"Got it, that idiot's moving. How many enemies?"
"About twenty, mostly newbies. You were unknown until the BoB finals broadcast, so little info on you. Veterans are cautious, not joining yet."
"Understood. We'll handle it. Good work, Rosaria—keep monitoring till we join."
"Leave it to me."
Call ended as Asuna returned.
"Hachiman-kun, sorry to keep you!"
"Hm, Kazato and sis?"
"Buying drinks at the shop."
"...Asuna, dive into GGO right when home?"
Tense, Asuna blinked: "Sure, but what happened?"
"Yeah, actually..."
Hearing, Asuna thumped her chest: "Got it—counterattack! On it!"
"No, leaving to those three. We're backup, no interference."
"Oh?"
"Want Sinon succeeding as sniper. Pitohui breaking her shell too. Set insurance for that."
"Hee~ What kind?"
"Actually..."
Surprised: "You rate them that high, Hachiman-kun."
"If my eyes aren't wrong, they'll shine."
"Right... Contact Komachi before they return."
"Yeah."
Hachiman instructed Komachi. Meanwhile in GGO, Pitohui spotted Sinon.
"Ah, Sinonon! Yo!"
Pitohui waved lightly; Sinon waved back. Fast friends.
"Hi, Pit. Shana and them?"
"Not yet. Shana withdrawal hitting!"
"Hmm, plans when gathered?"
Sinon ignored expertly.
"Sinonon, don't ignore!"
"Eh? Your Shana obsession's old news..."
"Sinonon loves Shana too..."
"Pit-san, Sinon-san!"
"Kei, been waiting!"
Benkei ran up. Sinon cut in: "Kei, we were discussing plans."
"About that—emergency from onii-chan."
"From Shana?"
"Emergency?"
Question marks; Benkei led to rental room.
"Can't risk eavesdropping—explain inside."
Sensing tension, they followed. Inside: guest.
"Rosaria-chan!"
"Thanks for coming, Rosaria-san."
"First time... who?"
Benkei to Sinon: "Rosaria-san's onii-chan's... exclusive informant."
"Nice rephrase, Kei. Sinonon, Rosaria-chan's Shana's second subordinate!"
"Nice meet, Sinon-san. I'm Shana's lead subordinate, Rosaria."
"Lead's me!"
"Mine."
"Yeah, yeah—settle that privately."
Sinon sensed dynamic, cut off. Benkei jumped in: "Rosaria explains! Go!"
"Info: Player Zexeed bountied Shana's head. Ambush soon."
Stunned.
"Zexeed—the one Shana bisected in BoB?"
"Ahahaha, Sinon's take too. Yeah, that trash."
"BoB finalist, skilled enough—but seeing that replay..."
Sinon shrugged.
"But bounty—who'd help? He's hated."
"Yes, no veterans. Mid-tier broke players and newbies, ~20."
"Uh-huh, expected."
Pitohui nodded hard. Sinon: "Newbies—proper gear?"
"Zexeed bought it himself."
"Rich, huh."
Surprised.
"All-in to beat Shana."
"Lie? Dumber than thought?"
"All assets for one kill..."
"Dies, respawns—end?"
"Deep grudge against Shana."
Arms crossed, pondering.
"BoB's top, but bisected—worth that hate?"
"Maybe..."
"Previous incident? Rosaria-chan."
"Something with him?"
Nod; Sinon asked.
"Waiting for Shana once, Zexeed persistently hit on me."
"Ugh, that type."
"Denied mistaken identity, confirmed—yelled to Shana."
"Hm hm."
"Shana vanished; he said 'No Shana'—poof, behind him, knife to throat."
Pitohui dreamy.
"He: 'Y-you... Shana.' She: 'Huh? Add -san, forehead bastard. Want bisecting again?'"
"Whoa... wished I saw."
Rosaria perked: "Actually, recorded for intel."
"Really!? Show!"
"Me too, Rosaria-chan!"
"And me."
Played on monitor. Reactions:
"Onii-chan furious..."
"Vanished like magic... amazing."
"Haa... Shana's cool..."
"Last line—Zexeed red, pissed?"
Sinon to Rosaria, who deadpan: "Young, reacted to 'forehead'—likely young baldy."
Laughter erupted.
"Rosaria-chan, hilarious! Zabuton!"
"Ahahaha, maybe—ahaha!"
"Nice joke, Rosaria-san!"
"Eh? No joke..."
Confused Rosaria; laughter spread, room echoed. Tired, Pitohui to Benkei: "Kei, Shana say?"
"Ah!"
Snapped: "Stop! Message from Shana!"
"Eh?"
"What?"
Deep breath, calm: "Zexeed'll train recruits outside minimally. Me, Pit-san, Sinon-san ambush, wipe them—onii-chan said."
"Wow, three vs twenty surprise, total annihilation?"
"Newbies—not too hard, but risks."
"Deaths ok if goal met."
Benkei: "Items for you!"
"Eh?"
"Hm?"
Two daggers... M82.
"Th-that..."
"Shana's M82..."
"Onii-chan's beloved sword and gun. Entrust to you."
"Really?"
"To us?"
Gulping, solemn: "'Crush that annoying idiot lightly with these'—onii-chan."
"But..."
"If we die, items drop, gone."
"Said no worry."
Ultimate trust from Shana. Shivering excitement; eyes gleaming, burning fierce to prove it.
Pitohui took dagger silently, Sinon M82.
...
Hunting time begins.
-------------------------------
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