Without any evidence, Asuna never asked Momo about this matter, showing the utmost trust. Isn't that trust?
"A--S--Na--"
A voice approached from behind, embracing Asuna and causing her to stumble a few steps. Asuna gave a helpless smile and said, "Argo, that hurts!"
The person who came was undoubtedly Argo. Although Asuna had some doubts, she did not show them to Argo at all, because to Asuna, Argo was definitely a friend worth cherishing.
"So, how far have things progressed between you two? Hehe, I've confirmed it, you and Mo Mo have actually been sleeping in the same room the whole time, hehe..."
"Argo!"
Asuna blushed and covered Argo's mouth, cautiously glancing around at the crowd. Fortunately, Argo's voice wasn't loud, and no one could hear her clearly.
"Don't try to deny it! Lisbeth is tight-lipped, but I managed to get the information out of the little kitten in your team."
After Lisbeth and Silica confirmed that they would join Momo's team, Momo directly rented a team rest room at the inn. However, due to Asuna's insistence, the four of them still only had three rooms. This straightforward approach made Silica and Lisbeth accept it easily.
Asuna didn't deliberately ask the two to keep it a secret, and as a result, the unsuspecting Silica was easily tricked into revealing information by Argo.
"...So what if it is...? Anyway, Mo Mo and I...have already made our relationship official..."
Asuna blushed and simply gave up, which left Argo speechless. He had originally intended to tease Asuna by using her shyness, but now he had no leverage against her.
No, we must make use of the remaining value.
"Give me the money!"
Argo held out his hand to Momo and said, "Confidentiality fee: 1000 Coles!"
"Take it."
Momo remained unfazed and tossed the 1000-coke purse into Argo's hand. This generous attitude prompted Argo to sigh, saying, "Hey, at least consider it for a moment. I'm an information broker, not a beggar. What's the difference between this and giving a beggar a handout?"
“Alright, accept it, Argo. We all know you really need Cole to compile the strategy intelligence, and Momer and I don’t have any major expenses right now.”
Asuna persuaded Argo, having been involved in the intelligence production, she naturally understood how much funding was needed to provide intelligence to everyone for free.
Argo is stubborn and never asks for help from friends, stubbornly making money through the trade of information. Only when he really can't take it anymore will he come to Momo and blackmail him with seemingly absurd and ridiculous reasons.
However, Argo's actions also mean that she is truly unable to continue for the time being.
"Ugh, what an unpleasant feeling. Well, in return, I'll tell you some news. A group led by Ya Wang has decided to launch an operation against the closed beta testers. They'll probably incite all the non-closed beta testers to hand over their high-level weapons and equipment!"
"After all, the weapons of the two of you are too eye-catching. Tch, the face of a nouveau riche!"
After saying that, Argo jumped out and said, "Goodbye, I have to hurry to print the new version of the materials."
Momo and Argo made no attempt to hide their true feelings. When Momo took out the 1000-column money bag, almost everyone's eyes were drawn to it.
That's 1000 Coles!
While other players were still feeling the pinch over a 5-col jam bread, Momo instantly gave away 1000cols. Isn't that the face of a rich guy?
The players stared at Mo Mo with greedy eyes, seemingly wondering how they would live if they possessed such wealth.
"See that, Asuna? That's human nature. They don't care what you've sacrificed; they're only after your wealth. For wealth, whether it's using righteousness or outright plunder, it's all understandable."
"Mo Mo!"
Asuna was somewhat displeased with Momo's boastful remarks. She pulled Momo away quickly, and only after they reached a secluded corner did she ask with some concern, "Wasn't our original plan to have all the players unite and try our best to conquer the game?"
“That’s true. However, Asuna, if we let them plunder our resources, it will be completely detrimental to our overall strategy in the game.”
"Do you think your sword is more useful in your own hands, or in the hands of that Nailhead Tooth King?"
"Strategies are always a matter for a select few. Only a limited number of players can enter the lord's room, so the players we should really unite with are those players."
Asuna nodded thoughtfully; the logic wasn't hard to understand. The biggest goal right now was to conquer the game, so concentrating resources on supporting skilled players was the most sensible approach.
