Just as Asuna finished speaking, a line of dark red text suddenly popped up on the phone screen:
[Since the original Player has died, within 24 hours, any non-Players may register as Players by tapping this APP icon three times. Upon successful registration, they will inherit all of the deceased Player's items and equipment.
Players may also use the same method to randomly draw one item or piece of equipment from the deceased Player.]
This brief sentence revealed alarming information that made Asuna's brows knit together.
So… besides being randomly chosen like she and Asagiri were, even ordinary people could become Players simply by acquiring a dead Player's phone? And existing Players could also benefit by harvesting items from the deceased?
This was not good news.
Asuna's own clear reward had been modest, but she had personally witnessed Asagiri's overwhelming power—his Persona—something far beyond the realm of science or human logic.
It wasn't hard to imagine what would happen if word got out. People would scramble to gain Player status, hoping to obtain supernatural abilities. And if the method was as simple as killing a Player and taking their phone...
Then what would happen if a Player lost their phone, but didn't die?
Asuna didn't have the answer. She could only look at Asagiri with a complicated expression as he casually tapped the eye icon three times and successfully drew Noguchi Kazukawa's only clear reward—a bottle of disinfectant alcohol.
"...So you took him through the dungeon just for this information?" she asked softly.
"Mm. Information is valuable," Asagiri replied lightly, watching the eye icon on the deceased man's phone gradually fade from the screen. He tossed the now-worthless device aside and turned to her with a faint smile.
"Now we know how non-Players can become Players, and what rewards can be extracted from the dead. More importantly, we've confirmed that most ordinary newcomers don't get any significant power. Without unlocking a talent or profession, their abilities remain basic. That means... if we're the first batch of Players, our combat capabilities completely outclass most others."
Then, he added calmly:
"Of course, we can't rule out the chance that some capable individuals—martial artists, Tokyo MPD officers, special forces, or even gangsters—might end up as Players."
Asuna pursed her lips, thinking for a moment before finally asking the question that had lingered in her mind since the beginning.
"Why...? Why can you adapt so quickly? You don't seem even remotely afraid of any of this..."
Asagiri smiled at her, and gave an answer she never expected.
"Because I'm a coward."
"...Huh?"
Asuna frowned. The idea seemed absurd. Nothing about his actions, attitude, or words aligned with that.
"You? Coward?"
"Yes," he said, still smiling. "I'm a huge coward."
Asuna just stared, waiting for the punchline.
"It's because I'm a coward that I can't stand the thought of anyone stronger than me. And I refuse to become a powerless victim. That's why I don't hesitate. That's why I keep moving forward."
She was silent for a few seconds before letting out a quiet sigh.
"...You really are abnormal." Then, her expression turned slightly curious. "By the way, that pistol you had earlier—where did it come from? And what was that thing you did, shooting yourself in the head?"
"Ah, this?"
The black pistol reappeared in Asagiri's hand as if summoned on command. He handed it to her.
"It's not a real gun. It can't fire bullets. It's a manifestation of the power inside me—a key to summon my Persona. The action of pulling the trigger symbolizes facing the fear of death."
Asuna nodded slowly, only half understanding. Then she frowned again.
"So if it's lost or stolen... does that mean you can't summon your Persona anymore?"
"Of course not."
With a chuckle, Asagiri casually flung the black pistol into the distance. The instant it left his hand, it vanished into thin air—and in the same moment, an identical pistol appeared back in his grip.
"As I said, it's born from my power. I can summon it anytime. And as for someone trying to take it..."
He extended the pistol toward her, eyes gleaming. "Here. Try touching it."
Asuna hesitated. Something about the way he said it felt like a challenge—but as future teammates, understanding each other's abilities was essential.
Tentatively, she reached out her slender right hand and touched the pistol with her fingertips.
The moment her skin made contact, her pupils widened. A violent shudder ran through her body. She jerked her hand back immediately, gasping for breath as if she'd just been dunked into icy water.
"W-What… what was that...?"
In that fleeting moment, she had felt something indescribable—an overwhelming, paralyzing sense of dread. It was as if death itself had taken form and stood before her.
Despair. Fear. Helplessness.
Asagiri looked at her calmly.
"That's what it feels like to face death directly. Now you understand?"
"Mm... yeah..."
Asuna clutched her chest, still steadying her breathing. Her heart was racing.
Then she noticed Asagiri watching her, amused.
"...Why are you looking at me like that?"
"No reason," he said with a grin. "Just enjoying the rare sight of a strong, beautiful girl pretending to be brave—with tears in her eyes, hands trembling."
"W-Who has tears in their eyes?!"
Asuna blushed furiously and pulled a packet of tissues from her pocket, wiping the corners of her eyes in flustered defiance.
She was just about to say something else when her phone buzzed with a notification. She glanced down and saw a line of text:
[The time limit for this dungeon has been reached. You will leave in 10 seconds.]
"Time's up," Asagiri said, reading the same message on his phone. He picked up the chainsaw and electric drill from the ground, leaving behind the makeshift armor of books and magazines.
Then, with a relaxed smile, he looked over at her and said:
"Well then, Asuna....see you at school."