Asuna might have truly grown up. This time, it was her turn to educate her mother.
In this situation, in terms of acceptance, young people are indeed faster.
Kyoko had ultimately lost a lot, so she valued Asuna more than herself.
Now, even if she regretted it to death, there was no regret medicine to take. She could only either accept the fact and simply lie down, waiting for the pros to clear the game.
This was the best way to survive.
Or.
Treat it like traveling to another world, staking her life to seriously live in this world.
After all...
Such opportunities were indeed rare.
Even if similar virtual world games appeared in the future, so what?
The 'sense of reality' would be insufficient!
Yes, that was it — insufficient sense of reality.
No matter how realistic other games were made, they still couldn't compare to the realistic death where if you die, you really die.
Even if it was a one-life game, where death meant deleting your account or even refusing login, it wouldn't bring this tension and fear, nor the thrill some people wanted.
Through Asuna's persuasion, Kyoko gradually agreed to her daughter's wishes.
At this point, even if she didn't want to, she couldn't.
"That's settled, hehe~ Please take care of us from now on~"
'Job done,' Asuna turned and smiled at Kaito.
As if specially coming to report, she was now incredibly happy.
"Okay, from now on, please take care of each other. But before that, let's go eat first. As the party leader, my treat."
In the new SAO, a party could hold a maximum of 10 people. 5 parties formed a squadron, and 5 squadrons formed a raid group.
After Asuna and Kyoko joined the party, there were still 3 slots left. There's no need to worry about running out of space and having to form an extra party, then establishing a squadron.
Led by Kaito, they found a decent tavern near a street in the royal capital. Kaito booked a large private room, and they had lunch there, while also discussing their current situations and familiarizing themselves with combat abilities.
For example, Kyoko wasn't very brave in direct combat, so she became an archer, like Shino.
Asuna, as usual, used a one-handed rapier, feeling it suited her. For some reason, she liked a fast, accurate, and ruthless fighting style, excelling especially in thrusts.
Additionally…
The mother-daughter pair had also called a trustworthy old maid who had worked for their family for many years.
They asked the old maid to take them to a high-end hospital and specially open a VIP room, hiring professionals to care for them.
The mother and daughter could check in anytime via video call.
Of course, salary doubled, and money would continue to be given.
Under the current conditions, the Japanese government had accepted cooperation in this regard, using video calls to confirm the asset owner's authorization for use.
Shino had it tougher, but fortunately, the government quickly provided subsidies. Although she would have to repay them later, it was a repayment plan lasting until retirement, with no interest.
Come to think of it, with 25 million people trapped in the game, governments worldwide couldn't possibly just spend money every day for free, burning funds to support everyone.
Being able to give some subsidies was already pretty good. Anything beyond that could be considered a loan.
As for Leafa.
Since Japan was inseparable from katana, rather than continuing to use a katana, it was more that she didn't have a suitable katana yet. She would switch weapons when she found one later.
Naturally, having won the championship and received a lot of prize money, she didn't need to worry. At least for a year, she had no money problems. As for endorsements, she had already filmed the ads and received the money. She wasn't worried at all.
Above was everyone's situation.
Ako said she wanted to become a sorcerer. Mika thought about it and finally decided to become a sorcerer too.
Only one was a slacker healing sorcerer, and one was a damage-dealing sorcerer.
And for now, neither had skill books, so they were just simple melee staff fighters.
"I see. So, are you all logging off to eat now?"
After everyone finished speaking, Kaito also told them what he had previously told Leafa and the others.
Their helmets were different; they were more advanced game helmets manufactured by his own company, so they weren't restricted.
As for what would happen if their characters died, it was still unknown.
Kaito first asked them to find an inn in the Town of Beginnings to rest and sort out their feelings. Everything would wait until they regrouped tomorrow for adventure.
"Phew..."
Logging off, opening his eyes, Kaito found a pair of eyes fixedly staring at him by the bedside.
No need to guess, it was Irisviel.
"Irisviel, why were you staring at me?"
"Hehehe, because I felt you were about to return from the game world, so I waited here first."
"Oh? So sure I'd log off at this time? You know, I could go days without eating."
Irisviel chuckled, reached out, hugged Kaito, and they rolled around a bit by the bedside.
"Alright, alright. I know what you want to say. You're saying that since I'll eat dinner, I'll definitely log off to eat with you all, right?"
Kaito speechlessly let go of Irisviel, got up, and stretched lazily.
"Let's go, darling. I think Illya and Sakura are already very, very hungry."
"Okay."
It was almost 8 o'clock now. It was normal for them, used to eating early, to be hungry at this time.
Upon arriving at the living room, Kaito indeed saw Illya and Sakura. Their expressions, which had been pitifully saying "hungry, hungry, food, food," immediately changed to excitement. They came to Kaito's side, pulling his hand, and hurried him to the table.
"Daddy, we've been waiting for you for so long~ Hurry up and eat, hurry up and eat!"
"Yes, Daddy..."
Illya and Sakura delivered Kaito to his seat, then returned to their own chairs and noisily urged Sella to serve the food.
During the meal, Irisviel suddenly quietly leaned over, pressing against him, and softly asked.
"Darling, are you playing games tonight?"
"Not for now. I'll play again tomorrow."
"Is that so? Then... this afternoon, Sella and I secretly bought something good. Do you want to come and take a look?"
"Something good?"
"Yes!"
"Oh? Quick, let me see!"
Hearing this, he got excited.