Chapter 9

The place I landed at was at the most northern area of GGOs capital, SBC Gurroken, on the corner near the presidential tower.

Under the depressing sunset sky, the bustling neon lights continued to move through the crowds. The contents above seemed to be corporate advertisements. If this was ALO, the players would be complaining loudly about how this would destroy the world view, but the depressing scenery does match the theme of a futuristic wasteland city. And of course, the most glaring one of these neon lights was the advertising of the upcoming 3rd Bullet of Bullets tournament. My body started to tremble the moment I saw those bright red words. Of course, this wasnt out of fear, but out of excitementor at least I would hope to believe.

I heaved a sigh and turned around, and subconsciously flung the black hair on my shoulders. As my hair came to rest back on my shoulders, I found myself sighing at my actions, but still managed to convince myself that in the end, this is the proof that Im already used to my own avatar.

I intended to complete my registration at the tournament and then move slightly far away from the presidential estate, but there were a few stares aimed at me from both sides of the road. This felt somehow unbearable. I wanted to glare back at them, but decided against it in the end.

Actually, they werent really noticing me. It was just that my avatar here looked just like a girla pretty girl at that too. If our positions were switched too, even I would be looking.

Normally, there wouldnt just be stares, but also two or three players coming over to talk me up. However, the guys will immediately keep their distance once they saw me approach. I guess the reason was because everyone saw me fighting like a berserker with the photon sword and charging at the enemies yesterday during the preliminaries of BoB.

The tournament only revealed the names and number of times participated in the tournament from the data of the participant, and Kirito was a gender-neutral name. Thats likely why everyone in GGO felt that I was a girl who is also a psycho; a savage killer that deliberately chooses to swing a saber, instead of a gun.

I didnt really wish to be viewed as such a person, but that misunderstanding was worth it if I could let the other players in the BoB finals hesitate. Besides, my aim wasnt to win, but to meet that guy with the broken mantleDeath Gun.

The Death Guns name wasnt amongst the 30 finalists, but he was definitely participating in the finals. If his aim was to show off his power in the world of GGO, the BoB in the game would be the best stage for all to see. Death Guns real nameeven though its weird, should be the name of the other character in the system.

First, I have to find his name, and then talk to him again in the tournament. Once I find out the name he used in SAO, I can use that information to find out his name in the real world. Kikuoka Seijirou said that he should be able to access the player account data that had become classified. Once we get to know that persons real name, we should be able to find out whether he really killed Zekushiido and Usujio Tarako, no, if he could really kill.

However, during this process, I need to go through my own past crime.

That fear still hasnt disappeared.

But this is a necessary emotion to prevent myself from choosing a path to run away, to forget.

I clenched both fists, stomped hard on the ground with the soles of my battle boots, and headed towards the large tower of the presidential estate that was gradually appearing in front of me.

As for a tournament against others, I would get excited during ALO, and even during SAO.

Unexpectedly though, I would have to take part in this tournament with fear.

As I showed a self-depreciating smile, I headed up the wide stairs that lead to the tower, and found that there was a familiar sand-colored muffler swaying about at the entrance hall in front of me.

Without even looking at her clear blue short hair and the long legs that extended out from under the jacket, I knew that it was the avatar of my final opponent in the preliminaries yesterday the sniper Sinon. She was the only person I knew of in GGO, but I was still hesitating over whether I should head forward to greet her.

As I was immediately lost the moment I dived into this world yesterday, I had to brace myself and ask Sinon, who I just met, and at that time, I didnt realize immediately that she mistook me as a female player because of my appearance and somehow ended up acting as a beginner girl who didnt know what to do at all. Other than asking her to explain the game mechanics and helping me to choose my equipment, I even went overboard by witnessing her avatar wearing only her underwear in the rest area.

NoThat wasnt all.

During the tournament, I suddenly met the shooter Death Gun and was approached by him. I learnt that he was a survivor of SAO and also a member of the red guild Laughing Coffin, which really shocked me. Thus, in the finals against Sinon after that, I nearly gave up on it. Basically, I was walking weakly during the start of the battle, trying to get Sinon to shoot the fatal round at me so that I could lose the battle.

However, Sinon didnt hit me.

She shot 6 rounds that were burning in blueish-white flames due to anger, then gave up her advantage, and met me straight on and shouted.

She said, stop joking around, I should die alone if I wanted to, and even said that its my right to think that this was just a match in a game, but I should not force my values on others

To be honest, these words hurt me deeply.

Actually, I said something similar to someone else a long time ago.

