《Reconnect》


 Chapter 1: A New World, A New Beginning

    Hayato¡¯s room was dim, the only light coming from a few fixtures on the walls near the ceiling, casting faint glows across the sparse furnishings. The small apartment had a sterile, almost monastic feel¡ªjust the way he preferred. At only 16 years old, Hayato lived alone, a situation unusual for someone his age, but one he had long since adapted to.


    Hayato had fought with his father and left home. Despite already making money through his gaming activities, his father dismissed it as mere entertainment. Their arguments grew increasingly heated until the situation became unbearable, and Hayato chose to leave.


    Despite his youth, he was entirely self-sufficient, earning more than enough to cover his living expenses through meticulous transactions and in-game trading. For Hayato, the real world was just a place to eat and sleep. His true life¡ªthe one that mattered¡ªbegan when he sat in front of his triple monitor setup, where the boundary between reality and the virtual world blurred into insignificance.


    He leaned back in his scorpion-shaped gaming chair, its mechanical arms poised like a sentinel guarding its master. The tail of the chair coiled gracefully around the VR headset, ready to immerse him in another realm at a moment¡¯s notice. On the central monitor, an armored figure materialized, an avatar belonging to another player. The transaction was quick, efficient¡ªno unnecessary conversation, just the exchange of goods and currency. "Payment done. I¡¯ll count on you for the next delivery," the other player said, their voice distorted by the digital filter.


    Hayato glanced at his phone, which buzzed softly on the desk beside him. A holographic dollar sign floated above the screen, confirming the transaction¡¯s success. A small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Gaming wasn¡¯t just a hobby for him¡ªit was his livelihood, and he was exceptional at it.


    He wasn¡¯t just playing games; he was running a business. Hayato specialized in acquiring rare items, completing high-stakes missions, and providing services that other players were either too lazy or too unskilled to handle. He negotiated trades, managed multiple accounts, and kept track of fluctuating market prices in various games. His expertise allowed him to buy low and sell high, maximizing his profits with each transaction. These weren¡¯t just digital assets; they were his currency, funding his rent, utilities, and food. Most people would find it strange¡ªa teenager making a living off video games¡ªbut to Hayato, it was the most natural thing in the world.


    But as he sat there, finger hovering over the disconnect button, he knew that today marked the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. "Sorry," he muttered to himself, "but this will be the last delivery."


    The player on the screen, oblivious to Hayato¡¯s thoughts, continued, "You too? Everyone¡¯s jumping ship to that VWA game now."


    Hayato¡¯s gaze turned cold as he glanced at his reflection in the darkened monitor. "I have bills to pay, and Virtual World Awakening is going to be a gold mine. I can¡¯t miss this opportunity. But if you need anything from there, just hit me up."


    "Sure thing," the player replied. With a final click, the connection was severed, and the screen went black. The silence that followed was absolute, almost oppressive. For a moment, Hayato stared at the blank monitor, his mind a whirl of calculations and strategies. Tomorrow, everything would change.


    Living alone at such a young age had its challenges, but Hayato thrived on independence. He had no interest in the typical concerns of a teenager¡ªschool, friends, social status. Instead, his world revolved around strategy, efficiency, and profit. Relationships, in his experience, were liabilities. In the gaming world, he had contacts, not friends. It was simpler that way¡ªless emotional baggage, less vulnerability.


    <hr>


    The shrill beep of his alarm clock the next morning tore him from a dreamless sleep. "Shut up¡­ ugh, shut up!" he groaned, fumbling for the holographic display. His hand slammed into the nightstand with a dull thud, eliciting a yelp of pain. "Ow!" he hissed, pulling his hand back and nursing his bruised knuckles. There was no time for distractions¡ªnot today.


    Seated at his desk, Hayato ignored the cold sandwich and lukewarm coffee beside him, his eyes fixed on the countdown timer displayed on the monitor. Bloodshot from the late-night grind, his eyes nevertheless burned with anticipation. As the numbers ticked down to zero, his pulse quickened. He donned his VR headset with the ease of long practice, the real world dissolving into pixels and code.


    When the digital fog cleared, Hayato found himself standing in an expansive, picturesque field. The grass moved in sync with the virtual breeze, and a grand castle loomed in the distance, its spires piercing the sky. A cheerful message floated before him: "Welcome to Virtual World Awakening."


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    "Enough with the pleasantries," Hayato muttered, swiping the message away. His movements were fluid and precise, honed by years of experience in countless virtual worlds. He quickly bypassed the introductory cutscenes, narrative videos, and story prompts. This was all fluff¡ªdesigned to captivate novices, not veterans like him.


    Finally, the character creation screen appeared. The avatars flickered before him: hunter, mage, warrior. Hayato scrutinized each one with a critical eye. "Too weak," he dismissed the hunter with a flick of his hand. "Too fragile," he waved away the mage. The warrior¡¯s heavy armor and shield barely registered. "Too slow."


    Then the swordsman appeared¡ªlean, agile, dual-wielding sleek blades. Hayato¡¯s eyes narrowed with interest. "Perfect," he murmured, selecting the class without hesitation. He typed in the name "Raylight" and confirmed his choice.


    The screen flashed white, but instead of immediate immersion, Hayato found himself waiting in a queue. A timer indicated a ten-minute wait¡ªan expected delay given the game¡¯s immense popularity at launch. Hayato leaned back, crossing his arms impatiently as the seconds ticked away. His foot tapped against the floor, the only outward sign of his impatience. He was used to waiting; this was just another hurdle.


    Finally, the wait was over. The screen flashed again, and in the next instant, Hayato stood in the middle of a sprawling desert city.


    Sun-bleached buildings surrounded him, and the streets were teeming with players, most of them engaged in frantic chatter or forming parties. Hayato observed the chaos with detachment. "Of all the places to start¡­" he thought, irritation creeping into his mind. This was the largest and most desolate of the starting zones, a place that most players would find daunting. But for Hayato, the isolation was an opportunity.


    "Let them flock to the other zones, competing for scraps," he mused as he made his way toward the city gates. His movements were deliberate, his gaze calculating. In this world, just like in the real one, he would carve out his place through sheer will and skill.


    As he neared the gates, a group of players caught his eye. They were fighting monsters near the entrance, but what interested him more were the orange names hovering above two of them¡ªplayer killers. They glanced at him as he passed, their eyes assessing, but quickly returned to their hunt.


    "PKing this early? They must be after easy targets," Hayato noted, making a mental note to avoid this gate on his return. "Better to steer clear for now."


    The desert beyond the city stretched out endlessly, a vast expanse of sand under a blazing sun. Hayato began his hunt, targeting the giant scarabs that scuttled across the dunes. The creatures were formidable, their hard shells gleaming in the harsh light. But Hayato¡¯s blades cut through them with precision, the edges glowing with energy as they struck. The realism of the game was startling¡ªsand flew into his face when a swing missed, making him blink and cough.


    "Didn¡¯t expect it to be this immersive," he muttered, wiping his eyes. Despite the inconvenience, he relished the challenge. Soon, the scarabs were falling with ease, and the system notified him of his progress¡ªlevel six. "Time to find better prey," he thought, scanning the horizon for something more challenging.


    Atop a tall dune, Hayato spotted a lone player struggling against a much larger, golden scarab. The player, a gunner wielding twin pistols, was clearly outmatched, her health bar perilously low.


    "A rare monster," Hayato thought, eyes narrowing. "That must drop something valuable."


    Without hesitation, he approached, positioning himself between the gunner and the scarab. His mind was already calculating the best approach. "If I block her shots and she hits me instead, I can take them both out without any PK penalties."


    The gunner noticed him, hesitating briefly. Hayato seized the opportunity, launching a swift, deadly attack on the golden scarab. His blades cut deep, and with a few expertly placed strikes, the creature fell. The loot window appeared, and Hayato wasted no time equipping the golden sword. Now dual-wielding, he turned to face the gunner, his expression inscrutable.


    "I hope you don¡¯t have any complaints," he said, his voice carrying a subtle undertone of menace.


    To his surprise, the gunner smiled brightly. "Thank you so much! You really saved me!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine gratitude.


    Hayato blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Huh? Did she not realize I just stole her kill and loot? Well, that¡¯s less trouble for me."


    "Don¡¯t mention it," he replied, forcing a smile. "I saw you were in trouble and thought I¡¯d lend a hand."


    The gunner¡¯s eyes sparkled with gratitude. "If you don¡¯t mind¡­ would you like to team up?"


    Hayato¡¯s smile faded, replaced by a cold, indifferent look. "Sorry, I only play solo. Nothing personal, it¡¯s just my style," he said curtly, already turning away.


    The gunner¡¯s shoulders slumped in disappointment. "I see¡­ Well, good luck! Maybe our paths will cross again."


    Refocusing on his mission, Hayato resumed hunting scarabs, refining his dual-wielding technique. His movements were fluid, almost elegant in their precision. Each strike was calculated, the blades cutting through the air with deadly accuracy.


    "The single sword style emphasizes mobility and close-range combat, but with dual swords, I can cover a greater area without sacrificing speed. If I could integrate both styles¡­ that would be ideal," he mused, his mind already planning his next steps.


    <hr>


    Later, as he returned to the city, Hayato spotted the gunner sitting alone on a bench. The light in her eyes had dimmed, replaced by a vacant, defeated expression.


    "Exactly what I expected," Hayato thought, a small, satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "She¡¯s too weak to survive in this world. One death was all it took to break her."


    Without a word, he walked past her, his thoughts already on the next challenge. In this world, there was no room for the weak. It was every player for themselves¡ªand that was exactly how he liked it.

 Chapter 2: Change of Plans

    Three months had passed since Hayato, under the alias "Raylight," had begun his journey in Virtual World Awakening. The once-bright and sprawling landscapes of the game were now deeply etched into his mind. Every corner of the forest map, every hidden path, and every potential ambush point had been meticulously memorized. His current prey: stone golems, their towering forms crashing to the ground under the swift, precise strikes of his dual blades. Each golem was a massive, hulking mass of rock, their slow, lumbering movements deceptively powerful. But Hayato knew their patterns, exploiting their sluggish reactions with quick, lethal strikes. As the last golem crumbled, a system message flashed before his eyes¡ªLevel 50.


    Hayato barely glanced at the notification. His focus was elsewhere as he opened his menu and navigated to the leaderboard with practiced ease. His fingers moved quickly, each motion fluid, a result of countless hours spent honing his skills. But as the page loaded, his face twisted in frustration.


    "How? How is this possible?" Hayato muttered, his voice edged with disbelief. "I¡¯ve been playing non-stop for three months. Sleeping only every other day¡­ and it¡¯s still not enough to reach first place!?"


    His character, Raylight, was listed on the second page, ranked 11th overall¡ªan impressive feat, but not enough for him. The fact that he was the only player in the top 20 without a guild was a point of pride, but it also fueled his frustration.


    "I don¡¯t need a guild," Hayato growled, his frustration simmering beneath the surface. "I¡¯ll surpass them all on my own."


    Back in the dimly lit confines of his apartment, Hayato reclined in his gaming chair, staring at the darkened screen with narrowed eyes. The room was silent, save for the faint hum of his computer. Frustration gnawed at him, but he forced himself to push it aside, focusing instead on what he did best: strategy. A notification sound broke the silence, and Hayato clicked on the message, which opened a page on the game¡¯s official site.


    His eyes scanned the text rapidly, his mind processing the information almost instinctively. When his gaze landed on the headline, his heart skipped a beat.


    "First Artifact Event: A Weapon That Adapts to Its User... Lightning?"


    Intrigued, Hayato clicked on the sword icon, and a video began to play. The sword was sleek, its design elegant yet deadly¡ªblue and black, crackling with electricity. The description mentioned that the weapon combined the mobility of a single-handed style with the reach of a two-handed sword. It was also the lightest weapon in the game.


    "This¡­ This is exactly what I¡¯ve been looking for!" Hayato¡¯s eyes gleamed with excitement. The wheels in his mind began to turn rapidly, formulating plans. "Not only does it fit my fighting style perfectly, but it¡¯ll also be worth a fortune."


    <hr>


    The next week passed in a blur of preparation. Hayato poured over maps, ran simulations, and honed his skills to a razor¡¯s edge. When the day of the event arrived, the forest city was abuzz with anticipation. The Last Standing or Kill the Boss event had drawn players from across the game¡¯s world. Only those ranked within the top 100 were eligible to participate, and the forest, usually bright and vibrant, was now shrouded in an unnatural darkness, adding to the tension.


    Hayato stood apart from the others, his figure cloaked in the shadows, observing the throngs of players who had gathered. Most were forming groups, chattering excitedly about their strategies, oblivious to the fact that their plans were already unraveling in his mind. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a warrior striding confidently towards him.


    The warrior was a behemoth of a man, clad in heavy armor that clanked with every step. He stopped in front of Hayato, a wide grin plastered on his face. "The DragonForce guild is going to win this event!" he boasted, his voice booming.


    Hayato barely glanced at him, his expression bored. "Really? Congratulations."


    The warrior¡¯s grin widened, clearly pleased with himself. "HAHAHA! Glad you recognize the greatness of DragonForce. We¡¯re going to take down the GM and secure that artifact!"


    This is the kind of person I despise the most, Hayato thought, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes.


    "Usually, I wouldn¡¯t reveal our plan unless you joined our guild, but since you recognize our greatness, you¡¯re worthy of knowing!" the warrior boasted, puffing out his chest with pride.


    Hayato feigned awe, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Wow, that¡¯s incredible! How has no one thought of that strategy before? But unfortunately, I can¡¯t join your guild."


    The warrior blinked, his bravado faltering slightly. "How did you know I was going to invite you?"


    "I don¡¯t come close to the greatness of DragonForce," Hayato continued, his tone mocking. "But I¡¯m working hard. Maybe someday, I¡¯ll be worthy."


    The warrior nodded, completely missing the sarcasm. "Keep trying, kid! Watch us win this event! HAHAHA!" He turned and walked away, still laughing, completely unaware of Hayato¡¯s disdain.


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    What an idiot, Hayato thought as he watched the warrior leave. The man was a fool, blinded by arrogance and completely unaware of the traps lying in wait for him.


    Deciding to get a better look at his competition, Hayato began to walk through the city. His eyes soon landed on a group clustered around the top-ranked player, "TAKASH1," a warrior surrounded by his guildmates. The man was a symbol of power in the game, his presence alone commanding respect. Hayato sneered at the sight, but the group paid him no mind as they strategized.


    Moving on, Hayato¡¯s attention was drawn to another group led by a player from the assassin class. The assassin was grinning maliciously as he addressed his followers, his words smooth and calculated.


    "Together, we¡¯re stronger!" the assassin declared, his voice dripping with false camaraderie. "I¡¯ve heard DragonForce plans to attack the GM. We can use that opportunity to strike the final blow and claim the artifact! I don¡¯t want it for myself¡ªI¡¯m just giving you all a chance to take it before the top guild does!"


    As the assassin spoke, Hayato couldn¡¯t help but scoff internally at the gullibility of the other players. His eyes, however, were drawn to a figure standing near the assassin¡ªa female player with a rifle slung over her back. Her straight, black hair framed a face that radiated a noble air of maturity. She seemed uninterested in the assassin¡¯s speech, her gaze distant, as if her mind was elsewhere. Curious, Hayato quickly checked her profile and saw that she had created her character by scanning her real body. The accuracy was striking, and her username, Nagareboshi, caught his eye. He also noticed that she was in the same guild as the assassin¡ªDesertLotus. For a brief moment, their eyes met. Hayato¡¯s heart skipped a beat, a rare moment of vulnerability that he quickly shoved aside. Embarrassed by the unexpected connection, he turned away, dismissing the encounter.


    She¡¯s out of my league, he thought, forcing his attention back to the task at hand. The event was about to begin, and there was no room for distractions.


    Suddenly, the sky darkened even further, drawing everyone¡¯s attention to the massive tree in the center of the city. A beam of light illuminated the figure standing atop the tree¡ªa GM, or Game Master, dressed in a long robe with a staff in hand. The GM¡¯s face was hidden beneath a hood, and the letters "GM" were emblazoned on the back of the robe. All eyes were on him as he began to speak.


    "Good evening, everyone. Remember, this event is only for those ranked in the top 100," the GM announced, his voice resonating across the city.


    With a snap of his fingers, several players in the crowd were teleported away, leaving only those who qualified.


    "I¡¯m sure you¡¯ve all read the rules, but I¡¯ll go over them one more time for good measure," the GM continued. "The event will take place across the entire map. Every five minutes, a yellow zone will appear. Five minutes later, that zone will turn red. Staying in a red zone for more than five seconds will teleport you to another map, disqualifying you. The event area will continue to shrink until there¡¯s only one player left standing or until the GM Boss is defeated. PKing is not allowed. If you¡¯re caught by the GM, you¡¯ll be teleported immediately. The city is a safe zone for the first ten minutes, but after that, it will be the first area to turn yellow. All other zones will be randomized. The GM Boss will start in the center of the map. Good luck to you all."


    With that, the GM disappeared, and the night returned to normal. A message flashed on everyone¡¯s screens¡ªGM Boss will appear in five minutes. The city was still relatively calm, with some players beginning to venture out while others waited for the safe zone to expire. Hayato studied the map intently.


    If I were the GM, how would I eliminate the most players? he pondered, his mind running through various scenarios. The GM will start in the center of the map, so he¡¯ll likely head straight for the city. I should avoid the center and stick to the edges, then make my way to the north-central part of the map.


    With a final glance at the other players, Hayato slipped out of the city, moving silently toward the northern part of the map.


    The worst mistake anyone can make in this event is staying in the city. They¡¯ll be the first to go¡­ though there are always some who are even dumber.


    A series of distant screams confirmed his thoughts.


    In the center of the forest map, the GM Boss appeared, his robe billowing around him as he surveyed the area. Members of the DragonForce guild were already in position, hidden in the trees and behind bushes, ready to strike. As the GM Boss took his first step, the warrior from earlier shouted.


    "Now!"


    The melee fighters and magic users unleashed their attacks in unison, rushing at the GM Boss with everything they had. But with a single, powerful strike of his staff against the ground, the GM Boss sent them all flying, nullifying their attacks. Only a delayed spell managed to connect, barely scratching the GM Boss¡¯s health bar.


    The GM Boss raised his staff, pointing it at the warrior who had shouted the command. Fireballs erupted from the staff in rapid succession, overwhelming the warrior and eliminating him from the event. Panic spread through the remaining DragonForce members¡ªsome screamed, others tried to flee. But the GM Boss wasn¡¯t done. He slammed his staff into the ground once more, raising it high above his head. A rain of fireballs descended upon the forest, igniting the trees and engulfing the players in flames. Cries of anguish filled the air as more were eliminated, leaving only one swordsman sitting on the ground, trembling in fear.


    The GM Boss turned his gaze on the lone survivor, who stared back in terror. With a final, menacing gesture, the GM Boss conjured a pillar of fire that consumed the swordsman, his scream echoing through the burning forest. This was the scream that Hayato had heard earlier.


    As the GM Boss began to move toward the city, the fire continued to spread, lighting up the night sky. Not far from the chaos, Kurogiri and his group watched the destruction unfold.


    "I see¡­" Kurogiri muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully.


    "Impossible. There¡¯s no way to defeat the GM," one of the assassins in his group said, his voice trembling with fear. The others nodded in agreement, their confidence shaken.


    But Kurogiri¡¯s lips curled into a sly smile. "Change of plans."


    Without warning, Kurogiri lashed out, his twin daggers flashing in the dim light as he struck the assassin multiple times, finishing him off in a flurry of blows. He then turned on a sniper from the group, dispatching him with the same ruthless efficiency. The remaining members of the group stared in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened.

 Chapter 3: Hayato Joins the Fight

    The forest was eerily quiet, the night air thick with tension. The flames from the GM Boss¡¯s earlier rampage still flickered in the distance, casting long, twisting shadows across the charred landscape. Amidst this desolation, Kurogiri moved with a predator¡¯s grace, his twin daggers gleaming ominously in the dim light. The last remnants of his group were on edge, their eyes darting around as if expecting death to strike at any moment.


    A swordsman, trembling in fear and disbelief, confronted Kurogiri. "What are you doing?! Why?!"


    Kurogiri¡¯s smile was cold and calculated, his eyes glinting with malice. "Just as I suspected, there¡¯s no punishment for PK."


    A warrior, standing a short distance away, shouted back, desperation in his voice. "That¡¯s a lie! The GM was clear about that¡ªyou¡¯ll be eliminated!"


    Kurogiri began to approach the warrior, his movements slow and deliberate, each step measured to induce maximum dread. "Eliminated? I think the GM was very clear¡­ it¡¯s only against the rules if he sees it."


    He was close now, almost within striking distance. In a flash, Kurogiri moved, slicing the warrior¡¯s neck with surgical precision as he passed by. The warrior spun around, trying to catch his assailant, but Kurogiri was already behind him, striking again¡ªthis time with several quick, disabling cuts. The warrior¡¯s health bar depleted rapidly, and before he could react, he was teleported out of the game, his avatar dissolving into light.


    Kurogiri didn¡¯t bother hiding his contempt. "Don¡¯t worry, you¡¯re not the first, and you certainly won¡¯t be the last. Now, could you just disappear quickly? I have other participants to eliminate."


    Enraged, the remaining swordsman roared, "You bastard traitor!" He charged at Kurogiri, his sword raised to strike. But before he could close the distance, three gunshots echoed through the forest. The swordsman staggered, his momentum faltering as bullets from Nagareboshi¡¯s rifle found their mark. Kurogiri turned and delivered a final, decisive slash, causing the swordsman to vanish, teleported out of the event.


    Now only the warrior remained, and he quickly found himself surrounded by Kurogiri and Nagareboshi.


    The warrior raised his shield, blocking the onslaught of bullets and deflecting Kurogiri¡¯s daggers with well-practiced movements. Kurogiri and Nagareboshi paused, a silent understanding passing between them as they sheathed their weapons.


    "Giving up already?" the warrior taunted, emboldened by his successful defense. "I won¡¯t show you any mercy!"


    With a wicked grin, Kurogiri remained perfectly still as the warrior slashed across his chest. The attack connected, but no visible damage was done¡ªjust a slight drop in Kurogiri¡¯s health bar, which he ignored completely.


    "Bye bye," Kurogiri said with a malicious smile, waving mockingly at the warrior. "Cheer for me in the city."


    The warrior¡¯s confidence shattered as he instinctively glanced over his shoulder. There, emerging from the darkness, was the GM Boss, having witnessed the attack. The GM Boss raised two fingers, pointing them at the warrior before gesturing upward. In an instant, the warrior was teleported away, eliminated from the event.


    "Run!" Kurogiri shouted, and he and Nagareboshi bolted into the forest, vanishing into the shadows as the GM Boss began to cast another spell.


    The once-great forest was now ablaze, with the flames forcing players from their hiding spots. The fire was steadily consuming the available space, creating a gauntlet of flames that pushed players closer to the center of the map.


    <hr>


    Back at the edge of the forest city, the remaining players were clustered near the only exit, desperately counting down the seconds until the area became unsafe.


    "Is that¡­ is that the GM?" one of the mages stammered, pointing toward the distant figure of the GM Boss.


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    The crowd collectively turned to see the GM Boss approaching, his staff crackling with dark energy.


