CHAPTER 1
Heroes and Villians
-:-
MONDARIN ORIENTAL HOTEL
PRESIDENTIAL SUITE
Normally, Raphael is only a bit looney hidden within the confines of manly smartness…. However, right now his manly genius has been thrown out the window, causing him to go full looney
"WTF IS THIS?!" Raph roars in his head as he stares the glass knob of the bathroom door. "How many hundres of dollars went into this knob?! Not to mention, nearly all bathrooms has this?! Damn rich bastards! Do they know how many years I have to save to afford one of these?!"
Ofcourse, it's not only the doorknob that underwent Raphs scrutiny. The rug, curtain, sink, utensils, pillows, table napkins, etc. In short, every last thing in the room made Raph's penny pincher ego go ballistic.
However, the moment that he remembers that he wasnt going to pay a single yen for anything today, all of his belly aching was instantly thrown out the window. He orders the largest (and most expensive) steak in the room service menu. When it arrived, he takes a chair and sits near a window with the overlooking view of the city.
He raises a glass filled with water and says….
"Eating Steak….. LIKE A BOSS!"
Then eats a piece of his overpriced lump of meat.
"Yup…. As expected of expensive stuff… they taste the same as the less expensive ones….. what a rip off"
He continues to ponder on the meaning of over priced goods for a few more minutes until the man he was waiting for enters the room.
"You're late La Croix! Where the hell-" Raph stops after spotting La Croix with a handful of unfamiliar people. But more importantly, one of them was barely concealing an FN P90 sub machine gun underneath his coat.
He instantly reaches for the steak knife and holds it at a reverse grip. It's a pathetic excuse for a weapon, but beggars can't be choosers. At that point, the greedy otaku was no more, and standing in his place was a killer who was primed and ready to pounce.
One of the new arrivals, a young woman with tanned skin and dirty blonde hair, seemed to catch on fast. She drew a BARRETA M9 pistol from her jacket pocket and took aim.
"DROP THE KNIFE!" She roared.
Raph held the knife tighter and focused on the young lady. Truth be told, she actually tickles one of his fetishes, namely the TANNED SKIN fetish. Even if he disregards that, it was a certain fact that she is an increadibly beautiful woman.
However, she can only blame her luck for making Raph her dance partner. Bishoujo or not, he will stab, pummel, rend, tear and rip her apart.
"Stand Down Triela." Said a familiar looking person that followed the gunslinger girl, much to Raph's surprise.
"Ho…. I had a feeling you werent some unimportant extra. I cant believe Im right though…" Raph nonchantly says. Despite that, he changed his grip to throwing dagger mode with Eduardo Ayala as his new target.
This fearlessness may be one of the many bad side effects of SAO to its survivors. In an intellectual level, Raph can clearly see that he is out numbered and out gunned. Yet despite that, his desire for a battle clouds his better judgement.
Fortunately for Raph, La Croix intervenes. "Raph, calm down. What's the point of scaring off your employer-to-be."
Raph remains silent for a second then sighs. "Says the guy who hired a bunch of amatures. I saw the P90 the second you guys entered the door for gods sake! Where did you get this guys? The convenience store?"
The people with guns obviously didn't like that comment, however, Eduardo Ayala simple raises his hand to dismiss any of their complaints.
"I'm sorry about that. Most of them are fresh out of the academy" Eduardo replies calmly. He then turns to his bodyguards. "Put down your guns or I'll have you court marshaled, UNDERSTOOD?"
Though Eduardo said it in a relaxed voice, it was obvious to Raph that the fat man's authority is on a whole different level. His bodyguards reluctantly sheaths their guns.
"Court marshaled huh… looks like these guys are military huh…." Raph thought to himself. "But Ayala here is too fat to be a soldier….. hmmm… the plot thickens..."
Raphael relaxes and takes a seat, though he doesn't let go of the knife.
Eduardo Ayala takes the seat opposite to him. "Take it easy will you. We not bad guys and we you no harm"
"Sorry for not believing, but there is something about having guns that keeps me on edge" Raphael replied in a displeased manner. "The pretty lady over there was very keen on putting a piece of lead between my eyes"
Behind Eduardo, the tanned skin Triela makes a grumpy face, but keeps her silence. Propably out of the fear of the court marshal that Eduardo promised.
