Summary:
One-shot, one kill. These words are associated with trained snipers all over the world.
In reality, I am one of them and the training I had since childhood made me who I am as a sniper when I first tried to shoot a safe gun designed for target shooting for people all ages at the age of 6.
The interesting game, Infinite Dendrogram? I am one too there, they don't even know my face because of that mask I wore.
Unlike the 'inferior' quality snipers in that game who failed to take down a moving target when I observed them with my scope at that time, I showed them, including the Infinite Dendrogram community, what a real one with real-life training, in the words of gamers, a pro, can do.
Seriously though, at one time in my Infinite Dendrogram life around the time I started playing, there's this group who asked me such a question of why I am able to grasp it and what's the secret.
I teasingly gave them a reply: "Family tradition dating back to the American Revolutionary War, all thanks to my ancestor who recreated and kept the written accounts that'll later become known as sniping today. Now, now, everything's classified if you ask what kind of training I've been through including real life."
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy, Harem, Romance, Slice of life
Tags: Alternate World / Alternate Universe, Childhood Friends, Childhood Love, Original Character MC, Original Character Heroine(s), Younger Love Interests, Older Love Interests Protagonist Strong from the Start, R-15, Polygamy, Unique Weapons User, Secret Organizations
A/N: Discord Link - 5zKT5MFPEy (Corrected the link. Sorry for typos)
Note to remember: Besides this site, this anime fanfic is also available in Web Novel, Wattpad, Scribblehub, Ao3, and Foxteller. If you want to see the appearance of the heroines and the MC, feel free to go check ScribbleHub and look for its Glossary because I inputted their pictures and profile.
Volume 3
Sort OF In-Game Date With Haruka
"Snow, Alys, Alicia, Yumiko, Claire, remember what I taught to you, the Spades of Ghost Legion, in real life and yesterday. For your first bounty mission, we have four targets who illegally bought a rifle for the Dryfe R&D Section to study, reverse engineer, and improve. You four are assigned to snipe down those four designated targets while the rest of us take down any expected Dryfe masters and their escorts. No one is to be left alive because sources indicate Dryfe had this bad soil thanks to the ancient technology used by some Flagman before the current era."
"Roger."
"Okay, Spade, let's commence the hunt." Armed with a scoped anti-materiel rifle and drone deployed, I started looking around for a master and escort who might appear in our 'assignment'.
Besides it might trigger an event in the future if things didn't go as planned or left unchecked, the 'assignment' itself was somewhat political due to the connection of Dryfe's R&D as our assignment's target. Dryfe itself was a technological nation that focused on technology, and research and develop them. The main problem of Dryfe was its soil because if no one introduced technology we know for the soil, soil fertilization, there'll be some feeling of getting more land to feed the people by getting more territory via conquest and political propaganda to ruse the desire which knowing the other part of human nature, fellow masters, will take that opportunity for glory and reward from it.
For us, when we took this assignment after I registered qualified Spade members for this 'assignment', as their first one, it's all like yesterday since the game officially came out except everyone's getting better in-game and real life.
"Positive ID. I found the Dryfe master, now designated Tango 1, waiting on the bridge. 4800 metels from my position. Tango 1 is with 1 master and 10 armed escorts. They're about to meet the four targets. Snow, Alys, Alicia, Yumiko, Claire, take a shot at the designated targets. Spade 3, 4, and 5 take out the escorts and don't let them get away. Clara, please take out Tango 1 while I take care of the second master, designated Tango 2."
"Roger."
'Nothing personal, it's only an assignment we took for ourselves because of the reward.' With sights on the second master, I watched him die from a headshot after delivering a single bullet at him.
'Time to assist- oh they're all dead already? How cute.' Finding out the Spade killed the targets with the package secured, I ended the operation. "Good hunting, Spade. Let's go home."
"It's common sense not to have skills and functions of our embryo and jobs be known..." said Cassie (Shizu).
"Even if there is a Duel Area, it's still best to keep them guessing while improving." finished Annette (Aika)
"Fufu, I agree." remarked Charmaine (Kiriko). "Besides the purpose of watching them try and guess the nature of our embryo if there will be one scenario, I would rather spend time with Darling and everyone here even training and continue to improve."
"The same goes to us, Charmaine." commented Willow (Lisa). "It's not everyday we get an opportunity to experience something similar to isekai anime except having to deal with those pkers and masters who want to play as a villain or bad guy in this world. I even head shot this thief player in the market to stop what he was doing."
"May I know what's his name, Willow?" asked Jamie (Matsu).
"Eldridge." answered Willow (Lisa). "He's the same red-haired guy who started pking recently and had a pking streak. He almost escaped from Bryan and the patrolling guards earlier while the majority of the Spades and Darling were gone for the bounty assignment. Luckily, I know how to snipe despite not being up to Darling's clan standard of marksmanship."
