Log Horizon Book 1 chapter 2

Replace 'heart of fantasy' with 'Sacred heart'

http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Log_Horizon
pastebin.com/u/skythewood


Chapter 2: Small Assassin


1


...4 days later.

It has been 4 days since they drifted ridiculously into an alternate world.

After bidding farewell to Marielle, Shiroe and Naotsugu has been traveling all over Akiba scavenging for information.

And naturally there are new facts discovered everyday.

The most simple thing they understand is they will get hungry.

Shiroe already notice something is wrong when they say their goodbyes with Marielle. But their feeling of nervousness and fear over their current situation overwhelms this feeling, so they kept sourcing for information til their legs are numb. Night falls without Shiroe and Naotsugu realizing that feeling is hunger.

But they lost to hunger in the end and head to the market to purchase food just before dawn. Shiroe and Naotsugu bring their food to the abandoned building they met to enjoy their unhealthy 'supper and breakfast'... It concludes in a painful experience.

Shiroe brought roasted chicken with orange and tomato sauce, chocolate cake and green tea. Naotsugu purchased seafood pizza, marsh potato with bacon, Caesar salad and orange juice.

It sounds extravagant, but both of them are level 90 players wealthy enough to buy as many of these player crafted meals in the market as they wish. It looks like a bright, fresh, luxurious and sumptuous meal.

But the food all taste the same.

Using Naotsugu's unassuming words, they taste like 'crackers that are bloated after soaking in water without any salty flavor'. Shiroe has no choice but to agree with this review.

The beverages has different colors, but they all taste like tap water.

It is not so disgusting that you will spit it out and shouldn't be poisonous. You feel full after eating so it is indeed food, but it is an experience Shiroe and Naotsugu can do without.

They are not sure how to react since it is not disgusting enough to make you curse and swear. You will sulk as you eat more of it, like the hope in your heart is starting to fade away, it is disgusting in this pathetic way.

They confirm something else about the variety of food they brought.

All the food they ate are all crafted by players with the NPC selling them on their behalf.

Apart from main class, Elder Tales also have countless subclass. The food are made using the cooking ability of chef, one of the subclass. <TL: there are countless subclass>

Subclass are independent of main class, so in Elder Tales, there are samurai chef or Sorcerer chef.

These chef can create food Shiroe and Naotsugu ate according to their chef level, but the cooking in Elder Tales is very simplified.

Stand besides the cooking facility, choose the ingredients from the game menu and input the use command. The food ingredients cannot be gathered from different areas, you can get meat from monsters sometimes or pick it up in dungeons. There are also seeds you can pant in the field too.

Basic ingredients are sold by NPC and can be purchased from other players in the market as well.

Anyway, you can choose from the list of food you can create by using the use command on the ingredients. After selecting your desired dish, you need to wait 10 seconds before the ingredients vanish and is replaced by the finished product.

Does the problem lies with the simplified process?

This is the deduction Shiroe and Naotsugu made.

They also confirm the ingredients themselves have taste the previous day.

Oranges and apples are tender and juicy, freshly caught fish smells as usual, the salt and sugar purchased from NPC taste salty and sweet respectively.

But the product made using these materials all taste like 'tasteless soggy crackers'.

This process is enforced in this game world and they can't do anything to change that. They cannot temper with the ingredients as well, if they try to boil them, the ingredients turns into a weird paste.

With no other choice, Shiroe and Naotsugu buys salt along with their food, sprinkling the food with salt as they eat. It is still a helpless meal, but at least it is better then chewing wax.


Since you need to eat, you will also need to use the bathroom which is also a necessary action which is confirmed rather quickly. Since they are guys, Shiroe and Naotsugu has no problem if they are fine with doing it outdoors.

But they do wish there are toilet papers.

Shiroe heard Naotsugu mumbles 'the girls have it hard', but he pretend not to hear it.

There are many things that can't be help no matter how hard Shiroe thinks.

They found out they cannot do without sleep.

Shiroe has great stamina unlike the real world. His level 90 body has high physical stats even as a mage class, and these numbers are reflected on his body.

But fatigue and sleepiness are 2 different things, Shiroe and Naotsugu grows drowsy after moving for a period of time.


Shiroe and Naotsugu check in once they reach the hotel, renting a zone to use as their residence. They didn't use this function when Elder Tales was just a game, they will just find any random alley in Akiba if they want to log off. They will disappear from the game world is they are not playing. But this obvious thing for players is no longer applicable for them.

Since they are still in the game when they are sleeping, they will need a physical place to rest... And they didn't return to their original world when they wake up.


Speaking of returning to their original world, they have confirmed one other thing.

You can revive if you die in this Elder Tale world. The players who die in this world will respawn in the cathedral after some time.

If the game mechanics still applies, players will lose part of their EXP and gold when they die, but Shiroe and Naotsugu hasn't experience this yet so they can't tell for sure.

Since they can revive after dying, that means they won't disappear if they die in this game world. It sounds like good news from this angle, but that also mean their hope of going back to their world if they die is also gone.

Eating and dying.

From this 2 essential concept on survival, they can conclude no matter how conservative, this is a contradicting and twisted world.

At a glance, this world seems to be a faithful replication of Elder Tales. Shiroe and Naotsugu who retains their abilities and wealth from the game is living in this game world where monsters roam freely. But a game is a game and cannot be replicated in an alternate world. Compared to the real world that obeys the laws without contradiction, Shiroe feel this world is imperfect and full of loopholes.