It was four years ago. At that time, I was just promoted to second year of middle school, and was very lucky, or rather, unlucky to be chosen as a player of the Sword Art Online Closed Beta, and everyday, I would dive into what I didnt know was a death game, the floating game city Aincrad until the next morning.

It was really a little embarrassing for me to say that, but the Kirito that later became a legendary warrior wouldnt really interact with people back then as compared to now even though I used to be a little famous for being amongst the top in PvP events, so I didnt have any people I could call friends in games. However, amongst the people I knew, there were still a few players who I thought that I could become friends with. One of them was a mild-mannered, tea-haired swordsman I would often meet in a duel event. He was skilled in using a one-handed sword.

This person would often fight with great logic and sharp senses, and Ive always hoped to meet him in the finals of the tournament. I had been secretly wishing to fight him in the finals, but when that stage finally arrivedI received a great shock. At the last moment of this intense battle, he deliberately took the slash that he should be able to avoid. I guessed that he deliberately lost to earn some quick cash from gambling, and basically blasted him with those words Sinon said to me.

I was scolded like how I scolded him during the final stage of the BoB tournament, so I sincerely apologized to Sinon. Even though we faced off against each other head on, it should be hard for Sinon to accept it. No matter what, shes a sniper, and her greatest weapon is to shoot those long distance sure-kill bullets. During the battle royale tournament today, I suppose she would be trying her best to shoot that bullet of revenge right between my forehead.

Because of the above mentioned reasonsor rather, because I caused all of them, I was hesitating over whether I should say hello to Sinon, who was a few steps in front of me.

But after a few seconds, I shook off my hesitation and took huge steps up the stairs before calling her by her name.

Yo, Sinon, please guide me through today too.

That muffler of hers that looked like a tail stopped, and the aqua blue hair looked cat like the way it pointed upwards. The sniper girl who spun around with the right foot as her axis gave an irritated expression that showed that she hated me to the bone, and then coldly snorted.

Please guide me through. What do you mean by that?

The anger in her blue eyes made me immediately regret it, but I didnt call her just for naught. Itll be bad if I said something wrong and made her ignore me. Thus, I said with a rather serious expression,

Of courseI hope we can both fight with all we got.

Stop being disgusting.

--Looks like I made a mistake right off the bat. However, I didnt give up as I continued,

Speaking of which, why did you dive in so early? Theres still 3 hours before the tournament.

Wasnt that because a certain someone caused me to nearly miss the registration yesterday.

Sinon looked away and grumbled before glancing at me, whos giving off cold sweat.

Speaking of which, arent you logged in now too? Why are you talking like Im the one who had nothing to do.

The-Then, lets use this time effectively! How about we get a drink before the battle beginsno, exchange information

I really wont dare to say this to a real person in the real world. No, considering that I already have a girlfriend in Asuna, its unforgivable even in the virtual world. However, I dare to swear to god that this isnt about trying to get a date in the VR world, but to fulfill my duty and mission, and also a necessary step to ensure Sinons own safety.

--In the end, Sinon seemed like she didnt notice my complicated entanglement as she glared at me for a few seconds before snorting and nodding her head with the minimum action.

Alright then, Ill be the one telling you all the information again.

I-I, wellits not that I didnt have this intention

I managed to mumble vaguely and had to run to keep up with Sinon, who was walking away in front of me.

After completing our registration at the hall of the presidential estate through the machine there, Sinon brought me over to a large spacious underground area. As the lights were dimmed to a minimum all around, I could barely see the faces of the players that were gathered at different tables. The few large-screen panel monitors on the ceiling were dazzling with their original colors.

Sinon went into a booth that was far inside and then looked at the menu displayed on a simple metallic board. She then pressed a small button beside the iced coffee label. Soon, the similarly metallic table opened up a hole, and a glass that was filled with black liquid appeared from within. Compared to having to order our food with the NPC and waiting for them to serve it up in Aincrad, this method is somewhat simple, but it also does fit the game atmosphere of GGO.

I pressed the button for ginger ale and grabbed the glass that appeared before gulping down half. While waiting for the imaginary bubbles to disappear from my throat, I decided to start off.

The battle royale finals is to put 30 players in the same map, and to begin a gunfight once we meet the opponent, and the winner will be the guy that lasts till the endam I right?

In the end, Sinon glared at me through the coffee glass, and said,

See, youre intending to let me explain, right? Speaking of which, this information is written on the e-mail the operating company sent to the participants.

I-I did look through it

Actually, I did look through it briefly. I intended to read the specifics after logging into the game, but before that, I met Sinon who was a veteran, so I guess itll be faster for her to teach me directlyI wouldnt dare to say that, so I merely coughed dryly to continue on.