"Well then, let us begin." Eduardo opens up his briefcase and takes out fairly thick folder. "… Oh… where are my manners. Allow me to properly introduce myself. I am Eduardo Ayala of the CIA, Cyber Sabotage Division. "
Eduardo reaches out his hand, but Raphael simply stares at it.
"Raph… atleast show some respect" La Croix says in annoyance. "Its rude to not accet a handshake"
"You are absolutely right, La Croix "Raph replies sarcastically" However, its hard to be not rude when someone shoves a gun into my face. It shouldn't be much of a surprise if I don't trust of you."
"Yeah… Well…. I guess we deserve that." Eduardo sighs and retracts his hand. "How can we earn your trust?"
"We'll talk about that later." Raph replies. "For now, what do you want?"
Eduardo nods and spreads out the contents of the file for Raphael to see. Ofcourse, to Raph, the files in front of him are complete and utter gibberish.
As if knowing this, Eduardo begins his briefing. "Well then, first off. I think you already deduced this earlier, but the job we require you to do is fairly illegal"
"Thank you Captain Obvious. Please get to the point." Raph replies calmly
For the next few minutes, Raph could already predict that for the rest his remaining time here on earth, it's going to be one hell of a party.
-:-
Their meeting lasted 3 hours….. and Raph cant help but feel the same childish glee that he experienced during his PK hunting in SAO.
And how can he NOT feel excitement?
The info that Eduardo revealed to him was so top secret, not even the president knows about it. It was way too controvertial that if it was to reach the public, the United States can kiss its popularity good bye. If anything, it was (and still is) the stuff that makes up every young boys dream…. To be some crazy ass Super Spy.
Ofcourse, unlike those kiddy spy shows, reality is much MUCH harsher.
'How harsh?' you ask?
Then let us begin with the topic that Raph never expected to hear, especially from a Cyber Sabatoge Division…. Human Cloning.
Human Cloning, or atleast its concept, has been around since ancient times, albiet purely religious fiction. Only during the technological spike of the 19th century that cloning technology took leaps and bounds. By the 1st decade of the 20th century, there were a handful of almost successful attempts at genetic cloning, with Italy and Germany leading the research.
'Why ALMOST successful?' you ask?
2 important factors throws a monkey rench into the project.
1st and foremost, there is no way to safetly accelerate the clone's physical age to match its original. All attempts of forcing growth has ended up killing the clone. The best result was a 20 year old clone of an unnamed individual which survived for 2.18 minutes before a heart seizure took its life. The only way for a clone to survive is for it to age naturally.
2nd, and probably the most important, is the lack of any ways to transfer an EGO from the original to the clone. As stated in the 1st problem, the lack of a brain mature enough and compatible enough prevents the project from moving forward.
And even if there was a clone that fits the requirements, the current understanding of what makes an EGO tick is far from ideal. Sure enough, the EGO has something to do with the electrical impulses in the brain…. however, is copying the electrical impulses of another brain enough to copy the EGO into the clone?
Ofcourse not.
The EGO... no… the SOUL is something that currently baffles the scientific world.
This is the main reason why AREA 51 (USA's most advance think tank) started the PROJECT PURGATORY, which aims to study souls (in the form of a Bottom-Up AI) in order to make perfect human cloning possible. Eventually, this project will yield eternal life via body transfer (for a chosen few ofcourse).
Just to put it into perspective on how serious AREA 51 is….. PROJECT PURGATORY was coined some time in 1980's, at the height of the cold war, and a perfected PURGATORY (the name of the virtual reality that they used) has exised since 2017….. 5 whole years before the SWORD ART ONLINE incident.
Eduardo also revealed that Japan has barely started the same thing under the name PROJECT ALICIZATION. This goes to show how advance the USA is from the rest of the world….. and how sad it is for the tax payers to not even know where their money is going.
Anyways, that ends the technical jargon of it. Now comes the reason why the CIA is in Japan in the first place.
1 year ago, a certain person (whom will not be named for security reasons) that worked on the PURGATORY stole the main memory and disappeared. 4 months later, the CIA discovered that he sold to one of the new television studios, the MANEKI NEKO studios. To make matters worse, that person presented it to MANEKI NEKO as a highly advanced, state of the art world simulator and nothing more.
That alone is enough to make Uncle Sam a little worried. The severity of the situation is like giving a nuclear war head to the North Koreans. Who knows what damage can the ignorant MANEKI NEKO employees could inflict.
