Chapter 81: Asuna: If you want to get flirty, go to my room!

Kains disappeared in a flash, and all the surrounding players were stunned. Death in SAO wasn't just virtual—it came with real-world consequences.

And all of it…

Had started because one player wanted to join the clearing group. After being rejected by Asuna, he tried to force his way in under the banner of "the collective interest of all players."

The outcome was now clear.

More importantly, Shinobu's overwhelming power effortlessly eliminated a so-called beta veteran.

Any thoughts of protest?

No one said a word. Everyone understood—doing so was equivalent to courting death.

Since clearing the game meant returning to the real world, Asuna's requirement that the team only consist of female members was met without objection.

Among the players, one girl with long black hair, wearing a light blue skirt and matching armor, stepped forward.

"Is… is it really only for girls?"

"Of course."

Asuna, who now looked just like her real-world self, gave a calm and serious nod. She was finally glad someone had asked to join, so things wouldn't end in awkward silence with no one applying.

She explained seriously, "Our group's goal is to clear SAO completely and return to reality."

"I'm a lancer. My gender fits the requirement, and I haven't joined any guild yet. May I?"

"Sachi!"

It was clear the girl named Yuki had a friend among the players. He grabbed her hand tightly, his grave expression showing everything he felt.

Their clearing group…

Had just killed another player.

"I want to leave this world, Ducker. I've already made up my mind to join them. As for the Moonlit Black Cats guild…"

"You can always make a new one without me in it."

Having witnessed Shinobu's power firsthand, Sachi had already decided. She desperately wanted to escape SAO.

And this team Asuna led was her best hope.

Even if it meant dealing with countless chores and fighting on the front lines, she couldn't pass up this chance.

"What do you think, Shirakawa-kun?"

Although Asuna had no issue with Sachi, the final decision rested with Shirakawa.

Like they'd said before—

Finding reliable teammates was the key to clearing SAO.

"She's fine."

Compared to Asuna, Sachi's looks were a tier lower—after all, Asuna was one of the most beautiful characters in SAO.

But Shirakawa didn't turn her down. From the perspective of expanding his group Chosen of Pleasure candidates, she was suitable.

She was desperate to leave the game world.

But doing so without sufficient power would be impossible. He wasn't sure if divine blessings would affect players whose consciousness only existed in a virtual world.

Would it work?

"Welcome to the team. I'm Asuna. This is Shirakawa-kun, and this is Shinobu."

The team had successfully gained a new member. As the leader, Asuna took the initiative to introduce everyone, conveniently skipping over their real-world identities.

They waited for more potential members…

But things didn't go too well after that. While many male players were attracted by the two beautiful girls and came over, once they learned that only women could join, they left disappointed.

After wrapping up recruitment, the group returned to the inn.

Asuna turned to Shirakawa and asked, "Should we eat lunch first… or head out for the dungeon?"

Sachi, newly added to the team, was a bit confused.

Why was the team leader Asuna asking Shirakawa about something so simple?

She couldn't help glancing at the handsome boy. Judging by how the team interacted, it was obvious who held the authority.

When Kains had stirred up trouble earlier, Shirakawa hadn't even said a word—but Shinobu, dressed in a rather unusual outfit, had instantly cut him down.

And Asuna also seemed to value Shirakawa's opinion greatly.

"I don't mind either way. But you two probably need some food first. Which floor has the player base reached?"

Even though she was still a girl, Asuna gave off a bit of a married-woman vibe.

If Shirakawa remembered correctly, Yuki Asuna had excellent cooking skills. He wondered how she compared to Saeko Busujima.

"I'll make lunch!"

Asuna offered eagerly. She wasn't sure if her real-world cooking skills would translate into the SAO system, but she wanted to try. As for dungeon progress—

She had been hiding in the inn this whole time.

So she hadn't paid much attention. She shook her head lightly. "I haven't really interacted with other players."

