"Which side is real?"

This question really made Asuna at a loss.

If it were the same as before, I would definitely answer this question without hesitation.

"Affirm that the real world is real, and everything in this world is fake."

This is an idea that has been maintained before.

After all, in this world, everything that can be seen by the field of vision is only an imaginary object composed of data, and the body that is manipulated by oneself is only a virtual body, and even the food eaten, the matter touched, and the things felt are all pre-programmed things, which are transmitted directly to the brain through the helmet, and the real-world body that is lying on the bed now does not touch anything at all.

So, in this world, everything is fake, only death is real.

That's what Asuna had always thought of in the past.

However, at this moment, being asked by Luo Zhen like this, Asuna first remembered the battle she saw in the Layer 1 Defender Boss Raider.

That battle in which Luo Zhen and Kirito fought together against the kobold lord Ilfang, showed infinite passion and faith.

It was only after that battle that Asuna realized that in this world, there is more to the real thing than death.

Even if the body is imaginary, the spirit, soul, and will are still their own things.

That's why Asuna longs for that battle.

Yes.

Asuna yearned.

Because that's the only real thing Asuna sees in this world other than death.

In view of this, Asuna will want to fight, will want to give up the past self-abandonment of the idea of seeking death, and instead begin to have faith, with strategy games as her everything, regardless of the obstacles along the way, let alone the eyes of others, and keep rushing.

This is Asuna's battle.

At least, Asuna thinks she's finally got something real in this world.

That's faith.

Completely tackle this game, return to the real world, and do not hesitate to use everything you can to achieve the goal with the belief that you can achieve your goal.

This is what the man in front of him taught Asuna.

However......

"Something that can be used" does not mean "something that can be used as long as the goal is achieved," but "something that can be used within the scope of permission."

This was what Rogen had said to Asuna a year earlier, after the duel with Heathcliff.

Truth be told, Asuna still hasn't known what exactly that means.

But there was only one thing, Asuna was sure.

That is, the man who taught himself this very important thing with the belief that he would continue to live in this world did not recognize.

This made Asuna silent and her heart burned with inexplicable emotions.

"Since you don't approve of it, then I'll show it to you."

With such an idea, Asuna began to devote all her energy to the strategy, and frequently quarreled with Luo Zhen at the strategy meeting.

Regarding his own opinions, Luo Zhen has always denied them on the grounds of "excesses".

For example, when dealing with the boss of the defense layer with high blood and defense, Asuna proposed that all players be equipped with weapons with high attack power and high burst, and of course players should be allowed to free up a skill grid, so that those players who have not learned this type of weapon skill can abandon a skill that has been trained for a long time, but the skill composition of top players has already become a very important strength, and if you give it up, it will definitely affect your strength in the future.

For another example, when attacking the maze area, Asuna also suggested that you can rush to the situation when the difficulty is already under control and habitual, you can speed up, even if you increase some more consumption and fatigue, it doesn't matter, anyway, there will not be too much danger, but ignore that accidents can occur at any time in the game world, and increasing fatigue in vain will only become an increase in the risk of accidents.

Something like this has happened many times, and every time Asuna makes a similar opinion, Luo Zhen will not hesitate to oppose it.

However, Luo Zhen is the leader of the strategy group, a character who has maintained an undamaged record so far, and players naturally obey his command, and if he opposes it, even if Asuna is powerless.

In other words, Asuna has not been recognized by Luo Zhen all along.

Now, a year has passed.

Although Asuna hasn't given up on showing her thoughts, she can't help but think so.

"In the real world, have I ever had such a strong desire to express myself and have a heated argument with others?"

The answer, of course, is no.

In the real world, Asuna is just according to her parents' arrangement, mechanically improving her knowledge, living her own life mechanically, and even her life has been arranged, and she is mechanically accepting it and being the self that others expect.

There's no room for Asuna's own will to intervene.

On the contrary, in this world, Asuna took up arms with her own will, gained faith with her own ideas, and fought in her own way, not to mention whether it was right or wrong, but Asuna undoubtedly gained a lot of things and experiences in this world that are not available in the real world.

So, which side is the real one?

Is it a boring reality?

Or is it an illusion that fills the passion?

Thinking of this, Asuna couldn't help but look at Luo Zhen.

I saw that Luo Zhen was still looking at the rainbow in the distant sky, and there was no deep hatred for this world that had imprisoned him, but only pure appreciation and acceptance.

Seeing this, Asuna understood.

For Luo Zhen, no matter which world is real.

After all......

"Being alive is a pleasure in itself, don't be picky."

Luo Zhen lazily uttered such words, which made Asuna involuntarily start to think.

(What kind of things did this person have experienced to have such thoughts?) ）

Surely it is enough to make people feel "it's good to be alive" and be satisfied, right?

"Alright." Luo Zhen stood up, patted the dust on his body, and said, "I'm leaving, and the matter of weapons hasn't been resolved yet." ”

"Weapons?" Asuna was stunned for a moment, and then remembered that Luo Zhen had always held the weapon in his hand.

Looking at the weapon, Asuna immediately understood.

(He's trying to change his primary weapon, right?) ）

Now it's not what it used to be, Asuna is no longer the rookie of the game at the beginning, just by looking at it, you can see that the weapon in Luo Zhen's hand is not the player's work, and it has been strengthened to the limit, facing the danger of being eliminated.

(Turns out, he's been thinking about it here just now?) ）

Asuna thought that Luo Zhen was really lazy here.

This made Asuna's heart feel a slight sense of guilt.

Thereupon......

"You want high-performance weapons, don't you?"

Asuna blurted out such a sentence.

"If you don't have a blacksmith you're familiar with, I can introduce you to one."