In the virtual world, there's no such thing as stamina.
As long as the stamina bar and satiety bar haven't hit rock bottom, no matter how they fight or move, the body won't feel fatigue, and performance won't drop at all—especially in this special arena built for combat, where they can truly let loose, fighting from dawn till dusk without pause.
But in exchange, the mental toll becomes far more pronounced.
For example, panting from an intense clash, or cold sweat from fear—as long as the subconscious believes they should react that way in the moment, it will faithfully manifest on the avatar.
"Haaah—almost died just now."
Covering the messy wounds still flickering with red light effects, Yuu slowly sat up from the grass, pulling the corner of his mouth into a wry smile.
He seemed utterly unconcerned with his health bar now deep red, ignoring the countdown with only one minute left.
He looked completely resigned to this match, casually chatting with his distant opponent: "Tell me, Asu... Yuuki-san, should I first welcome you to Sobu High's cultural festival?"
His voice echoed across the vast meadow.
Yuu knew outsiders couldn't hear in-game conversations, so he didn't hold back, speaking naturally to the rapier user whose name didn't match at all.
Of course, this relaxed attitude was an act—truthfully, Yuu was extremely nervous, his stomach even slightly cramping.
Because he hadn't known the bearded uncle was Asuna, he'd apparently said a lot of awful things...
He silently prayed the topic could just be dropped.
But contrary to expectations, the first thing Asuna did after rising from the ground wasn't answering his question or immediately confronting his words.
Instead, she fearfully rubbed her avatar's flat (possibly six-packed) stomach, then glared at him with teary, angry eyes.
"How dare you kick a girl's stomach—and that hard! Tenkuji-kun, I never thought you were that kind of guy!"
"???"
Yuu's mind filled with question marks, but before he could speak, he immediately looked away, unable to bear the horrifying sight of a burly man holding back tears.
Sorry as he felt for Asuna... her current appearance was truly unbearable.
"What do you mean I kicked a girl's stomach? You're not planning to negotiate?"
"Why wouldn't I negotiate?!"
"Not to mention your current look is a whole dimension away from a girl, you didn't hold back stabbing me either, did you? Besides, who cares about that in a game fight—if you want to pick a fight, just say it!"
Asuna panicked, slapping the grass with her massive fan-like palm.
"You kicked me after hearing my real voice, right? Meaning you knew I was Asuna, yet still kicked my stomach mercilessly! You're the one picking a fight!"
Without waiting for a reply, Asuna sat weakly on the ground, clutching her stomach and sobbing sadly.
"Wah, so cruel... Do you know how important a stomach is to a girl? If something happens to the organs inside—"
"Please, don't say that with that appearance..."
Too lazy to call out the insincere fake crying, Yuu helplessly tilted his head back, propping himself on his palms.
"Besides, stomachs are important for guys too, you know? I didn't even complain that all your thrusts targeted my kidneys..."
"That was accidental! Who told you to guard your heart!"
"Do you know how important the heart is to a guy?!"
Lips pouting sideways like sulking, Asuna grumbled dissatisfied: "Hmph, stingy! Getting stabbed a few times in a game won't kill you."
Yuu glanced at her politely, then quickly looked away: "You're so blatantly double-standard, aren't you embarrassed..."
"Gulp..."
As if at a loss for words, she made a reluctant sound.
Yuu gazed at the white clouds above. During this natural conversation, his mouth unconsciously relaxed.
Just hearing Asuna's voice felt melodic and nostalgic—no more urge to gouge his eyes out in disgust.
Yuu remembered when they were just teammates, bickering like this while exploring, leaving footprints on empty maps.
Missions completed together, monsters slain together, otherworldly views enjoyed side by side, even the no-holds-barred sword fight just now...
It all felt distant, like years ago—photos yellowed with age—yet in mere minutes, everything returned to past colors.
Though the situation wasn't optimistic, Yuu couldn't suppress the joy rising from his heart.
Even without romantic feelings, those seventeen days were vibrant, precious memories—treasures his, untouchable by the system.
This feeling, with five tasks, might appear five times in his life.
"Tenkiji-kun, aren't you curious about something?"
His drifting thoughts were pulled back by the girl's soft, melodic voice.
Asuna seemed to have set aside her kicked-stomach issue, suddenly asking in a normal tone.
*SWOOSH!*
Yuu heard her stand, but unwilling to see a bearded uncle making a beautiful girl's voice, he kept staring skyward.
He lazily kept looking up, even setting his single sword aside, as if waiting for time to run out and lose the duel naturally.
"Things I'm curious about, of course there are. Like why you're here, why you did that to the Virtual Research Club, and why pick a male avatar for the stage—what weird habit is that..."
Cut off shyly and angrily: "It's not a weird habit! I just wanted to try playing as a male avatar; I didn't know I'd be randomized into this uncle! I thought with Konno-chan's helmet, I'd get a male avatar like her..."
"Hah, you really got unlucky." Not meaning to mock, Yuu shrugged. "But I get it. I wanted to try a female avatar too, but someone I know is watching below, and I'm not that thick-skinned, so I gave up."
