On a lush green plain somewhere.
Akasaka brought Asuna here with the Flying Thunder God, settling her onto a rock before telling her:
"Stay here for a while. I'll be back soon."
Akasaka turned to go save Usagisawa Misumi and Kirito, only for Asuna to grab hold of his shirt at the chest and refuse to let go no matter what.
Akasaka helplessly told her, "I need to go save them, Asuna."
Asuna's body trembled slightly. "Don't go!"
Akasaka pulled her into his arms and stroked the smooth hair down her back. "Don't worry. I won't leave you."
Only after hearing that did Asuna relax considerably. She naturally nestled against Akasaka's chest, even wriggling deeper into his embrace.
Though Akasaka said that, he secretly formed a hand seal against Asuna's back with one hand.
It was the seal for the Shadow Clone.
The next moment, an identical Akasaka appeared before them.
Akasaka immediately gave him an order.
"Go save Kirito and Usagisawa Misumi."
The shadow clone checked his remaining mana. He only had a pitiful amount left—around 11%. Spreading his hands helplessly, he said, "You're making things difficult for me, Original. Have you even looked at how little mana you gave me? How am I supposed to do that?"
Without hesitation, Akasaka took two blue mana potions from his inventory and tossed them to the shadow clone.
The shadow clone hurriedly caught them, fumbling in panic as though afraid they would fall and shatter.
The original Akasaka spoke calmly. "These two should be enough, right?"
"Enough," the shadow clone replied. Then he immediately opened one bottle and poured it into his mouth, restoring 50% of his mana.
After drinking it, he wiped his mouth with his sleeve.
With a whoosh!
The shadow clone vanished from the spot.
He had clearly