Charm
In an ordinary room, a girl wearing pink pajamas lay on her bed, her head equipped with a black helmet resembling the original Sword Art Online's login device.
This girl was none other than the newly joined chat group member, Maple.
Being the weekend, Maple had spent her morning playing games with her friends right after breakfast.
Though this was her first time experiencing a fully immersive VRMMO, she had fallen deeply in love with the game over the past few days.
Initially, she didn't find the sudden appearance of the chat group in her mind unusual, assuming it was just an in-game communication feature or a fan-created group chat.
However, the fact that her display name in the group matched her real name instead of her in-game alias struck her as peculiar.
Now, seeing other members mentioning words like "different worlds" and "past lives," she began questioning the very nature of the chat group's existence.
[Adele (Level 3, Stage 7): Oh, so this is what's going on! I think I get it. My current world and my past life must be two different universes, right?]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Not quite. What you're describing is the same universe but on different planets. You died and were sent to another world by a god.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): By the way, Adele, where are you in your timeline? Are you still at Eckland Academy or already at Hunters' Prep School?]
[Adele (Level 3, Stage 7): Huh? You know about me? Shocked.jpg]
Inside a horse-drawn carriage, a girl in a black dress with long silver hair cascading to her hips, styled in a classic two-side-up with a large ribbon adorning her head, suddenly displayed an expression of utter shock. Her exquisite features momentarily startled the other passengers, who cast curious glances in her direction.
If chat groups weren't something unheard of in this world, Adele would have believed her movements had already been exposed.
After all, she was currently on the run. Not long ago, she had been forced to feign divine possession to save a child, inadvertently drawing the attention of a princess. This might have even reached the royal palace by now.
To evade pursuit from the Brandel Kingdom's royal family and avoid further mistreatment from her father and stepmother, Adele had fled the kingdom overnight.
While her strength rendered her more than capable of handling any threats from the royal family, she didn't want to rely on her power to suppress others. What she truly desired was a peaceful life with average abilities in this new world, free from the judgmental gazes of others.
[Adele (Level 3, Stage 7): I've already left Eckland Academy and am currently on my way to the Tils Kingdom.]
Seeing Adele's message, Eriri immediately understood her current timeline—it was likely the very beginning of the anime's story. Soon, Adele would meet her future teammates and join Hunters' Prep School to learn hunting skills.
However, given her current strength, she was already at the pinnacle of her world. Attending the school was merely a formality for her.
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): So, should we call you Adele or Mile from now on? Smile.jpg]
[Adele (Level 3, Stage 7): You even know that? I just came up with this name a few days ago. You can call me Mile from now on since I'll be using it permanently.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Sure, no problem. As for how I know about you, you can check the chat group announcements and feature descriptions. Everything will become clear.]
[Adele (Level 3, Stage 7): Alright, I'll take a look right away.]
After sending her message, Mile began reviewing the chat group descriptions and features in her mind with great focus. Similarly, Maple, who had been following the conversation, also opened the chat group interface to explore its features.
While the two were busy learning about the chat group, the other two new members, who had remained silent until now, had already finished reading through the introductions and functionality explanations.
[Azusa Aizawa (Level 3, Stage 9): Hmm~ I see now. The introductions and features are so fascinating. This chat group truly is a miraculous existence.]
[Azusa Aizawa (Level 3, Stage 9): And... everyone here is so powerful. Almost all of you are Level 5 and above.]
[Yuuki Asuna (Level 5, Stage 9): You're impressive, too! When I first joined the group, I was just an ordinary middle schooler.]
[Azusa Aizawa (Level 3, Stage 9): Haha, I don't even know why I became this strong. I just spent 300 years casually defeating slimes after reincarnating.]
[Fumino Furuhashi (Level 5, Stage 2): Three hundred years... So you're at least three centuries old?]
[Azusa Aizawa (Level 3, Stage 9): That's right. I'm an immortal Witch of the Highlands. All thanks to the goddess who reincarnated me and granted my wish.]
[Elaina (Level 6, Stage 1): A witch among the newcomers? Hello there! Although we're from different worlds, I'm a witch too. People call me the charming and adorable Ashen Witch!]
[Yuna (Level 1, Stage 2): This is unbelievable! First, I get transported to another world by a god, and now I've joined such an interesting chat group.]
[Yuna (Level 1, Stage 2): But I'm curious—why does my strength display as that of an ordinary person? Doesn't my Bear Gear count?]
[Arifureta (Level 6, Stage 2 / Group Leader): Correct. The chat group only evaluates your true personal strength. Any power derived from equipment won't be included.]
[Yuna (Level 1, Stage 2): Alright then. But it seems the chat group can increase strength... It's just that points are so hard to earn! I only got 44 points from signing in earlier.]
[Azusa Aizawa (Level 3, Stage 9): Haha, I got 83 points from signing in. Not bad, huh?]
[Kaede Honjou (Level 1, Stage 2): Um... I got 100 points from signing in...]
[Yuna (Level 1, Stage 2): Ah, seriously...?]
[Chika Fujiwara (Level 5, Stage 9): 100 points from sign-in? That's only the second time someone in our chat group has hit the 100-point jackpot!]
[Adele (Level 3, Stage 7): Wow, that's amazing. Maybe that's what it means to be lucky. I only got 65 points from signing in.]
[Ruri Gokou (Level 5, Stage 9): I just noticed something. Could it be that all the newcomers this time are reincarnated individuals sent to other worlds?]