"Don't talk like I'm shameless, okay?" Asuna said annoyed, then explained, "As for not wanting you to find me... it was pure subconscious. The Virtual Research Club president wasn't lying, right?"
"Relax, he made you an unforgivable villain to cover for you." Yuu said amused. "That's why your voice shocked me, delaying my reaction half a second... Yuuki-san, you didn't really crush a bunch of challengers with zero experience like they said, did you?"
This time, he waited but got no answer.
Before looking down at her expression, a ghostly whisper rode the wind into his ear, carrying a chill.
"Calling me Yuuki-san, Yuuki-san is so unpleasant... I've waited so long; you really weren't planning to explain voluntarily, Tenkiji-kun."
"..."
Yuu's whole body tensed, like a gun to his head, frozen in place.
Seeing him like that, Asuna couldn't help a small laugh, light as hair falling on a blade and splitting in two.
"Violent double-standard? Super aggressive? Not girly at all? Exactly like a female Tyrannosaurus? Hmm? Tell me, who said that?"
"..."
Yuu exercised his right to silence, but Asuna clearly wasn't letting go.
"Scary and troublesome? Better avoid when meeting? Did Nii-san tell you that, or is it your opinion of me? Tell me, I won't get mad. Why not explain properly?"
Her questioning tone was soft, but that made the cold anger clearer—like the next second she'd snap and cruelly slash his chest.
"..."
Yuu stared at the clouds, eyes doubtful, still silent.
"Too late to play dumb now."
Asuna's voice suddenly calmed, flat.
Standing two meters before Yuu, she said softly: "Tenkiji-kun, can you answer a few questions?"
"Why, though I've never met you in-game, do you know me so well?"
"...Haaah."
Like a convict at a dead end, Yuu lowered his head, sighed suddenly, picked up his sword, and stood.
Asuna's gaze followed, never leaving his face.
"Why, though I've never dueled you, do you say I've never beaten you, and know my moves so well?"
This time, Yuu answered nonchalantly:
"No why, it just is."
Truthfully, Yuu still didn't know how to face Asuna.
Be honest about the past? Or try fooling her?
Asuna's appearance was too sudden, in this two-person-only situation—even with Yuu's smarts, he couldn't instantly decide the path.
He didn't know her goal, or if she remembered anything—how to react spontaneously?
Honesty meant dragging Asuna into trouble, but after stupidly saying those things to a stranger, it cornered him with little maneuver room...
Better continue the fight.
Fighting was most fun. No need for words—everything ends with combat, no emotional bonds needed.
Anyway, duel first; back in reality, Yuu would confess his relationship with Yukino to Asuna, then discuss with Yukino how to handle this third girlfriend.
Though by arrival order, Asuna was Masuzu's senior, second in line.
But current girlfriend trumps ex—status order mustn't mess up. Prioritize Yukino's feelings; better not decide alone.
Decision made, Yuu suddenly raised his single sword, pointing at the upright bearded giant before him.
"Alright, countdown's not over—let's continue the duel!"
But the rapier user across didn't appreciate it, eyes growing colder, like twin ice blades.
"You won't answer my questions?"
Like calm before the storm, Yuu heard no emotion in her voice.
His heart stirred; unconsciously softening, his tone turned sincere:
"Not unwilling. But even if I answer, it's not good for you."
Eyes met, creating an invisible vortex in the air. Their hair fluttered; grass roots bent slowly.
Yuu didn't back down, as if to soften her with sincerity, speaking slowly, word by word:
"Yuuki-san, whatever you suspect, I sincerely suggest stopping thinking about it."
"..."
Her pupils shrank suddenly. Yuu, as if unaware, continued: "Pretend nothing happened, ignore feelings of forgetting something you must remember... That's definitely the best choice for you."
Though this contradicted the promise he made her during break time.
But now, Asuna could still be saved.
Unlike Haruno and Masuzu, who actively approached and were deeply in his life circle, Asuna not only attended school in the next town but had no daily interaction chances. She could truly start anew, leave him for lasting happiness.
Who hasn't dated two or three times? Just first love—forget it.
—This is what Yuu wanted to tell Haruno and Masuzu now.
He was a pit; once escaped, don't return—if time remains, Yuu truly didn't want this netizen falling like them.
Including Yukino waiting outside—after this task, he surely didn't want her remembering the past either, right?
Nothing to do with the system's evil.
Because Yuu knew: the happier they are now, the more they'll be tortured by memories and emotions in the end.
Though he couldn't control that pain, he hoped fewer people experienced it—the better; one was enough.
So now, seeing Asuna ignoring his words, Yuu slowly sighed, cleared all expression, and raised his single sword calmly.
"Then let's do this—coincidentally, some duel time remains."
"You beat me, I'll tell you everything I can. I beat you, pretend nothing happened earlier, forget the past, look forward, don't make trouble for yourself."
To prevent more victims.
From now on, he'd use full power to crush Asuna.