Journey to Planar World

”Oi, Asuna! Wake up!”

Charlie slapped Asuna’s cheeks several times, but there was no response.

”Is this a mental attack or some kind of curse? How could I not sense it? Could it be because Asuna’s body is just a collection of data, so I couldn’t detect it?”

Countless questions swirled in his mind, but Charlie pushed aside his doubts. His priority wasn’t uncovering the truth behind the attack but addressing the anomaly affecting Asuna.

”Sacred Break Spell!”

Charlie placed his hand on Asuna’s chest.

*BUZZ!*

Instantly, a magical circle with an enchanting pattern appeared beneath Asuna’s body, its light gently illuminating her.

This was Aqua’s Sacred Break Spell from Konosuba, a spell meant to dispel magic, skills, and curses.

However, this was a degraded version. Charlie wasn’t a divine being; he replicated the spell through Spirit Arts, so its effect wasn’t as potent as the original.

The light pulsed with pure energy for a full minute, attempting to expel whatever afflicted Asuna. After a minute, the light faded, leaving Asuna in the exact same condition.

”It failed? Is it a technique that vanishes once its user is defeated?”

Charlie frowned, a sense of unease rising. He cradled Asuna in his arms, scanning the surroundings warily for any trace of the Abyssal Devourer.

*SHUA!*

A sudden gust of green wind blew in all directions, spreading for kilometers.

This wasn’t ordinary wind; it was an extension of Charlie’s senses, relaying feedback if it detected even the slightest anomaly.

*WHOOSH!*

Then, Charlie floated 30 meters into the air, holding Asuna in his arms.

From that height, he scanned the environment with his Six Eyes, searching for energy signatures, presences, or spatial distortions that might indicate the Abyssal Devourer’s presence. Yet, the savanna lay silent, as if nothing had happened.

”…”

After scanning the area with his Six Eyes and green wind for a while, Charlie gave up, frustration washing over him.

”Is the Abyssal Devourer’s Assassin-Type concealment ability that advanced? I can’t even detect a trace of it?”

He looked down, closely observing Asuna in his arms.

Her HP bar was still normal, with no signs of physical damage.

”Asuna’s HP is fine. Aside from losing consciousness, she’s okay.”

”Maybe this isn’t the Abyssal Devourer’s doing?”

So far, Charlie hadn’t directly confronted the Assassin-Type Abyssal Devourer, so his information was limited.

”For now, let’s move to another location. If it’s a curse or something, there might be a range limit.”

With no other solutions, he could only test any ideas that came to mind.

*BOOM!*

With that decision, Charlie shot forward.

He flew at supersonic speed, leaving the savanna in an instant, hoping the rapid movement might disrupt whatever effect was afflicting Asuna.

◆━⊰✧⊱━◆

”You’re pathetic. Your level’s way behind other players. Geez, has your gaming skill dropped?”

The sarcastic voice came from a nimble female player with sharp brown eyes and curly golden-brown hair partially covered by her hooded cloak.

She wore a full set of leather armor, a hooded cloak, and most distinctively, had whiskers drawn on her face.

Her in-game nickname was Argo.

”Shut up, Argo. It’s not like I wanted this. If it weren’t for that guy, my level wouldn’t be this low.”

Walking behind Argo was a young man with black hair, dressed in an all-black outfit.

Who else but the legendary Black Swordsman of the future, Kirito.

Turning around, Argo gave him a skeptical look, not entirely convinced.

”Are you sure that’s not just an excuse for being lousy, Kirito? Someone messing with you who can vanish, and a female player attacking you in a safe zone before slipping into shadows… Sounds hard to believe. There’s no magic in SAO, you know.”

Argo had heard the details about Miguel from Kirito. Naturally, her first reaction was disbelief.

”Drop that topic.”

Kirito quickly changed the subject. He was tired of explaining something even he barely understood.

”Are you sure this is the right path to the Martial Arts Master’s Hut? You saw it yourself—I desperately need anything to boost my strength.”

With Argo’s help as a guide—a highly reliable information broker—Kirito was heading to the Martial Arts Master’s Hut to undertake the Martial Arts Quest.

This quest rewarded players with the Extra Skill: Martial Arts.

To start the quest, players first had to find an NPC living in a hut near the peak of a very tall mountain on Floor 2’s southern edge.

The path was steep and dangerous, but Kirito was determined to obtain it. It was one of the few hopes he had to catch up on his lagging level.

”No info slips past this Argo the Rat. I’m the best broker in all of Aincrad. If I don’t know the Martial Arts Master’s Hut’s location, who would?” Argo patted her chest proudly.

Used to Argo’s over-the-top pride, Kirito shifted his gaze to the clear blue sky above the savanna.

”Huh?”

”What’s up, Kirito?”

”I… I just saw someone flying in the sky.”

Argo looked up but saw nothing except slowly drifting clouds. She turned back to Kirito, raising an eyebrow.

”What are you talking about, Kirito? Flying? Are you so exhausted you’re hallucinating? Looks like you do need a break. Maybe too much grinding’s making you see things. Let’s rest for a bit.”

Kirito sighed. He knew Argo wouldn’t believe him. How could he explain that he saw someone zooming through the sky at high speed, carrying a girl in their arms?

”No, I’m serious, Argo. I saw it. Someone was really flying.”

”Yeah, yeah, whatever you say. Now, let’s find some shade. You need sleep, not weird delusions.”

Argo tugged Kirito’s arm, forcing him to keep walking, leaving him confused and pondering what he had truly seen.