Why did Hikigaya save the anime girls in Sword Story?

(Perhaps she wanted to do more things on her own. Asuna is so famous, she should have received many invitations.)

In reality, Asuna turned down all invitations and always contacted Hachiman first when she wanted to do something, but he didn't seem to understand the situation.

Hachiman would occasionally decline, and in such cases, Asuna would act alone, or go on missions with Kirito, Mouse, and Agil.

Even so, we still maintain a joint action every three days, but recently we have been busy searching for metal without any results, and it seems like the last time we acted together was a long time ago.

One day, I finally received the long-awaited information: a high-attribute royal blue ore purchased through Agil.

That day, Hachiman suppressed his excitement and waited for Lisbeth to close her stall, then showed her the metal he had obtained.

"This, this will definitely work! Hachiman!"

"Really? Do you need any other materials?"

"I'm all ready, let's get started tonight!"

"Okay, set a time to contact me."

"Yes, I'll let Asuna know."

"Please, ah...and..."

Hachiman scratched his head and said:

"Can I just tell Asuna that Liz got this through some channels?"

"I see. Actually, every time the floors are updated, Asuna is always the quickest to find a room with a bathroom. Is that also something Hachiman secretly arranged?"

(Exposed?)

"Okay, okay, I won't tell Asuna. Although Hachiman gives people the impression of being a loner.

In fact, everything you do is for others, but you don’t want others to know, right? We have known each other for so long, you can tell. "

"...I'm not that kind."

“Some people say you’re trying to please others.”

"Yeah, that's who I am."

"But I don't think so, although I can't explain it clearly."

"..."

"Hachiman always thinks of others. It's okay to be a little willful sometimes."

"try your best"

“I didn’t even think about trying.”

"Oh..."

"See you later then!"

"see you later"

When the three of them gathered that night, Liz explained the situation and Asuna immediately decided to update her weapons.

"I'll meet the sword that inherits this child's soul again."

"yes"

"Then please, Liz."

The phantom ore in the forge melted into liquid, and beads of sweat oozed from Liz's forehead. As the forging hammer fell, the flowing metal sparked rainbow-like stardust.

"Now!" At the moment when she was exhausted, she completed the final quenching process.

SAO: Chapter 29: Second Hotel Cohabitation

As the blue word "CONGRATULATION" exploded in the void, the BOSS on the eighteenth floor turned into countless polygonal fragments and disintegrated, cheers came from all directions and filled the entire space.

I don’t know when it started, but the frontline players were given the title of “Strategy Group”.

The strategy team's active performance during this period is amazing. Their progress speed is like triple speed, constantly refreshing the number of levels they have cleared. It has been about six months since the launch of SAO.

However, there is also some bad news. In addition to the Liberation Team members who are still fanning the flames everywhere, even the guys from the "Holy Dragon Alliance" have recently begun to create disturbances. However, these things have been overshadowed by the rapid momentum of the Strategy Group.

After the transfer gate on the nineteenth floor was activated, Asuna and Lisbeth seemed to have immediately returned to the lower floor. Hachiman's half-extended hand froze in mid-air, and the black-clad swordsman chuckled as he met the dead eyes of the Great Sensei.

"Hachiman, I've noticed since a while ago that there aren't any NPCs on the street."

"Yes, it's a very comfortable environment."

Hearing Hachiman's words, Kirito turned around abruptly.

"Hachiman has been showing his true colors more and more lately. He's no longer trying to hide himself."

“That’s just my personality.”

Kirito showed an amused expression and continued:

"Actually, I prefer this kind of deserted town."

"Right, solo players are basically like this."

"Yeah, indeed."

As they chatted, the two recorded information such as the location of the quest NPC and continued to explore the town.

Kirito carefully drew the system interface in the air, and they just stuffed every detail of the town into the system information.

"I suddenly understand the feelings of ruins enthusiasts."

"Oh, Kirito, do you feel the same way?"

“Yeah, exploring these deserted streets is always exciting.”

"Ah, wait a minute, I'll go check out the facilities at that hotel."

"Checking for a bathroom again, right?"

"What are you talking about, idiot! This is just part of a normal investigation!"

(Oh no! I covered it up so perfectly, how could I be discovered?)

