With Asuna's battle cry, one minion fell. Moments later, Kirito's team's target vanished in a burst of light, leaving only Leafa's team's enemy. To be fair, Leafa's group fought well, maintaining the upper hand. Their damage output, for a trio, was above average and likely would've finished the job smoothly. But Asuna's team was simply extraordinary. So when Asuna rushed to Leafa's side, Leafa was stunned.
"Leafa-chan, sorry for the wait!"
"Huh? What? Your enemy?"
"Yup, took it down!"
"Whaaat?"
Leafa glanced around—no other minions remained, and Kirito's team was charging over.
"Recon, hold it alone for a sec!"
"Uh, okay!"
Leafa, with Iroha in tow, teared up slightly as she asked Asuna,
"Are we… really slow at killing?"
"Are we weak?"
"No way, you two! You're totally fine!"
Asuna instantly shut down their anxious questions. Kirito's team, joining them, echoed her.
"You guys are solid—above average, even!"
"Yeah, it's this Berserk Healer here who's the anomaly."
"Even I was a bit shocked by Asuna's berserk mode…"
"Hey, Kirito? Liz? What're you talking about?"
Asuna, genuinely confused, pressed them, but they only nodded vaguely, dodging the topic.
"Uh, Silica-chan?"
"Um, yeah, Asuna-san, you were… amazing…"
"Klein-san?"
"Haha, yeah, incredible!"
"Egil-san?"
"Well… compared to you, Kirito looked tame."
"Argo-san?"
"I didn't see nothin', I swear…"
Meanwhile, Recon was still locked in a fierce solo battle. Flustered, Asuna turned to Yukino as a last resort.
"Y-Yukino? Was I weird? Tell me!"
Yukino, slightly troubled, replied,
"I'm used to seeing Nee-san like that, so it's fine."
"That's not reassuring!"
Asuna wailed, turning to her teammates.
"Komachi-chan!"
"Komachi's on your side, big sis, no matter what!"
"That's not helping either!"
Asuna screamed again, then looked to Soleil with hopeful eyes. Soleil nodded, patting her shoulder.
"Didn't expect you to go that wild, Asuna-chan."
"Nooooo!"
Asuna collapsed, shrieking. Meanwhile, Recon, still fighting alone, was reaching his limit.
"L-Leafa-chan, I can't…"
"Just a bit longer, Recon!"
"Okay…"
Ignoring Recon's struggle, the team took turns consoling Asuna. They agreed to self-censor the "Berserk Healer" nickname, but Asuna's fighting style persisted in later boss battles, earning her the title from others unaware of the ban. Eventually, she grew used to it, unbothered.
"Leafa-chan, I'm really… ugh…"
Recon, still battling, was slipping into the disadvantage. As he called out to Leafa, an enemy attack swung toward him.
"Oh no! Recon!"
Just as the blow was about to land, Recon's body glowed with healing magic.
"You're fine. I'm watching."
Yukino had spoken, her eyes never leaving the fight, ensuring Recon's safety despite the chaos.
"I figured I'd let Recon-kun push his limits a bit, so I might've startled him. Sorry."
"No, Yukino-san, thank you!"
Recon, grateful, felt an unfamiliar sense of security.
(So this is what trusting a healer feels like.)
Unlike his time with Sigurd's group, this reassurance from his new allies filled Recon with joy. In such a safe environment, he thought, maybe he could show off for Leafa. Calculating but exhausted, he rallied to face the enemy again. But then, Kirito, Asuna, Leafa, and Soleil stormed in, pummeling the enemy. Recon's tension snapped, and he slumped to the ground.
"Haha… all my effort…"
A hand patted his shoulder.
"Great job, Recon."
"Leafa-chan!"
It was Leafa. Recon's heart soared, but aware his skills lagged behind the others, he puffed up with bravado.
"I could've kept going! Just need a quick breather, then I'm back in!"
Leafa sat beside him, speaking softly.
"Hey, Recon, ever think about what makes us different from them?"
Caught off guard, Recon couldn't respond immediately.
"I watch them, and I think my technique's better. But if I fought big bro for real, he'd be the one standing in the end. What do you think?"
Hesitant, Recon answered honestly.
"Uh, sorry, Leafa-chan, but… yeah, I think so too."
"Right!"
Leafa grinned, oddly delighted.
"It's gotta be combat experience, right? Back then, Eugene was my only goal, but now, surrounded by all these amazing people, I've lost that focus."
"Leafa-chan…"
"Don't you want to stand beside them, truly equal?"
"Absolutely!"
Recon leaned forward, answering instantly.
"Knew it! Let's work hard to catch up together, Recon!"
"Yeah, I'll guard your back no matter who we face!"
"That's the spirit! Oh, look, it's almost over."
As Leafa said, the enemy's HP was nearly gone. Moments later, with no clear final blow, the third minion vanished in a burst of effects.
"Alright, minions down! Heal up if you're hurt! Those ready, start hitting the boss!"
Kirito barked orders, and the team prepped, charging the boss. But then, CONGRATULATIONS flashed across the sky. They saw the boss fading, Hachiman standing before it, and Yuiyui and Mebius striking victory poses behind him. Rushing over, Hachiman smirked.
"No problem if I finished it, right?"
"Right?"
"No issue… yeah?"
Yuiyui echoed Hachiman's smugness, Mebius following with a questioning tone.
"You just wanted to say that line! Damn it, I wanted at least one hit…"
Kirito, craving a swing, collapsed. The others, stunned by the speed, peppered Hachiman with questions.
"Hachiman, that was crazy fast! How'd you do it?"
"As expected of my Hachiman-kun!"
"Big bro, are you really my big bro? I can't believe it."
"Didn't Hachiman specialize in humanoid monsters?"
"Oh…"
"But it's more than that…"
"Leafa-chan, can we ever catch up to them…?"
"Haha…"
Scratching his head, Hachiman addressed the group.
"Sorry, got too hyped and finished it. Next time, we'll tackle a boss without minions together."
"You better keep that promise, Hachiman!"
Kirito stood, getting in Hachiman's face. Hachiman nodded, scanning the team.
"Anyway, we won. Let's activate the second floor's gate and march back in triumph!"
"YEAAAH!"
"We did it!"
"First floor was easier than expected!"
"First to the second floor!"
The team erupted in joy, realizing their victory. Thus, on its release day, Hachiman's crew cleared New Aincrad's first floor.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
patreon.com/Greyhounds
If you want to see it, then why not?