WellI just want to check if theres anything wrong with my understanding

You actually dared to say that.

That extremely cold voice of hers caused my heart to freeze in half. Luckily, Sinon placed the glass back at the table and quickly started to explain the rules of this round.

Basically, its like what you just said, the final round is really held with all 30 players fighting each other on the same map. The starting positions are randomized, but every player will be at least 1,000m away from each other, so there wont be cases of the enemy appearing right in front of you all of a sudden.

1... 1,000 meters? That means that map is rather big?

I couldnt help but interrupt, and the blue laser-like eyes shot back at me.

Did you really look through the e-mail? This was written in the first paragraph.. The map of the final round is a circle with a 10km diameter. It has hills, forests and deserts, so nobody will have superior equipment or abilities.

10-10km!? Thats rather big

Its about the size of the first level of the floating city Aincrad. However, that means that in this area thats large enough for 10,000 people to hunt, there are only going to be 30 people that will be separated from each other by 1,000m.

But, can we really meet our enemies like this? Theres a possibility we cant even see anyone until the tournament times up

This is a game where we fight each other using guns, so theres a need for such a wide map. Sniper rifles have 1km shooting range, and assault rifles have about 500m. If all 30 people are all packed in a small map, everyone would be shooting madly, bang bang, when it starts, and more than half the participants would be dead already.

Hahaa, I see

I nod my head in agreement, and Sinon continued with her detailed explanation. Maybe behind this sharp and cold avatar is a kind and gentle girlif she finds out that this is what I thought, shell definitely walk away without finishing off, so I still continued to listen to her explanation.

Well, just as you said, you cant fight if you cant meet an enemy. Some people will also use this to hide until the last person remains. Therefore, the participants are automatically given a device called a Satellite Scan Terminal.

Satelliteis it some spy satellite or something?

Thats right. Every 15 minutes, the satellite in the air will be set to scan through. At this moment, everyones terminal will receive the location of all the players. And the name of the players will be indicated if you touch the flashes on the map.

Fmuso, theres only 15 minutes to hide at one spot? So were likely to be ambushed once our locations are shown on the map, right?

Thats the case.

I smiled and asked Sinon, whos nodding away.

But isnt this rule bad for snipers? Arent you suppose to hide and cover like a taro and snipe at the enemy?

Describing me as a taro is too much.

Sinon glared at me with those explosive blue sparkling eyes, and then coldly snorted and gave a proud smile.

15 minutes is enough for me to fire one bullet, kill one person, and move 1km.

Isis that so..?

I dont think that would be an exaggeration. If I try to ambush Sinon through the satellite information, its likely that she will snipe me from afar instead. I remembered this dearly in my heart, coughed dryly for a bit, and then sorted through the information I received.

Ehthis means that I have to continue to move and take down the enemies once the round begins, and then hang on until Im the last onesomething like that. And every 15 minutes, the map terminal on my hand will show the locations of all the players, so I can tell then whos alive and whos notwell, is my understanding correct?

Thats basically it.

Sinon nodded her head in affirmation and finished up her iced coffee before forcefully putting the glass onto the table and got ready to get up.

Then, theres nothing else, right? Ill fire the trigger without any mercy the next time I meet you

Waa, hold on hold on, Im just getting into the main point.

That really sounded like a line from a certain civil servant, I secretly thought as I hurriedly reached out to tug at the corner of Sinons jacket.

What else do you want?

Even though she showed an extremely irritated expression as she deliberately looked at the military watch on her left wrist, I continued to nod my head without looking dejected, and Sinon sighed hard before sitting down again. She placed both elbows on the table, and then pressed her small chin against the fingers that were intertwined together, telling me to continue with the movements of her eyebrows.

Erm, well, ImIm thinking about asking something thats a little weird

I stuttered as I finished and quickly waved my left hand to call out the menu window.

VRMMO that were in the specifications of The Seed have an almost similar menu window, so I changed it into a mode where others could see it and quickly scrolled the tab down.

I showed the page with the names of the 30 players the operating company sent to the participants of the BoB finals. Of course, we could see the names of the finals of group F, first place Kirito and second place Sinon.

After glancing at the screen I showed her for a moment, an angry twitch appeared on Sinons nose as she frowned like a catno, like a jaguar.

What, are you gloating your victory over me in the finals yesterday?

On hearing that spiteful low growl of hers, I hurriedly gasped and shook my head with a serious expression.

Thats not it, I didnt mean that.

Perhaps she noticed my change in attitude? Sinon frowned her beautiful eyebrows and said,

Then what do you want from me? Showing this participant list all of a sudden.

Among the 30 people on the name list, how many do you not know?