The best example for this is food. Grilled fish made from fish and salt doesn't taste like salt or fish, just something that look like grilled fish but taste like soggy crackers.

But if you sprinkle salt on grilled fish, it actually has the taste of salt. Sprinkling salt makes food salty, but food crafted with salt doesn't have that taste.

Shiroe and Naotsugu tried grilling fresh fish with heat source such as campfires, but no matter what they do, it doesn't become the grilled fish they are familiar with, but turns into mysterious black paste instead.

The same with sleep and using the bathroom.

These are functions unnecessary for games.

But in this Elder Tales world that became reality, they can get drowsy and really needs to sleep.

There is something wrong with this world no matter how you think about it.

Since it is a world, there should be a set of law. But whether it operates like Elder Tales or the strange physics associated with alternate worlds, they are unable to tell.

It might be bizarre combination of both, turning this world into a chaotic mystery.


A lot of things was confirmed by the 4th day.

On the 2nd day in the alternate world.

Shiroe and Naotsugu decides to go into the field zones in Akiba. They head to the adjacent zone that is just besides the area outside the city gate, the Archives tower forest.

Since it is close to the starter city of Akiba, Archives tower forest has low difficulty. The zones surrounding  all the 5 major cities are usually suitable for low level player to train. High level monsters lurks in zones like the deep hills that are far away from the city zone. This is common sense in Elder Tales.

This is a typical ruins field zone with monsters about level 20 roaming around. Similar to the abandoned buildings in Akiba, they are covered in vines and parasitic plants.

As it's name suggest, Archives tower forest is a zone with many bookshops, libraries and research lab that is connected to several dungeon zones. The enemies are weak, they their drop item includes 'secret level skill scrolls', so it is popular among novice adventurers.

The enemies are monsters that are only about level 20.

Shiroe and Naotsugu are level 90 players with good equipment and vast experiences, they won't gain any EXP no matter how many such monsters they defeat because of the difference in levels. They only came to the novice zone to experience battles in Elder Tales in a relatively safe environment.

The battle is not proceeding as they expected.

It isn't because of the strong enemies. The goblins and grey wolves fall with a scratch from Naotsugu's sword. Even Shiroe who is an enchanter class with the weakest attack in the game can kill them with one shot.

That is the extent of their level difference.

But being able to defeat enemies doesn't mean have a easy time fighting them. When Shiroe see the grey wolves and the goblins attacking with rusted axes with dry blood on it for the first time, Shiroe felt fear and almost  collapse from his feet giving out.

His breathing is 10 times faster than normal. Even though he takes in lots of air, he feels suffocated which narrowing his field of vision. The enemies attack will not harm him... If Shiroe didn't convince himself that way, he would have probably flee by now.

And he can confirm this after some time has passed.

The level 90 Shiroe has at least 8000 HP while Naotsugu who is using the guardian class with the strongest defense has over 13000 HP. The goblin's attack can only cause single digit damage.

Even if they howl fiercely and swing their axe with all their might, it feels painless like a grade schooler's punch.

Shiroe and Naotsugu cools down after ascertaining this fact.

They didn't get hurt after regaining their composure, but the difficulty of the fighting remains.

The laws of physics of the real world they took for granted are twisted together weirdly with the rules of Elder Tales. They can see these effects from every corner of their eyes.

When fighting in a party like Shiroe and Naotsugu in Elder Tales, you will take note of your allies' HP through the status screen and choose the appropriate tactics to coordinate with each other almost subconsciously.

Will other enemies approach while you are fighting the enemies in front of you?

Will the enemy link up with more monsters or call for reinforcement?

Which enemy is the priority target?

Which foe can you keep at bay for now and take out later?

Various data like this are important elements that will affect the battle.

But it is hard to even confirm each other's HP in this environment. The HP values will be displayed if they focus on their forehead, but to fight in a dangerous place with debris all over while keeping track of these numbers in their mind is next to impossible.

Shiroe can still spare some time to observe the battle field as a mage. But the guardian Naotsugu has to engage the enemy on the front line to protect his allies and will lose the wide angle of view to grasp his surroundings, fighting almost blindly.

"This is harder than I thought."

Naotsugu sighs as he eat a meat bun for lunch. The enemy are weak so there is no need to be too concerned with HP. But this won't do when fighting foes of the same level.

It taste like soggy crackers even though it's appearance is a meat bun. Shiroe and Naotsugu review the details of the battle while eating the tasteless food they have grown tired of.

The 2 of them have no martial arts background.

For amateurs like them, they have no idea how to handle the emotions and fear during fights, and are seriously doubting they can simply get use to them through live battles.

But in the back of their mind they know they will face major problems later if they are frightened by level 20 minions. Elder Tales is a fantasy adventure game that derives most of its entertainment from battling monsters. If this is a world affected by Elder Tales or is the world of Elder Tales itself, getting used to battle is a necessity to survive here.

Fortunately both of their body is stronger than expected.

Their high levels keeps them from getting tired, and they can regain their vigor after resting a few minutes if they do get tired from traveling or battling. Shiroe and Naotsugu spends most of their days out in the field and the evening in the pub or visiting people they knew. They converse with players in the same boat as them and gathers any news.

Akiba appears peaceful on the surface for these 4 days.

There are no major commotion Shiroe fear would happen.

Maybe after confirming the abundance of bland food and their ability to respawn allows them to regain the most basic sense of security.

But there are still some incidence that cannot be ignored.

Firstly, the volume of goods on sale has dropped.

Most players have come to the same conclusion as Shiroe and withdrawn their merchandise.