"Nice one, Willow!" praised Kiriko. "Have you gotten a reward for that?"
"Yes. Together with Elise and Carolyn, we also sniped Eldridge's two companions, Jason Haw and Patrick Lopez." happily replied Lisa. "Anyway, our reward is..."
'A nice relaxing music after work is like firing a rifle after drinking coffee in the morning. Glad to have bought this well-made piano for me, Sena, Aya, Lisa, Ashe, Alicia, and Hina before their arrival. Hm? Lisa, Sayaka, and Caro sniped some bastard named Eldridge and his companions? Ah, she and others from Non-Spade were that good if that were to be the normal way than our clan's. They still have a chance.'
We're at one of the rooms in our abode. The room itself was not an ordinary room but a huge room for us to gather together, bonding and stuff just like the real life version we had. Painted in white with magic to auto-maintain itself and privacy spell and other security measures like the rest of the rooms and floors, this room got a piano, fireplace, and fixtures to reflect the very purpose of it with Sena herself playing a relaxing tune on the piano.
"That recent bounty quest we took by the way was almost like pulling a black operation." said Yumiko (Yumi) who had her head rested on my right shoulder. "The reward from the client is worth it. It's a high risk, high reward."
"I agree, Yumiko." agreed Julienne (July) who had her rested on my left shoulder. "At least we have more than enough funds to contribute to the clan, and for our personal use. I also received word from the Legion Council that there'll be the establishment of the Intelligence Agency and other sections for our clan in the future after we reported our bounty quest to them."
"Alessia and others we know will be assigned to it. The masters outside our connections will be taken care of by one of the Sections for the case of spying, reporting the projects, etc." said Erica (Eri) where I smiled at Marybelle (Sena) and July in agreement at the council meeting we had in-game after we returned from the bounty assignment.
'At least we'll have a military police and dedicated department for those things to make the clan run smoothly. We're not really a big fan of having troublemakers in our ranks, especially those paid trolls and saboteurs from the old disgusting era. Still, I can't believe those Filipinos that time went that low to discard their humility and dignity as a person to do anything for money! I know it's ridiculous and very foolish but I am very glad we are born in this new era of a Better World that has a better Philippines where every Filipino can be truly proud of their Inang Bayan for achieving its destiny and having a proven and time-tested competent system of responsible, transparent, and accountable government thanks to its new constitution. Still if not for the factor called Global Genocide and Lolo Feli, surely that what-if Philippines would most likely be the old rotten corrupt one with shameless assholes who are afflicted with idiocy called crab mentality and personality-based messiah worshipping complex, which I say will never represent it because of its sheer stupidity and ignorance of the needs of upgrades and modernization.' I thought with shiver and disgust of the arrested people including the Philippine branch of defunct Biojournal CEO, Cherri Amado and her hypocrite fact-checker organizations, in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) 19 years ago, while telling Tsukasa who was nearby with a glance to give me tea for me to put away those thoughts called stupidity and huge messiah worshipping complex in politics.
Tsukasa bowed. "Okay, Caesar-nii."
"Yumiko-nee, Julienne-nee," said Cora (Haruka). "If you may excuse me, have you tried tasting food yet in-game?"
"I did, Cora-chan." replied Yumi to Haruka. "Celine had me, Caesar, Beatrix, Belle, Faye, Julienne, Millie, and Alys taste test her creation. You and the rest were gone for The Tomb Labyrinth at that moment when we returned from the bounty quest."
"You did, Yumiko-nee? Was it delicious as always like real life?" asked Haruka.
"Yes." replied July for us. "With the backing of the Legion Council and our clan, she started up a Ghost Legion-affiliated restaurant named Gaia's Creation because of 'that' job."
"Yeah." I supported which then July and Yumi stopped resting their heads. "Infinite possibilities, an unpredictability like real life. It's just the way it is, Cora-chan."
"Okay." replied Cora (Haruka) as she suddenly looked shy with her growing blush. "Caesar-nii, can we please have like a small date right now? I do not mind wearing these types of clothes."
'She's so cute! I'm very glad she's one of my fiancées!' I thought back to the day she confessed to me six years ago, before accepting her request with a smile. "Sure, Cora-chan! Let's go sightseeing. Anyone want to join?"
Looking at each of them besides Haruka, they all seemed to be smiling, the kind of smile that I got used to after seeing their side as their boyfriend.
Kiriko spoke up. "We'll go but it'll be next time with all of us together, Darling."
"We decided to give Cora-chan, a good nice break from seeing those undead from the labyrinth, especially insects from that orchard dungeon. She's used to it...so we thought to give her a reward." clarified and finished Elise (Sayaka).
"It was my idea, Caesar. We talked about it first." summarised Clara (Ashe). "They all agreed."
