In the anime, people are in everyday Tokyo, but they are playing the reincarnation game Chapter 152

Chapter 34: The Start of the War.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountain forest, inside a tent.

Asagiri, Yuuki Asuna, Iwanaga Kotoko, and Katou Megumi were all in one tent, so the space naturally seemed a bit cramped. But there was nothing they could do about it; after all, Katou Megumi had only brought back a simple tent, so they all had to squeeze in together.

“Chika and the others… they actually entered this instance too…”

Yuuki Asuna sat there, her eyes filled with a complex expression. She pursed her lips, seemingly wanting to say something but not speaking for a moment.

“Are you worried about the three of them?”

Iwanaga Kotoko immediately saw through Yuuki Asuna’s thoughts at that moment and spoke with a smiling expression.

“There’s no need for that. Shinomiya Kaguya, Fujiwara Chika, and that Hayasaka Ai whom we haven’t interacted much with, since they entered the instance at this time and became one of the first four player teams to arrive here, it proves that they have all made the resolve of a player. They don’t need our help, and we also have no obligation to help them.”

“Mmm, I understand.”

Yuuki Asuna, though a kind and gentle person, was definitely not the kind of fool with an overflowing saintly heart.

Fujiwara Chika was indeed her good friend, but Asagiri, Iwanaga Kotoko, and Katou Megumi, these three teammates, were the most important people to her, the ones she absolutely had to protect.

The only thing Yuuki Asuna could do was to try her best to ensure her small team could obtain the experimental data stored in the research base as quickly as possible. After completing the objective, all surviving players would be able to clear the instance, which naturally included Fujiwara Chika and her two companions.

“However…”

Iwanaga Kotoko looked at Asagiri, a little puzzled.

“Do we have to break through from the main entrance? Although with Phantom’s ability, we can indeed infiltrate silently, but no matter what, this is the most difficult and dangerous route, isn’t it?”

“On the surface, perhaps that’s true.”

Asagiri first nodded, then changed the subject.

“However, since we all know this is the highest-risk route, then Satou most likely won’t choose this route for a breakthrough. This means we are the least likely of the four player teams to suddenly run into him.”

“So it’s to avoid Satou? Hmm…”

Iwanaga Kotoko thought seriously for a while, then hesitated.

“But, is it really necessary? With our strength, dealing with him shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“Killing him once or twice is simple.”

Asagiri explained in a calm tone.

“But with Satou’s individual combat ability, plus his immortality, trying to incapacitate him without directly killing him is difficult even for us. And don’t forget, if Satou is truly like Crazy Mita, having received system recognition, then even if he hasn’t officially become a player, he must have some understanding of players. According to his personality, he wouldn’t easily start this war without full preparation.”

“So… we should try to avoid him?”

“Hmm? We avoid him?”

Hearing Iwanaga Kotoko’s words, Asagiri showed a slight smile, full of imposing aura.

“I’m just being cautious and considering the efficiency of the operation, so I don’t want him to interfere with us. If we really run into him inside the research base… then I’ll be warming wine to cut down Satou.”

Seeing Asagiri’s imposing and confident appearance, and hearing his impassioned declaration of war, Yuuki Asuna couldn’t help but complain.

“Why are you like a two-pole tube… You’re so cautious and thorough when making plans, but then you go crazy at this moment… Your mood changes too quickly, don’t you think?”

Asagiri shrugged, replying in a matter-of-fact tone.

“Isn’t this normal? For a player like me who primarily enjoys the fun, a perfect speedrun is indeed very satisfying. But if I can’t achieve a speedrun, then I don’t mind just going all out and slaughtering. As for the troublesome guys blocking our way, just eliminate them all.”

“That’s true. Although we should try to avoid combat, if we really encounter a situation where we must fight, we can’t back down.”

Yuuki Asuna first agreed, then asked curiously.

“But, are four player teams enough? More players should arrive later, do we not need to discuss combat plans with them?”

“No need.”

Asagiri waved his hand, chuckling.

“A mob without strength, even if they participate in the combat plan, will only make strong player teams feel bothered. Moreover, those players who arrive exhausted later won’t have enough rest time. Even if they participate in the attack, at most they can only serve as cannon fodder to divert attention for us. Don’t consider these things. For tomorrow’s battle, it’s better to go to bed early and rest.”

“Woohoo, time to sleep~”

Hearing Asagiri’s words, Iwanaga Kotoko’s face showed an inexplicable excitement, cheering joyfully.

“I want to sleep next to Leader~”

“Are you sleeping? I’m too embarrassed to expose you.”