    An assassin in the group quickly assessed the situation. "Just scatter. He can¡¯t chase all of us at once¡­ It¡¯s every man for himself now."


    A nearby warrior, gripping his shield tightly, protested. "Hey! That¡¯s not fair¡ªI don¡¯t have any mobility skills. If we work together, we can take him down!"


    The assassin sneered. "That¡¯s not my problem. Good luck to whoever wants to fight that thing."


    As the GM Boss neared, he stopped and plunged his staff into the ground. With a dramatic motion, he raised it, creating a narrow corridor that blocked off the city¡¯s sides, leaving only one way out¡ªthrough him. Behind the GM Boss, a dark throne materialized, and he casually seated himself, waiting for the safe zone to expire.


    "What the hell? That¡¯s cheating!" the assassin yelled, his earlier confidence wavering.


    "Calm down!" a hunter urged. "We¡¯ll all go at once. He can¡¯t stop all of us at the same time."


    The assassin gritted his teeth. "There¡¯s no other choice. We¡¯ll have to fight."


    The warrior from earlier couldn¡¯t help but shoot a glare at the assassin. "Now you want to fight? I thought it was every man for himself."


    "That was before¡­" the assassin muttered, frustration evident in his voice.


    The safe zone finally expired, and the mass of players surged forward, charging at the GM Boss. The Boss rose from his throne with a casual grace, pointing his staff at the oncoming horde. A massive ice spike began to form, rapidly growing until it almost filled the entire corridor, forcing the lead warrior to drop his shield and sword in sheer disbelief.


    "This is so broken¡­" the warrior muttered, staring in horror as the ice spike rushed toward him.


    <hr>


    In the northern part of the forest, Hayato remained perched on his branch, watching the chaos from a distance. A notification appeared on his screen: 30 players remaining.


    "It¡¯s going faster than I expected," Hayato noted, his voice tinged with boredom. He had spent the last hour patiently waiting, his position perfect for observing without being detected. Every movement of the other players, every tactical decision they made, was carefully analyzed and stored away for future use.


    Time passed slowly. Another notification popped up: 20 players remaining.


    Hayato sighed, shifting restlessly on the branch. "Ugh¡­ now it¡¯s dragging on."


    He had been playing cautiously, biding his time. I know this is a cowardly strategy, but I just need to win¡­ Hayato thought, his mind a whirl of conflicting emotions. Who am I kidding? I want to fight¡­


    <hr>


    Elsewhere in the forest, a mage crouched behind a bush, nervously watching the GM Boss as he unleashed random fire spells across the area. The mage¡¯s heart raced as he struggled to stay hidden, but suddenly, a hard shove from behind sent him sprawling into the open.


    The GM Boss immediately noticed the movement and launched a barrage of fireballs, obliterating the mage before returning to his patrol.


    Kurogiri, who had been the one to push the mage, smirked. "One less."


    Not far away, TAKASH1, the top-ranked player, witnessed the scene and frowned in disgust. He watched as Kurogiri continued through the forest, but suddenly, TAKASH1 blocked his path, glaring at him with fury.


    Kurogiri¡¯s expression shifted to one of feigned innocence. "How can I assist the mighty top-ranked player?"


    TAKASH1 didn¡¯t respond, his silence conveying a deadly intent as an ominous aura surrounded him.


    Kurogiri raised his hands in a show of surrender, his voice smooth and conciliatory. "Come on now, conflicts like this are pointless, especially in a situation like this. Why don¡¯t we work together to overcome this challenge?"


    He extended his hand toward TAKASH1, who remained motionless, his expression hardening.


    "Like you ¡®helped¡¯ that mage just now?" TAKASH1 finally spoke, his voice cold.


    Kurogiri chuckled, though his eyes remained sharp. "Ah, you saw that¡­ What a shame¡­ Was he a friend of yours?"


    "No," TAKASH1 replied curtly.


    Kurogiri¡¯s smile widened. "I see, I see. So you¡¯re one of those types¡­ the kind I hate the most."


    Without warning, Kurogiri flicked his wrists, sending two daggers hurtling toward TAKASH1 in quick succession. TAKASH1 deftly dodged the first and blocked the second with his shield, then charged forward, ready to strike. But before he could close the distance, Nagareboshi emerged from the shadows, flanking TAKASH1 and firing her rifle. Kurogiri noticed the maneuver and moved in sync, aiming to strike in tandem with her shot.


    At the last moment, TAKASH1 raised his shield, blocking the bullet and twisting his body to parry a dagger aimed at his neck. The second dagger glanced off his armor as he prepared to counterattack. TAKASH1 then lunged at Kurogiri, who narrowly avoided the blow by leaping backward. The ricocheted bullet struck the branch where Hayato was perched, snapping it.


    Hayato landed on the ground, perfectly balanced, his expression a mix of irritation and readiness. The sudden appearance of a new contender caught the attention of all three combatants, who turned to face him.


    The air was thick with tension as Hayato¡¯s eyes met those of TAKASH1, Kurogiri, and Nagareboshi. For a brief moment, the only sound was the crackling of distant flames as the forest continued to burn. Then, slowly, the corners of Hayato¡¯s lips curled into a smile¡ªhe had been hiding long enough.

 Chapter 4: The Final Confrontation

    Kurogiri¡¯s smirk was as sharp as his blades as he spoke, his voice dripping with false camaraderie. "What an unfortunate coincidence... but aside from this little mishap, could you give us a hand?"


    Hayato¡¯s eyes narrowed as he surveyed the scene. TAKASH1 stood firm, his shield raised, eyes locked on Kurogiri. Hayato could feel the tension crackling in the air, the anticipation of battle weighing on his shoulders. "A hand? If I¡¯m not mistaken, there can only be one winner¡­ and there are two of you. Shouldn¡¯t I be helping him instead?" He tilted his head slightly towards TAKASH1, gauging his options.


    Kurogiri chuckled, his tone sly and condescending. "You really say that after witnessing this scene? Let me rephrase the question¡­ What¡¯s the bigger obstacle to your victory? An old, tired assassin and a blind, inexperienced sniper..."


    "I already told you I hate it when you call me that!" Nagareboshi snapped, her pride flaring up. She quickly corrected her stance, tightening her grip on her rifle.


    "Or that monster over there?" Kurogiri finished, ignoring her outburst and nodding toward TAKASH1.


    Hayato¡¯s expression hardened as he drew his sword, turning his attention to TAKASH1. His mind was clouded with a mix of anger and resignation. He had seen TAKASH1 fight¡ªhis skill was undeniable, and Hayato knew that taking him down would be no easy feat.


    It doesn¡¯t matter if it¡¯s fair or not, he thought bitterly. In the end, I just need to win.


    Kurogiri grinned, his voice taking on a mocking tone. "Time to hunt the monster."


    TAKASH1 raised his shield, preparing for the onslaught. Hayato remained still, his face reflecting his inner turmoil, while Kurogiri and Nagareboshi moved swiftly to flank TAKASH1.


    Eliminate the biggest threat first, then take care of the other two¡ªsimple, Hayato told himself, trying to ignore the knot in his stomach.


    But before any of them could make a move, the GM Boss appeared, his presence as imposing as ever. The flames around them crackled and roared, trapping the four combatants in a fiery ring with no escape. The GM Boss stood motionless, seemingly uninterested in attacking, his gaze sweeping over the group.


    "Well, well¡­ The last player stuck in the forest fire has been eliminated," the GM Boss announced, his voice carrying an ominous calm. "Congratulations, you are the finalists."


    Kurogiri clicked his tongue in irritation. "Tsk, way to ruin the fun."


    TAKASH1, who had been ready to fight, relaxed his stance slightly, his expression determined. "It was never my intention to win by outlasting everyone else."


    The GM Boss hummed in response, a hint of amusement in his tone. Without warning, he raised his staff and unleashed a massive fireball directly at TAKASH1. The warrior barely had time to raise his shield, deflecting the fireball¡¯s trajectory, but the force of the impact was immense, and half of TAKASH1¡¯s health bar vanished in an instant.


    Hayato¡¯s eyes widened at the sheer power of the attack, but he didn¡¯t hesitate. The GM Boss''s health was already down to 76%, having taken significant damage from other players during the event. Hayato knew he had to act quickly to make an impact. Charging forward, he dodged another fireball by using his dash skill, his movements fluid and precise. In a flash, he managed to land a glancing blow on the GM Boss, reducing its HP further to 74% as he rolled to safety.


    Kurogiri, watching from a distance, chuckled under his breath. "Hmm, you¡¯re better than I expected."


    He and Nagareboshi had taken cover behind the remaining trees, observing the unfolding battle with keen interest.


    The GM Boss, seemingly impressed, turned his attention back to the group. "It appears I have two capable finalists¡­ as for the other two, they don¡¯t seem very motivated. I think I¡¯ll start by removing their hiding spots."


    With a sweeping motion of his staff, the GM Boss launched a crescent-shaped wind spell slicing through the air, cutting down all the trees in the area where Kurogiri and Nagareboshi were hiding. Kurogiri leaped into the air, while Nagareboshi threw herself to the ground to avoid the spell.


    Seizing the opportunity, Hayato rushed in from behind while TAKASH1 attacked from the side. But just before they could reach him, the GM Boss slammed his staff into the ground, creating a shockwave that sent them both flying. TAKASH1 managed to anchor himself by driving his sword into the ground, staying within striking distance of the GM Boss. The Boss responded by striking the ground again, raising a stone pillar beneath him that lifted him high into the air.


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    The GM Boss looked down at the players with a disdainful sneer. "It saddens me to see such failure in the finals¡­ Not that any of you could kill me anyway," he said, his gaze lingering on Kurogiri.


    Anger flashed in Kurogiri¡¯s eyes for the first time as he spat back, "Failures?"


    "You¡¯ve killed many participants up to this point," the GM Boss continued, "but few of them fought back. Deception is the tool of the weak."


    Kurogiri¡¯s fists clenched, his voice seething with anger. "I see. So why don¡¯t you disqualify me then?"


    The GM Boss gave a cold smile. "I didn¡¯t witness it myself, but it seems you understand the rules well¡­ However, nothing prevents me from correcting that now."


    "Miss!" Kurogiri called out sharply, his tone suddenly serious.


    Nagareboshi rolled her eyes but readied her rifle. "I already told you I hate it when you call me that."


    Kurogiri grinned, his earlier anger replaced by his usual mischievousness. "Time to show him that his greatest failure will be underestimating us. Let¡¯s fight!"


    "It¡¯s about time," Nagareboshi replied, a smirk on her lips. "I was getting tired of waiting."


    Nagareboshi sprinted in the opposite direction of Kurogiri, firing off several shots at the GM Boss. One bullet found its mark, causing the GM Boss to step onto the edge of the pillar to dodge the next shot. TAKASH1 saw his chance and used his shield bash ability, slamming his shield into the pillar and causing the GM Boss to lose his balance and fall to the ground (HP 56%).


    As the GM Boss got to his feet, Hayato was already upon him, slashing at his neck (HP 51%). The GM Boss stumbled back, attempting to use his repulsion skill to drive them away, but Hayato ducked low just as Nagareboshi fired three precise shots at his head (HP 45%). Kurogiri moved in from behind, but the GM Boss managed to teleport to safety before he could land his strike.


    The GM Boss reappeared a short distance away, his expression now one of irritation. "I suppose I¡¯ll have to take this more seriously."


    Hayato, Kurogiri, and TAKASH1 wasted no time, rushing toward the GM Boss in unison while Nagareboshi searched for a better vantage point. The GM Boss raised his staff and unleashed the same massive fireball from earlier. TAKASH1 sprinted ahead, raising his shield and deflecting the fireball into the sky, this time without taking damage.


    "That won¡¯t work anymore," TAKASH1 said, his voice steady.


    The GM Boss frowned, launching a barrage of ice spikes in response. Kurogiri, unable to keep up the pace, fell back, using his daggers to block the incoming spikes. Hayato pressed on, gritting his teeth as a few of the spikes grazed him, but he ignored the damage and delivered a deep slash to the GM Boss¡¯s chest.


    The GM Boss slammed his staff into the ground, creating another shockwave. TAKASH1, who was closer this time, anchored himself with his shield and grabbed Hayato¡¯s arm with his free hand, pulling him behind the shield as he charged forward. Hayato emerged from behind the shield and used his thrust skill, driving his sword into the GM Boss¡¯s chest. Kurogiri leaped over the GM Boss, landing a precise cut on his neck as he landed behind him. In a desperate move, the GM Boss swung his staff like a club at Hayato, but Nagareboshi shot his hand, stopping the attack. TAKASH1 followed up by striking the staff with his shield, sending it flying into the air.


    The three converged on the GM Boss from different angles, their blades and bullets tearing into him. With his health reduced to a mere 5%, the GM Boss teleported away. Reappearing some distance from them, he began to form another massive fireball.


    TAKASH1 quickly moved in front of the others, ready to block the attack, but just before the GM Boss could release the spell, he teleported again, this time directly in front of Nagareboshi. With no time to react, she took the fireball point-blank and was eliminated instantly.


    The three remaining fighters stared in shock as Nagareboshi¡¯s form disintegrated before their eyes.


    "Dual abilities? You¡¯ve got to be kidding me," Kurogiri growled, frustration evident in his voice.


    The GM Boss began to teleport rapidly, launching ice spikes each time he reappeared, making it impossible for anyone to get close. With each teleport, he stayed just out of reach, continuously wearing them down. Hayato¡¯s health was reduced to 20%, TAKASH1 to 15%, and Kurogiri to 18%. The shrinking red zone was closing in fast, leaving the GM Boss with less space to teleport.


    Finally, the GM Boss made a critical error, teleporting too close to Kurogiri. Without hesitation, Kurogiri lunged forward, driving his dagger into the GM Boss¡¯s left foot, preventing him from teleporting again. The GM Boss struggled to free himself, panic setting in as he saw the other two closing in.


    Desperately, the GM Boss launched another fireball at Kurogiri, finishing him off. But Kurogiri¡¯s death was not immediate, his body lingering for a couple of seconds due to the teleportation delay. His dagger remained lodged in the GM Boss¡¯s foot, holding him in place.


    The GM Boss quickly fired another fireball at Hayato and TAKASH1, who were charging side by side. Realizing he couldn¡¯t block it in time, TAKASH1 threw himself in front of the attack, taking the full brunt of the damage to protect Hayato.


    With one final, determined strike, Hayato rushed forward and slashed the GM Boss across the middle, splitting him in two. The GM Boss¡¯s body fell forward, his final sight being Kurogiri, still in the process of teleporting, lying face down but flipping him off with a smirk.


    As the GM Boss¡¯s body disintegrated, the forest fire extinguished, and the red zone vanished. Fireworks lit up the night sky, celebrating the event¡¯s conclusion. Hayato stood alone in the now peaceful clearing, his breath heavy, his mind reeling from the realization that he had won.


    A system message flashed across his vision: Raylight now wields Lightning.


    Hayato stood still, his breath heavy as the announcement lit up before him. The reality of his victory didn¡¯t immediately register¡ªhe was still lost in the adrenaline of the fight, his mind replaying the last moments in slow motion. It wasn¡¯t until the fireworks erupted in the night sky, signaling the end of the event, that it finally began to sink in. He had won.


    The weight of the realization hit him all at once, and he felt a mix of exhaustion and relief wash over him. For a moment, he simply stared at the message, letting the magnitude of his achievement settle in. Finally, Hayato exhaled, a small, almost disbelieving smile forming on his lips as the intensity of the battle slowly faded from his mind.

 Chapter 5: Kurogiris Gambit

    A week had passed since Hayato¡¯s hard-fought victory in the event. Now, he moved swiftly through the dense forest, hunting down monsters that resembled towering, ancient trees. The Lightning sword in his hand crackled with energy as he cut through his enemies, dispatching several at a distance with powerful, arcing energy slashes. A system message flashed before his eyes: LVL 55.


    Hayato paused, opening the level rankings to check his progress. His eyes locked onto his position¡ªsecond place.


    Thanks to the artifact, I¡¯ve climbed the ranks, but it¡¯s still not enough to reach first place, he thought, frustration simmering beneath the surface. Maybe solo players do have their limits¡­ but even so, I can¡¯t see myself joining a guild.


    He closed the ranking window with a sigh and noticed a large group of players approaching from the edge of his minimap. Leading them was Kurogiri, his usual mischievous grin plastered on his face. Hayato¡¯s eyes darted around the group, noting the absence of Nagareboshi.


    Kurogiri greeted him with a smile that didn¡¯t quite reach his eyes. "What a coincidence, fate bringing us together again."


    Hayato eyed the group warily. "You seem well-accompanied for just a coincidence."


    Kurogiri¡¯s grin widened. "Oh, can¡¯t a guy visit a friend?"


    "Visit? I thought this was just a coincidence," Hayato replied dryly.


    "Don¡¯t get caught up in the little details. But, changing the subject, that artifact of yours¡ªvery interesting. It suits you perfectly," Kurogiri said, his tone laced with casual admiration.


    Hayato narrowed his eyes. "So, you¡¯re here to try and steal my artifact?"


    Kurogiri chuckled. "Oh, just kidding! How could I possibly steal from a friend?"


    "There it is again. ¡®Friend,¡¯" Hayato muttered.


    Kurogiri¡¯s tone turned mock-serious. "How could you forget? We fought together and protected each other in that battle against the GM. Isn¡¯t that the ultimate proof of friendship? And thanks to that, you have your artifact."


    Hayato¡¯s patience was wearing thin. "What do you want?"


    Kurogiri feigned a hurt expression. "Ouch, you¡¯re wounding my feelings¡­ All I want is to help you."


    "I don¡¯t need your help," Hayato replied curtly.


    Kurogiri sighed dramatically. "You rejected my offer without even hearing me out¡­ You¡¯ve really hurt my feelings this time. But I¡¯ll tell you anyway. Join my guild, DesertLotus, and you¡¯ll have all the support you need to reach the top spot and protect your artifact. I¡¯m sure all the other guilds are planning to steal it."


    Hayato barked out a laugh. "You and your guild protect me? HAHAHA!"


    Kurogiri¡¯s expression didn¡¯t waver. "Need I remind you that it¡¯s thanks to me that you have that artifact in the first place?"


    The laughter died on Hayato¡¯s lips, and he grew serious. "It wasn¡¯t just you¡­ but fine. This is the perfect chance to settle this. Let¡¯s decide this with a fight. It seems like that was your plan all along."


    "Now, now, don¡¯t be so hasty," Kurogiri said with mock innocence.


    "I¡¯ll give you all an advantage. If any of you can land a single hit on me, I¡¯ll join DesertLotus. You can come at me one at a time or all at once; it makes no difference to me," Hayato declared confidently.


    Kurogiri¡¯s grin widened, and his eyes gleamed with excitement. "If you were so eager to join, you could have just asked. You¡¯ll be more than welcome."


    The other players chuckled at Kurogiri¡¯s quip.


    Hayato smirked back. "DragonForce is at least twice the size of your guild, and they couldn¡¯t even scratch me."


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    The laughter from the DesertLotus members abruptly stopped, and now it was Hayato who wore a mocking smile.


    "So the rumors were true," Kurogiri muttered, his eyes narrowing.


    "After this, I won¡¯t owe you anything," Hayato stated firmly.


    Kurogiri nodded. "Sounds fair¡­ Alright, everyone, back off!"


    The DesertLotus members took several steps back, spreading out around Hayato, who watched them with a hint of confusion.


    Kurogiri noticed Hayato¡¯s reaction and grinned. "Don¡¯t worry, none of them will interfere. I¡¯m more than enough."


    Hayato and Kurogiri faced each other, the tension between them thick in the air. Hayato remained alert, his eyes darting around, wary of any trickery.


    "When you¡¯re ready¡­" Hayato said, his voice calm but his muscles tense.


    Kurogiri leaped backward, flinging his daggers at Hayato. With a swift motion, Hayato blocked the daggers with his sword and immediately advanced, aiming a slash at Kurogiri¡¯s chest. Kurogiri dodged backward again, the blade grazing him slightly. He continued to retreat, trying to avoid any direct contact, but he couldn¡¯t shake Hayato, who landed several more glancing blows (HP: 80%).


    "Why the rush? Let¡¯s enjoy the fight," Kurogiri taunted, though his mind was racing.


    I can barely keep up with his movements. Counterattacking is impossible, Kurogiri thought, struggling to find an opening.


    Hayato thrust his sword forward, but Kurogiri managed to dodge and create some distance this time. Hayato immediately launched an energy slash that struck Kurogiri square in the chest (HP: 60%), sending him flying back.


    Kurogiri grimaced but decided to change tactics. Instead of retreating, he charged toward Hayato, who watched him carefully as he approached. As they closed the gap, Kurogiri feinted an attack toward Hayato¡¯s feet. Hayato simply stepped back, expecting the feint, but Kurogiri continued the motion, slamming his dagger into the ground and raising a curtain of dirt between them, blocking their view of each other.


    It doesn¡¯t matter how talented or skilled you are. The assassin¡¯s "dagger throw" skill has the initial speed of a bullet at close range, and with this dirt wall obstructing his vision, he¡¯ll only have a fraction of a second to react. I¡¯ve won, Kurogiri thought confidently.


    He hurled both daggers through the dirt cloud, one aimed at Hayato¡¯s chest, the other at his face. Hayato, driven purely by instinct, deflected the first with his wrist and dodged the second by tilting his head. The dust began to settle, revealing Hayato standing unharmed, his health bar untouched.


    "That was your trump card?" Hayato asked, his voice flat.


    Before Kurogiri could respond, Hayato slashed him across the chest, sending him stumbling back. Kurogiri¡¯s HP dropped to 20%, and he seemed to lose the will to fight, his head hanging low. But just as Hayato prepared to finish him off, Kurogiri darted to the side, pulling an item from his inventory and smashing it on the ground. A thick white smoke spread throughout the area, obscuring vision but leaving shadows faintly visible.


    Kurogiri and his guild members are trying to confuse me, Hayato thought as he focused on one of the moving shadows. He kept an eye on the others as well, prepared for an attack from any direction. Hayato sent an energy slash toward the shadow he was tracking, missing but clearing the smoke in its path. The cleared smoke revealed Kurogiri, who was charging at Hayato, shouting desperately.


    He¡¯s panicking¡­ It¡¯s over, Hayato thought, preparing to strike.


    But just before Kurogiri entered Hayato¡¯s range, a shot rang out, hitting Hayato¡¯s shoulder (HP: 95%). Not far away, Nagareboshi was perched in a tree, her rifle aimed, with her heat vision skill activated. Kurogiri¡¯s frantic demeanor vanished, replaced by a sly grin as he approached Hayato, giving a light tap on the shoulder where the bullet had hit.


    "Welcome to DesertLotus," Kurogiri said with a smile.


    Hayato¡¯s mind reeled with disbelief. "What? No¡­"


    He couldn¡¯t believe what had just happened, barely registering Kurogiri¡¯s words.


    "It would be a shame if people found out that the owner of the first artifact and currently second place in the level ranking is someone who doesn¡¯t keep his word," Kurogiri whispered, snapping Hayato back to reality.


    "You said there wouldn¡¯t be any interference, and that you were more than enough!" Hayato shouted, his anger boiling over.