"Yes Yes Yes"

After touring the main area of ​​the town, they decided to explore several potential hunting grounds in the wild.

After trying to fight monsters in several places and getting a rough idea of ​​the dropped items and experience points that could be obtained, we agreed to meet up tomorrow morning and then disbanded.

In the evening, Hachiman checked into the hotel with a bathroom that he had found earlier. While soaking in the bathtub, he suddenly remembered something and opened his friend list. He sent a bathroom review report with coordinates to an information dealer who was editing a strategy booklet.

The next morning, Hachiman completed the check-out procedures at the last minute of the gathering time, and the four of them gathered as scheduled to exchange information.

Since the experience gained during the internal testing period is no longer applicable, it becomes crucial to quickly and accurately collect intelligence and publish the guide as soon as possible.

Asuna, as usual, had purchased information about an inn with a bathroom from Argo and seemed to be planning to book one right away.

Argo was still busy and left soon. The three of them decided to use the hotel as a transit point and head directly into the wild.

“What a quiet town.”

"Yeah, there aren't even any NPCs."

"But the recent strategy is progressing smoothly."

"Yeah, that's good too."

“It always feels a bit too fast.”

"Hachiman-kun, is there something wrong with being too quick?"

"Well, although it's generally a good thing, if we continue to push forward without thorough investigations at all levels, important intelligence may be buried forever."

"For example, hidden tasks or special items."

“It is indeed possible.”

"Maybe we should check back on the previous floors regularly."

"agree"

Due to the scarcity of players, the three of them continued to level up by traveling around in the wild.

The whole environment was filled with a sense of loneliness, which might be the design concept of this floor. After visiting a few places and it getting dark, the three decided to return to the town.

"There's no time limit in the game, but once it gets dark I instinctively want to go home."

“It’s just a habit for people our age.”

"Indeed."

"Where will Kirito live?"

"The previous hotel still has some lease time left, so I'll stay there for now."

"I'm staying at the hotel I just booked. Where's Hachiman-kun? You stayed here last night, right?"

"Ah...I wasn't satisfied with the room I stayed in last night. Let's just find another one."

"That's it"

After the group disbanded, Hachiman was aimlessly looking for a place to stay when he saw from afar several figures who looked like players flash into the suspicious shop from yesterday.

"There are no NPCs nearby...it's definitely a player..."

Hachiman sensed danger, opened the system skill bar, used the "Stealth" skill, and quietly approached the store. He peeked inside and found three men.

(That's Joe... The other one is... from the Holy Dragon Alliance.)

The other person is a member of the Holy Dragon Union who has been in conflict with Qiao recently.

(Are they actually in the same group? And that guy in the cloak... cloak? He was the one who brainwashed Bakaha and the others before, right?)

Hachiman felt a chill down his spine, some conspiracy was secretly advancing.

(This should be entrusted to Argo to investigate... No, it could be dangerous.

I can only be more careful. That cloaked man feels very dangerous. I can't explain why, but there's definitely something wrong.)

Hachiman kept what he saw in mind, quietly left and continued looking for a hotel. At this time, he suddenly received a message from Asuna, asking him to go to the hotel he had booked.

What's up?

Not wanting to keep the other party waiting for too long, Hachiman hurried to Asuna's hotel.

"Is there a problem?"

"Ah... well, I wanted to chat. Have you found a place to stay tonight?"

"Not yet, I'm looking."

"That's it"

Asuna seemed relieved to hear this, but Hachiman pretended not to notice and continued the conversation.

"So what do you want to talk about? Anything bothering you?"

"No, it's just that this town is so deserted."

"yes"

During the rambling chat, Asuna's ambiguous attitude confused Hachiman.

If it were an ordinary boy, he would have been wary of being confessed to, but Hachiman lacked this awareness. He thought the other party just wanted to chat, and was about to say goodbye when -

"It's getting late, I'm going to find a place to stay."

"Ah... it's still early, and there's no curfew," Asuna grabbed the collar of her nightgown, her nails turning white.

"That's what I said..."

"Woo—2⑼器Lu⑨①傘⑧Lu—"

"You're really worried, aren't you? I'll keep it a secret."

"...There's a ghost..."

"Hmm? I didn't hear clearly."

Even Hachiman, who had normal hearing, couldn't hear the whisper clearly.