Lin Ye was exhausted, his spirit utterly depleted.
After Cold Frost weakened and Miyuki Kuroshima departed, he had been the only one left to draw the Strange shadow's attention and stall for time. In the end, he had used the 'Lucky Dice' to boost his base attribute points and increase his overall strength to face the Strange entity.
Now, the Strange had vanished, and Asuna had appeared. He realized she had brought back the skeletal remains, and his analysis had been correct—the reunion of the Master and Mother's remains was the only true farewell, the only way to grant this Strange being liberation.
"Whew..."
Lin Ye leaned his body against the girl. As he breathed, the delicate fragrance belonging to her continuously drifted into his nostrils. It was sweet and incredibly pleasant.
"Zero, thank you," the girl said as she held him up.
"I should be the one thanking you," Lin Ye replied.
"No... I'm the one who should be grateful. You could have left us behind and gone into the forest alone to find the remains. On your own, you definitely would have found a way to survive, but... you didn't do that."
Asuna applied a slight pressure with her hands to push Lin Ye back, separating them by a small distance. The two met eyes.
Lin Ye saw the girl clearly. Asuna's face, her blue hair, and her entire body were covered in damp mud, yet the smile on her face was something that even the filth couldn't hide.
Noticing Lin Ye's gaze, a flash of embarrassment crossed Asuna's face. Her eyes drifted away slightly, and a blush surfaced that not even the dirt could conceal.
"If too many players die, the rewards will decrease," Lin Ye said lamely.
"Is that all it was?"
Cold Frost, watching from a distance, couldn't listen anymore. "He told me himself—you're his goddess."
She spoke with effort, her whole body feeling weak, though she felt better than she had a moment ago.
"Sending you to the forest to find the remains was definitely his way of hoping you'd survive. Men like that are rare, and they're even rarer among players."
This was the Strange Game, a place where life and death were always on the line. For players—especially veterans—abandoning teammates didn't carry much psychological weight. Putting one's own survival first was the mindset of the vast majority.
The atmosphere turned ambiguous.
"To put it simply, he likes you, Miss Asuna," Cold Frost added.
"..."
Lin Ye cast a helpless glance at Cold Frost, but she returned a look that said 'You're welcome.' Some things were better said by an outsider.
However, what was that thing in Lin Ye's left hand? Cold Frost looked at the damp piece of black cloth he was holding.
Asuna was at a complete loss, her face flushed bright red, utterly unsure of what to say. In her daily life at school, it wasn't as if boys didn't confess to her; in fact, the number of boys who had done so was staggering. There were so many that it had become a nuisance.
But now, here was a boy who had left the chance of survival to her while keeping the pressure of death for himself—and he liked her. How was she supposed to respond?
And... this... this face wasn't even her true self. Her appearance in the Strange Game was completely different from her reality.
Thinking of this, Asuna's heart sank. Though she was beautiful in reality, she looked nothing like her current image. Lin Ye liked the character appearance she had forged in the 'Strange Game,' not the real her.
"I'm sorry," she said.
A single phrase caused the romantic tension to vanish instantly. Cold Frost was stunned. This man was willing to risk his life for her, to give up his soul, and she still 'rejected' him? At the very least, she didn't have to be so blunt!
Cold Frost looked at Lin Ye with a flash of sympathy in her eyes.
"Like me instead, then!" Cold Frost declared.
Both Lin Ye and Asuna were shocked by her words.
"If you're willing, come find me in Xia Country. We can try to get to know each other. I have to find a man to marry sooner or later anyway, and I think you're pretty good. We can give it a shot."
Asuna's mind was on the verge of exploding.
"I, I... I... I wasn't finished! I meant that the real me doesn't look like this, which is why I said sorry! I didn't mean I was rejecting you!"
In her panic, Asuna shook her head and waved her hands in denial. But because Lin Ye had lost her support, he suddenly tilted toward her. Asuna hurriedly moved to catch him.
