Yukko and Haruka had logged into GGO that day without any deep thoughts, just casually stepping into the game for the first time.
"Uh… Yukko, right?" "Yeah, Haruka. First, let's find some gullible nice guy who'll teach us stuff and shower us with cash."
The two wandered the streets in tourist mode, awed and bewildered by the full-dive experience.
"This town feels pretty rundown, huh?" "Bet the back alleys are full of shady types. Wanna peek?" "Ehh? Scary!" "It's just a game, relax." "Well, true."
They wandered into a side street by chance, got chatted up by Zexeed by chance, and drifted along with him. Zexeed only approached because they were girls—no combat value assumed. Truth: he just wanted female entourage to counter Shana.
(Pitohui doesn't count as a girl, so we've got two, they've got that Rozalia chick—one. Total win.)
Zexeed smirked inwardly. The girls smirked too—found a sugar daddy.
"Hey Yukko, this guy's tournament-level strong." "Bit dim, but that's perfect—easy mark." "Great sponsor!" "Yup."
Oblivious to their whispers, Zexeed recruited more, and soon Yukko and Haruka were mob-hunting in the wasteland.
"Shana Extermination Squad—Shana that tough?" "We've got twenty. Easy. One, maybe three on their side." "Just surround and spray." "C'mon Haruka, we got full gear—let's have fun. First time shooting!" "Obviously. If you had experience, I'd be grossed out." "Ahahaha, fair."
They joined mob attacks under Zexeed's tips. Athletic backgrounds shone—decent moves. Zexeed upgraded his opinion: good finds.
"Yukko, we're killing it!" "Better than the other newbies." "Cash'll roll in soon." "Yep!"
Then—boom. Zexeed's head vanished. The girls froze, clueless. Delayed gunshot clued them in.
"Gunshot?" "Where's the enemy…?" "Sound lagged—super far shot?" "Like fireworks!"
Total Sobu High grads—basic physics checked out.
"Haruka, down!"
Yukko shoved her; both hit dirt. Bullets whistled overhead; ten allies dropped.
"Yukko, what just—?" "Saw two runners coming—danger!" "Thanks… but now what?" "No clue…" "Run?" "Yeah, low crawl while they're distracted."
Too late. Two more gunned down in front. Two throats slit.
"Eeeeeek!" "Bad bad bad!"
They hugged, trembling. Tattooed terror loomed.
"Last two. Bullet or blade—which?"
Sobbing kowtow.
"Sorry, we just got sweet-talked by that guy!" "All his fault—Zexeed! Please, anything—don't kill us!"
Pitohui lowered weapon. Hope surged—same gender, safe! (Ignorance of Pitohui = false comfort.)
Distant giant-rifle woman approached. Haruka, confused:
"Three women…? No Shana guy?" "Prisoners shut up—or die." "Y-yes, sorry!"
Tattoo intimidation worked. Yukko comforted Haruka. Rifle woman joined—three towering.
"Shana's order: total wipe. Decide?"
Tremble.
"Kinda pitiful…"
Relief.
"Normally no-brainer. Names?"
Shana's crew—be honest.
"Yukko." "Haruka."
World flipped. Last sight: upside-down view, tattooed knife. Then—respawn lobby.
"Haa… haa… what…?" "We died?" "Haruka!" "Yukko!"
Starting point. Memory sync: beheaded, sent back.
Zexeed approached.
"Yo, late. Survived long? Impressive."
"Uh, hi…" "Others…?"
Zexeed grimaced.
"All fled."
"Oh…"
Girls exchanged now what? looks. Zexeed bowed deep.
"My bad—total screw-up. Should've split watch, prioritized growth, got distracted by your fighting… sniped the second I blinked. Sorry!"
Can't lose the girls—smooth it.
"Stick with me? Full support."
Conference huddle.
"What now?" "Rough, but not his fault?" "He apologized, praised us." "Maybe he's smitten? We're femme fatales?" "Definitely!" "Learn combat, farming—milk him dry meantime." "Femme fatales, go!"
Grinning, they returned.
"Can't let it slide—count us in." "Let's grind!"
"Thanks! Treat for apology—VR food? Tried it?" "Nope! Super curious!" "First time—thanks!"
Off they went, schemes aligned.
Meanwhile, triumphant Benkei, Pitohui, Sinon greeted by early-returned Shana crew.
"Looking good—nailed it. My picks rock." "Big bro, back already?" "Shana! Ravaged 'em! Praise praise!" "Shana, trusting me with this—amazing…"
Benkei eyed Rozalia suspiciously (knew it). Pitohui pounced like a needy leopard—childish demands. Sinon tenderly returned M82, reluctant.
Shana ignored the glare, grinned.
"Dinner debrief? Or sweets—don't ruin appetite." "Yay! Shana's treat?" "Big bro's, duh!" "Obviously. Order anything—celebration."
Benkei's suspicion evaporated. Mercenary.
Sinon smirked.
"No holding back today." "You earned it—heavy, huh?" "Need more STR." "Hunt soon?" "Count me in."
They hit a fancy joint across the street from Zexeed's casual diner. Positions hid each other—neither suspected proximity.
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