Chapter 3: Saeko Busujima

[Ding! Frieren has submitted a trade request: A method to eliminate all demons!]

[Ding! Sakurajima Mai has submitted a trade request: A way for others to see me again!]

Right after he finished speaking, two requests appeared.

The first was Frieren's.

Rei Ao checked her information.

[Name]: Frieren

[Level]: 30

[Abilities]: "Elven Bloodline," "Killer Magic," "Defense Magic" …

[Possessions]: "Staff"

The available trade options were:

"Elven Bloodline," "Energy Matter," "Staff," "Body Usage Rights," and dozens of different named spells.

If he chose one, Frieren would receive a notification.

As for whether or not she'd accept the trade terms, that was up to her judgment.

But the problem now was…

"I have no idea how to eliminate all demons!" Rei Ao smiled bitterly.

Even defeating the Demon King wouldn't wipe out the demons.

Besides, he was only Level 15.

Frieren, at Level 30, was obviously much stronger than him.

If she couldn't solve the problem herself, there was no way asking him would help.

And Sakurajima Mai…

[Name]: Sakurajima Mai

[Level]: 0

[Ability]: "Adolescence Syndrome: Cognitive Disappearance"

As expected, the trade options were still abilities, energy matter, and her body.

The only surprise was that her Adolescence Syndrome had become an ability.

Unfortunately, trading abilities and possessions wouldn't affect her condition.

He couldn't resolve her issue through a trade.

In the end, Adolescence Syndrome was essentially caused by the complex emotions of adolescence. Solving it in one go would be very difficult.

Rei Ao: "@Frieren, @Sakurajima Mai, I can't solve your trade requests right now."

He wasn't capable of being a miracle worker, so he opted for honesty.

Rei Ao: "I've only just become the group leader. Do you have any easier trades to help me practice?"

Frieren: "Oh, I guess I'll have to handle it myself."

Sakurajima Mai: "…"

Akame: "Can you destroy the Empire?"

Rei Ao: "…"

Rei Ao felt like swearing.

Honestly, he didn't even know how strong he was yet.

How could he claim to take on the Empire, which had Esdeath, General Budo, and the Supreme Imperial Arms?

He couldn't guarantee anything.

Stella: "Wow, so there's nothing you can actually do?"

Saeko Busujima: *[Image]*

At that moment, Saeko Busujima, who had remained silent, suddenly posted a picture.

It was of a shriveled, terrifying, corpse-like figure.

Sakurajima Mai: "Is this makeup for a movie?"

She clicked on the image late at night and was startled.

Saeko Busujima: "No, this is a person."

Saeko Busujima: "To be precise, a person who has been infected by a virus and turned into a living dead creature."

Stella: "A human turned into that?!"

Sakurajima Mai: "Isn't that just a zombie?"

Rei Ao: "Or you could call it an undead."

Saeko Busujima: "You know about them?"

Saeko Busujima: "Can you defeat creatures like this?"

Rei Ao: "Submit a trade request."

If it was an undead, a creature that even ordinary people with weapons could kill, Rei Ao felt a bit more confident.

And it seemed like a good opportunity as well.

Maybe he could test his strength in that world.

[Ding! Saeko Busujima has submitted a trade request!]

[Trade details]: Defeat the undead in front of her and help her escape the encirclement.

[Ding! Please choose trade terms!]

"Saeko's swordsmanship and her body?"

Rei Ao stroked his chin thoughtfully.

He chose Saeko's swordsmanship.

He wasn't sure how urgent her situation was.

If he chose her body directly, Saeko Busujima might not agree to the trade.

…

At Fujimi Academy.

It was supposed to be a calm morning like any other.

But a sudden scream swept through the school.

A type of monster, once human, had appeared, acting like a zombie.

They bit anyone they encountered, consuming human flesh.

Those bitten but not fully devoured wouldn't die.

Instead, their corpses would rise again, becoming new monsters.

These were the undead creatures that Rei Ao, the chat group leader, had referred to.

"Shhh!!!"

Wearing her Fujimi Academy uniform, Saeko Busujima wielded a wooden sword, skillfully smashing the skull of an undead with strength and technique.

Though she was the heiress of the famous Busujima family, renowned for its swordsmanship, and a highly skilled swordswoman herself, facing an endless wave of undead attackers was still exhausting.

Dodging and attacking was draining her stamina quickly.

"Huff… huff…"

Saeko Busujima panted heavily, her large chest heaving with each breath.

[Ding! Your trade request has been accepted!]

[Trade terms]: Busujima-style swordsmanship

Saeko's eyes narrowed.

Busujima-style swordsmanship was her foundation.

If it was traded away and she couldn't use it anymore, that would be reckless, especially when there was still hope in her current situation.

[Ding! Abilities and possessions are one-time trade options. The trade target will "analyze the essence" to "replicate" them, and it will not affect the original owner's normal usage.]

This notification allowed her to breathe a sigh of relief.

The situation wasn't as bad as she had imagined.

[Ding! Do you confirm the trade?]

[Note: Once the trade is completed, the group leader, Rei Ao, will be obliged to fulfill the trade terms and has the authority to enforce the trade agreement.]

Understanding the situation, Saeko Busujima hesitated no longer.

She made her choice.

"Confirm."

At the same time, Rei Ao received the notification.

[Ding! Trade initiated!]

[Trade target]: Saeko Busujima

[Trade details]: Defeat the undead in front of her and help her escape the encirclement.

[Trade terms]: Busujima-style swordsmanship

[Duration]: 3 hours

[Ding! World crossover will begin in 3 seconds!]

"A world crossover…"

Rei Ao sighed slightly.

This chat group could even do something like that.

Counting down in his mind, three seconds passed.

His figure disappeared from the room.