The goods left for sale on the market belongs to the players who didn't logged in, but even those sold out over time.

There are rumors of major guilds cutting off supplies, the items that are sold out are starting to gain popularity. There are many players with production subclass but they have stopped working in reaction to the situation.

Another effect is the recruitment campaigns of the guilds. Or the players without guilds sourcing for one.

Humans are creatures that finds solace in numbers. Many carefree players without guilds decides to join one after experiencing this event.

You can tell which players join which guild by checking their status through the status screen. But it is hard to find out all this information when you are in the game.

So Shiroe can only estimate based on the ratio of the players he sees, but he do feel a sharp drop in solo players.

Shiroe and Naotsugu who are both level 90 receives many invitation just walking on the streets.

But the 2 of them declined all offers.

Ignoring Shiroe, Naotsugu have no reason to reject them. When Shiroe queried him, Naotsugu replies with a smile:

"Getting to know companions is the result, not the reason. You need to move forward fearlessly and make friends through the process of battles, that should be the way."

Debauchery Tea Party is not a guild, just a coalition of players. For the 2 of them with a history in such a group, guild is just an unimportant title.

And the 2 of them don't think joining a guild provides any safety when facing such a critical and confusing incident.


But most people think differently from Shiroe and Naotsugu and sees guilds as something they can depend on.

The twins Shiroe was accompanying the day of the incident seems to have joined a guild as well. He only saw them on the streets in passing, but they seems to be safe allowing Shiroe to breathe a sigh of relief.

Players without guilds wants to join one for the feeling of security. Lots of guild starts recruiting campaigns in response to such demands. Some guilds canvass for players without guilds, but there are other examples of several small guilds merging or famous major guilds headhunting specific players.

Shiroe doesn't get why the guilds wants to expands until Marielle explains it. It has something to do with the comfort of staying in Akiba.

After that incident, some players thinks they have barged into an alternate world, which Shiroe feels is reasonable.

But the players feel much more frustrated over this ridiculous state of affairs than Shiroe expected. These emotions gathers together in the form of a guild and forms a consensus of 'If you are not with us, you are against us'.

They can trust your guild mates but not others. This is the natural defensive reaction when living in such a hostile environment.

But this atmosphere is too strong making frictions between guilds obvious. They won't be attacked since Akiba is a non-combat zone. If there are any attempts to fight, steal or kidnap anyone, the guards will instantly appears to arrest the player in violation.

But harsh words and harassment will not be judged as combat actions. There are many ways to get around the loophole of combat actions to harass others, even more so for players trapped in this world.

Small guilds are often the victims of such harassment. Marielle tries to conceal her trouble face with a smile when talking about this.

Shiroe found out some important information regarding zones as he is discussing this topic with Marielle. He casually open the status screen and notice an unfamiliar tab below the tab related to guilds.

It is unfamiliar, but he has seen this before.

This tab displays information of the zone you are in, detailing 'Japanese server/ Akiba/ City area - No monsters/ Battle restricted zone/ Entry Restriction (None)/ Exit Restriction (None)'.

Shiroe, Marielle and Naotsugu are talking in a small alley, this provides a summary of this zone and Akiba city which has no problems.

The issue is the next line.

'This zone is not owned by any person or guild, sale price is 700 million gold, monthly maintenance fee is 1.2 million, purchase? (Yes/ No)'

... This line is displayed when you are buying small abandoned buildings, hotel rooms or a guild hall like Crescent moon alliance.

But Akiba city is now a tradable asset even though it requires an astronomical amount of money.

Naotsugu and Marielle thought Shiroe was joking when he point this out, but they are dumbstruck when they check it out themselves.

Shiroe is a high level veteran player and is more wealthy than others. Shiroe has about 50,000 gold in assets in the bank. So he is certain 700 million is not something a single player can come up with.

But if a major guild pools all their resources... even though that is impossible... it is possible for them to gather this amount of cash.

Assuming someone succeed in buying the streets of Akiba, the buyer will be able to set the entry and exit restriction here, including any people or guilds the buyer hates... they can be barred from entering this city.

The members of Crescent moon alliance spreads out to investigate under Marielle's instruction, and they found out this purchase line is displayed in almost all the zones.

In other words, be it city, field or dungeons, all the zones are open for sale right now, the exceptions are places that already have an owner... For instance a zone like Crescent moon alliance's guild hall. In this situation, the owner will have a different option to turn their ownership in to a land deed item.
<TL: その場合はゾーンの所有権を証書のアイテムに還元する選択肢が追加されるらしい。>

The forth day after that incident.

The expansion campaign of the major guilds is no longer just a tactic to increase the guild's size in the eyes of Shiroe's group.


2

Shiroe and Naotsugu left their hotel and head for the market on the morning of the 5th day to buy food for the day. Naotsugu looks downcast as he drags his feet on their way there.

"What is it?"

"Nothing. I feel disheartened thinking about the nasty food we have been eating."

Shiroe can empathize with Naotsugu. Shiroe don't think he is a gourmet and his diet in the real world is nothing to be proud of. But he realize now how good his meals are in the real world.

(The fried chicken of the fast food chain... is so tasty. Packs of ramen that cost 68 yen or yakisoba bread are great too. They are really an amazing delicacy.)

And also red tea, coffee and sodas.

All the beverage taste like tap water here which is really unbearable. These beverages are made with ingredients that include well water anyway.

Well water taste like tap water too. So it taste like tap water because of their tongues, they are all just normal water.

They are still water after adding things inside which feels like a scam to them.

"... I guess we can only eat that."

