"That's true."
Asuna also realized she had lost her composure. After sorting out her emotions, she let out a long sigh and said.
"Since she voluntarily signed up for the dungeon, it means she has the corresponding resolve. Even if she dies in the dungeon, that's her own choice. We should still focus on our immediate goal, which is clearing this dungeon."
"That's right."
Asagiri first agreed with a sentence, then followed Asuna, walking down the dimly lit stairwell, which felt somewhat eerie.
During this process, Asuna chose a very detailed position, which was slightly ahead of Asagiri by half a body length, while also ensuring that each time they went down a floor and were about to continue, she was on the outer side, which was the direction near the door connecting the corridor and the stairwell.
This was based on rational consideration.
Judging from the dungeon's hints, with only a weapon of ordinary material, it was almost impossible for Asuna to defeat a Banshee one-on-one. Otherwise, there wouldn't be a hint telling her to try to avoid fighting Banshees.
But Asagiri was different; the hint given to him by the system was to finish the fight quickly.
Asuna's idea was simple: she was a melee class, while Asagiri's class was a support-type Diplomat. Although he could use the power of Persona, it would take at least nearly two seconds from forming the gun-shaped summoner to completing the summon.
If Asagiri were ambushed and lost his combat ability, it would be a party wipe. Therefore, when a Banshee attacked, it was the most reasonable choice for her to act as the first line of defense, gaining time for Asagiri to summon his Persona.
"You don't need to be so nervous."
Seemingly sensing that Asuna's nerves were too tense and that she was constantly guarding against potential Banshees, Asagiri said softly.
"It's still that same saying: in a good game, what should be avoided the most is a Player being punished without making a mistake. Between the elevator and the stairs, we chose the latter. This couldn't be the wrong option, so it's unlikely we'll encounter a Banshee. The dungeon has just begun; if you stay in such a highly tense state, your spirit will reach its limit in less than two hours."
Asuna nodded, forcing a smile as she said.
"Okay, I understand. I'll try my best to relax..."
Just as Asuna was halfway through speaking, a strange sound suddenly came from below the stairwell, making her body feel like it had fallen into an ice cave, instantly stiffening.
"Wuwuwuwu..."
Hearing this sound, which was like a woman crying and mixed with the sound of a sharp object scraping against the wall, Asuna's face instantly turned pale. She tremblingly turned her head to look at Asagiri's profile, her lips trembling as she said.
"Leader, what should we do...?"
"Persona!"
Asagiri didn't hesitate for a second, he summoned his Human Asura. The moment the massive, shadowy figure materialized in the stairwell, it surged downward ahead of him—impatient, almost eager for the fight.
"You like to cry, huh? I'll make sure you cry your fill today!"
"Wha—damn..."
Asuna was momentarily stunned, then quickly followed. Isn't this way too reckless? she thought. In horror movies, when you hear creepy crying, you're supposed to run the other way, not charge toward it like a maniac!
From ahead, Asagiri's voice rang out, loud and fearless.
"Those who trespass on my territory—I strike, I shatter!"
Even in the thick of tension, Asuna nearly tripped from sheer disbelief. Wait… isn't this a dungeon? The Banshee's territory? How did it suddenly become yours!?
When she rounded the stairwell and reached the next landing, her eyes widened in disbelief.
There, before her, stood Human Asura—towering, spectral, and monstrous—pinning down a shrieking Banshee in a blood-soaked red dress. The ghost's bare feet scraped the floor as she thrashed, long black hair veiling most of her twisted face, save for two hate-filled eyes and grotesquely long nails that clawed at the air.
Asagiri himself wasn't just watching—he'd already raised one foot and brought it down on the Banshee's head, pinning her in place with an air of casual dominance.
For a moment, Asuna was speechless.
Why… why does this look like some wicked young master abusing power with his hulking bodyguard, bullying a helpless woman?
"Wuwuwu...!"
Crack!
The Banshee let out a muffled sob—only to be violently silenced. Human Asura, without hesitation, tore one of her arms clean off. With an eerie calm, it handed the bloodied limb to Asagiri like an offering.
Asuna could only watch, frozen in horror, as Asagiri—expressionless—jammed the Banshee's own severed arm into her mouth.
"Mmph—!"
He used her own hand to gag her!?
Asuna's jaw nearly hit the floor. What kind of unholy scene is this? She'd thought she was mentally prepared for dungeon horror, but this? This was psychological warfare delivered with brutal flair. She had truly never seen anything like it.
Asuna had truly never seen a scene like this.
"Violet, equip your weapon."
"Oh... oh, okay."
After Asuna equipped her rapier and walked closer, Asagiri pointed at the Red-Clothed Banshee.
"Stab her, but don't aim for vital spots. I still need to use her later."
Asuna felt that sounded a bit strange, but she still followed Asagiri's instructions and quickly stabbed the Red-Clothed Banshee's body with her rapier.
The moment Asuna pulled out her rapier, she noticed something strange.
There was no blood.
Even more unsettling, the wound she'd just inflicted had already closed up—as if it had never been there.
In stark contrast, the arm that Human Asura had ripped off remained detached and lifeless, showing no signs of regeneration.
"So that's it..." Asuna muttered to herself. "Ordinary weapons can't fully eliminate Banshees. That's what it means…"
She bit her lip, analyzing quickly. My rapier can't finish them off… but it can still deal damage. Even if they regenerate instantly, at least I can cripple their legs long enough to run. With Wind Blessing's agility boost, I can probably cut and dash if I ever face one alone.
Just then, the guttural mumbling of the Banshee resumed—soft and eerie.
Mumble mumble
"You're still mumbling? No mumbling!"
Asagiri's voice cut through the stairwell like a whip. He pressed harder with his boot, grinding the banshee's head into the cold stone floor. With the shadows of Human Asura looming behind him, his face half-lit by the flickering emergency light, he looked nothing like a high school student.
He looked like a demon.
Then, slowly, he lifted his foot.
To Asuna's shock, he crouched down beside the Red-Clothed Banshee, reached out, and gently stroked her long, blood-matted hair—like one might soothe a weeping child. And then, as if that wasn't enough, he leaned in and took a deep breath.
Asuna froze.
What…what is he doing?!
Her mind flashed back to what he'd said earlier—something vague about "needing this banshee later."
No…No way. Don't tell me he rushed down here like a madman because he has… some kind of weird kink for controlling banshees!?
Asuna took a half-step back, her rapier still drawn.
Even with all she'd seen today, this man still found new ways to scare her.
"Smells like shampoo, and there are water droplets on her hair. Is she a drowned ghost? If I'm not mistaken..."
Asagiri looked directly into the Red-Clothed Banshee's eyes and slowly said.
"You drowned in a bathtub when you were alive, right?"
After hearing this sentence, the venomous hatred in the Red-Clothed Banshee's eyes dissipated slightly, but she still watched Asagiri warily, not knowing what he intended to do.
As for Asuna, she already knew what Asagiri wanted to do.
The Diplomat was about to begin Diplomacy.
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