"Zero, if you really like me... we can also meet up offline and see..." Her face was beet red, her eyes swirling with bashfulness. "If you think I'm okay then, I... we... we can also try dating."
She had summoned every ounce of courage she had in her life to say those words. She didn't know why she had spoken—perhaps it was gratitude, perhaps it was Cold Frost's provocation, or perhaps her heart truly wanted to try dating.
Lin Ye looked at Asuna, then at Cold Frost. Cold Frost clicked her tongue and flashed him a smile that said 'I helped you again.' She had done it on purpose as a way to repay him for saving her life.
"Is... that not okay?" Asuna's hesitation grew during the brief silence.
"It's okay."
How could it not be okay? This was an unexpected delight! It was Doujin Asuna! He would get to see the real Asuna.
"Mhm," Asuna hummed, her face burning. "I'll help you over there."
She stepped to the side to support him, lifting Lin Ye's left arm. In doing so, she immediately saw the piece of black fabric in his hand.
"This is..."
It looked familiar. Asuna blinked as the relevant memories surfaced.
Lin Ye also recognized the object that had suddenly appeared in his left hand. His exhausted spirit was hit by a jolt of shock. It was a girl's intimate garment. The downside of [Sleight of Hand] had passively triggered again.
"Asuna... you... let me explain!" Lin Ye's voice trembled.
Asuna finally realized that her own garment had disappeared. Her face turned crimson, her ears burned, and her body began to shake slightly.
"Pervert..." the girl cursed softly, though the shame in her voice was hard to hide.
Asuna didn't abandon Lin Ye. Instead, she helped him to the nearest marble steps to sit down, then went back to assist Cold Frost. Whether it was intentional or not, she placed them about two meters apart.
Lin Ye was drowning in awkwardness; the timing was just too perfect. In Asuna's eyes, he was now a total pervert. The heroic image he had worked so hard to build was gone.
"A clothes-stealing pervert?" Cold Frost's voice rang out, her gaze full of teasing.
"Sigh!"
"I never expected it!"
"Can I say it... wasn't on purpose?" Lin Ye asked.
"No." Cold Frost's smile grew even more radiant.
Lin Ye lay back, lacking a single ounce of strength.
"How about I give you my panties too?" Cold Frost teased.
"Ugh!"
"He really is a pervert."
"..."
Can't I even react in shock? Lin Ye thought, unable to stop himself from complaining internally.
Asuna listened, unable to hide her amusement.
The gray sky gradually cleared as sunlight broke through the dark clouds, and the Mountain Villa was bathed in light once more.
"Woof woof woof..." German Shepherd John tilted his head back and howled at the sky.
"It's all thanks to John," Asuna said, looking at the dog. "If it weren't for him, I definitely wouldn't have found it so quickly."
"I believed in you. I knew you could do it."
She looked at Lin Ye, who was basking in the sunlight, and her heart warmed. At the very least, she hadn't betrayed that trust.
Tap, tap...
Footsteps sounded. Asuna instantly looked up in vigilance, seeing a silver-haired girl dressed in a black and white maid uniform.
Lisa, the silver-haired maid, walked toward them step by step. She had awakened. When she went downstairs and saw the two sets of remains in the hall, her forgotten memories had returned.
"I'm sorry, Mama... I'm sorry, Uncle..." she apologized through her tears, finally speaking the words she had suppressed for untold years.
The two phantom figures merely smiled as they bid Lisa farewell. In the end, they didn't blame her.
And now, what she had to do was express her gratitude to the guests.
"Thank you, guests. It was you who allowed Mother to see Uncle again. It was you who fulfilled Mother's wish. Thank you... truly, thank you so much." She clutched her chest and bowed deeply.
"We only did what we had to do," Asuna replied.
But the maid shook her head. "Regardless of the guests' motives, you truly helped me. I wonder if there is anything I can do for you at the end?"
What else could a maid do for them? Asuna shook her head. All they needed to do now was wait for the 'Strange Game' to notify them of the mission's completion and their return.
