Currently, it is the day of the Battle Royale tournament in GGO. After what had happened the day before, Akiri didn't get the luxury of a peaceful sleep. How could he, when all he sees are the people he slaughtered every time he closes his eyes.

Ever since he woke up, his mind kept wondering about the small exchange he had with the masked man from yesterday.

(Flashback)

???: Are you the real thing?

???: With that name... that fighting style, that red sword and red outfit... Are you the real deal, or what?

???: Whether you're a fake using his name or the real one... Someday, I'll kill you...

(Flashback over)

He searches through his memories again, trying his hardest to remember who the masked person was, trying to remember his name. He knew that the person was in SAO. He knew he had encountered the person before. But he couldn't recall anything no matter how hard he tried.

Akiri: Who the hell are you...?

He muttered as he released a sigh and he got into his wheelchair.

Akiri: (thoughts) No matter. Whether I remember his name or not, my objective doesn't change...

With that, he puts on a black jacket over his red shirt and he went to the garage where Alexander is waiting to drive him to the hospital.

(Timeskip)

Currently, Akiri is in the same hospital room as yesterday. Aki was already waiting for him when he entered the room and he silently made his way towards the bed.

Aki: What's the matter, kiddo?

She asked, breaking the silence as he was about to climb onto the bed and the boy didn't answer as he kept looking down. Aki then helped him up and she sat next to him on the bed.

Aki: You have a scary look on your face

Akiri: It's nothing... I'm just... thinking...

Aki: This is your chance to get free counselling from a hot nurse. Come on, tell me what's wrong

Akiri stayed silent for a while longer before finally opening his mouth.

Akiri: ...Aki-san. Before you moved to rehab, you told me you were in surgery, right?

Aki: That's right

Akiri: What I'm asking might be rude and intrusive, but... How much do you remember about the patients who died?

Aki: Let me see... If I try to remember, I can recall their names and faces. Even the patients I was only in the operating room with for an hour... Yeah, I remember them

She replied. He then turns his head towards her.

Akiri: Have you ever wanted to forget?

Aki: Let me see... I don't know if this is an answer... But I think that if it's something you're meant to forget, then you will. Even without thinking you want to forget. Because, the more times you think you want to forget, the stronger those memories become, right?

She said as they both stared out the window.

Aki: So doesn't that mean that, deep in your subconscious, you think you shouldn't forget about them?

Akiri: Then maybe I am a monster...

His gaze falls towards the white polished floor.

Akiri: When I was in SAO, I killed many players... Many people. They were all red players, murderers... I thought that I was right in killing them since they were all killers. But in the end, that made me no more than a killer myself

He grasps tightly onto the fabric of his jeans, remembering the moments he killed out of rage and hatred, his burning desire for revenge.

Akiri: And for the past year, I'd totally forgotten about them. The lives I took. Even now, I can't remember any of their names or faces. When I see them in my dreams I couldn't see who they are. Just shadowy figures haunting me for everything I did... I'm nothing but a monster who forgets all the people I've killed...

Aki then pulled him over to her and she wrapped her arms around him, trying her best to soothe him.

Aki: Shiranobu-kun, I'm sorry. I told you I'd be your counsellor, but I can't take away your burden or carry it with you. I've never been in that game, so I can't really know what it means when you said you killed them

She said with a comforting tone as she tries to calm him down.

Aki: But I know this. You did it because you had to. To protect other people. You did what you think is right

He began tearing up more, his breathing slowly started to get heavier.

Aki: In medicine, there are times when you must pick who lives and who dies. Of course, that doesn't mean it's okay to kill someone even if you have a good reason. But everyone involved has the right to consider the lives they saved. You have that right. You have the right to save yourself, by thinking of the people you've saved

Akiri: The right to save myself...? I tried to kill my friend just because I was jealous!

He shouted as he pushes himself away from her hug.

