The third Bullet of Bullets is now underway.

Akiri opened his eyes and looked around to see that he is teleported to a forest area. Tall trees, shrubbery and plant life surround his every direction.

Akiri: (thoughts) As much as I want to send some scrubs to the Gulag, I can't waste my time fighting unnecessary fights...

He thought as he immediately went on the move, not wasting any more time standing around as he went on to try and find his target.

Akiri: (thoughts) I need to track down Death Gun as soon as possible. Before he could harm any other people...

His mind started to wander again, recalling his memories from SAO. The sight of him seeing a player die for the first time. The memory of him failing to save a life...

He shook his head from side to side rapidly, trying to focus on the present as he then pats his cheeks.

Akiri: Focus. Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee. They can't hit what they can't see. Let's do this!

Meanwhile, most of the players had already gotten into an engagement. The sounds of gunshots and occasional explosions from grenades echoes throughout the tournament map.

The crowd watches from their screens as the battles and gunfights unfolds as the tournament is broadcasted live by MMO Stream.

(Elsewhere)

Currently, the blue-haired sniper, Sinon is seen leaning against a tree with her map opened in front of her, giving her a top-down view of the terrain around her. White dots are scattered around, indicating the location of a player.

Sinon: (thoughts) Twenty-one survivors left

She zooms in on a set of players to see a player named Dyne being chased by Pale Rider.

Sinon: (thoughts) Looks like Dyne is being chased

She then looks to the west of her location to see a player named Lion Richie.

Sinon: (thoughts) Richie's got a machine gun so he won't move. Going after Dyne and Pale Rider would be the better choice

A countdown then started on the map signalling that the satellite's assist is about to end.

Sinon: (thoughts) I wonder how he's doing out there? Is he still alive?

Her mind wanders off, seeing Akiri's face in her mind and she then immediately shook her head.

Sinon: (thoughts) I don't care about that jerk!

Her map then turned off as she then ran off towards where she last saw her targets.

She then lies down on a hillside, overlooking a bridge to see that Dyne is lying down on the road, aiming at the opposite side of the bridge with his rifle.

Sinon: You should always check your six, Dyne. See you later

She was about to pull the trigger, but she then heard a noise coming from behind.

Sinon: Who's there?!

She shouted as she turns around and pulls out her sidearm at the same time, but was too late as she saw that someone has already gotten close to her and the person quickly slaps her gun out of her hand and pins her to the ground.

As she try to struggle out of the person's grasp, she saw that it was Akiri.

Akiri: Shh...! Please, be quiet...!

He said in a quiet voice.

Akiri: I have a plan

Sinon: In this situation, there aren't any plans or compromises! One of us dies... That's all!

She said as she kept struggling, but he kept pressing her down.

Akiri: Please, I don't want them to notice us

Sinon: What do you mean?

Akiri: I need to see this fight. Until it ends, I ask you to hold your fire

Sinon: Watch and do what?

Akiri: That depends on what I see. But after that, I'll leave this area. I promise I won't attack you

Sinon: I might shoot you from behind

Akiri: If that's what you want to do, that's fine. Just do it after I've taken care of business

As he said that, she finally stopped struggling as she then looked into his eyes with a serious expression.

Sinon: If we get a chance to start over, will you fight me for real?

Akiri: Yes, I promise

Sinon looked at him for a moment before she finally agrees and Akiri loosens his grip, getting off of her as he then pulled out a pair of binoculars to watch the fight.

Sinon: You should be more cautious...

Sinon said as she puts her pistol away and went to look down her sniper scope.

Sinon: If he tries to move, I'll shoot him first

Akiri: Fine. But not a second earlier

They waited until they then saw a masked person wearing a white suit walking down the bridge.

Akiri: (thoughts) That must be Pale Rider...

Pale Rider leaned forward and ran at full speed. Dyne opens fire, but his target effortlessly dodged his shots by jumping around, navigating through the bridge to close the distance. As he got close, he pushes Dyne's rifle aside and fired a shot at point-blank.

Pale Rider stood in front of the man, another shot in the head finishes the battle.

Sinon: If he had the time to swap magazines, he should have shot from the hip...

Akiri: That Pale Rider guy is good. Was he the one under the cloak...?

Sinon turns her gaze over at him and she then looked back at her scope.

Sinon: I'm going to shoot him

Akiri: I don't know... With how fast his movement is...

Sinon: You think he can dodge at this range? You're kidding me

As the two of them were looking at Pale Rider, he was suddenly shot from the side and the two of them looked shocked as they try to find where the shot came from, however, they were confused as they hadn't heard a gunshot from anywhere.

Akiri: What the-?

Sinon: I missed the gunshot?

Akiri: No, I didn't hear anything either...

