CHAPTER 2
**Rin’s POV**
I sprinted hastily towards the deserted ruins of the castle. My HP and ammunition was running low, and I strained my muscles just to get me to my destination.
Unfortunately, my legs gave way and I fell down to the sandy ground with a thud. My body felt sapped of energy, and I was breaking out in cold sweat all over. My breaths were quivering in fear, knowing that my adversary was inching nearer and nearer every second. I stared at the castle, only to find out that I was just ten metres away. Making an impromptu decision, I decided to use my hands and legs to crawl, but alas...
Something sharp seemed to poke me on my back — a paralyser needle from the stun gun! I was an invalid now. It took me great effort to turn my head a little to the right, only to see the hollow barrel of a shotgun pointing right at my forehead—
Rinngg! Please wake up! Rinngg! The alarm clock’s shrill ringing shook me awake, and an imaginary spring from the bed seemed to spring me up. My eyes were wide open in shock. I felt my forehead, then my whole body. Cold. Whatever just happened in that nightmare...?
I turned off the ringing. Seeing that my messy fringe was all over my face, I combed it behind, and started staggering towards the bathroom.
That fear I had in the nightmare. It was exactly the same I had two years ago in SAO. That time, Asuna, Klein, others and I formed a huge raid party in order to wipe out the murder guild — Laughing Coffin(LC). LC contained horrendous murderers — they knew that they’d kill the person in real life, yet they still swung their sword. The raid party managed to wipe out most of the members, but at the cost of a great loss of our raid members.
After finishing the preparations, I checked the calendar.
Saturday. I creased my eyebrows and groaned at the thought of Kikuoka. I was still in the dark about what he wanted to say to me. Then again, if he actually wanted to see me, it must be something important, or an emergency. Yeah, that’s the only possible conclusion I can come up with.
And the current time is 10 AM. Two more hours to go. Clad in casual clothes, I decided to have my breakfast outside. On the way down, I greeted Kise before going out to the concrete jungle. Of course, I did not forget my wallet!
I headed to a nearby cheap cafe that I frequented. Stepping inside, a strong wave of coffee aroma greeted me, making me smile in content. I stood at the counter, placing an order for white coffee. Meanwhile, I observed the surroundings — lush greenery surrounded part of the cafe with simple yet stylish-designed chairs and tables. Here, it was almost like a sanctuary to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city to me.
“This is your white coffee, thank you.”
The cashier lady’s voice caught my attention. Gingerly, I clutched the handle of the piping hot white coffee’s cup with my fingers. Maybe I was too careless, but...
Like a bolt from the blue, a human body clad in school uniform suddenly appeared right in front me, causing me to halt in shock and accidentally splash the coffee onto her!
It seemed to be a high school student, and she was utterly shocked at the huge patch of brownish wet coffee gradually spreading over her dark blue uniform. Realising my misdoing, I immediately bowed down and apologised profusely and offered compensation, but I could feel her strong, angry gaze upon me.
“Never mind! It’s just my luck!” She swished around with deepened creases of her forehead and left in a huff. I looked back up, only to see her white scarf flowing along the wind together with her. But somehow, I was intrigued by her light blue hair.
Still, I was utterly embarrassed by my misdeed. After the incident, I doubt I can have the face to visit the cafe to have my fragrant white coffee! That girl needed to share some of the blame, too. Oh well. Soon, I left the cafe and bought breakfast at a nearby convenience store instead.
After having breakfast, I went back home. The weather wasn’t so bad; there was a breeze gently caressing my cheeks. Seeing it would be 12PM soon, I quickly changed into another set of casual clothes. And subconsciously, most of them were in black.
I slipped into my black canvas shoes, then put my hands into each of the side pockets of my hoodie. My destination was...
I stared hard at the menu. Really hard. Until I almost choked.
“S-So expensive?!” I raised my vision, staring with shocked eyes towards Kikuoka, who was grinning back at me. Currently, I was in a super high-class restaurant.
“Don’t stand on ceremony, order whatever you like,” He said politely, gesturing towards me.
I arched my eyebrows. After ordering a bowl of flavourful ice cream, the waiter took my menu and walked away. While waiting, I inquired with a solemn look on my face, “Shoot. Why did you want to see me?”