[Kaede Honjou (Level 1, Stage 2): I'm not... I'm just playing a fully immersive VR game.]
[Ruri Gokou (Level 5, Stage 9): Alright then.]
[Gabriel (Level 5, Stage 9): A VR game? I know all about those. Hey, do you want to come to my world? I can take you to play Sword Art Online. It's super fun. @Kaede Honjou (Level 1, Stage 2)]
[Kaede Honjou (Level 1, Stage 2): Thank you for the offer, but I think I'll pass.]
[Gabriel (Level 5, Stage 9): Alright, if you ever feel like it, just let me know. Anyway, I'm heading back to my game. Bye!]
[Kaede Honjou (Level 1, Stage 2): Sure thing, bye-bye.]
[Adele (Level 3, Stage 7): @Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9), could you give me a brief rundown of what's going to happen in my future?]
[Azusa Aizawa (Level 3, Stage 9): Same here. I'd love to know what's ahead for me.]
[Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9): Alright, I'll upload the memory projections related to your worlds into the chat group.]
[Azusa Aizawa (Level 3, Stage 9): Thank you! I hope my future is smooth sailing, filled with this same long, lazy, and carefree life.]
[Yuna (Level 1, Stage 2): Looking forward to it!]
[Ding! Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9) has uploaded the memory projection "Didn't I Say to Make My Abilities Average in the Next Life?!"]
[Ding! Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9) has uploaded the memory projection "BOFURI: I Don't Want to Get Hurt, so I'll Max Out My Defense."]
[Ding! Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9) has uploaded the memory projection "I've Been Killing Slimes for 300 Years and Maxed Out My Level."]
[Ding! Eriri (Level 8, Stage 9) has uploaded the memory projection "Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear."]
The instant Eriri uploaded the four memory projections, the chat group fell into a brief silence as the newcomers absorbed the implications.
Meanwhile, Eriri and Ais had arrived at the bustling streets of Orario. The streets were crowded with adventurers equipped with weapons—humans, elves, beastfolk, dwarves, and other races, all coexisting in this vibrant city.
The appearance of Eriri and Ais naturally caused a stir.
Ais, renowned as Orario's strongest swordswoman, was a familiar face to the city's adventurers. If she appeared alone, she would merely draw a few admiring glances. Her presence wouldn't disrupt the order of the streets.
However, the addition of Eriri drastically changed the dynamic.
Eriri's beauty left an extraordinary impact on everyone who saw her. Although her attractiveness far surpassed that of Freya, it didn't have the same bewitching effect that could enthrall others' minds. Instead, those who saw Eriri were left in awe and admiration, but they didn't lose themselves to uncontrollable madness.
This was because Eriri's innate charm ability had been passively deactivated. If she were to unleash her full allure, anyone who saw her might lose their sanity, unable to endure her beauty, and ultimately succumb to death—similar to the influence of the Great Old Ones. Even a Level 7, Stage 9 powerhouse wouldn't escape such a fate.
What does it mean to be the most beautiful girl across all worlds? This is it.
At that moment, nearly everyone on the street—regardless of gender—had their eyes locked on Eriri. However, none dared to approach her recklessly. Setting aside the fact that the Level 5, Stage 9 Sword Princess accompanying her was someone they couldn't afford to provoke, they also instinctively recognized that Eriri was far from ordinary.
The most beautiful things are often the most dangerous. These seasoned adventurers, who often danced on the edge of death, weren't foolish enough to ignore that simple truth.
Of course, this wariness mainly applied to the low-level adventurers—those at Level 1 or Level 2. High-ranking adventurers were a different matter. They, too, were drawn to Eriri, but the fear of provoking the Loki Familia, especially in broad daylight, kept them in check. Otherwise, some would have already rushed forward to strike up a conversation with her.
That said, not all adventurers were wise. After all, no matter where you go, there will always be fools.
In a shadowy corner of the street, seven or eight adventurers with sinister expressions were leering at Eriri. Their strength was unimpressive—the strongest among them was only Level 2—but their audacity knew no bounds.
They were already scheming to find an opportunity to kidnap Eriri. A beauty of her caliber would fetch a fortune, whether kept for personal use or sold to the Ishtar Familia.
"She's stunning. I was fortunate enough to see the Goddess of Beauty, Freya, once, but even she couldn't hold a candle to this woman," muttered the bespectacled leader of the group, his eyes fixated on Eriri with obsession.
"Boss Sanis, when should we make our move? I can't wait any longer," said a rugged-looking adventurer beside him, swallowing nervously.
"Send someone to keep an eye on them. As soon as the Sword Princess leaves, we'll act," Sanis Lustra—the bespectacled leader—replied with a devious smile as he adjusted his glasses.
This group was from the Soma Familia, with Zanis Lustra as their captain—the same man who oppressed Liliruca Arde in the original story.
However, just as Sanis finished speaking, he and every member of his group were reduced to ashes, vanishing silently from the world.
Not just them—anyone in the vicinity who harbored wicked intentions toward Eriri met the same fate, wiped out completely in an instant.
Although the adventurers on the street had been focused on Eriri, the sudden disappearance of dozens of people into thin air didn't go unnoticed. The bizarre event left everyone present in shock and terror.
Nobody understood what had just occurred, but it was clear that this incident would throw the labyrinth city into chaos for some time.
After completing this act, Eriri's expression didn't shift in the slightest. To her, eliminating those adventurers was nothing more than a fleeting thought.
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