Sinon: So the only possibilities are a quiet laser rifle or a physical gun with a silencer... But he shouldn't be dead, why isn't he moving?

Akiri zooms in with his binoculars and saw that there was electricity sparks where Pale Rider is hit.

Akiri: Sinon, you see that?

Sinon: See what?

Akiri: Look closer. That wasn't a normal bullet

Sinon then looked down her scope and saw what looked like a dart in his shoulder.

Sinon: A stun bullet?

Akiri then noticed something moving in the corner of his eyes and he looked over to the shock of seeing the masked man from the day before.

Akiri: It's him... How long has he been standing there...?

The person then started to walk towards Pale Rider and Sinon was shocked as she recognized the sniper rifle he is using.

Sinon: Silent Assassin...?!

Akiri: Is that the name of the rifle?

Sinon: Yeah... A high-level sniper rifle that comes with a silencer. I'd heard rumours that it existed within GGO, but it's the first time I've seen one... If he has a gun like that, who is he...?

The masked man then walked up to Pale Rider and then stood over him and pulled out a pistol and aimed it at the incapacitated player.

Akiri: ...

Sinon: Is he going to finish him with that handgun?

They watch as the person then made a cross gesture.

Akiri: Sinon, shoot him...

Sinon: At which one?

Akiri: The one with the cloak. Hurry! Before he shoots!

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.
.

Meanwhile, back in ALO, everyone is in the room they had rented in Yggdrasil to watch Akiri in the BoB.

However, as they watch the broadcast, they haven't seen Akiri on the screen at all since the start of the tournament. Instead, the live broadcasts only show other players that were in engagements.

Leafa: Akiri-kun is not getting much screen time

Silica: All the battles are broadcasted aren't they? Knowing him, I thought we'd be seeing him nonstop

Klein: Maybe he's playing it safe. He might be hiding until there are fewer players left

Klein said as he is watching the tournament from the drinks bar.

Kirito: Nah, Akiri wouldn't do that. He'd be in the brunt of all the action

Asuna: Yeah. But he's not actually there to play the game, is he?

She said as looked at Kirito who is sitting next to her. He just gave her a knowing look as they then continued to watch on the screen.

Yui: Uncle is probably so fast that he isn't showing up on camera!

Klein: You got that right! The cameras probably can't keep up with the fastest swordsman in SAO

Liz then started to laugh.

Liz: And it's a gun game, but he'll still be using a sword instead of a gun!

She joked and they all burst out laughing.

Kirito: Hey, I mean I would be doing the same thing

Liz: Of course you would...

As everyone is watching, the fight between Pale Rider and Dyne popped up on the screen and they watch the fight in astonishment as it ends in Pale Rider's victory.

Silica: Amazing... He's almost as fast as Akiri

Liz: Yeah. I'm sure they're likely to be the one facing Akiri in the endgame

They continued to watch and they saw Pale Rider suddenly get shot from the side.

Kirito: A sneak attack?

Klein: Hey, that's not fair!

Liz: He isn't out yet!

Everyone then saw the sparking dart in his shoulder.

Silica: What is that?

Kirito: Probably an attack that paralyzes the target for a specified time

As they continued to watch, they were then spooked when they saw a cloaked figure pop into frame as they all jumped back surprised.

.
.
.

Back with Akiri and Sinon, Akiri is telling Sinon to fire at the masked person.

Akiri: The one with the cloak. Hurry! Before he shoots!

Sinon then aimed at the person and fired. To the shock of everyone, he managed to dodge the shot as he then turns his head towards them.

Sinon: He knew where I was...

She said as she pulls back the bolt of her rifle, releasing an empty shell.

Akiri: What?

Sinon: He must've seen me somewhere, so the system recognized me

Akiri looked back and saw the masked man aiming his gun at Pale Rider, and he pulled the trigger, firing only a single bullet.

Pale Rider then got up and tries to shoot back, but he then dropped his shotgun and started to grip his chest tightly, seemingly in pain as he then fell to the ground.

Everyone who is watching looks on in shock as Pale Rider is announced to be disconnected from the game.

Sinon: What was that?

Akiri: He didn't die... His connection was severed...

Sinon: But how...?

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.
.

In ALO, everyone had watched Pale Rider disconnected and were shocked as they saw the cloaked person step into the camera.

???: My true name, and the true name of this gun, is Death Gun

He spoke as he pointed his black pistol towards the broadcasting camera.

Death Gun: Someday, I will appear before you. And I will bring you true death with this gun. I have the power. Do not forget. It isn't over. Nothing is over...

Death Gun: It's showtime

Everyone in the room was confused at what he said, except for Klein and Kirito as they both had looks of shock on their faces, hearing the phrase.

