Chapter - 34
Bullet fired - SAO Integral fragments
Two weeks have passed since we have entered Gun Gale Online. Our mission was to uncover the secrets behind this mystery person known as Death Gun but even after two weeks of investigating, we still are not even close to getting any intel. We even investigated on the players that were entering the BoB tournament but the only thing we were able to gather was that they all don't have the same motives as Death Gun. As far as we know, Death Gun seems to target strong players and when he sets his eyes on his target, he fires from a pistol and the player in game dies.
Dying in this game though, as well as in Alfheim online, is impossible because they are using an AmuSphere, a head device that is a hundred percent safer then the Nervegear. As far we are concerned, dying in these games is impossible. But then, how did he do it? How did Death gun managed to kill players "In game"? And why? What would he gain from killing players in game?
Getting intel on the players was a bust. But it wasn't a waste of time, even though we weren't able to gather intel, we were able to get information on the players, mostly thanks to Rei. The BoB Tournament is today and the gang and I are heading to the Governor office to register. A lot of people are gathered, all mostly to watch the match. The entire SBC Glocken was packed, understandable since today is a special day for GGO.
As we entered the Governors office, the place was packed with strong players. I've wondered if one of them was Death gun, even though we weren't able to catch him, he is gauranteed to show up for this event. It's the only way he will be able to fund the strongest players and to also make his name known amongst the land of GGO.
Kureha: Are you guys serious? Your really going to enter the Bullet of Bullets event? That event is packed with strong and skilled players with months of experience, you guys have only been here two weeks?
You: Don't worry. It's most likely we won't win but we just want to give it a shot. Besides, Sinon isn't a rookie player.
Sinon: I hope you guys remebered that this is going to be a battle to the death tournament. No teams. If we enter this event and manage to progress, one of us will eventually fight each other.
You: I-I see. Well then, guess we better test out our luck.
Kirito: if thats where were going, then you might have a better shot at this than any of us.
Rei: of course. This is my master were talking about, he is bound to succeed.
You: I want you to keep that in mind when a bullet strikes my head...
Sinon: Anyways, here we are. This is where we sign up, its a touch pad interfase, here we enter our info to register for the event.
Kirito: Cool, then lets get started.
You: Hmm... lets see...
Inspecting the interfase, it asked detailed private information about a the individual. Game nickname, Adress, email, phone number, ID number. Even if I am a gamer, adding this kind of info would make me nervouse. Fortunately though, it was optional, you don't haft to enter the information but if you don't, chances of getting top prizes will be removed.
You: Not like I need the prizes... *I press skip*
Upon pressing skip, I am registered in the event and it says I am in F-45.
You: There.
Kureha: Wait, you are not going to add your info? You can get prizes, you know.
You: U-Uh, yeah well... There will be no gaurantee that I will make it. Besides, I am here to do research on the BoB event, I am here to investigate, not to compete.
Kureha: If you say so... *she says suspiciously*
Sinon: Okay. On which spot did you guys end up?
Kirito: Um... I'm in F-37.
You: F-45.
Sinon: oh cool. I am in F-12, thats a coll coincadence. When do we meet though...? Hmm, looks like we are not going to meet up until the finals.
Kirito: So what does that mean?
Sinon: If a player makes it to the finals of the preliminaries, win or lose, you're eliggible for the battle royal in the knockout tournament. Meaning that we both have a chance to take part in the knockout round.
You: Oh yeah, I guess that makes sense with this ranking system.
Sinon: Yes... however... if we do make it to the finals... I will be playing to win.
You: Whoa, getting fiesty there, aren't we? Alright then, that goes the same for me. If we meet up, I won't hold back. With either of you.
Kirito: Sounds good to me. No holding back.
Rei: Lets do this master!
You: Wait, are Arfa-sys even allowed to compete.
Sinon: of course, she is not a player. She is your weapon. And players need a weapon.
You: So I am allowed to bring my Arfa-sys to a death match, sounds kind of unfair.
Sinon: it may seem like that, but rules are rules. The others are gonna haft to deal with it. Besides, they can also bring tricks up their sleeves.
