Whoosh! Whoosh!
Two sharp whistles tore through the silent forest. The small man-eating plant's vines had not weakened at all despite the loss of HP. Like two slithering snakes, the vines twisted through the air and lashed toward Wang Yang's chest again.
Wang Yang swung his short sword, drawing a streak of cold light upward through the dim forest before bringing it down fiercely at one of the incoming vines.
Sshh...
A nearly inaudible sound rang out over the clearing. The short sword struck the airborne vine with precision, carving a blurred wound into its thorn-covered surface. The vine was not cut in two, but the force behind the blade smashed it down into the ground.
The other vine lashed Wang Yang's chest again while he had no time to defend himself. Yet this powerful strike failed to push him back even half a step. Wang Yang had prepared for it beforehand, driving his legs into the ground the instant the vine hit him, preventing its force from knocking him back.
This was the incredible freedom of SAO!
The experiment had succeeded!
At that moment, a breeze suddenly swept through the woods, making the lush branches and leaves sway without pause. The patches of sunlight filtering through the gaps shook violently as well. A few happened to drift into Wang Yang's dark eyes, only to be swallowed instantly by those black pupils, because an even brighter light had bloomed within them.
Wang Yang's eyes shone brightly. A surge of exhilaration flowed through his chest, as though every pore in his body had opened at once. His limbs burned hot, as if the blood in his veins had begun to boil.
He could not describe the feeling. Instinctively, he raised the ordinary short sword high and assumed the opening stance for