Lewd?
Where was it lewd?
This scene couldn't really be considered awkward. Instead, it was Kochou Shinobu, who understood the implication, who didn't even have time to feel her body changing.
Her already blushing cheeks now looked as if they might drip water.
"It's... it's not what you think, Asuna. I want to become a Hedonistic Chosen, and then have Shiraishi-kun help me with the blessing."
"Mm."
"I believe what you say."
From where Asuna stood, she could clearly see the markings on Kochou Shinobu's abdomen. She nodded in confirmation, her eyes filled with doubt.
Indeed, nothing ~ had happened yet.
Her face red, she didn't even think about asking Shiraishi Kawa what he wanted to eat. She plunged back into the kitchen and began preparing today's lunch.
Sachi, who was helping to prepare ingredients, noticed Asuna's unusual behavior and curiously asked, "Shiraishi-kun... what are his tastes?"
"Hmm..."
"He didn't say, but I think we should prepare something to replenish energy, right?"
Kochou Shinobu didn't even bother to complain. She could feel her body's improvement, and this wasn't the effect of breathing techniques, but a fundamental change in her body.
Moreover,
Asuna probably wasn't the type to discuss such things behind people's backs.
She blinked, asking, "Is that all?"
"Almost."
"The Hedonistic Chosen status can enhance your physical fitness. After this mission, directly set the anchor point to Hestia's world."
If bestowing the Hedonistic Chosen status.
Only boosted physical fitness, then that aspect would be a bit... too weak. If it develops according to the envisioned template,
As a devotee of the Lord of Delight.
She could use Subspace energy to increase her strength. The matter Shiraishi Kawa currently needed to consider was how to obtain the Subspace.
"I hope it goes smoothly..."
"A virtual world seed that can accommodate consciousness, after modification, can it become... a Subspace? Then I can take the Hedonistic Chosen."
"And go directly to other worlds."
He hadn't considered too much. As for finding a Subspace, it was very likely he would have to face the other three Chaos Gods. If it could be opened,
The overall process would be much simpler.
Asuna herself had full 'wife' attributes, was skilled in cooking, and with the help of Sachi, a member of the Strategy Group, lunch was quickly prepared.
"Thanks to Sachi's help..."
Looking at the rather lavish meal, Asuna turned to the girl beside her and said, "Otherwise, I feel like it would take a very long time to prepare lunch."
"After we replenish our energy, we can start the floor strategy!"
Shiraishi Kawa briefly scanned the dishes on the table and suggested with a smile.
Feeling the aroma emanating from the food, and with its excellent presentation, the cooking skills to create such dishes with limited ingredients were impressive.
In SAO, pain could be felt, so naturally, the aroma of the food could be tasted.
"Leveling up is still quite important. Let's set off."
It was unclear whether forcibly entering the SAO game using the Dimensional Chat Group would attract the attention of the GM, Kayaba Akihiko.
Speedrunning the game.
The Knights of the Blood Oath would naturally not be formed, but Shiraishi Kawa could be certain that after completely clearing the game, he would be able to meet the game's creator.
That shouldn't be a problem.
After a brief rest, carrying only basic beginner equipment, Asuna and Sachi led Shiraishi Kawa and Kochou Shinobu to the entrance of Aincrad.
According to Sachi.
Players who wanted to leave the game world had spontaneously formed a strategy group, aiming to clear the First Floor Boss, and perhaps there would be unexpected surprises.
For example... Mito, who was Asuna's friend.
When tackling the First Floor Boss, the Dog-Headed Lord Ilfang, joining other players' teams, her strength was definitely beyond question, and most importantly... her identity was that of a beautiful girl.
This point was particularly crucial. Without wearing a red cloak, Asuna, in her battle stance, led the strategy group in exploring the dungeon.
However.
With other game players having formed a strategy group, they had already cleared out the beastmen and lizardmen along the way, so no problems were encountered.
Among them, two lizardmen that hadn't been cleared, wearing simple equipment of shields and spears, appeared before the members of the strategy group.
"..."
Not yet fully accustomed to combat in the game, Asuna tightly gripped the rapier in her hand. After all, with Shiraishi Kawa as a safety guarantee,
She wasn't particularly flustered.
As the lizardmen continuously approached, she was about to launch an attack when she noticed a figure flash past her at an extremely fast speed.
The haori on her body was as light as a butterfly.
"Dance of the Bee Sting: True Flutter."
The extremely high agility left Asuna and Sachi in the team a little slow to react, let alone the monsters programmed by the system.
