"Guest, take a look at these crystal shrimp, absolutely top quality, only five hundred Cor per serving."
"Too expensive. Although it is a C plus grade ingredient, the production of crystal shrimp is not that low, and you just caught these crystal shrimp this morning. They will only last for eight hours at most. I will offer three hundred Cor."
"Respected madam, is not that price a bit too... How about this, I can lower it to four hundred and fifty Cor per serving at most."
"Hmph. Three hundred and eighty Cor."
In the morning, Asuna, who was on a big shopping spree, strolled around the village that could be called a small town. She browsed through all sorts of unique ingredients she had never seen before. If something caught her eye, she would directly use her innate female bargaining talent, engaging in lively haggling with the NPC merchants who had a certain ability to negotiate prices. Morin, on the other hand, played the role of the walking wallet, silently watching Asuna's little womanly demeanor while she shopped.
In the SAO game, apart from Morin who was currently with Asuna, probably no one else had ever personally witnessed the "Black Swordsman" without her cold and killing beauty. Instead, she appeared like an ordinary female student shopping and haggling with shop owners over various items she fancied.
"One should say, the current Asuna is the true expression of a girl her age."
Watching Asuna bargaining almost Cor by Cor and finally securing a beautiful feathered hair accessory, Morin could not help but sigh emotionally.
Whether in the original SAO storyline or influenced by Morin's butterfly effect, with the clearing progress having reached nearly the eightieth floor, the efforts made by Asuna and the entire clearing group were unquestionable. Facing a death game where they could die at any moment while fighting floor bosses, not to mention Asuna who had no prior experience with game clearing, even Morin had undergone a gradual change in mindset.
"Hey, hey, did you hear? Someone encountered a ghost yesterday."
"A ghost? How is that possible?"
"Really. Just yesterday evening, someone saw a white clothed ghost while taking a walk by the lake."
Before Morin could continue his reverie, the voices of several NPCs chatting nearby caught his attention. He immediately pricked up his ears, carefully listening to their conversation.
In the SAO game, not only players but even AI controlled NPCs would gossip and release information or even trigger hidden quests. Taverns were a prime example. The NPCs in taverns were often the most well informed. Argo the information rat had vaguely hinted to Morin and Asuna that if they carefully explored NPC conversations in taverns across different floors, they might discover hidden characters, quests, or even chain missions. The hidden boss and chain quests of the seventy sixth floor were even uncovered this way.
However, what Morin cared about now was not hidden bosses or quests, but the "white clothed ghost" the NPCs were gossiping about.
"A white clothed ghost... at this time, perhaps it is an early butterfly effect... but whether it is real or not, I have to take a look." After listening carefully, a thoughtful glint appeared in Morin's eyes. He quickly dismissed worries about possible timeline effects and made his decision.
If he had not misheard, the "white clothed ghost" that the NPCs mentioned should be the opportunity Morin had been waiting for, and precisely the true intelligent AI character within the SAO game: Yui.
---
Later, at a lake on the 22nd floor.
The scenery surrounding the exceptionally beautiful lake was dotted with NPCs and players leisurely fishing. They sat on low stools or grass, enjoying the gentle breeze while watching their fishing rods with relaxed anticipation. Whenever a special fish or rare freshwater ingredient was caught, smiles and laughter broke out among the anglers.
When Morin and Asuna, the conspicuous couple, arrived at the lake, both NPCs and players turned curious eyes toward them. Of course, curiosity was curiosity, and apart from players who knew Morin and Asuna personally greeting them, no one came over to disturb the two.
"Morin, are we seriously here to look for a ghost?"
Walking along a quiet path in the woods, Asuna, who had changed into casual attire, glanced around nervously. Even though it was broad daylight, a slight chill crept up her spine, making her voice slightly uneasy.
Well, Asuna had already forgotten that when Morin suggested, "Let us take a walk by the lake and look for the so called ghost," she had not objected and even agreed enthusiastically.
"Asuna, searching for a ghost is just a side mission. Taking a walk to relax is the main objective."
Stopping, Morin looked at Asuna's hesitant expression with amusement, carefully observing her reaction. When Asuna seemed about to lose her composure, he suddenly teased, "Um... Asuna, you are not afraid of ghosts, are you?"
"Who, who is afraid?"
Asuna immediately refuted, but the uneasiness in her voice betrayed her. Anyone could tell she was nervous.
Seeing Asuna's blushing and flustered face, Morin could not help but chuckle. Asuna, embarrassed and annoyed, pounded his chest with her small pink fists. Morin simply restrained her gently, and after a playful scuffle, they finally stopped.
"Alright, alright. We came out for a stroll... huh?"
Morin was holding Asuna by the waist, ignoring the feeble strength of her punches when he suddenly froze, staring past Asuna into the woods.
"Morin?"
Seeing Morin abruptly go silent and his gaze fixated behind her, Asuna's goosebumps instantly rose.
To be honest, Asuna was not afraid of undead monsters like skeleton warriors, death knights, vampires, or even bone dragons within the SAO game. She could simply draw her sword and cut them down. However, when it came to ghosts, she had an instinctive aversion and fear, much like how most girls naturally feared cockroaches or mice.
"I think I saw something white. Let us go take a look."
Morin's voice was slightly excited. Letting go of Asuna, he quickly rushed ahead.
"Eh? We are really going to find a ghost? Wait for me..."
Asuna was stunned for a moment. Seeing Morin rushing forward without hesitation, she stomped her foot in frustration and hurriedly chased after him.
In less than a minute, they saw it clearly.
What was originally just a fleeting white glimpse gradually took shape. Within about a hundred meters, they could make out a humanoid figure floating eerily among the trees. It shimmered faintly, its shape fuzzy but undeniably ghostly.
Asuna could not help but swallow hard, her instincts taking over as she subconsciously equipped her weapon and armor.
"Asuna, relax a little. Look carefully at the true face of this so called ghost."
Noticing Asuna's battle ready posture, Morin resisted the urge to laugh. He simply pointed toward the figure ahead.
"Eh? Eh eh. It is not a ghost?"
Standing by Morin's side, Asuna widened her eyes in surprise.
The "white ghost" was actually a petite little girl, no older than ten years, wearing a white dress. She stood beside a large tree, her delicate figure unmoving. Her large, empty eyes quietly observed the two approaching players, her expression serene, almost doll like.
After a few moments of silence, Asuna hesitantly called out, "Um, excuse me, who are you...?"
The little girl did not respond immediately. Her body remained still, only her large eyes shifting between Asuna and Morin.
Suddenly, a flicker of spirit seemed to return to the little girl's empty eyes.
"I..."
She barely managed to utter a single word before her body swayed and collapsed forward, losing consciousness.
"What happened to you?"
Asuna cried out in alarm and quickly rushed forward. After a brief hesitation, she picked up the unconscious girl in her arms.
"This child has lost consciousness. There is no arrow mark like a normal NPC, and she does not seem like a ghost type monster either..." Morin crouched beside Asuna, his voice trailing off, his expression growing complex.
"Morin, we cannot just leave her here. I am taking her back with us and we will see what happens when she wakes up."
Not waiting for Morin's response, Asuna cradled the unconscious girl protectively, her beautiful face set in determination.
"Alright. Then let us take her back."
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Need More Chapters
Every 500 Power Stones
1 Bonus chapter.
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Try Other Fics I Have
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