Chapter 290

"But it's been a long time since I've seen them this happy."

Looking up, I saw that the entire group had scattered.

Hiyori sneaked into a small shop that specializes in selling used books and became engrossed in reading novels that had been passed down from other worlds or copies.

Kaguya dragged Hayasaka to a tea shop, which seemed to be a farming-related organization. They said that even some Alienated Grade seeds tasted better than the finest teas that cost tens of thousands of dollars per ounce on Earth.

There were no traps to worry about, and no one would suddenly jump out to attack. Just like the other players, he was relaxed and at ease. Yuki suddenly understood why business was booming here.

Most players are not fanatics or lunatics; intelligent beings are always lazy and would rather lie down and do nothing every day.

What are you thinking about?

An ice cream cone suddenly appeared in front of her, Mai Sakurajima was holding another one in her hand, licking it with her tongue in small, delicate sips.

"Nothing much, just some philosophical questions, like why the lizardman players act in groups of three men and one woman, and why I can't see any children." Yuki took the ice cream cone and ate most of it in one gulp.

Mai Sakurajima rolled her eyes. It would be hard for a normal person to keep up with this idiot's thinking, and what kind of philosophical question was this?

She glanced at the maid carefully selecting tea leaves, secretly gave Kaguya a thumbs-up, and then subtly pulled the man away.

"Who said there aren't any kids? Aren't there kids over there?"

Yuki saw a blonde girl in a dress a hundred meters away, his gaze lingered for a moment, and he recognized her.

Tina Sprout from Black Bullet, kids really do like places like this.

Upon seeing an acquaintance, Yuki wasn't as surprised as before, and casually replied, "I'm not talking about those child players, but the children among players."

Mai Sakurajima's biological CPU was smoking a bit, and it took her a while to understand what was happening.

"Huh, it really is true. Let's leave aside our faction, but some players here have been here for many years, how come they don't have any descendants?"

As she strolled around, she observed that there was no shortage of 'love' here; she had just seen two stone figures hugging and gnawing at each other.

"Perhaps it's because of the Reincarnation Game that we were stripped of our abilities when we became players." Mai Sakurajima somewhat disappointed, but rationally speaking, not having offspring was a good thing.

"So, senior, should we verify this?"

"Verification? Verify what?"

Yuki glanced at the girl's nimble tongue, then decisively took her fair hand, his expression solemn.

"The verification function might just open up a new path for all players."

Mai Sakurajima blinked, and after several seconds, her fair face flushed slightly before she raised her foot to stomp on it.

"You idiot, how can your mind be filled with nothing but lust!"

"Push harder, senior! Your physical abilities are Transcendental Grade now."

Players around them detoured, some even casting scrutinizing glances, wondering which world's players were so audacious; this custom was quite interesting.

Surrounded by onlookers, Mai Sakurajima's face turned even redder, and she said fiercely, "Keep your voice down!"

"What's there to be afraid of? These players can't touch me anyway, and if they do, I'll just kill them."

"Pah! I don't have your thick skin!"

After this brief interlude, the two continued strolling around. Perhaps because Yuki was holding her hand too tightly, Mai Sakurajima didn't pull her hand away and just let him hold it.

Take an escalator made entirely of fluorescent light to the third floor. The shops here are larger, and the items are more expensive and rarer, some even approaching the level of level 2 items.

"Senior, how about I give you a gift?"

"Heh, so you finally know how to return the favor. You've been enjoying being a kept man lately, haven't you?" Mai Sakurajima crossed her arms, looking noncommittal.

Didn't you deliberately bring me here?

Yuki didn't expose her, and walked into a shop on his own. His gaze swept around and landed on a pink hair clip.

The smiley bunny design is perfect for the Bunny Girl Senpai. According to the Machine Intelligence's description, this thing also has a special function:

When given as a gift, it acts as a bridge, binding the two parties together, ensuring that no matter how time passes, this affection will never be forgotten.

Wow, that's quite romantic. Was it a specially made token of love?

Without hesitation, Yuki bought it for 25 points, instantly returning to the Zero Realm. Turning his head, he saw Mai Sakurajima's slightly flushed face.

She also saw the advertisement on the Machine Intelligence screen and immediately shifted her gaze from the row of rings.

"You... really gave it to me?"

"Could it be fake?"

"But that advertising slogan..."