"In that case..." Lisa's eyes held a trace of regret.
"There is," Lin Ye forced himself to speak. "Two things."
"Please speak, guest."
Asuna and Cold Frost fixed their eyes on Lin Ye.
"John... can I take him with me?"
"Hmm?"
Take him? He could even be taken along?
"It seems the guest is very fond of John. If John is willing, then yes." She agreed.
"John, come here," Asuna immediately called out to the dog. If Lin Ye really could take John away, it meant she would see John in reality. She loved the idea! Just the thought of running and playing with John in the real world filled her with anticipation.
"Woof, woof!" John ran over, his tail wagging furiously.
"Are you willing to come with us?"
"Woof?" John looked at the maid. Lisa smiled and nodded, letting him choose.
He walked to the maid's side, circling her twice. Lisa stroked John's head. "Go! There will be no one left here to walk or play with you. Leaving this place... is for the best."
"Woof." He seemed to be persuaded.
Lin Ye took out the 'Female Dog Collar' item from the backpack Asuna had brought over for him. John was a male dog, but the taming effect would still work.
If John is willing, the chance of taming him should be higher, Lin Ye thought. He pushed the collar toward Asuna, but she declined. "You do it."
Lin Ye didn't argue and placed the collar on John's neck.
Click.
All was silent. Asuna and Cold Frost were both curious if he had succeeded.
"Sigh!" Lin Ye let out a soft sigh. The two immediately assumed he had failed.
"I got him."
"..." Asuna huffed. She knew this guy was doing it on purpose.
"Woof woof!"
"Congratulations, guest," Lisa said with a smile, though her eyes betrayed a hint of loneliness. "Guest, what is the second thing?"
"Live."
The moment those words fell, silence fell once more.
"No matter how painful life is, only by living can you welcome a new life."
Lin Ye had sensed this silver-haired maid's death wish. He had seen it before—he had seen it in the girl named Suzune Horikita at the Love Heart Hotel. Now that her mother's wish was fulfilled, her regrets mended, and her friends were gone, the maid was all alone. Lin Ye didn't know what would happen to this instance after they left, but for now, he sincerely hoped this girl would live on.
"Guest, that request... is too difficult." Truly, it was too hard.
"As a maid... you don't have the right to refuse us."
"I can... have it." Her voice turned hoarse as tears welled in her eyes.
"Don't die," Asuna added, taking the maid's hands in hers. "Lisa, your cooking is delicious. I... I still want... I want to taste your food again. So please, don't die. Please don't die."
Lisa looked at the girl before her, whose face was full of worry and hope. Asuna's eyes were filled with sincerity and kindness.
"I..."
"Please."
"I understand."
"Great!" Asuna pulled the maid into a tight embrace.
Lisa forced a bitter smile, but as she felt the warmth from Asuna, her heart felt lightened, and a touch of joy appeared deep in her eyes.
"Take this... for you." She removed the headband she was wearing and placed it on Asuna's head with a smile.
Asuna touched the headband in surprise. Soon, she was stunned by the notification from the Strange Game.
"It is time. All guests should depart now." Lisa took a step back, lifted her skirt, and gave a small curtsy, offering the three of them her final blessing.
At the same time, the three heard the reminder from the 'Strange Game.'
"Zero..." Asuna had always thought the mission would end after three full days, exactly at noon. They should have had more time. But now...
"I am—"
The next second, Asuna felt the familiar force acting on her body. She tried to reach out, but she only grasped at empty air.
"No!" She hadn't even told Lin Ye her real name, address, or contact number!
At that moment, Asuna nearly broke down. When she opened her eyes, she saw her familiar room. Her injuries had been healed, but her mental exhaustion was still intense. However, compared to that exhaustion, Asuna stared blankly ahead. "I should have said my number sooner!"
Regret washed over her entire being. Asuna felt miserable enough to cry. Even though she had gained rewards and even a Strange item from this mission, she didn't feel happy at all.