But it doesn't stop there. No…. it only keeps getting better and better. Based on Eduardo, the MANEKI NEKO studio is secretly funded by one of biggest yakuza in japan, the RONIN Zaibatsu. As expected of the yakuza, they turned the 1st unscripted television series into one of the most profilic gambling arena in recent years. Many of the rich and powerful were invited to participate in the game with a pot money that could buy a small country.
Ofcourse, Eduardo and the Cyber Sabotage Division is not interested on the money. What they want is the data that was stolen from AREA 51, which is currently in the hands of MANEKI NEKO. Unfortunately, even with the secret backing of the RONIN Zaibatsu, MANEKI NEKO has done nothing illegal what so over, thus preventing the CIA to do anything forceful.
The only SORT OF LEGAL solution available is to make MANEKI NEKO lose its secret backer and force it to go bankrupt. That way, they can legally buy its shares and everyone would be happy.
The best way to remove the RONIN Zaibatsu is to make them lose lots of money. And the best way to do that is to beat them in the game that they created…. THE WAR OF FORSENA (TWOF). With the amount of money the RONIN invested in the game, a loss would hurt them a fair bit.
That is were Raph comes in….
-:-
"So… there you have it. That's all our plans laid to bare for you." Eduardo leans back after explaining everything. "Please understand how much trust I'm placing on you when I revealed these highly classified information. I hope we get along well."
Once again Eduardo streaches out his hand to Raph.
Now, in all honesty, Raph would love to join Eduardo in his super spy quest. What can he say? Eduardo has ignited the inner child in Raph. Raph doubts that any man doesn't want to be like Bond… James Bond.
"CALM THE HELL DOWN RAPH!" He practically screamed in his head. "This bastard knows how to sweet talk people, THAT I have no doubt….. But this guy just dumped massive amounts of info on me way too fast…. I need to buy some time…."
Raph closes his eyes and puts his mind into overdrive. 5 seconds of silence later, Raph puts on the appropriate persona and begins to talk.
"250 thousand dollars"
Everone stares at him at disbelief.
"Er… huh?" Said Eduardo in confusion. "W-what do you mean?"
"I want 250 thousand dollars for my services." Raph replies with arrogance he didn't have.
As he expected, Ms. Tanned Skinned Triela explodes. She takes out her gun and shoves it into Raph's forehead.
"You cocky brat! You think you can just order us around just coz we're nice?!" Triela roars. "Listen well brat! We can tear your life apart with a push of a button, do you understand? HUH?!"
Raph silently looks at her for a second, then sighs. "I changed my mind….. I want 500 thousand dollars."
"YOU BRA-!"
"TRIELA! STAND DOWN OR I'LL SHOOT YOU MYSELF!" Eduardo roared.
Triela hesistates for a bit then puts her gun back into her sleave.
After a few tense seconds, Eduardo calms himself down and looks at Raph seriously. "Raphael Norton, can you explain why you need money? Though you are greedy, I doubt you would stoop as low as exploiting us for money"
"Do you think I'm a retard Mr. Ayala?" Raph replies aggressively. "Did you really think I wont notice what you're trying to make me do? This plan of yours is corporate sabotage! And against a freaking yakuza, for Christ's sake! How the hell am I suppose to sleep at night when my family might be in danger?! Srew you if you think I'll bend over just coz you say so!"
Raph gets the reaction he wanted, as everyone in the room shifts uncomfortably. As expected of the CIA, they still have a bit of humanity left in their rotten core.
Eduardo clears his throat. "I will ensure the safety of your family. You have my word."
Raphael slams his fist into the table, breaking the plate in the process. "NOT GOOD ENOUGH YOU ASSHOLES! If it were only me that was at risk, then I probably would have consent. But this is my family we're talking about here. I wont trust it to some people who I don't even know anything about!"
"And what would it take to earn your trust?" Eduardo relies emotionlessly
"If I have the means to kill all of you, then MAYBE I'll trust you." Raph takes out a pen and paper and writes something on it. He then leaves it on the table. "I want 750 thousand dollars by 3 PM tomorrow at that location, then maybe we can talk."
"Thanks for the steak La Croix. It tasted like rubber."Raph stands and walks out the room.
.
.
.
.
Raph skips the elevator and heads for the stairs. The second he was sure that he's alone, he crumbles to the floor.
"HOLY CRAP! I thought I was gonna have a heart attack there!" Raph sits on the stairs and catches his breath. "Guns are scary!"
