Money Can Buy Everything

043 New Teammate

"Should I step aside?"

Reimu floated above the two, her patience completely worn thin due to the current situation. Though she knew Momo's personality well and could predict that something like this would eventually happen, she hadn't expected to feel so embarrassed right now.

Yes, embarrassed.

Due to their unique relationship, she couldn't stray too far from Momo, generally limited to a ten-meter distance. Fortunately, she could ignore most obstacles and remain hidden from human sight, so the distance wasn't an issue.

The problem was that they were currently inside a private room instance, which meant Reimu couldn't leave. So, she could only stay in the room with them.

Was she supposed to just listen and watch here?

When she had first met Momo, while she foresaw this kind of situation, she hadn't foreseen her own change in attitude towards him.

Or, was it Momo who had changed her?

"Don't worry, at least here, I won't be so rash."

Momo reassured Reimu, not taking advantage of the situation with Asuna, who was deeply emotional. He didn't exploit the situation but helped Asuna arrange the bedding instead. However, Momo's action caused Asuna's expression to change drastically.

The redness on Asuna's face faded, replaced by a pallor. She suddenly grabbed Momo's hand, as if she feared being abandoned like a frightened lamb.

"Momo... what's wrong?"

Asuna tried to keep her tone calm, but her expression betrayed her emotions. Her efforts hadn't received Momo's response. Did Momo regret it?

The instant change from heaven to hell nearly caused Asuna's emotions to crumble.

Momo needed to comfort her. He leaned in to kiss Asuna once more.

Asuna widened her eyes, appearing surprised, but soon became immersed in the kiss. After a long while, their lips parted, and Asuna's face regained its rosy hue. At least she was sure that Momo hadn't abandoned her.

"Asuna, I've told you, right? I love you."

Asuna blushed slightly but chose to face Momo directly this time. Speaking softly, she murmured, "Mhm, I believe you."

"So, Asuna, can you wait a bit? When the time comes, I'll use my actions to give you a grand ceremony. I'll choose a suitable location, not in this budget inn."

Asuna finally understood Momo's intention. Tears shimmered in her eyes as she smiled, "Um, I don't mind... And besides, we're still in this game, and we don't know what the future holds..."

"So, you should believe me even more. We'll definitely get out of this game. All we need is a bit of time. Can you trust me?"

Seeing Momo's determined gaze, Asuna slowly nodded, then burrowed herself under the blanket, leaving only the upper half of her face visible.

"I trust you... um, Momo..."

"What's wrong?"

"Do you... not think that I... seem a bit... too..."

Understanding Momo's implication, Asuna became nervous again. What if Momo misunderstood her personality?

In response, Momo sealed her worries with a long kiss.

"See, I'm the one taking the initiative, right? In fact, I almost couldn't resist Asuna's beauty."

"Hmph... Aren't you already resisting now?"

Asuna puffed up her cheeks, feigning annoyance. How could Momo not understand this was her coyness? However, Momo had no intention of playing along with Asuna's coyness.

"Or, Asuna, maybe you can try tempting me again. Who knows, I might not be able to resist this time?"

"No way!"

Asuna shrank back, her heart rate calming down a bit. Her emotions had burst forth earlier, but now she found it hard to lower her guard.

"Wait until you beg me..."

"What if I beg you now?"

"Ah... If you tease me again, I might actually get angry!"

Momo chuckled softly, pinched Asuna's nose bridge, and seeing her open her mouth, he playfully flicked her forehead with his finger.

"Alright, rest well. Starting tomorrow, you mentioned you'd be joining me in action, right?"

After saying that, Momo was about to get up. Fortunately, the inn's NPCs were on duty day and night; otherwise, changing rooms wouldn't have been possible.

"Wait!"

However, Asuna once again grabbed Momo's hand.

"Is there something else?"

Asuna hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "Um... we need to save col... so since we've already made changes... let's not waste it."

"But let me make it clear! It's just about being together, nothing more. Don't think you can do anything without my consent."

Asuna struggled to express her opinion, and Momo had no reason to refuse her. Saving money was one thing, and the allure of having a real Asuna body pillow was something Momo couldn't decline.

"Alright then, since you put it that way..."

Momo began to undress.

Asuna took a glance, her face turned red as she looked at Momo's well-proportioned muscles. She let out a horrified scream, followed by slapping Momo's arm.