"Well, you are right. But I think we can get better food even in prison. I saw it once on a TV special on Abashiri prison before, the food looks nice."

"Yeah."

Now that Naotsugu mentions it, Shiroe feels the same way.

Shiroe studied in public school before going to high school. The lunch provided by the school might not be great cuisines, but it is much better than the soggy crackers in this world.

"I am wondering about something."

"Wondering about what?"

"Is this a torture chamber where god force us to eat bland food all day?"

How can that be... Shiroe thinks, but if can't deny it after considering carefully. It might sound ridiculous, but they are in a ridiculous situation right now, so they can't take anything lightly like a joke.

"If that is true, this god has a good sense in torturing."

"I know right. Forcing us to eat poisonous food that makes you puke blood is some kind of hell right? It has the feeling of devils force feeding you."

Shiroe seems to recall a level of hell in Buddhism seems to have this sort of punishment.

"But the current situation is different. This stuff should have nutritious value and no poison. The taste is bland but you can still eat it. Just eating a meal should be fine. But there are nothing else, it will always be this taste and our morale will drop deeper and deeper... This is a high end level of harassment right?"

"That's why I say this is a good sense of torture... But his taste in torture is irritating."

Just as Shiroe and Naotsugu is chatting leisurely about this.

Plock.

A pebble falls besides his feet on the asphalt road following this sound.

Shiroe looks up and see a 3 story building on the verge of collapse that just to be a shop house. At it's entrance is a tall man.

"It's Mr Akatsuki."

Black hair and dark clothes with fine facial features, the man did not remove the mask covering his mouth as he acknowledge Shiroe with his eyes.

"An acquaintance?"

"Yeah, this is Mr Akatsuki, an assassin."

Shiroe walks towards Akatsuki as he introduce him to Naotsugu.

Shiroe met the extremely silent Akatsuki a year ago.

He insist on communicating through text messages in this age where voice chat is prevalent, but it helps to create the atmosphere of an assassin.

They are many players who focus on role playing like Akatsuki. Shiroe sees them as players who place emphasis on the atmosphere of the game.

When Elder Tales was just a game, Akatsuki didn't act like a 'player controlling the character Akatsuki', but as a 'resident of Elder Tales known as Akatsuki, basing all his words and actions on this.

It is rude to call this playing pretend since this is another way to enjoy the game no one else can criticize.

Shiroe thinks Akatsuki is a competent player. Silent, doesn't bother others or curry for favors, the opposite of Marielle in a sense.

He will carry out his duties perfectly in a party and doesn't forget to care for his allies. Care means more than words of encouragement, such a player is valuable in this time and age.

An important thing is the lack of awkwardness in his silence.

A quiet atmosphere can make you feel uneasy, but Shiroe feels a sense of kinship in some ways an is not uncomfortable fighting alongside him. Shiroe feels they are not totally silent, but is communicating without words.

Take their teamwork in minute supporting actions for instance.

Any small interactions during the rest between battles is a 'conversation' of care and concern.

Shiroe's impression of him is a professional assassin when adventuring together.


"What is it Mr Akatsuki?"

Akatsuki gestured with his chin and enters the run down building. It doesn't appears to be a separate zone, just a backdrop in the field zone.

They entered the dimly lit ruins on Akatsuki's invitation.

"What is he like Shiroe?"

"Akatsuki is a role player who is very competent in the game. He probably is depressed by this situation too.

Naotsugu ask quietly and Shiroe replies in an equally soft tone.

They can't see Akatsuki anymore, he probably headed to the very back of the building. This seems a bit too rushed from Akatsuki's usual demeanor.

Hey can smell wet sands. The morning sun shines through the gaps of the partially destroyed walls and the small windows illuminating the room.

This is indeed a shop, and is some sort of restaurant. It is a vast and chaotic space with furniture scattered all over.

Akatsuki turns around and look at Naotsugu part troubled and part accusatory.

"Mr Akatsuki, he is Naotsugu, a guardian and my reliable old friend that can be trusted."

"I am Naotsugu, nice to meet you! Whether you are an open pervert or a closet pervert, let's get along well!"

Shiroe introduce Naotsugu to Akatsuki after seeing his gaze.

Naotsugu greets with his overly familiar style. Even though Shiroe thinks he shouldn't talk like this to someone he just met, but Akatsuki seems too melancholic to bother with the crude Naotsugu.

(Was Akatsuki so tense before...)

Shiroe thinks about this in the suffocating silence.

(I remember he was a quiet but flexible player who likes battling...)

"I have been looking for you."

Akatsuki said in a barely audible feminine voice after a short silence.

"You have business with me?"

He still seems deeply troubled. He took a few deep breathes before steeling himself and ask:

"I want you to sell me an 'appearance reset potion'."

Akatsuki speaks soft but the contents are audible.

But the meaning behind these words took some time to register in Shiroe's mind. Shiroe took some time to think what he meant.


'Appearance reset potion'.

This is a limited item that was distributed during one if the events in Elder Tales. Shiroe remembers it is a promotional event to attract more players to Elder Tales, and this is the reward item for participating. This promotional event was a combined effort with an Internet broadcast, but the content is very crude, just a mediocre voice actress doing a radio interview to promote her song. It was a failure of an event that the developers want to pretend never happened.

Since it is a game with  20 years of history, there are several such events that are beyond the word stupid. The variety of items limited to events are also very wide.

The characters that represents the player in the game are set at the beginning of the game.