You: Guess we'll just haft to test our luck, ey Rei?
Rei: I am at your service, Master.
Kureha: Well, good luck to you guys with that.
You: you are not competing?
Kureha: No way. I admit I want to, but at my level, there is no way i will stand a chance. One day though... one day. I will be cheering you guys from the monitors.
You: Okay then. Wish us luck.
Kureha: Good luck to you all.
Sinon: Come on, should go to the prelim area.
Kirito: Where is that?
Sinon: over there, in the basement.
You: Cool. You know, that interfase surprised me. When I was registering, i didn't think it would ask me sensitive information about myself.
Sinon: Some things have changed ever since I left but it has beel always organized like that. Actually, GGO is in quite grey legal areas both here and the U.S.
Kirito: because of its currency exchange program, isn't it?
Sinon: all you will find in the website is the most basic of information but all game-related procedures are done in-game.
You: I wonder if SAO would have gone through the same shady procedures.
Kirito: this game really is crazy.
You: Some might say, Crazy awesome.
Sinon: thats why its almost completely independent of the real world. Due to that, who I am now and the real me are almost like two different people.
You and Kirito: Mm?
Sinon: U-Uh, nothing nevermind. Anyways, this is the prelim area.
As we entered the Prelim area, the place was already filled with players. Mostly male and they all had the same menacing glares as in the glocken, all just ready to shoot down an enemy when they see it,
The timer showed that there is 28 minutes remaining before the first duel takes place. As we walked down, the players were already up and ready for shooting. They already had their weapons out and were loading up their magazines, not a smart move in my opinion, if we see what weapon they use, I can come up with a countermeasure. We all got together and sat down at a table.
Sinon: Geez, what a bunch of show offs.
Kirito: Show offs? You mean those ruff looking guys?
Sinon: Yes. Flaunting their main weapons a whole half hour before the match. it's like they are begging me to come up with a countermeasure.
You: yeah, I was thinking that too.
Rei: fifty seven percent of the players in this room use Assault rifles as their main weapons while 32 percent use Shotguns and-
You: Wait Rei, you Bio scanned all of them?
Rei: Thanks to my long distance view part, I am able to scan players at a larger distance.
Sinon: Rei here can be your trumpcard for this event (You). I would recommend using her carefully, the more she shows off, the more the players here will learn. They all might be dorks but they are not stupid...
You: Since we are on the topic. I think we should dicuss our plan here.
Kirito: Right. As far as our investigation went, none of the players seemed to have been related to Death guns motives, no one seemed to have ever seen him since the live stream event either.
Sinon: My money is on the players that we werent able to track down.
You: Right. Sterben, muskateer X and Gabriel. According to Rei, these players are all particapating in this event but we don't know if they are Death gun or at least related to Death gun. Since this game is all about Pkilling, finding a murderer will be like finding the queen bee in a bee hive.
Sinon: Our only hope in finding him, is facing these players, Muskateeer X, Sterben and Gabriel. If any one of us face them, we might get closer to find Death gun. That is IF he even shows up.
Kirito: hey Sinon, do you think you can explain to us this BoB event?
Sinon: Alright, pay attention.
You, Rei and Kirito: *We all pay attention*
Sinon: When that timer hits zero, all the contestants here will be automatically transferred to a battlefield for just you and your first-round prelim opponent. The field is a square one kilometer square on all sides. Typfe of weather landscape, weather and time are randomly generated. You start from a minimum distance of 500 meters, and at the end of the match, the winner is transferred to this waiting area, while the loser is transfered to the first floor hall. Don't worry about dying, even if you do, there will be no penalty. Since there are 64 people in the F block, five wins will take you to the finals and you all will be eligible for the knockout round. That's pretty much the basic of it, the rest you all will haft to find out.
You: guess these matches will test out everything we have learned in GGO so far. My question is... What will happen if one of us encounter Death gun?
Kirito: We are just gonna haft to get the information out of him. he doesn't seem like the type to negotiate. Then again, we don't even know the guy...
You: For now I guess... let's just focus on winning this thing.