    Kurogiri laughed, his tone mocking. "And you believed me?! HAHAHAHA!! How naive. Didn¡¯t you say we could all come at you at once?"


    Hayato¡¯s face flushed with a mix of rage and humiliation. He opened his mouth to retort, but the words caught in his throat.


    Kurogiri, still smiling, extended his hand to Hayato. "I know you¡¯ve never been in a guild before¡­ but traditionally, a handshake seals the deal."


    For once, Kurogiri¡¯s smile seemed genuine, almost friendly. Hayato, not meeting Kurogiri¡¯s gaze, hesitated, then slowly reached out his hand, but before he could pull it back, Kurogiri grabbed it firmly.


    "There, now all that¡¯s left is to accept the invite," Kurogiri said, his grin returning to its usual mischievousness.


    Hayato, his face still red with anger, slashed at Kurogiri, decapitating him in a single, fluid motion. Kurogiri¡¯s head flew off, his laughter echoing even as his body disintegrated. Hayato reluctantly accepted the guild invitation, and the name "DesertLotus" appeared above his character, his name turning orange due to the PK.


    Hayato stood still for a moment, trying to process everything that had just happened. The guild name hovering above his head felt like a brand, a constant reminder of the trap he¡¯d fallen into. His grip tightened around the hilt of his sword, his frustration and anger simmering just below the surface. But for now, there was nothing he could do. He had made his choice, and he would have to live with it¡ªat least for now.

 Chapter 6: Trials of Trust

    Three Months Later


    The snow-covered landscape was serene, disturbed only by the frantic scurrying of a golden rabbit as it darted across the icy terrain. The creature''s speed was astonishing, a blur of gold against the pristine white backdrop.


    "Over there! It went that way!" a voice shouted from a distance.


    "Surround it!" another voice called out, urgency evident in the tone.


    Nagareboshi, rifle in hand, leaped through the air and slid across the snow, positioning herself directly in the rabbit¡¯s path. She quickly raised her rifle, steadying her aim with practiced precision. Her finger hovered over the trigger, but the rabbit was quicker. It suddenly veered to the side, dodging the bullet just in time and sprinting past her. Frustrated, Nagareboshi let out a huff and slammed her rifle into the snow.


    "It''s heading your way!" a third voice rang out, directing the group¡¯s attention.


    Not far away, Hayato waited silently, his eyes locked on the approaching rabbit. His sword, Lightning, remained sheathed at his side, its power humming quietly. As the golden rabbit neared, Hayato¡¯s hand moved in a blur, drawing his sword with such speed that the snow in his path melted instantly. In one fluid motion, he sliced through the air, resheathing his sword just as quickly as he had drawn it.


    The rabbit continued to run for a few more steps before its body suddenly split in two. A system message flashed across the screens of all players: Event Over! The DesertLotus Guild has obtained the artifact!


    Cheers erupted from the surrounding players, their voices filled with excitement and triumph.


    "Another artifact! Are you trying to collect them all?" one of the swordsmen joked, laughing. "Haha, leave one for me!"


    "As long as it stays in the guild, I¡¯m happy!" a mage chimed in with a grin.


    "Now that you have two artifacts, you¡¯re unstoppable!" another warrior declared, admiration in his voice.


    But Hayato, ever stoic, merely shook his head. "No¡­ I didn¡¯t do much this time. I just delivered the final blow."


    Hayato bent down and picked up the artifact, which had yet to take its final form. It was a small, glowing orb, brimming with potential. He walked over to Kurogiri, who stood nearby with his usual mischievous grin.


    "Kurogiri was the one who planned everything," Hayato said, stopping in front of him. "He deceived the enemy guilds with false information. He deserves this much more than I do."


    Kurogiri placed a hand over his heart, feigning an emotional response. "They grow up so fast¡­ sniff sniff. You¡¯re going to make your old man proud?"


    "Shut up before I change my mind. And you¡¯re not my father," Hayato snapped, though there was no real venom in his voice.


    "Are you sure?" Kurogiri¡¯s tone softened, his grin fading to a sincere smile. "The artifact should go to the one who delivered the final blow. I won¡¯t stop you from claiming your second artifact."


    "I¡¯m sure," Hayato replied, his expression firm.


    For a moment, Kurogiri¡¯s playful demeanor shifted to something more genuine. It reminded Hayato of the day he had joined the guild, a day that seemed both distant and recent all at once. Feeling a bit awkward, Hayato handed the artifact to Kurogiri, who accepted it with a nod.


    <hr>


    The celebration of their victory had long since died down, and Hayato found himself standing apart from the rest of the guild, alone in the cold. The air bit at his skin, but he barely noticed, his mind elsewhere. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn¡¯t notice Kurogiri approaching until he was standing beside him.


    "You should try smiling once in a while," Kurogiri said, breaking the silence as he gazed out at the snowy landscape.


    Hayato glanced at him, confused. "Why do you say that?"


    "Sometimes the others try to get closer to you, and I even encourage it, you know," Kurogiri explained, his tone light. "You¡¯re a good guy, and you¡¯re still young. You should enjoy life more."


    Hayato raised an eyebrow, giving Kurogiri a sideways glance. "Are you drunk?"


    Kurogiri let out a small hiccup, laughing as he spoke. "I¡¯m trying to help you, you ungrateful brat¡­ Hic."


    Hayato sighed. "It¡¯s not like I¡¯m the only one who keeps to myself. Nagareboshi doesn¡¯t talk to anyone either. She always seems distant¡­ and it feels like she hates me."


    Kurogiri chuckled knowingly. "Hmm, are you interested?"


    Hayato¡¯s face flushed a deep red, and he quickly turned away. "Of course not!"


    "Her case is different," Kurogiri continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "She¡¯s an ¡®ojousama,¡¯ from a wealthy family. In a way, it¡¯s my fault. I told her that people in online games are no good and that she shouldn¡¯t get too close to anyone."


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    Did you include yourself when you gave that advice? Hayato thought, but he kept the question to himself.


    Suddenly, Kurogiri straightened up, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "I need to take a leak!"


    As Kurogiri wandered off, Hayato was left alone again, but only for a short while. He was surprised when Nagareboshi appeared in front of him, her presence unexpected.


    "Sorry if I gave you the wrong impression," she said, her voice soft but steady.


    Hayato¡¯s eyes widened slightly, and he quickly looked around for Kurogiri, who was now a short distance away, poorly hiding his devious grin.


    "Oh¡­ no, it¡¯s nothing like that..." Hayato stammered, his thoughts racing.


    That drunk bastard¡­ Hayato cursed silently.


    "No! I need to say this," Nagareboshi insisted, her tone firm. "I was angry, but it wasn¡¯t because I dislike you."


    Really? Hayato thought, his confusion deepening.


    "I just didn¡¯t want you to get a second artifact," she continued, her gaze unwavering. "It didn¡¯t seem fair that you would have two when others had none. That¡¯s why I tried so hard to stop you from getting it."


    All because of that? Hayato wondered, still trying to process her words.


    "But after you handed the artifact to someone else," Nagareboshi admitted, her voice tinged with regret, "it made me feel ashamed of my thoughts and actions. You¡¯re a better person than I thought."


    Hayato blushed slightly, his usual stoic demeanor faltering. "I just did what I thought was fair."


    Nagareboshi looked at him with newfound respect. "I¡¯m sorry."


    Without warning, she bowed her head, drawing the attention of some of the other guild members nearby. Hayato felt his cheeks flush with embarrassment, not used to such a public display.


    "There¡¯s no need for that," Hayato said quickly. "Please, lift your head."


    Nagareboshi slowly raised her head, meeting his gaze, and Hayato felt a sense of relief wash over him.


    "As for the other matter," Nagareboshi continued, her voice now lighter, "I think we should get to know each other better first. It¡¯s still too soon."


    Hayato blinked, caught off guard. "Other matter?"


    "Yes," Nagareboshi replied with a hint of a smile. "The confession..."


    "Wha... wha... wha..." Hayato¡¯s mind went blank as the words stuck in his throat. He could only stare at her in shock.


    Sensing his distress, Nagareboshi chuckled softly. "But what I can say for sure is that it¡¯s a good thing the guild has someone like you. I¡¯m counting on you for the next event."


    With that, she turned and walked away, leaving Hayato standing there, still reeling from the conversation. His gaze followed her until she disappeared from view.


    "I¡¯m counting on you for the next event, DEAR ?" Kurogiri¡¯s voice teased from behind him.


    Hayato¡¯s face turned bright red again, but this time he quickly composed himself. "I see... so you¡¯ve chosen death!"


    Without hesitation, Hayato drew his artifact, and Kurogiri, ever the opportunist, quickly followed suit.


    "Hehe, don¡¯t think it¡¯ll be that easy," Kurogiri taunted, his grin widening. "This time, I¡¯ve got an artifact too."


    <hr>


    Five Months Later


    The guild¡¯s tavern was bustling with activity. New members filled the space, their laughter and chatter creating a lively atmosphere. Unlike before, Hayato was no longer isolated.


    Surrounded by people¡­ it doesn¡¯t really suit me, Hayato thought as he observed the scene. I still feel out of place¡­ Do I really deserve this?


    Kurogiri stood at the center of the room, commanding attention as he addressed the guild. "Alright, everyone, listen up! I have two announcements¡­"


    "Are you finally passing leadership to Raylight?" one of the players shouted, his voice filled with playful mischief.


    "Team Raylight!! The best leader!" another player chimed in, and soon the entire room was chanting "Team Raylight" in unison, laughter echoing through the tavern.


    Kurogiri crossed his arms, feigning annoyance. "I¡¯ll remember this, you bastards¡­"


    "Just tell us the announcements!" the first player urged, still grinning.


    "First," Kurogiri began, his tone now serious, "we¡¯ve finally become the second-ranked guild!"


    The room erupted in cheers, the guild members celebrating their hard-earned achievement.


    "And second," Kurogiri continued, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "the server championship has been announced. It¡¯s a big money event, and we¡¯re going to participate."


    The cheers grew even louder, the excitement in the room reaching new heights.


    "Oh, and a third announcement¡­" Kurogiri added with a smirk. "We¡¯re going to win!"


    This time, the cheers were deafening, the guild members fully rallying behind their leader.


    <hr>


    Later, in a Small Room Within the Guild Base


    In a small, dimly lit room within the guild base, Kurogiri sat casually in a chair. The room was simple, with just a table and a few chairs. Hayato entered, leaving the door slightly ajar behind him.


    "You called?" Hayato asked, his tone neutral.


    Kurogiri looked up, a thoughtful expression on his face. "So, do you think we have a chance?"


    Hayato smirked, crossing his arms. "You think I¡¯d lose to TAKASH1?"


    Kurogiri shook his head, chuckling. "Nah, that¡¯s impossible."


    "Then I guess that answers your question," Hayato replied confidently.


    Kurogiri leaned back in his chair, clearly pleased with the response. "I have to admit, back when you and TAKASH1 were competing for the top spot, I thought he was stronger."


    Hayato¡¯s expression soured slightly, recalling those intense days of rivalry.


    "But nowadays," Kurogiri continued, his voice taking on a more serious tone, "since you¡¯ve stopped chasing that top ranking¡­ you seem even more untouchable, much more intimidating than him. I can imagine twenty different strategies to contain him in a guild war¡­ but none of them would stop you."


    Hayato was taken aback by the unexpected compliment, feeling a bit awkward. "Thanks¡­"


    "Damn, I said that out loud, didn¡¯t I?" Kurogiri muttered, feigning regret.


    "You really know how to ruin a moment," Hayato remarked, shaking his head.


    Kurogiri sighed, his expression growing more serious. "This prize money¡­ it could change all our lives."


    "Yeah, I know," Hayato agreed, his voice quiet. "But money isn¡¯t my main motivation¡­ if I win¡­ I¡¯m going to confess."


    Kurogiri¡¯s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Hmm, only if you win? I thought you two had already made some progress with all the talking you¡¯ve done these past months. How disappointing."


    Hayato looked away, his cheeks reddening slightly. "Shut up, it¡¯s not as easy as it looks."


    Kurogiri let out a mock sigh of disappointment, deciding to let the subject drop. His eyes fell on the necklace he was wearing, a small pendant that caught Hayato¡¯s attention.


    "What¡¯s that?" Hayato asked, curious.


    "You like it?" Kurogiri replied with a grin. "It¡¯s the guild symbol. I had it made in real life too. Send me your address later. I¡¯m sending one to everyone, but it probably won¡¯t be ready before the championship."


    "Cool. Let me know when it¡¯s ready," Hayato said as he turned to leave the room.


    As he stepped outside, he didn¡¯t notice Nagareboshi leaning against the wall beside the door, her presence concealed in the shadows.

 Chapter 7: The Shadows Behind Victory

    Two Days Later


    The cold air of the mountain bit at their faces as Hayato and a group of his guildmates from DesertLotus moved steadily up the rocky terrain. The path was treacherous, but their focus was unwavering, each step bringing them closer to the orcs that lurked ahead. The stillness of the mountain was suddenly broken by the sound of hurried footsteps on gravel. Hayato¡¯s attention snapped to a mage from their guild, sprinting down the slope, his voice frantic.


    "Hayato!" the mage shouted, desperation evident in his tone.


    Hayato, having just dispatched an orc, turned to face him. "I told you all to wait for me. I¡¯ll help with the stronger monsters higher up once we¡¯re done here."


    The mage, gasping for breath, shook his head. "It¡¯s not that! A group from Tempest..."


    But before he could finish, Hayato was already moving, his instincts kicking in. The DesertLotus members followed closely behind, racing up the mountain with urgency. As they reached a higher plateau, the scene came into sharp focus: a group of DesertLotus players surrounded by members of Tempest, tension thick in the air.


    "We were here first!" one of the DesertLotus swordsmen shouted, his voice strained with tension.


    "And you think that means you get this whole spot to yourselves with such a small group?" retorted a Tempest swordsman, his tone dripping with mockery.


    A Tempest mage sneered, "You can¡¯t handle this place. Why don¡¯t you find somewhere more suited to your strength and numbers?"


    Hayato stepped forward, his presence commanding instant attention. "How about we settle this in a civilized way?"


    A Tempest assassin, his eyes narrowing with suspicion, replied, "And what civilized way do you suggest? I don¡¯t plan on giving up this spot to the likes of you."


    "The likes of us, huh?" Hayato¡¯s gaze remained steady, unfazed by the hostility. "Something simple. How about a duel? The loser leaves."


    A heavy silence fell over the Tempest group, their eyes flicking to the artifact Hayato wielded. The weight of his proposal hung in the air, unspoken but understood.


    Sensing their hesitation, Hayato added, "Don¡¯t worry. I won¡¯t use the artifact."


    Even with that reassurance, the Tempest members were cautious, exchanging uncertain glances. Then, a voice from behind them broke the tension.


    "Mind if I join in?"


    All eyes turned to see TAKASH1 descending the mountain, accompanied by a player who had evidently gone to fetch him.


    "Of course," Hayato responded, a grin spreading across his face. The championship is just around the corner. Let¡¯s see what he¡¯s capable of.


    The two rivals squared off, standing face to face. Hayato sheathed his artifact and rested a different one-handed sword at his waist. He then stepped closer to TAKASH1, closing the distance until they were mere inches apart, their gazes locked in silent challenge.


    "What¡¯s he doing? They¡¯re too close to fight," a DesertLotus mage murmured, perplexed.


    The DesertLotus swordsman beside him shook his head. "Not necessarily. At this range, drawing a sword and dueling might be tough, but it¡¯s not a problem for a shield, which can land some hits and abilities even at close range. This is clearly a..."


    "A provocation," the Tempest assassin finished, his voice laced with disdain. "Take him down, TAKASH1!"


    TAKASH1¡¯s expression hardened, irritation flaring in his eyes.


    "Whenever you¡¯re ready," Hayato said calmly, his tone a clear challenge.


    TAKASH1 leaped backward, creating distance before charging forward again.


    "Hey, hey, throwing away the advantage I gave you?" Hayato called out, half-mocking.


    "I don¡¯t need it!" TAKASH1 shouted back.


    As TAKASH1 closed in, he drew his sword and shield, while Hayato unsheathed his own sword. The clash was immediate¡ªHayato¡¯s sword thrusts were aggressive and precise, forcing TAKASH1 to stay on the defensive, using his shield to deflect the rapid strikes. Finding a brief moment to recover, TAKASH1 shifted tactics, sheathing his sword and shield to draw a two-handed blade.


    Hayato¡¯s expression grew serious as he recognized the shift in strategy. TAKASH1 charged, the heavy sword raised high, poised for a powerful downward strike. Just as their blades were about to clash, a shadow darted from behind TAKASH1, leaping into the air and striking his sword, causing it to fall short of its mark. The figure landed atop TAKASH1¡¯s blade, skillfully blocking Hayato¡¯s incoming strike with a pair of daggers.


    "Made it just in time," the figure¡ªNama-ke-Chan¡ªsaid with a relieved sigh.


    "Who..." Hayato began, surprised by the sudden interference.


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    "Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to interrupt your duel," Nama-ke-Chan said, bowing slightly. "I heard the whole story from our mage. We¡¯re in the wrong here."


    Nama-ke-Chan kept his head bowed while forcibly pressing TAKASH1¡¯s head down as well, a gesture that seemed to deflate the tension among the other Tempest members, who now looked somewhat embarrassed.


    "And you are?" Hayato asked, still wary.


    "Ah, forgive me. I¡¯m just a member of Tempest, not part of the leadership, but I¡¯m committed to helping however I can," Nama-ke-Chan explained, his tone humble.


    He¡¯s skilled, Hayato thought, recognizing the ease with which Nama-ke-Chan had defused the situation.


    "Besides, the championship is coming up soon," Nama-ke-Chan continued. "You can continue where you left off there."


    Hayato considered this for a moment before nodding and sheathing his sword. "Alright."


    Nama-ke-Chan straightened up, a relieved smile on his face. "In any case, you guys can keep this spot. You were here first, and it would be unfair otherwise. We¡¯ll find somewhere else. Sorry for the trouble, and if you have any problems, just let me know. I¡¯ll do my best to resolve things fairly."


    With that, the Tempest guild left the mountain, Nama-ke-Chan walking beside TAKASH1, who seemed lost in thought.


    "What¡¯s wrong, Taka-chan? Don¡¯t lose your confidence now," Nama-ke-Chan teased gently.


    TAKASH1¡¯s expression was serious. "He¡¯s improved a lot since the last time¡­ and with his artifact, it¡¯s going to be even tougher. But I won¡¯t fall behind."


    <hr>


    Kurogiri leaned back in his chair, a grin on his face as he spoke. "So, you faced off against the mighty first in the rankings. Did you win?"


    Hayato shook his head. "The duel was interrupted."


    "Hey, hey, that¡¯s not what I want to hear. After that, I¡¯ve lost faith in your victory," Kurogiri teased, his tone light but playful.


    Hayato scoffed. "Who do you think you¡¯re talking to? Of course, I¡¯ll win."


    Kurogiri burst into laughter. "Hahaha! That¡¯s more like it!"


    Still chuckling, Kurogiri wandered off to chat with other guild members. As he walked away, Nagareboshi approached Hayato, her expression calm.


    "A little humility wouldn¡¯t hurt," she remarked, her tone teasing yet sincere.


    "It¡¯s not really about that..." Hayato began, his voice trailing off. "I just... I have to win. No matter what."


    Nagareboshi tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing in curiosity. "To confess to the person you like?"


    Hayato¡¯s face turned bright red, and he immediately scanned the room, searching for Kurogiri with a glare. Kurogiri, noticing Hayato¡¯s look, only seemed more confused, clearly unaware of the reason for Hayato¡¯s anger.


    Nagareboshi continued, her tone softer now. "Maybe you don¡¯t need to go to such lengths. I imagine you confessed to this girl before, but she might have rejected you because she didn¡¯t know you well enough."


    Hayato¡¯s shoulders slumped slightly, a sense of defeat washing over him as he remembered that moment.


    "But maybe enough time has passed, and she¡¯s developed feelings for you," Nagareboshi suggested, a small smile on her lips. "Waiting until the end of the championship or relying solely on a victory might be unnecessary."


    Hayato looked up, his eyes widening in surprise at her words. Nagareboshi gave him a shy smile before turning to leave. As she walked away, Kurogiri sidled up to Hayato, poking his cheeks playfully, but Hayato remained lost in thought, still processing what Nagareboshi had said.


    <hr>


    The Championship Day Arrives


    The arena was set¡ªa grand coliseum where guilds would battle until only one remained standing. Both DesertLotus and Tempest had advanced to the final round with little difficulty.


    It was past midnight, and only Kurogiri and Hayato remained online. The rest of the guild had logged off to get some rest before the final. The two stood at the peak of a mountain, the sky above them filled with stars. Kurogiri seemed unusually quiet, lost in thought.


    "Tomorrow decides everything... something that could change all our lives," Kurogiri murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.


    Hayato glanced at him. "Are you worried?"


    Kurogiri turned to him, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Aren¡¯t you?"


    "Not anymore," Hayato replied, his voice steady.


    Kurogiri¡¯s smile grew. "Then win it for us."


    "Don¡¯t say stupid things. If it depended on just me, I¡¯d be worried, but I know I can count on you guys," Hayato said, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.


    Kurogiri wiped away an imaginary tear, his voice mockingly emotional. "Ah, how they grow up so fast."


    Hayato rolled his eyes. "Shut up¡­ wait, are you drunk?"


    Kurogiri burst out laughing. "You¡¯ve got to enjoy life while you can, hahaha."


    "Alright, I¡¯m heading out. Don¡¯t stay up too late. Tomorrow¡¯s the final¡ªget some rest," Hayato advised, turning to leave.


    "Sure thing, mom," Kurogiri teased, waving him off. "Oh, and don¡¯t forget to tell me how your date with Nana-chan goes in real life."


    "As if I¡¯d tell you!" Hayato shot back, shaking his head as Kurogiri¡¯s laughter echoed behind him.


    <hr>


    The next day, Hayato entered the guild¡¯s base an hour before the championship final was set to begin.


    "Anyone here?" Hayato called out, but the base was completely empty.


    He checked the guild list¡ªeveryone was marked as offline.


    I thought I might be late¡­ but they should be logging in soon, Hayato thought, trying to stay calm.


    As the minutes ticked by, the base remained eerily silent. Hayato found himself repeatedly opening and closing the guild list, hoping to see someone online. With just five minutes left before the championship was due to start, his nerves began to fray. Suddenly, he received an in-game email. Thinking it was from a guild member, he opened it quickly and read the message aloud.


    "''You¡¯re next.'' And a link?" Hayato frowned, confused.


    A level 1 sender? This must be some kind of prank, Hayato thought, dismissing the message.


    He closed the email, but the unease lingered. The championship time came and went, and DesertLotus lost by default.


    Hayato sat there, waiting for someone¡ªanyone¡ªto appear. But as the minutes dragged on, no one came. Finally, he logged out of the game.


    <hr>


    Hayato slumped in his chair, sadness and frustration washing over him.


    "How could they forget something so important?!" he muttered, his voice thick with disbelief.


    He clenched his fists, his mind racing. "Weren¡¯t we supposed to change our lives with this?! Did they give up on the game? Or did they think we couldn¡¯t win?!"


    His thoughts spiraled, anger and confusion mingling together. "But to not even try?!"


