Year 2025, January 22. Japan Standard Time, 8:00am. Alne City's main entrance.

Upon logging in, Koharu's avatar appears at the entrance and she is now alone on her own as Keita and Yuuki are nowhere to be seen in her sight, only a few players. She assumes she must have log in too early before them so she heads to a nearby inn for a short stay and sent her message to Keita and Yuuki with her whereabout.

Koharu: Should've ask them about our next meeting.

She checks her inventory and her weapons on the menu for preparation before heading to the west where the territories of Cait Sith and Sylph are located. That's when Aki comes into her mind and asks him about her next move.

Koharu: What do you think I should do at this moment, Aki?

Akihiko: You should stay in the inn and wait for them. It's best not to clash with any Salamander at this moment.

She just reloads a full clip into her nailgun, pulling the bolt to load the first projectile into the chamber before placing the gun to the table.

Koharu: Yeah.. You're right..

A two-handed great sword just summon in front of her, grabbing the handle and start inspecting the huge blade, running her fingers along near the blade's edge until the tip. Muttering to herself.

Koharu: Still sharp for me.. I only used it for just a few times.. Yes.. I should put it to a good use a lot from now on.

As her eyes continues to glance at the blade for scratches, her past battles in SAO suddenly surface up in her mind again, haunting and whispering in her mind. Inside her imagination, she can see both of her hands are now soaked with blood from all she had brutally killed. Unlike Laughing Coffin's murderous intent just out of fun, she did not enjoy it at all. She didn't want to choose violence at all in the first place without a good reason, it is the violence chose her with a good reason instead. As soon as she hears the evil laugh of the men that made her life a total hell. Her mind starts turning wild and unstable as she tears her enemies apart in the most gruesome way possible out of her pure rage and absolute vengeance. Her hands grip the sword very tightly that her arms both tremble a lot when mustering, her breathing becomes heavy in every inhale and exhale. Until she got interrupted by Akihiko.

Akihiko: Are you alright, Koharu?

She snaps out from her thoughts. Shocked by Akihiko's voice.

Koharu: Huh!?

Akihiko: Your heartbeat rate suddenly speeds up and I can clearly hear your breathing heavily.

She simply brushes Akihiko's question with a casual response.

Koharu: Yeah, I'm okay...

She tries to make her tone sound normal but it's clear for Akihiko to notice her behavior.

Akihiko: Your arms are mustering clearly. And it's obvious something angers you a lot.

Koharu: So what? You're suddenly a psychiatrist now?

Akihiko: Every scientist knows basic knowledge of human psychology. But we should talk about your mental health right now.

Koharu: There's no need. I was just thinking of having some alone.

He sighs before asking with his next question as he can't help but to show concern to Koharu. But knowing the fact he's the main cause that leads Koharu to become unstable, he will be having a hard time just speaking to her.

Akihiko: (Her mental state will be like a mine field for me to walk across. One wrong question will cause her to shut herself.)

Cautiously thinking for a few questions that will not trigger her.

Akihiko: Is your mother the reason that makes you angry?

Koharu: What do you think? They harmed my family and ruined our home! My life went straight to hell and I'm bringing all of them down with me, even if it kills me!

Her voice is getting louder and louder in each sentences. Akihiko couldn't even tell if he just made a wrong move or made her express her grudge to him. He carefully thinks his next sentence to soothe her before the question.

Akihiko: But the Yakuza are already suffered a loss. You should let it go at this moment.

She refuses to let her grudge go just like Akihiko said.

Koharu: I'm not planning on letting it go. Not until all of this has come to an end.

Akihiko: ...

His words only ended up fueling her even more grudge. But she already realized Akihiko's intention and what he's trying to express.

Koharu: I know what you're trying to say. And I appreciate your concern. But I understand myself more than anyone does, even Lai. Plus, I still remember that you ARE the cause at the beginning. So don't try to get all friendly with me.

Her blame towards the virtual scientist struck him hard that Akihiko went silence after hearing her ending the conversation between them.

Koharu: I know you never want forgiveness from us at all. But if this is the way of your atonement. I afraid it won't be enough to scratch the surface, not even f*cking close.

Her harsh word completely shuts Akihiko off, but it didn't even bother the scientist but instead taking note of her behavior. Akihiko can tell there's more in her mind, more enough that can drive her insane again in any moment.