Sinon: Well, since you guys are so eager for this, there is one last thing i should lecture you all with...
You, Rei and Kirito: Hmm?
Sinon: The taste of the bullet that kills you...
You: Mm... if we allow it to kill us.
Sinon: Yes, since you seem able to deflect bullets with that photon sword of yours, don't think I have it saved up in my arsenal.
Kirito: That's a pretty sick move, I've been practicing myself.
You: Guess we all are pretty aware about our moves, we have been fighting together these past few weeks.
Sinon: Regardless, I am going all out on this... I will kill all the strong players...
You: (She seems pretty detirmened... a little too much... I wonder if this has anything to do with her past. She never likes to talk about it... I always wondered why but... she never wants to talk about it, I do not know why she is so eager to keep it to herself when we have all opened up to her, what could possibly be worse then murdering your own family?)
?: Hey!
As if the atmosphere in this room isn't uncomfortable enough. here comes another guy to make things awkward after our last chat.
Sinon: Oh hello Speigel.
Spiegel: You were running late, I was starting to worry you wouldn't show up. And you are here with...
Spiegel didn't seem pleased to see either me or Kirito but still tried his best to smile in front of Sinon, something tells me that his attachment to Sinon is a bit intense which could lead to an unhealthy attachment.
Sinon: nah, just had some errands to run these past few weeks. What about you? I thought you weren't compeeting.
Speigel: Well, I knew it would bug you, but I came here to root for you. Also, what were these "Errands" you speak of?
Sinon: Oh, just teaching these dorks the basics of handling GGO.
You: Isn't that a rude way to speak to your consorts?
Sinon: ¡¿C-Consorts?! What are you-?
You: Relax, relax, I am kidding.
Kirito: Sinon here took really good care of us. *he says with a girly smile*
Sinon: Why are you guys speaking like this?
Spiegel: I guess we haven't met, I am Spiegel...
Kirito: Hello, my name is Kiriko, Haha!
You: Dude, don't make this mistake again.
Spiegel: Dude?
Kirito: Yeah, sorry. My name is actually Kirito, and I'm a guy.
Spiegel: A g-guy?!
"Vrooooom..."
The entire room lights up with neon lights and the monitor begins to shine with a livestream.
Announcer: We thank you for your patience. We will now begin the third Bullet of Bullets preliminary tournament. When the countdown reaches zero, all players in contention will be automatically transeferred to the preliminary round frist-round match field map. I wish you all godspeed.
Players: WHOOOO! "BANG-BANG-TA-RA-RA-RA-BANG* YEAAAAA!
You: Augh! *I cover my ears* Can't those guys save their amo? What if they need it?!
Sinon: *she sighs in agreement* All right, here we go. *she gets up* Listen up everyone, make sure you all make it to the final. Whoever I face, I will blow them away.
You: Alright then, if we ever meet, lets not hold back.
Kirito: If this is an invitation, I sure can't let it pass. Lets do this.
Rei: Master, I will await your orders.
In seconds, a light consumes my avatar and I am standing alone in a pitch black room, the only thing in front of me is the screen showing the time, my opponent and the map.
55 seconds remaining, opponent: some japanese name, and the map is scattered wetlands.
You: Looks like we are about to take on our first opponent.
Rei: master...
You: yes?
Rei: I just wanted to let you know... that I am very proud to be your Arfa-sys... when I walk around the town... all I see are mean faces, people saying mean things and shooting each other... but you are different, you treat other with respect, be it friend or foe... you teached me to take care of myself and even got me parts. So thank you.
You: What is this? You are speaking like as if this is the last time we are seeing each other. Don't worry, I am also proud to be your master... so lets win this and make it back together. *I give her a fist*
Rei: Mm... *she fist bumps me*
3... 2... 1...
Light consumes us once more, the field is wide and open, filled with trees and mud.
You: Looks like this place kind of resembles a jungle
Rei: Master, the trees and bushes won't allow us to get a good view.
You: Okay... Rei, you climb a tree and keep and eye out.
Rei: yes master.