"In terms of progress…" Sachi thought for a moment. "If nothing goes wrong, the first-floor boss should be raided this afternoon."

She had picked up some intel.

Sachi had tried grinding and leveling with other players before. But she wasn't the bold type.

She feared death.

When it came time to gather players for the boss raid, she had backed out—only to meet Asuna in the starting town afterward.

"They're progressing too slowly…"

If Shirakawa remembered right—

In the original SAO storyline, it took over two months before the first-floor boss was defeated. He planned to complete this rescue mission within three days at most.

"I'll go help Asuna with lunch."

Sachi didn't know how to respond to that, but noticing Asuna was already busy in the kitchen, she quickly made an excuse and left.

Leaving only Shirakawa and Shinobu sitting together in the corner of the tavern.

When alone with a guy, Shinobu wasn't sure how to start a conversation—partly due to the awkwardness lingering after killing Kains.

It felt a little uncomfortable…

Even though her sister had told her to always stay gentle around boys, when Kains had provoked Shirakawa, she just couldn't hold back.

"Shirakawa-kun…"

"Shinobu."

Shirakawa still had a good impression of Shinobu from the Demon Slayer world. With no other players around, he casually asked her,

"Do you want to go to another world?"

"I do. I'd like to visit Hestia-sama's world, the one where Shirakawa-kun lives… and I'm also curious about the modern world."

The topic naturally flowed onward.

Shinobu was no longer as tense as before, and she shared her thoughts openly. If not for being short on points, she would have wanted to go straight to Shirakawa's world.

"The modern world?"

"I mean… your world!"

"But I'm not strong enough yet. I might only be able to afford a basic stat boost with my remaining points."

Shinobu gathered her courage and didn't hide what was on her mind. But as soon as she finished speaking, she could feel her heart beating wildly.

It was a tough decision.

If she didn't use the chat group points to boost her strength, she wouldn't even be able to catch a glimpse of Shirakawa's back, let alone catch up.

"…"

Shirakawa found her bold honesty endearing.

No need to beat around the bush. He said casually, "If your goal is to get stronger… I actually have a way."

"A way to help you save those chat group points."

That method, of course, was making Shinobu one of his Chosen of Pleasure, which would boost her power beyond the norm and increase his own stats as well.

"What kind of method?"

"The method is to become one of my Chosen of Pleasure . I might not have mentioned this, but technically, I'm a newborn deity."

Shirakawa didn't hesitate to invite her to undergo the [Divine Mark].

If she was aiming to go to the Danmachi world, he could even have her join his Familia with Lily and Mai Sakurajima. She was definitely worth developing.

"Chosen of Pleasure?"

"I really didn't expect it… besides Aqua, Hestia, and that other goddess… Shirakawa-kun, you're actually a god too?"

Shinobu didn't have a detailed concept of what being a god meant.

Her first real encounter with divinity was Aqua purifying all the demons in her world. That made her realize just how powerful gods were.

She didn't even ask if there was a price to pay.

She simply didn't believe Shirakawa would deceive or harm her.

"I accept!"

"The only cost of becoming a Chosen of Pleasure is to pledge your complete loyalty to me. Once we head to Hestia's world, I'll help you become an adventurer."

Even though Shinobu hadn't asked for further details, Shirakawa still gave a basic explanation—something like a disclaimer.

Seeing her firm resolve, he didn't explain further.

He smiled lightly and concentrated his divine power in his palm.

"I'm going to give you the [Divine Mark] now."

"Lift your shirt."

"…Okay."

Shinobu's face turned bright red—practically dripping with embarrassment. Still, she reached out and gently lifted her shirt.

But at that very moment—

Asuna stepped out of the inn's kitchen, just in time to see the intimate scene in front of her: Shinobu with her shirt lifted, Shirakawa with his hand poised.

Totally ambiguous.

Her face flushed red as she whispered:

"If you two want to… maybe go to my room? There are still other players in the inn…"