The system provided Shido with information about everything happening in Aincrad, including what could and couldn't be done within the flying fortress.
One key difference from the original was that Shido could use magic and other types of attacks to defeat monsters. Another was that the monsters themselves were AI, when killed, they would shatter into fragments of light.
However, if Shido summoned monsters from floors he had already cleared, they became real, gaining flesh and blood, and grew more powerful, as their attacks were no longer predictable or patterned.
After the system's explanation, Shido, Rumia, and Frieren wandered around the town before heading to the west field to fight monsters. To their surprise, even low-level monsters granted a substantial amount of experience points. If that was the case, Shido realized, stronger monsters must give more exp?
With that thought in mind, he began hunting all the monsters in the west field, before dragging Rumia, and the reluctant Frieren, along to the first dungeon.
...
"By the way, System."
[Yes, Host?]
"Do you happen to have a cannon with immense firepower? Like a Hyper-Dimensional Galactic Supernova Cannon or something, perhaps?"
[…] System
Sitting in his chair, Shido asked the system something outrageously over-the-top, but he couldn't help it, after all, he was a fan of cannons with immense firepower.
[…While I do not have a Hyper-Dimensional Galactic Supernova Cannon or something, there are still a variety of powerful cannons and massive guns available in the store, such as the E-Bomb and similar weapons.]
As it spoke, the system opened the store and displayed the list of cannons. However, Shido couldn't help but twitch his lips at the system's seemingly sarcastic tone.
"…Is it just me, or did you sound a little sarcastic just now?"
[It's just you, Host.]
The system flatly denied the accusation, leaving Shido momentarily speechless. However, he didn't press further, instead turning his attention to the list provided by the system.
Morpho (A Grade) - 6,000,000 SP
Ramiel (A+ Grade) - 7,000,000 SP
Super-Graviton Cannon (S Grade) - 9,700,000 SP
E-Bomb (S Grade) - 10,000,000 SP
Ultimate Hellfire Burst Wave Motion Cannon (S+ Grade) - 12,000,000 SP
Looking at the list of cannons, Shido couldn't help but sigh at the prices, they were just too steep. While he wanted to equip Aincrad with powerful particle cannons, he didn't have enough SP at the moment. If he could purchase even one, he would immediately use his 'Concept of Multiply' to create duplicates, surrounding his flying fortress with devastating firepower.
Unfortunately so...
Just as Shido was lost in thought, a voice interrupted him, making him turn toward the speaker.
"Shido-san, I've finished bathing. If you want, you can still use it, the water's still hot."
Rumia stepped out of the bathroom wearing a simple white shirt with a cat print on the chest and orange shorts that revealed her glossy, pinkish thighs. Still glistening with droplets of water, she gave Shido a bright smile as she spoke.
Shido was momentarily mesmerized by Rumia's freshly bathed figure and couldn't help but gulp. But then he remembered her words and Shido became curious and asked her a question.
"Are you sure?"
"Eh? Of course! Why would I—" Rumia looked confused by Shido's question, but her face quickly flushed red as she realized the implication of her words.
'If Shido-san takes a bath now, that means he'd be using the water I just used… wouldn't that be embarrassing? But... but... I don't really mind if it was Shido-san'
As Rumia thought about it, her body suddenly felt warmer and she fidgeted nervously, but in the end, she nodded shyly.
"…Un. You can use m-my leftover bath water, if you don't mind, Shido-san." Her face was burning with embarrassment as she spoke, and she couldn't help but sneak occasional glances at Shido to gauge his reaction.
Shido didn't mind using Rumia's bath water, but he was concerned she might feel uncomfortable. After confirming that she was okay with it, he didn't hesitate.
"Alright then, I'll go ahead and take a bath."
With that, Shido closed the system interface and decided to take a bath, feeling slightly sweaty himself.
"Un." Rumia responded softly, her gaze lingering on Shido's back as he entered the bathroom, her eyes slightly hazy.
"Ah! I'm so bold~!" Rumia ran toward her room to hide her flustered expression. But just as she reached the door, Frieren stepped out of her room right beside her.
"Rumia, are you done with the bath?"
Frieren asked drowsily, her eyes half-closed as she wobbled slightly from side to side.
Seeing her teacher acting so carefree, Rumia's shyness melted away, and she couldn't help but smile wryly at Frieren's nonchalant demeanor.
"Yes, I've already finished my bath, Frieren-san," Rumia replied, nodding.
"Hmm… that's good. I can finally soak in the water." Frieren said this as she began waddling down the corridor, wobbling slightly as if she might trip, but she managed to keep her balance.
Watching her clumsy teacher, Rumia covered her mouth as she chuckle. After seeing Frieren off, she finally entered her room. But the moment she stepped inside, she suddenly remembered that Shido was still in the bathroom, leaving her momentarily stunned.
"They… wouldn't do that, right? No… ahaha, that's impossible." Rumia laughed awkwardly at herself, trying to convince her own mind. Her teacher, despite being sloppy and carefree, was also strict and serious. And being an elf, she valued her chastity and wouldn't give it away easily, so nothing like that could possibly happen, right?
But then again… it was Shido we were talking about, so maybe something unexpected could happen.
Unfortunately for Rumia, they had already done the deed, and had even marked their entire house in the capital while everyone was asleep. And not only that time, Frieren and Shido would occasionally have sex when everyone else were asleep so they would know the two of them had done something perverted.
...
In the bathroom, Shido lay back lazily, enjoying the hot, comforting water, when he suddenly heard a rustling on the other side. He opened his mouth to say something, but a silhouette had already appeared behind the semi-transparent door.
A moment later, the door slid open, revealing Frieren who had nothing on her body except a white bath towel concealing her modest figure.
Shido was stunned by the sudden appearance, but Frieren was just as surprised. She hadn't expected him to be inside as she had just ask Rumia that she had just finished bathing.
Frieren quickly shook off her drowsiness and regained her usual calm expression. However, she didn't avert her gaze from Shido's perfectly sculpted body.
"Um, Frieren-san… what are you doing here?" Shido broke the silence, but Frieren didn't answer. Instead, she licked her pink lips and stepped toward him, letting the bath towel slip from her hands and fall to the floor, revealing her pristine white body.
"Do you want to take a bath together, Shido?"
Though her voice was calm and emotionless, her expression was that of a woman in heat, causing Shido to gulp.