“Which side is more real?”
This question left Asuna at a loss.
The old Asuna would’ve answered that nothing in that world was real and only the real world was real without hesitation
After all, everything you saw in this world was just a mass of composed data. The body that Players used for pretty much everything was just a virtual body.
Even the food that Players ate, the materials they found, and other things they touched were programmed to transmit the appropriate response to the brain through NerveGear.
Meanwhile, the Players’ real body was just lying on the bed, unable to touch or feel anything.
Therefore, everything in this world was fake. The only real thing was death; at least, that was how Asuna always perceived this world.
However, the moment Rozen asked this question, Asuna immediately recalled the first Floor Boss Raid.
Ever since that battle where Asuna witnessed Kirito and Rozen fighting hand in hand, brimming with passion and conviction, she realized that death was not the only thing that was real in this world.
During that battle, Asuna learned that even if your body is fake, your soul and conviction was undoubtedly your own.
Therefore, Asuna has always yearned for such a battle because that was the only thing she considered real in this world other than death.
That was the reason why Asuna stopped fighting recklessly like she did in the past and placed her faith in clearing the game.
In fact, she put everything she had to clear the game without caring about what kind of obstacles blocked her path or how others saw her.
That was Asuna’s way of life, the newfound faith that she believed was real.
“Use every means possible to clear this game and return to the real world, and do whatever it took to achieve your goal.”
That was what the man in front of Asuna taught her.
However……
“I did say to do whatever it takes to achieve your goal, but there are things you can do and things you can’t do.”
That was what Rozen said to Asuna after his duel with Heathcliff a year ago.
Asuna didn’t understand what he meant by that even until now, but there was one thing she knew for sure; that the man who taught her the belief that she has been holding on to survive this far didn’t acknowledge her, and that made her hurt burn with inexplicable emotion.
“If you don’t acknowledge me, I’ll prove it to you.”
With such determination, Asuna began to put all her efforts into clearing the games to the point where she frequently argued with Rozen at the strategy meeting, and Rozen always rejected her plan because it was way over the top.
For example, Asuna suggested all Clearers to equip the weapon with the highest attack power to deal with high hp and defense boss.
Of course, that meant they had to leave one of their Skill Slot vacant, and if their Skill Slot was full, they had no choice but to remove one of the existing Skill.
However, as mentioned before, the level of a Skill would be reset once it was removed from the Skill Slot, and the time spent to raise the level of that Skill would be wasted.
Another example was when Asuna suggested the Clearers to spend more time exploring the Labyrinth even if they were tired.
Although she only suggested doing so on Floors without significant difficulty increment, pushing through the Labyrinth while fatigued would only increase the risk of accidents.
Such things happened all the time, and every time Asuna suggested any excessive idea, Rozen wouldn’t hesitate to reject it.
Even though sometimes Asuna’s idea had a point, if Rozen rejected her offer, she couldn’t do anything since Rozen was the commander of the Clearers who has successfully led everyone this far without any casualty.
That was what Asuna thought by Rozen not acknowledging her yet.
Now, one year has passed.
Although Asuna hasn’t given up the idea of proving herself, she couldn’t help but think…
“Have I always tried this hard to prove myself? Have I always been this stubborn while arguing?”
Of course, the answer was no.
In the real world, Asuna simply did what her parents told her and walked on the rail that has been laid out for her without ever showing her own will.
However, in this world, Asuna took up arms out of her own will.
Instead, in this world, Asuna took up her arms with her own will, thought with her own idea, came up with her own faith, and fought in her own way.
Setting aside whether that was right or wrong, Asuna undoubtedly has gained a lot of things in this world that she wouldn’t ever obtain in the real world.
With that said, which one was more real? The dull reality, or the illusion of fulfilling passion?
Asuna couldn’t help but think about this when she looked at Rozen.
She saw Rozen was still gazing at the rainbow in the distant sky, and his eyes didn’t reflect hate to the world that imprisoned him, but the eyes of pure appreciation and acceptance.
Seeing this, Asuna finally understood that both worlds were real for Rozen.
“Living itself is a bliss, don’t whine.”
Rozen said casually, which made Asuna think…
(Just what has he gone through to think that living itself is already blissful?)
“Okay.” Rozen stood up and lightly swept the dust on his clothes and said: “Alright, I got to go. I still have to do something about my weapon.”
“Weapon?” Asuna then remembered that Rozen has been holding a weapon in his hand ever since she came.
Looking at the weapon, Asuna immediately understood.
(So, he wants to change his weapon?)
Asuna was no longer the newbie she once was. She knew at first glance that Rozen’s weapon was not a Player-crafted weapon, and despite already reaching maximum enhancement attempts, it was starting to lose its edge on this Floor.
(So, he has been pondering about that here all along?)
Asuna, who thought Rozen was just lazing around here, felt a little guilty.
So…
“You want a better weapon, right?”
Asuna blurted out such a question before Rozen left.
“I can introduce you to a blacksmith if you don’t know one.”
