Money Can Buy Everything

046 Welcome, Kirito 02

Momo and Asuna walked on the streets of the Starting City, facing the pointing and whispering of passersby. Momo didn't feel the slightest pressure in such a situation. After all, he had experienced much larger-scale resistance in his previous life, even a global wave of opposition against him, which he easily suppressed. Facing the limited number of players here was nothing.

"When we increase our strength, it's mainly thanks to my efforts, not by hoarding massive resources," Momo said when Asuna hesitated to speak.

"If they want to criticize us for this, Asuna, it's their fault. It's just a manifestation of human nature. Even if we share all our resources with them, they still won't be satisfied."

Momo grinned and continued, "Maybe they'll even accuse us of hiding resources. They'll use this moral high ground as a weapon to shamelessly insult us. Do you believe that, Asuna?"

Asuna nodded, agreeing in principle. However, Momo knew that Asuna's agreement was more rational, and in reality, she probably didn't believe that people could be so shameless.

"Of course, if you agree, when our strength reaches its limit, I can choose to trade with other players, starting with Argo..."

"No!"

Asuna immediately interrupted with a stern expression, staring at Momo, her eyes filled with suspicion.

"Ugh, don't look at me like that, it makes me shy!"

"Hmph!"

Asuna turned and took a step forward. While there wasn't solid evidence, she had a faint feeling that Argo's gaze towards Momo wasn't quite right.

Thinking back to that night when both of them didn't return until late at night and came from the same direction, Asuna found it hard to suppress her suspicions.

Afterward, Argo even admitted directly that she had hired Momo for a job that day. In theory, Asuna shouldn't have any doubts by now. However, Argo, unintentionally, referred to Momo as a "playboy," which further heightened Asuna's suspicions.

But what circumstances would lead a girl to call another man a "playboy"?

Although Argo spoke in a casual tone, it made it difficult for Asuna to believe that something had really happened between her and Momo. But at the very least, there must have been some contact beyond friendship between the two, or Momo might have shown some inappropriate interest in Argo...

The above was the rational deduction of Detective Asuna Yuuki, at least in her own opinion, she considered herself rational.

"No evidence, and Asuna has never asked Momo about this matter, showing the utmost trust. Isn't that trust?"

"Asu...na..."

A voice approached from a distance, and someone embraced Asuna from behind, causing her to stagger. Asuna gave a helpless smile and said, "Argo, that hurts!"

The newcomer was undoubtedly Argo. Although Asuna had some doubts in her mind, she had never shown them to Argo because, for Asuna, Argo was a cherished friend.

"So, how far have you two gone? Hehe, I've confirmed that you and Momo have been sharing a room all this time. Hehe..."

"Argo!"

Blushing, Asuna covered Argo's mouth and cautiously looked around at the people nearby. Luckily, Argo's voice wasn't loud enough for anyone else to hear.

"Don't try to deny it! Lizbeth, that girl, has a tight mouth, but I managed to get some information from that little kitty in your party."

After Lisbeth and Silica confirmed joining Momo's team, Momo rented a team rest instance in the inn. However, due to Asuna's insistence, the four of them only had three rooms. Engaging in such an open and honest act made it even easier for Silica and Lisbeth to accept.

Asuna had never demanded secrecy, and as a result, Silica had easily spilled the beans to Argo.

"...It's...it's not like it matters. Momo and I...we've been in a relationship for a while now..."

Blushing, Asuna decided to come clean. Surprisingly, this left Argo at a loss. She had intended to tease Asuna about her shyness, but now it seemed she had no leverage.

No, she had to salvage something.

"Money!"

Argo extended her hand towards Momo and said, "Secrecy fee, 1000 Col!"

"Take it."

Momo remained composed and tossed a bag containing 1000 Col into Argo's hand. His generous attitude left Argo sighing and saying, "Hey, you could at least hesitate a bit. I'm an informant, not a beggar. What's the difference between this and giving alms to beggars?"