But no one would do such a thing because it involves moral issues; plundering the resources of the weak is something most people cannot do.
However, on the other hand, it is even more absurd to expect skilled players to contribute their hard-earned resources in order to help the majority of players without the necessary skills improve their situation, simply because it would indefinitely delay the progress of the game.
Finally, the delay in the walkthrough is detrimental to all players in the game, and everyone wants to leave the death game as soon as possible.
"If what Ya Wang did wasn't because he was stupid and couldn't understand these causes and effects, then he had ulterior motives and wanted to establish his highest position among ordinary players through moral blackmail."
Asuna's expression also turned serious. She said, "We've met that guy, Fang Wang. He's bossy and domineering towards ordinary players. He doesn't seem like a fool at all. So, he must have something else on his mind?"
"In short, just treat him as a hindrance. If he really attacks us, I don't mind playing along."
"Ah, Momo-kun, Asuna!"
Just then, a voice came from afar; it was Kirito.
The three of them were on the same front line of the strategy. Although they chose different directions to speed up the progress, they still had a high chance of running into each other. So after a few times, the three of them naturally became familiar with each other.
Kirito was genuinely happy to see Momo and Asuna. After all, he didn't have any friends or a team, and the upcoming strategy would undoubtedly require a team. Seeing the two of them meant that he didn't have to worry about finding a team for now.
"Ah, Kirito-kun!"
Upon seeing Kirito, Mo Mo beamed with joy, her radiant smile as warm as the winter sun.
Kirito stopped abruptly, jumped back, and all the joy in his eyes vanished. He said, "What are you trying to do now! I won't sell anything!"
"Ugh, Kirito-kun, you're making me sound like a shrewd businessman. This time, I'm not buying from you, I'm selling something."
"How about I offer you 100% proficiency in one-handed swordsmanship as a condition for joining the guild I'm about to create?"
Kirito's eyes widened. "Guild? Momo-kun, are you going to create a guild?"
"Yes, if you participate, 100% sword skill proficiency is my way of showing my sincerity. Of course, the guild doesn't restrict you from leaving. If you feel you want to leave, I won't stop you."
047 They are traitors
Kirito lowered his defensive stance, his expression shifting as he clearly pondered something.
"Well, I didn't intend to ask you for an answer right away. How about we do it after this first floor strategy meeting? I look forward to your answer."
Kirito breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Okay, to be honest, I've rarely teamed up with others when playing games, even now. But I know that the current situation is special, so perhaps teaming up is better for us?"
Kirito's tone was uncertain, and Momo did not immediately initiate the transaction.
This was merely a precaution. Momo also wanted to complete the game as soon as possible, so gathering a group of powerful players was essential, allowing him to target and improve their strength accordingly.
"Hey, Momo, why didn't you tell me?!"
Asuna pulled Momo aside and whispered in his ear, while Kirito watched their intimacy with a touch of envy. He already knew that Momo and Asuna were lovers. He wasn't envious of Asuna's beauty, but rather of Momo having several companions.
Although Kirito never showed it to the public, he genuinely longed for companions to fight alongside him. Unfortunately, this wish was often thwarted for various reasons, further solidifying his solitary nature.
"Of course, it was just a sudden whim. What do you think, Asuna? Isn't my idea good? In the future, we can choose trustworthy players to improve our strength."
What kind of guild?
Mo Mo, with your chin upturned, said, "How about calling it Rose Garden? Female players only... Ouch!"
Asuna squinted and kicked Momo's knee hard with her toe. This move, passed down from Argo, had always worked well against the playboy.
"If you keep talking nonsense, I'll really get angry!"
Mo Mo sighed and said, "I'm not talking nonsense. I, Mo Mo, have always been honest and of high moral character."
"Tch, Cirno's IQ is only 9, so she wouldn't believe you."
Mo Mo ignored Reimu Hakurei's sarcastic remarks and Asuna's dangerous gaze, and said, "Actually, I'm planning to establish two guilds."