Rei then climbs a tree and begins speaking to me through her menu.
Rei: master, there is movement 12 feet from where you are, South.
You: Okay, keep an eye on his movement, don't intervene, I will handle it.
Rei: As you wish, master.
Upon looking behind me, I get ready to attack as I activate my listining skills. The sound of leaves and twigs getting stomped are heard.
You: Mm...
I put my hand near my photon sword, getting to ready to attack at any moment. After a few seconds, six bullet lines appear in my field of vision and I then wield out my photon sword.
"Vrooom-vr-vrooom!"
"Ta-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA-RA"
The bullets begin to fly and I begin to deflect as I begin running in direction towards they are coming from.
You: "Clank-clank-clank!" HREAAAAA!
Opponent: Wh-What?!
You: Hmph!
Opponent: Dugh!
Before the guy can even react, his entire body is cut in half. His legs fall to its knees and falls down, meanwhile his upper body lands somewhere in the bushes and the *Dead* signs appears over it.
You: Phew... that was a bit quicker then i'd expected.
Rei: You did great master! But why didn't you want me to help you.
You: you already helped me by telling me his position but if you begin aiding me in battle, I think it would be a bit unfair. So for now, just stick with being my eagle eye. If I ever need you in battle, just let me know.
Rei: As you wish master.
You: Phew... not bad for the first round.
The Congratualtions sign appears in front of me and says that the winner is (You).
Light begins to consume me once more and I am standing back in the waiting area along with Rei.
looking around me, I see that not alot of players are here, most of them are still out in the field maps shooting out their opponents. The entire room is filled with monitors screening the battlefields. I find a monitor showing Kirito's fight. It's showing a fight between him and an assoult rifle user, he seems to be using a concrete pole as a shield, he seems to be thinking about what to do.
You: come on man... you can do it...
Kirito then emerges from his cover and begins running towards his opponent. His opponent begins shooting at him but he manages to deflect the bullets, eventually, he gets close enough to him and stabs him in the chest with a vorpal sword skill, the skill was powerful enough to detonate him, the same way that massive robot boss exploded when I unleashed the same sword skill.
You: thats it, just like we practiced.
Rei: Go Kirito!
In the distance, I also see Spiegel, staring at the screens with a displeased look on his face.
You: whats his deal...?
?: are you two the real deal...?
A deep and menacing voice is heard from behind me.
You: What the?!
I jump away in surprise as a mysterious figure is standing in front of me. The guy was a bit tall, his entire body was covered in a dark cloak and a robotic skull mask on his face that breathed out a steam of gas every time he breathed.
You: hey there Darth vader, what is it that you mean?
the guy began wallking towards me, slowly and carefully, his big red eyes were incredibly hard not to stare at, his gaze was all menacing.
Rei: H-Hey, what are you doing to my master?!
You: Rei, stay out of this...
Rei: But master-
You: That's an order.
Rei: Mm...
?: I saw your match, as well as that other guy. You both used swords.
You: Yeah, so what? It's not like its against the rules and I fought with skill.
?: I am going to ask you again... are you two the real deal?
You: (This guy is talking like as if he knows me and Kirito, I am not entirely sure if he knows about Sinon. Those eyes... those big red eyes... where have i seen them before... I know I saw them but why can't I remember?)
The guy then displays the menu in where all the players taking part of the event is displayed, he then pulls up my name.
?: This is your name... you are the real deal, aren't you?
You: (This guy seems to know my name... but if he knows that name then that must mean he's... he's an SAO survivor. But how does that make any sense? No one has been able to log out, the only reason I was able to come here was due to a server warp gate. But then... how is he here and who is he?)
As his hand begins to lower down, I see an image I thought or at least hoped I'd never see again... it was an icon... a guild icon.
You: *I stare horrified* Laughing coffin...
?: So you are, huh...
You: W-wh-what... how...?
?: Well it doesn't matter I guess. Even if you are a fake... I will make sure to kill you.
