Chapter 119: Christmas Strategy

The news of the 30th floor being cleared quickly spread throughout the entire 30th floor, which ignited hope in the players within this world.

Several months have passed since the game began, and the clearing of the floors has reached nearly one-third of this world. Although they all know that each subsequent floor will be even more difficult, this still cannot erase the hope in people's hearts.

Time ticked forward, and in the blink of an eye, several months passed; Christmas was just around the corner. After experiencing months of arduous battles, the Clearers pushed the floors to the 49th floor. Of course, this was not without a price; the Clearers lost many powerful players, but players striving for the future also continuously joined the Clearers. As of December 24, 2023, more than five thousand players had died.

Seemingly to set the mood for Christmas, it began to snow on all the floors that had been cleared in SAO, and countless decorations like Christmas trees appeared. Many shops run by NPCs also launched many exclusive Christmas items. These various things diluted the cruel atmosphere in the SAO world.

22nd floor, Black Cats Shop.

"It really is a leisurely night!" Lingyun sat by the window, watching the people coming and going on the street, and smiled. "Argo, why aren't you out selling information today, but instead ran to Sachi's shop?"

"Because there's no information today that can make money," Argo said to Lingyun, lying on the table with a lazy look.

"Winter is here, is a little mouse like you going to hibernate?" Kirito, who was beside Lingyun, teased. "However, is there really no news about this event?"

"This is a new event that wasn't in the beta test, so I have no way to obtain information!" Argo spread her hands. "The currently known information is that on Christmas Eve, which is tonight, the special BOSS Nicholas the Renegade will appear under a certain fir tree. This guy drops an item for player resurrection. I think the people from all the major guilds are looking for this guy right now; they're probably going crazy!"

"Resurrection item?" Kirito raised an eyebrow. "Really? Can such a thing exist in this world?"

"Well, who knows? After all, this world is too real; even our real bodies were dragged in, so who knows if this kind of situation might occur!" Regarding this matter, Lingyun could not draw a conclusion; after all, his strength had not yet recovered, and he could not see through the essence of this world.

"Hmm, should we go take a look when the time comes?" Luo Yexi, who was on the side, said with interest after hearing about this.

"Sure, we're idle today anyway, so we might as well go see what use the Resurrection Crystal dropped by Nicholas the Renegade actually has," Kirito was the first to raise a hand.

Because of Lingyun's intervention, Kirito did not experience the total annihilation of the Moonlit Black Cats, so she did not have a great pursuit for the Resurrection Crystal.

"Are you all interested?" Lingyun's gaze turned to the others present.

"There's nothing to do anyway, so it's fine to go take a look! I'm very interested in this so-called item that can resurrect people!" Lingqi said with a grin.

"Then, we'll go together when the time comes!" Lingyun's gaze swept over everyone present.

"Big sister, don't even think about shaking me off this time!" Suguha, who was beside Kirito, hugged Kirito's arm tightly and said in a sweet voice.

Because Kirito joined the Moonlit Black Cats, Suguha also joined this small group after pestering Kirito for a while. Because of her powerful strength and cute appearance, she quickly hit it off with the other members of this group.

"Alright, alright, I won't leave you behind this time," Kirito nodded helplessly.

"I knew big sister was the best!" A smile appeared on Suguha's face, and she hugged Kirito's arm even tighter.

"However, as an event BOSS, this Nikolas's strength will definitely not be that weak. We must be careful when the time comes, so we don't capsize in the gutter!" Lingyun warned.

"Don't worry, and isn't Teacher here too!" Yuuki said with a grin.

"Then, prepare your things, we'll set off tonight!" Lingyun waved his hand. "By the way, Kirito, do you have any guesses about the fir tree where the BOSS will appear?"

"I remember there seems to be a place with a very large fir tree. If I'm not mistaken, that is the most likely place for the BOSS to appear!" Kirito said softly.

Late night, 35th floor, Lost Forest.

Lingyun and his party arrived in front of a dense forest. This dense forest was composed of dense fir trees, which looked quite spectacular.

"In the center of this dense forest, there is a huge fir tree. This is the largest fir tree I have seen in this world. The place where Nikolas is most likely to appear is here!" Kirito said, pointing to the dense forest ahead.

"Alright, everyone, you've followed us for so long, it's time to come out and show your faces!" Lingyun turned his head and said to the back.

"Is someone following us?" A trace of surprise appeared in Suguha's eyes; she drew the Long sword from her back and looked behind her.

"You all knew?" When she saw that Lingyun and the others, and even her own sister, all had calm expressions, she asked with some surprise.

"Yeah, we knew from the beginning!" Yuuki slowly drew the Long sword in her hand. "Although they thought they were well hidden and had the cover of the heavy snow so that we couldn't discover them, they didn't know that from the moment they started following us, they had already been discovered by us!"

Seeing that Lingyun had already discovered them, the people hiding in the dark walked out one after another, and a large group of people appeared in front of Lingyun and the others with a rustle.

"The Army, Holy Dragon Alliance, Fuurinkazan, Blood Oath Knights, are all four major guilds here?" Looking at the people in front of him, Lingyun pulled a smile at the corner of his mouth.

"Phantom Sword Lingyun, truly extraordinary; you could discover us even from so far away!" A person walked out from the Army's camp; it was the current leader of the Army, Thinker.

"Hi, Kirito, long time no see!" The guild leader of Fuurinkazan, Klein, smiled and waved at Kirito.

"So this is the God Squad; they truly have their superior points!" The one who said this was the leader of the Blood Oath Knights—Heathcliff.

The people from the Holy Dragon Alliance remained silent, while their eyes burned as they looked at the entrance of the dense forest.

"Looking at you all, it seems you are determined to get the Resurrection Crystal dropped by the BOSS this time." Lingyun's gaze swept over everyone present.

"This is a resurrection item, who wouldn't want it!" One of the people from the Holy Dragon Alliance said.

"Indeed, this item is very important to us!" Thinker said in a deep voice. "This time, I am determined to get this crystal!"

When clearing the 25th-floor boss, because of Yazi's wrong command, the members of the Army suffered heavy losses. For this reason, the Army had to withdraw from the Clearers and entered a semi-retired state. Now that a Resurrection Crystal appeared in front of him, he couldn't help but want to fight for it.

Looking at Thinker's determined look, Lingyun smiled and said, "But I also want to take a look at this crystal!"

Beside the Army, some people from the Holy Dragon Alliance had already drawn their weapons and aimed them at Lingyun and the others; looking at them, it seemed they were about to make a move.

"Kirito, the time is almost up, you go meet that BOSS first, I'll help you watch here!" Lingyun looked at the time displayed in his status bar and said.

"Alright, be careful yourself!" Kirito nodded slightly to Lingyun.

Having spent so long together, she had a certain understanding of Lingyun's strength; the people here really were no match for Lingyun.

Along with Kirito into the depths of the forest were Suguha, Busujima Saeko, and Alice. As for Yuuki, Luo Yexi, and Lingqi, they stayed by Lingyun's side, ready to deal with those who wanted to force their way in.

Seeing that Luo Yexi and the others had disappeared into the depths of the jungle, the people from the Holy Dragon Alliance also became anxious and surrounded the direction of the four people, Lingyun, one after another.