Haa?

I ignored Sinon, who was giving an extremely surprised look as I moved my fingers down the name list thats not really long.

Please tell me. This is very important to me.

Well, its not like I cant tell you

Though she still had a bit of suspicion, Sinon still continued to look at the purple holographic window on the table, and her blue eyes quickly scanned through from left to right.

Ermits already the 3rd BoB, so I know pretty much all the people there. Those first-timers in the finalsother than a certain infuriating light saber user, there are 3 other people I dont know.

3 of them? Their names?

NnJyuushi X and Pale Rider, andthis Sterben guy, right?

Sinon stiffly read a few names, and I read through the names on the window to check personally. Except for the Jyuushi X, the other names were written in the English alphabet. I closed my eyes and repeated these three names a few times.

At this moment, Sinon looked half-shocked and half anxious as she said to me.

Oi, whats going on? Youve been asking the questions up till now, and yet you havent explained anything to me.

Ahh yeah

I used an ambiguous reply to buy time as my mind continued to think.

The 3 names Sinon told me

One of them should be the reason why I came to this world. Hes related to the two mysterious deaths, and also a survivor of SAO whos affiliated to the red guild Laughing Coffinthe character commonly known as Death Gun.

The reason why I deduced this was because up till now, Death Gun kept his real name rather privy. If possible, he would really want to use Death Gun as a character name, but in that case, hell get lots of spam e-mail, and will even cause lots of trouble. Also, if the real character becomes overly famous, the rumor of the Death Gun he would have painstakingly built up will disappear. Thus, he has to hide his real name up till now, and Sinon definitely wont know of this persons existence.

Now, the problem will be, which one of them is the real Death Gun

Just when I was pondering, a white slender hand entered my vision. That hand was prodding at the surface of the table with the thumb.

Looking up, I saw Sinon narrow her eyes as she glared me me.

Im really going to be angry. What the heck are you doing? Is this some strategy to make me angry and get me to make a mistake in the finals?

Nothats not it, I didnt mean that

On feeling that sharp high-temperature flame-like stare, I bit my lips tightly.

I really couldnt decide immediately whether I should explain the truth to her. I believe the rumor that Theres a player in GGO who calls himself Death Gun and has been shooting on streets and in bars, and the players who were shot by him never logged in again would be rather widespread, but theres still no player who would believe that they were killed. Of course, Sinon in front of me should be the same too.

To be honest, I didnt really believe this completely. For a player to fire bullets in a game to kill someone in real lifeis completely impossible no matter what reasoning Kikuoka and I used when we discussed this a few days ago.

But right now, I cant even laugh at Death Guns ability. If that guy was really an important member of the old Laughing Coffin, hell definitely be one of the killer players who were enthusiastically taking away the lives of many players in Aincrad. Maybe he developed a certain way of killing that far surpassed Kikuoka and my own imaginations during that terrifying experience. This possibility still exists.

If I tell all I know to Sinon and also that the power of the Death Gun may be realyou may die, you shouldnt take part in the tournament this time, will she listen to me? No, absolutely not. That image of Sinon as she showed me the side of her desperate face because she nearly missed the registration after shopping with me. This girl should have some important reason why she has to take part in the BoB tournament

The blue eyes that were glaring at this silent mesuddenly softened.

Her light-colored lips said without moving too much,

Dont tell me that the reason why your face suddenly became weird during the preliminaries yesterday was also because of that?

Eh

Sinon and I exchanged looks, and for a moment, we couldnt say anything.

However, I forgot all my reasoning and thoughts as I nodded away like I was prompted to. A teeny-weeny voice came from my own mouth,

Ahhhthats right. Yesterday, I was suddenly called by someone who used to play a similar VRMMO in the underground domeI thought that he would be taking part in the battle today. Im afraid that one of the three people was him

Were you friends?

I shook my head hard on hearing Sinons question, messing my hair up in the process.

No, quite the oppositewere enemies. Me, and him, we seriously tried to kill each other before. ButI cant remember that guys name back then. I have to recall it. I want to meet this player in the finals find out why he is here, and what he is doing

After explaining till here, I realized that my words may have confused Sinon. In a normal VRMMO game, even players in opposing guilds are technically still rivals playing the same game. Itll be too much of an exaggeration to use the title enemy.

However

The sniper with the aqua blue hair didnt laugh at my words, but widened her small eyes, and then muttered with a weak voice that the system could barely identify.

You tried to kill each otherenemies

And then, she used the same soft volume to raise another question thats enough to pierce through my consciousness.

Is it because your play styles didnt match, or your relationship between each other worsened when you were in a party because of some trouble? Or

On hearing till this, I shook my head in reflex.