You: Yeah... I'd like to see you try... *I say with my legs shaking*
The guy starts walking away as his mask lets out a small smoke gas. I didn't know what to feel. I felt afraid but not because I knew he was with coffin laughing but rather... why was I there? During our raids in search of Laughing Coffin, we lost some members, ten if I'm not mistaken. When we finally tracked them down to their hideout, we had a plan to capture them, and by some miracle, no one died, neither the players nor the assassins, but the most dangerous member of all was their leader, PoH. Intelligent, brave and strong, he shows no mercy while killing and was able to cause great trouble for the entire assault team. Which of all the members was he?
You: damn it *I sit down at a table*
As i sat down, Rei stared at me with concerned eyes... as I stared at my trembling hands, I feel a set of arms wrap my neck and pulls my head to her chest.
Rei: master... are you alright?
You: Rei... what are you?
Rei: My purpose is to serve my master... to make sure he is well both physically and mentally... are you okay master?
You: No... I honestly am not... that guy... he is a murderer... a dangeorous one... I don't know what he is doing here nor do I know how he got here... I mean... his leader killed him, he should be dead unless... that could be the leader... but it still doesn't make sense, how did he get here?
Rei: master...
Sinon: Whoa there, are you okay?
Sinon and Kirito begin approuching us as they saw me cowering in the table.
You: guys... I think we may have a problem...
Kirito: what happened?
Sinon: did that first match really scared you? It's still the first match, you better not be thinking about chickening out-
You: No... its not that...
memory voice of Death gun: My name and the name of this weapon is... Death gun!
You: I think I found Death gun...
Sinon and Kirito: What?
You: But... he's... he's with laughing coffin.
Sinon and Kirito: What?!
Kirito: laughing coffin...?! How is that possible?!
Sinon: But... didn't they all died?
You: Their leader didn't but I am not sure if that was PoH
Kirito: Are you positive he was with laughing Coffin?
You: I am sure. He knew about you and me, his hand also had the LafCof icon.
Sinon: My god... why is he here? How is he here?
You: I've been asking myself the same thing...one things for sure... we found our culprit... we just need to find out how he's doing it and who he is. his motvies are obvious... he just likes to kill.
Everyone: Mm...
my avatar begins to get consumed by light and I am standing in the same pitch black room with Rei by my side.
Rei: master... I-
You: Rei...
Rei: Yes master?
You: Help me win... no matter what... that's an order.
Rei: M-master?
We spawn in the next map with our next opponent. The guy was using a shotgun and also had great accuracy and speed.
You: *I Activate my vorpal blade* Rei, use your rope trap.
Rei: Y-Yes master...
Opponent: "Bang-bang-bang!"
The shotgun fired multiple bullet shells and they all scratched my avatar with noticible red slashes... but it didn't fazed me... I had only one goal... to win all five matches...
You: Grr! GREAAAAAAAAAAA!
Using my SFG, I climb over a building and let his focus set on me as Rei approuched him from behind.
Opponent: "Bang-bang-bang!" "Click" Damn it! *he relouds*
You: Now Rei!
Rei: Hmph!
Ropes emerge from her palms and wraps the opponent.
Opponent: Wh-What the?!
You: *I jump from the building* GEAAAAAAAAAAH!
"SHHREEEWOOOOWOOOO!"
The vorp attack flashes a blue neon light attack and his HP reaches zero.
Congratulations!
Meanwhile in SAO, a few hours before the BoB event.
Koharu: So, this BoB event, is the one Kirito and (You) were asigned to?
Kikuoka: That's right. There will be a livestream screening all the battle events that will be taking place in the event, you should be able to see (You) and Kirito from there, I will be uploading the livestreams in Agil's shop, you should head there now and be sure to tell the others as well.
Koharu: I see... alright then, thank you for letting me know. No offense but... it's about time you said something, I was really worried about him.
Kikouka: I know, I apologize. For now just head to Agils shop so you can view the livestream, keep this phone in case if you will have any further questions... and I am pretty sure you will.
Koharu: what that supposed to mean?
Kikuoka: oh nothing. *he hangs up*
Koharu: that was odd... (You), what did that man set you out to do...? And why are you doing this alone? *she says angirly*
To be continued...