Kirito and Sinon were walking through the barren city of Gun Gale Online as they were searching for clues about Death Gun. A shot was then heard and then impacted the ground in front of them. They stopped as Kirito activated his photon sword and Sinon aimed her sniper to find the shooter. Players then decloaked around them with weapons aimed at the two. The two then lowered their weapons and surrendered to the group. One of them approached as Kirito demanded, "What is the meaning of this? We were just passing by."

"There's a bounty on your heads," the boss of the group said. Meanwhile, in a building above the group, an armored figure wearing a jetpack observed the conversation high above. His helmet scanner lowered to his eye level as he scanned the players. "We're just here to take you down and collect."

"Perhaps Death Gun's doing," Sinon whispered to Kirito.

"Not a chance," Kirito said to the group. "I suggest you turn around and go back to where you came from. Or would you rather be taken down?"

"Comply or be taken down," the leader said. "Your choice."

"Tell me something, is it just placed on top players of the game?"

"Indeed. And your friend there is the highest target." The armored figure raised his helmet scanner back up and tilted his head as he readied a grenade in his hand. He then flew with his jetpack which caught the attention of the sniper across from him and fired a shot. The armored figure avoided the shot and used his plasma pistol to fire at the sniper. He then threw down the grenade towards the encircled group and flew down. The leader ran from the grenade before it exploded behind him. The armored figure landed in front of the leader stopping him in his tracks. The leader slowly looked up at the player and shook in fear at the sight.

"Hi there," the armored figure said before hitting the leader in the face and shot him with his pistol. He then turned to look at Kirito and Sinon and nodded. He then takes several players down with his pistol and in hand to hand combat.

"Who is this guy?" Sinon asked as Kirito and her observe.

"Only someone I know who does skills like that in SAO," Kirito said.

"You don't mean-" The two continued to watch as more players ran up to the armored figure with weapons aimed at him. He then fired two rockets from his knee pads at two players and forced the rest to retreat. One of the players slowly got up, but not before the armored figure shot him back to the ground. He then twirled his pistol and holstered it as he saw the players fleeing for their lives on four wheeled dirt bikes. The armored figure lowered his helmet scanner to target the players and used his jetpack rocket to take down the one in front of the group, causing him to collide with the remaining players and crash. He then raised his helmet scanner and then slowly turned to Kirito and Sinon who were approaching him.

"Nice shot...Taka."

"I was aiming for the other one," Taka said; jokingly before taking off his helmet to reveal his face to Kirito and shaking his hand. Taka then eyed Sinon as she was surprised to meet another player from SAO. "And who is this? Find yourself another girlfriend, I see?" He then chuckled as Kirito blushed.

"No! Not like that at all!"

"I'm, uh, Sinon," Sinon greeted. "Pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure," Taka said before shaking Sinon's hand.

"Where did you get equipment like that?"

"Found it at some sort of junk shop at a very expensive price for the whole thing. Now then, what are you two doing out here by yourselves?" Kirito stepped forward to answer Taka's question.

"We were seeking answers about a player called 'Death Gun'," Kirito explained. "Have you heard of anything about this player?"

"No, but I fear that he might be trouble due to his name. I'd suggest that you two find a safe place to hide if you want this bounty to go away. Make the player who placed it think that you're dead." Kirito nodded as Taka put his helmet back on and walked past the two. "It gets dangerous around here."

Sinon stepped up and said, "Wait!" Taka stopped in his tracks. "Before you go, at least tell me something. Why do you do what you do?" Taka slowly turned his head to eye Sinon.

"It's because I made a promise to a friend." Taka then looked at Kirito. "Good luck at the Bullet of Bullets." Kirito nodded as Taka then flew away with his jetpack and left the city area as Kirito and Sinon watched.

"If only I knew his real world name..." Kirito placed his hand on Sinon's shoulder.

"Someday, I'll tell you when the time comes," Kirito said with a smile.

-THE END-