Hearing the choice Megumi made in the last dungeon, Kotoko nodded with a smile. "Ignoring the special hint you received... Although it's a bit of a waste, it was indeed a wise choice."
Both Kotoko and Asuna's evaluation of Megumi as a Player increased after learning she had given up searching for the special hint equipment, choosing instead to wisely prioritize her safety and clear the level. It was a very correct decision.
After clearing the novice dungeon, Megumi received no rewards beyond her talent for reduced presence. Furthermore, unlike Asagiri, whose physical fitness was already excellent, Megumi was an ordinary female high school student.
She had to contend not only with the Banshee in the old mansion but also avoid conflicts with other Players. Yet, knowing there was equipment in the basement and still being able to restrain herself to make the wisest choice was something not every Player could do.
At the very least, it proved Megumi wasn't like the arrogant Suit Man and Woman with Heavy Makeup, who became complacent after clearing the novice dungeon with a high-level evaluation.
"Um, I'm curious about something. Can I ask?" Megumi looked at Asagiri.
"What is it?"
"When I was in the dungeon, as long as I kept my body still, even the terrifying Banshee wandering around couldn't find me. Why were you able to notice me just now?"
Asagiri solemnly declared, "Because as the God of Harem, I can never ignore such a cute, beautiful girl like you!"
Hearing this, Asuna couldn't help but gently punch Asagiri's shoulder, her voice filled with dissatisfaction and a hint of jealousy. "You just met her, and you're already starting, huh?"
"That..." Megumi didn't show any shyness. She simply tucked her hair behind her ear, her tone unusually calm. "Although I'm quite happy you praised me for being cute, is it really possible to break my exclusive talent with just that? I find it hard to believe."
"Actually, it's not a big deal," Asagiri explained casually, smiling. "I'm immune to all mental influences. Your talent to reduce your presence should also be a kind of mental aura. Therefore, your talent can't have any effect on me."
"I see." Megumi nodded as if understanding, then asked softly, "Then... did I pass the interview?"
"Yes, I guess you passed," Asagiri replied with a smile.
"When it's time to sign up for the next dungeon, which is in five days, we'll contact you."
"Eh? Five days?" Megumi made a puzzled sound and pursed her lips.
"The dungeon cooldown time is seven days, right? I just cleared a dungeon, so I can't sign up for the next one until seven days later. You guys cleared a dungeon two days ago... Wouldn't that mean you have to wait two extra days because of me? I'd feel bad... Why don't you guys just sign up for the dungeon then? I won't participate for now, and I won't sign up either. I'll wait until it matches your cooldown time, and then I'll join you?"
Asagiri waved his hand, unconcerned. "Oh, I misspoke. It's okay, let's all four enter the dungeon together. Well, we'll be leaving now."
Megumi nodded obediently: "Okay, see you in a week."
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After leaving the alley and confirming no one was following, Asagiri, Asuna, and Kotoko all removed their disguises.
"The sentence you said just now, about five days later, wasn't a slip of the tongue, but a test for that Megumi, right?" Kotoko questioned.
"Yes," Asagiri replied calmly. "Although Megumi claimed she had just cleared the dungeon and returned to the real world, which is why she met us at Toyogasaki Academy on Sunday, we couldn't rule out the possibility of her lying. Her subconscious refutation of my 'five days later' statement, while not complete evidence, did increase its credibility somewhat."
"She... shouldn't have a reason to lie, right?" Asuna wasn't defending Megumi, but offering her own reasoned judgment after careful consideration. Asagiri had previously advised her to think independently rather than always agreeing. Asuna continued, "The Player information displayed in the phone APP can't be faked. She only has the talent to reduce her presence. Besides this talent, she doesn't have any items, equipment, or skills. The fact that she's like a blank slate is indeed a bit suspicious, but it could also be a coincidence. I can't think of any motive she would have to deliberately approach us this way. After all, the people who knew we were Players are already dead."
Kotoko curled her lips: "Look at the words you use. Why does it feel like we're jinxes?"
After this, Kotoko added thoughtfully, "However, I agree with Asuna's opinion. From our brief contact, Megumi's psychological quality, calm thinking ability, and caution are all excellent. Although her second dungeon clearance evaluation was very low, she is indeed a very promising Player and possesses such a powerful exclusive talent. If she can become a teammate, it will definitely help us clear levels in the future."
"But seven days later..."
Asuna frowned, murmuring. "Seven days later is still Sunday. If we sign up that day, the time to enter the dungeon will be Wednesday, which is school time... But if we want to enter on Saturday like last time, the dungeon won't have finished cooling down by next Wednesday, so we'll have to wait until the Wednesday after next, which would create a long blank period. In the early stages of the game, this is really too wasteful. Or..."
Asuna looked at Asagiri, asking tentatively, "Shall we take a day off next Wednesday?"
Asagiri thought for a moment, then replied with a smile. "Taking a day off is fine, but we have to make sure your homeroom teacher won't call your parents to confirm. After all, the teachers at Shuchiin Academy are very responsible."
Hearing this, Kotoko couldn't help but ask curiously, "Only Asuna needs to worry about that? What about you, Asagiri?"
Asagiri waved his hand. "I'm fine on my side. My homeroom teacher and I have already reached an agreement. Besides, if you want to contact my parents, it's not a phone call, but a necromancy."
"Necromancy..." Kotoko muttered the word and suddenly realized. "So you are..."
Asagiri immediately interrupted and stopped her. "Don't say it, okay? Hearing it from someone else's mouth makes me feel like I'm being sprayed."
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