>>277589
Ebin, I forgot my trip. That's convenient.

>>277589
>Going to the Commisary

>>277589
>Going to the Arena

>>277589
>>Going to the Arena

>>277589
>Going to the Arena

>>277589
>>Going to the Commissary
We got loads of cash now, might as well grab some equipment.

“Let’s get it over with”, you comment, staring at the white shirt in your hands.
You head towards the entrance of the Arena, select the first floor and wait until the teleportation is complete.
While Archer continues her slaughter undisturbed, you wonder what will it take to open the access to the second floor.

“You’re quite good with that bow, Archer”, you praise her. “Did you use to hunt a lot?”
“Not really. My kingdom used to have an alliance with the animals of our mountains, but everything changed when my father struck a deal with the king of a foreign land. Since then, even if hunting was allowed, I refrained from killing animals as much as possible. I wish I refrained from killing humans too”, she regretfully remarks.

“I see. Sorry to change the topic, but do you feel like killing the big bug we avoided yesterday?”
“Not at all. Do not concern yourself too much with me or my story. I am just your Servant”.
Hearing this gives you mixed feelings. You’re happy to hear she’s willing to obey pretty much any order, yet on the other hand, treating her like just a tool doesn’t sit right with you.

The armored roach cries in pain and rage as Archer’s arrows pierce his wing. After wasting an arrow trying to pierce its stout shell, the huntress decided to change her tactics and immobilize her opponent. Thus the large insect is stuck on the ground, its belly exposed and its legs feverishly moving. With one quick movement, your Servant stabs the beast and kills it.

Your matrix rings, and a rather significant amount of money is credited to your account.
“Excellent job, now let’s move forward”, you urge her. The corridor in front of you leads straight to a wide, rectangular room. In the center, a green-lit rhombus fluctuates.
“That’s an Item Folder, Master. If you open it, you’ll find something useful”, Archer says, pointing at it.

You move closer to it and touch it gently. The rhombus opens and a minor healing item is added to your inventory.
“That’ll come in handy. Our opponents will have to work harder to take us down, now”, you boast.
“Is that so? You look quite weak to me”, a familiar voice teases you.

You turn around to see your rival, Kirito, standing in front of you and barring the exit. He seems to be alone.
“Oh hey there’s Mr Bismuth. Good afternoon Mr Bismuth, where’s your Servant? Did he ditch you when you tried to convince him that humanity is overrated?”
“Good one, Hakuno, but I don’t need any Servant to defeat that feeble Archer of yours”, he replies, unsheathing the sword he’s carrying on his back and pointing it at your Servant.

This makes you somewhat uneasy. He knows the class of your Servant, while his isn’t even visible. In any case, you have to make a split-second decision.

>Attack him, he was foolish enough to come here alone
>Attempt to escape
>Write-in

>>279120
Ignore the otaku and leave, if we're going to have a rival it has to be someone more respectable. We have standards for Christ sake, also we want to avoid penalties.

>>279120
Knock him out and literally rape his boipussy

>>279120
Let him take the first attack and then fuck him up in self defense

>>279120
Kill him with one shot, beat him down, teach him that he is nothing.

>>279154
This. He'll be stopped eventually and Archer can cover us if the need actually arises.

>>279154
+1

>>279154
I'll back this.

>>279154
This, fuck that guy

You regain your composure and stare back at him. You’re not gonna have any of this shit.
“Step aside, Kirito. We’re leaving”.
“I don’t think so”, he cockily responds, and with a fluid movement he swings his sword down upon you.

You can only watch in horror as the pitch black blade descends upon you, but in a flash, dashing at a mad speed, Archer carries you out of harm’s away. In so doing, she exposed her back to the enemy, who didn’t hesitate to redirect his blow to her.
She was now bleeding copiously, so you quickly whip out your matrix and use the strongest healing consumable you have.

There’s quite a distance now between you and Kirito, so Archer should be favored in her fight.
“Are you ok?, you ask her. She nods, then stands up and prepares to fire at him.
“ATTENTION: FIGHTS BETWEEN MASTERS ARE FORBIDDEN IN THE ARENA. THE FIGHT WILL BE SHUT DOWN IN A MINUTE”, a loud voice proclaims
Two arrows are shot at a blinding speed, but your rival slices one in half with his sword, then parries another materializing a black and white shield.