"I have to find him."
But she had no idea what Zero's real name or contact information was. She didn't even know his face. How was she supposed to find him?
"Could it be..." she smiled bitterly. "Will I only see him again in the next Strange mission?" But would they ever be matched into the same game again? Asuna had her doubts.
Knock, knock, knock...
A knock sounded at the door. "Asuna, what's wrong? I heard you shouting suddenly..." It was her brother's voice.
"N-Nothing, Brother! I... I was just getting excited over a plot segment in a novel..."
"Mhm," the man outside grunted. "If you're having trouble with anything, tell me. I'll do my best to help you."
"I know!"
After answering, Asuna heard her brother's footsteps fading away. "We... will definitely meet again."
*
[You have completed the 'Strange Invitation Mission — Mountain Villa'.]
[Difficulty: 1.5 Stars]
[Base Rewards: 1500 Points, 300 EXP, 2 Free Stat Points, Random Blue Quality Item x1]
[You have completed the following hidden missions, triggering rewards:]
[Your guest room successfully avoided a Strange visit on the first night. Game Points +500.]
[Your guest room successfully avoided a Strange visit on the second night. Game Points +500.]
[You successfully placed the collar and leash on German Shepherd John. Game Points +500.]
[You successfully obtained the basement key. Game Points +1000.]
[You received sincere thanks from the maid Lisa. Game Points +1000.]
[A total of four players survived this game. Game Points +800.]
[Due to your 'Excellent Performance' in this game and the effect of your blessing 'Point Splitting,' your game points have received a 300% bonus. You finally receive 17,400 Points.]
[You have achieved the following accomplishments:]
[Release the Dog: You ordered German Shepherd John to bite the Eldest Miss Carter. Reward: Strength +1]
[Never Leave Behind: Facing a life-or-death crisis, you did not abandon your companions to escape alone. Reward: Charm +1]
[Delaying until Death: You did your best to tangle with the Strange and stall for time, waiting for your companions to return successfully. Reward: Constitution +1]
[Your noble qualities have attracted her continued attention. You have received the blessing 'Watching Over Each Other'.]
[Watching Over Each Other: When fighting alongside a companion you have established trust with, you and your companion will receive an attribute bonus (Strength, Speed, and Agility increased by 10%; share the Strange erosion). You can designate one trusted companion per Strange Game for this blessing.]
[He awaits your future performance.]
[Settlement Complete.]
[Your current EXP is 550/400. You may consume EXP to level up. Level up now?]
"Level up," Lin Ye muttered.
[Congratulations, your level has increased to LV3.]
*
Lin Ye sprawled out on his bed. The injuries on his body had been healed, but the side effects of the 'Lucky Dice' were still in effect. He was mentally exhausted, and a heavy drowsiness was washing over him.
However, Lin Ye forced himself to endure the fatigue and reached for his phone. He saw several missed calls—Ai Hoshino's number. He didn't call back; instead, he edited a mass text and sent it to his contacts: I'm fine. I'm already back.
After sending it, Lin Ye could no longer resist the sleepiness. He lay on the bed and fell into a deep, dead sleep. Now that he was back in reality, his tightly wound nerves finally snapped.
"Zzz..."
In the small apartment, only the sound of Lin Ye's breathing remained.
*
Ryou Fujibayashi was sitting on a train bound for Tokyo with her sister, Kyou Fujibayashi.
Clack-clack, clack-clack... the train emitted its rhythmic sound.
As the older sister, Kyou had noticed her younger sister's distracted state long ago. After Lin Ye had bid them farewell, although Ryou had gone shopping with her and had fun, her expression had changed as time went on. She kept checking her phone, seemingly waiting for something.
Kyou could guess that her sister was waiting to hear from Lin Ye. Her sister was truly falling for him.
"Ryou, we're almost at Tokyo," Kyou said.
"Oh, mhm!" Ryou nodded.