8 races, 12 classes, name, gender, as well as height, body shape, hair style, hair and eye colors can all be adjusted. Body shape are customized using about a dozen figures like chest circumference, leg length, waist, shoulder width. Since your appearance and body shape doesn't affect battle abilities, lots of players opt to use their actual appearance in the game.

'Appearance reset potion' allows you to change the appearance of your character that was set just like its name suggest. As previously explained, appearance doesn't affect fighting strength so this is just an item to use for fun. The item is rare since the event was a failure, but it is a good way to change the mood of the game.

At least until now.

"Aka, aka, Akatsuki san, could it be..."   <TL: Mister doesn't work well here>

Akatsuki glares at Shiroe.

"You are a girl?"

Akatsuki nods straightforwardly contrary to her professional hitman looks.

Her feminine voice sounds like a girl although she tried her best to conceal it. In this world where conversation with a keyboard is impossible, she is unable to hide her gender anymore.

"That was a surprise."

Naotsugu standing besides Shiroe is also stiff from the shock.

3

Shiroe retrieves the 'appearance reset potion' from the bank warehouse and returns to the crumbling building. Akatsuki breath a sigh of relief as she receive the orange potion.

"Please wait for a moment."

Akatsuki says before disappearing into the depths of the shop.

But she didn't go to another room. Akatsuki seems to have left her belongings behind the screen that separates the kitchen.

How careless, she is not living here right? Shiroe thinks, but this is not the mood to throw any punchline.

"Hey... Are you fine...?"

"Don't worry about... Hnng!"

"What happened?"

"This potion causes a lot of pain."

Akatsuki drank the potion immediately, he can see orange light the same color as the potion shining through the screen. Akatsuki seems to be in agony as she replies worrying Shiroe, but his face turns white the next moment.

He can hear the sound of several disposable chopsticks snapped in 2 by brute force. A scream so horrible that you don't want to know how it is made came from behind the screen.

(Wait a minute, hey!)

"Uu tsu... Gu tsu..."

Shiroe wants to go check on her out of concern but his legs seems to be nailed to the ground. Listening to the moans of Akatsuki confirms that she is a woman, definitely a young girl.

Even though her moans continues, but Shiroe dare not open the screen to avoid seeing her naked.

No wonder Akatsuki doesn't use voice chat.

Everyone will know she is a girl if she does and it is an inconvenience for her to role play as an assassin too.

Shiroe finally realize this.

"She has lots of troubles too."

Naotsugu brush off the dust on a stool and sighs after saying that. Shiroe was surprised too.

But this is a possible scenario. With the prevalent use of voice chat in online games, players using different genders is uncommon but not unheard of.

In terms of online games, Elder Tales is a traditional and complicated game suitable for hard core players. Although there are no difference in the enjoyment of the game for either sexes, but according to the articles Shiroe saw on magazines, girls prefer to play casual games.

According to Shiroe's rough gauge, the ratio of men to women in Elder Tales is 7 to 3.

Akatsuki has an in depth understanding of the game mechanics and likes to battle, so Shiroe has never suspect she is a lady.

"It's fine now... you have my gratitude."

A young girl about 150cm in height with long flowing hair walk out of the screen. As he imagined from listening to her voice, she is a beautiful young lady.

Her clothing are loose since her height shrank by 30cm, she looks like a child wearing her dad's working clothes. Her white ankles and slender fingeers are visible from the pants and sleeves she rolled up, giving off a cute feeling like a small animal.

"Wah, she's hot, the real deal."

Naotsugu says softly with his mouth slightly open.

Shiroe feels the same.

The basic appearance and hair style in this world seems to follow the settings of Elder Tales. But from his recent observation, the players inherits their facial features from the real world.

Shiroe is a half alv in this world, a mix race of human and the ancient alv race, the basic body settings are skinny and strong sense of curiosity. Shiroe has confirmed through the mirror in the hotel that his facial features really reflects his real world counterpart. His nasty beady eyes stares right back at him from the mirror, making him a bit depressed.

The same theory can be applied on Akatsuki. Akatsuki is human unlike Shiroe.

Her face is definitely that of a beautiful young girl.

She has big black eyes, a white oval face and brows that look like it was drawn with a brush. Since the face in this world reflects her real self, then she must be a pretty... No, a traditional beautiful young lady.

But Akatsuki's new body is really petite, shorter than Shiroe's shoulders, maybe not even 150cm.

Players can modify their character in detail... including the body and face of the adventurer. The character Akatsuki created is quite tall, more than 30cm taller than the current Akatsuki.

Shiroe feels really out of place while walking with just a few cm height difference, Akatsuki must few dozens of times worse than Shiroe did.

"It must have been hard for you."

Shiroe is stiff from shock, he didn't think Akatsuki would be such a beauty.

The one breaking this tense atmosphere is Naotsugu.

"I retract my earlier statement. You cannot be a open pervert or a closet pervert since you are not a guy. You are the one that is wearing panties so know your place!"

He might be right, but he is really pushing it. Akatsuki doesn't get what he is saying and makes a perplexed expression.

"Mr Shiroe, is there something wrong with his head?"

"That's not it... There are many things wrong with him as a person."

"Why is that!"

"In any case, he's messed up."

Akatsuki says after glancing at Naotsugu.

Maybe it's because she is finally free from the voice chat restriction, Akatsuki is much more willing to converse with others compared to the time Shiroe met her in the game. But her quiet nature doesn't change Shiroe's impression of her.

(No, I'm still unaccustomed to her cute voice.)

"You say messed up! How can I not make any dirty jokes as an upright man of society? This is my sublime obligation. But a girl like you won't understand even if I explain..."

