When Arthur and Sge returned to Urbas, it was already night.
As soon as they returned to the blacksmith's shop, Sge threw out the next task.
"Adventurer, although I have obtained the crystal ore, I still need two things to forge the weapon."
"In the depths of the wilderness, there is a giant minotaur with sharp and hard horns. They are excellent materials. If you can kill it and obtain those valuable horns, it will prove that you can indeed complete my next task."
Arthur silently accepted the task in front of him and then left Sge's blacksmith shop.
He had originally thought this task would be quite leisurely, but after a day, whether it was rushing on the road or completing tasks on the road, he felt more tired than when he was leveling up. Right now, he just wanted to eat something good and then sleep well. As for other matters, he would deal with them tomorrow.
Arriving at the previous restaurant, since most of the players had returned to the city at this time, there were still quite a few people, making it lively.
Arthur found an empty seat and walked over to it.
However, just as Arthur was about to sit down, two girls suddenly sat down in front of him.
"... Arthur's movements stiffened. His intended action of sitting down was frozen in place for a moment, neither advancing nor retreating, looking somewhat awkward.
"Um, excuse me, is this seat taken?" Arthur praised himself for his wit. He pointed to other places and said, "After all, it seems like there are no empty seats elsewhere."
"No, sorry, we refuse!" Arthur didn't expect to be decisively rejected. Although it was just an excuse he came up with in haste, couldn't they have been a bit more tactful? Show some face, can't they?
Upon hearing this, Arthur raised his head and looked at the two girls opposite him. At a glance, he was stunned.
Fair-skinned, though still young, she would surely grow into a graceful beauty. Beside her stood another girl of similar age, with black shoulder-length hair. A strand of hair on her left was tied into a ponytail with a thin ribbon, and she had a petite figure.
These two people, Arthur couldn't possibly not recognize them!
The Black Cat and the Tyrant's Eye!
No, wait, is it Rikka Takanashi and Yuta Togashi?!?!
What on earth is happening in this world?!!!
Arthur's astonished gaze made the Black Cat furrow her brows in displeasure. However, she still patiently said, "I'm sorry, but we mind. Could you please leave? There's another seat over there."
Arthur rubbed his nose and took a deep breath. He couldn't understand why characters from "My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute" and "Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions" would appear in the world of Sword Art Online. But this shock, Arthur accepted it.
And Black Cat... While he didn't initially think much when he heard that name earlier, now upon reflection, her voice did sound quite similar to the anime.
Coming back to his senses, Arthur noticed Black Cat's cold and guarded gaze directed at him. He couldn't help but wonder, is this the beginning of negative affinity?
"Sorry," Arthur rubbed his forehead, feeling frustrated. Kirito becoming Kiriko was one thing, but why? Why would characters from other anime appear in this world? This frustrating feeling was both uncomfortable and exciting.
It was clear to Arthur that Black Cat seemed wary of him now, presumably because he had been so surprised. So, he didn't linger and quietly moved to the other seat, which fortunately became available as soon as he arrived.
After ordering for himself, Arthur ordered some desserts for Black Cat and her companion through an NPC, as a gesture of apology.
Meanwhile, Yuta Togashi and Black Cat were murmuring to each other.
"Black Cat, why did you suddenly become so fierce?" Yuta Togashi curiously asked Black Cat. While they could have declined politely, couldn't they have been more tactful?
"Don't arbitrarily add such a suffix to my name, you foolish Tyrant's Eye user," Black Cat sniffed and continued, "Men who cloak themselves are generally not to be trusted, especially when they keep staring at us. Although it may just be a false alarm, in this death game, every detail is worth noting, understand? So, Tyrant's Eye user, this is why you can't break free from the shackles of ordinary people!"
"Is that so?" Yuta Togashi stroked his chin, nodding thoughtfully.
At this moment, an NPC brought over the desserts ordered by Black Cat.
"Huh? Did we order these?" Black Cat frowned at the extra desserts.
"These were sent to you by that adventurer over there," the NPC gestured to Arthur not far away.
"Huh?" Black Cat naturally noticed Arthur, who was still wearing his cloak while dining. "Sorry, we don't want them. Please take them back!"
"Huh?!" Before the NPC could respond, Yuta Togashi reacted excitedly. He immediately grabbed the desserts and tearfully looked at Black Cat, "Please, Black Cat, I've even contributed all my dessert money to buy equipment for you. Now that someone finally offers, why refuse?"
"...," Black Cat didn't expect to have a traitor among her own ranks.
"I know what you're worried about. But, these are items sold by the system, so there shouldn't be any problem!" Then, to Black Cat's astonishment, Yuta Togashi immediately scooped up a large spoonful of dessert and ate it.
"Umph! So good!" With half-closed eyes, Yuta Togashi savored the dessert.
"...," Black Cat shook her head helplessly. While Yuta Togashi's reasoning made sense, things couldn't possibly be that simple, could they? She knew the price of these desserts, several thousand col, making them the most expensive desserts in the shop. Just thinking about having this amount of money would instantly solve her headache. Her heart ached at the thought.