Akiri: I took so many... So many lives that I couldn't even count! And I've even forgotten all about them! I threw away that burden, that duty to remember!

He cried out, now completely breaking up in tears.

Akiri: I killed them! Every single one of them! And then I refused to remember them! Do I really have the right to be saved-!?

He was cut off when Aki suddenly hugged him tightly and she gently rubs his hair.

Aki: If you'd really forgotten, you wouldn't suffer so much... You'd keep on living your life as if nothing ever happened...

His eyes widened as he is now speechless, unable to say anything more. They stayed like that for a while longer before Aki finally loosened her grip.

Aki: You remember them. When the time comes for you to remember, you will. And when that happens, you'll realize that there are also people you protected and saved

He looked at her as she gave him a gentle smile. He thought back to the people he had met. The people he fought to protect, the friends he made in SAO. The friend that had been with him since the beginning of the game. And the friend that cares for the most.

Aki: I know you have regrets. But you can't change the past. The only thing to do now, is to move forward

Akiri: ...

(Timeskip)

Akiri: Aki-san...

He said as he puts on the AmuSphere on his head, preparing to FullDive back into GGO.

Akiri: Thank you. For earlier...

Aki: No problem!

She replied with a smile.

Akiri: Thanks to you, I know what I need to do...

Aki: Oh? And what's that?

Akiri: I can't change the past. I can't take back the things I did. So I'm done running away. I'm going to face it. This time, I'm going to finish it. And I'm not giving up until I do

He said before lying down completely on the bed.

Akiri: I don't think anything will happen until the tournament starts at 8:00. But I should be back at 10:00. I'll see you later, Aki-san

He then closes his eyes, ready to dive.

Aki: Okay, see you later, hero Akiri-kun

The boy pauses, hearing what she said. A few moments passed before he started to dive.

Akiri: ...Link start

(Timeskip)

Currently in ALO, Asuna and Kirito, along with Klein, Lizbeth, Leafa and Silica have just got done killing a monster at a clearing.

Asuna: Sorry, everyone. I spaced out in the middle of a fight

She apologized to them as she had not been paying attention to the battle and Klein had almost died because of that.

Klein: It's okay, don't worry about it!

Kirito: You're worried about Akiri, aren't you?

Kirito asked and she just nodded.

Silica: It's almost time for his tournament, isn't it?

Kirito: Yeah. According to the schedule, it'll start in an hour

Leafa: Well, it's a little early, but how about we call it a day and start getting ready to watch?

Klein: Sounds good! We made enough money to pay for food and drinks!

Liz: You're not gonna eat it all yourself, are you...?

As he laughed, Kirito noticed that Asuna stayed quiet and had a frown on her face throughout the conversation.

Kirito: Hey, Asuna...

Asuna: ...I video called him last night. He looks troubled. And when I mentioned it, he said that he was fine

She said as she then released a sigh. He went over and places his hand into hers, holding her hand tight to comfort her.

Kirito: That's just how he is. He doesn't want to worry you

Asuna: I know that, but...

Yui then flew over to her cheek.

Yui: It'll be okay, mama! Uncle is definitely going to win!

Kirito: Yeah. I'm sure that whatever he's doing over there, he'll succeed

Kirito and Yui said, and Asuna smiled back at them.

Asuna: You're right. No matter where he goes or what he does, Akiri always do his best

She replied as she and Kirito looks up towards the World Tree, Yggdrasil. Remembering how hard he fought to get to the top and rescue Asuna.

(Timeskip)

Akiri is at the Governor General Office. He paid no mind to the stares coming from the crowd as he walks through them, making his way towards one of the registration terminals.

As he got there, he saw that Sinon is already standing there, using one of the consoles and he quietly uses the terminal next to her.

Akiri: Hi, Sinon-san

He greeted her as he uses the terminal.

Sinon: ...Hello, Akiri-san

She replied without turning her head as she kept on using the terminal.