"Maybe show boated a bit there…." Raph thought as he stares at his slightly bleeding hand. "Well, whatever. Since I already opened my big mouth back there, I might as well follow through."
Raph takes out his phone and dials a number. A few seconds later, someone answers it.
"Hello? Aunt Catherine, how are you? …. Yes I'm fine….. Yes, dad is doing fine as well….. By the way, I need a favor."
-:-
The Next Day
Eduardo Ayala sighs as he contemplates their predicament. Right now, his little band of CIA operatives are riding a black SUV towards the location designated by Raphael Norton… and he cant help but feel uneasy.
"Hey boss…. I've been wondering, why do you want this guy so badly?" Asked Triela.
Eduardo sighs. "Did you even bother read his file? If I could recall, I gave everone a copy."
"You expect me to read that dictionary?" Triela replies. "Im just a hired gun boss. No need to know who I have to kill."
"Sigh…. Kids these days." Eduardo cant help but wonder how she got passed the CIA tests.
"Remember the SAO incident?"
Triela and everyone in the car nods
"He is one of the survivors of that death game. And as a veteran of the VMMORPG scene, Raphael's skill is top notch."
"But he looks like a pain to deal with" A muscular man named Brutus replies. "Shouldn't we chose a more cooperative SAO survivor?"
"Though I agree with you on the pain-to-deal-with part, he is, unfortunately, the most suitable for the job." Eduardo sighs in slight annoyance. "Well, we shouldn't worry about that for now….. we have more pressing matters to attend to."
Simply dismissing their current situation as PRESSING MATTERS is an understatement. Now more than ever, Eduardo Ayala regrets his promotion. No amount of money is worth the danger they are about to face.
"….. *sigh*….. Join the CIA they said…. It will be fun they said….. what a load of bull" Eduardo thinks to himself as their car slowly comes to a stop in front of their destination. "… Should have took up fashion designing when I had the chance"
Their destination is a low class, yet surprisingly large motel named THE LITTLE KREMLIN. As the name states, the place is owned by Russians. Unfortunately for Eduardo's group, the Russians that owns the place are part of ORGANIZATSIYA, one of the CIA's most unsavory ties to the world of organized crime.
"Err…. Boss man…. I got the heebejeebeeze just by looking at the place." Said the obviously uncertain Brutus
Though Eduardo shared his sentiments, he puts up a strong façade and walks up to the large guard by the door.
The guard puts his hand in his jacket pocket, with the clear intention of drawing his gun the second Eduardo does something stupid.
Ofcouse, as a man of intellect, Eduardo's heart rate and blood pressure shoots up like a rocket. He, however, holds it in and casually approaches the guard
"Good afternoon. My name is Eduardo Ayala. Mr. Raphael Norton called us here" Eduardo says with all the calm he could muster.
The guard stares at him for a bit, then moves aside and opens the door for them. The CIA members soon realizes how potentially lethal their situation really is.
As they walk to the reception counter, atleast 30 men with badly hidden guns, looked at them with distrustful eyes. One of them didn't even bothered hiding his AK-47.
Eduardo ignores them and leads his group to the counter. The receptionist then leads them to a fairly large office at the very back of the motel.
Within that office were 2 individuals who were playing chess.
1st was Raphael Norton, and judging by the look in his face, he was losing horribly.
The other person, on the other hand, nearly gave Eduardo a heart attack. The very sight of her was nearly enough to make Eduardo pee his pants. And who can blame him? After all, her reputation amongst the CIA was far from comforting.
She has many nicknames. The Bloody Angel, The Head Hunter, The Rabid Princess of the East just to name a few. However, to those who know her well, she is Catherine Yvoska.
"Damn…. I didn't expect to meet her so soon…." Eduardo thought in despair. "The future looks really bleak already"
After a few seconds of tense silence, Raphael Norton sinks his face into the table. "Damn it! 19th straight loss in a row?! Un-freaking-believable!"
"Hahaha. No need to be so surpised kiddo. While you can read an impressive 5 moves ahead, I can predict about 10-20. Its only natural that you'll lose to me." Catherine Yvoska replied in a motherly voice, much to the surprise of the CIAs.
Who would have thought that the BELA VESTICA (Catherine's most famous nicknames) could make such a motherly face.
Raphael stands up dramatically. "1 more! I'm sure I can win the next one! My pride….. no…. my manly spirit, which burns like a thousand suns, wont take this lying down!"
Nearly everyone in the room suppresses a chuckle at Raphael's anticts….. everyone except for Catherine who doesn't bother hiding her laughter.
