A breeze blew gently through the village of Horunka.
Angela set up with a start, cursing Kayaba Akihiko a most treacherous death. Her dream reminded her of the emotions she felt at that moment. In the face of this challenge, there were only two possible reactions -- to cover in fear or to level up and get through this alive. As the pragmatic person she was, Angela chose the latter.
"A-Ah-! You're awake..."
She startled to hear a voice beside her. Confused amethyst eyes met wide red eyes framed by two tails of light brown hair.
"Who are you?" The young face looked familiar, but Angela couldn't place it in her mind.
"Ayano Keiko!" The girl pouted. "You don't remember me, Shizuru- senpai?"
"Oh, Keiko." Angela thought hard. "You helped me with the student council work every afternoon--"
Her memories from elementary school had been clouded up by more recent ones, but the image of that cheery face popped up in her mind.
Angela was used to receiving most of the student council work as the student council president -- this meant she often stayed in school to complete the paper work. Two years below her age, Keiko always stopped by the student council room to help out. Although Keiko was not a great help, but when she was around, Angela somehow found it easier to settle things faster. Especially when persuading male-dominated clubs to agree to budget cuts.
"Thanks, Keiko-chan," A rare smile crept up Angela's face as she tousled Keiko's soft brown hair.
"... it's Silica," Keiko, or by the character name Silica, blushed, looking down. "No, it was mostly senpai who did most of the work... I only helped because I wanted to."
"No one would want to waste away their afternoons doing boring paper work." Angela said bluntly, as she wiped the drool off her face. "Why are you here?"
"As straightforward as usual, senpai." Silica let out a playful smile. "Sleep PK is on the rise. You mustn't sleep in the open, senpai."
Hearing the words, Angela's face froze. She knew, player killing, PK, was part of most games she played. But to kill in a world that meant death?
"That's what someone told me. A red bandana katana user..." Silica continued.
The word "pervert" floated to the top of her mind for some unknown reason.
Shaking off the thought, her mind returned to sleep PK. While safe areas prevented damage to players, it was possible to lift the finger of a sleeping victim to accept a duel. The victim would be unaware and unable to protect themselves.
"Thanks Silica, I was careless." Angela ruffled Silica's soft hair again.