Akiri: Hey, Sinon? Sinooon? Sinon-san...

He tries to get Sinon's attention, but she was ignoring him.

Akiri: Oi, Sinon-

Sinon: Stop it! I already said hello, what more do you want?!

Akiri: Well, I was wondering before the tournament started, we maybe share information

Sinon just looked at the boy with an annoyed look and he rubbed the back of his head.

Akiri: I mean, I'd really appreciate it...

Sinon: Fine. I'm sure it'll just be me lecturing you though

Akiri: Of course it would...

Sinon: What was that?

Akiri: Nothing

Akiri and Sinon then heads to the waiting room and he saw it was full of people, all conversing with each other.

Akiri: There are a lot more people in here than yesterday

Sinon: The main tournament is always like a big party

Akiri: I see

The two of them then started to walk past the different players and he overheard that most of them are talking and gossiping about him and his win from yesterday. The pair then sat together at a table.

Akiri: So just to confirm. It's a standard battle royale, right? Thirty players are randomly placed on the same map? And you just start shooting when you encounter someone, and the last man standing wins

Sinon then looked at Akiri annoyed.

Sinon: I knew it... You're trying to make me explain everything to you. Anyway, all that was in the e-mail the admins sent you! Did you even read it?

Akiri: Of course I did...

He said. Although, he was lying.

Akiri: (thoughts) There's an e-mail...?

Sinon: I guess it's all in how you say it. Basically, you're right. It's a battle royale on a single map with thirty players. Starting locations are random, but you'll be at least a thousand meters from every other player

Akiri: How big is the map?

Sinon: Did you really read the e-mail?

Akiri: Yes, but actually no...

The girl just let out a sigh.

Sinon: The map is ten kilometres in diameter. It has mountains, forests and deserts. The stage also starts in the afternoon, so no one has an advantage or
disadvantage due to equipment or stat type

Akiri: Ten kilometres? That's quite big for only thirty players. How can you even find anyone?

Sinon: You're shooting at each other with guns, so it has to be that big. And the participants will receive an item called a "Satellite scan terminal"

Akiri: Satellite?

Sinon: The idea is that a satellite passes over the stage once over fifteen minutes. Then it transmits the location of each player on the map to the terminal

Akiri: So you can only hide in one place for fifteen minutes before your location is exposed...

Sinon: That's right

Akiri: Wouldn't such a mechanic put a certain sniper at a disadvantage?

He said, looking at her with a smug look, which she then returns.

Sinon: Fifteen minutes is more than enough to fire one shot, kill a certain person and move

Akiri: That so...?

Sinon: Okay, you're done for now? The next time I find you...

Sinon then went to get up, but Akiri quickly went and grabbed her shoulder.

Akiri: Wait

She stopped and looked at her wristwatch before looking at him.

Sinon: Is there still something else?

Akiri: Yeah. It's what I really wanted to talk about

Sinon just sighed and sat back down. Akiri then pulled down his menu and pulled up the list of players participating in the BoB.

Akiri: This may seem strange to you, but how many players participating here do you not recognize?

Sinon looked at him with a confused expression.

Sinon: Huh? What are you talking about?

Akiri: Please... This is important

Sinon looked at Akiri and saw how serious he was and sighed.

Sinon: Well, as long as it's only names, I don't mind telling you

Sinon then started looking through the list.

Sinon: Other than a certain obnoxious photon sword user, only three are new players

Akiri: Three? Who?

She points to the names on the list.

Sinon: Gunner X and Pale Rider? And... I guess it's pronounced "Sterben"?

Akiri then narrowed his eyes at the names mentioned.

Akiri: (thoughts) Gunner X, Pale Rider, Sterben. One of these is Death Gun...

Sinon: What's with you? You haven't explained any of this

She asked, however, Akiri just kept silent, thinking hard about whether to tell her or not.

Sinon: I'm really about to get mad

Akiri: Really? I thought anger was your default emotion...