15 seconds passed.
Pushing her bow aside, Archer sticks a couple of fingers in her mouth and whistles. The sound echoes throughout the room, and while you only find it mildly annoying, Kirito seems in agony. He crouches on the floor with his hands covering his ears.
Archer grabs her bow and nocks one more arrow to the bowstring. She’s waiting though, waiting for her enemy to stand up.
Maybe it’s her honor or her code of conduct that compels her, or rather she’s just trying to abide to the rules of the system and gauge the enemy’s strength in the process.

The echoing whistles cease, and your enemy stands up once again.
30 seconds left.
Kirito charges at Archer with his shield lifted, attempting to intercept the enemy arrow.
Surprisingly, your Servant lowers her aim, targeting the ground instead. A silvery projectile hits the ground, and Kirito sinks as if he were drowning.
Ripple waves are spreading from the point in which Kirito sank, and by following them with your gaze, you determine that your Servant created an artificial lake in the battlefield with her attack, an useful perk when your advantage hinges on distance.

Reeling and kicking, Kirito tries to keep himself afloat.
45 seconds gone.
His breathing is labored and he’s struggling not to go under, his heavy equipment weighing him down.
“Do not… fool yourself…I am… the greatest… the greatest player ever!”, he shouts in rage. “Damn cheater… using such cheap tricks…”

>>281571
A loud siren rings, everything goes white, and when you regain your sight, Kirito is no longer there.
Archer seems tired. Checking her status on your matrix, you see that she has depleted much of her mana, perhaps because she used those skills.
Your enemy has left and will probably receive a penalty. You could now farm in peace, or leave. But who should take that decision?

>No one’s around anymore. Let’s keep fighting
>Archer is tired. Let’s go back
>Let Archer decide
>Write-in

>>281572
>Let Archer decide

>>281572
>>Let Archer decide

>>281572
>>Let Archer decide

>>281572
>>Archer is tired. Let’s go back
She seems like the stubborn sorts that keeps going even if she's hurting.

“Archer, do you feel like continuing? There’s no shame in withdrawing now, if you’re hurt”.
She gives you a bitter smile and a nod. “If you’ll excuse me, Master. I used my best skills right off the bat to keep him at bay, I wasn’t really sure what he’d be capable of, and now I feel a bit sore”
“Yeah no worries. Can you walk to the exit? Or do you want me to carry you?”
This time, she laughs. “You’re very considerate, but I can walk there on my own”.

Aware that there’ll be some fighting to do, she stands up and prepares her bow.
“Stand besides me, Master. The edge of my blade might have dulled, but I will clear a path for you anyway!”
True to her words, Archer navigates the labyrinth expertly, fighting the bare minimum necessary and leading you to the exit in the shortest time possible.

Upon being teleported back to school, the familiar sensation of tiredness descends upon you. The professor’s shirt has been in your hands the whole time, and you didn’t find the place he told you about. The upside is that by now you definitely have enough money to buy all the Formal Wear you need.

What immediately caught your attention was Ainz anxiously walking up and down the corridor rather than standing at his usual place. You are left to wonder if he’s worried about something or if he’s just impatient. Maybe the latter, considering how the nurse has consistently been dodging him.

You think that maybe you could talk to him. After all, he’s been quite helpful. On the other hand, Archer is probably exhausted and wants to rest.

>Talk with Ainz
>Bring Archer back
>Write-in

>>283079
>Bring Archer back

>>283079
>>Bring Archer back

>>283079
> Bring Archer back

>>283079
>>Bring Archer back
Who needs plot when we have a cute servant.

>>283079
>>Bring Archer back

>bring archer back
Ignore Ainz acquire qt servant

You will talk with the regulator tomorrow. Right now, Archer needs some rest. It’s not far-fetched to think that you’re alive only thanks to her, either.
With a steady pace, you head to your room, only to find it empty. Seizing the opportunity, Archer materializes and lies on your bed.
You sit on Hikigaya’s, fabricating an excuse for when he’ll be back.
“Master, I think we need to talk”, your Servant tells you.