No, we were really betting our lives and trying to kill each other. That guythat guys guild did something unforgivable, and both sides couldnt come to a peaceful resolution. We had no choice but to settle this with swords. I wasnt regretful about doing this, but

I know this will only bother Sinon, but my mouth just couldnt stop. I grip the hands that were placed on the table, trying to look deep into those blue eyes, and try to force out my voice from the dry throat.

But, I-I just continued to run away from the responsibility I should have taken, and never had I thought about the meaning behind this action. Until today, I was forcing myself to forgetbut now, I cant continue to escape. I have to solve this problem head on.

These words seemed to be said right back at myself. Of course, Sinon shouldnt be able to understand at all. The moment I shut my mouth, Sinon looked down as well. The thought that she got a weirdo here deep inside her heart should be even greater now, I think.

Sorry for such ridiculous words. Just pretend that you never heard them. Anyway, its just my past grudge

I deliberately forced a smile and prepared to simplify things.

But Sinon muttered to interrupt my words.

If your bullet can really kill a player in the real world, can you squeeze the trigger without hesitation.

!

I quickly gasped.

This was the question I asked from deep inside me to Sinon during the tournament preliminaries finals yesterday. Actually, I still dont understand why I asked this, but at that moment, I did ask back instantly, as fast as a spark, on hearing Sinon ask how do I get to be as strong as you.

An attack in the virtual game world killed a player in the real world. From the way nobody believed in the rumor of the Death Gun, its likely that this is impossible in theory. However, this rule occurred in the world that doesnt exist now.

At this moment, I could only remain silent, and Sinon stared at my eyes with a sharp gazeand opened her small lips to say,

You areKirito, perhaps youre, from that game

This seemingly voiceless question immediately vanished as it melted in the dry air of the bar. The wavering blue eyes looked down before shaking silently.

Sorry, I shouldnt be asking about this.

No, its alright.

I could only answer this with regards to this unexpected apology, and we continued to look at each other under this tense silence.

I dont intend to tell Sinon that I was an ex Sword Art Online player, a survivor of SAO. But if I dont say so, she will never be able to understand my explanation just now.

This Sinon should be able to understand the meaning of the word enemy I used, and she would be able to understand the detailed meaning of killing each other.

I just waited silently for the girl to show that disgust and annoyance in her eyes.

However

Sinon didnt look away, and she didnt leave her seat. She leaned forward and stared at me. The sapphire eyes of hers, for some reason, seem to be giving some sort ofmaybe a glint, a plea for help, or maybe thats just my imagination.

The next moment, Sinon closed her eyes tightly, and then bit her lips tight.

I didnt even have the time to be shocked as the tense atmosphere between us disappeared. After exhaling deeply, the sniper girl gave an obscure smile and whispered to me softly,

Well, its about time to head back to the waiting dome, or else we wont have time to check our equipment and warm-up.

Ahahh, thats right.

I nodded my head, and Sinon stood up. I looked at the simple digital watch on my left wrist, and found that the time was soon going to be 7pm. Theres still an hour before the finals tournament start.

As we arrived at the simple elevator at the corner of the huge bar, Sinon pressed the down button, the metal gate let out a creaking sound as it slides aside, and the elevator appeared. The moment we entered, I was the one who pressed the bottom most button.

In this cramped space thats had an imaginary descending feeling and the sound of machinery, a soft voice rang.

I know you have your own difficulties.

Behind me, Sinon seemed to walk towards me, and there was something pointing at the center of my back. Thats not a muzzlebut a fingertip. She said with a slightly forceful tone.

However, your promise with me is another thing altogether. Ill definitely return that humiliation during the final battle yesterday with interest, so you must not let someone other than me shoot you down.

I understand.

I nodded my head slightly.

The biggest aim I had when I dived into GGO was to interact with Death Gun and solve the mystery behind the murder, but this incident now isnt just about Kikuoka Seijirous request, but also related to me. Thinking through it calmly, I should avoid this duel with the scary sniper Sinon and achieve my aim.

But I met Sinon in this world, talked to her, and built a new relationship in this battle. I really cant ignore or belittle her actions. Thats because, even in another virtual world, even if the thing attached on my waist is a light saber without a physical blade, Kirito is still a swordsman.

Ill survive until the time I fight you.

The moment I said this, the finger behind my back left my body, and a soft voice rang again.

Thanks.

Before I could even ask why she said thanks, the elevator came to a sudden halt. After the door opened, what immediately came in from the front of the slightly dark elevator were the smell of iron and smokethe smell of battle came over at me and engulfed me.