23 Misread

I knew that this was going to happen. I knew enough about Dimensional Chat Groups that a group task was to be expected. I was just glad that I was able to upgrade my physical stats in time. I guess I was just lucky enough for it to work out that way. This is great I was looking for something to do and this just happens to fall into my lap.

[The group task has been issued. Only two individuals may participate. While completing the group task members will have the time in their worlds frozen.]

I was hoping for some context but it was only asking for volunteers. There was no mention of what we would be doing. It also did not mention where we were going. If I knew where we were going to go I could plan out my actions. Then again I could make a plan as soon as I arrived. There was no question about me participating in this mission. I knew the Chat Group well enough that those who complete tasks receive rewards. I was not going to give that up.

[Breast Reduction Is Off The Table: What is going on?]

[Feminine Penis: This should be a mission for everyone to do. It should be in another dimension other than the ones we are in.]

[Breast Reduction Is Off The Table: I could travel beyond the Dimension Gap!? I can't imagine what would be beyond there. I hope that Great Red can't stop me. ]

[Likely To Fuck Her Brother: Calm your tits, only two people can do this who says you are going to be one of them. I have some things I would like to take out on random dipshits.]

[Red-Head Obsessed Prince: While rude Bro-con makes a good point. You must remember this is not a vacation this is a mission. So you should not come if you are not confident in your strength. I for one know I am more than capable of handling this so I should go.]

[Feminine Penis: After what you put me through I want to have no more chaos. So I won't go even if I wanted to see an anime like world.]

[Breast Reduction Is Off The Table: WE CAN TRAVEL TO ANIME!? I have to go now!!]

[Likely To Fuck Her Brother: Yeah right like I would leave Mr Prince with your dumbass!]

[Breast Reduction Is Off The Table: Do you have a problem with me miss incest I don't remember pissing off anyone with your tendencies. Unless you are Ravel!!? I know the rest of Riser's Peerage is his harem but even his own sister!!?]

[Likely To Fuck Her Brother: I ain't no bitch called Ravel. I just don't want you anywhere near my friend whore.]

[Breast Reduction Is Off The Table: You better watch your mouth!]

[Likely To Fuck Her Brother: Or what you gonna use your magical boobs to kill me! Do it bitch! Flash me a titty see what happens!]

[Breast Reduction Is Off The Table: My chest is not magical!

]

[Likely To Fuck Her Brother: Keep telling yourself that maybe one day it will be true.]

[Breast Reduction Is Off The Table: You are insufferable!]

This has taken a turn that I was not expecting. I fully expected after my warning about strength it would be me and Rias taking this task. The Trap got a shit ability from the novice gift pack and apparently was an Otaku. So they had no real strength that would save their life. Pyrrha has not been replying in chat for a long time. I was fairly certain she was ignoring everything but I could be wrong. Ashley may be a demigod but that only uncapped her potential. Her Sacred Gear was okay but she was still far too squishy to go on a mission. Rias is lucky just like me so she should have gotten something good in the Novice pack. Not to mention her own strength is more than anyone else in the Chat Group could offer. So when I laid it out like that I thought Ashley would have backed down as well.

That was a mistake on my part. I did not take into account Ashley's possessiveness and her lack of trust. Objectively she knew she was far too weak to go on a mission in another dimension. The alternative being that me and Rias going on the mission is not something she could accept. Ashley considered me her friend. Something she has not had in a very long time. We were still too raw in our relationship for her to accept me spending time with a random woman. She would see it as me leaving her like everyone always does to her. 

It was irrational as she knew how trapped I was in Lily and I still made the attempt to reach out to her. It was the obsession that allowed that link to form between us. She knew the beast that I was. So she did not really think of Lily as just another woman but as a pillar for me. Not to mention we only talked about things involving her so my interactions with Lily were not something she really thought about. Now she was forced to face me walking off with Rias for god knows how long. She was not making a conscious decision to do this she was just going off of instinct.

That was something she did often. Impulsive and entirely willing to offend the whole world if she got her way. If my partner was male she probably would have backed down but that was not the cards fate dealt.

I was not sure what I could do about this. I knew Ashley was better off staying in her world as she would be safe. I would be back in the blink of an eye as time would be stopped. Not even a second would pass for her. The thing is she would know that I chose to go with Rias it did not matter if I came back. It would be exactly what she feared. That I would walk away from her and choose someone else. It would be a betrayal that would ferment her world view. I suppose I knew what I was going to do.