Yuuki Asuna’s face was slightly red as she secretly glanced at Katou Megumi. Thinking that the other party already knew, she simply stopped hiding and spoke bluntly.

“Leaving aside that the four of us are sleeping in one tent, we have a battle tomorrow. What if you… you exhaust all your stamina tonight and it affects your condition tomorrow?”

Iwanaga Kotoko pouted, dissatisfied.

“I just want to be next to him, to have him hold me while I sleep, that’s all. What are you thinking?”

“Hehe.”

Yuuki Asuna didn’t believe a word of Iwanaga Kotoko’s nonsense and said firmly.

“No, if you really had that self-control, you wouldn’t be you. Absolutely not!”

Iwanaga Kotoko frowned slightly, her expression displeased.

“By the same logic, I don’t believe in your self-control either, so you can’t sleep next to him, can you?”

“Tsk…”

Facing Iwanaga Kotoko’s tit-for-tat retort, Yuuki Asuna was somewhat choked. Finally, both of them simultaneously turned their gaze to Katou Megumi, who was sitting obediently like a silent transparent person.

“Eh? Me?”

Noticing the gazes from Yuuki Asuna and Iwanaga Kotoko, Katou Megumi couldn’t help but be stunned.

What was going on?

She hadn’t even said anything, yet somehow, the bed arrangement was inexplicably decided?

“Phantom, I trust you.”

Yuuki Asuna reached out and patted Katou Megumi’s shoulder, speaking softly. Iwanaga Kotoko also nodded, echoing.

“Right, right, it’s decided then. Leader sleeps on the outermost side, then you sleep next to him, that way there’s no problem.”

“Although it’s good that both of you trust me, but…”

Katou Megumi raised her hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, looking at Asagiri who was sitting there, and asked in a calm tone.

“Leader, do you have any objections?”

Asagiri replied without hesitation, decisively.

“I have no objections.”

Katou Megumi nodded obediently, saying softly.

“Alright then.”

…

Meanwhile, in a dark underground room.

“Satou, are we really launching the attack tomorrow?”

Hearing the question from the young man behind him, the man wearing a green beret, who was previously fiddling with gun parts on a metal table, turned around and pulled his cap brim down.

Although he had a pair of seemingly kind, squinting eyes and a half-smile on his face, he gave off an inexplicable sense of dread, as if the person standing before them was not human, but some kind of bloodthirsty beast.

“Tanaka-kun, it must be tomorrow.”

Satou said in a calm voice with a smile, while checking the magazine of the gun in his hand.

“I understand that the sudden increase in the research base’s defenses has made you somewhat apprehensive, but my plan naturally has its reasons. You just need to trust and follow me.”

“I understand.”

Tanaka Koji first nodded, then looked at the black mobile combat suit hanging on the wall, his face showing admiration and reverence.

“But you actually managed to get your hands on something like this… As long as you wear this combat suit, you won’t have to worry about being hit by tranquilizer guns and stun guns.”

“Tranquilizer guns? Stun guns?”

Satou showed a kind smile, and his normally squinting, narrow eyes slowly opened. In stark contrast to the smile on his face, his eyes glowed with a chilling, fierce light.

“I prepared this set of equipment not to deal with the Ajin Control Department. After all, they are just fragile humans. The targets I want to hunt…”

“Are those who possess supernatural powers.”

…

The next morning.

“It’s raining.”

Yuuki Asuna stretched out her slender, fair right hand, feeling the coolness of the raindrops falling into her palm. She looked up at the sky, which was covered by clouds, gray and oppressive, then softly said to Asagiri who stood in front of her.

“It’s already been twenty-four hours.”

“Indeed.”

Asagiri first nodded, replying casually. Then he put on the dark gray mask he held in his hand and said softly.

“Prepare for battle.”

“Understood.”

Hearing Asagiri’s command, Yuuki Asuna also took out her Exorcist Longsword from her inventory and put on the dark red cloak. Iwanaga Kotoko, on the other hand, put on her brooch and the dark green “Sorcerer’s Ring,” as well as her masquerade mask.

And although Katou Megumi had no equipment for disguise, she also took out her Cursed Dagger and Indian Tomahawk. She held the axe in her right hand and the dagger in a reverse grip in her left, giving off a beautiful impression of a berserker and assassin combined.

Just as all four had changed into their combat gear, a cloud of dust suddenly swept in from the distance of the small path.

Mini Mita had not yet arrived, but the text representing her words had already appeared in mid-air.

“Player Mister, Player Mister! Someone has invaded the research base! It has begun!”