Anime Crossover: Master is Not Here Today

In fact, the reason Nezha changed his name in SAO was to subtly express his obedience and flattery to his other companions, hoping that they would not abandon him because of it.

However, it now seems that he was indeed judging others by his own petty standards.

Fujimaru Ritsuka asked Nezuha:

"So, you came up with the idea of ​​escalating the fraud?"

"No, this idea wasn't Nezha's."

Orlando awkwardly changed his address, but after Nezha said, "Just call me that like before," he relaxed a bit and continued:

"We were having a meeting in a tavern in a public area. Halfway through the meeting, a male player wearing a black raincoat suddenly interrupted and offered us this idea."

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 183. The Fraud Case Ends, the Man in the Black Raincoat?

183.

2023-12-18

"The man in the black raincoat? Who is that?"

"Sorry, we don't know who that guy is either. We haven't seen him since that meeting."

Orlando shook his head, then continued the previous topic:

"At the time, Nie Zai proposed to give up the [Flying Sword] skill and become a production-based player. Everyone was indeed a bit emotional, so the atmosphere was very heavy."

"It was at that moment that the guy who had been sitting in the corner suddenly came over and said, 'If this guy can become a blacksmith with combat skills, there will be a really cool way to make money.'"

"The method that guy described is the same enhanced fraud technique we use."

Fujimaru Ritsuka and Asuna exchanged bewildered glances upon hearing this, never expecting such a sudden turn of events.

At this point, Orlando gave a bitter smile and said:

"Although it sounds like he's defending us, he is indeed a very peculiar guy, especially the way he talks."

"Because it was a scam after all, we were actually against it when we first heard about the plan, but at that moment, that guy suddenly burst into laughter."

"I don't know if it was a deliberately faked laugh or a practiced laugh, but it was really peculiar. It made people feel like 'things aren't so serious,' and without realizing it, we started laughing along with him."

Looking back now, the situation was indeed very strange, and Orlando's expression gradually darkened.

"It was under these circumstances that he said, 'This is a game, right? The system has already restricted everything that can't be done. In other words, anything that can be done is allowed. Don't you guys think so?'"

"That's utter sophistry!"

Asuna immediately rebuked:

"If that's the case, then crime prevention commands won't be triggered in the wild, meaning that players could even take down other players if they wanted to!"

She stopped abruptly there, her face turning pale, as if afraid that continuing would make her words seem like a fact.

However, the players present had already filled in the blanks in their minds, and felt a chill run down their spines.

In other words, players can even kill other players if they want to.

Noticing Asuna's unusual behavior, Fujimaru Ritsuka gently touched her with his arm, helping her relax her previously stiff body.

Then, she asked Orlando:

"Since it was the other party's idea, how are you going to give them their share of the profits gained through fraud?"

If possible, she hoped to find some clues about the other party through the profit-sharing arrangement, but Orlando shook his head again:

"The other party did not mention anything about profit sharing."

"After saying those words, he left immediately, and we never saw him again."

"But if he's not after profit, why would he do this?"

Orlando's words left Asuna confused, and she even began to wonder if the man in the black raincoat was a fabrication.

However, fabricating such outrageous lies will not help the current situation at all; on the contrary, it may have the opposite effect.

On the other side, Fujimaru Ritsuka was deep in thought.

They do not pursue their own interests, but simply aim to create crime, spread chaos and evil, or rather, crime itself is what they pursue.

She had seen many such people, and there were even Servants like this in Chaldea, such as Moriarty, whom she left in the Conan world, who was this type before.

Of course, the professor has now become a comedic villain.

Therefore, she was not particularly surprised by the existence of such people.

She was just wondering if this man in the black raincoat might be a member of the future killer guild, Laughing Coffin, or even one of its founders.

Even worse, the smiling coffin might have already been built by this time.

"Anyway, the atmosphere changed after that, and we started to think with great enthusiasm, 'Maybe it really works,' and then we asked Nie Zai to give it a try."

Orlando smiled wryly:

"When he successfully returned with weapons for the first time, we were quite happy, almost like we were possessed. Even if you hadn't come to us, and Nie Zai hadn't acted that way, we probably would still be immersed in that atmosphere."