“Don’t be so scary,” Kikuoka grinned, his eyes lined in a straight line. “Do you know the game 《Gun Gale Online》(GGO)?”
I froze. So my nightmares were actually related to GGO!
“Yes, I do. So what about it?” I replied with a straight face.
“We all know that GGO is the first ever VRMMORPG that allows real life currency exchange with the in-game currency, thus there are a lot of pro players inside who earns real life money on a monthly basis. However, there were two strange, very strange, incidents that happened two months ago. Here.”
Kikuoka handed me a tablet. I took hold of it and scrolled down to read the contents.
“There have been two mysterious deaths. The two players have died while in-game, and they were each shot with a shotgun before dying due to heart failure. Also, those two were high-level players.”
“Shot with a shotgun in-game? Heart failure? These don’t make sense. The AmuSphere, the headgear which we use to play these games, isn’t even connected to the heart! And it’s completely impossible to kill someone in the game these days!”
“Exactly. And that’s why I’ve decided to consult you, Rin-san. We suspect that a player, who calls himself ‘Death Gun’, is responsible for these.”
“ ‘Death Gun’...?”
“Yes. And I implore you to investigate this case.”
The waiter arrived with the ice cream, and I took a nibble, deep in thought about the incidents. No way ‘Death Gun’ can do that! It must be a sham!
“I still think it’s impossible. But then, with the current technology...”
“So, will you accept the job offer?”
“There are lots of pros in GGO.. It’s going to be dangerous if I’m just starting out in the game and go to a high-level place.”
“But! If we don’t do anything, imagine how many innocent lives will be taken!”
I froze, again. Innocent lives. Why didn’t I think of that? Maybe even right now, Death Gun is planning for his next victim.
It took me great courage to accept the job offer. Although Kikuoka offered me three hundred thousand dollars for reward, I wasn’t interested in it. I had to subdue Death Gun and stop him from killing people! But, the ratio of possibility remains 99 to 1.
Just then, my cellphone vibrated shrilly. I fished it out, only to find a message from Shinome:
I have something on tomorrow. Let’s cancel the meeting.
I sighed with a frown. But I guess I can’t help it; it must be something important for her to cancel it. Anyway, I couldn’t go tomorrow too. I had to dive into GGO, and start the mission on subduing the so-called ‘Death Gun’.
After finishing up the ice cream, Kikuoka and I went our separate ways. I headed out to the bustling streets, and by coincidence, I spotted Asuna. She was wearing a white fur coat with a white knee-long skirt. Yes, clad in all white. And I was clad in all black.
“Seems like we’re in our old colours,” I joked.
“Except that I don’t have a rapier,” Asuna commented, using her hand to take out an imaginary rapier beside her.
We decided to have a stroll in the nearby park, since the time wasn’t that late. The lush greenery that surrounded us were relaxing for our eyes, and the fauna included hummingbirds, bees, butterflies... Also, there were secret cameras hidden at every corner to catch, if any, thieves in action.
I took a deep breath, inhaling the fresh air into my lungs. “Hey.. Asuna.. Is it possible to get someone killed in-game due to heart failure?”
“Heart failure?” She raised her eyebrow. “It isn’t even connected to the AmuSphere or NervGear, so I don’t think it’s possible.”
I could feel the tension rise in the air as her expression became serious. I gulped a little. Did I make her angry or suspicious?
“Why did you ask me this question, Ricchan? Did anything happen?”
“N-No...”
Asuna pouted, then stopped walking altogether. I halted, too. Just then, her face went nearer to mine’s, and I backed away a little. This is embarrassing! My lips were sealed. And, I could feel that she was about to ‘reprimand’ me—
“Geez! Ricchan, you’re always on yourself because you don’t want to drag the others down the water!” She complained with arms akimbo.
I tried to use both my hands to block myself from her. “Nothing’s happened! Don’t worry!” I insisted aggressively, resolving not to let the cat out of the bag.
Asuna finally backed down and shrugged with a sigh. “Knowing you, you wouldn’t let others know just so they’d be safe. Oh well.”
I thanked her for the understanding. Yet, she wasn’t done.
“If you need any help, just ring my phone, I’ll be there!”
