Dimensional Codex System: I'm really not a cultist!

Chapter 917: Chapter 916: Test of Courage Tournament (Part 1)

In the end, considering that Asuna might get tied to a stake and ”burn, burn, burn” by Yuki and the others, Fang Zheng cast his vote for the poor little mermaid...

”Boo hoo hoo...”

And Asuna, who was stepping down from the winner’s platform, was on the verge of tears.

”They clearly said I’d be the mermaid princess, why do I end up as grilled fish?”

”Huh? Sister Asuna, you are indeed playing the role of the mermaid princess, aren’t you?”

Yuki stood by with a cheerful smile, reaching out to touch Asuna’s fish tail as she spoke.

”What kind of mermaid princess is this?! Shouldn’t the mermaid princess be rescued by the prince?”

”NONONO, Sister Asuna, what you’re talking about is the route where the mermaid princess gets rescued. We went for the route where the mermaid princess gets caught by the Catfolk Tribe and grilled for dinner.”

”What kind of route is that!!!”

Asuna shouted with a flushed face, causing everyone around to burst into laughter. The guild’s premises inside and out were suddenly filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Watching everyone enjoying themselves happily, Fang Zheng nodded in satisfaction. This was the reason he threw the festival celebration. To let everyone have fun and relax, ensuring at least their spirits were in a good state. And from the looks of it, everyone was indeed enjoying the celebration.

”Thanks for waiting, everyone!”

At this moment, Yuna, acting as the host, jumped onto the stage, excitedly raising her hand.

”Next, it’s time for the part everyone looks forward to the most, the courage test!”

”Ohhhhhhh!!!”

Hearing Yuna’s words, the players immediately cheered.

Only Asuna’s face turned pale in an instant.

”Wait, are we really, really, really going?”

Looking at the dim forest not far away, Asuna was so scared that she couldn’t speak properly.

”What if, what if there’s danger...”

”Don’t worry, Asuna, our Executive Committee has already searched every inch of that forest. There aren’t any creatures in there at all. Miss Restia and Miss Ester will be watching over from the side, and the Combat Group will also be inside acting as ghosts. Even if we accidentally encounter some creature, we can handle it.”

Eiriri patted Asuna’s shoulder while glancing at the ”Halloween Executive Committee” members behind her.

”Isn’t that right, Silica, Fairy?”

”Of course, as if my script would have a mistake!”

Hearing Eiriri’s inquiry, another girl player with golden curls and pointy ears puffed out her chest proudly. Her ID read ”Fairy,” and indeed, her outfit made her look exactly like a fairy. Beside her, Silica, who was the girl who asked Fang Zheng for candy earlier, was dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and nodded, still holding her basket.

”That’s right, the Combat Group is ready. Don’t worry, Sister Asuna, it’s very safe inside. Please enjoy.”

”There’s absolutely nothing enjoyable about this...”

Asuna was almost in tears as she turned around and grabbed hold of Fang Zheng.

”M-Mr. Fang Zheng! Can I sit this one out? I’m not feeling well...”

”......”

This is the game world, couldn’t you come up with a better excuse than that?

Seeing Asuna on the verge of tears, Fang Zheng smiled slightly and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

”Asuna...”

”Mr. Fang Zheng...”

”Are you really that scared?”

Asuna nodded fervently in response to Fang Zheng’s question.

”Yes, Mr. Fang Zheng, please let me off this one!!”

”Well, letting you off isn’t impossible. After all, I’m not a devil either.”

Hearing Fang Zheng’s response, Asuna immediately let out a sigh of relief, feeling as if she’d been granted a momentary reprieve. Then Fang Zheng closed his eyes to think for a moment before looking back at Asuna.

”In that case, choose one: training on the sixth floor or participating in the courage test.”

”...........”

Upon hearing this, Asuna’s smile instantly froze.

Of course, Fang Zheng didn’t set this up just for fun. He agreed to Eiriri’s idea for a courage test partly to create a festive atmosphere, but also as a training exercise for players in the raid group. Based on Fang Zheng’s experience, games of this sort often brought in horror or ghost-themed levels. On the sixth floor, half the people were already scared stiff by bugs alone; if they face ghosts, they’d be totally doomed.

So, Fang Zheng decided to use this courage test to toughen them up a bit and to identify who was most afraid of ghosts. That way, when encountering ghostly creatures, he’d be better equipped to assign team roles for the fight.

From the looks of things now, Fang Zheng’s consideration was indeed necessary. At least he had already identified someone frozen with fear.

”Well then, let me announce the rules now!”

Once everyone gathered, Yuna immediately stepped forward holding a microphone.

”First, everyone will draw lots to form teams, and I have to mention...”

At this point, Yuna giggled playfully, winking as she spoke.

”There’s a special grand prize; the one who draws it will team up with Brother Fang Zheng for the courage test!”

”Whaaat———!”

Upon hearing this, the already lively crowd let out screams of excitement.

In the Dark Moon Sword Guild, nearly everyone was a girl between the ages of ten and eighteen, with only a few adults like Sayaka. They all had a favorable impression of Fang Zheng, naturally. Despite their daily challenging tasks, being in a safe place without risking their lives felt dreamlike in such a dangerous world.

As a result, their fondness extended towards Fang Zheng, the founder of the Dark Moon Sword. Not to mention Fang Zheng was warm, charming, good-looking, and highly skilled, making him quite popular. The production and combat groups rarely got the chance to spend time with Fang Zheng, so there was a sense of yearning.

But now they had the chance to join Fang Zheng in the courage test!

How could anyone miss such an opportunity?

”Sister Leafa, if you draw the lot, would you give it to me?”

”Huh? Why should I give it to you...?”

”Because you’re always with Mr. Fang Zheng anyway. I barely get a chance to talk to him...”

”No way, if I draw it, it’s mine. I want to join the courage test with Mr. Fang Zheng too...”

Chatting away, the girls happily queued up for the draw, while Asuna, amidst the crowd, prayed fervently as she walked forward.

”Please let me draw Mr. Fang Zheng, please let me draw Mr. Fang Zheng...!!”

Murmuring her prayers, Asuna reached the box, closed her eyes, and pulled out a ball.

”It’s number eighteen! Number eighteen! Please pair up with number eighteen, has anyone got number eighteen?”

”Ah, I’m also number eighteen.”

At that moment, a voice came from beside Asuna. She turned her head to see Black Cat dressed in a black cloak, carrying a scythe, with a creepy white mask on her face, turning to look at her, raising her hand with the matching lot.

”Asuna, we’re in the same group.”

”..........”

At this moment, Asuna felt her legs go weak.