In the end, the team members reached a consensus and decided to drive to Mercy Hospital in the city center. After all, Kotoko Iwanaga's body was not suitable for long-distance travel.
Although Megumi Kato and Asuna Yuuki were physically sound, their stamina at this stage was not much stronger than that of ordinary people.
Moreover, the time spent completing the mission objective is also an important factor that affects the evaluation.
As the leader, Asagiri Utsunomiya was the kind of Player who would never miss any opportunity every time he entered a dungeon, always aiming for the highest S+ rating. His philosophy and action style naturally set the tone for this team.
After getting in the car, Asagiri Utsunomiya checked the vehicle's dashboard and spoke thoughtfully.
"There's not much fuel left. A household sedan like this shouldn't consume much fuel. If the road is clear, it should be able to barely drive twenty kilometers, but the straight-line distance is not equal to the distance the vehicle travels. If I roughly estimate the route... we'll have to get out and walk about two kilometers away from Mercy Hospital."
Kotoko Iwanaga heard Asagiri Utsunomiya's words, leaned over from the back seat, and said with a pitiful expression, "Walking again... Then you can carry me?"
"Okay."
What Kotoko Iwanaga, as well as Asuna Yuuki and Megumi Kato next to her, didn't expect was that Asagiri Utsunomiya didn't use abstract language to retort this time, but directly agreed.
Kotoko Iwanaga was slightly stunned at first, then looked very moved, even exaggeratedly raising her hand to wipe the corner of her eye, and spoke in a joyful tone.
"Is this what they call sincerity moving mountains? Captain still can't resist my charm~"
"Don't act crazy here." Asagiri Utsunomiya replied flatly.
Afterwards, he said, "Did you forget the negative effects of your Talent? Even if your mental energy is not consumed, if your physical stamina is too low, you cannot use any skills. Your weight is very light, and carrying you won't consume any energy for me. It's the most reasonable choice for me to carry you so that you can conserve your energy and maintain the combat effectiveness of the entire team to deal with emergencies."
Kotoko Iwanaga pouted and couldn't help but complain: "Tch... Really... You're so good-looking, but your words are so heartless, not cute at all..."
Asuna Yuuki, who was sitting in the co-pilot, heard this and said angrily, "Just be normal. If you want to act crazy, do it after clearing the dungeon."
Kotoko Iwanaga replied confidently: "I found a car for the team, I made a great contribution."
Asuna Yuuki was slightly speechless, supporting her forehead and sighing. She said, "What a credit-seeking Warlock."
Listening to the conversation between Asagiri Utsunomiya, Kotoko Iwanaga, and Asuna Yuuki, Megumi Kato still had that calm and serene look, just thinking quietly to herself.
'These three teammates of mine... seem to be the type with prominent personalities, distinct characteristics, and a strong sense of presence.
'However, even though they are three people with vastly different personalities, thinking styles, and action styles, not only do they have a tacit understanding in the dungeon, but they can also become such good friends in the real world?
'The team I joined is really amazing.'
◆◇◈◇◆
Ten minutes later, at an intersection two kilometers away from Mercy Hospital.
"No... I really can't..."
Listening to Asuna Yuuki and Megumi Kato's weak words, seeing them bending over and leaning against the wall, looking like they couldn't go on and couldn't continue, Asagiri Utsunomiya shook his head and spoke with amusement.
"Actually, I would rather hear you say lines like that in other situations."
"You, you still have the mood to joke? I can't... I can't take it anymore..."
As she said that, her face looked a little pale, and Asuna Yuuki stared at the black car with lingering fear.
At this point, she said, "You said you could drive... but this isn't driving anymore, it's racing, right?"
What just happened?
Simply put, Asuna Yuuki and Megumi Kato got carsick.
Actually, they weren't carsick originally, the problem was that Asagiri Utsunomiya drove too fast and crazy.
A journey of over twenty kilometers was covered in just ten minutes, with various drifting turns and other maneuvers along the way, as if he couldn't help but step on the gas pedal and swerve the steering wheel to his heart's content.
The worst off were not Megumi Kato and Asuna Yuuki, but the black sedan.
If it had consciousness, it probably would never have thought that one day, a commuter household car like itself would have such an opportunity to speed wildly on the roads of a city, with the engine roaring and tires smoking, already on the verge of being scrapped.
But as the saying goes, if you hear the truth in the morning, you can die in the evening.
Its life was worth it!
"Has it burned out..."
Asagiri Utsunomiya gently patted the black sedan, his voice filled with emotion.
"You tried your best, I will never forget you, Blackie."
Asuna Yuuki, who had recovered from carsickness, heard that and couldn't help but complain: "Why are you talking to a car... Hurry up and set off! If you delay any longer, all the time you gained on the road will be wasted!"
"Yeah, it's time to set off."
Asagiri Utsunomiya agreed with a nod, then looked at the eager Kotoko Iwanaga, bent his legs and lowered his body.