I nodded with a contented smile. Bidding goodbye to Asuna, I walked towards my house, humming a tune. I probably wasn’t looking where I was walking, but just then—
“Ouch!” I bumped into someone else familiar, causing both of us to fall to the ground. Stacks of paper and books dropped down like rain onto the ground, and through it I noticed it was the same girl earlier on today!
“Sorry—”
“You again—?! I’m so unfortunate today! Why do I always keep bumping into you?!”
Feeling embarrassed again, I offered to help her with the paper and books, and finally after a minute, they were neatly stacked. But the girl was infuriated — it was apparent from her knitted eyebrows and eyes filled with fury. Then, she walked away in a huff.
I stared at her back, apologising profusely to her in my mind. It was unfortunate for me, too, you know! Dismissing it as a mere misfortune, I hastened my speed towards my house.
I opened the gate, then latched it close. Taking out my canvas shoes, I then slipped into a pair of house slippers. “I’m home!”
“Welcome back, Narucchi...” The voice that greeted me back was always the same, although on some occasions, there wasn’t any voice. Why do I say so? Kise has two elder sisters, and they’re both either overseas or living in a university’s dormitory. And that leaves him and I alone in the house. Also, sometimes, Kise isn’t home.
After dinner, I took a bath, then went to bed. As usual, my mind just won’t go to sleep, so I decided to make a plan on how to subdue Death Gun.
Taking out pencil and paper, I wrote down my first move: Convert ALO account to GGO.
Then, I did some research on GGO, and decided it’d be good if I joined the tournament 《Bullet of Bullets 3》(BoB 3) and rise up the ranks. Since Death Gun targets high-level players, then this is a good chance for me to get his attention. After that, I’ll face him. And reveal the perpetrator behind that intimidating facade.
Soon, gingerly combing my fringe behind, I closed my eyes and fell into a fitful sleep.
The next day afternoon, I found myself walking in a long hospital corridor. Why? Well, to dive in safely into GGO, someone had to be monitoring me at all times. Also, I believe that out of a hundred percent, 99% of it means it’s impossible to kill someone within a game, but that remaining 1% has brought me here. My footsteps sounded reluctant yet wanting to step into the battlefield.
Finally, the time came—
I knocked on the door a few times to announce my arrival before pushing it open and stepping into the ward.
“Hello, young lady! Welcome!” The nurse’s voice spoke of enthusiasm as she greeted me. I gave a wry smile. Just then, it hit me — the nurse was Natsuki Aki! She had been in charge of my rehabilitation activities after I was released from SAO. No wonder I found that her braided hairstyle was familiar to me.
I walked unsteadily towards the bed.
“Take off everything,” Natsuki instructed bluntly. I blushed slightly in embarrassment, feeling quite shocked, but this was necessary nonetheless. Besides, we were both female, so what’s there to be afraid of?
I heeded her instructions as I took all my clothes off, leaving my whole body bare. My bare skin touched the bed. Cold, although the air conditioner wasn’t blowing strong gushes of cold wind.
Then, Natsuki equipped some sort of black and stylish “helmet” on my head — the AmuSphere. The AmuSphere was the second VRMMORPG gear in line after the NervGear. But I must say, the security measures they’ve taken in the AmuSphere is a bit too exaggerating. The five senses are all completely cut off from your real body when you dive into a game to prevent accidentally running right smack into a wall when you’re running in the game. Also, unless you log out, your real body is unconscious and an invalid. This makes it vulnerable to the real world, as someone might inject poison in you when you’re diving into a game.
I laid my head back down with care onto the pillow in order not to accidentally break the AmuSphere.
“Are you ready?” Natsuki asked, her curved lips forming a smile.
I nodded. “See you later.”
“Alright, young heroine~”
Upon the words of “young heroine”, I wanted to mutter a protest, yet I forced myself to swallow the words back. I wasn’t a young heroine!
There was no time to lose. I closed my eyes, then braced myself—
“Link Start!”
In a split second, my body felt as light as a feather, as if being gently carried by the wind. I waited for the initialisation to complete, and the ‘Loading’ bar was being gradually filled to the brim.
‘Welcome to Gun Gale Online!’ were the last words I saw before the whole world went black in my eyes.
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