I was not willing to put her through that for her safety. Not now and not ever. I was not capable of doing something like that. If only Lily would have felt the same.

[Feminine Penis: Calm down please there is no need to fight!]

[Likely To Fuck Her Brother: Shut it dork this is between me and her!]

[Breast Reduction Is Off The Table: She is the one with issues. I'm just defending myself!]

[Red-Head Obsessed Prince: Alright this is going nowhere. Bro-con should come with me. Sorry Power-san but I would work better without worrying about being stabbed when I got back. If you were to go on the mission you would have to take someone other than me for Bro-con to calm down. Trap-kun is too weak and Hunter-san is not responding and we all know you and Bro-con do not get along.]

[Breast Reduction Is Off The Table: Fuck. Fine, you better take a lot of pictures to send to me! Oh and souvenirs! I also call dibs on the next mission!]

Am I making the right decision? Is it worth putting Ashley in danger to protect her fragile mental state? I don't know. The only thing I knew was I did not have it in me to do anything else but this. I could only hope that Fortuna was strong enough to protect the both of us.

[The participants have been chosen! Prepare yourselves for world travel!]

I closed my eyes and hoped that I wouldn't regret this. I was already not in the best state. I don't think I could forgive myself if my own weakness hurt someone I considered a friend.

When I opened my eyes I was in another world. I arrived in a vast field filled with nothing but grass for miles. No that was wrong I could see boars here and there. While the ground was lackluster the sky was filled with floating islands. It was truly a magical sight.

Beside me was a girl. I have never seen Ashley before but she was certainly something to look at. She was a short girl with a deadpan expression. She had her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail but it looked unnaturally fluffy. Her eyes were a shade of pink that seemed to glow with the right light. She was dressed in tan shorts and a black top that showed a large amount of cleavage. She certainly had a large amount of cleavage to show off. For someone who has been effectively starved she looked amazing. I'm not sure if that is the result of my potion or that Ashley always looked like this. 

She looked me over before grinning in a way that reminded me far too much of a cat.

"Well, you certainly got the princely look down pat." She announced with a teasing glint in her eyes. Despite myself, I can feel my cheeks blazing. Compliments about my looks have never really been something I experienced. Sure I knew that I was the definition of a pretty boy now thanks to potions but it did not take away how gratifying it felt.

"Well, it's certainly nice to finally meet you Ashley. I'm Severus Prince it is a pleasure to meet you." I looked back at her and smiled softly. It really was nice meeting her. I was a bit of a mess at the moment and being by her side should do me some good. I could have gone with my original name but I hated being related to Tobias. Now no one could stop me from severing another tie to that man. It's not like I was pulling the Prince name out of my ass either. That name belonged to me no matter what some old fucks thought.

"Severus?" She spoke out as if tasting my name. I knew my name was not exactly an everyday name. It was why Lily called me Sev as Severus was a mouthful for a child and she never grew out of calling me that.

"I think I will stick with Prince for now." She gave me another teasing smile and laughed. God with looks like that I was stunned that she managed to isolate herself so successfully. It was only the reminder that she was likely to bite the head off of someone instead of talking to them. She was only treating me like this because we were the same type of monster. Even if I felt like the purpose for being so had been lost.

"Well if we are being formal Ashley Graves at your service. Please call me Ashley." She gave me an overdramatic curtsey and I felt my lips curve into another smile. It was cheesy but undeniably cute. What can I say I was cringe so this was something I enjoyed.

I was going to return her dramatic curtsey when the Chat interface decided to pop back up.

[Welcome to the world of Aincard! Your mission is to clear the 75th floor! Once you have accomplished that you may invite someone from this world to the chat group or choose to randomly invite another member. Good luck Chat member!]

Well, that was not too bad. Sword Art Online may be a death game for those plebs but I have a sword that can one shot any of the dumb bosses. Not to mention I was still a magical badass. So clearing this game should be a matter of hours. I won't be too obvious about it as Kayaba might throw a pissy fit if his perfect world crumbled from my OP ness. Still, with my abilities this is a light chore that I could do with my eyes closed.

[Due to the nature of Aincard you are piloting a digital contrust like every other player. Your real bodies have been dropped off in a safe location. To keep things fair your inventory has also been sealed. Have fun gaming Chat member!]

Oh, well that certainly changes things.