"HAHAHAHA! You're just like your father. Both of you have no shame what so ever" Catherine laughs out loud. After a few seconds of uncontrolled laughter, she calms down. "I'll destroy you later. For now, your guests are here."
The tension skyrockets as everyones eyes focus on the CIAs.
"What are you waiting for?" said Catherine to Eduardo. "Sit down already. We're not gonna shoot you… yet."
"Was that last part really necessary?!" thought the nervous Eduardo as he takes the seat. His body guards station themselves behind him.
Eduardo takes out a large folder. "I shall present my propo-"
"No need. Raphael filled me in" Catherine cuts him off with a businessman like tone.
"He might missed a few details though-" Eduardo begins…
"Did I not make myself clear, Mr. Eduardo Ayala? Father of 2 daughters, both in highschool. Wife works as a marketing consultant."Catherine cuts him off, while revealing some information of him. "I also know about your bodyguards closest relatives, friends and even their favorite strip club."
"H-how do-"
"How do I know these things?" Catherine replies arrogantly. "You seem to not understand why you people are here."
Ofcourse, Eduardo already knew why, but he let Catherine do her rant. Who knows what will happen to them if he interrupts. This will also serve as a good reminder to his bodyguards that THESE people are no joke.
"Let me explain in a way that your retarded bodyguards can understand." Catherine continues. " This meeting has 3 goals in mind. 1st is to make clear that we WILL kill you and your family the second you try to double cross Raphael. Remember, it is Raphael who will be risking his life to clean up YOUR mess. No complaints right?"
Ofcourse there are a lot of complaints, but Catherine Yvoska does have a point, thus Eduardo keeps silent. Besides, he has a feeling that there's a bullet here with his name on it if he complains.
Catherine continues.
"2nd, The ORGANIZATSIYA will safe guard Raphael's 750 thousand dollars….. you do have it, don't you?"Catherine asks aggressively
With a sigh, Eduardo signals Brutus to put his brief case.
This time, Catherine signals one of her subordinates to inspect the contents. A few seconds later, Catherine's subordinate gave a thumb up and takes the case.
"Glad we cleared that one." Catherine sighs. "I would have shot you in the leg if it was even a single cent short."
"Seriously! Was that comment really necessary?!" Eduardo raged in his head. He, however, keeps cool and lets Catherine finish what she needs to say.
"3rd and lastly, when Raphael wins, and he WILL WIN, the CIA will get nothing but your prescious data or whatever it is you're after. Not a single cent will go your way. Are we clear?"
Eduardo was perfectly fine with it. He already predicted that something like this may happen…. On the other hand, Triella didn't seem to share his sentiments.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! You expect me to just agree with-" Triela roared, but was instantly cut off as a bullet misses her right ear by an inch.
None of knew when it happened, but Catherine has drawn and accurately fired her gold IMI DESSERT EAGLE before anyone could react. This was a testament to her abilities. It is no wonder why she is well repected and fear by friend and foe alike.
To make matters worse, the gunshot served as a signal to every ORGANIZATSIYA member to aim their weapons at the CIAs.
A few tense seconds of silence later, Raph spoke.
"Err…. Auntie?... you promised not to hurt them…. You DO remember that, right?" Raphael meakly asks.
"The bullet didn't even touch her. So no problem" Catherine replies nonchalantly
"So you don't have any intention killing them…. Right?" Raphael asks, as if dreading the answer he is about to her.
Catherine looks away for some reason."S-she's not dead, isn't she? That's what's important."
Eduardo cant help but wonder if choosing Raphael might not be the wisest idea he has ever had.
Catherine clears hear throat. "Ahem. Though I understand that you CIA people are only doing your job, please understand that I am Raphael's godmother. And like any good godmother, I value his well being. If he gets harmed in anyway… well, better worry about the well being of all of your family, friends and relatives. Something UNFORTUNATE might happen to them."
Once again, the room descends into an uneasy silence.
A few seconds later, Catherine nods in satisfaction. "Good, looks like you understood our arrangement. You may now leave. Stay safe now."
With that, their one sided negotiation comes to an end. The guards usher them out the motel in a surprisingly peaceful manner.
They exited the building, got in the car and drove off into the sunset.
.
.
.
.
