Rest and Recuperation

After it was over, Asuna looked at Kazuto Kirigaya with a surprised expression. She curiously asked, "What Sword Skill was that? I don't think I've ever seen you use it before?"

Asuna wasn't referring to the Sword Draw Style. She was asking about the blue light that had appeared around the boy.

Kazuto Kirigaya smiled and explained, "When you can master your own unique Sword Skill, get recognized by the System, and use it, you'll obtain a one-of-a-kind skill."

This was Kazuto Kirigaya's explanation to Asuna, but only he knew the truth of the matter.

The current world was the real world, not a game world controlled by Akihiko Kayaba.

In other words, his current skill panel was entirely under his own control.

He continued fighting in this manner for nearly two hours, dropping several weapons of decent quality. Unfortunately, the hooded rats he was looking for never appeared, which left Kazuto Kirigaya feeling quite helpless.

It was already dark. In the game, there were hunger and fatigue meters. Although Players didn't feel them, not eating for a long time would still result in a debuff. Moreover, the beasts at night became more ferocious and difficult to deal with.

Feeling the sticky sensation on his body, Kazuto Kirigaya decided it was time to go back and change, and also to inquire about the situation with Kazuto Kirigaya and the others.

He pulled Asuna along and skillfully returned to the Starting Town. They found an inn. Glancing at the price, it wasn't expensive – 200 Kell. It wasn't particularly costly; a Man-eating Flower was worth about a hundred Kell.

Kell was the currency of this world, needed for everything from food and lodging to purchasing equipment.

On the way, both Players and NPCs looked at Kazuto Kirigaya with strange expressions.

It was no wonder. The boy was covered in green goo and exuded a foul odor.

Asuna didn't know what to say. She had also gotten monster goo on her clothes, but after a monster died, the sticky goo would disappear after a while.

Kazuto Kirigaya waved his hand and gave Asuna a bright smile.

Unfortunately, with his head covered in filth, the boy's handsome face looked slightly ferocious.

Kazuto Kirigaya said, "You go get a room first. Of course, if you want, you can come to my room too."

Hearing the boy's teasing words, Asuna's mouth twitched. She lazily replied, "You should take care of your own business first."

With that, she walked into the inn without looking back.

Kazuto Kirigaya went to the bathhouse and took a shower. After a comfortable soak, he cleaned himself thoroughly, put on his clothes, and then went to the store to buy two low-level mana potions.

After eating a meal, he had spent almost half the money he had. Kazuto Kirigaya sighed at the high prices and grumbled silently.

He got a small room at the inn. The faint moonlight spilled through the curtains, casting a glow into the room.

Kazuto Kirigaya lay down on the bed and started messaging Kazuto Kirigaya.

Roa: Kirito, what level are you now?

A moment later, Kirito began to reply.

Kirito: Level 9.

Roa: I'm level 10, you know.

Kirito: Are you still trying to compare yourself? I wonder how Suguha is doing out there.

Roa: Mother should be back by now. By the way, what do you think of that person?

Kirito: Who?

Roa: Don't play dumb. You know who I'm talking about, Usakawa Sumi.

Kirito: She's quite capable and has helped me a lot. I wouldn't have been able to level up so quickly without her help.

Roa: Did you touch her hand yet?

In the Starting Town, at a restaurant, the two sat opposite each other.

Kazuto Kirigaya's expression stiffened as he looked at the message the boy had sent. He recalled touching the girl's soft, warm hand that afternoon. The sensation made Kazuto Kirigaya subconsciously glance at the girl opposite him.

Usakawa Sumi.

A cute and delicate girl, who spoke frankly and lacked the reserve of a young lady. That was Kazuto Kirigaya's impression of her.

But that was during the beta test. As for now, they both just ate in silence.

It was clear that she was in a bad mood.

Kazuto Kirigaya swallowed and tried to comfort her, "Um, you don't have to be sad."

Usakawa Sumi looked up and glanced at Kazuto Kirigaya. She pretended to be relaxed and said, "I just haven't processed it yet. It's okay, I'll get used to it in a few days."

Kazuto Kirigaya wanted to say something, but in the end, he didn't. Indeed, in this situation, letting her take her time was the best course of action.

In the room, seeing that the other party hadn't replied for a long time, Kazuto Kirigaya smiled and remained silent.

He opened Asuna's chat interface and started typing.

Roa: Are you asleep?

Asuna: Asleep.

Asuna replied instantly.

Kazuto Kirigaya continued typing.

Roa: You can't really call that sleeping. What's wrong? Still thinking about today's events?

There was no reply.

After waiting a moment, no message came.

He sighed indifferently. If the guy didn't want to reply, so be it.

Feeling his somewhat tired body, Kazuto Kirigaya drifted off to dream.

The world of Jobless Reincarnation.

Releasing control of Kazuto Kirigaya, he turned and glared unhappily at the blonde brat in front of him.

He shouted, "Rudeus, have you learned your swordsmanship yet? Are you still playing with Zenith?"

Rudeus scratched his head and looked at Roa strangely.

He muttered under his breath, "Big brother, you can't stop me from pursuing love just because your new flame ran off."

Roa fell silent, then said in exasperation, "That's beside the point. Have you learned your swordsmanship? How many years has it been? Your swordsmanship is still so poor."

Rudeus retorted, "I'm a mage. Swordsmanship is just something I can pick up casually."

Roa's expression turned serious, and a mocking smile appeared on his delicate and handsome face as he stared directly at Rudeus. "Rudeus, if Paul heard you say that, you'd definitely get beaten."

Mentioning Paul, Rudeus visibly flinched. It was clear he hadn't been spared the rod recently.

However, Rudeus remained as stubborn as ever and continued to get close with Zenith.

Roa, frustrated by his lack of progress, looked up at the sky, tears flashing in his eyes.

Day 730 of missing Roxy.

It had been two years since Roxy left. Besides occasionally communicating with her, he hadn't had any beautiful young ladies to keep him company.

Every day was just tedious sword practice.

With no women to disrupt his dao heart, he had successfully reached the level of Sword God Style advanced swordsmanship through his own comprehension. And he was only ten years old.

An advanced swordsman at ten years old. When Roa and Paul fought to a standstill, Paul had silently waved his hand, signaling that he could no longer teach Roa.

Paul had been worried about this.

Lately, Paul's smiles had become fewer and fewer. Even when he was being intimate with Zenith, he couldn't hide his fatigue.

I misread, two more updates to come.