Hearing the choice Megumi Kato made in the last dungeon, Kotoko Iwanaga first nodded in approval, then said, "Ignoring the special hint you received... Although it was a waste of opportunity, it was indeed a wise choice."
The evaluation of Kotoko Iwanaga and Asuna Yuuki of Megumi Kato as a Player increased somewhat after hearing that she had given up searching for the equipment mentioned by the special hint and chose to protect herself wisely and pass through the dungeon safely.
Even though it wasn't perfect, it was a correct choice indeed.
After clearing the novice dungeon, Megumi Kato didn't receive any rewards except for her exclusive Talent, which reduced her presence. Moreover, she wasn't like Asagiri Utsunomiya, whose physical ability was originally outstanding.
As an ordinary female high school student, she not only had to deal with the specter in the old, haunted mansion but also had to avoid conflicts with other Players.
However, knowing that there was a piece of equipment in the basement of the mansion, yet still being able to restrain herself and make the wisest choice, was not something every Player could do.
At the very least, it proved that Megumi Kato was not the kind of person who, like that the Man in Suit and the Woman with Heavy Makeup in their previous dungeon, was arrogant and complacent, thinking that they could relax and lose their caution after clearing the novice dungeon and obtaining a high-level evaluation.
"Um, I'm curious about something. May I ask a question?"
Hearing Megumi Kato's question, Asagiri Utsunomiya asked back frankly, "What is it?"
Megumi Kato looked at Asagiri Utsunomiya who was just standing there and asked curiously, "When I was in the dungeon, as long as I kept my body still, even the terrifying specter wandering around couldn't notice me. Why were you able to notice me just now?"
Asagiri Utsunomiya said solemnly, "Because as Harem King, I can never ignore such a cute girl like you!"
Hearing the words spoken by Asagiri Utsunomiya, Asuna Yuuki couldn't help but raise her hand and gently punch his shoulder, then she spoke with a voice filled with dissatisfaction and a hint of jealousy, "You just met her, and you're already starting, huh?"
"That..." Megumi Kato, saying this, didn't show any shyness or anything like that. She just raised her hand and tucked her hair behind her ear, then said something with an unusually calm tone: "Although I'm quite happy that you praised me for being cute, is it really possible to break my exclusive talent with just that? I find it hard to believe."
"Actually, it's not a big deal." Asagiri Utsunomiya first replied with a carefree smile, then explained casually, "I'm immune to all mental interferences. Your talent to reduce your presence should also be a kind of mental interference. Therefore, your talent can't have any effect on me."
"I see." Megumi Kato replied with a nod, as if she understood, then asked softly, "Then... did I pass the interview?"
"Yes, you passed!" Asagiri Utsunomiya first replied with a smile, then said, "When it's time to sign up for the next dungeon, which is in five days, we'll contact you."
"Eh? Five days?" Megumi Kato made a puzzled sound and pursed her lips, then said, "The dungeon cooldown time is seven days, right? I just cleared a dungeon, so I can't sign up for the next one until seven days later. You guys cleared a dungeon two days ago... Wouldn't that mean you have to wait two extra days because of me? I'd feel bad... Why don't you guys just sign up for the dungeon then? I won't participate for now, and I won't sign up either. I'll wait until it matches your cooldown time, and then I'll join you?"
Asagiri Utsunomiya first waved his hand, appearing to be uncaring, and then he said, "Oh, I misspoke. It's okay, let's all four of us enter the dungeon together. Well, we'll be leaving now."
Megumi Kato nodded obediently and said, "Okay, see you in a week."
◆◇◈◇◆
After leaving the alley for a while and confirming that no one was following them, Asagiri Utsunomiya, Asuna Yuuki, and Kotoko Iwanaga all removed their disguises.
"The words you said just now about five days later wasn't a slip of the tongue, but a test for that Megumi Kato, right?"
Hearing the question coming from Kotoko Iwanaga, Asagiri Utsunomiya replied in a calm tone, "Yes. Although Megumi Kato claimed that she had just cleared the dungeon and returned to the real world, which was why she met us at Toyogasaki Academy, we couldn't rule out the possibility that she was lying. She subconsciously refuted what I said about five days later. Although it couldn't be taken as complete evidence, it did increase the credibility somewhat."
"She... shouldn't have a reason to lie, right?" Saying this, Asuna Yuuki wasn't speaking up for Megumi Kato, but giving her own rational judgment after careful consideration. After all, Asagiri Utsunomiya had told her before not to always agree with his opinions, but to have the ability to think independently.
After that, Asuna Yuuki continued speaking: "The Player information displayed in the app can't be faked. She really only has a talent to reduce her presence. Besides this talent, she doesn't have any skills, pieces of equipment, or items. The fact that she's like a blank slate is indeed a bit suspicious, but it could also be a coincidence. I can't think of any motive behind her deliberately approaching us in this manner. After all, the people who knew we were Players are already dead."
Kotoko Iwanaga curled her lips, saying, "Look at the words you use. Why does it feel like we're jinxes?"
Afterwards, Kotoko Iwanaga said thoughtfully, "However, I agree with Yuuki-san's opinion. From the previous brief contact, Megumi Kato's psychological quality, calm thinking ability, and caution are all excellent. Although her second dungeon evaluation was very low, she is indeed a Player with a good potential and possesses such a powerful exclusive talent. If she can become a member of our team, it will definitely help us pass the dungeon in the future."
"But seven days later..." Asuna Yuuki first murmured with a frown, then continued speaking: "Seven days later is still Sunday. If we sign up that day, the time to enter the dungeon will be Wednesday, which is school time... But if we want to enter on Saturday like last time, the dungeon won't have finished cooling down by next Wednesday, so we'll have to wait until the Wednesday after the next one, which would create a long blank period. In the early stage of the game, it is really too wasteful. Or..."
Asuna Yuuki paused, looked at Asagiri Utsunomiya, and asked tentatively, "Shall we take a day off next Wednesday?"
Asagiri Utsunomiya thought for a moment, then replied, "Taking a day off is fine, but we have to make sure that your homeroom teacher won't call your parents to confirm. After all, the teachers at Shuchi'in Academy are very responsible."
Hearing his words, Kotoko Iwanaga couldn't help but ask curiously, "Only Yuuki-san needs to worry about that? What about you, Asagiri-san?"
Asagiri Utsunomiya waved his hand and replied, "I'm fine in my side. My homeroom teacher and I have already reached an agreement. Besides, if you want to contact my parents, it's not a phone call, but a necromancy."
"Necromancy..." Kotoko Iwanaga muttered the word, and suddenly realized. Then she said, "So you are..."
Asagiri Utsunomiya directly interrupted her, "Don't say it, okay? Hearing it from someone else's mouth makes me feel like I'm being sprayed."