'This is why I love Ashe. She understands and communicates with everyone in our group.' " Okay, girls. I promise there will be a time for us as a whole group." I said in understanding that caused them to smile as I suddenly had a good idea for them that will make them memorable more than enough.
'At least my wallet will think of it as a small plankton. I know what to buy later... they will all be more than overjoyed.' "Let's leave after 15 minutes, Cora-chan. I need to drink tea here first."
Wearing the [Mysterious Musketeer Set] myself with Coolie Hat as my headgear while Haruka herself wore a battle-grade kimono that matched her in-game sky blue eyes, I held her hand and asked a question while at the same I saw a reflection of a younger version of Arisa with fox ears in Haruka who went with that look in-game. "Cora-chan, what part do you want to explore first?"
"Caesar-nii, how about Gaia's Creation? I will lead you the way." said Haruka.
"Okay, my lovely yukihime." I said to her with a nickname that had a connection to her in-game hair, scoring a blush from Haruka.
With us holding hands throughout our walk, I inwardly laughed at the jealous looks of the male masters for having a cute girl by my side.
If only they knew who I have besides Haruka, I would gladly call the entire Legion to watch their behavior and assassinate them for 'that' like what the moron King Mark and the rest of Cornwall knights from King Arthur story did to the better knights and their victims because of their jealousy.
"And this is the location of the restaurant, Caesar-nii." said Haruka as she pointed her finger at the 6 story restaurant. "We can't have a look inside yet during its busy hours. There is also a stage for a live performance."
'Wow, super fucking wow. What did Hina do to have them? The money, material...I'll need at least 5 high-ranked assassinations and 25 mid-ranged assassinations for the total cost... It must be those quests!' I thought, surprised as I then asked Haruka a question in a low tone. "Can I perform there? Not as the sniper but as 'that'?"
"Sure you can, Caesar-nii! We can promote it through the internet by your channel, and our channel." replied Haruka with her smile.
"Thank you, Cora-chan. How about we go hunt some wolves at Noz Forest?We can go grab one at the Adventurer Guild."
After arriving at the Noz Forest, some hunters gave us a quest of culling packs of teal wolves that almost reminded me of the Texan Wild Feral Hog Situation but a mini version.
These teal wolves, well, they're based on fur color and their eyes.
It's been like 15 minutes of us two killing 4 packs of wolves.
What we found in front of us was meme material.
"Cora-chan, you know what to do."
"Yes."
Armed with a suppressed 1911 chambered in .45, and a blade, I watched two of the three teal wolves chatting in their own language. The third one, the middle dude, was clear as day unamused from what they were talking about while the first and second one were about to laugh.
"Caesar-nii, it's done."
"Thank you, Cora-chan." With her task of capturing the scene done, I rushed three of them like a mad man with the first shot at the third dude as an opening.
SWISH! BANG! BANG!
Following through, similar to the training and scenario I had before IRL, I killed the first wolf with a slash at the throat and fired two shots at the second wolf's head.
With what felt like seconds, I whipped off the blood away from my blade, aware I took down three wolves with this method commonly found in fictional work.
"Wow, Caesar-nii, you're like an action anime protagonist." commented Haruka at my 'work' who herself collected teal wolf carcasses for our turn in.
"Maybe, maybe not." I said to her, smiling. "Hey, how about we go for another round in that direction? It'll be the last one."
"Okay, Caesar-nii."
Following the path I pointed at before telling Haruka to be alert at the surroundings, I listened to the sound caused by the winds in the forest.
'Just like those old times irl and in-game...except not equipped with a sniper rifle this time.' Continuing our trail for the next 10 minutes, seeing a trail, we stopped for a moment as I scanned the 'marks'.
"Haruka, this one's a big one in size. He's all alone. Recently went to the left. Huh? Why is there a human here...we better get quick!"
Running off to that direction with Haruka, we heard a woman scream ahead.
"Cora-chan, I'll take care of the teal wolf ahead...You know what to do for this situation!"
"Copy!"
'Let's go crazy - 3rd Form! ' Changing weapons to dual carbines equipped with bayonets as I jumped, I spotted a male master fighting a big teal wolf who had scratches.
The master was very wounded while the female worlder looked very worried.
"Sir!" I shouted very loud to call his attention including the teal wolf who now noticed me. "We're here to help!"
"Thanks!"
"You're welcome! Now please hide with the lady while I deal with this doggie. Also, please steer clear from me because these boys are chambered in 5.45 x39...you know what they say about the 5.45 x39 irl." With my armor's mask still disguising my voice at half-face mask mode while ignoring the looks given from the master and the female worlder, I studied the wolf for a moment.
Big one in size. The one-eyed bastard had slashes on his body but it was not on par with Arisa and other girls. Its slashes looked like it was made by that master, a guy who perhaps made good progress in learning the way of the sword recently irl. I bet if not for us arriving he would have been in a fatal condition.
