On December 24th, it started snowing on the 35th floor.
After the snow fell into the Forest of Wandering, it quickly covered the original footprints. Lin Yuan and Kirito had been walking since afternoon until nightfall, and this was the third time they had seen the same withered tree with red fruit hanging on it.
"We've come full circle." Kirito stopped to check the map.
Lin Yuan reached out and caught a snowflake. The cold here didn't really come from the season, but rather from the effect of the event covering the entire forest. The snow melted into water in his palm, just like in the real world.
If resurrection items can do the same thing, do they merely repair data, or can they bring lost consciousness back to the body?
"Ahead," Lin Yuan suddenly said.
A faint bell rang from afar. The two crossed the withered tree, and sure enough, the previously closed forest path had a fork in the road. Colorful lights hung from the branches, and several huge hoof prints were left in the snow. At the end of the path was a stone bridge sandwiched between the mountain walls.
Kirito confirmed the direction. "The activity area is just across the bridge. Nicholas should appear around Midnight."
As soon as they reached the bridgehead, a multitude of torches lit up behind them.
A banner with a silver background and a blue dragon appeared from the forest, followed by neatly lined-up players. The Divine Dragon Alliance had clearly obtained the same intelligence, and were better prepared than the two: shield bearers, spearmen, recovery supplies, and people responsible for recording routes were all present.
The leader walked to the front of the formation, glanced at Kirito first, and then fixed his gaze on Lin Yuan.
"The black-clad Beater, and the Nameless Swordsman from the first two floors," he said. "It seems the news is true."
"Whether the news is true or not depends on whether the Boss shows up," Kirito said.
"So please leave." The team leader pointed back the way they came. "The items used to revive players shouldn't end up in individual hands. The Divine Dragon Alliance is responsible for killing them and will also use the items on the front lines."
This reasoning isn't absurd. An item that can only drop once, being kept by a large strategy guild, does indeed sound more reliable than entrusting it to two lone wolves.
They didn't draw their swords to threaten, nor did they intend to kill anyone. The sheer number of dozens of people they formed already made their stance clear: if the two disagreed, the Divine Dragon Alliance would occupy the Boss area based on their numbers, and then decide the outcome according to the system's drop rules.
Kirito asked, "Who decides who will use it?"
The team leader paused for a moment. "It will be decided at the strategy meeting."
"By the time their meeting is over, the person will be long dead."
Neither side would back down. Midnight was approaching, and the routes through the forest could change again. The Divine Dragon Alliance members began to disperse to both sides of the stone bridge, preparing to bypass them and enter the activity area first.
Lin Yuan glanced at the bridge. The stone bridge could only accommodate four people abreast, with deep moats shrouded in mist on both sides. This wasn't a battlefield prepared for them by the system, but it was perfect for stopping people.
"Go find the boss," he said.
Kirito immediately understood what he meant. "They are not monsters."
"That's why I won't kill."
"How many people are there?"
Lin Yuan didn't even count. "That's enough."
The Divine Dragon Alliance's front line had already pushed up to the bridgehead. The leader frowned. "We don't want player-versus-player combat here. Move aside; loot ownership can be discussed after the boss appears."
"Once you've all arrived, there's no need to talk anymore," Lin Yuan said.
Kirito didn't waste any more time. He climbed over the low railing on the side of the bridge, grabbed the protruding stone below, and moved along the outside of the bridge towards the other side. Someone from the Divine Dragon Alliance tried to give chase, but Lin Yuan's sword sheath was already positioned across the bridge, forcing the person to stop.
"Stop the Beater!" the team leader shouted.
Two agile players rushed towards the bridge simultaneously. Lin Yuan didn't draw his sword, but only took a step forward. The scabbard first struck one of the players' guards, pushing the weapon off its original trajectory, and then swept across the other player's knee. The two lost their balance and fell back to their own lines, their health bars barely changing.
Kirito took the opportunity to land on the other side. He glanced back, then turned and disappeared into the depths of the snowy forest.
The bell rang again.
The team leader's face darkened. "You really intend to hold us off by yourself?"
Lin Yuan finally drew his sword. The blade was not aimed at anyone's vitals, but only left a shallow mark in the center of the stone bridge.
He didn't have a player cursor, nor would he turn orange due to an attack; but the HP he suffered wasn't something that could be restored with potions. If dozens of weapons were to fall on him, the wounds would be real. Lin Yuan knew this, yet he still didn't back down.
Behind him was the only route to the event boss, and in front of him were dozens of well-equipped players. The blue dragon banner unfurled in the snow, and the shieldbearers began to advance side by side, their spears rising from between their shields.
Lin Yuan stood still, his hand holding the sword unchanged.
"Tonight," he said, "This road is impassable."