"Come up."
"Alright~"
Kotoko Iwanaga couldn't help but curve her lips upwards, even her eyes narrowed slightly with joy, and she eagerly ran over, put away her Princess' Staff and Masquerade Mask, and jumped directly onto Asagiri Utsunomiya's back, wrapping her two arms around his neck.
Asuna Yuuki saw this and became a little anxious, saying with displeasure, "I can understand you putting away your staff, but why did you take off your mask too?"
Kotoko Iwanaga lay on Asagiri Utsunomiya's back, her cheek against his neck, and said with a happy smile. "It's too stuffy to wear~ Besides, I'm afraid the mask is too hard, what if I accidentally hit Captain? So I took it off~"
Asuna Yuuki clenched her fists, biting her lower lip and saying angrily, "You're just openly taking advantage!"
"Ara, there's nothing I can do, who told me I'm delicate and weak, and also a Warlock focused on mental strength."
Seeing Kotoko Iwanaga acting like she had gained an advantage and was still acting innocent, Asuna Yuuki was about to go berserk.
At this moment, it was when she had the most complaints about the Game, even when she first entered the Game, she had never felt such strong dissatisfaction as she did now.
Why?
Why didn't she unlock a Warlock Job like Kotoko Iwanaga?
If that were the case, wouldn't she also be able to rightfully and logically have Asagiri Utsunomiya carry her?
◆◇◈◇◆
Ten minutes later.
"Is this Mercy Hospital?"
Asuna Yuuki stood at the main entrance, looked at the hospital sign next to it with the gilded words Mercy Hospital written in English, but which exuded a strange and terrifying atmosphere because it was stained with blood, then raised her head, looked at the buildings inside the gate, and frowned slightly.
"It's not marked on the map. I thought it was a small hospital with only one building, but... it's actually a large comprehensive hospital? It will probably take a lot of time to find the so-called antibody reagent..."
"So, this is actually the real beginning of this dungeon."
Kotoko Iwanaga jumped down from Asagiri Utsunomiya's back, took out her Princess's Staff again, and adjusted the white beret on her head with her other hand, speaking slowly.
"This dungeon gives ten hours, which seems very generous. In fact, arriving at Mercy Hospital is just the first stage of screening. The real test is how Players can find the antibody reagent stored in the hospital after a long journey in a state of fatigue."
"That's right, this is the difficulty that a dungeon should really have."
After saying that, Asagiri Utsunomiya paused, looked at the hospital buildings not far away, and spoke flatly.
"And along the way, except for that bloated Bile Zombie, we didn't see any Special Infected. According to the setting of this Game, it's impossible for this hospital to have no dangerous factors. So... there must be Special Infected inside this hospital, and maybe a large number of ordinary zombies."
"That..."
It wasn't until this moment that Megumi Kato finally couldn't help but speak.
"Why do I feel like our strategy pace seems very fast?"
"You don't need to feel it, it is."
Asagiri Utsunomiya smiled and explained patiently.
"The Special Hint I received saved us the process of exploring the route. The Special Hint Violet received allowed us to determine the existence of Special Infected from the beginning. Necro's ability helped us find a vehicle that could be started, saving us a lot of time, and if we can find the spirits in this hospital, we should be able to get the information of where the antibody reagent is stored. So in order to get a high rating, we are definitely aiming for a speed run, and we are also capable of achieving a speed run."
After saying those words, Asagiri Utsunomiya stepped towards the hospital, and his tone was flat as he exclaimed.
"Now, let's start the strategy."
◆◇◈◇◆
After entering Mercy Hospital, Asagiri Utsunomiya and the others first decided to explore the ordinary outpatient building closest to the entrance.
As expected, as soon as they entered the first-floor lobby, Megumi Kato saw a map. She said, "Here, there's a detailed map of the hospital."
Kotoko Iwanaga leaned over and muttered while looking at it. "Let me see... Outpatient building... Inpatient Building No. 1, Inpatient Building No. 2, Hospital Administration Building, Medical Examination Building... There are a total of five buildings, it really is a large comprehensive hospital..."
Just then, Asuna Yuuki suddenly noticed a black shadow flash by the glass railing on the second floor. Soon after, the black shadow lunged towards Kotoko Iwanaga on the ground at an extremely fast speed.
"Watch out!"
Asuna Yuuki didn't hesitate or delay at all, quickly came in front of Kotoko Iwanaga and Megumi Kato, then clenched the Exorcist Longsword in her hand, and with a slash, directly forced the black shadow back.
It wasn't until this moment that everyone saw the true face of the black shadow.
A zombie crawling on all fours, wearing a hoodie and shorts, with gray-black rotten skin, looking like a wild beast.
Asuna Yuuki stood in front of Megumi Kato and Kotoko Iwanaga, holding the Exorcist Longsword horizontally, staring at the zombie in front of her, and frowned slightly.
"This guy... is also a Special Infected."