Honda and Asuna both had the black words "Abnormal Status" appear above their heads, stacking rapidly—fifty-five layers in an instant. Little Asuna didn't even have time to scream before she fainted.
Huff... More figures stepped in front of Kurumi. Every member of the Crystal Guild's combat division had arrived. Not one missing, not one retreating.
"We won't harm you because of the oppression of this game. Doing that would make us as pitiful as you are. But if you wish to harm Kimi-nee, you'll have to cross our bodies first," said Starlight, the bespectacled man who rarely spoke but saw things more clearly than anyone else.
Bang! The crowd's only response was a second wave of abnormal status potions. This time, everyone except Moemoe Tora and Little Honda collapsed.
"Haha! I'm the last one standing beside Sister Honda!" Moemoe Tora, usually stoic, suddenly laughed wildly—then fell under the third wave of abnormal status potions.
"What now? Futayo Honda still hasn't fallen!" someone cried in terror. Futayo's abnormal status count had already reached over eighty layers, yet she still stood. Those who knew how terrifying abnormal statuses could be were horrified. Was she even human?
Then, Little Honda moved. The entire crowd flinched in fright; several dropped their potions, accidentally hitting themselves with abnormal effects.
Amid the screams, they realized Futayo had only turned around—to face Kurumi. Only then did they relax.
"Damn it, scared the hell out of me."
"Throw! Keep throwing! Use every potion we have!" Kobatz shouted coldly. The Army members hurled their potions without pause.
The abnormal status count above Futayo's head continued to rise—90... 91... 99! Above her head, the black words "Abnormal Status" glowed ominously, stacked to the full 99 layers.
"My lord..." Her lips moved, but no sound came out—only a deep sadness glimmered in her eyes. Little Honda's figure stood straight in front of Kurumi, her small back seeming to hold up the sky itself.
Everyone trembled. Even Kobatz's hands shook. Ninety-nine layers of abnormal status—every type possible. There couldn't be any more.
But why hadn't Futayo fallen yet? Was she still human?
"My lord..." Her lips trembled again, but still, no words came. Only sorrow filled her gaze. Her slender figure remained upright before Kurumi, her delicate silhouette appearing vast and unyielding.
At last, that straight posture wavered—and she fell backward, collapsing into the flowerbed.
Futayo's palms were covered in blood—the marks left by gripping the Tonbokiri too tightly.
Above, Kayaba Akihiko pushed up his glasses and said coolly, "Such a wicked personality—torturing others to the brink of death without lifting a finger."
"She's down!" someone shouted. A hush fell over the crowd. Their fear gave way to silent reverence. Futayo Honda—she was someone who demanded respect.
"I know everyone feels guilty toward Kimi-nee. So, I'll do it. I'll be the villain here," Kobatz said coldly, gripping his longsword. Stepping over the fallen members of the Crystal Guild, he walked toward Kurumi.
At that moment, Kurumi opened her eyes—her form shifting into that of Kimi Aoi. Lying amidst the flowers, Kimi's stunning, voluptuous figure was mesmerizing. (Note: Kurumi-chan's transformation into Kimi-nee is still herself; it merely alters her personality significantly.)
However, in this game, when players saw Kimi in this form, their first thought was not desire, but reverence.
Over the course of nearly a year, every player had experienced Kimi-nee's kindness and care in countless ways. Thinking back on it now, many couldn't help but shed tears.
"Kimi-nee... betrayed by the very people you protected, and now even killed by them. How does that feel?" Kobatz asked, his expression cold—but his hand was trembling. When the moment came, he realized... he couldn't bring himself to strike Kimi-nee.
"Hmm? I'll take off my equipment then," Kurumi, in her Kimi form, placed a finger to her lips with a proud smile.
Then, before everyone's eyes, a pile of crimson-to-purple legendary gear appeared on the ground—each piece enhanced to at least +18.
Kobatz: "..."
"Wait! Isn't that Madoka's gear? Why does Kimi-nee have it?" Silica's pupils contracted sharply as she recognized the familiar equipment scattered before her.
Silica frowned deeply, piecing things together. "Madoka doesn't know about Kimi-nee or Kurumi-nee. She's only conscious for a few days each year... the rest of the time, she's asleep somewhere no one can find... Could it be—"
Silica realized the truth.
"Kimi-nee... you're a complete fool!" Tears streamed down her face as Kobatz raised his sword and thrust it toward Kurumi's heart.
"Stop! Don't hurt Kimi-nee!" Silica screamed, charging forward like a madwoman. But before she could reach Kurumi, the Army members seized her, holding her back.
The Crystal Guild's non-combat members were utterly powerless—most had joined the guild out of reverence for warriors, not to fight themselves.
Stab! The sword pierced Kurumi's chest. Kurumi dipped a finger into her own blood, touching it to her lips, and with a defiant smile said, "Hmm... my foolish little brother sure has some nerve—to dare scold his virtuous elder sister."
As her HP bar dropped swiftly into the red, tears streamed down Kobatz's face. Wiping them away, he asked through sobs, "Kimi-nee... do you have any last words?"
"Let me think!" Kurumi pressed a finger to her chin, pretending to ponder.
Then, with a proud smile, she said, "In this life, I am the flower that blooms upon the highest peak—when one flower falls, all others wither with it."