Chapter 35: Iwanaga Kotoko's Unique Talent
"Don't try that."
Kotoko's words had the softness of a confession, but Asagiri didn't react at all.
"Forget love at first sight. Even if you put on a sexy reverse bunny suit and start pole dancing in front of me right now, I'm not going to trust you and jump into this so called cooperation that easily."
"How cruel." Kotoko pouted, then propped her cheek with one hand and let out a pretty little laugh. "But I really like your ruthless, slightly sadistic, looking down on everyone attitude too."
Asuna's expression turned complicated.
She hadn't expected that in a Dungeon with only five Players, they would first run into two brainless idiots who practically sprinted toward death, and then meet two people this… extraordinary.
Kotoko looked like a well bred young lady, but the moment she opened her mouth, her level of abstract nonsense was somehow on the same wavelength as Asagiri's.
"Um… Kotoko." Asuna coughed lightly twice, forcing the conversation back onto the rails. "To be honest, neither of us can trust you right now. And you probably can't fully trust us either. If we try to form a cooperative relationship while both sides are still guarding each other, it's just empty words. It might even be better to act separately."
"I see… then I won't hide it anymore."
Kotoko smiled, then looked straight at Asagiri as she spoke slowly.
"I want to team up with you." She paused, then added, almost like an afterthought, "Oh, and the person next to you too. Not just for this Dungeon. I mean a long term teammate relationship. How about it?"
Asuna's brow twitched.
The way Kotoko talked made it sound like Asuna was some kind of free bonus item that came with the package. It irritated her more than she wanted to admit.
"You're not teaming up with us just because you claim you fell for him, right?" Asuna asked, her tone skeptical.
"How could that be?" Kotoko replied smoothly. "That part is a factor, sure, but it's not the decisive reason."
Then she explained, patient and matter of fact.
"You solved what seems to be the most important mystery of this Dungeon within an hour. Those two in the room just admitted their hint was, 'absolutely do not attempt to fight the Banshee.' Yet you can not only fight a Banshee, you can even capture one and interrogate it. That alone proves your strength is far beyond ordinary Players."
She smiled lightly, eyes calm.
"More importantly, when I suggested killing those two tainted Players, you didn't object. And you even proposed using them as cannon fodder to scout the way. That tells me you aren't indecisive, soft hearted saints. If you were, I wouldn't even consider teaming up with you."
Kotoko's tone stayed gentle, but her words were sharp.
"Of course, you might think it's suspicious that someone like me, who dares to enter Dungeon alone, would be so eager to form a team." She spread her hands slightly. "But I have difficulties that are hard to explain. You'll understand once you see this."
With that, Kotoko pulled out her phone, opened the eye icon APP, and placed it on the table without hiding anything.
Asuna's eyes widened.
A Player's personal panel was the most private thing they had. Real name, age, skills, equipment, items, talents, profession, everything was there.
And Kotoko had just laid it out like a card on the table.
"This…"
Asuna hesitated, then looked down at the screen.
[Player Name: Iwanaga Kotoko]
[Physical Fitness Level: Frail (Physical fitness is higher than ordinary people, but the left leg is a prosthetic limb and cannot perform at a normal level)]
[Player Level: Formal]
[Exclusive Talent: God of Wisdom of Strangeness]
[God of Wisdom of the Supernatural: All supernatural enemies with rational thinking ability (Banshee, ghosts, vengeful spirits, demons, monsters) will not actively attack this Player (except for a few special cases). Can observe the aura and traces of the supernatural, is immune to any mental attack effects from supernatural beings, and the effect is enhanced when casting supernatural type skills.]
[Negative Effects: Cannot master any skills or passive skills other than "supernatural" types. When physical strength is too low, cannot activate any skills. Cannot equip most weapons and armor. Cannot unlock any profession other than "supernatural" types.]
[Profession: Unlocked]
[Equipment: Mask of the Masquerade, Princess's Staff]
[Mask of the Masquerade: Ordinary material, but a mask with an extremely gorgeous appearance.]
[Princess's Staff: A staff specially crafted by the strange beings for their Princess, Iwanaga Kotoko. Material unknown, exceptionally tough, very difficult to damage. When equipped, mental strength recovery speed is increased.]
Asuna stared, genuinely shocked.
Kotoko watched her reaction and smiled softly.
"Now you understand, right? Without a profession, I have no combat ability at all. I can't even master skills that aren't of the supernatural type."
"Even if I could, because of my talent's negative effects, I can't equip most weapons and armor. Add my physical disability, and I'm not suited to fight on the front lines."
Kotoko's voice stayed light, but there was no hiding the weight underneath.
"In this dungeon, my talent is extremely strong. But if the next dungeon doesn't involve supernatural, then my advantages won't matter, and only the drawbacks will remain."
She lifted her gaze to Asagiri, clearly aware of who held the final say.
"That's why I need teammates."
Her smile returned, composed and confident.
"So? What do you think? A Player like me has major flaws and must rely on teammates, yes. But I'm useful in dungeons involving supernatural phenomena, my ability is solid, and I have no reason to betray you. Doesn't that make me the best kind of teammate?"
"That's true."
Asagiri nodded once, then turned to Asuna with a smile.
"In my opinion, Kotoko isn't a bad one. How about we recruit her into our strategy team? We'll conquer dungeon together and plan great things. What do you think, my consort?"
"W Who's your consort?!" Asuna snapped instantly, her face flushing red. "Stop shouting nonsense!"
Then she exhaled, a little helpless despite herself.
"And what you said sounds like something straight out of Water Margin. But fine. I won't complain this time. Since you've decided, I won't object. You're the leader, after all."
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