On the makeshift stage, Yuna, who had dyed her hair white with props, raised her arms and shouted to the players below.
--Oh oh oh!!!!!!!!
What followed was cheers that echoed throughout the square of the starting town.
"Then, let the music begin!"
Compared with the more introverted appearance she had when we met before, Yuna who is now on stage is undoubtedly more like a real idol.
The loud singing continued to rise and fall, and the emotions of the players and audience gradually rose.
…
"Really, why did Yuji take on this mission..."
Asuna, standing on the outermost edge, put her hand on her rapier and tapped her toes in dissatisfaction.
As the floors continued to climb, the chestnut-haired girl saw hope of clearing the level and became more and more enthusiastic about the strategy.
Instead of listening to the concert here, she would rather go kill the monsters on the upper level.
"That's what I say, but Asuna, you're actually just afraid of ghosts, right?"
Covering her mouth, Lisbeth snickered.
"What are you talking about?! Why am I afraid of ghosts?!"
Asuna's face turned a little red, and she straightened her arms as if she was angry. She was obviously hiding her guilt, and she didn't even notice that her tone of voice had changed.
"Okay, okay! I know! I believe you are it!"
Lisbeth, who spread her hands to show that she understood and was not trying to stimulate anyone, turned her attention to Silica, who was standing in front of the two of them, dancing happily to the song.
The little girl's face was full of excitement, and even the familiar on her head was flapping its wings.
Her expression softened, and Lisbeth smiled at Asuna.
"Don't make yourself too tired. There's nothing wrong with relaxing once in a while, right?"
"Huh...it's really lively here...we obviously work so hard..."
In another position opposite Asuna and the others, Suguha's mood was a little complicated.
They were fighting life and death on the upper level to clear this game, but here they were happily holding a concert down below.
"Well... you can't think so. After all, everyone chooses a different way of survival."
"It's like we chose to pick up the sword and fight, and they chose to put down the sword and wait for rescue."
Yuuki stretched out her crossed legs and sat on the steps looking at the stars with a calm expression.
"And, for upper-level players, this may not be a bad thing."
Following Yuuki's words, Aiko pointed to the middle of the crowd with a smile. There were many players wearing equipment only available to the middle and upper classes, and the most conspicuous ones were the loudest group of people wearing unified guild uniforms.
It is the "Furin Kasana" led by Suguha's brother's friend, Klein.
The fallen samurai at the head was still shouting at the top of his lungs, "Kiss Yuna".
"...I have convinced them."
Deaf pulled her shoulders, and Suguha slumped her face and smiled bitterly.
Amidst the warm applause of all the players, the concert finally ended successfully.
After all, it is within a safe area, so it is unrealistic for players to cause trouble.
The reason why people from the guild are divided into two groups is mostly just to help maintain order.
Not even a shadow of the so-called 'ghost' was seen, so Yuriel and the others were also wondering if Yuna was too tired and had an illusion.
But on this point, Yuna insisted that she was absolutely right.
Because she has seen white shadows appearing around her several times.
And the reason why the other party is a ghost is because I have never seen the health bar and arrow on the other party's head.
Doesn't this mean that the 'ghost' is neither a player nor an NPC? That's why it makes people scared...
Without any clues, Yuuki and the others decided to guard her by changing shifts.
But it is impossible to accompany them without any restrictions. After all, they have to return to the front line to continue the strategy.
…
Three days later, go to the church street in the east seventh district of the town.
Today is the last day for Yuuki and the others to stay on the first floor. Not long ago, she had received a message from Kirito, and she was about to start the attack on the 74th floor.
It's just that there is still no clue about the 'ghost' problem. Although Yuuki has some guesses about it, she can't be sure without seeing it with her own eyes.
"Sorry for wasting your precious time."
Looking at her last guard apologetically, Yuna sighed helplessly.
I don’t know if the ‘ghost’ has noticed something, but there has been no sign of lingering around her at all recently.
But in this case, without being able to determine whether it was an avid player or a system bug, she had no choice but to try not to leave the safe area.
"...It's not a waste. After all, everyone has been fighting on the front line for so long. It's a good thing to take a good rest these days."
After comforting Yuna, Yuuki raised her head and looked at the shopping street that had changed drastically.
Unexpectedly, the first floor became lively. It seemed that many players had regarded this place as reality and started their lives again.
"Cheer up, the song is very nice."
After patting Yuna, who was looking a little worried, on the back to encourage her, Yuuki took the lead and walked into their final destination of the day.
"...It's still the same."
Looking at Yuuki's back with some envy, Yuna, who had adjusted herself, also walked in.
…
The church in the East Seventh District is where most of the younger players gather today. As long as you continue to pay a small amount of kel, the small room in the church can be used as a hotel. It can be said to be a very humane setting in this world.
.
"Ah! It's Yuna!"
When they saw the two people pushing open the door and walking in, the child who first spotted Yuna screamed happily.
She has not been here for several days because she has been busy with concert activities.
As more and more young players heard the call and gathered, the main door inside the church slowly opened, and a woman wearing glasses who looked about twenty years old came out.
"Is it Yuna...who is this?"
Looking at the new face next to Yuna, the nun asked with some confusion. She remembered that she was usually accompanied by Liel.
"Good afternoon, Miss Sasha."
"This is my friend, Yuuki."
After saying hello, Yuna introduced the two of them to each other with a smile.
"...Ah, hello, please come this way."
After finally stopping the children who were surrounding them asking questions, the nun with glasses welcomed them in.
…
In the reception room, Yuna briefly explained what happened in the past few days.
"..."Ghost" investigation, right?"
"Well, you also know that I have been worrying about this matter recently, so Captain Xinka and the others invited Yuuki for me."
"But now it seems that I am really too worried."
Sitting on the table holding a tea cup, Yuna seemed to have accepted this reality.
"Well, regarding this matter, actually..."
"...?"
After hesitating for a moment, Sasha, who was a little troubled, seemed to be organizing her words.
"In the past few days, the children in the church are also telling me that they have seen..."
Overlapping with what Sasha wanted to say, a child's scream came from outside the door.