" Quitting the CIA for Fashion Designing doesn't sound so bad afterall"
-:-
3 weeks later
MANEKI NEKO STUDIOS RECEPTION HALL
Despite pouring a fair bit of effort and money into her looks, Angelica Norton has never been the one to flaunt her beauty. However, due to certain circumstances that she could easily avoid but didn't, she is forced to do exactly what she hates.
Within the quickly refurbished MANEKI NEKO Reception hall, a famous talkshow is currently underway. She sits among the main cast of the new game/television series, THE WAR OF FORSENA, which happens to be the talkshow's main topic for the day.
'Why is she here?' you ask?
Answer: Apparently, that 1 week gig she did with the AKB catapulted her into celebrity status without her knowing. Before she knew it, she already has a fan club (which she found out only recently) and a fair bit of proposals of various intent (modeling, acting, dancing, marriage, etc). Ofcourse, aside from the rare times that she needs money, most of these are either ignored or thrown into the trash.
This acting gig was supposed to meet the same end as the rest of the papers, however, one of her friends were scouted for a role. This friend, Kaori Kurashima, literally planted her face into the ground and begged Ange to join her.
Ange cant really blame her though, seeing how this is the 1st time Kaori was ever exposed to the limelight. With great reluctance, Ange accepts the proposal. On the bright side, Remirura Hiiro was also present, thus making it much more bearable.
Anyways, after 2 days of explaining the rules and the TRUE rules of the game, Ange and Remi now must be interviewed in front of a live audience about their roles in the game. Kaori was exempted from this because she is only playing a minor villian role.
"Kaori is lucky…. I, on the other hand, have to put up with all of this crap"
One good thing about this game is, aside from certain people, everyone is free to choose their starting role in the story.. What happens after that is for them to decide. An example of the ones subjected to the NO CHOICE rule are Kaori (who was recruited to be a side character) and Remi (who was forced to be one of the main heroine.)
"*sigh* And to make matters worse, Ani-sama started another shady job…" Ange thought in annoyance. "I know it cant be helped, but would it kill him to be present right now? We women are spoiled creatures, you know? We need lots of attention."
She continues to dwell in her thoughts until she noticed that Remi was already being interviewed, which means she is up next.
"Ms. Hiiro, one last question" Said the annoying host. "Why did you choose this role? Don't get me wrong. I think you're perfect for this role, but I, along with many of your fans, wonder the reason behind your choice of being a heroine"
Much to everyone's surprise, Remi chuckles heartly. "Choice? Surely you jest. I was not given a choice on which role to play. Fret not, I will play the role that is given to me. However, I firmly believe that I am not fit for the role of a heroine."
The host is put in an akward position. In desperation, he quickly moves the discussion to Ange. "A-anyways, moving on. Ange-chan-"
"Don't you dare call me that!" Ange rudely cuts in, silencing everyone for a few seconds.
Suddenly, the audience erupts in applause.
"Oh! As expected of the ICE QUEEN!"
"Cold and cruel!"
"MARRY ME ANGE-SAMA"
"Disgusting. What was God thinking when he made this lot?" Ange cant help but sigh in annoyance.
She turns back to the host. "Didn't you have something to ask? Make it quick."
Unsure on what to do, the host simply asks his question. "Err…. I heard that you're still undicided of your starting role. Care to comment on that?"
"*sigh* I was simply curious about what the other cast wanted to do. I wanted to decide after hearing their choice and why they took that choice."
"Well…. have you decided now? You are the last one interview" replied the host.
"Yes I have actually." Ange pauses for a bit, effectively leaving the audience in suspense. "I want to be a villain."
That earned her a fair number of stares.
"Why would you want to be the bad guy?" Asked the host
"Well, its much better than the alternative" Ange replies arrogantly
"Which is?"
"Being a trophy for THAT guy" Ange rudely points her thumb to the very 1st person in the interview line.
His name is Makoto Kagamika. A famous male idol, an actor and the son of the current head of the RONIN ZAIBATSU. It also goes without saying that he is RONIN ZAIBATSU's player in the game, which in turn, has the highest chance of success.
Now, despite being the son of a not-so-clean family, he is actually a fairly decent guy. He is good natured, helpful and honorable. He is exactly what girls normally fall for. Because of his popularity, 18 of the 20 people present in the interview already swore alligeance to him. 10 of those 18 people are females that will be part of his harem.
…. However, Ange, along with Remi, can see through that façade of his. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree afterall.
"Isnt a bit rude, Ms. Norton?" Makoto Kagamika replies politely, making Ange cringe. "I understand that you dislike me, but would you atleast tell us why?"
