Chapter 2580

Taller than two or three meters, grotesque monsters surrounded Kayaba Akihiko, Kirigaya Kazuto, and Hei Xueji.

Their mouths hung slightly open, saliva dripping to the ground, emitting a corrosive hiss.

A brief, eerie silence, then the entire café erupted in chaos.

Someone must have guessed these were Kayaba Akihiko's virtual projections... but the key issue! Even the floor-to-ceiling windows were shattered—how could this be a projection?

No one here is a fool! Besides, Tokyo in the Sword Art Online world had already experienced a monster invasion.

So everyone present had experience—they wouldn't risk their lives with a prank now.

"... Mr. Kayaba, this isn't some cruel joke of yours, is it?"

Kirigaya Kazuto gripped his dual swords tightly, sweat beading on his forehead.

He suddenly realized—the monsters appearing these past four weeks were identical to many he'd faced in Sword Art Online.

"Do you think I'd joke at a time like this?"

Kayaba Akihiko shot back.

Kirigaya Kazuto had no reply.

The table was suddenly overturned.

Hei Xueji floated into the air, her wings fluttering slightly; brilliant light radiated outward, blasting the monsters away with a thunderous crash.

Kayaba Akihiko's face was icy; he lightly stamped the ground and plunged into the horde of monsters.

His holy sword was coated in a layer of black Armament Haki.

In his hands, the blade moved like lightning, severing monster after monster at the waist.

"Get out!"

Asuna's voice rang clear as she dashed out through the shattered floor-to-ceiling window.

The others naturally followed right behind her.

Then... they saw the street, densely packed with all kinds of monsters.

Countless passersby screamed and scattered in all directions.

Fortunately, the monsters didn't attack these civilians; each stared coldly at Kayaba Akihiko, Asuna, and the others.

"... This... can't be real..."

Even though Kirigaya Kazuto possessed the power of a max-level swordsman, he stood frozen in place, his voice dry.

"... These... monsters from Sword Art Online have appeared... could it be because we've gained Sword Art Online's power?"

"... Stop adding your own drama!"

Asuna glanced at Kirito, then turned her gaze back to the battlefield.

She already had a suspicion! After all, this time's opponent... possessed the power to manifest anything.

These monsters must be... the enemy's manifestations! That's what she thought.

Why would any enemy manifest monsters from Sword Art Online? "Aren't you going to show yourself yet?"

Kayaba Akihiko lifted his head suddenly, staring at a spot atop a high-rise.

His Observation Haki sensed something unnatural about the space there.

After a brief silence, a voice of surprise rang out: "... You actually noticed?"

Then, a tall figure appeared out of nowhere atop the building.

He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, staring at the group.

"... Strange. Kirigaya Kazuto and Hei Xueji both appeared? Are they from the same world? I remember rumors saying Hei Xueji was Kirigaya Kazuto's daughter... but wasn't that officially debunked?"

Karkatos frowned, muttering to himself.

"And even if Hei Xueji were Kirigaya Kazuto's daughter... her age doesn't match up... not to mention! Those outfits they're wearing—what the hell are those? Sword Art Online gear? Did some Ainz Ooal Gown manifestation glitch into this?"

Hearing this, Asuna's expression froze—she suddenly understood. This enemy clearly knew Sword Art Online well—possibly even obsessed with it. If so, it might explain why they limited themselves to Sword Art Online monsters.

"Whatever."

Karkatos shook his head, licking his lips. "Hei Xueji is better... Hei Xueji and Asuna! Kayaba Akihiko and Kirigaya Kazuto! These... for me, an anime fan... are all fantastic collectibles!"

"... You pervert! What collectibles?"

Kirigaya Kazuto's eye twitched; he could no longer hold back, pointing his Excalibur at Karkatos. "You're the mastermind behind all this, aren't you?"

"Hmph!"

Karkatos snorted, gave no answer, and waved his hand.

Countless monsters surged toward the group instantly.

At first, the group could still rely on their skilled swordplay.

And powerful abilities, continuously slaying their foes.

But gradually, many Sword Art Online monsters appeared among the enemies—the pressure surged massively.

"Roar!"

A giant, ten-meter-tall King Kong slammed its fist down toward Hei Xueji, who hovered in midair.

"Damn it!"

Hei Xueji activated Flash Step, reappearing high above.

Breathing heavily, she stared at the ever-expanding battlefield—and the growing crowds of police and Self-Defense Forces gathering beyond it—her face twisting into a bitter smile. "... This is getting worse."

"Don't worry. It'll be over soon."

A gentle voice suddenly sounded beside Hei Xueji.

"... President..."

Hei Xueji spun around, shock and delight flashing across her face.

"Hey! Do you only remember the president?"

Tony Stark's face carried a hint of displeasure. "Obviously, from here on out, I'm the one doing the heavy lifting."

As his words fell, Tony Stark's hands suddenly came together, and in an instant his figure multiplied into countless copies within the void, blanketing the sky.

On the wrist sections of their mecha suits, a small cannon port appeared, and then countless magic whips shot out from within them.

Whether the ordinary monsters rampaging on the ground, or the large ones as well, were all tightly bound by the magic whips.

Blazing Lei Guang erupted from the mecha suits, flowing along the whips and pouring into the monsters' bodies.

The monsters only managed to let out shrill screams before their bodies collapsed on their own one by one, turning into white smoke.

"... What?"

The doubt on Kakkatos's face transformed entirely into terror.

He stared dumbly at Tony Stark in his magic mecha suit high in the sky.

He almost suspected he was seeing things.

"... Kuroyukihime and Kirigaya Kazuto appearing, that can still be understood—after all, there are rumors about that.

They possess the power of Sword Art Online, which can also be explained by the worldview of Overlord..."

"But... Tony Stark! How could he possibly appear here?"

Xiao