“Oh no, should I prepare the papers for divorce?”
“What?”
“Ah, never mind, it’s just a bad joke. Tell me, what is it that you wish to discuss?”
“That Master… managed to wound me. Some Formal Wears are capable of that, but not to the extent of the damage he inflicted me. There’s something wrong with him”.

“You can say that again.”
“I don’t mean just the fact that he’s incredibly self-centered and full of himself”
“Although certainly that ‘just’ is the understatement of the century”, you interject. “So what else is there?”
“Well, it might sound crazy”, she continues. “But here it comes: I think HE is the Servant”.
“Come again?”

“That’s right. For some reason, the system simply conferred him the ability to act as a Servant, assigned him stats and skills of a Legendary Soul, and sent him to fight. After all, it’d fit his delusions of being the greatest ‘video-game’ player ever”
“Hm… It certainly makes sense. Then, what kind of Servant is he?”
“Probably a Saber. Have you seen how proficient he is with his sword? The only thing that doesn’t sit quite right with me is his shield”
“Why not?”
“Sabers usually possess a mighty hand-and-a-half sword that is swung at full power using both hands. Wielding a shield would prevent him from doing that”.

“Indeed. We’ll look into that, don’t you worry”, you reassure her.
She nods and stands up. “You need some rest, Master. We’ll work this out tomorrow”
You more than eagerly oblige, and after hanging the teacher’s shirt in your wardrobe you go to bed, sleeping soundly for the entirety of the night.

You’re woken the next morning by the noise of someone knocking on the door. You reckon it’s quite early, so maybe it’s Hkigaya who’s been stuck out of the room all night for some reason. You could check by opening your eyes, but if you do, you’ll never fall asleep again.
The knocking doesn’t stop, and the urge to do something about it grows stronger.

>Ignore the knocking
>Ask who’s knocking
>Write-in

>>285562
>Ask who’s knocking

Maybe we could do it with our eyes shut, and only get up to open the door if we really have to.

>>285562
>Ask who’s knocking

>>285562
>>Ask who’s knocking

>>285562
> Ask who's knocking.

>>285562
>>Ask who’s knocking

You make an unfriendly sound, something in between a dying whale and a raging cerberus, to get the blighter to leave, but to no avail.
The knocking goes on without any signs of stopping.
Being careful not to open your eyes, you scream at the top of your lungs: “Hikigaya, I swear to God if you don’t stop this prank this second! Just use your fucking matrix!”

Nothing. The knocking goes on, much in the same rhythm, although now it sounds like the person who’s been knocking is also losing his patience. Cursing your luck, you get up to answer the door, and when you do open it, you’re greeted by an unusual sight.
A beautiful girl with a great figure, long blonde hair and hazel eyes is staring at you in confusion.

“Oh. You’re not Hikigaya”
“Well duh. Didn’t you hear me screaming?”
“Yeah, I just thought you were covering for him”
“Why would I? I barely know him. Besides, he’s been out all night long”.

Her surprised face becomes stern first, then angry.
“A-anyway!” she stutters, barely maintaining her composure. “Tell him to stop stalking Itou!”
“Pray tell, how do you know he’s been stalking this Itou guy?”, you ask, puzzled. You’ve heard this name before, if you recall correctly, he should be Hikigaya’s rival next round.

The girl gets visibly flustered.
“B-because! I was keeping an eye on him! That creepy dude followed him around campus the entire evening! He is stalking my boyfriend to ambush him in his sleep!”
“Yeah I wouldn’t put it past Hikigaya, and he’s definitely creepy, but my boyfriend? For real? You decided forming a meaningful bond during a death game was a wise move?”
“Sh-shut up! Tell him that I will kill him personally if he doesn’t stop this”.

“Yeah, sure, whatever, who are you by the way?”
“Wh-what does it matter?”, she stutters again, still flustered.
“Well I don’t feel like threatening him personally, so if I could, like, do it on your behalf, I guess that’d be better for the two of us”.
She mumbles something as she lowers her head in resentment.
“What?”
Another barely audible whisper.
“WHAT?”, you ask, exasperated.
“IT’S KAGA KOKO! THE NAME IS KAGA KOKO!’, the girl responds in a fit of rage. Then she slams the door on your face.