    After a while, his anger subsided, leaving only a deep, unsettling feeling in his gut. The email he had received earlier flashed in his mind. He reopened the game, copying the link from the message and pasting it into his browser.


    The page loaded, revealing a photo. Hayato¡¯s blood ran cold as he stared at the image¡ªa person slumped in a virtual reality chair, much like his own, still wearing the VR headset. But the body was covered in blood. Hayato¡¯s breath caught in his throat as he noticed the necklace around the person¡¯s neck¡ªa necklace with the DesertLotus symbol.


    No¡­ it can¡¯t be¡­ Hayato thought, dread seeping into his bones.


    "KUROGIRI?!" he shouted, his voice trembling with fear.


    "AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!"


    The scream tore from Hayato¡¯s throat as he recoiled in horror, falling from his chair. He scrambled to his feet, racing to the bathroom where he collapsed over the toilet, vomiting as terror gripped him.

 Chapter 8: Visions and Turning Points

    The day was bright and sunny, the kind that made the city hum with life. A young boy stood nervously outside a fancy restaurant, his face flushed red as he shifted from foot to foot. The street around him was a blur of luxury cars and floating drones, busy delivering packages or capturing scenic videos for their owners. He checked his phone¡ªhis savings weren¡¯t much, but they might cover this if he was careful. He pocketed the device, trying to distract himself by watching the vibrant LED displays on nearby skyscrapers, each screen a riot of color and activity.


    For a brief moment, the city¡¯s energy eased his anxiety. But just as he began to relax, one of the screens flashed a massive, glowing heart. His face turned crimson again, and he quickly looked away, shaking his head as if to clear his thoughts. Just then, a sleek luxury car pulled up to the curb. The driver stepped out, opening the back door with a practiced motion. The young boy¡¯s breath caught in his throat as a girl emerged, her presence commanding the attention of everyone around.


    She was stunning¡ªgraceful and elegant, with an air of maturity that seemed beyond her years. The boy found himself unable to look away, though he desperately wanted to. She¡¯s going to think I¡¯m some kind of creep, he panicked internally, but he was rooted to the spot. Each step she took seemed to radiate a quiet confidence, and by the time she reached him, his heart was pounding in his chest.


    "Did I keep you waiting long?" she asked, her voice soft and reassuring, as though she had noticed his nervousness.


    He snapped back to reality, shaking his head quickly. "No, I just got here," he lied, his voice wavering slightly.


    He gestured toward the entrance of the restaurant, hoping to regain some composure. It was obvious that this was unfamiliar territory for him¡ªhe had never done anything like this before. As they approached the hostess, the girl mentioned that she had made a reservation on the rooftop. The boy¡¯s eyes widened in shock. The rooftop? That was way out of his budget, even with what little savings he had.


    Panic began to rise within him. He felt a strong urge to flee, to get out before things became too awkward, but he couldn¡¯t bring himself to leave. The girl seemed to sense his discomfort and quickly reassured him with a smile that melted some of his anxiety. "Don¡¯t worry about the bill. I¡¯ve got it covered."


    Did she not notice my other insecurities, or was this the only one she picked up on? he wondered, feeling a mix of embarrassment and relief.


    "But I¡¯m the one who invited you. It wouldn¡¯t be fair to let you pay," he protested weakly, knowing deep down that he didn¡¯t have the money to cover it.


    She giggled softly, her laughter light and melodic. "But I¡¯m the one who made you invite me, didn¡¯t I? Doesn¡¯t that mean I kind of invited you?"


    He wanted to argue further, but the last thing he wanted was to ruin the mood on their first date, so he let it go. As they reached the rooftop, he was struck by how empty it was. The entire space was theirs, save for a single table set in the center of the wooden deck. Aquariums were embedded in the pathways, filled with colorful fish that swam peacefully. A gentle breeze swept across the rooftop, offering a breathtaking view of the city skyline, unobstructed by the towering buildings below.


    Two waiters appeared as if on cue, pulling out chairs for them to sit. The boy hesitated, unused to such formality, but followed their lead without question. It seemed too trivial to ask about.


    As they settled in, the boy slowly began to talk, his nerves gradually loosening as the conversation flowed. Despite his initial discomfort, he found himself getting lost in the moment, the girl¡¯s laughter and attentive eyes putting him at ease. Yet, as he spoke, there was a moment when he realized he couldn¡¯t hear her responses. Her lips moved, but no sound reached him. He tried to focus, to catch her words, but the world around him started to dissolve into darkness. The vibrant cityscape faded, colors bleeding into a deep black.


    Panic gripped him as he opened his mouth to speak, but his voice was gone. Suddenly, bullet holes riddled the girl¡¯s body, and blood began to spurt from the wounds, drenching the ground beneath her. The boy¡¯s blood ran cold as her body convulsed, her life slipping away before his eyes.


    A voice¡ªtwisted and sinister¡ªcut through the silence, echoing in his mind. "You¡¯re next."


    It wasn¡¯t her voice. It was something far more terrifying, distorting her beautiful face into a grotesque mask of death. Her body began to fall into the encroaching darkness, and he was helpless to stop it, paralyzed by fear.


    Hayato woke up with a start, drenched in sweat, his body trembling uncontrollably. His heart pounded in his chest as he tried to shake off the lingering dread of the nightmare. The room around him was pitch-black, the only light coming from the soft glow of his clock: 4:33 a.m.


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    How many days has it been since I last slept? he wondered, rubbing his tired eyes. The exhaustion was clearly taking its toll on him¡ªdark circles had formed under his eyes, and his clothes hung loosely on his now thinner frame. His eyes darted nervously around the room, still haunted by the nightmare¡¯s vivid images. A sudden noise by the window made him freeze, every muscle in his body tensing. But when he turned, he saw only a few birds fluttering outside, their wings rustling against the glass.


    This place isn¡¯t safe, he thought, a wave of anxiety washing over him.


    Grabbing his phone, Hayato sent a message to one of his contacts. As he scrolled through their past conversation, guilt gnawed at him. The chat history was full of messages from the other person, most of them left unanswered. His friend had frequently checked in, asking how he was or inviting him out, but Hayato had ignored most of them.


    He¡¯s not going to respond. I¡¯ve ignored him for so long, Hayato thought, feeling a pang of regret. Wrapping himself in his blanket, he lay back down, despite the lingering anxiety. Eventually, he drifted off to sleep again.


    When he awoke later, it was around 10 a.m., and his phone was still in his hand. To his surprise, there was a response from his friend. Groggy and disoriented, Hayato began typing a reply: I need help.


    His friend¡¯s response was almost immediate: I¡¯ll help in any way I can.


    Hayato felt a small sense of relief. He typed out the details of what was troubling him, and his friend agreed without hesitation: Alright, come over. It¡¯ll be fine.


    Hayato spent the next hour packing a bag. He left all his electronics and games behind, packing only the essentials into his suitcase. With a deep breath, he left his apartment, constantly scanning his surroundings for anything suspicious as he walked. He took a train to the outskirts of the city and then walked a considerable distance until he reached a farm, its old-fashioned charm a stark contrast to the bustling metropolis he had left behind.


    Hiroshi, his friend, was waiting for him at the entrance, a warm smile on his face. "Welcome."


    "Thanks," Hayato replied, keeping his gaze fixed on the ground. "Your grandparents didn¡¯t mind?"


    "Don¡¯t worry," Hiroshi reassured him, "I already talked to them."


    They entered the farmhouse together, Hayato clutching his bags tightly. Hiroshi grabbed a few to help carry, maintaining his cheerful demeanor. Inside, they were greeted by Hiroshi¡¯s grandfather, Kazuo, a friendly man with a hearty laugh.


    "It feels like it was just yesterday when you last visited," Kazuo said with a chuckle. "Welcome back. This house is yours too. My grandson told me about the fire. Stay as long as you need."


    Fire? Hayato thought, confused but choosing not to question it.


    He carried his bags to a simple, clean room with a single window. The room was sparsely furnished, with only a bed and a small dresser. As Hayato started unpacking, there was a gentle knock on the door. Hiroshi¡¯s grandmother, Keiko, peeked in, her expression kind.


    "When you¡¯re done, come down and join us for a meal," she said warmly.


    Hayato wasn¡¯t used to such hospitality, and the situation made him uncomfortable. But he didn¡¯t want to be rude, so he nodded and resolved to follow the house rules. As he finished unpacking, he took a moment to familiarize himself with the farmhouse. It hadn¡¯t changed much since his last visit as a child¡ªwarm and welcoming, with a sense of timelessness.


    As he approached the dining room, he overheard a conversation from the hallway.


    "Why do we have to wait for him? I¡¯m starving!" A girl¡¯s voice¡ªHiroshi¡¯s sister, Emiko¡ªcomplained loudly.


    "It won¡¯t hurt to wait a little longer," Keiko replied in her usual gentle tone. "I¡¯m sure he¡¯s on his way down."


    "Shut up! I don¡¯t want to wait!" Emiko snapped, her voice laced with irritation.


    Hayato froze in the hallway, unsure of what to do. If I show up now, it¡¯ll only make things worse. Better wait until they finish arguing, he thought, feeling more like an intruder than a guest.


    "Don¡¯t speak to your grandmother like that," Kazuo reprimanded sternly. "He¡¯s our guest and your brother¡¯s friend. He¡¯ll be staying here for a while, so we should offer him our best hospitality."


    Emiko huffed, turning away in frustration, while Hiroshi looked caught between embarrassment and frustration. After a few tense moments, Hayato waited another fifteen seconds before stepping into the dining room, trying to appear casual.


    "Sorry to keep you waiting," he said awkwardly, greeted by warm smiles from everyone except Emiko, who continued to sulk. Now that I think about it, I never got along with her either, Hayato mused, feeling a twinge of regret.


    Kazuo was the first to break the ice, offering a jovial greeting and setting the tone for a more relaxed meal. Hayato followed their lead, taking a seat at the table. Throughout dinner, Emiko avoided looking at him, occasionally making a face that suggested she¡¯d rather be anywhere else. After the meal, Hayato offered to wash the dishes, hoping to pull his weight and avoid being a burden. If I help out, maybe they¡¯ll let me stay longer, he reasoned.


    But Keiko quickly waved off his offer. "Don¡¯t worry about it. You¡¯re a guest."


    Feeling out of place, Hayato returned to his room, sitting on the edge of the bed. There was a knock on the door, and Hiroshi stepped in.


    "Sorry about my sister. She¡¯s not used to having guests," Hiroshi apologized.


    "It¡¯s not just that. She seemed like she wasn¡¯t used to me at all," Hayato replied, managing a weak smile.


    Hiroshi chuckled awkwardly. "I can¡¯t deny that."


    "Are you sure this is going to work out?" Hayato asked, doubt creeping into his voice.


    "Don¡¯t worry," Hiroshi assured him. "I told my grandparents that you¡¯d be staying here for a while because of the fire. They understand, and I¡¯m sure they won¡¯t have any issues with it."


    "Just gotta avoid your sister¡­ seems like a fair trade," Hayato muttered, half-joking.


    "I¡¯m sorry about that," Hiroshi said, his tone apologetic but light.


    Hiroshi moved to leave the room, but Hayato stopped him with a quiet, "Thank you."


    The gratitude was genuine, though tinged with anxiety. Hiroshi noticed and simply nodded. "You¡¯re welcome."


    Hayato lay back on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The farmhouse felt safe¡ªat least for now. But as he closed his eyes, the nightmare from before flashed in his mind. He couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.

 Chapter 9: The Weight of Resentment

    The next day, Hayato woke up feeling different. He hadn¡¯t slept well, but it was better than the restless nights he¡¯d endured in his own apartment. The nightmares still lingered, haunting the edges of his consciousness, but they had lessened, giving him a fleeting sense of relief. As he blinked away the last remnants of sleep, his eyes widened in shock¡ªit was already late morning. The realization jolted him out of bed, his heart racing. He threw on some clothes and hurried outside, where the crisp morning air greeted him with a sharp bite. The farm was already alive with the sounds of activity¡ªroosters crowing and the rhythmic clatter of hooves against the barn floor.


    By the time Hayato reached the main yard, he found that most of the morning chores were already done. The cows were being herded into the pasture, and the barn doors creaked open, revealing neatly stacked hay bales. Spotting Hiroshi, who was busy fixing a loose fence post, Hayato approached with a sense of urgency.


    "Is there anything I can help with?" Hayato asked, trying to keep the desperation out of his voice.


    Hiroshi looked up, his expression relaxed. "Just take it easy and enjoy your stay. We¡¯ve got everything under control."


    But Hayato wasn¡¯t reassured. If I don¡¯t contribute, they might kick me out, he thought, anxiety gnawing at him.


    Before Hayato could protest further, Kazuo appeared, his voice hearty as he greeted them. "Good morning, boys! Breakfast is ready if you¡¯re hungry."


    Hayato hesitated, glancing at the nearly completed tasks around him. "Is there anything I can do to help?" he asked again, his voice more insistent.


    Kazuo chuckled, clapping Hayato on the back. "I like your spirit, but don¡¯t worry about it. You¡¯re a guest here. No need to work yourself to the bone."


    Nearby, Emiko¡¯s bedroom was close enough for her to overhear the conversation. She stirred in bed, already in a sour mood as she caught snippets of their exchange. She groaned, pulling the covers over her head, hoping to drown out the voices she found so irritating.


    Downstairs, the breakfast table was laden with food, waiting for Hayato and Emiko to join. Hayato sat down, the silence in the room heavy as he waited. Moments later, Emiko entered, her expression one of disdain. She moved with a deliberate slowness, as if to make it clear she was only there because she had to be.


    "Good morning," Hayato greeted her, forcing a polite smile.


    Emiko didn¡¯t respond. She averted her gaze, taking the seat farthest from him at the table. The silence grew more awkward until Emiko finally broke it, her voice sharp. "I wonder what a parasite could possibly do to help."


    Hayato stiffened at her words, feeling their sting. He didn¡¯t respond, focusing instead on the food in front of him. The atmosphere was thick with tension, and the meal felt more like an obligation than a shared moment. Hayato finished quickly, eager to escape the uncomfortable silence.


    "Can I clear the table?" Hayato offered, his voice tentative, hoping to ease the tension.


    "Don¡¯t worry about it. That¡¯s my job. A parasite should only worry about being a parasite," Emiko shot back coldly.


    Hayato left the table, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He could feel her eyes on him as he walked away, a mixture of contempt and frustration. It was a feeling he knew well¡ªa sense of being unwanted, of not belonging.


    The following morning, Hayato woke up much earlier, determined to prove himself useful. He headed to the barn, where he found Hiroshi already at work, feeding the animals and milking the cows.


    "Let me help," Hayato insisted, stepping closer.


    Hiroshi shook his head, keeping his tone light. "You don¡¯t need to. Go back and rest."


    But Hayato remained, watching Hiroshi closely as he worked, trying to memorize his every move. The routine seemed simple enough, but there was a rhythm to it¡ªa cadence that came only from experience. Hiroshi found it odd that Hayato was so intent on learning, but he didn¡¯t comment, choosing instead to focus on his tasks.


    The next day, Hayato managed to wake up even earlier, determined to take on the tasks himself. He clumsily followed the routine he had observed¡ªmilking the cows, feeding the chickens, and tending to the pigs. The animals, unfamiliar with Hayato, were skittish at first, and he struggled with the work. The cows shuffled nervously as he approached, the chickens pecked at his boots, and the pigs snorted in displeasure. But Hayato pushed through, his determination outweighing the awkwardness of his efforts.


    When Hiroshi arrived to start the chores, he was taken aback to see that most of the work was already done. He stood there for a moment, processing the scene. "What the¡­?"


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    Hayato looked up from where he was sweeping the barn floor, sweat dripping from his brow. "Morning," he said, his voice strained.


    For a brief moment, Hiroshi stared, processing the situation. Then, with a resigned sigh, he relented. "I see there¡¯s no point in trying to convince you otherwise. Fine," he said, his tone firm but not unkind. "But! We¡¯ll split the tasks. The animals are still getting used to you, and if they weren¡¯t so docile, you could¡¯ve gotten hurt. You need to take it slow."


    Hayato was surprised by the mild scolding and realized it was the first time he¡¯d seen Hiroshi speak so seriously. He dropped to his knees, feeling chastened, and nodded in agreement. "I¡¯m sorry," he mumbled.


    Hiroshi¡¯s expression softened. "No need to apologize. Just¡­ don¡¯t push yourself too hard."


    And so, a routine was established. Hayato adapted well, learning the rhythm of farm life. The days blended together, each one marked by the steady progression of chores and the quiet satisfaction of a job well done. The animals grew more accustomed to his presence, and Hayato found a sense of peace in the simplicity of the work. Five months passed, and by then, Hayato was fully integrated into the farm¡¯s daily operations. He moved with a confidence he hadn¡¯t felt in a long time, his movements fluid and purposeful.


    But there was still one person who hadn¡¯t warmed up to him¡ªEmiko. Hayato had learned to avoid her at all costs, adjusting his schedule to eat at different times and steer clear of any interaction. He knew better than to force a connection where none existed, and he was content to keep his distance.


    But on this particular day, Emiko was watching him closely, her eyes narrowing as she followed his movements. She had been biding her time, waiting for the right moment to confront him when no one else was around. Her frustration had grown as she saw how Hayato had won over everyone else¡ªKazuo, Keiko, and even her brother, Hiroshi.


    After lunch, when Hayato finished his meal and rose to leave, Emiko finally made her move. She stood in the doorway, blocking his path. Hayato, sensing her presence, averted his gaze and tried to slip past her without making eye contact. But she stepped in front of him, her stance aggressive.


    "How much longer?" Emiko demanded, her voice low and dangerous.


    Hayato looked up, confused. "How much longer what?"


    "How much longer are you going to stay here? Wasn¡¯t this supposed to be temporary? Why do I still have to see your face every day?" she spat, her words laced with disdain.


    Hayato hesitated, searching for the right words. "I¡¯m sorry¡­ but my house¡­"


    "Burned down? Do you really think I believed that obvious lie? Unlike my brother and grandparents, I¡¯m not that naive," Emiko interrupted, her voice sharp.


    "I¡­" Hayato started, but Emiko cut him off.


    "Don¡¯t bother trying to lie to me. You won¡¯t fool me," she said, her eyes cold and piercing.


    "I¡¯m sor¡­" Hayato tried again, but her fierce glare silenced him. He could feel the weight of her anger pressing down on him, a suffocating force that left him feeling small and powerless.


    "I¡¯m tired of looking at your face," she declared, brushing past him with a harsh shoulder bump.


    That night, Hayato was plagued by nightmares¡ªvisions of his guildmates¡¯ deaths replaying in his mind. He tossed and turned, his sleep fitful and broken. I can¡¯t keep living like this if things with Emiko don¡¯t improve, he thought, waking up in a cold sweat. The darkness of the room felt oppressive, the silence only amplifying his anxiety.


    The next day, he decided to confront the issue head-on. He asked Hiroshi to meet him in a secluded spot where they could talk privately.


    "Do you know why your sister hates me?" Hayato asked, his voice low, barely more than a whisper.


    Hiroshi sighed, having anticipated this conversation. "I figured it might be something like that when you asked to talk in private. You didn¡¯t want anyone else to hear, right?"


    Hayato nodded silently, his gaze fixed on the ground.


    "Honestly, I don¡¯t think she specifically hates you. I think she has something against anyone who isn¡¯t part of her family. Some might even say she resents her own family a bit too," Hiroshi admitted with a wry smile.


    Hayato looked puzzled. "But why? What did I do?"


    Hiroshi leaned against a tree, thinking for a moment. "If I had to guess¡­ I¡¯d say it¡¯s because you had the freedom she¡¯s always wanted, and you chose to give it up."


    Hayato¡¯s confusion deepened. "What do you mean?"


    "In short, she hates this place. If she could, she¡¯d be in the city, going to college, living her own life¡ªnot stuck here. You did the opposite¡ªyou left the city and came here willingly. Deep down, that probably bothers her more than anything," Hiroshi explained, his voice thoughtful.


    "But it¡¯s not my fault¡­ I didn¡¯t choose this¡­" Hayato murmured, feeling a pang of guilt.


    Hiroshi quickly shook his head. "I¡¯m not blaming anyone. I know it¡¯s not your fault. Even though you haven¡¯t told me the reason you¡¯re here or asked for help, I could tell it was something serious. You¡¯ve always kept to yourself, refusing my invitations back when you lived in the city, and you never asked for help."


    "I¡¯m sorry," Hayato said, guilt weighing heavily on him. He felt the familiar sting of regret¡ªregret for the distance he had created, for the opportunities he had missed.


    Hiroshi waved off the apology. "No need to apologize. If anything, I should be the one saying sorry. Maybe I pushed too hard, and that¡¯s why you distanced yourself back then."


    "I wasn¡¯t good with people¡­ You had a lot of friends, and I only had you," Hayato admitted, his voice soft, almost inaudible.


    Hiroshi smiled warmly. "I don¡¯t hold any grudges."


    Hayato looked away, feeling undeserving of such kindness. "I¡¯ll tell you why I¡¯m here. I just need a little more time."


    "I¡¯ll be here whenever you¡¯re ready to talk," Hiroshi said, placing a reassuring hand on Hayato¡¯s shoulder.


    I don¡¯t deserve a friend like him, Hayato thought, feeling a surge of gratitude. Not trusting himself to speak, he simply nodded, his heart heavy with emotions he couldn¡¯t yet put into words.


    "Thank you," he finally managed, his voice thick with unspoken emotion.


    Hiroshi squeezed his shoulder, offering a smile that said more than words ever could. They stood there for a moment longer, the silence between them not awkward but comforting, a shared understanding that didn¡¯t need to be voiced.


    As Hayato returned to the farmhouse, the weight on his shoulders felt just a little bit lighter. But as he lay back on his bed that night, staring at the ceiling, he knew that the real challenges were still ahead.

 Chapter 10: Back to Where It Began

    A few days later, Kazuo had an accident while tending to the farm. It was nothing too severe, but it left him with a sprained ankle, making it impossible for him to handle the farm¡¯s shopping. Sensing an opportunity, Hiroshi suggested that Hayato and Emiko handle the shopping together. He hoped the shared task might help mend their strained relationship, a bond that seemed to be getting worse by the day.


    The idea filled Hayato with dread. The thought of venturing out into public, where eyes could follow his every move, made his chest tighten with anxiety. Meanwhile, Emiko was visibly furious, feeling cornered into spending time with someone she had actively avoided. Yet, both were left with little choice. As they made their way through the bustling market, Emiko¡¯s frustration simmered beneath the surface. She tossed items at Hayato with increasing force, as if hoping the weight of the goods would crush the tension between them. Her irritation grew with every step, and by the time they neared the end of their list, she couldn¡¯t even bring herself to look at him. Her face was set in a hard line, not just angry, but disgusted.


    The two began to avoid each other even more diligently, creating a chasm that grew wider with each passing day.


    Later that evening, when Hayato and Hiroshi found themselves alone again, Hiroshi offered a quiet apology.


    "I¡¯m sorry. I thought it would help," Hiroshi said, his tone filled with regret.


    "It¡¯s okay," Hayato replied, his voice barely above a whisper. Even though things got worse, at least she¡¯s not picking on me anymore¡­ Maybe it¡¯s time¡­


    After a moment of silence, Hayato finally spoke up. "I need a favor."


