Sword Art Online Crossover: They're all close friends, how did I become a player?

Chapter 176: Extra number, extra number~

"So, you just came straight here?" Hozuki said casually, holding a watering can.

"Hehe! No, I just missed you and came to visit you."

Upon hearing this, Yu Bai gave an awkward smile, his eyes darting around nervously, and he turned his head away guiltily.

This turn led to a "deep gaze" between him and several snapdragons swaying in the wind in the courtyard, their eyes like those of dead fish.

"Eeya～～～～Eeya!!!!!"

The snapdragon swayed incessantly in the wind, emitting a series of sounds that drove people crazy and reduced their sanity.

Snapdragon, a plant unique to Hell.

However, if you say it's a plant, its shape is no different from a goldfish swimming leisurely in a fish tank; if you say it's an animal, its roots deeply embedded in the soil clearly proclaim its plant identity.

It was Hozuki's favorite plant, and because of this, he planted goldfish plants all over his garden. Whenever a gentle breeze blew, one could hear the magical chirping of the goldfish plants.

Even more strangely, snapdragons are edible; Hozuki even made snapdragon sashimi for the other kings of hell. And recently, he's started researching how to juice snapdragons, intending to give it to King Yama.

Because Gilgamesh and Futsuki kept arguing in the citadel, Yu Bai decided to leave to avoid trouble.

It wouldn't be good if Gilles and Fuyuki found them, whether it was Misumi Mountain or Atobe Keigo's place.

He was thinking about whether there was a place that was secluded enough to keep Jill and Bu Yue from finding him for at least a while, so that he could have some peace and quiet for a few days.

At the same time, it would prevent innocent people from being harmed by the fight that would break out after the two of them found it.

After much thought, Yu Bai had a flash of inspiration and came up with a perfect place: Hell!

So he made a quick decision and had Amane Feimeng temporarily take his place. He also left a short farewell letter for the sword spirits of the citadel and the two "elementary school students," informing them that he was going out for a few days to relax and would return when he had had enough fun.

Without even bothering to pack his things, he instantly teleported to Hell using his divine power, drawing on his previous experience there.

It's just that the location is a bit disappointing.

Yu Bai fell into a famous red-light district in hell, and it was even a shop run by Daji.

When faced with the fox demon's treacherous smile and the rooftop he had smashed with a hole, he was struck by the fox demon's eyes, which held a knife hidden in them.

Yu Bai's decisive offer of compensation finally made Daji, who had already revealed her claws, retract them.

After paying two heavy gold bricks, Yu Bai was surrounded by a group of enthusiastic fox spirit ladies. It wasn't until a passing ghost lantern accidentally discovered him that he was rescued from the "fox den".

After being led out of the fox den by Hozuki and arriving at his residence, Yu Bai saw these indescribable goldfish plants.

"Heh, someone said they'd call me over sometime, but then forgot all about it and only showed up now for this reason. Looks like you have a lot of friends."

Hozuki snorted coldly, unconsciously tightening his grip on the watering can, and the iron handle was deformed under Yu Bai's watchful gaze.

No, it’s murderous!

Yu Bai felt a chill run down his spine as he sensed the black aura permeating the air. He quickly began to skillfully soothe his friend who was about to turn evil: "Of course I remember wanting to play with you, but I was inexplicably summoned as a Heroic Spirit a while ago and got involved in the Holy Grail War."

As he spoke, he carefully observed Hozuki's changing expression, then gently tugged at the corner of Hozuki's wide sleeve. When the other turned around, he immediately gave a well-behaved smile, "I just left the Holy Grail War and came to find you as soon as I resolved some issues."

"Oh? Didn't you say it was because your two other friends in the citadel were too noisy, so you came out to clear your head?"

Yu Bai's attempts to comfort him were effective, but not enough. Hozuki tossed aside the deformed water bottle in his hand and said indifferently.

However, when talking about the other two friends, he emphasized his tone, making it clear to anyone who heard it that he was dissatisfied.

"I promise, I'll only spend these next few days with you! Okay?" Yu Bai raised his finger to swear, speaking with unwavering conviction.

"Humph~"

Hozuki snorted coldly and turned to leave without saying a word.

Although the person in front of him was cold, Yu Bai already knew that this person had forgiven him. Otherwise, given Hozuki's personality, he would have already kicked him out.

Yu Bai's face lit up with a happy smile again as he followed closely behind Hozuki: "Hozuki~ Hozuki~ Slow down, what are we going to do?"

Over the next period of time, Yu Bai followed Hozuki and accompanied him on his work. He realized that it was absolutely true that he had said Hozuki was a miserable corporate slave.

In this hell, most things, big and small, need to be reviewed by Hozuki, and then some less important things will be resolved on the spot by Hozuki.

Some very important ones, after being reviewed by Hozuki, must be sent to King Enma for further review and finalization of solutions.

It's safe to say their work efficiency is top-notch.

……

Recently, a new piece of gossip has been circulating among the jailers in hell, and it's been the subject of much discussion.

That is, Hozuki, the assistant to King Enma of Hell, actually had a friend come down to visit him!

The news swept through Hell like a whirlwind, leaving all the jailers speechless and incredulous.

That man, more terrifying than any demon, the man behind King Yama, the true ruler of Hell, Lord Hozuki, actually has a friend—a genuine god.

Most importantly, according to some prison guards who witnessed Lord Hozuki's friend, who returned blushing and fascinated, Lord Hozuki's friend was a very gentle god, possessing a gentle temperament completely different from that of Hell. It was as if a ray of warm sunlight pierced through the gloom of Hell, inspiring longing in people.

What puzzles the ghost is how Lord Hozuki became friends with that deity. Ironically, this deity's art style is quite similar to that of the mythical beast Bai Ze from the paradise of heaven.

Upon hearing these words, Hozuki, with black energy churning behind him, mercilessly struck the jailer who had spoken with a spiked club.

Similarly, because of Hozuki's actions, everyone in Hell understood the weight this deity held in their hearts. This further aroused the curiosity of the jailers, who all wanted to find an opportunity to see what was going on, until finally, due to the congestion, they were all dealt with by Hozuki, and this trend ended.

……

Yu Bai: Where to go? I've got it! Let's go to Hell to play with Hozuki!

Hozuki: You seem to have a lot of friends?

Yu Bai: No, no, right now I only have eyes for you!