Yuuki Asuna was at a loss for words. Her entire worldview had been completely overturned in that moment.
The fact that Evil Spirits existed in the Instance was already shocking enough.
Now Iwanaga Kotoko claimed that anomalies, Yōkai, spirits, and other such entities also existed in the real world, but ordinary people just couldn't see them?
Yuuki Asuna took several deep breaths to compose herself.
She glanced at the time on her phone, felt the temperature in the room getting noticeably higher, and looked at Asagiri, asking.
"Leader, has your condition recovered?"
"I'm all set."
"Then let's prepare to move. Two hours have passed since we entered the Instance. To prevent complications and delays, let's resolve the source of the anomaly as quickly as possible."
Hearing Yuuki Asuna's words, Iwanaga Kotoko proactively offered some information.
"When I went to the fifth floor, I found the stairwell door there was locked and couldn't be opened. I tried sensing the area, but there was no anomalous aura at all on that floor. If there is a weapon in this hotel that can completely destroy Evil Spirits, it must be on the fifth floor. I suggest we acquire that weapon before going to eliminate the source of the anomaly."
After deciding on the plan, Asagiri, along with Yuuki Asuna and Iwanaga Kotoko, left the room.
Of course, the trio didn't forget the two anomaly-infected Players.
The man in the suit and the woman with makeup were sent to lead the way. Yuuki Asuna, Asagiri, and Iwanaga Kotoko maintained a distance of one stairwell turn behind them, ensuring they could always hear the pair but were far enough not to be affected if the two Players' bodies suddenly swelled and exploded.
"Leader, could I ask you a favor?"
Hearing Iwanaga Kotoko's request, Asagiri replied with a smile.
"What is it, Necro?"
"My physical stamina isn't great, and going down stairs isn't easy for me, so..."
Iwanaga Kotoko wore a sweet and charming smile, her tone docile.
"Could you possibly carry me on your back?"
Yuuki Asuna, standing nearby, frowned. She knew Iwanaga Kotoko's stamina was poor, and descending stairs was indeed difficult due to her prosthetic left leg. However, this was clearly a case of ulterior motives; she was trying to take advantage of the opportunity with Asagiri.
The mere thought of Asagiri carrying Iwanaga Kotoko on his back made Yuuki Asuna feel uncomfortable, so she immediately volunteered.
"I'll carry you."
"Eh? Violet, you will? But you're a girl; your stamina shouldn't be comparable to Leader's, should it? If carrying me affects your condition and we run into an unexpected event, that would be troublesome."
Yuuki Asuna couldn't refute Iwanaga Kotoko's reasoning.
Although her class was the combat-focused Swordsman and Asagiri's was the supportive Diplomat, her physical fitness was far inferior to Asagiri's. It wasn't that Yuuki Asuna was weak—her physical fitness was already outstanding among high school girls.
But Asagiri was an absolute monster.
He already possessed athlete-level physical fitness, being a once-in-a-century sports prodigy. With the passive enhancements provided by Arsène, his strength, speed, endurance, and explosive power were all nearing the human ceiling.
"Mhm, Necro is right. I'll do it."
Hearing Asagiri agree to her request, Iwanaga Kotoko's smile became even brighter. She was just planning to act bashful, lightly hop onto Asagiri's back, then lean her cheek close to his neck, and occasionally pretend to sway to brush against him—a full combination move to try and capture Asagiri before the Instance ended. But suddenly, she felt her body become light.
"Eh? Eh eh eh..."
Asagiri had simply scooped up the petite Iwanaga Kotoko with one hand, then, adopting a posture like carrying a rocket launcher, he hoisted her onto his shoulder. He waved his other hand in the air.
"Alright, let's go."
"Pffft."
Seeing the way Asagiri carried Iwanaga Kotoko and the girl's look of utter helplessness, Yuuki Asuna couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Heh heh, trying to use this as an opportunity to flirt?
Necro, you still don't know just how abstract our Leader is.
"Um... Leader, could you use a princess carry instead?"
Hearing Iwanaga Kotoko proactively ask such a thing, Yuuki Asuna was startled.
She looked cute and petite, but could she actually be the predatory type?
So blunt?
"No."
Asagiri shook his head, looking profound and mysterious.
"There's a reason why I'm carrying you on my shoulder in this posture."
Iwanaga Kotoko, slung over his shoulder, and Yuuki Asuna, standing nearby, were both curious.
"What reason?"
Asagiri explained in a perfectly straight tone.
"Think about it. Since Necro possesses that exclusive talent, perhaps her physique is also special. Even without any external force, she might be able to inflict fatal wounds on an Evil Spirit."
Yuuki Asuna looked slightly confused.
"But... Necro's physical defects and the negative effects of her talent make her unsuitable for direct combat."
"Exactly. Because of that..."
A slight smile appeared on Asagiri's face as he slowly said,
"If we suddenly run into an Evil Spirit later, and I don't have time to summon my Persona, I can instantly throw Necro out and use her as a Human Cannonball to catch the Evil Spirit completely off guard!"
Iwanaga Kotoko's expression stiffened slightly, and she spoke cautiously.
"Um... could you please put me down... I suddenly feel like going down the stairs isn't that difficult after all..."
Ultimately, Asagiri didn't put Iwanaga Kotoko down. He continued to carry her on his shoulder as he and Yuuki Asuna reached the corner between the sixth and fifth floors of the stairwell.
From this vantage point, the trio could directly see the man in the suit and the woman with makeup standing in front of the fire door.
The man in the suit reached out with a trembling hand, carefully grasping the doorknob, just about to try and turn it, when Iwanaga Kotoko frowned, raised her cane, and called out sharply.
"Wait a moment, don't open the door yet."
The man in the suit instantly froze, and a cold sweat slid down his forehead.
"What is it? Is something wrong?"
Hearing Yuuki Asuna's question, Iwanaga Kotoko stared intently at the fire door, her violet eyes showing vigilance.
"Beyond this door... I seem to sense the aura of an anomaly."