    That evening, Hiroshi approached Emiko, who was already irritated at being called to meet him.


    "Why did you call me here? I have to get up early tomorrow," she snapped.


    Hiroshi hesitated, then stepped aside, revealing Hayato standing behind him.


    "It was Hayato who asked you to come," Hiroshi explained.


    Emiko¡¯s eyes narrowed, and she immediately turned to leave, but Hayato quickly moved to block her path. His posture was tense but resolute, a stark contrast to the timid boy she was used to seeing. His serious expression caught her off guard, making her hesitate for just a moment.


    "I need you to listen to this," Hayato said, his voice firm.


    "There¡¯s nothing I want to hear from you," Emiko retorted, trying to regain her composure. She moved to brush past him again, and this time, Hayato stepped aside, letting her reach the door. But just as she was about to leave, Hayato spoke again, his voice laced with a quiet intensity.


    "Are you sure? You called me a liar. I thought you¡¯d want to know the truth. This time, I¡¯m willing to tell you everything."


    Emiko stopped, her hand resting on the door handle. She turned around slowly, her expression unreadable, then walked back and sat on a bale of hay, crossing her arms as she waited.


    Hiroshi, equally surprised, stepped back, giving Hayato the space to speak. Hayato took a deep breath, steadying himself, and began to tell them everything. He recounted the deaths of his guildmates, his connection to them, the girl he had feelings for, his fears, and the terror that still haunted him. As he spoke, the weight of his words hung heavy in the air, filling the small barn with a palpable tension.


    When he finished, Hiroshi looked shaken, his usual calm demeanor rattled. "That¡¯s¡­ a lot to take in."


    Emiko, on the other hand, remained composed. "I see¡­ In the end, you only thought about yourself."


    Her tone was calm, devoid of anger or disgust, just a statement of fact. But it was this detachment that made her words cut even deeper.


    Hayato¡¯s frustration flared. "I could have died! There was nothing I could do!"


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    "I¡¯m not saying it was wrong. You made your choice¡­ But have you ever stopped to think about what your ¡®girlfriend¡¯ must have gone through? The suffering, the pain, the regrets she had in her final moments? Considering the picture you received, her death was probably anything but peaceful," Emiko responded, her voice cold and unyielding.


    "That¡¯s enough, Emiko!" Hiroshi snapped, grabbing her arm to pull her away. "Do you want to make him suffer more?"


    But Hayato was silent, her words striking him like a hammer. In his mind, all he could see was Nagareboshi, writhing in pain as she died¡ªover and over, each death more excruciating than the last.


    "As I said, there¡¯s nothing wrong with what you did. I think if I didn¡¯t love someone enough, I¡¯d make the same decision and only think about myself," Emiko continued, her voice steady and certain.


    The phrase "didn¡¯t love someone enough" echoed in Hayato¡¯s mind, the words twisting like a knife in his chest. He dropped his head, feeling the sting of those words.


    Hiroshi, still holding Emiko¡¯s arm, sighed heavily. "Let¡¯s go. Don¡¯t dwell on this too much, Hayato. Get some rest¡ªyou¡¯ll feel better in the morning."


    As they left, Emiko shrugged off Hiroshi¡¯s grip, muttering, "I don¡¯t need you to pull me."


    Hayato returned to his room, sitting on the edge of his bed, deep in thought. When he finally fell asleep, his dreams took him back to a memory he had long suppressed¡ªa conversation with Nagareboshi.


    "When you joined the guild, everything changed," Nagareboshi had said, her voice soft and wistful. "No, it wasn¡¯t a bad thing. We grew quickly and became the center of attention in the game. Even though I didn¡¯t like you at first, I think we resolved that. In the end, you were the best thing that happened to us, but I hope you take responsibility for it."


    "For what?" Hayato had asked, genuinely confused.


    "For stealing my heart. What else could it be?" Nagareboshi had replied, a sweet smile lighting up her face.


    When Hayato woke up, the memory didn¡¯t fill him with fear. Emiko¡¯s words from the night before replayed in his mind, but instead of guilt, he felt something else¡ªanger. Anger at himself, at the situation, at the world that had taken so much from him.


    Hayato descended the stairs to the kitchen, where Keiko greeted him with a warm smile. "Good morning, Hayato. I need you and Emiko to go into town to buy some things for me."


    "Sure," Hayato replied without hesitation, his voice steady.


    Emiko, already seated at the table, also responded with a quick, "No problem."


    For the first time, neither of them hesitated, and there was no tension between them. Keiko and Hiroshi exchanged surprised glances, unsure of what had changed.


    Later that day, Hayato and Emiko went into town to run the errands. Emiko was surprisingly polite, handing things to Hayato to carry while taking on some of the load herself. On the way back home, Hayato accidentally dropped one of the bags. Emiko stopped, turned around, and carefully placed the bag back into his hands. Hayato was taken aback by the gesture but said nothing.


    As they continued walking, Hayato quickened his pace to reach the gate first, holding it open for Emiko. As she passed, she offered a soft "Thank you."


    "Thanks," Hayato responded shortly after, acknowledging her help earlier. They both understood he was also thanking her for the harsh truth she had spoken the night before. Emiko gave him a faint smile before walking into the house.


    Later that evening, Hayato found himself in a conversation with Hiroshi.


    "You¡¯ve made up your mind¡­ but you know you¡¯re always welcome here, especially now," Hiroshi said, his tone gentle.


    "I won¡¯t leave right away. I¡¯ll stay until your grandfather is fully recovered. It¡¯s the least I can do after everything you¡¯ve done for me," Hayato replied.


    "Alright. But are you sure you¡¯ll be okay?" Hiroshi asked, concern evident in his voice.


    Hayato nodded firmly. "I will be. This won¡¯t be a problem anymore."


    Hiroshi still looked worried, but he respected Hayato¡¯s decision.


    Three months later, Kazuo had fully recovered and was back to his regular duties on the farm. Hayato had waited until Kazuo could comfortably handle the workload before preparing to leave. With his bags packed, he stood in the living room, surrounded by the family that had taken him in.


    "Thank you for taking care of me all this time," Hayato said, bowing his head in gratitude.


    "Are you sure you need to leave now? You can stay a little longer if you want," Keiko said, tears welling up in her eyes.


    Kazuo added, "You¡¯re part of the family now. Come back anytime."


    Hiroshi stood in front of Hayato, extending his hand for a handshake. But instead of taking it, Hiroshi pulled him into a hug. Hayato, not used to such gestures, stiffened slightly but didn¡¯t resist.


    "Take care of yourself," Hiroshi said, his voice thick with emotion.


    Hayato then turned to Emiko, nodding his thanks. Emiko nodded back, and with that, Hayato left the farmhouse, ready to return to his life.


    On the way back home, Hayato noticed that much of the landscape was the same as when he had left. However, one new building caught his attention¡ªa tall structure in the shape of a "T." For some reason, it filled him with a sense of unease, though he couldn¡¯t pinpoint why.


    When he finally arrived home, he found everything covered in dust. He did a quick clean-up before sitting down in his scorpion-shaped chair, staring blankly at the computer screen.


    What do I want? Hayato wondered, his thoughts drifting back to Nagareboshi and the possible suffering she had endured. I want them to pay! If I could, I¡¯d kill every last one of those bastards¡­ I¡¯ll find them.


    As his thoughts turned dark, the image of TAKASH1 and the Tempest guild flashed through his mind.


    I¡¯m going back into the game, Hayato decided, his resolve hardening.

 Chapter 11: The Return

    Hayato slipped on his virtual reality headset, and for the first time in what felt like forever, he reentered the world of Virtual World Awakening (VWA). However, instead of using his old account, Hayato decided to create a new one. Paranoia still gripped him, remnants of the events that had driven him away from the game.


    "They can''t find me," he thought, as he carefully navigated the character creation menu. This time, Hayato was more cautious than ever. He not only selected a different class¡ªa hunter¡ªbut also chose a new alias. "This should work. A versatile class, good for leveling quickly and staying under the radar," he reasoned.


    His fingers hesitated over the keyboard before typing in his new name: Yamikari. It felt distant from his old identity, untraceable. "Yamikari," he repeated in his mind. "No one will recognize me." It wasn¡¯t just about the class anymore¡ªit was about erasing his past and moving forward unseen.


    As the world of VWA materialized around him, Hayato found himself standing in the bustling desert city of Khamsin. The sun blazed down, and the city was alive with activity¡ªplayers bartering at market stalls, recruiters shouting for new guild members, and merchants advertising their wares. It was a chaotic blend of voices and colors, a stark contrast to the quiet, controlled environment of the farm he had just left.


    The desert heat bore down on him, and the sand shifted under his feet as he moved through the crowded streets. He felt a strange mix of nostalgia and unease¡ªnostalgia for the game that had once been his sanctuary, and unease at the unfamiliarity of this new start.


    "Perfect," Hayato muttered to himself as he spotted a recruiter standing near the edge of the market square, calling out for new members. He approached, his mind already calculating the benefits of joining a guild¡ªfaster leveling, better resources, more information.


    ¡°Looking for new members!¡± the recruiter, a muscular warrior with a broad smile, called out.


    ¡°I¡¯d like to join your guild,¡± Hayato responded, masking his anxiety with confidence. I could use the guild to progress faster. If they stop being useful, I¡¯ll move on, he thought, his paranoia still gnawing at him.


    The recruiter glanced at Hayato, taking in his appearance and noticing his level. ¡°Level 1? Shouldn¡¯t you level up a bit first?¡± His tone was skeptical, but not dismissive.


    ¡°I¡¯m better than I look,¡± Hayato replied, keeping his voice steady.


    The recruiter smirked. ¡°Confident, I like that. But talk is cheap. Let¡¯s head to the duel area and see if you¡¯re as good as you say.¡±


    Hayato followed the recruiter to the nearby duel arena, a circular pit surrounded by a low wall. The recruiter selected his weapon¡ªa lance, a long, deadly weapon that was new to Hayato. "A lancer," Hayato thought, recalling that this class had been introduced after the first artifact event. "I''ve never fought one, but it shouldn¡¯t be a problem."


    In the duel area, Hayato drew his short sword, the weapon feeling heavy and awkward in his hand. "Isn¡¯t this supposed to be light? It¡¯s way heavier than my artifact¡­ Fine, I can handle this," he reassured himself, though doubt was already creeping in.


    Sweat beaded on Hayato¡¯s forehead as he readied himself. The recruiter charged without hesitation, the lance flashing forward with blinding speed. Hayato¡¯s mind raced, but his body was a step too slow. The lance struck before he could react, and he was knocked to the ground, defeated in an instant.


    "What?!" Hayato gasped, staring up at the sky, his mind struggling to process what had just happened.


    ¡°Sorry, kid, but you¡¯re pretty bad¡­ What a waste of time,¡± the lancer scoffed before walking away, leaving Hayato lying in the sand.


    ¡°Wait!¡± Hayato called out, but the lancer didn¡¯t even glance back.


    Hayato struggled to his feet, his pride wounded deeper than any blow he¡¯d taken in the game. "Have I really gotten this bad? Did I forget how to play?" he muttered, his confidence shaken.


    Determined not to be discouraged, Hayato sought out another guild. Before long, he found himself facing off against another opponent, this time a fighter¡ªa class Hayato had never seen before.


    "This class must have been introduced after I quit... But this time will be different," Hayato thought, steeling himself. "Fighters use gauntlets, their range should be much shorter. I¡¯m going to win this."


    But as the fighter closed in, Hayato misjudged the reach of his short sword. His attack missed, and the fighter quickly countered, knocking Hayato to the ground once again.


    For the second time, Hayato found himself lying defeated in the dust. The fighter looked down at him, a smirk on his face. ¡°Start with the basics, kid. If you try hard, maybe you¡¯ll become average,¡± he taunted before walking away, leaving Hayato seething with frustration.


    "Joining a guild is harder than I thought," Hayato realized as he wandered through the duel area, his mind replaying the defeats over and over. "I can¡¯t believe how weak I¡¯ve become."


    In the distance, Hayato noticed a commotion around the largest arena. A long line had formed, and his curiosity piqued, Hayato approached the end of the line and asked, ¡°What¡¯s this line for?¡±


    A random player replied, ¡°This is the recruitment test for the top guild, Tempest. They¡¯re letting players face off against one of their members to see if they qualify.¡±


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    Hayato¡¯s gaze hardened at the mention of Tempest. "Interesting¡­" he muttered, his anger from the defeats fueling a new determination.


    He joined the line, determination burning in his chest. "This might be my way in. I¡¯ll destroy them from the inside," he vowed, his resolve firming with each passing moment.


    As the line moved forward, Hayato watched as group after group of players was rejected. They were sent in groups of five, but no one made it past the initial test. Finally, it was Hayato¡¯s turn to enter the arena.


    Just as the test was about to begin, a familiar figure made an appearance¡ªTAKASH1, the top player in the game. The crowd murmured in excitement as TAKASH1 approached the Tempest member in charge of the recruitment, his presence commanding attention.


    ¡°Can I do the evaluations?¡± TAKASH1 asked casually.


    ¡°No,¡± InuTora replied curtly.


    ¡°Huh? Why not?¡± TAKASH1 protested, his tone light but persistent.


    ¡°Because every time you do the evaluations, no one is good enough, and we end up with no recruits,¡± InuTora explained with a sigh, clearly exasperated.


    ¡°I¡¯ll go easy this time.¡±


    ¡°You said that last time.¡±


    ¡°But this time is different.¡±


    ¡°You said that last time, too,¡± InuTora grumbled, but TAKASH1 ignored him, jumping over the fence into the arena.


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle the evaluations from here on out. Whoever¡¯s ready, step into the arena!¡± TAKASH1 announced, his voice carrying across the crowd.


    InuTora scowled, muttering, ¡°You¡¯re going to ignore me, huh?¡±


    As TAKASH1 took his place in the arena, most of the players in line began to back out.


    ¡°It¡¯s the top player doing the evaluation. No chance,¡± one player muttered as he left.


    ¡°I¡¯m out,¡± another agreed, following suit.


    TAKASH1 looked disappointed as more players left the line. ¡°Come on, guys! Don¡¯t give up on me!¡± he pleaded, putting on a pitiful face, but still, most of the line dispersed, leaving only a few determined souls, including Hayato.


    InuTora, growing exasperated, called out, ¡°Anyone who lands a hit on this idiot passes!¡± he added the last part in a low voice, clearly annoyed.


    With this challenge issued, some players returned to the line, their hope rekindled.


    TAKASH1 looked back at InuTora. ¡°Isn¡¯t that a bit harsh? I¡¯m not sure I can go easy on them now.¡±


    InuTora grinned, ¡°Well, you wanted to evaluate them. Good luck, evaluator!¡± He then turned to the other guild members, muttering, ¡°Look at those idiots, thinking they can just land a hit and pass.¡±


    Ten challengers, including Hayato, entered the arena. TAKASH1 drew a wooden sword¡ªthe weakest weapon in the game¡ªand didn¡¯t bother with a shield.


    ¡°Wooden sword and no shield? I can pass this,¡± one challenger boasted.


    ¡°Don¡¯t underestimate him! This bastard is better than he looks,¡± InuTora warned, his voice dropping as he insulted TAKASH1.


    ¡°Begin!¡± InuTora shouted.


    An assassin charged forward immediately. ¡°The spot¡¯s mine!¡± the assassin declared, but TAKASH1 dispatched him effortlessly, eliminating him before he even realized what had happened.


    ¡°I warned you¡­¡± InuTora sighed. ¡°Remember, you don¡¯t have to win, just land a hit. Work together, and you might take down this moron,¡± he muttered again.


    TAKASH1 called out, ¡°Aren¡¯t we in the same guild? Feels like you¡¯re rooting for them.¡±


    ¡°Of course not,¡± InuTora responded dismissively.


    Two warriors, a swordsman, and another assassin attacked TAKASH1 together.


    ¡°That¡¯s it, take him down!¡± InuTora cheered sarcastically, making no effort to hide his annoyance.


    TAKASH1 blocked the warriors¡¯ attacks and dodged the others, but he didn¡¯t eliminate them right away. Meanwhile, Hayato circled the arena, looking for an opening. Despite TAKASH1 being occupied, his eyes never left Hayato, tracking his movements carefully.


    "He leaves no openings," Hayato observed, frustration building.


    Realizing the others weren¡¯t skilled enough to create a distraction, Hayato sat down on the sand, staring at TAKASH1. "These guys aren¡¯t skilled enough to even provide a distraction. His attention is all on me," Hayato thought. TAKASH1 had instinctively recognized Hayato as the biggest threat in the arena, even though he hadn¡¯t yet attacked.


    Eventually, TAKASH1 defeated the others, leaving only Hayato. InuTora shook his head in disappointment. ¡°What a letdown. No one could defeat this jerk.¡±


    TAKASH1 looked at Hayato. ¡°So, what will you do? Are you going to give up?¡±


    Hayato stood up, brushed the sand off his clothes, and then charged at TAKASH1. As soon as he was within range, TAKASH1 made a downward slash, but Hayato jumped back, dodging it. He quickly countered with an attack aimed at TAKASH1¡¯s head, but TAKASH1 easily evaded it.


    ¡°Oh!¡± InuTora exclaimed, impressed that someone had finally managed to dodge TAKASH1¡¯s attack.


    Hayato focused on mobility, circling TAKASH1 and striking while on the move. TAKASH1 only needed to walk, calmly blocking each of Hayato¡¯s attacks. Occasionally, TAKASH1 would strike back, but Hayato always managed to dodge.


    TAKASH1 finally grew tired of the game. ¡°I don¡¯t mind this little dance, but it¡¯s time to end this.¡±


    Hayato nodded, ¡°You¡¯re right.¡±


    Hayato made a low sweep with his sword, causing sand to fly into the air, obscuring their vision¡ªjust like Kurogiri had tried against him. Hayato used the cover of the sand to move to TAKASH1¡¯s right side, aiming for the side that wasn¡¯t holding a sword. TAKASH1 stood still, waiting to see what Hayato would do next. As soon as Hayato¡¯s sword emerged from the sand, TAKASH1 saw it and effortlessly spun his body, avoiding the attack.


    Hayato was shocked by how effortlessly TAKASH1 dodged his move. "This strategy seemed so much more effective when Kurogiri used it against me," Hayato thought, realizing the difference in skill. He jumped back, recomposing himself, and charged again. But this time, TAKASH1 stepped forward just before Hayato could strike, closing the distance rapidly¡ªthe first time he had moved quickly against Hayato.


    ¡°You fought well,¡± TAKASH1 said before delivering the finishing blow.


    InuTora sighed, ¡°Expected result¡­ and no one passed¡­ again¡­¡±


    After his defeat, Hayato left the arena, seething with anger. A group of Tempest guild members surrounded TAKASH1, praising his skills. InuTora, however, wasn¡¯t as impressed.


    ¡°Thanks for ruining the recruitment, moron. Now we don¡¯t have any new members. Really great job, top marks,¡± InuTora said sarcastically.


    ¡°Take it easy on me¡­ Wait,¡± TAKASH1 said, suddenly looking around as if searching for something.


    ¡°Where is he?¡± TAKASH1 asked.


    ¡°The hunter?¡± InuTora replied.


    ¡°Yes.¡±


    ¡°He left right after you defeated him.¡±


    ¡°Ah¡­ What a shame. I wanted to recruit him. He had a lot of potential. If you find him, let me know. Our guild needs players like him,¡± TAKASH1 said, disappointment in his voice.


    ¡°Okay, recruitment ruiner,¡± InuTora muttered.


    ¡°Can you please stop calling me that?¡± TAKASH1 sighed.


    Hayato, still fuming, faced the harsh reality. "I can¡¯t beat anyone. All my plans failed. I couldn¡¯t even join a guild, and I lost to that guy. Maybe I should go back and level up, relearn how to play? My gear is still pretty bad¡­ No, wait¡­ This time, I¡¯ll do whatever it takes to get my revenge. The only thing I can¡¯t allow this time is giving up."


    As Hayato left the arena, he noticed a mage passing by, heading toward the vast desert. She was level 22 and appeared to have some valuable items. "She has some expensive gear. Whatever she drops, I can sell and buy something better for myself. Mage items are always pricey," Hayato thought as he began to follow her.

 Chapter 12: Battle in the Ruins

    Hayato''s eyes narrowed as he trailed the mage across the vast desert, his focus unyielding. She wandered deeper into the wasteland, her long blonde hair fluttering in the wind. They had ventured far from the safety of the city now, and the ruins ahead¡ªbroken and forgotten structures from another age¡ªwould offer the perfect spot for an ambush.


    The mage paused, her gaze lingering on a patch of desert flowers growing amid the decaying stones. The ruins were expansive, with crumbled walls and remnants of old houses creating narrow, labyrinthine passages. In the distance, a long corridor led to a dead end. It was isolated, surrounded by broken buildings that towered like silent sentinels¡ªa perfect place for someone to disappear without a trace.


    This is it, Hayato told himself as he gripped the hilt of his short sword. He could feel his fingers twitching in anticipation. He took a step forward, his heart quickening as he prepared to strike. But for some reason, his feet wouldn¡¯t move.


    Why am I hesitating? The image of Nagareboshi flashed before his eyes, the haunting memory of her dying face twisting his gut with guilt and anger. He swallowed hard, clenching his fists. No. I have to do this. I¡¯ll use anyone and anything to get my revenge.


    As he began to approach the unsuspecting mage, Hayato noticed two figures in the distance. Damn it, are they her friends? A 3v1 is impossible at my level. The newcomers turned out to be a level 19 mage and a level 18 warrior. As they advanced on the mage, she fell backward, clearly terrified.


    Wait... They¡¯re not her friends. They¡¯re here to PK her too. Hayato¡¯s mind raced. This could actually work to my advantage. I could jump in, help her, and once those two are dead, I¡¯ll finish her off and walk away with three sets of loot.


    With his plan set, Hayato advanced on the group. The mage¡ªChisa, her nickname hovering above her head¡ªfroze in fear, her staff trembling in her hands. Her long blonde hair framed a face that radiated innocence, her wide green eyes darting between the two newcomers. Her mouth opened, but no words came out. She was completely frozen.


    ¡°Hand over everything, and maybe we¡¯ll let you walk away,¡± the PK mage sneered. He glanced at Hayato, noticing him for the first time. ¡°Huh? Who the hell are you? Here to donate your gear too? Ah, a level 1? Get lost before I change my mind.¡±


    ¡°I get it,¡± Hayato replied, his voice calm. ¡°You prefer to prey on low-level players and steal from the weak instead of leveling up and earning your own gear.¡± Just like I was planning to do...


    The PK mage chuckled darkly. ¡°So you¡¯re volunteering to get eliminated too? Fine by me.¡±


    Pathetic, Hayato thought, glancing down at Chisa, who was still on the ground, trembling in silence. She¡¯s too scared to move. Her long blonde hair covered part of her face, but her wide, innocent eyes were full of terror. She was frozen in place, unable to even raise her staff in defense. Useless. But I¡¯ve come too far to back down now.


    Without warning, Hayato charged at the PK mage, his movements swift and precise. The PK mage, startled by the sudden attack, fumbled his spell. A fireball shot past Hayato, missing by a wide margin. As Hayato closed the gap, he landed a flurry of strikes with his short sword. The PK mage screamed in shock, his eyes squeezing shut as the damage numbers popped up around him¡ª1, 1, 1.


