Duel? An Unexpected Challenge!...

"Just now, when I heard that you hadn't shown up, I really was quite surprised..."

"Oh?..." Heathcliff raised a brow, his eyes gradually narrowing. "But you don't look surprised at all..."

"More or less..." Wu Yan shifted slightly, then slowly stepped forward under Asuna's nervous gaze.

"After all, if even I were surprised, who would be left to defeat you..."

At those words, the surrounding players' expressions changed again, while Heathcliff laughed. He chuckled softly at first, then burst into loud laughter. "Yan-kun, you truly are no ordinary person!"

With that, Heathcliff reached out and grasped the cross-shaped shield with its attached sword, then stepped down from the throne. He walked toward Wu Yan, who was likewise approaching him, speaking as he went, "Ever since our first meeting, I've had a feeling..."

"In the end, the one who would reach the Crimson Jade Palace on the highest floor of this massive floating castle, Aincrad, and stand before me would definitely be you!"

"Oh? I didn't expect you to think so highly of me..." Wu Yan flicked the hem of his coat and stopped five meters away from Heathcliff, staring directly at the red figure.

"But my first impression of you wasn't nearly so favorable..."