"Water Breathing, Sixth Form: Whirlpool!"
The swirling water current blocked each strike of PoH's triple slash, then continued forward without losing momentum, rushing toward him.
PoH reacted swiftly, stepping back and activating the weapon defense skill Spinning Shield, successfully blocking the water's assault.
He immediately followed up with a two-hit single-handed sword counterattack skill: Reverse Wheel.
Dodging with a high jump, Akimi used Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel mid-air, slashing directly toward PoH's neck.
"Hmph!"
PoH raised his sword just in time to block the incoming Nichirin Blade, but the overwhelming force pushed him back several steps.
He finally managed to stop and let out a stifled grunt.
Realizing his chances of winning were slim, his gaze shifted to the other battlefield.
There, Asuna was using her high agility to continuously outmaneuver Morte.
The lumbering Morte couldn't even land a hit on her.
Akimi kept a sharp eye on PoH, wary of any tricks.
Though Akimi's stats were significantly stronger, PoH's combat technique was formidable, making him difficult to defeat quickly.
"Tch."
PoH clicked his tongue, seemingly making a decision.
He shouted toward Morte:
"Hey, Morte, let's give them a pass for today."
Upon hearing this, Morte swung his axe a few times in frustration in Asuna's direction, clearly displeased with how the fight went.
Still, he retreated to PoH's side.
"You two are really lucky," PoH said with a grin.
"If I hadn't rushed out after Miss Rapier without time to prepare a proper gift, things might've turned out differently."
Akimi folded his arms and said coldly, "No matter what you prepare, the result will be the same."
"Haha…"
PoH chuckled, though there was a hint of irritation in his voice.
"You're really confident, huh? Next time, I'll make sure to treat you two properly."
With that, he and Morte turned and left, quickly disappearing from Akimi and Asuna's line of sight.
Watching the two figures fade into the distance, Akimi frowned and said, "Tch, what an unreasonable bunch."
Asuna nodded in agreement.
----------------
After spending four days clearing the sixth floor—filled with all kinds of puzzles—the players arrived at the seventh floor, which stayed in perpetual summer.
"So hot..."
Akimi muttered as he scratched his head.
He was the kind of person who couldn't stand heat but was totally fine with cold.
He could sleep soundly in the middle of a winter night without a blanket, completely naked, but the moment the temperature rose even slightly, he'd start acting like he was dying.
And with Aincrad's seventh floor stuck in eternal summer, it was more unbearable for Akimi than even the fourth floor.
It was driving him crazy.
"Uwaah—I can't take this anymore!" Akimi groaned with a pained expression.
Then he looked at Asuna.
"Hey, Asuna, how about we head back to the sixth floor and wait until this one's been cleared?"
Asuna shot him a sideways glare without saying anything.
Truthfully, she also found the heat on this floor a bit much, but not enough to make her jump around like Akimi.
"It's still January in the real world, y'know," Akimi complained, wearing a pout like a grumpy kitten.
"But this feels like July already. There's not even direct sunlight, and it's still this hot."
Due to Aincrad's special structure, the sun could only be seen at dawn and dusk.
The illusion of daytime was just a system setting—otherwise the place would be pitch black, with zero visibility.
Asuna wiped her forehead, opened her menu, and took off her red hooded cloak.
She gently swept her smooth chestnut hair aside and let out a soft sigh.
Seeing Asuna's knee-length skirt, Akimi felt a tinge of envy.
None of the tailoring shops on any of the floors so far had sold shorts.
And he couldn't take off any more clothes—he was already wearing just a thin layer.
If he stripped further, Asuna would definitely call him a pervert and smack him across the face in a mix of embarrassment and fury.
And don't even suggest wearing a skirt—crossdressing was absolutely out of the question.
Akimi was almost, if not entirely, certain of that.
"So what are we doing now? That guy Kirito's already pushing toward the next town like some kind of machine," Akimi said weakly.
They were currently standing in the central plaza of the seventh floor's main town, Lecuxio, surrounded by several streets branching out in all directions.
"When you arrive in a new town, of course you have to try the local cuisine!" Asuna replied without hesitation.
"And it's lunchtime right now—perfect timing!"
Akimi wasn't surprised at Asuna's response.
After all, he already knew full well about her maxed-out foodie tendencies.
"Hmm... Seems like the seventh floor doesn't have many specialty dishes—at least not in this town, Lecuxio," Akimi said, rubbing his chin.
Hearing that, Asuna immediately showed a disappointed expression.
"Eh? How could that be...?"
"But I do know a restaurant that's supposed to be pretty good," Akimi said, patting Asuna's head to comfort her.
"They say the Hainanese chicken rice, cinnamon rolls, and Karelian pies there are all really tasty."
"Huh? Really? Then let's go now!"
Asuna, who was sulking just a moment ago, instantly tossed her disappointment aside and perked up with excitement.
She looked like she couldn't wait another second.
Akimi sighed inwardly and started leading the way.
After weaving through a few streets and alleys, they arrived at a restaurant with a sign that read "Voyageurs en bord de mer."
The place radiated heat just from its exterior—flaming red walls, a fiery red sign, and a bold red door.
Asuna stared at the letters on the sign and thought for a moment before saying, "This isn't English, is it?"
Akimi nodded and replied, "Nope, it's French. It probably means something like 'Travelers by the Sea.'"
Once they stepped inside, the interior decor immediately made them feel as if they had been transported the moment they walked through the door.
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