    The mage reopened his eyes, staring in disbelief at the string of minimal damage that barely dented his health bar. "What the hell?!" he shouted, still reeling from the surprise attack. With a snarl, he slammed his staff into the ground, releasing a knockback wave that sent Hayato flying backward.


    I hate that skill. Hayato gritted his teeth as the PK mage regained his composure.


    ¡°You¡¯ll pay for that,¡± the PK mage hissed.


    The PK warrior stepped forward, positioning himself between Hayato and the mage, and then lunged with his two-handed sword. Are you serious? These guys are awful, Hayato thought, dodging the clumsy strike with ease.


    The PK mage and warrior started coordinating their attacks, but Hayato managed to evade them, leading the warrior into the path of the mage¡¯s fireball. The spell struck the warrior, but he shrugged it off with no damage.


    ¡°Haha, you idiot,¡± the PK mage laughed. ¡°We¡¯re in the same party and guild. There¡¯s no friendly fire after level 15.¡±


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    This is going to be tougher than I thought. Hayato decided to focus on the mage, thinking he would be easier to take down. Dodging past the warrior, Hayato landed several blows on the mage, who was now down to 50% health.


    ¡°You useless idiot!¡± the mage snarled at his warrior companion. ¡°How many times are you going to let him get past you? Can¡¯t you do anything right?¡±


    I can win this, Hayato thought, his confidence growing.


    He continued his assault, but just as the mage¡¯s health dropped to 35%, the mage cast several healing spells, restoring his HP to full. Seeing Hayato¡¯s frustrated expression, the PK mage burst out laughing.


    ¡°You really thought you had a chance? If this warrior weren¡¯t so useless, you¡¯d have been dead by now.¡±


    So I never had a chance to beat them from the start. But Hayato wasn¡¯t ready to give up. He kept dodging their attacks, though he knew it was a losing battle. This is getting me nowhere.


    Distracted for a moment, Hayato took a glancing blow from the warrior¡¯s sword, leaving him with just 1 HP and cornered in a narrow alley within the ruins. The crumbling walls on either side gave him little room to maneuver.


    Is this it? I tried¡­ there¡¯s nothing more I can do, Hayato thought, his back against the wall.


    ¡°Finish him off!¡± the PK mage ordered. With no room to dodge left or right, Hayato leaped into the air, using the narrow walls of the corridor to his advantage. He pushed off one wall, then the other, gaining height as the warrior¡¯s sword whooshed beneath him. He flipped mid-air, barely clearing the blade, and landed with a roll near Chisa, who was still on the ground, trembling.


    Just then, a voice broke through the tension. ¡°Impressive.¡±


    All eyes turned to see a figure sitting casually on one of the crumbling walls, a lance resting across his shoulders. He exuded an air of confidence, his posture relaxed as if the fight below him was a mere distraction. Chisa¡¯s fear subsided slightly as she recognized him.


    The PK mage sneered at the newcomer. "Who the hell are you?"


    ¡°Neither your enemy nor your ally, but I¡¯d appreciate it if you put an end to this," the lancer said, his tone calm yet firm. "As the leader, it''s my responsibility to protect every member of my guild.¡±


    The PK mage scoffed. ¡°After everything he¡¯s done, we¡¯re not leaving without taking something from him.¡±


    Hayato glanced at the lancer¡¯s name and level: Kiba, level 100. Idiots, Hayato thought. You¡¯d think they¡¯d know which fights to pick.


    Kiba sighed, shaking his head. "Well, that¡¯s unfortunate."


    He jumped from the wall, using a skill to propel himself off the surface. Before the PKers could react, Kiba unleashed a spinning attack that cut them down in one swift motion, sending them back to the city.


    That skill combination, and the perfect execution... This guy¡¯s good. I wouldn¡¯t stand a chance against him¡­ not even to escape, Hayato realized.


    Kiba turned away from Hayato, ignoring him entirely, and went straight to the mage to check if she was alright. Is this my chance to escape? Hayato wondered, eyeing the items the PKers had dropped. The mage had dropped a chest piece, and the warrior had dropped his two-handed sword¡ªboth items they had been equipped with.


    What luck. They dropped their equipped items, Hayato thought, but as he looked at Kiba talking to the mage, he reconsidered. Better not get too close to those items. They seem calm now, so I should take this chance to slip away.


    Hayato turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Kiba called out, ¡°That last move of yours was pretty impressive. I¡¯ve never seen a low-level player defending others in this part of the desert.¡±


    Damn it, Hayato cursed inwardly, his heart racing. ¡°I just started playing today,¡± he lied. ¡°I got lost and stumbled upon this. I thought I should help.¡±


    Please believe me, he thought, trying to sound convincing.


    Kiba raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. ¡°So you¡¯re saying you enjoy helping others?¡±


    ¡°Just doing my duty,¡± Hayato replied, though sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead.


    ¡°Hmm, how noble of you. A real good Samaritan.¡±


    Before Kiba could continue his suspicious line of questioning, Chisa, her voice shaky but loud, interrupted. ¡°Thank you!!¡± She was still rattled from the encounter, her nerves far from settled. She quickly added, ¡°I¡¯m sorry I wasn¡¯t useful at all while you bravely fought to defend me. The only thing I could do was call for help in the guild chat.¡±


    Hayato glanced at her, surprised by her sudden praise. She¡¯s actually buying it.


    Hayato took the opportunity to reinforce his story, ¡°It¡¯s fine. I¡¯m just glad everything worked out and I could help.¡± He said this while keeping an eye on Kiba.


    ¡°Alright, let¡¯s head back to the city. I don¡¯t think there¡¯s anything else for us here,¡± Kiba said, still looking suspiciously at Hayato. He then turned to Chisa and asked, ¡°And where did you learn to talk like that?¡±


    Chisa gave an embarrassed smile. ¡°Sorry for being such a sack of trash.¡±


    Kiba rolled his eyes. ¡°Hey!¡±


    Once they reached the city, Hayato quietly slipped away, taking advantage of the moment when Chisa was distracted. She didn¡¯t notice his departure, but Kiba¡¯s eyes tracked him for a moment before letting him go without a word. Hayato moved quickly, blending into the crowd until he found an empty bench. He sat down, his heart still racing, as the weight of disappointment settled over him.


    Back to square one, he thought, frustration gnawing at him. But despite the setback, he wasn¡¯t ready to give up. He spent some time rethinking his strategy, reconsidering his methods. Going solo to level up is slower, but at least it¡¯s steady progress. Better that than trying risky methods with high stakes.


    Having made up his mind, Hayato stood up from the bench, his resolve firm. He headed toward the lower-level map, ready to start the grind once again.

 Chapter 13: New Guild, New Problems

    As Hayato approached the city gates, making his way toward the low-level hunting grounds, he spotted Chisa standing near the entrance, glancing around as if she were searching for someone. His stomach churned as she called out, ¡°Yami! I¡¯ve been looking for you!¡±


    Hayato froze. Is she waiting for me? His first instinct was to avoid her, so he quickly turned his head and tried to walk past unnoticed. Sweat began to bead on his forehead as he worried she might have realized his intentions back at the ruins. But Chisa¡¯s voice carried through the air, stopping him in his tracks.


    ¡°Yami! Wait up!¡±


    Hayato¡¯s heart sank. Did they figure out I was planning to PK her? Feigning calm, he tried to speed up, but Chisa hurried over, her eyes bright with excitement.


    ¡°Guess what? I noticed you¡¯re not in a guild yet, and I was wondering if you¡¯d like to join mine! I already spoke to the leader, and he¡¯s fine with it!¡± she said, her voice practically bubbling with enthusiasm.


    ¡°What!?¡± Hayato blurted out, taken completely off guard. Before he could formulate a response, Chisa began rattling off a list of benefits, explaining the perks of joining their guild as if she were recruiting a brand-new player.


    Suspicion crept into his mind. Why would she invite me? Is this some kind of trap? Still, Hayato realized that this could be a way to achieve what he¡¯d been after¡ªa guild, even if it seemed weak. I¡¯ll use whatever methods or people I need to achieve my goals this time.


    Cutting off Chisa mid-sentence, he muttered, ¡°I¡¯ll join.¡±


    Her face lit up with a huge smile, and she eagerly accepted his decision. ¡°Great! Come meet everyone at the base!¡± She pulled out a small bell and rang it once.


    To Hayato¡¯s surprise, a pair of large double doors materialized in front of them. ¡°Each guild gets to choose the form of the item that summons their base entrance,¡± Chisa explained with pride. ¡°We chose a bell! Now that you¡¯re a member, you can use it too.¡±


    Hayato stared at the doors, surprised. This wasn¡¯t a feature in the game back when I played, he thought, quietly marveling at how much had changed since his last time in VWA.


    Reluctantly, he followed Chisa through the doors. The interior of the guild base was nothing like the grand halls of the high-tier guilds he had known. In fact, it wasn¡¯t even close to his old guild¡¯s base, which had been spacious, organized, and elegant. This place felt like a forgotten relic¡ªa small, cramped, and run-down house with the appearance of a traditional Japanese home from the medieval era. Tatami mats lay scattered across the floor, many of them ripped or worn out. Old, rickety tables and chairs filled the room, some so unstable that Hayato thought they might collapse at any moment.


    Chisa, however, seemed completely oblivious to its run-down state, her smile as bright as ever. ¡°This is our base! Great, right?¡± she beamed.


    Kiba¡ªthe lancer who had saved them at the ruins¡ªsat slouched in a chair, his feet propped up on a table. He was balancing precariously on the back legs of his chair, staring up at the ceiling, completely disinterested in everything around him.


    As Hayato scanned the room, a female player standing by the wall gave him a polite smile, while others cast him jealous glances. From the back of the room, a player grumbled loudly, ¡°Another low-level recruit? Great¡­¡±


    Chisa, as oblivious as ever, cheerfully introduced Hayato to everyone and started talking about how he had "saved" her. Finally, the guild leader, who had been sitting quietly, looked up with a smirk.


    ¡°Oh yeah? If anyone needs help, just ask him. Apparently, he¡¯s got a charitable soul and always shows up in the strangest places to help people. Never met anyone so generous,¡± he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Chisa, completely missing the sarcasm, began clapping for Hayato¡¯s supposed kindness. Embarrassed, Hayato turned his gaze to the wall, trying to avoid the confused and skeptical looks from the other members.


    Suddenly wanting to escape the awkward situation, Hayato asked if anyone was up for leveling up with him. The girl who had smiled earlier opened her mouth to volunteer,but before she could say anything, the group of jealous guys who had been glaring at Hayato earlier leaped at the chance. She hesitated when she noticed Chisa¡¯s enthusiasm to join the group.


    ¡°I just remembered¡­ I have a big exam tomorrow. I should probably study,¡± the girl quickly said, clearly trying to avoid the awkwardness of a group with Chisa.


    Immediately, the two guys who had been eyeing Hayato eagerly began offering their excuses as well.


    ¡°I promised my grandma I¡¯d take her to Muay Thai practice,¡± the first one said.


    ¡°I have really beautiful eyes,¡± the second murmured, as if that somehow justified his departure.


    That doesn¡¯t even make sense, Hayato thought, shaking his head in disbelief.


    One by one, the members left the guild base, leaving Hayato alone with Chisa. Hayato was about to call it quits and head out to level solo when Chisa suddenly exclaimed, ¡°I¡¯ll come with you!¡±


    Hayato blinked. Why would a level 22 player want to grind with a level 1? She won¡¯t even benefit from this. But, seeing no harm in accepting, he nodded. If it helps me level up faster, I¡¯ll take it.


    They left the base together and headed toward a hunting ground that would be a decent middle ground for both of them¡ªan area crawling with wolves that were around level 11 to 13. It would be a challenge for Hayato, but Chisa could take them down quickly with her magic.


    On the way, Chisa babbled on excitedly about how much she loved the game¡ªits world, its monsters, the various environments. She seemed completely lost in her admiration for the game, her eyes sparkling with joy as she spoke. Hayato, only half-listening, checked the guild list in the menu. Most of the active members were low-level, just as he had expected. There were a few max-level players, including Kiba, but most of the high-level members had been inactive for months.


    ¡°How long have you been playing?¡± Hayato asked, his curiosity piqued.


    ¡°Since the very first day!¡± Chisa replied, beaming with pride.


    Hayato¡¯s face fell. That¡¯s not something to brag about, he thought, forcing a weak smile. ¡°That¡¯s¡­ incredible.¡±


    They finally reached their hunting ground, a rocky field teeming with wolves. The plan was simple: Hayato would lure the wolves with his rock-throwing skill, and Chisa would cast her AoE spells to wipe them out. Simple enough, Hayato thought.


    Hayato began attracting wolves one by one, then two, three, four. This should be good enough for now, he thought, sprinting back toward Chisa as the wolves chased him.


    But as he neared her, he noticed something odd¡ªher eyes were closed as she finished casting her spell. Wait¡­ Can she even aim like that?


    A moment later, Hayato was standing back in the city, utterly confused. Did I just get killed by her spell?


    A message popped up on his screen: ¡°Sorry! My aim was off!¡±


    Accidents happen, Hayato thought, sighing as he made his way back to the hunting grounds. But no matter how much effort he put into dodging her spells, it kept happening¡ªone, two, three more times. Every time, Chisa¡¯s eyes were closed right before casting, and every time, Hayato found himself standing back in the city, Chisa would send an apologetic message, but the cycle continued. nursing his frustration.


    After several more failed attempts, Hayato found himself sitting in the city square, staring blankly at the ground. His eyes twitched, a hollow laugh bubbling up from his throat. ¡°Hahahaha¡­¡± He could feel the madness creeping in.


    I get it now. She knew everything from the start. This is her revenge for what I tried to do. She¡¯s torturing me, slowly, cruelly. What a sadistic monster!


    More apology messages from Chisa appeared on his screen, but Hayato ignored them, drowning in his delusional thoughts. His growing anger was interrupted when he heard Chisa¡¯s voice.


    ¡°Yami! Today was so much fun!¡± she said brightly. For who?! Hayato thought bitterly. ¡°You really helped me train! My aim isn¡¯t the best, but you were a great practice partner!¡± Great¡­ Wasn¡¯t I the one who was supposed to be leveling?


    Before Hayato could respond, Chisa continued, ¡°Anyway, I have to log off now, but I hope this helps you get better gear!¡± She sent him a large sum of in-game currency, then logged off before he could even begin to express his anger.


    Hayato looked at her as she logged off. ¡°You¡ª! Arghhh!¡± He quickly checked his inventory, expecting to see a paltry amount, but when he saw how much she had sent, he blinked in surprise.


    ¡°¡­Maybe she wasn¡¯t doing it on purpose,¡± he muttered, the anger draining from him. ¡°She¡¯s just an idiot.¡±


    With a tired sigh, Hayato logged off. I¡¯m done for now.


    End of Day 1: Level 1, 0% EXP, Money: Decent.

 Chapter 14: A Visit to the Police Station

    Hayato woke early, brimming with a rare surge of motivation. His mind buzzed with the half-formed plans that had haunted his sleep. I still haven¡¯t figured out exactly how I¡¯ll get my revenge, he thought. But I know one thing: I need to knock Tempest off the top spot. He had been scouring the game¡¯s forums and the official site, where all the chatter revolved around the upcoming annual clan tournament and the solo competition. Two events that would crown the best guild and individual player. It was no coincidence that Tempest held both titles.


    In his mind, revenge wasn¡¯t just about glory; it was about ruining the status and wealth of those he held responsible. The thought of the Tempest guild basking in their victories left a bitter taste in his mouth.


    His grip tightened as the weight of his resolve pressed down on him. I need to use every resource at my disposal... I won¡¯t win if I just sit around.


    Then a thought struck him, something he should have done from the very beginning¡ªbefore everything spiraled out of control. I should have gone to the police, he realized. Instead of running away, hiding, and letting his fear consume him, he should have reported the deaths and what he knew to the authorities.


    It¡¯s not too late. If I want any chance at revenge, I need to stop avoiding the real world. Time to do what I should¡¯ve done months ago, Hayato thought, his mind already made up.


    Without wasting time, Hayato got ready and headed to the police station. Now, he stood at the station¡¯s entrance, staring at the sliding glass doors, his heartbeat quickening. But there was no turning back. He steeled himself and pushed forward.


    Inside, he blinked in surprise. Instead of a stern officer greeting him, he was met by a police robot wearing boxing gloves. It rolled forward on rubber treads and handed him a ticket with a number. What kind of police station is this? Hayato thought, his bewilderment clear as he took the ticket.


    The room was practically empty, making the ticket system seem ridiculous, but he took a seat. The robot hovered nearby, as if it were guarding the station from invisible threats.


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    <div>


    Inside the station¡¯s office, Detective Kenzo Sakamoto, a towering figure standing at 1.93 meters with a muscular build, sat at his desk, completely absorbed in a crossword puzzle¡ªa relic from the pre-smartphone era. His short black hair and serious demeanor made him look every bit his nearly 40 years of age. To his left, his assistant, Airi Yoshida, sat with her legs propped up on her desk, loudly playing a first-person shooter on her phone. At just 1.55 meters, with blonde shoulder-length hair, striking blue eyes, and an angelic face, Airi seemed innocent¡ªthough her behavior said otherwise. The sound effects from her game echoed in the otherwise empty room.


    Detective Sakamoto¡¯s eye twitched in irritation. He snapped the pencil in his hand out of frustration. ¡°How many times have I told you to put that thing on silent? It¡¯s annoying everyone around you!¡±


    Airi looked up from her game, glanced around the empty room, then shrugged, clearly not seeing anyone else who could be annoyed. She returned to her game without a word.


    Veins bulged on Sakamoto¡¯s forehead as his anger grew. ¡°I¡¯m the one being annoyed! You¡¯re bothering me!¡± he snapped.


    Airi made a face as if she understood, though her acting was unconvincing. She pulled out a pair of headphones from her bag and continued playing, but the sound from her headphones was still loud enough to be heard.


    ¡°And look at how you¡¯re slouching in that chair! What if someone walks in?¡± Sakamoto growled. Airi, either pretending not to hear or simply ignoring him altogether, continued playing her game, her focus entirely elsewhere.


    ¡°You little¡­!¡± he grumbled, slamming his hand on his desk in frustration.


    Just then, the door handle began to turn from the outside. Airi, moving with lightning speed, hid her phone, removed her feet from the desk, and sat up straight, looking like the model of professionalism just as the door swung open.


    It was Chief Haruto Matsumoto, the head of the station, strolling in with his usual cheerful grin.


    ¡°Good morning, everyone! I hope today¡¯s a productive one,¡± the chief said warmly before turning his attention to Sakamoto. ¡°And Sakamoto, stop giving your assistant such a hard time. Not every detective gets to work with someone as polite and well-behaved as her.¡±


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    Sakamoto, who had been standing with his hand still on his desk from his earlier outburst, was left speechless. He couldn¡¯t believe what he had just heard.


    ¡°And it looks like you¡¯ve got some cases already waiting to be handled. Good work, everyone!¡± Matsumoto continued, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.


    Sakamoto watched in disbelief as his boss left. He shook his head, sighed deeply, and turned to Airi. ¡°Alright, send in the next person.¡±


    Airi looked at Sakamoto with an innocent smile. ¡°Sakamoto, it¡¯s not very nice to call someone a ¡®little brat,¡¯ you know.¡±


    <div>


    <div>


    He must be talking about the case related to the game, Sakamoto thought.


    What does he mean, ¡®this again¡¯? Hayato wondered.


    ¡°Unfortunately, the chief is right,¡± Sakamoto said quietly. ¡°We did everything we could to solve that case, and unless new, solid evidence comes to light, there¡¯s nothing more we can do.¡±


    Call me if you have any relevant information, followed by a phone number.

 Chapter 15: Escalating Tensions

    Hayato leaned back in his chair, his eyes scanning yet another thread in his endless research into Tempest. The dominant guild''s name cropped up everywhere¡ªforum posts, game strategies, even heated debates about their meteoric rise. Each thread confirmed what he already suspected: Tempest was untouchable. No guild rivaled their power.


    Well, almost none.


    A few threads hinted at cracks in Tempest¡¯s dominance. Mentions of the top-four guild, DragonForce, piqued Hayato''s curiosity. They were rumored to be Tempest¡¯s subordinate, a puppet faction working behind the scenes to keep the illusion of competition alive. Then there was Kingdom, the second-ranked guild, known for its unwavering pacifism.


    Too much pacifism, Hayato noted, narrowing his eyes at the screen. It didn¡¯t sit right with him; it felt calculated, even sinister.


    Fate, the third-ranked guild, stood out as a wildcard. They avoided overt conflicts but didn¡¯t kowtow to Tempest. A few speculative posts suggested Fate might be quietly consolidating power, preparing to strike.


    No point digging into the lower-ranked guilds, he decided. The mid-tier guilds were small fry¡ªhardly worth his attention.


    He rubbed his temples and leaned forward, clicking on a thread titled ¡°Hacker?¡± The post had racked up a surprising amount of attention. For a moment, Hayato felt a flicker of hope. Maybe Tempest''s dominance wasn¡¯t entirely legitimate.


    But as he scrolled, disappointment set in. It was the same tired urban legends¡ªghost players, unbeatable characters, rumors without substance.


    Waste of time, he thought, shutting down the forums and launching the game.


    <hr>


    ¡°This time, no distractions,¡± he muttered to himself. ¡°I¡¯m going to make up for yesterday.¡±


    As the game loaded, he checked the guild list. Chisa offline. Relief washed over him. No need to explain why he hadn¡¯t leveled as much. No need to deal with her relentless optimism.


    Logging in, he found himself in the same forest where he''d logged out. He checked his gear, adjusted his hotkeys, and calculated his odds.


    Three-to-five levels higher than me should be manageable, he mused.


    His plan was simple: optimize his Area-of-Effect (AoE) skills and grind efficiently. Armed with knowledge from his past playthroughs, Hayato quickly gained momentum. By the time he reached level 10, he had a clear grasp of his new class¡¯s potential. The combos clicked, the skill tree mapped itself out in his mind, and his confidence soared.


    At level 12, however, unease crept in¡ªa prickling sensation on the back of his neck.


    Someone¡¯s watching me.


    <hr>


    A trio of players emerged, their movements casual but deliberate. Outlaws guild tags floated above their heads.


    ¡°Hey there, cutie,¡± one of the girls purred, her tone saccharine and disarming. ¡°Care to party up?¡±


    Hayato glanced at them briefly, his expression impassive. ¡°No thanks.¡±


    ¡°Aw, don¡¯t be like that,¡± another chimed in, batting her eyelashes.


    The third girl leaned closer, lowering her voice. ¡°We could make it worth your while, you know.¡±


    He didn¡¯t even blink. ¡°I¡¯m fine solo.¡±


    Their persistence grated on him, but Hayato kept his composure. After a few more failed attempts to sway him, the girls eventually gave up, walking away with exaggerated huffs of annoyance. Hayato watched them go, shaking his head slightly.


    <hr>


    Minutes passed as Hayato returned his focus to leveling. His movements became sharper, his AoE skills slicing through mobs with mechanical precision. The forest grew quieter, the hum of monsters giving way to the whisper of leaves swaying in the breeze.


