Apocalyptic Crossover: Starting with a Guide to Winning Over Asuna

"Shino, why don't you wear Lu Xiao's coat instead?" Kirito suggested.

Under Kirito's persuasion, Shino reluctantly accepted Lu Xiao's coat and put it on.

However, she also had to use one hand to cover her skirt, which prevented her from fighting with a gun.

A perfectly good camping trip was ruined by a few carrion plants.

"Why don't we go back?" Kirito suggested.

"Hmm." Asuna glanced at Sinon with concern and agreed with Kirito's decision.

"I'm sorry, Lu Xiao, this camping trip wasn't very enjoyable," Asuna said.

Lu Xiao said, "No, I think it was a great camping trip, you don't need to feel sorry about it."

Your words warmed Asuna's heart. Asuna's affection for you increases by 5, bringing your current total affection to 45.

Just as everyone was preparing to pack up and leave, an even louder sound came from the flower field.

Is it five this time, or ten?

Lu Xiao swallowed hard, already preparing to use his Swift Step to escape.

Finally, the monster appeared—not a group of monsters, but a gigantic monster.

Shadow Devouring Flower

[Level]: 15

[Combat Power]: 120

【Characteristics】: Whiplash, Shadow Envelopment, Devour.

This purple monster was enormous, with a gaping maw that could easily swallow two people whole.

"Oh no, it's a Shadow Devouring Flower!" Asuna's expression turned serious.

Kirito said, "This flower has a shadow-shrouding skill. After it is released, the surroundings will be pitch black. Everyone must be careful. Let's move closer."

As soon as the words were spoken, the four of them were instantly enveloped in shadow.

From Lu Xiao's perspective, it was pitch black all around, so dark that he couldn't see his own hand in front of his face.

"Where are you?" Lu Xiao asked.

"This way," Asuna said.

Following Asuna's voice, Lu Xiao groped his way forward. After taking a few steps, his palm seemed to touch something soft.

"Hmm~"

A faint and strange sound came from behind.

"Who?"

"it's me."

Asuna's voice came from in front of me.

Lu Xiao quickly pulled his hand back. Had he just touched Asuna's...?

"I'm sorry, Asuna, I can't see anything right now."

"Don't run around, just stand behind me," Asuna said, slightly out of breath.

"Okay, I won't run around."

Kirito's voice came from not far away: "I'm going to find that monster. You guys just provide ranged support!"

In the pitch-black shadows, Kirito relentlessly searched for traces of the monster.

Before long, Kirito found the monster and ran quickly toward its location.

Clang!

The sound of a sword blade colliding with vines.

After one of its vines was cut, the Shadow Flower once again disappeared into the shadows.

Kirito stood there, looking around, and for a moment he had no idea where the monster was.

Little did they know that the monster had already appeared beside Asuna and Lu Xiao.

Suddenly, the Shadow Flower extended its vines and bound Asuna and Lu Xiao together.

Lu Xiao felt as if he were bound by a tremendous force. Asuna was in front of him, and Lu Xiao was behind him. The two of them were pressed tightly together like this.

Behind him were thick vines, and in front of him was Asuna's soft body, the fragrance of Asuna's hair wafting to his nose.

The worst part was that he was pressed tightly against Asuna's back, so close that it made his heart race.

"Are you alright, Asuna?" Lu Xiao asked.

"I...I'm alright~" Asuna's voice sounded a little weak.

Little did they know that Asuna's face was already flushed, and the warmth coming from behind her made her breath quicken.

Lu Xiao's hands were also tightly bound by vines, right next to Asuna's waist. The two were so tightly entangled that they couldn't adjust their positions at all.

With the slightest movement, Asuna's breathing became increasingly rapid.

He could feel Asuna's body trembling slightly, especially when Lu Xiao was struggling.

"No, don't move, Lu Xiao."

"It's not me moving, it's the vines that are getting tighter and tighter."

Fortunately, Lu Xiao had increased his combat power to 61; otherwise, he would have been strangled to death after being bound by such immense force for only a short time.

"Asuna, where are you?"

Kirito's shouts came from not far away.

"I... am... here," Asuna said weakly.

"Your voice sounds off. Did you get attacked by a monster?" Kirito asked.

"I'm bound by the monster's vines!"

"I'm here to save you!"

Kirito followed Asuna's voice and came to her side, severing the vines with a single sword strike.

Kirito caught Asuna, while Lu Xiao fell from the sky.

Fortunately, it wasn't very high, and Lu Xiao landed steadily on the ground.

Lu Xiao moved his slightly numb arms, the tense and embarrassed feeling from earlier still lingering in his mind.

"Asuna, are you hurt anywhere?" Kirito asked anxiously.

"I'm fine, Kirito-kun," Asuna said, trying to sound calm.

Because it was dark, Kirito had no idea what had just happened.

Kirito locked onto the monster again: "Asuna, you wait here, I'll go and take care of that monster!"

Kirito charged at the monster again with his sword, and the sound of the blade clashing with the vines rang out once more.

Lu Xiao came to Asuna's side and helped her up.

"Are you alright?" Lu Xiao asked.

The two were very close, and Lu Xiao's breath made Asuna's body tremble.

"I'm fine, I just need to rest."

"There's a stone bench here; let me help you sit on it."

But before they could take more than a few steps, Asuna tripped and both of them lost their balance and fell to the ground.

Just as Asuna was about to land, Lu Xiao forcefully switched positions, landing on top of her, while Asuna fell on top of him.

Lu Xiao lay on the ground, with Asuna on top of him. The two faced each other, able to clearly feel each other's breath.

[You protected Asuna, and Asuna felt your kindness. Asuna's affection level increases by 5, bringing her current total affection level to 50.]

[Unlock the new achievement "Heartbeat Out of Control" and receive 5 yuan. Keep up the good work!]

[Once your affinity with Asuna reaches 50, you can invite her to go out of town to level up.]

Lu Xiao almost cried when he finally reached 50% favorability.

Asuna sensed the ambiguous relationship between the two and immediately stood up, looking somewhat flustered.

Not far away, Kirito's battle with Shadow Flower was nearing its end.

With a roar from Kirito, Shadow Flower was finally slain.

Finally, the shadow disappeared.

Bright and dazzling sunlight once again shone on the earth.

Lu Xiao looked at Asuna in front of him. Her face was rosy, but her clothes were corroded and torn in many places.

Asuna quickly covered her body with her hands.

At that moment, Kirito walked over, sheathing his sword: "Phew~ This monster was really tough to deal with. I'm so glad everyone's alright."

Sinon was not seen participating in this battle from beginning to end.

She just squatted there quietly, looking rather strange.