Akihiko: (I guess my high grade in psychology during my studies doesn't prove I'm expert at this. But I'm sure her mother and me are not the only reason that makes her go crazy.)

After the conversation ends, Koharu continues sharpening the blade of her two-handed iron sword with a whetstone. She also checks her invisible iron string to test its durability.

Koharu: ...

She ties the string to the iron greatsword's handle before keeping it to her inventory. She wonders about Lai's status in the real world.

Koharu: (Lai's probably testing out the MG42 for me.)

A door creaks out loud as it opens, Koharu turns around quickly to identify. But she let out a relief as soon as she noticed Keita and Yuuki.

Koharu: Oh, it's you both.

Yuuki: What's wrong? You're not excited to see us?

Koharu: No, I don't mean that way. It's just-

Without letting her finish, Keita places his hand on her shoulder. Reassuring her.

Keita: It's okay.. You must have outdone yourself yesterday. It's best to have some rest.

Hearing that from Keita, she grins a bit.

Koharu: Thanks..

Yuuki: What were you doing yesterday?

Koharu: Just helping Lai out with something important. Are you guys worrying about me?

Keita: That's because we had been through nightmares in VR for two years. But you suffered the most from it. So I was kinda worried about you revisiting VR again.

Koharu: The AmuSphere better be safe. Or else I will storm the RECT progress myself.

Keita: Uhm.. That would be excessive. I'm sure the government will shut it off if it really happens again.

Koharu: And yet the government approved a brain frying hardware like the nervegear and sold it to the market in the first place. I'm not sure they didn't realize it during the check or they already knew about this but kept it secret all the time until the SAO incident.

Keita: Come to think of it.. Maybe the government had other plans to do with the full dive technology?

Koharu: But whatever their plans are, the public outrage inevitably bites them back hard after losing thousands of lives in the virtual world.

She murmurs in her mind while clenching her fist..

Koharu: (Plus, Lai and I will not rest until we put a bullet to every last of them.)

Keita notices her murmurs but isn't clear what she just said.

Keita: Sorry, did you say something?

She simply shook her head.

Koharu: Nothing.. Just talking to myself.

Keita: Well, I guess we can't really trust the government from now on.

Koharu: Yeah.. Really..

Yuuki: So this "government" are the cause of SAO incident?

Koharu: Huh?

Keita: Uhm.. I guess you can say that way.

Yuuki: I'm still don't quite get it but what is "government"?

Keita: Huh?

Koharu: Uhm..

Both are shocked by the fact Yuuki has no clue about the situation in the real world. But Koharu decided not to explain to her because she's too pure to understand the dark side of the real world. She simply apologizes to her.

Koharu: Well.. It's best not to know. It's.. Pretty complicated to explain.

Yuuki: Aww! I want to know!

Koharu: But it's pointless for you to know.

Koharu's insist on not telling anything only makes her curious even more.

Yuuki: And why is that?

Koharu: Because you can't do anything about it sadly. Neither for us as well.

Yuuki: ...

Her exciting smile disappears as she realizes what the girl just said.

Keita: I hate to say it.. It's true for what Koharu just said..

Yuuki: I see..

The conversation paused as they all went silent. Koharu took her chance to shift their topic back to the ALO.

Koharu: Back to the topic.. Where are we heading this time, Keita?

Keita: Hm? Oh! The mission! We just need to get over the west mountain and we will reach our destination.

Koharu: Are you sure..? Isn't it sound a bit simple..

Keita: It all depends what we will encounter there. But there's one thing..

Koharu: Which is?

Keita: There are two routes that leads through the west mountain, one is the Butterfly Valley that leads to Cait Sith's capital and another one is Legrue Corridor that leads to Swilvane, which is Sylph's territory. This is where you have to make a choice.

She cups her chin while thinking which route to take.

Koharu: Hm...

Yuuki: I'm sure either of these two routes wouldn't be a problem, right?

Koharu: Still, I need information about these routes about Salamander's activities. We can't tell how many guys are there and what they had in store for us.

Keita: Both of these routes are filled with Salamanders guarding around and a few merchant players coming in and out. But anyway, it's still the same, both side ain't working without a fight.

Koharu: I'm starting to worry if ALO is still just a video game at this point.

Keita: To be precise, ALO is like another world for us. Same thing happened in SAO is going to happen to ALO as well.