    That was when he heard it¡ªa soft laugh.


    ¡°Hehehe¡­ Look who we have here.¡±


    Hayato turned sharply, his eyes narrowing as he recognized the mage from his earlier encounter in the desert. The smug grin on the mage¡¯s face made Hayato¡¯s jaw tighten. This time, they¡¯d brought a third member¡ªa hunter, level 15.


    ¡°Fate must really like us,¡± the mage sneered. ¡°Let¡¯s see how you fare without any help this time, scrub.¡±


    Hayato raised an eyebrow, feigning boredom. ¡°Funny you say that when it¡¯s three-on-one. And wait¡­¡± His lips curled into a smirk. ¡°You¡¯re still level 19? Didn¡¯t manage to level up after last time? Pathetic.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The mage¡¯s grin faltered, replaced by a scowl. ¡°You¡¯re dead meat!¡±


    <hr>


    What followed was almost laughable. The Outlaws trio charged with all the coordination of a herd of blind sheep. Hayato sidestepped their attacks, countering with precision. His AoE skills shredded their health bars, leaving them scrambling.


    Victory.


    Have they gotten worse? he wondered. No, I¡¯ve definitely improved.


    <hr>


    A notification caught his attention.


    Hunter¡¯s Mark.


    Hmm? Hayato opened his skills menu and reread the description of Hunter¡¯s Mark:


    <blockquote>


    Hunter¡¯s Mark: Passive (On/Off) / Active


    <ul>


    <li>When the player is killed in PvP or by a boss/special mob with the passive mode on, the player who killed them is marked for 24 hours. This mark allows the player to see the approximate location of their target during this period.</li>


    <li>The mark can also be renewed by a party or guild member of the defeated player using the active mode.</li>


    <li>The skill has a 25-hour cooldown (no penalty for killing a marked player).</li>


    <li>The color of the mark changes based on the number of days it is maintained, maxing out at red = 7+ days.</li>


    </ul>


    </blockquote>


    Should I be worried? Nah, I doubt those three could take me down, and I¡¯ll soon outlevel them anyway, Hayato reasoned as he headed for a more challenging area to continue leveling up.


    <hr>


    While grinding in a distant part of the forest, Hayato noticed that he was gradually being surrounded by several players who had hidden themselves behind trees, on branches, and in bushes. One figure, a swordsman with a macabre grin, walked slowly toward him, eyes locked onto Hayato.


    Sensing the threat, Hayato disengaged from combat with the mobs. The swordsman stopped a short distance away but kept his unsettling smile fixed on Hayato.


    ¡°Can I help you?¡± Hayato asked.


    ¡°Oh, sorry. I was just admiring the player who caused some trouble for my friends and got a bit distracted,¡± the swordsman replied. ¡°And yes, you can help me¡ªyou will help me.¡±


    ¡°Friends?¡± Hayato asked.


    ¡°My apologies again. Where are my manners? I¡¯m KidFury, the leader of the Outlaws guild.¡±


    ¡°Your friends were the ones who caused the trouble, both times. I didn¡¯t even get penalized for killing them,¡± Hayato said, keeping his voice steady.


    KidFury¡¯s smile widened. ¡°Calm down. I haven¡¯t accused you of anything¡ªare you admitting guilt?¡±


    He¡¯s already made up his mind about what he¡¯s going to do. Fighting isn¡¯t a good option; he¡¯s max level, Hayato thought.


    ¡°You know, I¡¯m usually a forgiving person,¡± KidFury continued, his tone dripping with mock sincerity. ¡°I¡¯m a generous guy, but I can also be cruel to those who harm my family. And this guild is my family. But let¡¯s get to the point¡ªyou must be wondering what you can do to earn my forgiveness.¡±


    No, I¡¯m not, Hayato thought, keeping his expression neutral.


    ¡°It¡¯s simple,¡± KidFury said, his smile widening. ¡°I want everything¡ªall the money and items you have now and everything you¡¯ll get until I feel like stopping. Don¡¯t worry, though. I might stop¡­ eventually. Maybe a month, a year¡­ or never. It depends on my mood. But don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯m a nice guy, just seeking justice for my family.¡±


    He advanced slowly, closing the distance until he was nearly within skill range.


    Hayato gave a slight smile. ¡°No chance. And please, stop smiling like that¡ªit¡¯s creepy.¡±


    KidFury¡¯s expression twitched, his eyes narrowing. Without another word, he activated his skill.


    Hayato, standing at the very edge of its range, stepped back just in time to dodge. Without hesitation, he turned and bolted in the opposite direction.


    As he neared a tree, a level 28 warrior from the Outlaws guild sprang out from behind it. The warrior used Shield Bash, sending Hayato flying back toward KidFury.


    Hayato reacted instinctively. Twisting his body mid-air, he veered to the right, taking minimal damage but leaving himself with only a sliver of health. He landed on his feet and sprinted toward an open area where no one could hide, his movements fueled by adrenaline.


    ¡°Don¡¯t let him get away!¡± KidFury shouted, his voice echoing through the forest.


    <hr>


    The Outlaws members who had been hiding emerged from their cover and began chasing Hayato, while archers and mages launched spells and arrows at him from a distance.


    Hayato dodged their attacks with practiced agility, using trees, large rocks, and even passive monsters as cover. Some of his pursuers were delayed or even killed by the monsters, their lack of teamwork costing them dearly.


    They have no coordination. If they were smarter, I¡¯d have no chance.


    He glanced back briefly, watching as chaos erupted among the Outlaws. Spells misfired, arrows missed their mark, and the monsters did most of the work for him.


    I¡¯d better keep moving to higher-level areas¡ªthe monsters are doing all the heavy lifting for me, Hayato thought as he ran.


    <hr>


    Eventually, when most of the Outlaws were either dead or had given up, a level 55 fighter shouted, ¡°Retreat! Let¡¯s regroup. We¡¯re out of healers, too!¡±


    They¡¯re giving up? Just because they¡¯re out of healers? Hayato wondered, slowing his pace. I¡¯d better take this chance to return to the city.


    <hr>


    Hayato returned to the city without further incident. Upon arrival, he was surrounded by a few Outlaws members who hurled insults and threats at him.


    ¡°Let¡¯s see you leave the city!¡±


    ¡°You¡¯re a dead man!¡±


    ¡°What a pathetic loser!¡±


    Hayato simply ignored them.


    Nearby, Chisa noticed him from across the plaza. Her face lit up with a smile.


    I¡¯m glad he¡¯s already made friends and leveled up a lot today. He¡¯s doing so well, she thought, a hint of admiration in her expression.


    Suddenly, a wave of determination swept over her. Chisa slapped her cheeks with both hands and exclaimed aloud, ¡°Ahhh! At this rate, he¡¯s going to surpass my level and won¡¯t want to team up with me anymore. I need to get back to leveling!¡±


    Her voice was loud enough to turn a few heads, but she didn¡¯t seem to notice.


    <hr>


    Hayato, deciding to take a break, logged out and rested for a while. A short time later, he logged back in and immediately noticed someone from the Outlaws guild lurking nearby.


    Seriously? They¡¯re going to take turns watching me now? Tch, what a pain¡­ Hayato thought, annoyed but unsurprised.


    Still, he couldn¡¯t deny that the day had been productive. I could¡¯ve leveled up more, but I¡¯ll figure something out tomorrow.


    Hayato wandered through the city, lost in thought, as the Outlaws member continued to tail him from a safe distance. Eventually, Hayato logged out again, deciding to call it a day.


    <hr>

 Chapter 15.5: A Daring Investigation

    In the middle of a dense, vegetated area stood a dark blue container. Inside, the place was a mess, cluttered with various pieces of boxing equipment¡ªgloves, pads, and more. A TV was on, broadcasting a boxing match between a humanoid robot and a human. Sitting in front of the TV, watching with enthusiasm, was Detective Sakamoto. He mimicked every punch thrown by the human boxer, Myke Typon, who was currently struggling against the robot.


    "Come on, get up! Ahhh, get up already! Damn it!" Sakamoto shouted as he watched Myke take a cross from the robot and fall.


    The TV announcer began the countdown.


    "8¡­ 9¡­ 10! It¡¯s over! Nothing can beat the Boxer 2543¡ªthe latest undefeated robot boxing champion! Not even the world champion could handle it!"


    Sakamoto grumbled and switched off the TV.


    "Undefeated, my ass! Better get ready for work before I¡¯m late."


    He hurriedly finished getting dressed, but his mind lingered on the events of the previous day.


    Yesterday was strange. I hope that kid doesn¡¯t get himself into something dangerous. Maybe I¡¯ll have to investigate this case on the down-low, he thought as he left his place and headed to the station.


    <hr>


    When he arrived, his assistant, Airi Yoshida, was nowhere to be seen.


    "Late again. What a surprise," Sakamoto muttered, sitting at his desk.


    He began searching through the files from the case that happened a year ago, trying to refresh his memory. But to his shock, he found that many of the records had been deleted.


    The door to his office suddenly opened, and Sakamoto quickly hid everything, only to see that it was Airi.


    "Ahh! By any chance...?" Airi started, but Sakamoto interrupted her thoughts.


    Did she notice? She¡¯s not dumb¡ªshe probably figured out I¡¯m investigating on my own, he worried.


    Airi gave him a knowing look.


    "Remembering your little ¡®phase,¡¯ huh?"


    "What phase?" Sakamoto asked, confused.


    "You know, some people say it¡¯s wrong to do it, but sometimes we just can¡¯t help it..." Airi trailed off, her expression serious.


    Damn it! She knows, Sakamoto thought, his heart sinking.


    "But it¡¯s still a little wrong to be watching porn at work, boss," Airi added with a smirk.


    Sakamoto¡¯s expression turned dark.


    "I didn¡¯t know you were so eager to do overtime," he retorted with a sinister grin.


    Airi instantly dropped to the floor in a Japanese-style bow, apologizing profusely.


    "I¡¯m so sorry, boss!"


    Sakamoto noticed she was holding two shopping bags.


    "What¡¯s in those?" he asked.


    "Rumm rumm, these are for our investigation," Airi said, walking over to his desk and pulling out two virtual reality headsets and two copies of the game Virtual World Awakening (VWA).


    "You¡¯re out of your mind," Sakamoto said, shaking his head. "We don¡¯t have authorization to investigate. The case was archived. You saw what happened yesterday."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    "As if that would stop you," Airi replied with a sly smile. "I knew you wouldn¡¯t let this go, and your reaction when I walked in confirmed it."


    The room fell silent for a moment before Airi asked, "So, when do we start?"


    <hr>


    Cut to the two of them driving in Sakamoto¡¯s car.


    "I did a quick investigation and found out that the team that won the first championship in the game has become a mega e-sports company," Airi explained. "They have professional teams in all kinds of games, making millions. And they¡¯re based right here in this city, with a huge building shaped like a ¡®T¡¯¡ªfor Tempest, their team name. Maybe we should pay them a visit."


    "We don¡¯t have a warrant. That could get us into trouble," Sakamoto warned.


    "We can just say we received an anonymous tip and are there to investigate," Airi suggested.


    "But we don¡¯t have any¡ª"


    Airi interrupted him, her voice trembling in mock panic.


    "Hello, police? Ahhh, what are you doing with that knife? You won¡¯t get away with threatening someone from Tempest! Stay away from me¡ªahhh!"


    She hung up the phone and turned to Sakamoto.


    "There, now we have a tip."


    Sakamoto gave her a look of mild disappointment.


    "What are you waiting for? It sounds like a damsel is in distress at the Tempest building. Let¡¯s go save her!" Airi urged.


    <hr>


    When they arrived at the massive Tempest building, it was an impressive sight. As they made their way to the reception, Sakamoto felt a bit uneasy about talking to the receptionist, knowing their tip was fake. But Airi took charge.


    "Good afternoon. We received a tip and are here to investigate," Airi said confidently.


    While she handled the conversation, Sakamoto noticed several combat robots around the lobby¡ªrobots typically reserved for police use only.


    The receptionist called for a supervisor, who soon appeared: a medium-built, bald man named Tanaka.


    "Good afternoon, officers. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s been some misunderstanding. This building has top-notch security, and we haven¡¯t received any reports of incidents. It¡¯s likely just a prank or a mistake," Tanaka said smoothly.


    "That may be the case¡­ but could you explain the large number of combat robots you have here? Do you have authorization for that?" Sakamoto asked.


    "Of course. Everything here is within the law, and most of these models are outdated. They¡¯re just here to complement our security," Tanaka replied confidently.


    "You still need authorization. Could I see it?" Sakamoto pressed.


    "Certainly, just a moment," Tanaka said, pulling out his phone and making a call. He handed the phone to Sakamoto. "Here you go."


    It was Chief Matsumoto on the other end, explaining that everything was in order and that Sakamoto and Airi should leave. He didn¡¯t want to hear any of Sakamoto¡¯s objections.


    "Sorry for the inconvenience. We¡¯ll be on our way," Sakamoto said, handing back the phone and quickly leading Airi out of the building.


    Tanaka watched them go with a fake smile plastered on his face.


    <hr>


    Airi, confused by the sudden exit, asked what had happened.


    Sakamoto explained that it was Chief Matsumoto on the phone. His suspicions about his boss deepened.


    "This isn¡¯t over yet. We can still investigate through the game," Airi suggested.


    <hr>


    After work, Sakamoto returned home and accidentally dropped the bag containing the VR headset and game.


    "Damn it! I hope it still works," he muttered, struggling to set up the equipment.


    It took him some time¡ªhe wasn¡¯t exactly tech-savvy¡ªbut he finally managed to log into the game. Feeling a bit lost, he ended up choosing the Fighter class. As he fumbled around, trying to figure out the game mechanics, a female Assassin character appeared next to him.


    "Boss, you could¡¯ve picked a better name. And you¡¯re old, aren¡¯t you?" the Assassin teased.


    "Huh? Who are you? Show some respect," Sakamoto snapped.


    "I¡¯m your assistant. You were easy to find¡ªyou made your character look just like you," Airi explained, trying to hold back laughter. "You could have used the scan feature to copy your real appearance, but no. And what¡¯s with the name ¡®MykeTyphoon2032¡¯? Seriously, who still likes that guy?"


    "He¡¯s a legend! And I had to add the year because ¡®MykeTyphoon¡¯ was taken," Sakamoto retorted. "It¡¯s better if I¡¯m not recognized by anyone. And ¡®PrincessCuteness¡¯? That¡¯s nothing like you!"


    "Aww, how rude, boss. You hurt my maidenly feelings," Airi pouted. "But unlike your name, mine will get results. And besides, no one who knows you is playing this game¡­ except maybe that MykeTyphoon name might get mistaken for a bot."


    "Huh?" Sakamoto was confused by her remark.


    "Anyway, we need to investigate. It might be easier if we join that organization¡ªlet¡¯s find someone and ask them to recruit us," Sakamoto suggested.


    "Boss, look at the level above your name. It says level 1. We need to level up, improve our skills, get better gear¡ªnobody¡¯s going to recruit us like this. We¡¯re two noobs. And what do you mean by ¡®organization¡¯? This isn¡¯t some criminal syndicate we¡¯re after¡ªit¡¯s a guild," Airi explained.


    Sakamoto looked unsatisfied but determined.


    "How hard can it be? I¡¯m pretty athletic," he said confidently.


    <hr>


    Cut to Sakamoto getting defeated by a level 1 slime.


    "Boss, you¡¯re terrible at this," Airi sighed.


    "Shut up! This game is rigged. How did I not kill that tiny creature with a few punches?" Sakamoto fumed.


    "Boss, see that blue bar under your health? It¡¯s your skill meter. You need to use skills to win in this game," Airi explained, exasperated. "Teaming up with you was my worst decision ever."


    <hr>

 Chapter 16: The Relentless Pursuit

    Hayato logged into the game, immediately greeted by the message:


    "Hunter''s Mark renewed."


    The mark was now green, indicating its continued presence.


    Of course they''d have more hunters in their guild to renew the mark, Hayato thought bitterly as he scanned his surroundings. Sure enough, he spotted someone from the Outlaws guild, likely stationed there to see if he would log in.


    Deciding to make a run for it, Hayato dashed out of the city, but the Outlaws member quickly pursued him, alerting the rest of the guild. The Outlaws had organized shifts to hunt Hayato 24/7, ensuring that at any given time, a group of 3 to 5 members¡ªalways including at least one player level 35 or higher¡ªwould be after him. This made leveling up nearly impossible. No matter the time of day or the map he tried, the relentless pursuit continued.


    <hr>


    Days passed, and the mark had turned red, signifying it had been maintained for a week or more. In all that time, Hayato had only managed to gain two levels, now sitting at level 14. Normally, he could have reached level 20 in two days with his level of dedication. The constant pressure had worn him down.


    One day, a message arrived in his in-game mailbox:


    "Hope you''re enjoying the hunt. Just know it won¡¯t stop. The more you run, the more I¡¯ll take from you, hahaha. But I must admit, I admire your tenacity. Not just anyone could last this long without begging for mercy. You¡¯ve got game sense and motivation¡­ So, because I¡¯m such a generous guy, I¡¯m offering you a sweet deal. Leave that trash guild and join us, and I¡¯ll forgive the debt you owe me. With your skills, after leveling up a bit, you could make it into our main PK team."


    The message was signed by KidFury.


    Hayato stared at the message for two seconds before quickly typing a response:


    "Fuck you!"


    He sent the message along with an emoji of a middle finger.


    When KidFury opened the message, he smiled, expecting that Hayato had finally given in. But as he read the reply, veins bulged in his forehead, and he clenched his fists in anger.


    He quickly sent another message:


    "Go ask your trash guild to protect you then!! Because I¡¯m not stopping, and you¡¯ll never level up in this game again¡ªnot even if you beg!"


    Hayato sent back a simple "ok" emoji, infuriating KidFury even more.


    I think I managed to piss him off. This is exhausting, but I refuse to bow down to someone like him, Hayato thought. Maybe I should head to the desert. It''s a wide-open map, easy to escape.


    <hr>


    Meanwhile, Chisa noticed Hayato standing in the city and was puzzled by his lack of progress. Even she had leveled up more during this time, and she had been messaging him whenever she saw him online. He replied out of politeness, but Chisa assumed he had made a lot of new friends and was drifting away from her. Still, she was determined to reach out.


    It doesn¡¯t matter how many new friends he¡¯s made; I¡¯m still in his guild. I¡¯ll ask him to level up with me, Chisa thought, walking confidently toward Hayato.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    As she approached him, she seemed almost like she was about to confess her feelings, leaving Hayato completely bewildered by the situation. The Outlaws members watched from nearby.


    "Hayato, let¡¯s go level up!" Chisa said brightly.


    WHAT?? Is she an idiot? She must be an idiot! Hayato thought, his mind racing. How can she not see the situation? I can barely protect myself¡ªhow am I supposed to protect her too?


    Before Hayato could process everything and respond, one of the Outlaws members approached.


    "Well, well, looks like we¡¯ve got another one to hunt! Hahaha, this is going to be fun," one of them sneered.


    "Huh?" Chisa said, confused.


    "Even though she¡¯s a higher level than him, she seems pretty useless, hahaha," another Outlaws member chimed in.


    Chisa stood frozen, unsure of how to respond.


    There¡¯s no way I¡¯m teaming up with her. My chances are better on my own, Hayato thought quickly.


    "Sorry, I prefer to level up alone," Hayato said flatly.


    As soon as the words left his mouth, he regretted it.


    Damn, I could¡¯ve used her as bait to slow them down, buying myself a few extra seconds. Too late now¡ªI already turned her down.


    Chisa remained silent, looking downcast. Hayato glanced back at her as he left the city, recalling the time she had frozen up before. She looked like she was in a similar state now. He shook his head and headed out to the desert, hoping for a safer leveling spot.


    <hr>


    Meanwhile, KidFury issued a command to his guild:


    "I want everyone online here. Stop all other hunts!"


    The Outlaws members began gathering around their leader.


    Hayato found it strange that he had been leveling for some time without anyone coming after him. Something felt off.


    A short while later, Hayato spotted a group of Outlaws to the west. He began running east, searching for a town or the next map.


    But as he neared each exit, another group would appear, blocking his way. Although he had successfully escaped them for days, this time there were too many. More than he had ever seen before. Even their leader, KidFury, was part of the hunt for the first time.


    There was no way out¡ªhe was surrounded.


    The Outlaws kept their distance, not giving him any chance to escape but also not closing in. Every time Hayato tried to break through, their archers and mages would force him back.


    They herded him toward some ruins surrounded by tall dunes, then stopped pursuing, watching from a distance as if waiting for something.


    Unsure of their plan, Hayato decided to wait.


    Soon, a gap opened in the circle of players. KidFury stepped through, approaching Hayato with a smug grin. Hayato stood still, knowing there was no escape this time.


    "I¡¯m not joining your guild," Hayato said defiantly.


    "And who said I¡¯d let you in now? You lost your chance when you rejected my generosity," KidFury replied.


    "Oh yeah? What are you going to do? Kill me? I¡¯ll just respawn and the hunt will start all over again," Hayato retorted.


    KidFury laughed.


    "HAHAHAHAHA!!! I don¡¯t think you understand what¡¯s about to happen. After today, you¡¯re done. You¡¯ll never be able to do anything in this game again."


    KidFury drew his sword and charged at Hayato.


    <hr>


    Hayato reacted out of pure pride, landing a few weak hits¡ªall for just 1 damage each. But in his mind, he was already resigned to dying and respawning back in the city. His pride wouldn¡¯t let him go down without a fight, even if it was pointless.


    KidFury easily cut him down.


    He rallied so many people¡­ There¡¯s no way he can keep this many chasing me¡­ And he¡¯ll get to brag about killing me¡­ Damn it¡­ I hate losing to a swordsman so inferior to me, Hayato thought as he died.


    But when Hayato respawned, he was still in the same place. Before he could react, he was killed again.


    And again.


    Huh? What¡¯s going on? Why am I not respawning in the city?


    He soon realized that the Outlaws had healers reviving him before he could return to the city, allowing KidFury to kill him over and over while laughing maniacally.


    "What happened to all that arrogance, huh? HAHAHA! I love this game," KidFury taunted.


    I get it now. That¡¯s why they stopped hunting me last time when they ran out of healers. This was their plan from the beginning, Hayato realized.


    "And you know the best part? This game doesn¡¯t have forced logouts¡ªexcept during maintenance. We can stay here all day, and you won¡¯t even be able to log out. Isn¡¯t this game amazing?" KidFury gloated.


    Hayato tried to log out, but there wasn¡¯t enough time. He could only log out after reviving, but each time he was brought back to life, he was killed instantly.


    <hr>

 Chapter 17: A Spear in the Sand

    Several hours had passed since the endless cycle began. Each time Hayato respawned, the light in his eyes dimmed further¡ªuntil he appeared nothing more than an empty shell, devoid of will or reaction.


    ¡°I¡¯m getting tired of this,¡± KidFury sneered.