Naotsugu puff out his chest proudly. Akatsuki give him a look and snort.

"But you look unwell, take this."

Naotsugu toss a canteen full of well water over.

Since all beverage are just like normal water, Shiroe and Naotsugu gave up and brought canteens recently. They fill it up with the cheapest beverage, well water.

"Thank you for your concern."

Akatsuki looks surprised, unable to determine whether Naotsugu is a weirdo or a kind and caring person. But Akatsuki took the bottle and finished the relatively full canteen, she seems to be really thirsty.

The 3 of then relax themselves in their most comfortable position and chat among themselves in the slightly humid shop.

Akatsuki have not been eating well these past 5 days and has been hiding in this building to avoid others.

Shiroe don't understand why she did this, but agrees when she gave her reasons.

Her body is dramatically different from her real self, so she feels uncomfortable just walking. She will be fine just walking leisurely on the streets, but she will be in trouble if she meets any issues.

And the chance of problems occurring is really high.

She can't communicate with text messages in this world, so she will need to speak be it shopping or contacting her acquaintance. She can still use pen and paper to converse, but that will just make her look suspicious.

There is no penalty if she talks, she will just be a man with a girly voice. But an imposing tall assassin talking with a female voice is out of place and will definitely attract the attention of others along with trouble. Akatsuki's deduction is probably right.

"I recalled Mr Shiroe mentioned that you have an 'appearance reset potion' when we partied together, if I have this... I should be able to break free from my predicament."

"I see."

Naotsugu continues.

"I guess you should have played the game using this shrimp like body in the first place."

"Don't call me a shrimp."

She glares sharply at Naotsugu.

Akatsuki has strong eyes. She was like this before drinking the potion, but after reverting to her original body, Shiroe feels her eyes is full of determination and imposing spirits strong enough to drill to boulders.

"Isn't a shrimp just a shrimp?"

"Messed up people has no rights to say that."

Naotsugu ignores her glares and continues to tease her.

But apart from teasing, Naostsugu also took out food and drinks from his bag for Akatsuki. His casual way of showing his kindness really fits Naotsugu's way of doing things. Akatsuki also understand this and stops brooding over this topic. She is just uncomfortable since this is the first time she met someone like Naotsugu.

"Games are fun because you can do things you couldn't in real life, right? It is the same for fantasy or science fiction worlds. Changing my height is one such leisure of mine."

Akatsuki pouts and answers a bit begrudgingly.

She do have a point.

"Ah you are right, that can't be helped."

Naotsugu says sympathetically and peek at Akatsuki.

"..."

"Yeah, this can't be helped, it is not Akatsuki's fault. I am with Akatsuki, everyone has the right to dream."

Naotsugu gives a thumbs up with a smile as if he understands everything. Akatsuki jumps and knee Naotsugu in the face the very next moment.

"Don't use your knee! Your knee!"

"Mr Shiroe, is it all right if I knee this strange man in the face?"

"Ask before you do it!"

Shiroe laughs happily at their interaction.

And the 2 of them are not really on bad terms which makes it funnier.

Naotsugu complains 'he just wants her to be a good kid', Akatsuki request 'please deal with this weirdo'. After laughing for a while, Shiroe restrains his snickers and ask Akatsuki:

"Do you feel better after reverting to your original body?"

Akatsuki considers the question for a moment and replies with a serious expression.

"The body of a man is cool and the attack distance is long... But I am deeply troubled."

"Is it? What trouble?"

Naotsugu asked.

They just met but is already acting like old friends. Shiroe recollects that Akatsuki is the type that is cautious in personal relationships, but maybe she let down her guard because of Naotsugu's nature.

"That... going to the bathroom is troubling."

Akatsuki looks at the floor and answers vaguely.

(It will be sexual harassment if you carry on Naotsugu!)

"Ah, so you had a penis then!"

(Don't add insult to injury Naotsugu!)

"Ah, that, let's talk about something else! Did you adjust your character to be closer to your real size?"

Shiroe changes the topic awkwardly to aid the hapless and blushing Akatsuki by raising this question. She is short for a female.

"Yeah, correct."

Akatsuki adjust her baggy clothes and answers with a serious expression.

(She is acting this way to conceal her embarrassment after hearing Naotsugu's sexual harassing words...)

But Shiroe feels this girl is more serious in her ways than normal and will tend to stare straight at the person or things she is looking at.

Akatsuki has a habit of staring at things without ever averting her gaze, which is probably how she acts in the real world.

It gives off the impression this petite girl will always do her best at whatever task she takes on.

"With the height issue resolved, walking should be easier now right?"

"I am grateful for your help."

Akatsuki thank him curtly.

Her surly manner of speaking, abrupt actions and habit of staring.

This combination overlaps with the silent and professional warrior Shiroe knew. Although their appearance differs, but a sincere and serious demeanor seems like Akatsuki's nature.

Shiroe feels the petite young girl in front of her slowly merging with the 'Akatsuki' he knew.

"How much do I owe you? Can I pay with my entire fortune?"

Akatsuki stares as usual at Shiroe with her focused eyes and says these shocking words.

"I only have about 30,000... forgive my lack of funds."

"No need, don't worry about this."

"That won't do. That potion was a event limited item, a rare treasure that cannot be found again. It must be priceless, 30,000 shouldn't be enough."

That is right in theory.

Even though it was just gathering dust in the warehouse, but it isn't surprising to charge a big premium on it now.

"..."

"..."