"It's ambiguous, isn't it? I've confessed so many times, senior, I like you, and you didn't reject me, so I'll take it as an admission." Yuki; he wasn't as coy as that good-for-nothing.

Mai Sakurajima's purple eyes flickered slightly, momentarily agitated, but she quickly regained her composure and gently turned her head away. "Hmph, but you don't just like me; you've created a complete mess."

"Haha, this is a very clear account. You haven't wronged me, and I haven't wronged you. This account couldn't be clearer." Yuki laughed. He had been like this ever since he met Mai Sakurajima, and it had never changed.

He respects everyone around him, but he won't change his attitude towards others because of any one person.

The atmosphere was a little awkward. Mai Sakurajima bit her lip, thinking to herself that this idiot's emotional intelligence was probably negative, and his skin was too thick. How could he make such a direct declaration to a girl?

But when she thought of Hayasaka Ai, Shiina Hiyori, and even Kaguya Shinomiya, she felt that this conflict was insignificant in the context of the whole team.

"Hurry up."

"Um?"

Mai Sakurajima leaned forward, her black hair obscuring her expression, and urged, "Hurry up and put it on for me, then find a chance to pick out a gift for Hayasaka- san as well. I don't want to go back and get scolded by her."

Yuki somewhat surprised, then smiled contentedly, "As expected of my senior, your magnanimity is truly remarkable."

He reached out and clipped the rabbit hair accessory onto the girl's black hair, making them somewhat symmetrical, one on the left and one on the right.

"Why do I feel like you're doing something lewd again?"

"How could that be? I'm always very proper, okay?"

You're being serious for nothing! You were just looking at my chest.

Mai Sakurajima raised her hand to touch her hair ornament, trying to suppress the corners of her mouth, and raised her chin with a slightly proud air.

"Alright, hurry up and get on with your business. Didn't you want to see Mr. Silverhand?"

Aren't you coming with me?

"Who wants to go to such a dirty place? Just don't flirt with Rebecca Chambers," Mai Sakurajima emphasized confidently.

She knew Yuki; although this pig-headed guy was a bit lewd, he was very picky about his partners. For example, she and Hayasaka were like brothers who had risked their lives for each other.

If someone were simply driven by desire, they would have already spread their seed across the world.

"Okay." Yuki felt this trust and enjoyed it. As for Rebecca Chambers and the others, they were just friends.

Physical desires were insignificant to him; there were a thousand ways to experience pleasure beyond that at the Borderlands.

"Wait a moment."

Yuki had only taken a few steps when she turned around and saw her black hair flowing freely as her senior quickly approached, standing on tiptoe. Then she felt her lips moist and soft, accompanied by passionate, fiery breaths.

Mai Sakurajima covered her hair ornament with one hand and pressed the other hand against Yuki's chest, her breathing heavy and her eyes filled with seductive allure.

"Hmm, this is a return gift."

Yuki satisfied, his steps becoming firm and powerful. Mai Sakurajima stood there for a long time, her wildly beating heart still unable to calm down.

Players passing by offered friendly smiles; in this dangerous Reincarnation Game, enjoying the moment was the norm, and they had seen far more intense battles before.

Mai Sakurajima cupped her face in her hands, her gaze fixed on the imposing bald man not far away. All the other players had left, but he remained standing there, and she couldn't help but smile.

"Hayasaka- san, when did you arrive?"

"I've been here since you sneaked away." The bald man wiped his face, revealing a full head of blond hair and a handsome face, but his expression was somewhat complicated. "Senior, please don't act like a victor. Don't forget that I initiated this level of contact first."

"That was a misunderstanding during the battle!"

"Heh, if you think so, then so be it." Hayasaka Ai was too lazy to argue, slightly raising her chin. "Kaguya- san's thoughts can't be hidden from me at all. Do you know why I've kept quiet?"

It was indeed unexpected that the maid didn't cause trouble this time. Mai Sakurajima thought for a moment and said, "You want to know the answer?"

"Well, as the game progressed, there were more than just the two of us around him—no, there were four of us—so I wanted to know the answer." Hayasaka Ai, who had been pretending to be an onlooker and eavesdropping, smiled.

"And his answer was alright."

Are you really willing to accept this?

"I'm unwilling, but is Yuki Sorajima someone I can control so easily? Just like our complicated relationship, we both tacitly agree not to bring it into the dungeon."