"GRRRRRRRRR!"
"Come here, boy!"
With us charging at each other, I systematically distracted the doge by firing a shot on purpose at the ear which it hit while I fired on the move as I jumped over him like what you would find in those anime gunfights. It would have been impossible if I did not have my embryo but because the way the armor functioned added with those stats and passive skills, it made it fully possible to pull it off which I'm sure can be done irl if someone made a working armor who met that criteria.
'How about this one for size, you oversized doggie!'
BANG!
"GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!"
While the doge himself was obviously pissed from what I did to his damn right ear, yoloing, I decided to go with a rapid series of lunges combined with gunshots as I started to stab the wolf's throat using the left carbine's bayonet while the right bayoneted carbine embedded on the stomach as per what I desired.
"Sunao ni" BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Todokeyou kitto" STAB! BANG! BANG!
"Tsutawaru sa-"
"He made it look like he killed a lot of people before even irl."
"Who knows. Still Darling is Darling. He's very caring to me irl."
"Darling? He's also your boyfriend irl?"
"Of course he is. I love him very much. Knew him since we were little. We plan to get married irl, and also here."
"Dayum...I don't have a childhood friend. Anyway, I wish you two good luck in your marriage."
"Thanks."
"Nijuuyo-jikan Shinderera"
"Hey!" BANG!
"Hey!" BANG!
"Hey!" BANG!
Pulling out my now-bloodied carbines, the big doge fell dead with bullet holes and blood oozes.
Too NSFW for Aya if she were to be here with us.
"And that's how you kill a teal wolf with a bayoneted carbine." Facing them, I noticed the master regained his bearings.
He's exhausted.
"Thank you for the assist." firstly said the male master as he bowed to me. "I might have died from the injury he caused if not for you."
"You're welcome." I said. "We were only lucky to be here...because we had a quest of killing wolves."
"Still...thank you for the help." said the male master. "I'm Foltesla! What's yours?"
"Caesar, Caesar Augustino." I said as I made the armor reveal my face. "My companion here...she's Cora Augustino. We started playing yesterday RL time."
"Nice to meet you, Cae- wait did you say Caesar Augustino as in Caesar Augustino who sings songs and does stuff on the internet and was last seen in Altea?"
I laughed a bit as I remembered the fiasco I made yesterday. "The one and only. I'm him IRL alright. Not RPing, me being me."
"A pleasure to meet you then! Can I add you so that we can contact each other?"
"Sure...by the way, I suggest you go live in Altea. It's much safer there for you and your girlfriend...that fair lady over there."
"Okay- oi, she's not my girlfriend!" defended Foltesla with his red face screaming the obvious while I saw the girl looking at him with full-blown blush.
"Sure~~" I commented with a teasing smile as I had Haruka herself trying not to laugh at my joke. "Seriously, for everyone's sake, I suggest you go live in Gideon or Altea, not Claymill."
"Why though?" asked Foltesla.
"One of my work here has sources. Trust me, okay?" I replied as I turned slightly serious. "Besides Dryfe relying on that outdated soil tech that might bite back to that country and possibly start a war in the future, I also have assassinated a fair number of player killers, bandits and pirates."
"Which means?"
"They're dead as it is like the other side to us." I said. "Now imagine what if it happened here, the spouse of the master died from an accident, disease, or war?"
"T-the master will be in grief." answered Foltesla."They might not be able to move on and not come back."
"Precisely. This is why I am telling you to go live in Altea." Shifting my attention to the worlder we saved, I asked her a question. "Miss, may I know what's your name, where you live, and what's your occupation?"
"Erica Langley. I worked at Claymill Hospital."
"Claymill, huh? Okay, if you have feelings for your savior, Foltesla, I recommend you go with him and work there rather than to be at risk of getting in the way of the what-if scenario." I said to her as I then turned my attention back to Folstela who was now blushing like a schoolgirl who confessed her feelings to her crush. "See you around in Altea, Folstela. Make sure you have a house or something, okay? You can make a living there by taking quests in the Adventurer Guild or by participating in Gideon's duel tournament."
"I will."
"Okay then bye!"
"Ah, how about we form a clan together?"
"Sorry, I can't."
"Why?"
"Hahaha, we're already in it. Formed it yesterday with my cousins and relatives." I answered his question with a smirk .
"I see."
I continued. "It would have been fun to have you but my guts tells me that we'll be seeing each other around if you follow my suggestion. Also, if you'll form a clan someday, I'll tell the Council that we'll be your allies, friends, and partners."
"Sure, Caesar!" said Foltesla as he asked me a question. "May I know what's the name of your clan, please?"
"Ghost Legion. By the way, don't forget to invite me to your wedding!" Done summoning Matsukaze on time, before the two could say something, we made our way back to our destination, Altea, with Haruka giggling at my joke and teasing.