But is this really an item worth a fortune? Shiroe doubts it. It was a useless item until now anyway.

"That, ah... can you just treat it as a free gift?"

"I don't want anyone saying I wouldn't repay a favor."

From Shiroe's perspective, these pair of pleading and glaring eyes is making him uncomfortable. Akatsuki is a beautiful young girl, so her looks has strong destructive powers.

"If you are so concerned, just use your panties... Fu wah!"

Akatsuki once against elegantly knee Naotsugu in the face. The angle was just right even though Naotsugu was sitting down on a pile of debris this time.

"Miss Akatsuki has good relexes."

"Hold on, hey, closet pervert, whose side are you on!"

"Mr Shiroe, is it all right if I knee this strange man in the face?"

"Didn't I say to ask before you do it!"

Akatsuki's action of pointing at Naotsugu and asking for permission is cute and mischievous, Shiroe can't help smiling at that.

"Eh, forget it. Let's not talk about the price of the potion for now. Hey, Akatsuki."

"Don't forget to use 'Miss'."

"These trivial things doesn't matter shrimp."

"Don't call me shrimp. And this is an important matter, if I accept Mr Shiroe's limited items without repaying him, I will be shamed forever."

Akatsuki refuses to budge.

Naotsugu looks at the pouting Akatsuki and turns to Shiroe, shifting his gaze between them and says:

"No, the things you are talking about is unimportant. Anyhow, why don't you stay a while with us Akatsuki?"

"...Ah?"

This seems to surprise Akatsuki.

She seems to freeze for a moment.

"Tactician, explain."

Naotsugu said his piece and dump the rest on Shiroe as though it is Shiroe's duty.

He said something that was not discussed ahead of time... Although Shiroe thinks this way, he still agrees with Naotsugu's proposal.

"... Yeah, I think this is a good idea."

But 'thinking this idea is good' is not equal to 'this idea is easy to explain'. Naotsugu said this out of good will, but it feels like a penalty game forcing Shiroe to hit on a girl, making Shiroe feel embarrassed.

"... I don't want to say this, but Miss Akatsuki is a petite girl and after reverting back to your original body, that... ah, your appearance and voice might... get you into issues easily. The important thing is Miss Akatsuki is not in a guild. Do you have any plans to join one?"

"I am not use to guilds since assassins are lone wolves."

Shiroe's words made Akatsuki frown.

"I thought so. We are both free adventurers, freedom panties festival."

"... Shut up pervert."

"If you have plans to join a guild then its fine... But people will bother you if you are not in one right? The big guilds want to increase their battle powers so they will invite anyone they see. They will put in even more effort to scout if it is a female player."

"Is that so...?"

"To secure a base and exchange information... I think it will be good to have some connections."

Akatsuki nods in agreement.

(Miss Akatsuki is not good with socializing with others)

Shiroe doesn't think of himself as a very sociable person, but Akatsuki has a cold atmosphere around her. When Elder Tales was still a game, Akatsuki shows her kindness through wordless actions. Although Akatsuki is quiet, she doesn't really hate being with others, but very few players realize that.

From what Shiroe knows, the combat specialist Akatsuki knows very few people and he is the one she works with the most often.

Dealing with things this way in a game is fine. Since it's just a game, it is okay the enjoy the game anyway you want if it doesn't bother others.

But this world is no longer a game.

Since Akatsuki is such a beauty, her nonchalant attitude could spark off some serious problems.

(I am not sure how deep Naotsugu thought about this... in a sense, being in a team together is a good thing, but...)

"Isn't this great? Assassins are great at taking out people right? While we are engaging the monsters, she can sneak behind them deliver a killing blow, a beautiful combo dealing out justice to the bad guys festival!"

Naotsugu says with a grin.

(This is correct in terms of teamwork... But what is this festival thing he keeps mentioning?)

"Eh, would you mind Mr Shiroe?"

"We'd be happy to have you. No matter what obstacles we face, it will be safer with the 3 of us working together."

"I see, then as a ninja. I shall revere you as my lord."

Shiroe's word made Akatsuki hesitate a while, but she nods looking with her unique piercing eyes that seems to be forever focused.

Ninja?

Lord?

Isn't Akatsuki an assassin?

Although he has some doubts, it still sounds like a good idea to Shiroe.

"My lord has saved me from the dire fate of being transformed into a man, thus I must work to repay you. This is what requiting a debt means, as your ninja I will protect you from now on."

Akatsuki says these words with shifty eyes that is not like her. Naotsugu is not bothered by the bruises on his nose and grins widely at Shiroe.

"So that settles it, we are a team now. Welcome to the party shrimp."

"Shut up idiot."

"We are a unique 3 men team, please treat me well."

The trio hit each other's canteens in the messy shophouse, toasting the formation of their team.



4


A few days after Akatsuki joins the team.

Their area of operations gradually shifted to the field zone near Akiba.

There are several reasons for doing this, one of them is the difficulty level of the battles they faced in Archives tower forest.

The basic structure and tactics of battles follows that of Elder Tales faithfully. But there are major difference in terms of fighting techniques and skills.

Elements that are not important when playing the game... Like the angle you swing the sword or raise your shield, the terrain around your feet, how to get into position, there are now much more details to consider when fighting. Teamwork and field of vision are also major concerns, and most importantly the mental obstacle of fear is hard to break through.

Shiroe's first thought when practicing outside with Naotsugu is 'this is going to be hard'. But after going through several field trip, his review change into 'this is harder than I imagined'.