"Sigh, stop looking at your phone. Even if you stare at it, he won't necessarily contact you. Why don't you just call him?" Kyou couldn't help but say. If she could, she didn't want her sister to contact Lin Ye, but her sister's state forced her to compromise a little.
"No, there's no need..."
"Give it to me, I'll call for you."
With that, Kyou reached out to snatch Ryou's phone. Ryou instinctively resisted. "Sister, really, there's no need to call—"
Buzz, buzz...
Just then, the phones in both sisters' hands vibrated. It was a message notification. Ryou hurriedly gripped her phone and looked as the screen lit up with the message.
—I'm fine. I'm already back.
The content wasn't long, but Ryou let out a long sigh of relief. Her whole body relaxed, and an irrepressible joy touched the corners of her eyes. She had finally received the 'safe' message. That was wonderful.
Watching her sister's reaction, Kyou frowned in deep thought. "Ryou, what did he go off to do?"
Kyou's voice snapped Ryou back to reality. "Um... well..."
"Another thing you can't tell me?"
"Mhm," Ryou hummed, lowering her head.
Kyou stared at her sister. Several times, she opened her mouth to say 'I'm your sister,' but that reason was no longer enough. In her sister's heart, a new person had already taken an important position.
She felt a strange sadness. If it were anyone but Lin Ye, it might have been easier. Kyou withdrew her gaze. "We're arriving at the station soon. Get ready to get off! If you get lost, I won't be responsible for finding you."
"I won't get lost!" Ryou took her sister's hand. The warmth from her palm brought Kyou a small amount of comfort. The train's announcement rang out. They were about to arrive.
*
In Chiba, Haruno Yukinoshita, having had a good 'talk' with Yukino Yukinoshita, was about to return to her room to rest. The buzz buzz of her phone caught her attention.
Haruno checked her phone, and her smile turned radiant. "Lin-kun sent me a message!"
Yukino's brow furrowed at the news. "He's not really planning to skip out, is he?"
Why else would he message her sister? Wasn't it likely he wanted Haruno to pass on the message that he would be breaking his promise tomorrow?
"Yukino really does want Lin-kun to come over tomorrow."
"Sister, be serious. I'm not in the mood for jokes." Yukino urged. She wasn't in the mood to keep bickering with her sister.
"He's coming. How could he not come when Yukino invited him? He was just asking if he should bring a gift when he visits our house."
So that was it. But shouldn't he have asked her instead? Why ask her sister? Yukino couldn't figure it out.
"I thought about it and told Lin-kun he doesn't need to bring a gift at all. Just showing up is the best gift. My dear little sister would be so, so happy. If Lin-kun were willing to live in our house forever, then..."
"Sister, you can go back to your room to rest now," Yukino interrupted bluntly, urging Haruno to leave.
"Aww, how cold! Sister is so heartbroken."
Despite Yukino's look of disgust, Haruno eventually left the bedroom with a smile. Once back in her own room, Haruno's expression returned to calm. She sat on the bed and looked at her phone. After a thought, she didn't contact Lin Ye. She could imagine how exhausted he would be after returning from a mission.
He's definitely sleeping like a log right now.
I kind of want to see him, but what a shame.
This big sister will give you a proper comforting tomorrow!
At the thought of Lin Ye's arrival tomorrow, the expectant smile in Haruno's eyes grew stronger. Although something bad might happen tomorrow, it didn't mean she wasn't looking forward to it.
"Time to sleep." She placed her hand on her clothes, and with a rustle, her fair skin was exposed to the air.
*
On the other side, after Haruno left, Yukino thought about it and couldn't feel at ease. She dialed Lin Ye's number.
Ring, ring...
The ringing lasted for twenty seconds, but the call never went through.
That's not right. Yukino thought for a moment, wondering if he was in the shower. "Whatever, I'll just call again tomorrow morning." She also prepared to sleep.
*
Ren Nanase also received Lin Ye's short message.
"That's wonderful... Lin-kun returned safely." Her worried heart was completely set at ease. Ren tried to call him, but it didn't connect.
