Chapter 88: The Girls' Choices! World Fusion Begins

When Sachi and Yuuna heard Shirakawa's words, their refined faces showed very... complicated expressions. They had entered SAO—a world without magic.

They had preferred to believe that Shirakawa's powers were just game bugs. But now, learning of his otherworldly origin and godly status—everything suddenly made sense.

There wasn't even doubt, just a kind of resigned logic: "So Shirakawa-kun is from another world. No wonder he can use magic."

Mito's eyes flickered in realization. She looked toward the calm Asuna and Shinobu —and in that moment, she understood.

She caught the key term and couldn't help asking: "Followers... of a god?"

"That's right."

As one of the Chosen of Pleasure, Shinobu Kocho explained, "Becoming a god's follower increases your overall stats."

"In your case, it would be like becoming a superhuman."

"And beyond that, you can travel to other worlds, train, grow—and follow the Lord of Pleasure on the path to immortality."

Having an existing Chosen saved Shirakawa from having to explain much. He simply turned his gaze to the raid group members.

What they chose depended entirely on how they envisioned their futures. If it came to it, he could always consider using the God of Pleasure's authority to corrupt their souls...

"Other worlds... immortality?"

Even after having gone through the SAO death game, when they heard these unfamiliar terms, they couldn't help but feel overwhelmed.

Becoming a god's chosen one meant directly gaining strength—and possibly a path to eternal life.

The first to respond was Asuna. Shirakawa had come to the SAO world to save her. She couldn't even think of a way to repay him.

She had no desire to follow the elite path arranged by her family. Now that a better path was laid out before her, she had no reason to refuse Shirakawa's invitation.

"Shirakawa-kun, I want to become one of the Chosen of Pleasure!"

Her friend Mito looked surprised by her decision, but after a brief struggle, she also agreed—at the very least, to repay him for saving her life.

Besides... she was curious about a magical otherworld.

The corners of her eyes lifted slightly, her lips curling into a subtle smile as she said seriously, "I still have many questions, but... I'll be in your care, Shirakawa-kun."

"I'm in too~"

The cheerful, white-haired girl Yuuna Shigemura smiled brightly and waved. "We can freely return to our own worlds, right? I'm just worried my dad will be concerned if I'm gone too long."

The girls from the clearing group gave their answers one by one, except for the lancer Kachi, who hadn't made her decision yet. Her expression showed hesitation.

"I..."

"Can I give my answer later?"

Naturally more cautious, Kachi didn't reply directly but looked toward Asuna before continuing.

"Once I decide, can I contact Asuna?"

"Of course."

"I'll keep your login rights to SAO active. I have other things to handle now, so for the time being, you can all return to the real world."

Counting Shinobu Kocho, four new Chosen of Pleasure had been recruited during this brief trip to the SAO world. The results were excellent.

Combined with the dimension chat group's point rewards, Shirakawa was quite satisfied with the outcome. Watching Asuna, Mito, and the others leave, Shinobu waved.

"Once you're done with everything here!"

She added seriously, "I'll use chat group points to set the teleportation anchor to your world when I return."

Opening the admin panel, Shirakawa saw that 731 players were still logged in to SAO. With all important instructions already given, he decisively used his authority—

All remaining players in the world were forcefully logged out.

His gaze swept across the virtual world before him.

[Group member "Normal High School Student," and "Mistress of the Butterfly Mansion" has completed the member rescue mission. Awarded 300 points.]

Although the chat group wasn't active at the moment, as soon as the reward broadcast went out—the group exploded.

Aqua: This mission looks so easy! Why does it give 300 points...

Aqua: If I only sign in, I'll need like half a year?

Future Holy Sword Wielder: Jealous.jpg

Gabriel: These points are nuts. I'd have to sign in for a whole month to get that much, but there's nothing in the exchange I want...

Healing Goddess: You already finished the mission?

Healing Goddess: Normal High School Student, I've got an S-rank world-saving mission. Interested? I'll personally help as your goddess.

Blue Ribbon: I hate to admit it, but that offer... isn't very tempting.

Asuna: Thank you, Shirakawa-kun, and Shinobu too!!

After logging out of SAO, Asuna slowly opened her eyes and found herself in a hospital bed. Her body had been asleep for so quite long that she had trouble controlling it at first.

But there were no negative effects.

She didn't check the chat group again. Supporting herself up with her arms, she looked toward the door—soon, a doctor, some nurses, and her parents entered the room.

"You're awake!"

"I told you! You should've listened to your mother and never touched that SAO game. Do you know how worried we were?"

Her mother, Kyoko Yuuki, short brown hair and all, wore a strict expression. Though her words were meant to show concern, they came out like scolding.

But unlike her usual obedience, Asuna shook her head lightly and said firmly, "I'm sorry, Mother. Please allow me to be selfish one more time."

"I don't want a life that's already been mapped out for me."

"To be precise... I've found a new purpose."

She didn't mention her decision to become one of the Chosen of Pleasure. Asuna had made up her mind—to live life on her own terms.

Even if that road wouldn't be easy.

With all players now logged out, Shirakawa stood at the top of Aincrad and watched the golden prompt appear before him.

[Would you like to fuse the SAO virtual world seed into an Sub-Dimensional Space? Once fused, it will become a sub-dimensional world. Please choose carefully.]

Seeing the prompt, Shirakawa made his decision. Without a sub-dimensional space, his identity as a chaos god wouldn't be complete.

"Fuse!"