Koharu: *sigh*

After a short sigh, she resumes on information gathering from Keita.

Koharu: So the terrains on both routes...

Keita: Oh! Legrue Corridor is basically a long bridge that leads to another city called "Town of Legrue" located inside the cave and also to the Sylph's territory of course. But there's one issue..

Koharu: What is it?

Keita: Once we get inside the cavern, we can't use the flight ability anymore and that will force us into ground battle.

Koharu: I don't really mind actually.. But any reason why we can't fly in the Legrue Corridor? Maybe there's anti-fly zone or something?

Keita: Not really.. According the game lore, we fairies can fly due to the sunlight or moonlight act as energy for our wings. So..

Koharu: The same goes for any dungeon or even indoors, right?

Keita: Precisely, yes.. So having ground battle in Legrue Corridor should be a bit easier for us. But the mages and other ranged attackers are still not to be underestimated. And one more thing is, there's a high level monster under the bridge that only a group of high level Undine players can beat it.

Koharu: So the Butterfly Valley?

Keita: Same as the Rainbow Valley. But a bit more Salamanders.

Yuuki: So have you make up your choice? I would recommend heading to Cait Sith's Capital since your race is the same as them.

Koharu: Well.. I was about to say that, Yuuki. What about you guys?

Yuuki: I'm not sure the relationship between Imp and Cait Sith. But I have a feeling that it's neutral. I guess the same goes for Undine. Right, Keita?

Keita: Undine always keep a healthy relationship with other races, unless they have ulterior motives or different ideologies. Then, we have to take necessary measure for ourselves.

Koharu: I see..

She stares back at the two routes pinned on the World Map by Keita.

Koharu: Let's head to Butterfly Valley.. But I'm sure they don't bite, right? Since they're..

Keita: I highly doubt that will happen, only if you don't mess with their tail.

Yuuki: But they love it when their ears being caressed instead.

Koharu: Ah-huh..? Wait.. Really?

Yuuki: What? You don't believe me? Let me touch yours and you will know!

She immediately moves away from Yuuki and cover both of her ears before her fingers could land on them.

Koharu: No! Stop it! We don't have time for that!

Yuuki pouts in response.

Yuuki: Come on! It's just the two of us know how you would react when your ears are being touched!

Couldn't resist Koharu's wiggling ears when she is nervous, Yuuki suddenly lick her ears that shocked her completely.

Koharu: Eek!!

Meanwhile at the shooting range..

Lai was just finished test firing with the MG42 for its basic function. Pulling the charging handle back and then forward before opening the top of the gun and check whether the chamber is loaded or not. He slams it back shut before figuring out for the ammunition issue.

Lai: She barely able to hold the MG42 well when aiming. There's no way she can reload a 50 round box magazine everytime during in mid firefight.

Struggling for a way to avoid reloading for Koharu. Lai searches throughout the military equipment for anything that can fit her well, until he notices an ammo backpack that can hold up 1000 rounds of ammo belt instead of magazines. He brings the backpack to the counter where the MG42 is. Connecting the belt directly to the chamber. Basically turning MG42's feeding system into a backpack-fed one that doesn't need to reload frequently.

Lai: This should do...

All of a sudden, he had a bad feeling about Koharu's condition in the Virtual World.

Lai: Hope I'm just being paranoid from all the gunfight.

Back to ALO... Butterfly Valley...

The trio currently heading to the Cait Sith via Butterfly Valley, Koharu crosses her arms, still blushing but also mad at the Imp girl. Yuuki scratches her head while smiling, looking for a way to apologize to her after she received a punch on her head from Koharu for embarrassing her back in the inn. Keita tries to break the silence between the girls.

Keita: I guess we should let bygones be bygones. Sounds good?

Koharu: Not a word about that..

Yuuki: Sowwy~!

Koharu: *sigh*

Roaming through the valley, they encounter fortresses and checkpoints built by Salamanders who are completely taking control of the valley. The trio become alerted and Koharu draws out her Magic Tech Rifle and her Moonkiss for the battle. The other two draw out their weapons as well. Several of Salamanders sense the team's presence and engage in defensive position.

Yuuki: Well, no way getting through without a fight, huh?

Koharu: I wish they don't respawn back. That would actually save me the hassle for real.