"Ho… using sympathy from the audience huh? Two can play that game"
"Who knows." Ange shrugs. "Besides, I already belong to someone. I have no intention of letting any other man touch me, game or no game."
That got the audience rilled up. As expected, the host bombared her with questions, however, Ange ignores him and keeps silent.
With that, the interview ends in a fairly annoying manner
-:-
After the interview Ange heads for the cafeteria and slouches on a nearby chair.
"Good work out there, young lady. You showed that brat a thing or two" Andrei gives her a can of strawberry juice, which she drains in one go.
"Nyahahaha! I knew you were a bundle of spite and cruelty, but in front of a live audience?! On national TV?! AWESOME!" Kaori, wearing her usual punk rock attire, slaps Ange in the back repeatedly.
"Naturally. When I cant stand someone, I REALLY cant stand them." Ange replies arrogantly.
"HAHAHAHA! Its no wonder why you don't have much friends!" Andrei laughs as he takes the seat opposite to Ange. "It makes all the effort to dress up like a butler worthwhile. "
As Andrei stated, he was wearing a butler uniform and acts as Ange's personal caretaker.
'Why?' You ask?
It's all Ange's fault. What can she say? Her beauty is like the fire that moths would die for. And like those idiotic moths, men flock to her in waves. Because of that, she requested Andrei to act as her temporary bodyguard.
Anyways, the trio are waiting for Remi for the room assignments for their full dive.
Based on what is advertised, THE WAR OF FORSENA is your typical VMMORPG that boasts the most advanced AI known to man. They say that it is impossible to tell the difference between it and a normal human being.
However, its true gem of TWOF is the ability to overclock the brain and accelerate the player's perception 10000 the norm (not known by the public). With this, they could create a full blown television series with years of content, within only a few months. The show was announced to have atleast 40 episodes per main protagonist.
The main protagonists, 4 in total, are the chosen players of the SPONSORS with the largest contribution to MANEKI NEKO. Each of them will be the lead of their very own 40 episode run, unless they are eliminated early on.
Unfortunately, thanks to all of these contents, the main processing unit required to run TWOF occupies a 10 storie building. The players will fulldive from a separate building located beside the TWOF main frame.
One must wonder, why such an elaborate setup for a simple television series?
"Well, that's illegal high takes cambling for you." Ange thougth.
A few moments later, Remi, with her usual goth loli attire, approaches them. "Good day everyone. I have our room assignments right here. Tis unfortunate that we cannot be at at the same floor…."
True enough, the room placement cleary dictates how favorative the MANEKI NEKO is. Kaori, who only has a minor role, is placed in the 3nd floor. Ange, who has a fair bit of fame, is placed at the 8th floor along with many of the main supporting casts. Remi, who is a main heroine, is at the 10th floor along with the protagonists.
"Well, atleast I wont have to put up with those two faced, backstabbers." Kaori replies with a shrug. "Good luck up there Ange, Remi."
"*sigh* What a pain…." Ange says in annoyance. "I have a short fuse, you know? I cant put up with these things like Remi can."
"Now now. Please do not belittle your abilities Ange." Remi replies "Do you not have Raph-sama as a brother?"
"…. Its scary how much that makes sense…"'
The 3 girls took a seat and talked about trivial matters.
A few minutes later, a familiar (yet unwelcome) young man and his bodyguards approach the three, much to Ange's annoyance.
"Angelica Norton, you bitch! I need to talk to you." Said Makoto Kagamika, not bothering to use his usual nice guy façade.
Before they could get within 10 meters, Andrei blocks their path. "Forgive me, but my employer has given specific orders that Lady Angelica Norton is not to be disturbed."
Ofcourse, Makoto didn't like that. With a snap of his fingers, his 4 bodyguards move forward and faces off with Andrei. Unfortunately for them, the Russian physique towers over the standard Japanese man. Never the less, they are confident that their numbers will see them through.
"Ahem…. I said I need to speak to Angelica Norton. Move aside" Makoto said arrogantly.
"My lady, this person wishes to talk to you"Andrei tells Ange without looking away from his opponents.
"Do I have to talk to him, Andrei?" Ange asks
"Talking with him is a complete and utter waste of your time, IQ and energy. Your aunt would be displeased if I allow you to associate with such low born rabble"
"I see…. I'll trust your judgement on this one. Send them away" Ange replied arrogantly
"Well then, there you have it"Andrei tells Makoto. "Please leave now"
Makoto's bodyguards took it hard and took out their knives. "Think you're a tough guy huh?! Well do ya?!"