"Is tomorrow's date still on? If I don't hear back tomorrow morning, I'll go to Lin-kun's apartment to check." She made her decision.
*
Ai Hoshino felt awful after noticing the missed calls from Lin Ye and the text message.
"Aaaaah! Why did I have to go take a bath! I missed Lin-kun's call!" She tried calling back several times, but none went through. This made Ai feel terrible. "Lin-kun, you have to be safe!"
Ai couldn't rest. She couldn't focus on her phone or anime. Every so often, she checked for a message, but none came. It wasn't until she saw Lin Ye's new mass message that she immediately dialed him. It didn't connect.
"Ugh, Lin-kun must be tired and resting. I'll just contact him tomorrow morning." Ai decided to stop trying.
*
Aside from them, another person unexpectedly received the message: Hina Tachibana.
When Lin Ye sent the mass message in his exhausted state, he had included her in the recipient list. Hina fell into deep thought when she saw the text.
I'm fine... I'm already back.
Why would he send her such a nonsensical message out of the blue? Worried, Hina tried to call Lin Ye, but it didn't connect. Ten minutes later, she called again. Still nothing.
She couldn't sit still. Hina checked the time—it was just past nine. If she was quick, a round trip would only take an hour. It wasn't too late.
Deciding to check on him, Hina changed into casual clothes and left her bedroom. Coincidentally, Rui Tachibana was just coming out of the bathroom.
"Sister, where are you..."
"I have something to do. I need to go out for a bit. I'll be back soon," Hina said naturally.
"What is it?" Rui asked, surprisingly persistent.
"Buying some beer."
"Oh?" Rui didn't move out of the way. "Sister, haven't you noticed? Whenever you go out for beer, you never say 'buying beer.' You say 'buying snacks.'"
Is that true? Hina thought about it and realized she actually did that. Rui didn't like her drinking beer, so whenever she went to buy it, she always claimed she was buying snacks.
"So, tell me. Sister, where are you going?"
"I'm really just buying beer."
"I'll go with you." Rui stared quietly at her sister. The two met eyes, a light silence filling the hallway. Hina realized her sister wasn't going to compromise.
"I'm going to Lin Ye's place."
"What's he calling you for in the middle of the night?" Upon hearing Lin Ye's name, Rui's vigilance peaked. With her sister going to Lin Ye's place late at night, she couldn't help but overthink.
"Something might have happened to him. I need to go see."
"Don't go, Sister. If something really happened, we can call the police for him." Calling the police was the best choice.
"That's not appropriate. I can't reach him by phone, and I'm worried, so I want to check his apartment."
"I'm coming with you."
Hina couldn't overcome her sister's stubbornness, so the two went to Lin Ye's apartment together. Half an hour later, the sisters stood before Lin Ye's door. Hina knocked.
Knock, knock, knock...
There was no response.
"Maybe no one's home? Maybe he's not back?" Rui guessed.
Hina shook her head. Then, under her sister's surprised gaze, she took out a key and inserted it into the door.
"Sister, why do you..."
"Hiratsuka-senpai asked me for a favor last time and gave me the key. I never returned it."
The door opened. Hina walked in and flipped the light switch. The apartment was instantly illuminated. Hina looked around, and her eyes narrowed.
"Lin Ye..."
She ran over in a panic. Lin Ye was sprawled on the bed, his life or death unknown. The clothes he was wearing were covered in filth, and they were torn in places, exposing his inner garments.
Rui was also shocked. Something really did happen!
Hina immediately checked Lin Ye's condition. Finally, she confirmed he was just in a deep sleep and hadn't suffered a sudden illness or injury. Her worried heart finally settled.
"Sister, should we call for an ambulance?"
"No need," Hina shook her head. "Rui, help me out."
With the sisters working together, they removed Lin Ye's outer clothes. It was the first time either sister had seen a man's body, and they couldn't help but blush.
So this is what a man's body looks like.
________________________________________
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