The sharp Nichirin Blade.
Directly bypassed the lizardman's defense, completing a thrust into its chest. The fatal damage resulted in its HP being emptied, cleanly dispatching both lizardmen.
Looking at the lizardmen that disappeared into thin air, leaving no corpses after death,
Kochou Shinobu's understanding of the game world deepened. Without activating the Adventurer profession or a character panel, she couldn't gain experience points.
Her eyes widened in surprise as she looked at Shiraishi Kawa, and she said seriously, "Is this the game world?"
"More or less."
"Emptying HP means death. No matter how severe the damage caused before death, the monsters you face will retain their original strength."
This was to supplement Asuna and Sachi with some Boss settings.
Clearing such low-level monsters was meaningless to Shiraishi Kawa. They continued deeper into the dungeon, encountering no problems during the journey.
Through a long passage.
The members of the strategy group arrived at the temple, where many game players had already gathered, having comprehensively cleared monsters along the way.
They were currently resting.
The leader of the group was a young man with blue hair, and also the initiator of this team strategy. Seeing new game players arriving one after another,
Although the team was a bit strange... it was a peculiar combination of a male leading three beautiful girls. Just the Appearance of Asuna and Kochou Shinobu could place them in the top 10 of SAO game players.
Looking at the strategy group whose morale wasn't particularly high,
The leader, Diavel, smiled and quickly asked, "Are you also here to tackle the Boss? The success rate will increase."
"..."
Many game players in the strategy group also turned their gazes towards Shiraishi Kawa, Asuna, and the others. Even if they were cannon fodder with little strength,
They could still make the distance of death further from themselves.
Facing the invitation for a team strategy, Asuna did not respond directly, but instead looked at Shiraishi Kawa, seeking his agreement on whether to join the team.
"Are all of you thinking of leaving the SAO game?"
Without directly responding to the invitation to join the strategy group, Shiraishi Kawa's gaze briefly swept over everyone, finally settling on a not-so-conspicuous corner.
A girl with purple hair tied in a ponytail, wearing over-the-knee boots, and holding a scythe.
Mito.
Indeed, he met her here. Inviting Mito to join the strategy group could wait until after the temple Boss was killed. What was currently before him was the arrangement of players.
Shiraishi Kawa looked at Diavel, who died at the hands of the Dog-Headed Lord in the original work, and he said in a relaxed tone, "Are all of you thinking of leaving the game?"
"Of course."
Diavel did not deny it, saying, "So many of us players are gathered here, our goal is to clear Aincrad and return to the real world."
"Then the ordinary monsters on this floor will be left to you to deal with. As for the matter of tackling the Temple Boss, our strategy group will handle it."
"What did you say?"
"..."
Ignoring Diavel's bewildered gaze, Shiraishi Kawa, leading Asuna and Kochou Shinobu, walked past everyone and arrived at the temple's entrance.
He decisively pushed open the door.
Initiating the strategy against the Floor Boss, the Dog-Headed Lord.
By the time Diavel reacted and tried to stop them, there was no time at all. Looking at the powerful monster appearing in the distance ahead,
He gritted his teeth.
Diavel then said to the other game players, "We've come this far with great difficulty, and now there are other game players' teams joining us."
"Let's try."
"We'll win!"
This act of snatching the Boss naturally aroused resentment among the players, as just clearing ordinary monsters had taken a considerable amount of time.
Yet... a team, without proper rest, had initiated the strategy against the temple!
Among them, one player noticed that something was amiss and quickly explained to prevent a bigger conflict, "My friend sent me a message..."
"Saying that today in the Starting City, there was a strategy group recruiting only girls... and the leader was a male player. Could it be this group that just arrived?"
"..."
A strange combination, paired with a strange style of action.
After all, the matter of tackling the Boss, the Dog-Headed Lord, was right before them, and many players did not show strong hostility towards Shiraishi Kawa.
They all wanted to leave the SAO game.
They all picked up their weapons and entered the temple, wanting to help Shiraishi Kawa and Asuna conquer the first-floor Boss.
Mito, the purple-haired girl who had just joined the party and wasn't very familiar with the other players, watched her friend Asuna's familiar figure enter the temple.
She finally made up her mind, gripping the scythe in her hand.
She was curious about Asuna's changes in such a short time.
Asuna, who hadn't even wanted to leave the inn, was now choosing to form a raid party, and there was also Shiraishi Kawa, who had just spoken, making her curious.
"Let's go help too!"