...

Although Asuna, who was overcome with shyness, gave Momo a slap that gave him an evenly distributed sense of warmth, Momo still ended up sleeping next to Asuna.

Both were extremely fatigued and soon fell into a deep slumber. When they woke up the next day, Asuna's unease and shyness had mostly disappeared.

This was the power of habit. Asuna had grown accustomed to having Momo around, to the point where she didn't want to be away from him even in the game. Eventually, the rumbling of their stomachs forced them out of bed.

At the moment, Momo only had a reserve of jam bread. Upon learning the cost of the food Momo had prepared for her, Asuna strictly forbid him from spending recklessly. Only after Momo persuaded her and had Asuna taste a piece of black bread did she agree to consider it.

"Alright, Asuna, this isn't wasteful! Food is essential for relieving stress, and besides, we have a steady source of income!"

Momo naturally didn't hide anything from Asuna. He shared with her the several tasks he had encountered. While Asuna was amazed, she quickly pulled Momo out of the inn to try her luck.

However, as Asuna pulled Momo out of the inn, she froze. Hundreds of pairs of eyes stared at them, causing Asuna's face to pale.

Compared to the countless players waiting for rescue in exhaustion, she and Momo seemed out of place.

Momo smiled slightly, stepping forward and standing in front of Asuna. He said, "Alright everyone, please stop staring. You're scaring my girlfriend."

Momo's words surprised the crowd, but after the initial shock, the players averted their gazes. Regardless of their thoughts about Momo and Asuna staying in the inn, for now, all the players were maintaining the conduct and quality they would have in the real world.

"Oh, Asuna, this is..."

Lisbeth approached with Silica. Initially, Lisbeth had intended to help Asuna out of this situation, but seeing Momo and Asuna's tightly held hands, she realized she wasn't needed.

"I see now. Hey..."

Lisbeth squinted her eyes and said, "So, Asuna cried for you yesterday? Well, young man, while keeping Asuna in the inn shows concern for her, making a girl cry is even more unforgivable!"

Momo looked at Lisbeth in surprise. He naturally knew who Lisbeth was, but he hadn't expected to see her here.

After a few introductions, Momo learned about Asuna's experience from the previous day.

"Enough already, Lisbeth. Momo..."

"Hey, what about me? You should let him know about your feelings. Otherwise, how will he know to give even more for you?"

"Don't worry, I won't let something like that happen."

Compared to Asuna's shyness, Momo's open expression almost made Lisbeth and Silica scream in surprise.

"Haha, what a good guy. Why haven't I met someone like that? Well, I won't bother you. We'll talk later. Since Asuna, you have Momo taking care of you, there's no problem staying in an inn!"

Though Lisbeth still had a smile on her face, Asuna sensed a layer of distance. After all, while she stayed in an inn, the other party stayed on the streets. Moreover, Lisbeth had extended an invitation to Asuna before. It seemed that Lisbeth's attempt to help Asuna had ended up unnecessary.

Feeling conflicted, Asuna glanced at Momo. After a few seconds of contemplation, Momo rubbed his chin and said, "Ladies, how about we make a deal?"

...

The trade was swiftly completed. Momo used up three of his trade opportunities and reached an agreement with Lisbeth and Silica.

Firstly, he formed a team with them. In exchange for ensuring their safety and quality of life in the game, they joined Momo's team and followed his lead.

For the third trade, Momo taught Lisbeth the Enhanced Blacksmithing skill for Dark Elves. In return, Lisbeth agreed to provide zero-cost services to Momo and any potential future teammates.

The first term was reasonable. Momo's trade with Lisbeth was based on finding cooperative teammates. With the second term, Momo taught Lisbeth a strengthening skill that allowed her to quickly pass the novice stage due to Momo's apprentice task. Additionally, when Momo was busy strategizing, Lisbeth could also improve his blacksmithing skill.

Naturally, Momo wouldn't take advantage of Lisbeth. A high-level blacksmith would undoubtedly be in demand in the future. However, if Momo focused on fighting, he could provide Lisbeth with enough materials for upgrades.

With two trustworthy teammates, Momo suddenly found himself with more free time. As they hadn't gathered the courage to venture out of the city for hunting yet, Momo assigned them the task of procuring and selling wild boar meat.