You massage your cheek to ease the pain. You’re no mailman and sincerely hope someone stomps that bratty girl, but then again, you’re doing this for Hikigaya’s sake. Apparently he’s outnumbered and the odds are all staked against him. He’s the closest thing to a friend you have right now, a thing that makes you uncomfortable since Kirito occupied that spot before, and it didn’t turn out well.

So it’s your time to choose. Do you put your priority on telling your roommate what’s going on? Or will you search for Ainz to learn more about Servants?

>Look for Hikigaya
>Look for Ainz
>Write-in

======
Sorry for not including a picture of her. Couldn't find any with her being upset/mildly annoyed

>>286993
>Go rest, we might not be able to sleep but we can lie down.

>>286993
> Look for Hikigaya
We should also tell him about edgelord if we find him.

>>286993
>>Look for Hikigaya

>>286993
>>Look for Hikigaya

Ainz isn’t going anywhere. Hikigaya, on the other hand, is in danger. You don’t know where this sense of camaraderie is coming from, but you feel like alerting your roommate is the right thing to do. Maybe you’re less of a bad person than you think?
In any case, you set out to find him.

The campus is a big place, so you have to proceed with a plan or a sensible idea, at the very least. He’s spent the entire night out of his room, meaning he probably didn’t sleep at all, so his destination must have been a place where both working and sleeping area a feasible option.

There is a place that comes to mind: the library. Equipped with books and with internet points, the library is the ideal place to conduct a research about the enemy Servant, as well as being a place quiet enough if someone felt like napping.
You get there as soon as you can, making sure to open the door quietly.

As soon as you enter, the Student Council President glares at you, pointing at Hikigaya.
He’s sleeping soundly in front of a computer, drooling all over the keyboard.
You bow your head in a slight apology, then move towards your roommate.

You shake him a bit and call his name in a muffled voice, trying to get him to wake up.
The President and all the other members of the Student Council, all NPCs, are giving the two of you an annoyed look.
‘Unbelievable’, you think to yourself, ‘they still have a stick up their ass, even if there’s no more Tsukiamaku High. Some things really never change’.

Hikigaya lazily opens one eye and stares at you.
“What do you want?”, he asks unceremoniously.
“You’re sleeping in the library and drooling over the computer. Not that I mind, but the room would have been a better place for that, you know?”

“You make a point”, he answers, standing up slowly and dodging everyone’s gaze expertly. “I guess I will leave then”.
“Shhh!’, somebody hisses at the two of you.
Getting the hint, you leave the room in order to talk more freely.

“A crazy chick came to our room this morning. She said she’ll kill you if you don’t stop stalking her boyfriend”.
“For real? Give me a break. Some people really are stupid”.
“Right? In any case, we should head to the Arena. If the preparation period is 6 days and the elimination battle takes place in the seventh, then we only have 4 days including this one”

“Hm? Oh, right. Well, I will drop by to get the second key, but I don’t need more training”.
“You’re starting to sound like my edgelord rival”
“Sorry, but it’s true. I can’t get stronger than I am. My victory now hinges on the psychological annihilation of the enemy”
“I tip my fedora to you, kind sir”

>>289853

“Quit that, I am not proud of it. I was handed a third-rate Legendary Soul, it’s up to me to make things work. In this case, I have to get my hands dirty”
“Whatever floats your boat. But what is this second key you’re talking about?”
“Oh, every floor of the Arena has keys. You need to collect them to open the elimination battle room. I already asked you to stop making me do Ainz’s job”.

However annoying he is, he’s right. If you want more information, you should talk to Ainz, and it’s not like you don’t have a mountain of questions.

>Tell Hikigaya about your enemy
>Ask Ainz about Master, Servants and keys
>Write-in

>>289857
>Tell Hikigaya about your enemy
He seems like a smart guy, maybe he can make heads or tails of the whole situation. Why Shadow the Edgehog was waiting for us and hellbent of killing us soon, what type servant he might have or be, or anything for that matter.

>>289857
>>Tell Hikigaya about your enemy
Lets keep talking to him.

>>289857
>>Tell Hikigaya about your enemy

>>289857
>>Tell Hikigaya about your enemy

>>291467

We moved because autosage