"First, Rose Garden, which only accepts female players, and you, Asuna, will manage it. If there are enough combat players, you can organize a team; if not, then organize some leveling teams and sub-job teams."
"As you've probably seen, girls are at a significant disadvantage in this game. Think about Silica; there are at least several hundred of them. They can't survive without making some sacrifices."
Although Momo spoke cryptically, Asuna had already become serious. This was also true in the original story; even after becoming the only Beast Tamer, Silica was still in a exploited position, and if she hadn't met Kirito, she almost died.
Even with the help of her companions, she still couldn't keep up with the others, both mentally and physically, which put her under immense psychological pressure. Even if she hadn't run into Kirito, something bad would probably have happened sooner or later.
"...Is it really just to protect the girl, and there's no other intention?"
Seeing Asuna's suspicion, Momo took Asuna's hand and said, "If you don't believe me, I can swear that in this world, I only love you. How about that?"
Asuna blushed instantly, turned her face away, and said, "Hey, Kirito's still here!"
"Ha...haha, I didn't hear anything, there's something wrong with my ears!"
Kirito quickly waved his hand, trying to distance himself from the situation. He had witnessed firsthand how Asuna, this seemingly gentle girl wielding a rapier, could charge through hordes of monsters with such ferocity.
Kirito even felt that he couldn't keep up with Asuna now, and only Momo could keep up with Asuna's pace.
The suspicion in Asuna's eyes had disappeared, but the young Asuna had not yet realized what Momo meant by this world.
"Well, there's nothing that can't be said. The Rose Garden isn't just for protecting girls. If their combat strength isn't up to par, they can only develop secondary professions. Helping to collect materials, craft equipment, and so on. Of course, the guild will definitely guarantee their livelihood and safety, and optimize resource allocation to the maximum extent."
Kirito nodded, agreeing with Momo's words. What the game lacks right now is an organization like this, and even more so, a guild that can act in accordance with the organization's declaration.
However, he had great faith in the character of both Momo and Asuna.
"As for the second guild, I will be the guild leader, and I plan to call it the Watcher Knights. In principle, it will only recruit men, and their strength must be approved by Kirito and me. The goal is to improve their strength and become the main force for conquering dungeons."
"The two guilds cooperate and benefit each other. Of course, with beautiful girls on one side and burly men on the other, and with food, weapons, and equipment made by the girls themselves, and materials collected by the girls themselves, I think everyone will be incredibly enthusiastic."
What do you think, Kirito-kun?
Kirito's eyes brightened slightly, and he subconsciously wanted to nod, but when he saw Asuna's stern gaze, he forced a dry laugh instead of a nod.
"Haha...actually...maybe..."
"If you really want to do it, I can support you. But when do you plan to start, after you've cleared the first floor?"
"Well, who knows? It's just a plan right now, we might come out with it anytime."
Asuna finally nodded. Aside from her concern about Momo's womanizing ways, Momo's ideas were generally sound. As for Momo's reasons for establishing two guilds... perhaps they were valid?
Even Kirito nodded in agreement, so Asuna could only confirm that a guild composed entirely of girls might indeed be very attractive to men.
The three chatted as they arrived at the meeting room for the strategy discussion. The room was large, but there were very few people. They were scattered around the perimeter of the room, probably only about twenty people in total.
This is the current top-tier combat force. While the number may seem small, it's perfectly normal. After all, there were few who dared to step out of the Starting Street in the first place, and even fewer who survived and rapidly increased their strength.
However, Kirito explained that theoretically, this number of people would be enough to conquer the first floor. During the closed beta, only a ten-person team successfully conquered it, but since attempts could be made by dying back then...
"Alright, everyone, please be quiet. I am Tilberu, and I believe you all know me."
When Tilberu took the stage to speak, a chorus of smiles erupted from below as he said, "We know, he's a knight!"
"A knight who has no training, no knight's armor, no knight's shield, no knight's lance, yet possesses the spirit of chivalry!"
A few teasing remarks made Tilberu's smile even brighter. He said, "I'll pretend I didn't hear what you said before. Just remember that I'm a knight!"
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