Chapter 68: Shengzai and Asuna, Already Married

Asuna had originally decided to confess her feelings, thinking she was about to die and didn’t want to leave any regrets.

When she regained consciousness through the power of the “Revival Item” and realized she was being held in Shengzai’s arms, and remembered the words she had just spoken, her cheeks instantly flushed bright red.

“Asuna, what you just said…”

Looking at Shengzai’s astonished face, Asuna, already shy, blurted out defiantly: “I don’t know which idiot kept thinking I liked Kirito.”

“I’ve been trying so hard to get closer to you, yet you’ve just been pretending not to notice!”

The floor boss on level fifty was ultimately defeated through the combined efforts of everyone.

Because of this incident, the barrier between Shengzai and Asuna was completely shattered.

Although they never publicly announced it, their inventory slots now shared the full access mode exclusive to married couples in the game.

Asuna now lived directly in the Wenren Trading Company’s shop, and every evening she would buy ingredients and return home to cook.

After obtaining the “Golden Herring” from Akiru, Asuna had no desire to continue shopping.

She could already picture the expression on Shengzai’s face when he tasted this dream ingredient, and a happy smile spread across her face.

However, Asuna didn’t notice that as she stepped out of Akiru’s general store, a man with a gloomy expression emerged from a nearby corner.

Thinking of Asuna’s earlier happy expression and the fact that she had married in the game, the man clenched his teeth in fury.

If Shengzai were here, he would immediately recognize the man as Kradit, the member of the Blood Alliance Knights who harbored special feelings for Asuna.

Originally, Kradit was supposed to go confront Kirito, but now Kirito and Sachiko were together.

Since Asuna now loved Shengzai, Kradit had shifted his attention to Shengzai.

On the other side, after returning from Akiru’s general store to the Wenren Trading Company, Asuna immediately changed into casual home clothes and slipped into wifely mode.

In SAO, cooking provided only satiety and rarely boosted stats.

Yet Asuna remained deeply passionate about cooking, because, as she said, only when enjoying delicious meals did she feel truly alive.

It was already evening, and Mea and her grandfather had returned home after work.

As soon as Asuna got home, she saw Shengzai sprawled on the sofa like a social dropout.

“Asuna, you’re home later than usual today. Hurry up and make me something to eat—I’m starving.”

Looking at her boyfriend lying there like a waste, Asuna showed no irritation; instead, she smiled warmly, as if soothing a child: “Right away, right away. Tonight’s dinner has a surprise.”

“I snatched the dream ingredient Kirito was after from Akiru. Today, you’ll see my true cooking skills.”

Hearing Asuna’s words, Shengzai grew curious, and when he saw her proudly pull out the “Golden Herring” from her inventory to prepare it, he recognized it immediately.

Not just Asuna and Kirito—Shengzai was also a food enthusiast.

After being trapped in this death game for nearly two years, the only thing left to look forward to was this craving for food.

Kael had already earned enough; even if they returned to the real world, he could profit massively from those contracts.

As for lust… it wasn’t absent, but in SAO, even with mutual consent, the possible actions were limited, and even with full-dive immersion, it could never fully replicate reality.

Under Asuna’s max-level cooking skill, the large pot of fish soup was completely finished by Shengzai and Asuna.

Asuna’s earlier excuse that she didn’t like fish was now a joke in the face of this golden fish soup.

After savoring the meal prepared from the dream ingredient, Shengzai took a photo and sent it to Kirito, who was currently grinding monsters to earn money.

【Shengzai: The Golden Herring lives up to its status as one of the three dream ingredients—the broth is exquisitely savory, and the flesh melts in your mouth. To have tasted such a delicacy is truly a blessing.】

【Kirito: Golden Herring? You got it too? Wait… Shengzai, your Golden Herring—is it…】

Shengzai: Asuna bought it from Akiru. I heard some broke bastard tried to get it on credit, so Asuna paid triple the price and took it first.

【Shengzai: You know we’re not short on cash now—sometimes we just need to treat ourselves. Burp～】

【Kirito: You damn couple, you’re unbearable! Akiru, you traitor, how could you be so greedy!】

Asuna rested her head on Shengzai’s shoulder, reading his chat logs with Kirito, and couldn’t help laughing: “Are you really Kirito’s childhood friend?”

“I feel like you never miss a chance to tease him.”

The relationship between Shengzai and Kirito had always baffled Asuna and Sachiko.

Both Shengzai and Kirito unquestionably regarded each other as their best friend, yet whenever either had a chance to embarrass the other, they never passed it up.

It wasn’t just Shengzai—Sachiko had also privately complained to Asuna multiple times that Kirito did the exact same thing; the two were like children who never grew up.

“There’s a saying: you fear your brother’s suffering, but you also fear he’s driving a Land Rover. But if the one driving the Land Rover is me, I must let my brother know.”

Asuna shook her head with a wry smile at Shengzai’s words—she had never heard that proverb before.

“Shengzai, there’s another thing I want to tell you: our guild leader, Hizcliff, has asked me again to invite you to join our guild.”

“The boss room for Floor 75 of Aincrad was finally discovered in the labyrinth district a few days ago.”

According to the established rules of Aincrad, the boss of every 25th floor is exceptionally powerful.

Considering the strength of the previous 50th-floor boss, the guild leader believes this 75th-floor battle will be a grueling fight.

Therefore, to better coordinate and handle this raid, the leader wants you to join the Blood Alliance Knights.”

Although floor boss raids bring together all strategy players, and everyone claims to fight for the survival of all players, why do guild divisions still exist?

Floor bosses are dangerous, but the items and experience they drop are the fastest way for players to grow stronger.

Whether another guild or your own guild defeats the floor boss makes all the difference—that’s why major guilds all try to recruit top solo players.

(End of Chapter)