Chapter 145: The Appearance of Yui

The operation to crusade against Laughing Coffin has finally drawn to a close. Although the Clearers paid a significant price, they ultimately eliminated this malignant tumor among the players, allowing them to focus all their energy on clearing the floors in the days to come.

By the lake near Lingyun Garden, Lingyun was sitting there fishing; more than two months had passed since the operation to crusade against Laughing Coffin. Because Laughing Coffin, the head of the Red Player Guilds, had been wiped out in the Clearers' crusade, other small Red Player Guilds had all pulled in their heads, not daring to show them again.

With no Red Player Guilds holding them back, the Clearers' progression had accelerated quite a bit; in two months' time, they had already cleared up to the 74th floor. Moreover, Luo Yexi and the others had already discovered the Boss Room for this floor's floor boss and had gone to clear it. Based on their current strength, it was estimated that it wouldn't be long before they received the notification that this floor had been cleared.

"Mr. Nishida, you've come fishing again!" Lingyun looked at the old man appearing beside him and said with a smile.

"Indeed, we old folks can't compare to you young lads in terms of vitality. Since we can't help with clearing this world, we can only pass the days here while silently cheering you on!" Mr. Nishida sat down beside Lingyun with a smile.

"Rest assured, it won't be long now. The boss on the latest floor of this world will be cleared, and we'll be one step closer to leaving this world!" Lingyun said with a smile.

"Is that so? Is it Luo Yexi and the others? You can tell they've been working very hard during this time!" Mr. Nishida smiled and cast his fishing rod into the lake.

"By the way, Lingyun, have you heard the rumors about a ghost appearing around here lately?" Mr. Nishida asked.

"A ghost?" Lingyun frowned slightly. Could it be that Yui had appeared?

"That's right. They say it's a ghost in the form of a little girl wearing white clothes. Quite a few people have witnessed her appearing in this area, but they can only ever see her from afar. As soon as anyone approaches, the ghost disappears, and no one can find her. Now, more and more people are witnessing the ghost, but no one has ever seen what that ghost looks like!" Mr. Nishida's tone carried a hint of eeriness. "Some say it might be the Vengeful Spirit of a player who died in this world, while others say it's a hidden quest. Many people have even gone out of their way to find this ghost, but they all ended up empty-handed!"

"There's actually such a thing?" Lingyun raised an eyebrow.

In the original work, Yui was just a counseling AI responsible for maintaining players' mental health. Because this game turned into a Death Game, the powerful negative emotions generated by the players overwhelmed her. It was only after sensing emotions from Kirito and Asuna that were different from those of ordinary players that she appeared before them. But now, this world had undergone tremendous changes, and even Lingyun himself could not predict what kind of changes Yui would undergo.

"I also heard a very important piece of information from some players in our village!" Mr. Nishida said with a smile. "Would you like to hear it?"

"A very important piece of information?" Lingyun raised an eyebrow. "Could you tell me about it?"

"Hmm, it's that the frequency of that unknown ghost appearing has gradually increased lately, and the location is right near your garden! Someone even witnessed the ghost peeking at your residence!" Mr. Nishida said with a smile.

"Peeking at my residence?" Lingyun frowned slightly, then couldn't help but think of the reason for this world's changes: that crystal named Fantasy Creation.

"It seems you are interested in this ghost too, Lingyun!" Mr. Nishida said, watching Lingyun's changing expression.

"Well, that's only natural. After all, if it's really as you say, Mr. Nishida, that this ghost is peeking at my residence, I can't just remain indifferent to that!" Lingyun said as he stood up.

"Is that so? Then I wish you success in finding that ghost soon!" Mr. Nishida said with a smile.

"I'll take your word for it. I'm heading back now!" Lingyun reeled in his fishing rod and walked toward the garden.

When Lingyun returned to the garden, only Asuna was there.

"Asuna, why are you the only one here? Where are the others?" Lingyun asked with some curiosity.

"They have already cleared the 74th-floor boss, and I just came back first to prepare lunch," Asuna explained.

"They've already cleared that floor's boss? But looking at you, your complexion doesn't look too good! Did something happen?" Lingyun asked.

"Yes, we ran into members of the Army in the 74th-floor Labyrinth Area. They forced their way into the Boss Room and ended up being attacked by the boss. Even though Luo Yexi and the others provided support quickly, three people still sacrificed their lives!" Asuna's mood was a bit low.

"I see. It looks like some idiots have appeared," Lingyun sighed slightly. "Looking at you, you probably aren't in a very good mood today. Why don't you come for a walk in the forest with me this afternoon?"

"Go for a walk?" Asuna looked at Lingyun, puzzled.

In the afternoon, in the forest near Lingyun Garden.

"Lingyun, why did you suddenly ask me to come for a walk here?" Asuna asked with some curiosity.

"Because there's something very interesting here!" Lingyun said with a smile.

"Something interesting?" Asuna always felt there was more to Lingyun's words.

"Yes, I just heard from Mr. Nishida this morning that there might be something unusual deep in this forest!" Lingyun said with a smile.

"Oh?" Asuna looked at Lingyun with some curiosity.

"A ghost..." Lingyun's tone suddenly became gloomy.

"Th-that refers to a spirit-type monster, right?" Asuna revealed a somewhat strained smile.

"No, no, it's the real deal. The resentment of monsters that have been hunted in large numbers wanders this area every night, and we're about to reach that place!" Lingyun's tone became even gloomier. Following his words, wisps of mist began to appear in the forest.

"H-how could there be such a thing!" Asuna argued.

"I'm not making this up. During this time, Mr. Nishida and his companions have often seen a white shadow wandering in the forest, but as soon as they get close, the shadow disappears!"

Asuna scanned her surroundings in a panic, and just then, she saw a white shadow drift by not far away.

"Ah!" Asuna gave a soft cry and quickly shrank behind Lingyun. "Li-Lingyun, look there!"

"Hmm?" Lingyun frowned slightly and looked in the direction Asuna was pointing. In that direction, a white shadow had appeared.

Just as Lingyun looked over, the white figure also turned its head. Asuna screamed and wrapped her arms tightly around Lingyun's body.

The white figure glanced at the two of them and then slowly fell backward. Although he had only seen the figure for an instant, Lingyun still recognized that this white figure was Yui from the original work.

"Asuna, don't worry, that's not a ghost!" Lingyun comforted Asuna slightly, then brought her to the side of the fallen Yui.

"Is this... a player?" Asuna looked at Yui on the ground in astonishment. "Why would such a small child appear in SAO? Wait, why doesn't she have an icon above her head?"

Looking at the unconscious Yui, Lingyun raised an eyebrow. He felt a massive amount of power circulating within Yui's body.

"Maybe some kind of bug occurred!"

"In any case, we can't just leave her here. If she wakes up, we might be able to ask her some things. Let's take her home!" Asuna made a decision.

"Hmm, alright!" Lingyun nodded.