This is indeed a tacit understanding. They are comrades-in-arms in the dungeon, and have never hesitated to risk their lives for each other. They only engage in wits and courage when they have free time.

"You... you're really calm." Mai Sakurajima was at a loss for words. She realized that after fighting Hayasaka Ai for several rounds, her own attitude had subtly changed.

It used to be a zero-sum game, but now it's turned into a scramble for attention. What kind of nonsense is this?

"Because I'm clear-headed and know this isn't Earth. Besides, you've saved me several times, so I can't bear to kick you out."

To return the favor, I also couldn't bear to kick you out of the game. Wait a minute, how did you suddenly declare yourself the victor?

Mai Sakurajima was about to correct the other person when Hayasaka Ai spoke up first, "So, senpai, next time it's my turn, don't cause trouble. We can divide it into several parts, and each of us can have our own. Sounds fair, right?"

What do you mean by "each to their own"? Have you been brainwashed by that idiot? It feels like you're just trying to fool me.

Mai Sakurajima's lips moved slightly. Her common sense had clashed with reality, but as Hayasaka Ai had said, there was no better way. They couldn't possibly fight amongst themselves over something like this, or use underhanded tactics to physically eliminate the other party.

Yuki would never allow such a thing, and neither would Hayasaka Ai or Mai Sakurajima.

"Deal." Mai Sakurajima accepted reluctantly, then added, "But I need to be ahead of the curve."

"Why should I?"

"Just because I knew him first."

"Hey, you're only a few hours ahead of me."

"A few hours is still early." Mai Sakurajima proudly raised her chin. Back in Bloodthirsty Red Moon, she was the first to team up with Yuki, and that was the only reason she could convince herself.

They glared at each other, but felt much more relaxed. Their thoughts had been clear for a long time, and this was the first time they had spoken their minds openly.

A few seconds later, the azure and pale purple eyes looked away, and the same thought arose in both:

The war is about to reach its climax.

Chapter 4: Deep into the Borderlands (6K)

Amidst the powerful heavy metal rock music, hundreds of players are swaying wildly on the dance floor, with various lights shining in and out, conveying a sense of frenzy.

Johnny Silverhand strummed his bass and sang loudly, while the drummer behind him swung his drums like a warhammer, making the intense music echo throughout the building. Meanwhile, scantily clad androids held up trays and served ecstasy potions to each booth, which made the atmosphere even more frenzied.

This is fucking punk. I'm glad I didn't bring my seniors; this isn't a place for minors.

Yuki looked around, a mixture of curiosity and unease. Two months ago, he was a college student who had been to bars, but certainly not as wild as Night City.

Of course, this is only the surface reason. He trusts Johnny Silverhand, but he is wary of 'Iron Faith'. If anything happens, he will immediately sever ties with his seniors.

Clatter.

A bottle of strong liquor was placed beside him. Johnny Silverhand out a chair and couldn't help but burst into laughter when he saw Yuki's expression.

"What's wrong? Not used to it? You're not a virgin, are you?"

"Bullshit, I wasn't in my past life!" Yuki shouted. He didn't have a lot of romantic experience, but he had at least three girlfriends when he was a corporate slave. "It's too noisy here, and I'm a disciplined person. I can't stand such crazy scenes."

My ears were filled with heavy metal rock, and I was also dizzy from the spotlights.

"Bullshit, there aren't many self-disciplined players. After going through life and death every time, isn't this little bit of relaxation all they ask for? It's just that our faction takes the chemical bliss route." Johnny Silverhand picked up the bottle, clinked it against Yuki's, and then tilted his head back and gulped it all down.

"Alright, if you're not used to it, come with me."

Yuki quickly followed behind him, weaving through the crowded throng and leaving through a side door. As soon as the door closed, the noise was cut off.

My mind cleared instantly, and a completely different scene unfolded before my eyes.

There was no loud music, no frenzied guests, and all sorts of high-tech equipment were neatly arranged. Players in uniform were fiddling with the machines, and then some guests arrived and were ushered into the operating room.

Many prosthetics, like those in shopping malls, are items that players modify or produce themselves, but these are clearly not for passing the time.

Yuki recalled the 'Mechanical Believers' faction talent, which allowed them to modify and equip Chaos Item on their bodies. Compared to them, Adam was practically a handicraft workshop.

"Want to modify your body? I'll install a few for you for free." Silver Hand seemed very generous.