Everything happened in the blink of an eye.
Asuna gripped her sword with both hands, then thrust it into the Tree Sentinel's chest.
Critical hit!
The Tree Sentinel's last bit of health was depleted.
At the same time, Kiriko slew the first boss.
As the boss died, the settlement screen began to appear.
Asuna raised her head and looked at the enemy kneeling halfway before her.
It knelt on the ground.
It said nothing.
Asuna simply stared at it, watching as it gradually turned to ash.
"Asuna!"
In the next instant, Kiriko rushed over.
She did not even spare the loot a glance. Instead, she immediately ran to Asuna's side and hugged her.
"A-Asuna!"
Kiriko held her tightly.
There was a sob in her voice.
"...Kiriko?"
Strange. Was Kiriko this kind of person? Was she really someone so sentimental?
Asuna knew Kiriko had probably guessed that she had entered the dungeon without accepting the "blessing."
This had been a scene she had planned out.
But Kiriko's reaction was even more extreme than she had expected.
"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!"
Kiriko unleashed a triple idiot combo.
"K-Kiriko..."
Asuna was the one at a loss instead.
"You almost died!"
Kiriko shouted.
"Ah..."
She had only had a sliver of health left.
"Why?! Why were you trying to die?!"
Kiriko roared.
"...I wasn't." Asuna lowered her head.
At a time like this, she had to fully commit to the act.
"Don't lie! You never accepted the blessing, did you?! That's why you got strengthened in phase two! This isn't a game! This is a world where people can die!"
Kiriko closed her eyes, tears gathering at the corners.
"I'm sorry." Asuna gently closed her eyes as well.
"Ahem. You two." Diabel walked over. "The dungeon is about to end."
Though he did not know