Keita: Uh.. That's really mess up to think that way.

Koharu: Of course, I'm just joking. *sigh* (Perhaps I got used to it unfortunately...) Anyway..

After ending their conversation, the trio tighten grip on their weapon, waiting for Koharu's attack signal.

Koharu: Let's take them out!

The trio rush towards and about to clash against hundreds of Salamanders before getting through Butterfly Valley.

Meanwhile in Lai's Apartment Complex...

After replacing any rusted parts of the gun, finish applying metal oil to polish and lubricate the gun, and eventually done filling up the backpack with full of 7.92x57mm ammo belt that connects directly to MG42's chamber. Then, he cleans up the cloth and the rest of the tools before setting the weapon on the table along with the rest of the loadout as preparation for his partner. Aki reports to Lai in a hurry.

Akihiko: Lai, something's worse happening.

Lai: Huh?

Suddenly, his phone just vibrates in his pocket, notifies him for upcoming notifications. Upon checking it, Lai's eyes are widened in shock as he sees no message but only a picture of Haruna in Chiba, Seirei Sakura Citizen hospital from an unknown sender. But it's obvious enough that it's from the Python Clan, Lai immediately knows what their plan is but a part of him tells him he should wait for Koharu, knowing going on his own is a suicidal mission. That's when he realized he has to make a tough decision.

Lai: God damn it!

Akihiko: Now that's out of my expectations towards them. Never thought they stoop that low.

Lai: What's our plan?

Akihiko: Leave a message for Koharu. She's on her way to her objective and cannot withdraw at the moment. So I'm afraid you're on your own this time.

Lai: I'll enable my GPS and mark the coordinate. So you can guide Koharu with it.

He shares the message to Koharu's phone, along with GPS enabled to hopefully she can track him down if things go south. After that, he grabs his M1887 shotgun loadout along with a plenty amount of 12 gauge buckshot shells, also with a JW3 Combat Master M1911. Heading off to the Seira Sakura Citizen Hospital via Kayaba's help.

Back to Butterfly Valley..

As expected from overpowered player like Koharu, the checkpoints along with the fortresses behind the trio has been reduced into ruined debris. The other two are still shocked by her destructive capabilities after they had passed through the Valley.

Keita: Can't believe you just breezed through all of that.

Koharu: I feel we're running out of time. So that's why I made it quick. And having fun in this game isn't part of my reasons at all. Sorry about that.

Keita: It's fine. Anyway.. Now we've passed the Butterfly Valley. We're on our way to the Cait Sith territory.

Koharu: So what's our next move?

Keita: We'll try out luck and visit the leader of the Cait Sith for negotiation.

Koharu: And let's hope Yuuki doesn't harass any Cait Sith player's ears or tail again.

Yuuki: Hey! I can hear you! I'm not someone with massive perversion!

The girl chuckles..

Koharu: Heh.. Doubt..

Japan Standard Time 11:00am, Seirei Sakura Citizen hospital.

Arriving at the front of hospital's main entrance, Lai leaves his car before Akihiko drives the car back to Apartment Complex. He checks the time, complaining the fact he is gonna skip his lunch.

Lai: Great... I'm gonna skip my lunch.

After that, Lai cautiously advances his way as soon as he is in the hospital, with both of his hands remains in his hoodie, ready to draw out anytime. Lai walks his way in a fast pace via the stairs instead of elevator to avoid any unavoidable encounter he could land himself into, on the way to the floor where Haruna's ward room, also taking a note of any personnels and patients he passes by, knowing well that he will step into an explosive mine anytime that will land him in a gun fight since some of them might be someone in disguise. As soon as he reaches the ward room where Haruna is. The first thing he sees through the window is a man pointing a gun at Haruna's head. He feels shocked but also mad that he curses under his breath.

Lai: You f*cking...

*Gun cocks*

A gun muzzle plants on his back.. A cold voice whispers in his ear.

???: Drop the gun..

Lai couldn't get a visual on the assailant that got his rear. Rendering him helpless. But he immediately knows that it's a woman, assume it's a nurse in disguise with face mask.

Lai: What if I don't...

Disguised nurse: You know what happens..

Lai: ...

The boy stay frozed and silent, not moving a muscle. The nurse repeats again but in a much demanding tone.

Disguised nurse: Drop it..!

