"Welcome to the multi-dimensional black shop that spans across worlds. I'm the owner—how can I help you?"
Fang Xing looked at the confused girl with a smile. He hadn't expected new "leeks" to show up at his door so soon.
"Across worlds?"
"So this isn't the SAO game world anymore?"
The chestnut-haired girl picked up on the key detail in Fang Xing's words. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and she gripped her weapon tighter, a flicker of confusion in her gaze.
The noise of passing pedestrians and the modern architecture surrounding her made it clear—this was no longer the fantastical and perilous world of Aincrad.
"Ben Zina?"
Fang Xing studied the girl's appearance, connected it with what she had just said, and asked the question almost instinctively.
"Huh?"
Asuna's eyes widened slightly at Fang Xing's sudden words. She couldn't help but feel like the universe was playing some kind of cruel joke on her.
Subconsciously, she stepped back, warily watching Fang Xing.
"Relax, Asuna—or should I say, Yuuki Asuna."
"As I said earlier, this is no longer your original world."
"There are no death games here. Nothing in this world can kill you like in SAO."
Fang Xing watched her defensive posture and chuckled. She looked just like a thief being caught in the act. He shook his head with a sigh.
Clearly, this version of Asuna wasn't the legendary one just yet.
Still, looking at her, Fang Xing couldn't help but think back to the book he'd read—not to mention, this girl was basically responsible for half of all doujinshi sales at certain comic conventions.
"Who are you? How do you know my name?" Asuna asked sharply, just like All Might had earlier.
"I'm the owner of this shop! The fact that you're here means it's fate."
"Hey girl, want to open a jar? The first one's free!"
With a grin, Fang Xing raised both hands, and a mysterious jar materialized in front of Asuna.
"If luck's on your side, you might get something from this jar that can help you escape the game world."
Fang Xing's tone and the appearance of the jar left Asuna visibly confused.
She had tried calling up the game menu earlier while arguing with Fang Xing. Even in a dungeon, the basic interface—the health bar, at the very least—should've appeared.
But ever since she entered this strange little shop, there was no game menu, no health bar—nothing. It was as if she had been completely disconnected from the game world.
"Could this really be, like that voice said... another world?"
Asuna looked at the busy modern street behind her, then at the jar Fang Xing offered. Gritting her teeth, she extended her hand and grasped the oddly shaped container.
With both hands, she smashed it against the ground. The jar shattered, and three glowing blue orbs floated gently into her palm.
[Battle Intuition · Defective]
A remnant of a weapon master's insight. Grants enhanced mastery over a specific weapon.
[Stand-in Strawman]
A magician's universal skill. Automatically takes fatal damage on the user's behalf. Usable 3 times.
[Asuna Yuri Book One]
No description.
"Lily? Seriously?"
Fang Xing looked at the third light orb in Asuna's hand and couldn't help but complain.
He had only jokingly called her Ben Zina, but somehow she ended up pulling her actual "notebook" from the jar.
Now he was truly curious—how would Ben Zina react to reading that?
"What are these?"
Asuna looked at the three orbs, confused, and turned to Fang Xing.
"Crush the light orb to obtain what's inside."
Fang Xing replied with a sigh. Even though the system usually handled explanations, sometimes he still had to step in.
Pop! Pop!
Without hesitation, Asuna crushed the first two orbs. As for the third one... her gut told her it might lead to trouble.
Soon, a strawman doll appeared in her hand, and she felt new memories flooding her mind. The rapier she held suddenly felt more familiar—like an old friend she'd known for years.
She could already imagine it—if she returned to the real world and picked up a rapier, she'd instantly be able to school any amateur pretending to be a fencer.
"This is amazing… What's in the last one?"
Her voice was filled with awe as she stared at the final orb.
Even though her instincts warned her against it, the thrill of the first two prizes made curiosity win out.
Pop!
The final orb burst with a gentle shimmer, revealing a thin comic book with a vibrant—but slightly suspicious—cover.
"What is this?"
Unable to resist, Asuna opened the book—
"AAAHH!!! What is this?!"