After an hour of hunting Frenzy Boars, they defeated a massive, fat Frenzy Boar King that granted hefty experience points. Now, Asuna had also reached level five. The gap in their equipment and sword skill mastery wasn't significant, and she'd already learned how to use advanced sword skills earlier.
This time, it would be a truly fair duel, testing their combat experience and reaction speed. Whoever won or lost would have no complaints.
Having lost last time due to her inexperience and lower skill level compared to a veteran like Yuu, Asuna wasn't about to miss this perfect chance for revenge.
But Yuu waved his hand, seemingly uninterested: "Forget it, I don't feel like fighting now."
"Eh? Why?" Asuna blinked in confusion.
(Because from now on, I'm the only one who'll feel pain…)
Of course, Yuu couldn't say that, so he came up with a flimsy excuse to dodge.
"Let's fight another time. Today, I just want to stroll and enjoy the scenery."
"…Alright."
Her small hand moved away from her sword hilt. Though a bit disappointed, she couldn't force him to fight, could she? Besides, even though this was a virtual world made of data, as a girl with a glowing "Shopping" skill but few chances to go out, Asuna didn't mind aimlessly exploring the scenery. That's what she was doing earlier.
But wandering alone in a city this big felt a bit lonely. Like a solo night stroll in a deserted tourist spot, she even had to sing to muster courage passing through that alley. If it continued like this, she might get too scared to handle and go back to sleep…
(No way, this is a rare chance to explore. I can't just let it pass!)
Her eyes darted, and Asuna suddenly reached out to him, who looked unenthusiastic, a bright smile on her face.
"Then let's walk together!"
"Walk?"
Yuu froze, staring at her expression with bewilderment. He couldn't help but wonder if time had been erased by King Crimson, skipping to a future where their relationship was closer. Had the online boyfriend status already started? But something felt off…
The system played dead again, offering no explanation. He asked, "Where to?"
"Where else? Obviously to…"
Glancing at the map, Asuna grabbed his arm without hesitation, her tone filled with excitement and strange anticipation: "Didn't I say I'd treat you before I logged off last time? Perfect timing—today, let me take you to explore the Main Hall. If we find treasure on the way, I'll give it to you as thanks for before!"
"No, public spaces like this usually don't have treasure chests…" Yuu narrowed his eyes, looking at her slender, upright back, dismantling her excuse precisely: "Asuna, don't tell me you just didn't want to go in alone, so you're using this as an excuse to drag me along for courage?"
"…"
An odd silence lingered for half a second.
"Ugh, I'm not like that~"
Asuna slowly turned, her lips curling into a stiff, twitching smile, clearly guilty: "You're the one who said you wanted to see the scenery first. I just agreed and expanded on your idea, that's all!"
Yuu shrugged indifferently: "Who knows? I've only known you for a few hours. Maybe you are like that, and I just haven't noticed."
"Ha ha ha…"
A vein pulsed at her temple, Asuna's smile growing more awkward, her grip on his arm tightening. Though her tone was friendly and her gaze soft, she spoke with a chilling, ghostly sneer: "You're right… Looks like I need to make you know me better."
"What do you say, Mr. One-Handed Sword Knight, who deliberately added me as a friend and said we'd train together?"
Even Aincrad's night wasn't as deep as her resentful sigh.
This was a straightforward person who'd show her true colors once comfortable—making that one-sided judgment, Yuu pried off her iron-clamp-like hand and walked ahead of her.
Placing both hands on the massive wooden door—
"Hmm, why didn't you say so earlier~"
Getting his agreement, Asuna instantly dropped her half-dark expression, nodding in satisfaction. She brushed the hair by her face behind her ear, peeking over Yuu's shoulder at the roughly three-meter-tall wooden door, asking curiously:
"Will a monster suddenly pop out inside?"
"There shouldn't be a design that dumb."
Yuu took a deep breath, staying vigilant, and began pushing, slowly opening the Central Main Hall's door.
The hall was deathly quiet, with only rows of long, Western church-style wooden pews standing silently, exuding a heavy atmosphere. The pews stretched to the pulpit, where an MC table stood, and the ceiling featured heart-shaped stained glass. Though no lights were on, artificial night light still illuminated many corners.
A silent, tense atmosphere spread. The two entered cautiously, one after the other, in a stance far from sightseeing.
Asuna unconsciously clutched her clothing's hem, her body curling like a cat's as she followed, her movements defensive but her eyes full of curiosity, scanning around.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, host, you received a reward: 50 yen]
"…"
Too lazy to comment, Yuu let Asuna hold onto him while trying to lighten the overly quiet mood.
"In buildings like this, there are usually only NPCs giving missions or key hints. Treasure chests, monsters, and the like appear in labyrinths or dungeons in the wild."
"So, Asuna, we're still in a safe zone. You don't need to be scared at all."
Hearing that, Asuna puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction, retorting firmly: "I'm not scared! I just don't want to be startled, so when entering a dark, unfamiliar place, I reflexively stay fully cautious…"
"Are you two here to pray?"
An old voice suddenly sounded.
"Kyaa!"
Asuna screamed in fright, tightly gripping Yuu's arm. Though her body was poised to fight, her hand didn't even draw her weapon, like a toothless lion, only able to growl at empty air.
"W-Who's there! Human or ghost!"
"There are no ghosts in a virtual game—everything's attackable data… Calm down."
Yuu sighed helplessly, his gaze sweeping around, indeed seeing no sign of the speaker.
*SHUSH!*
Before they could inspect closely, the voice sounded again, accompanied by a sudden light.
"I'm still alive, so of course human, sweet children."
From a door past the long pews, at the end of the red carpet by the pulpit, was a confessional. From behind it, a gray-haired old woman with a pale face, dressed in a loose nun's robe, slowly emerged.
She looked at them with gentle eyes, the corners of her eyes, lips, and wrinkles filled with a kind, friendly smile. She extended her wrinkled hand, gesturing.
"Since you've come this far, let's chat for a bit. It won't take much of your time."
"This…"
The two exchanged glances, communicating with their eyes, but with no rapport, they couldn't decide. Thanks to this, Asuna realized she'd unintentionally gotten too close to Yuu in her excitement, nearly pressing her chest against him.
Her face flushed slightly, and she quickly lowered her hand nonchalantly, stepping back a bit.