Lai takes a deep breath and sighs out in frustration but in a more panicked tone.

Lai: I'm sorry, Koharu...

*Bang!*

A .45 ACP bullet burst through from the back of his hoodie, hitting the throat of the nurse and causing her to fall while spurting out blood violently. Turns out he had his JW3 Combat Master M1911 hidden under his armpit in his hoodie and already aimed directly at the nurse's vital spot. At the next second, Lai immediately raises and reveals his M1887 shotgun, pointing at the man inside.

*Bang!* *Plank!*

12 pellets destroys the glass window completely and sprays all across the man's torso with additional glass pieces that flies towards him before he could even execute Haruna. The blood of the man sprays across Haruna's face.

Lai: Sorry, Haruna! Argh!!

His apologize got interrupted by the alarm blaring out loud that alerts every personnels and patients and almost makes his ears deaf but also covers his gunfire sound. Every personnels escort their patients to safety while Lai cocks his lever action shotgun after keeping his handgun. Lai remains around Haruna's ward room to defend the assault and also surviving the gunfight. Lai quickly headshots a man who just appears from the side corridor with a handgun, cocks the lever and immediately countered by another with an axe. Lai blocks the axe with his shotgun, then quickly retracts back and blows the man away as soon as he points the shotgun at the Yakuza's head. He swiftly picks up the firefighter axe in two handed after keeping his shotgun. Expecting more of them will come chasing him from the same corridor, he gathers all of his strength on the axe, ready to deliver a strike. As soon he gets a visual of a gun and an arm coming at him, he chops the man's arm straight fown and quickly cuts off the head in horizontal swing as soon as he gets a visual on him entirely. He grabs the body as a shield after noticing three of them are ready to shoot him. He pushes the body before grabbing the axe and hacks off their head one and another one, then he throws the axe at the third one, he quickly draws his pistol, landing a few shots on the third Yakuza to confirm the kill. Lai focuses on getting out of the hospital and make a call to Aki.

Lai: Aki! I need to get away! The Yakuza are hunting me down!

It takes a second for Aki to reply back.

Akihiko: The car is on the way. I figured you would make it out somehow.

Lai: Thanks!

*Pssss!!!*

Lai: !!

A sound of gas leaking out alerts him, then he notices the fire sprinkler system is spraying out a colourless yet noticeable gas. Knowing Yakuza are onto him, Lai has no time for examining the gas and rush his way out of hospital via the fire exit stairs. Unfortunately as he reaches the ground floor, all the gas invades every corner of the hospital as every fire sprinkler system has been modified. He saw several personnels and patients are lying on the ground motionless without any sign of bleeding or even injuries. That's when he figures out what the gas is.

Lai: It's a f*cking sleeping gas. These guys are no joke..

Thankfully that he is in the emergency stairs, he just exits out the hospital safe and sound.

*Bang!*

He shoots an approaching Yakuza without any hesitation with a few shots of his handgun. Then as he heads to outside of the main entrance, he slides down in forward momentum to avoid gunshot and simultaneously getting to close to his target, also fires a few shots on him before tumbling him down with a swift kick. Using the man's body as a meat shield, he shoots the other three coming at him from the van. He gets back up from the corpse. He soon recognized the car that driven by Aki, is just in front of him and just on the other side of the road. But just as he crosses the road, he notices a truck that is coming in suddenly.

Lai: Ah fu-!

*Crash!*

The truck sends Lai away a few meters after crashing into him directly, resulting Lai lying on the road grieving by the trauma he just took, especially his head. Then, a huge gang of Yakuza starts jumping out from the trailer behind the truck. Surrounded Lai who is now lost his consciousness. Akihiko, who witnesses the whole situation, decided to escape away immediately from the scene.

Akihiko: Damn it..

The Yakuza brought him to the truck's trailer after mercilessly kicking and stomping unconscious Lai out of rage for a minute. Akihiko helplessly watches the scene unfolds itself in front of him.

Akihiko: Koharu will definitely be very pissed hearing this.

After they all boarded onto the trailer, the truck driver escapes the hospital. Akihiko follows behind to acquire the coordinate of where they will hold him at before heading back to the Apartment.

End of Chapter...

(Author's Note: Sorry for the 3 months hiatus, I was in internship during these months and I really need to focus on. But I'll be resuming on writing during this November. Sorry for being dead for three months.)