Sinon: Is your plan to piss me off so I screw up in the tournament?

She said as she looked at him with an annoyed expression.

Akiri: No, I wouldn't stoop so low as to play mind games...

He then sighed and looked down.

Akiri: I can tell you, but I don't know if you would believe me or not...

Sinon: Does it have anything to do with how you started acting weird in the qualifiers yesterday?

Akiri: Yeah, it does... Yesterday, a player from another VRMMO spoke to me. One of these names is probably him...

Sinon: A friend?

Akiri: No... An old enemy. I tried to kill him, and he tried to kill me... But I can't even remember what he used to call himself...

Sinon just looked at him confused.

Sinon: Kill you? An enemy? Were you in a party and got into a fight or something?

Akiri: No

He answered as he looked up to her with a serious expression on his face.

Akiri: We tried to take each other's lives. Their group, did things that are absolutely unforgivable... So I decided to do something about it

Akiri then clenched his hands tightly.

Akiri: I hunted them down one by one, and made them pay for what they did... And for the longest time, I've been avoiding taking responsibility for it... Up until now, I forced myself to forget...

His gaze then falls down to the floor as Sinon kept looking at him.

Akiri: But no more... No more trying to forget. I'll face my sins. This ends here, once and for all...

He took a deep breath and exhaled. His expression lightens up as he then looked over at Sinon.

Akiri: I'm sorry for saying such weird things... Forget about it-

Sinon: You can still pull the trigger anyway?

He looked over at Sinon surprised as he heard what she had muttered.

Sinon: Akiri-san, were you one of the players in that game...?

Akiri: ...

Sinon: Sorry. I'm not supposed to ask that, am I?

Akiri: No, it's okay

Sinon: Akiri...

Akiri: Hm?

She muttered his name, however, she seem to be hesitating about what she wanted to say as she then just let out a sigh.

Sinon: We need to head to the standby dome, or we won't have time to focus our minds or inspect our equipment

Akiri: Right

Akiri and Sinon then made their way to the elevator to head to the standby dome.

The both of them didn't say anything, keeping their mouth closed as they were going up the elevator, until Sinon broke the silence.

Sinon: I understand that you have your reasons for what you're doing

She said as she walked up to Akiri and pointed her finger at his back.

Sinon: But your promise with me is something different. I'm going to pay you back for yesterday's final round. So if you let anyone else shoot you, I'll never forgive you...

Akiri: I understand

He replied as he then looked back and smiled at Sinon.

Akiri: I don't plan on dying, but if I did, it'll be by your bullet and your bullet alone

Sinon looked at him and started to blush and she quickly looked away to hide it.

Sinon: Thank you...

(Timeskip)

Akiri entered his standby dome and sat on the bench, collecting his thoughts.

Akiri: Alright. Focus, Akiri...

He mutters to himself, trying to get his head in the game.

Outside, everyone is excitedly waiting for the BoB to begin.

Announcer: Alright everyone, get ready! Place your bets because we're about to start! Now, are you guys ready to see who's the strongest player in Gun Gale Online?

A girl is seen on the holographic screen declaring to the vast audience.

Announcer: As usual, MMO Stream will be broadcasting the battle, live and uncensored! Alright, let's start the countdown!

The countdown started, and the crowd shouted along.

Crowd: Ten! Nine!

Sinon is seen with her eyes closed as she was sitting down on the bench with her sniper rifle Hecate II next to her, prepared for the upcoming battle.

Crowd: Seven! Six!

Akiri got up from his seat to do a few stretches, focusing both his mind and virtual body to be ready for what lies ahead as he then took a deep breath.

Crowd: Three! Two! One!

As the counter reaches zero, colourful, bright flashes of fireworks fill the sky of the main city.

The crowd cheered loudly, their voices were heard throughout the city as they celebrated.

The third Bullet of Bullets has officially started...