Chapter 63: Shengzai

Originally, Shengzai could have slaughtered these 28th-floor hyena monsters alone, it would just have taken more time.

But once he summoned the “Weihuo Hu,” the situation instantly became one-sided.

The 28th-floor hyena monsters were slightly larger than ordinary hyenas, merely appearing more ferocious.

The “Weihuo Hu” Shengzai summoned stood two to three meters tall, with flames burning on its tail and forehead; each step it took left behind trails of fire on the ground.

Even without considering level or power, just by appearance, these 28th-floor hyenas were clearly no match for the “Weihuo Hu.”

“Roar——————!”

After the Weihuo Hu crushed the last hyena monster into data fragments and let out a mighty roar, it dissolved into starlight and gradually vanished into the air.

As for the members of the “Moonlit Black Cat Guild” who had witnessed all of this, their expressions and attitudes toward Shengzai had changed completely by the time he walked toward them again.

Although they had previously heard Kirito say that his friend was reliable and extremely powerful,

they never imagined Shengzai’s strength could reach this level!

He alone had wiped out a group of hyenas above level 35 without taking a single hit.

That wasn’t just reliable—it was a goddamn colossal leg to cling to!

And that flaming tiger that appeared earlier? They thought it was a boss, but it was just something Shengzai summoned.

No wonder he spoke so arrogantly—he had every right to be.

Frankly speaking, if they had truly fought him before, he wouldn’t even need to lift a finger; just summoning that flaming tiger would have wiped out the entire “Moonlit Black Cat Guild.”

“Shengzai, what was that tiger just now?”

It wasn’t just the “Moonlit Black Cat Guild” members who were stunned—even Kirito, who thought he knew Shengzai well, now looked at him with clear curiosity.

Clearly, after knowing Shengzai for so long, this was the first time he’d seen him use such power, so his curiosity was natural.

“Kirito, you should know that SAO has a system called ‘Unique Skills.’

Unique Skills are one-of-a-kind, and the conditions to obtain them are unknown—but I can tell you plainly: Unique Skills do exist.”

Among SAO players, many had long considered Unique Skills a rumor, since no one had ever obtained one during either the closed or open beta tests.

But as a transmigrator, Shengzai knew for certain that Unique Skills existed—after all, Kirito himself and Heizou Kiyoshi, disguised as Heathcliff, each possessed Unique Skills named “Two-Sword Style” and “Sacred Sword.”

“So the ability you just used is one of SAO’s Unique Skills?”

“You actually obtained a Unique Skill! How did you get it? Tell me right away!”

When it came to game-related topics, Kirito instantly became excited, especially since this was about Unique Skills—something he’d only heard of but never seen.

Facing Kirito’s eager expression, Shengzai could only sigh deeply, then said: “The Unique Skill I possess is called ‘Shikigami Sword.’

As the name suggests, it allows me to summon shikigami bound within the sword through the blade. I don’t even know how I obtained it myself.”

“I just woke up one day, and the system suddenly notified me that I’d gained a new skill.”

Of course, most of what Shengzai said was nonsense—he could summon shikigami solely because he shared the ability of Dark Crow Shengzai.

What he hadn’t expected was that this ability could still be recognized and used within SAO.

Kirito had grown up with him and knew he only practiced swordsmanship; suddenly claiming he wielded Yin-Yang magic would be impossible to explain.

So it was better to attribute it to a skill—after all, this was a game world, where any supernatural phenomenon was acceptable.

Shengzai wasn’t worried his lie would be exposed; even Heizou Kiyoshi, as SAO’s lead developer, couldn’t possibly know every design and program within the entire game.

Designing a game of such massive scale was impossible for one person alone, so even Heizou Kiyoshi couldn’t know how many skills or items existed in SAO.

“You’re the world’s illegitimate child! This is so unfair!

You just slept one night and got a Unique Skill—the one thing only rumored to exist among players!”

Hearing Shengzai’s words, Kirito felt even more heartbroken.

Shengzai had already been slightly stronger than him due to his swordsmanship; to narrow the gap, Kirito had only been able to level up higher than Shengzai, relying on stats to compensate.

But what made Kirito feel it was unjust was that despite grinding day and night, he hadn’t obtained any Unique Skill.

Meanwhile, Shengzai slept until noon every day and chased after little girl maids—and yet he somehow slept his way into a Unique Skill. Is that even scientific?!

After witnessing what Shengzai had just shown, the members of the “Moonlit Black Cat Guild,” including Sasamaru, had completely changed their attitude.

Otaku boys are like that—they may be a bit childish, but if their hearts aren’t evil, they grow rapidly once they realize their mistakes.

Watching Sasamaru and the others now surrounding Shengzai, cheerfully calling him “Big Brother Shengzai,” Sachi couldn’t help but smile softly as she walked at the back of the group with Kirito.

“Someone who can be friends with you, Kirito-kun, must be just as kind as you are.”

“Shengzai-kun’s harsh words when we first met—weren’t they intentional?”

“Sasamaru and the others seem to have grown so much in an instant. What an incredible person—he’s not only strong and handsome, but also thoughtful and considerate.”

Kirito, who had been thinking about Unique Skills, instinctively nodded in agreement upon hearing Sachi’s praise of Shengzai.

But he quickly realized something was off—he glanced at Shengzai’s handsome face ahead, then at Sachi beside him, and hastily said: “Uh, Sachi… you can’t judge by appearances alone.”

“Shengzai may be strong and handsome, popular and loyal… but he has plenty of bad habits.”

“For example, he’s a lolicon! And he’s close with many girls—like Asuna, and even my sister Suguha.”

“In short, Sachi, you absolutely must—”

“Pfft—!” Seeing Kirito’s panicked expression, Sachi couldn’t help laughing.

Then she looked at him seriously and said: “Shengzai-kun is indeed outstanding, but in my eyes, Kirito-kun isn’t any less impressive.”

(End of Chapter)