Sword Art Online Crossover: They're all close friends, how did I become a player?

What's going on? Although he noticed the two's subtle actions, Yu Bai, who didn't understand their meaning at all, tilted his head in confusion.

"I mean, you can just call me Hozuki."

Hozuki noticed Yu Bai's puzzled expression, casually released his grip on the soft flesh of Yama's waist, and said in a calm tone.

"Okay, Hozuki. So, does this mean we're friends? Can I come to Hell to play with you, Hozuki?"

Hearing the black-haired ghost ask him to call him by his name, Yu Bai's eyes narrowed into slits with joy.

This was the first friend he made in Hell! Although this assistant to King Yama was always expressionless and his aura was particularly terrifying to others, Yu Bai said that he inexplicably liked this assistant.

Despite his perpetually grumpy demeanor, he's surprisingly easy to talk to. Yu Bai felt that if the two became friends, Hozuki would be the kind of friend who, if you got into trouble and went to him, would scold you while simultaneously cleaning up your mess and protecting your own.

Moreover, people like Hozuki have high defenses, but once he accepts you, as long as you don't deliberately do something stupid to completely destroy his friendship with you, your relationship can last a long time.

As for aura?

Those who were once like cattle or horses in their past lives know it all too well; that's exactly the kind of "office worker vibe" that emanates from top-tier corporate slaves.

Thinking back on what he had seen and heard on his way to the Hall of Enma, and the mountain of work that King Enma had to do, Hozuki had been working in such an environment for a thousand years. If it were him, he would probably have been even more terrifying than Hozuki.

"...Are you like this with everyone? Making friends with just anyone?"

Hozuki was momentarily stunned by the silver-haired god's radiant smile. He wanted to turn his head away again to avoid his gaze, but for some reason, he didn't move.

A dark emotion flashed in his eyes as he stared intently at Yu Bai.

This guy really doesn't remember anything.

Instantly, the air pressure around Hozuki's body dropped sharply, as if thick black mist was rising from all directions, making the air heavy and oppressive.

Even Yama, who was watching the commotion from the sidelines, was so frightened by this terrifying aura that he silently moved a few steps to the side, afraid of being caught in the crossfire.

King Enma thought to himself: Wow, this situation doesn't seem good! Hozuki looks so scary now! It feels like if Yu Bai says the wrong thing, Hozuki could turn evil and go berserk at any moment.

Should I go and stop Hozuki then? But it seems even the corrupted Hozuki is scared of me! As a boss, he's really something else.

He watched the two of them intently, cold sweat beading on his back. He was terrified that the certain demon would turn evil the next second if he didn't get the answer he wanted.

Yu Bai was completely oblivious to the tension in King Enma's heart. Upon hearing Hozuki's question, he was only slightly puzzled, but quickly explained:

"Huh? No. I only act like this towards people I like. Not everyone can make me like them at first sight. There are only a handful of people who can make me like them."

There are only a handful, you can count them on your fingers.

Yu Bai silently counted in his mind: Gilgamesh, Bu Yue, and now Hozuki in front of him.

There are only three of them.

And if I had to be honest, when he first met Jill, he thought she was an unpleasant blond guy, and they only got along after they had a fight.

The tense atmosphere gradually dissipated after hearing Yu Bai's explanation. Hozuki looked at Yu Bai, clicked his tongue, and said, "...Tsk! Whatever!"

Although he still seemed unhappy about everything, the subtext of his words was an implicit acceptance that Yu Bai considered them friends.

"Then I'll come visit you again next time! Or when you're on vacation, let's go to the real world together! We need to change our mood after being in hell all the time!"

"Hmph, fine."

Yu Bai, having successfully added a friend to his friend list, happily approached Hozuki and began planning their next outing together.

Wuhu~ Now look at his friend list: he's got everyone from gods to ghosts.

Should I go find another monster?

Hozuki looked at the fluffy silver head beside him and heard the voice coming from it, and two pixel-like smiles appeared on his lips.

……

Yu Bai: Okay~ Friend position +1

Hozuki: Do you become friends with just anyone so easily?