Since Akatsuki is a frontline melee class, it will be better for her to get use to this early. They are in a party for now, but they don't know how long this alliance will last, so all of them agrees they should get used to the basics of fighting during their time together.

Another thing is the existence of Crescent moon alliance.

After their initial visit, they drop by the guild quite often to exchange information.

Unlike Shiroe's party, crescent moon alliance has some production players. Although Shiroe has a production subclass as a high level scribe, crescent moon alliance has a greater variety of craftsmen.

They know more people in the city and has better efficiency in collecting information than Shiroe's group.

Since they are trading information, it will be better to investigate the field zones and train at the same time. This is the other reason.

To ensure their minimum level of safety, there are also other people in Akiba who are taking actions like Shiroe's group. But most of the people in Akiba is just spending their days idling around, unable to accept this new reality even after a week has passed. There might be someone... Maybe god or game masters who will save them? The players hold on to this hope.

(If they do not hang on to this hope, their heart might just crumble.)

Shiroe can empathize with them, he is just not optimistic enough to believe in this hope.

If this is just a prank and help do arrive, that will be a great and Shiroe will be relieved. His life in college may not be that wondergl, but it is the world he is familiar with and grew up in, he will definitely want to return.

Even if this is an event orchestrated by the officials, it is an undeniable fact that they could be trapped here forever. Someone who is extremely cautious would not bet on the possibility of rescue and live his days so fruitlessly.

Akiba is the biggest server in Japan and the starting city for new players. The major cities might differ slightly, but the zones surrounding them only has low level monsters, a safe area suitable for beginners to explore.

Shiroe's decide to investigate each of these zones and gradually work their way to high level areas. If you just considers the level, Shiroe, Naotsugu and Akatsuki are all level 90.

Even if they take hits in the low level zones, they will not suffer much damage. The enemies will not attack recklessly once they understand how powerful Shiroe's group.

In this sense, it is possible to avoid battles. But Shiroe's group wants to fight all kinds of monsters whenever possible.

The enemies' attack are not damaging, but they will still involuntarily flinch when facing the strikes of various monsters. Their harsh breathing, suffocating stench of blood and malicious intents definitely can't be felt through your computer screen.

Even if they are low level monsters, the fear of battle is enough to make Shiroe's group back away.

They are low level foes that won't yield any EXP, but Shiroe's party still fought them several times to study ways to handle fighting and to get used to the feel of the battles.


Their battle formation usually have Naotsugu take the lead.

When Naotsugu charge within striking distance of the enemies, it signals the beginning of the fight.

The guardian Naotsugu uses his heavy armor and shield techniques to fend off the monster's attack. 'Taunting shout' is one of the basic skill of guardians with the effect of enraging the enemies. The taunted monsters will then focus on Naotsugu, keeping Shiroe and Akatsuki safe from attacks.

As they expected, it is hard to check the status screen when fighting fiercely on the front lines. When Elder Tales was just a game, you just need to select a monster to attack and your character will keep attacking it. The character will also evade the enemy's blows with a fixed rate, there is no need to worry about parrying the attack with your sword or blocking with your shield.

You just need to click the skill button to activate it.

But you need to keep your eyes on the movements of enemy in front of you when fighting in this alternate world and keep attacking with your weapon repeatedly.

Your vision will narrow when facing the approaching monsters and you won't be able to see the movements of all the enemies.

Shiroe's group design several formation and battle code after several discussions. Their conclusion is to let Shiroe who is away from the frontlines to monitor the whole battle field and give instructions, which is the safest bet.

Shiroe need to support with magic while keeping abreast of the surrounding situations and his allies' status.

Most of the enchanter's spell are mediocre. Keen edge is one of the few spells enchanter can cast that is very helpful. The effect is increasing an allies' weapon attack by 30% for a few hours, there is no need to recast it during battles.

There are other spells that can be used, but their usage is largely dependent on the situation. Shiroe's main duty is to watch the surroundings and manage his allies' condition.

Akatsuki has grown familiar to Shiroe and Naotsugu's teammates after many practice sessions.

Assassins is one of the 3 weapon based class and has the highest attack power among the 12 classes.

They differs from warrior class which is proficient in intercepting the enemies' attack in the frontline. Contrary to that, weapon based class does not have their toughness in defense or the skills to lure enemies.

Simply put, the duty of weapon based class is to finish off the enemies lured in by the warrior class. In this class based on weapons, assassins specializes in killing off enemies speedily. The 'assassination' skill used by assassins can caused almost 10,000 damage in an instance.

Akatsuki dash agilely through the battle field.

Her petite body has amazing speed, you have tracking her movements as she rush towards the enemies. This is 'hide walk', a skill of the assassins allowing them to traverse to their opponents blind spot and increase the success rate of the next attack. <TL: ハイドウォーク>

Her running figure with her black hair flowing behind her is as smooth as a liquid, so beautiful it is mesmerizing.

Naotsugu block the fangs of the enemy with his shield and jump back with the flow, Akatsuki with swing her blade with haste striking their flanks to stop further attacks on Naotsugu.

The cooperation of the front and rear guards is a tactic that overseas the whole battle field; The teamwork of 2 vanguards is directly related to the fight itself.

That is why there is a need to repeatedly fight enemies, so they will know each others modus operanti by instinct.

Shiroe on the other hand is in charge of confirming their status, re-positioning them to keep the enemies off balance. He will occasionally cast enchanter spells to trick or limit the movement of the enemies, moving the battle to their advantage.

After a week of practice, Shiroe's team is able to handle level 50 enemies.


End of Chapter 1