Andrei smirks at their attempts to intimidate him. Andrei takes up a boxers pose and observes his opponents next move.
And to make matters worse, the last person anyone (friend or foe) wants to see in a fight enters the cafeteria. With a phone in one hand and 10 of her bodyguards, Catherine Yvoska enters the hall. The moment she spots Andrei and the 3 goons, her scared yet beautiful face smiles in twisted glee.
"Ho…. What's this, Andrei? A fight?" Before anyone could notice, Catherine draws her gold IMI DESSERT EAGLE and levels it at Makoto's head. "Let me join in. I haven't killed anyone for months now."
Catherine's bloodlust erupts and forces everyone within the room to stop moving.
Like all the normal people in the room, Ange is rooted on the spot after a familiar tension grips her throat. The only time she experienced this feeling was when his older brother fought another PKK in SAO. Back then, Ange couldnt see her brother at all…. only a vessel of violence, cruelty and savagery. At that time, Ange only saw a monster.
Anyways, back to the topic.
Right now, even the hardened veterans of the ORGANIZATSIYA couldn't help but fear their very own leader. No…. maybe because they knew her longer than anyone, and seen all the atrocities she has done, made them are more terrified than anyone.
Even the Ronin Zaibatsu punks couldn't even move a muscle. Just like the members of the Organizatsiya, they know all too well who Catherine is.
Though Makoto's legs were shaking in fright, he regains some of his composure. "A-are you sure a-about that? D-don't you know who I am?!"
Catherine turns to Andrei. "Should I know who he is?"
"He is Makoto Kagamika. Son of the Ronin Zaibatsu's head." Andrei replied
"Ho.…. I see." Catherine turns her attention back to Makoto. This time however, her twisted smile became much larger. "In short, this person is wrothless. Is that what you're saying Andrei?"
"Er… Y-yes?" Andrei replied with uncertainty….. it is something that he quickly regretted.
"I see…. I SEE! THAT'S GOOD!" Catherine roars as her face turns from twisted psycho-biatch to a demon. "Since your worthless….. DIE!"
She pulls the trigger. Time stops.
For a second, Ange could see everyone's panic strickened faces. She is fairly sure that her face also has the same look. Makoto, on the other hand, falls backwards, as if he was shot in the head.
But more importantly…. there was silence. The supposed gunshot was not heard and was replaced with *CLICK* sound.
Everyone looks at Catherine in confusion.
"Tch…. Forgot the safety" Catherine said as she turns the safety off. Once again she points the gun at Makoto. "Sorry about that. Lets do it aga-"
Without waiting for Catherine to finish her sentence, Makoto and his cronies makes a mad dash for the nearest exit.
"Well, that takes care of them." Catherine turns to Ange. "Angelica Norton, long time no see. How are you?"
"Im fine Auntie Catherine" Ange replies with a curtsy. "THAT'S NOT IT! What the hell were you thinking?! I don't care if you have a reputation of shooting people when the mood hits you! You don't just aim a loaded gun at someone!"
"Its not problem then. See?" Catherine shows everyone the hollow space where the magazine should be. "It was never loaded in the first place. Don't worry, be happy"
"SHUT IT! I'm telling father!"
"Eh? E-er…. hold on Ange. Lets not blow things out of proportion here." Catherine replies in an extremely rare state of confusion. "I-I know I went to far there, and I'm sorry. It will never happen again. Don't tell your father, okay?"
Ofcourse, Ange knows that Catherine is lying through her teeth, but she decides to let her off easy this time. Her Auntie did save her.
"Well, whatever. By the way, why are you here?" Ange asks
"TWOF is the largest secret illegal gambling event at the moment. It shouldn't be surprising that I'll be invited. " Catherine replies as she turns to leave. "I'm just putting the finishing touches on my BET. I'll take my leave here. I still got a few more stuff to do. Do Svidanya Devotshka"
Ange was going to let Catherine leave in peace…. but something was bothering her. "Hey Auntie…. Who is this BET of yours? Is he any good?"
"Ofcourse he is." Catherine replies without looking back. "You guys should know better than I do. In the realm of VMMORPG, Raphael Norton is a monster."
.
.
.
"Ani-sama…. You're doing something stupid again…. *sigh*"
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