After reviewing their entire behavior from such a bird's-eye view, he couldn't help but feel a lingering fear. He felt no resentment towards Fujimaru Ritsuka and Asuna for coming to them; on the contrary, he felt a sense of gratitude.

Because the other party could have chosen to expose their fraudulent activities to all players and completely ruin their reputation, but they did not do that. Instead, they approached them first, giving them some breathing room.

But why didn't they do that?

In response to Orlando's question, Fujimaru Ritsuka smiled and said:

"I'm familiar with the heroes in your game names, and that's why I noticed you."

"I'm just curious why you, who portray yourselves as heroes, would choose to engage in fraudulent behavior."

"."

Upon hearing this, Orlando and the others once again showed expressions of extreme shame.

The reason they named their characters after these heroes is because they think these heroes are very powerful and they want to become like them, not because they initially intended to cheat and swindle.

Thus, the enhancement fraud orchestrated by the "Legendary Hero" group has come to an end.

Fujimaru Ritsuka's demands on them were not excessive; they were simply to apologize to and compensate the victims of the fraud. How the victims would treat them after they found out was a consequence they themselves would have to bear.

Although she didn't ask for it, Orlando still added her as a friend and promised to keep her updated on the progress of the apology and compensation.

So the two girls bid farewell to the Legendary Hero and his group, and left with new questions in mind.

Back at their guesthouse, Kirito and Argo were still waiting for them.

Upon seeing them return, Kirito immediately asked:

"So, has the matter been resolved?"

"Well, it is."

Fujimaru Ritsuka carefully recounted what Captain Orlando had said, focusing on the man in the black raincoat that Orlando had mentioned.

"The man in the black raincoat?"

Kirito frowned deeply; for some reason, the other person's behavior sent a chill down his spine.

At the same time, he quickly recalled information from the closed beta period, trying to see if any players' behavior during the closed beta matched his, but ultimately found nothing.

Then, Fujimaru Ritsuka said to Argo:

"Anyway, thanks to the intelligence you gathered, let's settle the remaining payment first."

"Also, although we don't have any leads on the man in the black raincoat, could you please keep an eye out for him?"

“Thank you for your patronage!”

Upon receiving the final payment, Argo beamed with joy, and after hearing Fujimaru Ritsuka's next words, she immediately nodded in agreement:

"No problem, I'll try my best to keep an eye on it."

No matter how you look at it, that unknown man in the black raincoat is a very dangerous guy. Even if Fujimaru Ritsuka doesn't say anything, she will investigate him in private.

The man in the black raincoat

Things seem to be getting complicated.

Thankfully, it was just a minor cold, and I'm all better now.

(End of this chapter)

Chapter 184. Second Floor BOSS Strategy Meeting

184.

2023-12-19

After resolving the fraud case involving the "Legendary Hero" and returning to discuss it with Kirito and the others, it was already late at night.

Therefore, they got up a little later than planned the next day, but they still managed to push to the twentieth level and find the second-level BOSS's room.

So on the morning of the third day, which was the sixth day after arriving at the second floor, Fujimaru Ritsuka once again summoned the frontline players to hold a BOSS strategy meeting in the central square of [Taran Village].

This time, the number of people attending the strategy meeting was much larger than the last time, reaching nearly seventy players, which is more than a dozen more than the number on the first floor.

If this continues, we'll probably be able to assemble a second joint team soon, which will further increase the margin for error in our strategy.

However, for now, only the forty-eight strongest players can be selected to participate in the strategy.

Kirito left the group early on and quietly hid in a corner of the plaza, pretending to be an ordinary lone player, while observing the situation in the plaza.

Speaking of which, Argo usually observes from the edge of the square during the first-floor meetings, but I didn't see her today.

Are you still sleeping?

"It's been a long time, Ritsuka-san, Asuna-san."

Before the meeting even started, Diabel, whom they hadn't seen since arriving on the second floor, came up to them and greeted them with a smile.

"Long time no see, Mr. Diabel."

After exchanging pleasantries, Diabel smiled and remarked:

"Your speed in clearing the area is as fast as ever. My team is trying its best to catch up, but we still can't catch up with you."