Silica nodded and opened her main window before putting the flower in it. She checked that it was in the item inventory before closing the window. To tell the truth, she wanted to use a teleport crystal to return immediately, but Silica held herself back and started walking. It was virtually a rule never to use the expensive crystal unless one was in real danger. Fortunately, they didn’t run into that many monsters on the way back. They soon reached the stream after coming down at a quick pace. Now I can meet Pina in about an hour at the most—— She hugged her chest, which felt as if it were going to explode, and was just about to cross the bridge—— Suddenly Kirito grabbed her shoulder. She looked back, her heart beating rapidly, and saw Kirito glaring at the dense group of trees over the bridge with a frightening expression. He then opened his mouth and talked in a low and tense voice: “——You guys lying in ambush, come out right now.” “What…!?” Silica quickly looked towards the other side, but she couldn’t see anyone. After a few tense seconds passed, the leaves started moving with a rustling sound. Cursors that represented the players appeared. They were green, so they weren’t criminals. Surprisingly —— the person who came into view across the short bridge was someone that Silica knew.