"Come on, accept it, Argo. We all know that providing free information to everyone requires a lot of Col. Momo and I don't have much to spend right now."

Asuna persuaded Argo. Having participated in the production of information, she understood how much funding was required to provide free information to everyone.

Argo was stubborn and never asked her friends for help, relying on trading information to earn money. She would only come to Momo's aid when she was truly in dire straits.

"Ah, it's such an annoying feeling. Well, as a return favor, I'll give you some information. A group led by the Tooth King has decided to take action against the closed beta testers, probably inciting all non-beta testers to force you to hand over your high-level weapons and equipment!"

"After all, your two weapons are just too eye-catching. Ugh, the airs of a tycoon!"

Argo finished speaking and immediately jumped away, saying, "Goodbye, I have to rush to print the latest version of my data."

Momo and Argo's conversation hadn't been discreet, and when Momo took out the 1000 Col pouch, the eyes of passersby were almost all fixed on it.

That was 1000 Col!

While other players were still lamenting the cost of a 5 Col jam bread, Momo had instantly given away 1000 Col to someone. This couldn't be anything but a sign of wealth.

Each player stared at Momo with greedy eyes, seemingly contemplating what kind of life they would have if they possessed such wealth.

"See, Asuna? This is human nature. Regardless of what you sacrifice, they are only interested in your wealth. For wealth, they would do anything, whether it's using high ideals or resorting to outright theft. It's all too understandable."

"Momo!"

Asuna was somewhat dissatisfied with Momo's extravagant speech. She grabbed Momo and hurriedly walked away, only expressing her concerns in a secluded corner, "Our previous plan was to unite all players and try to clear the game as much as possible, right?"

"That's true. However, Asuna, if we allow them to plunder our resources, it's entirely detrimental to the overall game strategy."

"Do you think your sword is more effective in your hands or in the hands of that Nailhead Tooth King?"

"The strategy will always be the work of a few. The number of players who can enter the Lord's Room is limited, so the ones we should really unite are those players."

Asuna nodded thoughtfully. The reasoning was not difficult to understand. The main goal now was to clear the game, so concentrating resources and providing them to the experts was the most rational course of action.

However, nobody would do something like that because it involved moral issues. Plundering resources from the weak was something most people couldn't bring themselves to do.

But looking at it from the opposite perspective, expecting high-level players to contribute their hard-earned resources for the benefit of weaker players was equally unreasonable because it would indefinitely delay the game's progress.

Finally, a delay in the strategy is unfavorable for all players in the game, and everyone wants to leave the death game as soon as possible.

"If the Tooth King is doing all this because he's too foolish to understand cause and effect, then he's using the form of moral blackmail to establish his highest position among ordinary players," Asuna's expression turned serious, "We've met that Tooth King guy, and he's bossy with regular players. He doesn't seem like a fool. So, he must have some ulterior motives, right?"

"In any case, just consider him a hindrance. If he really goes after us, I don't mind playing with him."

"Oh, Momo-kun, Asuna!"

At this moment, a voice came from a distance, it was Kirito.

As three frontline strategists, although they had chosen different directions to expedite their progress, they had a high chance of running into each other. After a few times, they naturally became familiar with each other.

Kirito was genuinely happy to see Momo and Asuna because he didn't have many friends or a team. For the upcoming strategy, he wouldn't have to worry about finding teammates if he met these two.

"Ah, Kirito-kun!"

Seeing Kirito, Momo smiled brightly, like the winter sun.

Kirito suddenly stopped, took a step back, and the joy in his eyes vanished completely. He said, "What are you up to now? I won't sell anything! I don't sell anything!"

"Come on, Kirito-kun, don't make me look like a shady dealer. This time, I'm not buying anything from you; I'm selling something."

"I'll let you join the guild I'm about to create in exchange for your 100% One-Handed Sword skill proficiency. How about that?"

Kirito's eyes widened, "A guild, Momo-kun, you're creating a guild?"

"Yes, if you join, 100% sword skill proficiency is my offer. Of course, you're not bound to stay in the guild if you feel like leaving."