    ¡°But don¡¯t worry,¡± KidFury continued with a mocking grin, ¡°the guild¡¯s crew will keep rotating. Even if I log off, there¡¯ll always be someone here to play that important role. I hope there¡¯s someone at your place to disconnect you manually¡­ otherwise, you¡¯ll have to wait for the next maintenance! HAHAHAHAHAHA!¡±


    Hayato¡¯s thoughts churned darkly:


    Power abuse in online games¡ªthe brutal art of subjugation by sheer force. I¡¯ve witnessed it time and again, in games both minor and grand, their loopholes exploited for merciless domination. I never cared enough to do it myself; I never saw the need to oppress someone weaker. But never did I imagine that one day¡­ this would be my fate. Perhaps I deserve it¡­


    By now, any spark of life in Hayato¡¯s eyes had nearly vanished. He was but a vacant vessel for the cruelty inflicted upon him.


    ¡°I¡¯m done. Someone else take my place¡­¡± KidFury announced as he casually stepped back, leaving his minions to continue their relentless assault. With a muttered curse, he added, ¡°Ahh, looks like the toy¡¯s broken. Damn, I ruined the toy.¡± Then, KidFury and several others logged off.


    The  Outlaws were abuzz with crude remarks.


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Count me in too.¡±


    ¡°This is so fun, hahaha.¡±


    ¡°My turn now.¡±


    </blockquote>


    The Outlaws reveled in their sadistic game¡ªuntil a voice cut through the chaos from atop a distant sand dune.


    Kiba: "Looks like I¡¯m a little late to the fun. Perhaps I can make things a bit more¡­ interesting."


    The threat in that calm, chilling tone silenced the bloodlust for a heartbeat. All eyes turned upward, while the respawned Hayato remained as motionless as a broken puppet.


    The Outlaws erupted with disbelief.


    <blockquote>


    ¡°He came to play too!¡±


    ¡°But unlucky for him, only a few have logged off so far.¡±


    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t it be stupid to try something against such a big group?¡±


    ¡°Is he really willing to engage in PK?!¡±


    ¡°Idiot! As if he could kill anyone here!¡±


    </blockquote>


    A flash of anger crossed Kiba¡¯s face as he surveyed Hayato¡¯s near-vegetative state. Without hesitation, he slid down the dune, his spear gripped tightly in one hand while the other manipulated an in-game menu as if summoning his own destiny.


    The Outlaws watched in stunned silence as a system message blazed across every screen:


    <blockquote>


    WAR OPEN


    [Mugen no Yari] ?? ??? [OutLaws]


    </blockquote>


    Slowly, Hayato¡¯s senses began to flicker back. What is he doing here? Is this some twisted hallucination? he wondered.


    When Kiba reached the base of the dune, he strode toward the Outlaws with deliberate, seething anger. Among the enemy ranks, a warrior and a mage¡ªboth of whom had previously fallen to his hand¡ªrecognized him instantly.


    ¡°It¡¯s him!¡± one voice trembled in shock.


    Another cried out, ¡°He was the one who killed me and my friend!¡± Puffing up his chest in false bravado, he added, ¡°Did he come to ask for peace like last time? Please, just stop! Hahaha.¡±


    Kiba¡¯s eyes hardened into a cold, unforgiving glare. ¡°I think you¡¯ve got it all wrong. Peace? You all crossed a line that should never have been crossed. I won¡¯t stop until every last one of you is eliminated.¡±


    In a heartbeat, Kiba hurled his spear. It sliced past a trembling mage and impaled another who had dared linger near Hayato. The victim¡¯s body slammed into a ruined wall¡ªand then vanished as though teleported to the city the moment death claimed him.


    At that moment, Hayato¡¯s full awareness returned, and every enemy¡¯s attention shifted to the deadly spearman. A fighter lunged with a right cross, yet Kiba merely stepped back, one hand raised in a casual yet threatening gesture. As if obeying some unspoken command, his spear reappeared in his grasp. Soon, a warrior and a swordsman emerged¡ªthe swordsman edging slightly ahead¡ªwhile an assassin crept in from behind, dagger poised for a kill.


    With lethal precision, Kiba spun his spear. The rear end of the weapon deflected the swordsman¡¯s blade, while its tip found the assassin¡¯s back. In a fluid twist, Kiba dodged the warrior¡¯s desperate swing and charged toward Hayato.


    ¡°Where are the mages and archers? What are you waiting for? Shoot him!¡± bellowed an enraged Outlaw, even as their healers scrambled to revive fallen comrades.


    Before any projectile could hit its mark, Kiba was upon the group of healers. Targeting the highest-level healer (Level 50), he unleashed a brutal skill¡ªimpaling the target repeatedly until he fell instantly. As another healer began casting a revival spell for a fallen ally, panic spread through the ranks. Seeking to save himself, the healer shoved his guildmate toward Kiba before turning to flee. The unfortunate ally was intercepted and eliminated in a single, swift blow¡ªthe impact proving fatal.


    Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    Using his spear as both weapon and shield, Kiba advanced toward the final healer. With ruthless efficiency, his relentless assault caused significant damage, leaving little room for counterplay.


    Amid the chaos, several players rushed to block his path¡ªbut Kiba was faster. He flung his spear, embedding it in the ruined wall. Using it as a makeshift trampoline, he soared over the interlopers, descending with a move that mimicked a deadly spear thrust. Just before impact, as his spear¡¯s cooldown ended, the weapon materialized back in his hand to impale the last fleeing healer.


    Staggering from the fall yet undeterred, Kiba rose with one knee and one foot planted on the crumbling ground. Glancing over his shoulder, he evaded a torrential rain of arrows¡ªfired relentlessly by hunters¡ªand spells by weaving among the ruins. He sprinted toward a cluster of mages who had huddled together for safety. With a swift activation of his ¡°Spear Toss¡± skill¡ªthe same devastating technique he¡¯d employed earlier¡ªhe impaled four low-level mages in one brutal motion. The remaining few barely had time to react, teleporting away in a desperate bid for survival.


    Not long after, two assassins attempted to ambush him from behind. In a blur of motion, Kiba grabbed them by the dagger-wielding hands and flung one to the right and the other to the left. As they flew through the air, his spear returned once more. With savage efficiency, he impaled the assassin on the right, ending his threat immediately, and then used a nearby wall to vault himself and dodge a volley of incoming arrows and spells.


    The assassin flung to the left spun desperately to regain control, but Kiba was already upon him in mid-air. A series of precise, fatal slashes ended the assassin¡¯s life as he struggled against the inevitable.


    Kiba vaulted onto the second level of a ruined structure and began a frantic, acrobatic run¡ªjumping from one precarious ledge to another. This desperate ballet allowed him to dodge a cascade of projectiles and outmaneuver any sword-wielders pursuing him. Spying a group of mages who had teleported too close together, he leaped from a rooftop and landed squarely atop one, impaling the mage in the back. The victim crumpled and, moments later, vanished.


    Without pause, he surged forward, dispatching two more mages with rapid strikes and impaling blows. As a bolt of lightning hurtled his way, Kiba dodged with a spinning leap and used the momentum to hurl his spear at the nearest mage. The weapon struck the mage¡¯s foot, pinning him in place. Frantic, the mage tore at the spear¡ªbut Kiba reclaimed his weapon and finished the desperate foe with swift, merciless cuts.


    One mage, realizing his impending doom, halted his casting and fled, screaming in despair. Kiba¡¯s cold gaze remained fixed on the remaining threat¡ªa formidable mage whose relentless lightning spells had nearly found their mark. Kiba closed the distance; although the mage managed to block two of his spear strikes, Kiba¡¯s unyielding assault caused significant damage. In a final, brutal move, Kiba drove his spear deep into the mage¡¯s chest. Before the mage could vanish completely, he slammed his staff onto the ground in a last, desperate act to ensnare Kiba with shifting sands, leaving the spearman momentarily trapped.


    Then, a torrential rain of arrows began to fall from above¡ªfired relentlessly by hunters. In response, Kiba activated a unique defensive skill: raising his spear high, he spun it like a helicopter blade. The whirling weapon deflected every incoming projectile until the barrage finally subsided. Seizing the moment, he wrenched himself free from the sand¡¯s grip.


    Before long, the vice-leader of the Outlaws¡ªa hulking fighter¡ªcharged in, unleashing a furious series of punches. Kiba ceased his forward momentum and focused solely on evading the blows while deflecting stray arrows with his spear. Circling the fighter with a predatory grace, Kiba¡¯s intent was clear: to humiliate his enemy. Realizing too late that he was merely a plaything in Kiba¡¯s deadly game, the fighter roared in anger, ¡°You bastard, stop running! All you do is run away, you wretch!¡±


    A cold smile crept over Kiba¡¯s face as he landed a series of savage cuts, ending the fighter¡¯s resistance.


    When the final arrows ceased and no further high-level threats remained, the surviving Outlaws stood frozen¡ªstunned into silence. In that charged moment, Kiba¡¯s voice rang out with icy determination:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°So¡­ are you going to continue? Anyone who dares approach¡ªcome at me if you want. I won¡¯t budge. If you choose to return from the city, I¡¯ll be waiting.¡±


    </blockquote>


    One by one, the Outlaws scattered into the distance, leaving only Kiba and a disbelieving Hayato behind. Shaken by the carnage¡ªand by Kiba¡¯s ferocious display of skill¡ªHayato slumped onto the sand, a mixture of relief and profound despair etched on his face.


    Kiba walked over and stopped before him. ¡°So? How long are you going to just sit there?¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Hayato murmured, his voice barely audible.


    Kiba¡¯s tone turned mocking. ¡°Cat got your tongue? Where¡¯s your gratitude?¡±


    Still silent, Hayato repeated softly, ¡°Why?¡±


    For a long moment, Kiba¡¯s expression softened with a tinge of sadness. ¡°I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said quietly. ¡°Chisa warned me, but I truly took my time finding you in this vast map.¡±


    ¡°Why?¡± Hayato¡¯s voice trembled with the weight of his confusion.


    Passing by him, Kiba sat down behind Hayato and rested his weight against his back. ¡°I need a reason to save someone from my own guild,¡± he admitted, his voice low and regretful.


    A heavy silence fell before Kiba finally added, ¡°I think we¡¯d better get out of here¡ªbefore their whole guild comes back.¡±


    ¡°Okay,¡± Hayato replied in a whisper.


    <hr>


    The two returned to the city in a strained silence. As soon as they arrived, Chisa rushed forward, her eyes full of worry. ¡°Are you alright? Did they do something to you? Are you hurt?¡±


    Hayato offered a small, tired smile. ¡°It¡¯s just a game¡ªyou can¡¯t really get hurt¡­¡± he replied.


    Chisa frowned. ¡°That¡¯s true, but you still seem... off.¡± Her gaze shifted sharply toward Kiba.


    ¡°I did nothing¡ªonly saved him,¡± Kiba defended, his eyes evading hers.


    Finally, Hayato spoke with fragile earnestness, ¡°Thank you for saving me, and I¡¯m sorry for causing trouble for the guild.¡±


    (Now is not the time to hesitate¡ªI will use everyone and everything around me¡­)


    Chisa¡¯s expression softened as she smiled. ¡°That¡¯s right. You can count on us¡ªthis time, for real!¡±


    Before they could settle into any semblance of peace, a familiar, mocking voice interrupted:


    ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t the fugitive mouse and his lackeys.¡±


    KidFury had appeared in the city, flanked by a retinue of henchmen¡ªthe dark promise of a battle yet unfinished.

 Chapter 18 - The War Contract

    All eyes were fixed on KidFury as he stood at the center of the tense assembly. The silence was shattered when Chisa stepped forward, her voice ringing clear:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°You shouldn¡¯t intimidate those who are weaker than you!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Inside, Hayato seethed with conflicting thoughts: (Is that supposed to help me? That was more of an insult.)


    KidFury¡¯s response was immediate and venomous:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°H?MM! Who the hell gave orders to that bitch?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Before anyone could react further, Kiba advanced, his tone as cold as steel:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°So, you¡¯ve chosen death, have you? Not exactly your smartest decision.¡±


    </blockquote>


    The air crackled as KidFury and Kiba faced each other. KidFury sneered:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Hahaha! With your puny guild? What do you think you can possibly do?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba¡¯s calm retort cut through the tension:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°If you¡¯re so eager, we can settle this with a duel between our leaders.¡±


    </blockquote>


    A flicker of fear briefly danced in KidFury¡¯s eyes¡ªquickly hidden behind bravado:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Why would I agree to a duel when I can wipe out all of you in an open war?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba¡¯s smile was thin and dangerous:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Don¡¯t complain when my guild massacres you.¡±


    </blockquote>


    KidFury¡¯s voice grew even darker:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°How about this: whoever loses this war must disband their guild!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba¡¯s eyes narrowed.


    <blockquote>


    ¡°You¡¯d rather be left without a guild? Fine then¡ªlet¡¯s formalize it. A war contract.¡±


    </blockquote>


    At that moment, Hayato leaned toward Chisa, whispering uncertainly:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°A war contract?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Chisa explained softly but firmly:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°It¡¯s an agreement where both sides define their victory and defeat conditions. If the loser refuses to abide by the rules¡ªlike disbanding the clan¡ªthe contract forces them to comply.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Hayato nodded slowly. (I never had this in my day¡­)


    Kiba continued, his voice steady:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°I propose a ¡®King Hunt¡¯ mode.¡±


    </blockquote>


    KidFury immediately shot back:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°And who said I¡¯d let you choose the rules?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Hayato glanced at Chisa in confusion as she clarified:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°In King Hunt mode, each guild selects a king¡ªwho doesn¡¯t have to be the leader. The first guild to slay the enemy king wins. Oh, and the king isn¡¯t allowed in safe zones; if he enters one, his side loses.¡±


    </blockquote>


    The leader of Hayato¡¯s guild, with a confident smirk, interjected:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªI won¡¯t be king. He will.¡±


    (He pointed directly at Hayato.)


    </blockquote>


    KidFury roared with laughter:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Hahahahaha, it will be a pleasure to destroy you all!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba then set a condition:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°But first, disable the hunter¡¯s mark on him.¡±


    </blockquote>


    KidFury¡¯s eyes flicked to the female hunter who had applied the mark. With a curt nod, she removed it. Kiba extended his hand, and from thin air appeared an open contract stamped with a fiery seal. After a brief moment, KidFury took the contract and declared:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Terms accepted.¡±


    </blockquote>


    In an instant, the burning seal consumed the paper. KidFury¡¯s final words echoed ominously:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Until tomorrow¡ªenjoy your last moments as a guild! Hahahaha!¡±


    </blockquote>


    With that, KidFury turned and departed with his entourage. The leader of Hayato¡¯s guild regarded the scene with a confident air while Hayato muttered bitterly:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Are you out of your mind?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba merely replied with a dismissive grunt. Hayato continued, his frustration simmering:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°I appreciate you saving me and removing that mark, but I¡¯ll barely reach level 15 by the time the war starts¡ªwhile he¡¯s already level 100. It¡¯s far easier to finish me off than to take him on.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba gave a reassuring thumbs-up, his expression radiating quiet confidence.


    <blockquote>


    ¡°We¡¯re lost¡­¡±


    </blockquote>


    Chisa placed a steadying hand on Hayato¡¯s shoulder. Lifting his gaze, she encouraged:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°You can do this!¡±


    The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    </blockquote>


    Though Hayato tried to muster confidence, his thoughts remained bleak. (It¡¯s no use¡ªthese leaders are fools.)


    <hr>


    The scene shifted to the guild base. Kiba addressed the gathered members:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°That¡¯s what happened. There were more of you here than at Hayato¡¯s introduction.¡±


    (Hayato thought: Now they¡¯ll hate me¡ªI¡¯ve already caused trouble¡­)


    </blockquote>


    Voices erupted among the crowd:


    <ul>


    <li>¡°OHHHHHH! That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about!¡±</li>


    <li>¡°Finally, some action!¡±</li>


    <li>¡°I never liked them anyway.¡±</li>


    <li>¡°My opinion of you, rookie, has changed¡ªat least you did something right!¡±</li>


    </ul>


    The majority celebrated the impending conflict, though a small minority protested. Kiba¡¯s eyes scanned the crowd as he declared:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°I¡¯m counting on all of you for tomorrow¡¯s war!¡±


    </blockquote>


    A gruff voice from the back shouted:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°As if you couldn¡¯t take them all on by yourself!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba¡¯s reply was cool and measured:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°If I could, I wouldn¡¯t be asking for your help.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Another member joked:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°It sure looks that way!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba then stepped aside and moved close to Chisa.


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Chisa¡­¡±


    </blockquote>


    Without missing a beat, Chisa proclaimed:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°I¡¯m going to fight!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba hesitated for a moment.


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Are you sure?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Her determination was unwavering:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Absolutely. It isn¡¯t fair for me to sit this out¡ªeverything started when you saved me, so I¡¯ll fight too.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba nodded slowly.


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Alright then. No more talking.¡±


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    The next day, on a frigid, ice-covered map where every breath crystallized in the air, the warriors gathered. Kiba addressed them:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Nobody is forced to fight. If you don¡¯t want to participate, you can leave.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Yet not a single person stepped away. A satisfied smile played on Kiba¡¯s lips as he continued:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Excellent! Let¡¯s go destroy them!¡±


    </blockquote>


    The cheers were deafening. Nearly everyone sported cold-weather gear¡ªexcept Hayato. Chisa teased him:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Where¡¯s your cold-weather outfit?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Hayato shrugged, his tone casual:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°For what? The cold in this game isn¡¯t real¡ªit gives me no advantage.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Chisa¡¯s tone turned scornful:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Maybe it¡¯s because you don¡¯t have any proper gear?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Hayato frowned:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Huh? Even if I had it, I wouldn¡¯t wear it¡ªit just wouldn¡¯t suit me.¡±


    </blockquote>


    With a mock-pitiful expression, Chisa added:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Poor thing¡ªso miserably deprived of the game¡¯s resources.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Hayato snapped back, his irritation evident:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Did you hear me? I¡¯m not wearing it!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Before he could protest further, two figures emerged from the shadows behind him. Kiba¡¯s command was swift:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Now!¡±


    </blockquote>


    They forced upon him a ludicrous, garish cold-weather outfit¡ªclashing colors and styles that made him look more comical than formidable.


    Hayato struggled, exclaiming:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°What the hell is this?¡±


    </blockquote>


    As he attempted to remove it, a system message flashed:


    <blockquote>


    Outfit locked for 1 hour.


    </blockquote>


    Hayato growled:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°How did you do that?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba laughed softly:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Like it? It¡¯s the outfit from the Christmas event. After an hour, it unlocks and you can swap it with someone else.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Gritting his teeth, Hayato muttered with a burning promise of retribution:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°At least I¡¯ll get my revenge later.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Chisa chuckled sweetly:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°How cute!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Hayato¡¯s eyes blazed:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Where?!¡±


    (He shouted in fury.)


    </blockquote>


    Kiba¡¯s grin widened as he addressed the assembled warriors:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Now that everyone¡¯s suited up for battle,¡± he said with a sly laugh¡ªan action that only fueled Hayato¡¯s anger¡ª¡°let¡¯s review our strategy. We¡¯ll split into three groups: two attack teams operating separately, and one defense team tasked with protecting Hayato. Any questions?¡±


    </blockquote>


    A grumpy member raised his hand. Kiba pretended not to notice, but the man persisted:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Why am I in the defense group?! I want to be on the attack!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba¡¯s tone was firm:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Since there are no further questions, let¡¯s begin!¡±


    </blockquote>


    The disgruntled warrior muttered:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Just because I¡¯m with that other guild? They started this mess!¡±


    Realizing his words were ignored, he slumped:


    </blockquote>


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Damn, I¡¯m stuck in an insignificant group that¡¯ll do nothing all event long.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Chisa overheard his grumbling and approached Kiba:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Why am I in the group that won¡¯t fight? I want to defend the guild too!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba¡¯s expression turned serious as he grasped Hayato¡¯s chin firmly.


    <blockquote>


    ¡°What are you talking about? We all depend on you. You¡¯ve been given the most important task of all¡ªto protect this buffoon.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Hayato spluttered:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Buffoon? You¡ª¡±


    </blockquote>


    Kiba¡¯s tone grew grim:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°If you fail, the guild is finished. Everyone here counts on you and your performance in this battle.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Chisa¡¯s eyes shone with determination:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ll live up to everyone¡¯s expectations!¡±


    </blockquote>


    (Hayato thought: She¡¯s so easily manipulated.)


    <hr>


    Meanwhile, in the Outlaws guild, two girls in cold-weather gear were discussing their outfits. KidFury interrupted abruptly:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Huh? Who ordered you to wear that trash? Take it off¡ªthis isn¡¯t a joke!¡±


    </blockquote>


    The girls, along with a few others, quickly changed. KidFury then roared:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Everyone is required to participate. If you refuse, you¡¯ll be expelled from the guild.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Some members hesitated and stepped back. KidFury added coldly:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°And those who are expelled will be hunted down after the war. But you¡¯re free to choose if you want to leave.¡±


    </blockquote>


    After a brief pause, the hesitant ones stepped forward again. KidFury beamed with twisted satisfaction:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Excellent! I love your motivation! You¡¯ll all serve as bait while I go after that bastard crowned as king. If anyone dies, respawn immediately¡ªno excuses. We¡¯re in the majority, so at least keep them occupied. And if I catch anyone slacking when it¡¯s time to return, you¡¯ll be hunted too!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Returning to Hayato¡¯s guild, Kiba reminded everyone:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Remember, the map is instanced. There will be no monsters¡ªonly players. Enjoy the hunt.¡±


    </blockquote>


    The war had begun. Hayato wore a resigned expression, the grumpy warrior looked visibly irritated, Chisa was practically glowing with excitement, and the rest of the defense team appeared subdued. (Hayato thought: Those guys who stayed back don¡¯t seem very strong¡ªexcept that one grumpy dude who looks like he¡¯s already been punished.)


    Time passed. The frontline attack teams were making headway, while the enemy king of the guild lagged behind and the Outlaws¡¯ king was nowhere to be seen.


    Chisa cried out triumphantly:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°I¡¯m doing my job!¡±


    </blockquote>


    (Hayato mused: You haven¡¯t done anything!)


    The grumpy warrior suddenly bellowed:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Ahhhh! I¡¯m moving to the front lines!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Hayato offered a dry remark:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Good luck.¡±


    </blockquote>


    Chisa protested sharply:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°No, you can¡¯t just leave our defense weak!¡±


    </blockquote>


    The warrior retorted:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°What defense? Nothing¡¯s happening¡ªand nothing ever will!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Chisa¡¯s voice wavered as she insisted:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°But defense plays a crucial role¡­¡±


    </blockquote>


    The warrior scoffed:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°And you fell for that nonsense? Hahaha, how naive!¡±


    </blockquote>


    Dejected, Chisa¡¯s gaze dropped, while Hayato maintained a stoic expression. The warrior then challenged:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°What, are you going to try and stop me?¡±


    </blockquote>


    Hayato deadpanned:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Oh, you¡¯re still here? Forgot to give me a goodbye kiss?¡±


    </blockquote>


    The warrior snarled in response:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°You¡¯re lucky we¡¯re in the middle of a war and you¡¯re the king. Otherwise, I¡¯d finish you off right here.¡±


    </blockquote>


    From the edge of the trees, a solitary figure emerged, and the atmosphere shifted dramatically¡ªit was the leader of the Outlaws.


    KidFury¡¯s voice, laced with dark satisfaction, rang out:


    <blockquote>


    ¡°Got him.¡±


    </blockquote>