Klein: No way...

Kirito: You can't be serious... He can't be...

Asuna: Do you both know who he is?

Klein: I can't remember his old name...

Kirito: Me neither... But I'm sure of it. That player... Is a Laughing Coffin member...

Everyone then looked at the two completely shocked, hearing the infamous name after a long time.

Asuna: Laughing Coffin... Is he the knife user who was their leader?

Kirito: No, that wasn't PoH. He talks and acts completely different. But what he said, "It's showtime"...

Klein: That was PoH's catchphrase. It has to be someone close to him, one of the high ranking players

Asuna slowly turns back towards the screen, still wide-eyed, the look of concern is clearly on her face as she stares at the masked figure.

Asuna: Akiri...

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.

Back with Akiri and Sinon, they were still looking at the cloaked man, now revealed as Death Gun.

Akiri: This confirms it... That guy, is Death Gun...

Sinon: Death Gun? You mean the one from that weird rumour about players that he shoots not logging in?

Akiri: Yeah. And he's no rumour. He really has the ability to kill players through some unknown method

He says as he then looked at Sinon with a serious expression.

Akiri: Two people are already dead in real life

Sinon: No way...

Death Gun walked away into the shadows and seemingly disappeared from the bridge without a trace as Akiri kept looking using his binoculars.

Akiri: He vanished just like that...?

They then heard beeping coming from their wristwatches, signalling that it was nearly time for the scan.

Sinon: Akiri, you watch the bridge. I'll use this to check his name

Akiri: Right

Akiri kept searching the area as Sinon got up and went to check the scan, but couldn't find Death Gun, or any other player within their vicinity.

Sinon: Huh? He isn't here?

Akiri: Then he might've gone into the river to avoid the scan, just like I did

Sinon: Going underwater avoids the scan?

Sinon asked as she looked at him.

Akiri: Yeah. But you need to unequip all of your items though

Sinon: Then this is our chance. All of his weapons are unequipped

Akiri: No. He can still move underwater with a single handgun

Sinon: Even so, I can beat a guy with a lone handgun-

Akiri then grabbed Sinon's hand, stopping her.

Akiri: Listen to me. You just saw that handgun kill Pale Rider. One shot and you could really die

Sinon: ...I don't want to accept that there's a player who's actually killing people in real life...

Akiri then got up and looked her seriously in the eyes.

Akiri: But there is. Believe it or not, that player, killed lots of people in the virtual MMO I was once part of. He swung his sword, knowing people would die. And so did I

Sinon: Someone like that is really playing GGO...?

Akiri then looked at Sinon and saw that she was in deep thought, thinking about something. Although, as he looked at her closer, she seemed to be in a trance, frozen in place. He then lightly shook her to get her attention and she looked at him.

Akiri: Sinon. You okay?

Sinon: I'm fine...

She replied as she slowly pulls away Akiri's hand from her shoulder.

Sinon: Just a little surprised. To be honest, it'll take some time for me to believe your story. But I don't think it's something you made up

Akiri: That's good enough for me

Sinon: Anyway, we need to get out of here. The other players will think we're fighting and come kill us both

Akiri: Yeah, good call. Third parties are really annoying... Then we're splitting up here

He said as he turns around and started to walk away.

Sinon: What will you do?

Akiri: What else? I'm going after Death Gun. Sinon, I want you to stay as far from him as possible

Sinon: But...

Akiri: Don't worry, I'll keep my promise. Next time we meet, I'll fight with all I have. And also, thanks for listening to me instead of shooting me. I appreciate that

Akiri then jumped off the rock and ran off, leaving Sinon.

Sinon: Hey!

As he is running, he heard someone behind him and he looked back and saw Sinon running over to him.

Sinon: Wait! I'm going, too

Akiri: No, you're not. I told you to stay away from him

Sinon: That Death Gun's pretty strong. If you lose to him, you can't keep your promise to me

Akiri: I'm not gonna lose-

Sinon: I don't like it, but it'll be safer to work together temporarily and knock him out of the running

Akiri: No. He's dangerous. I'm not letting you get involved in this

Sinon: We don't know where he went, so isn't dangerous whether I stay with you or not?

She replied, countering his argument as he then released a sigh while pinching the bridge of his nose.

Akiri: You're not gonna listen to me no matter what I say, do you?

Sinon: Nope

Sinon kept looking at him, completely serious about what she said. Akiri just looked down and released another sigh.

Akiri: Fine...

Akiri then suddenly drew his photon sword, surprising Sinon as he swiftly turned around to deflect a bullet coming from behind.

It is revealed that a player is hiding from a distance and started to fire at them.

Sinon could just look in shock as Akiri proceeded to block every shot, protecting her from the volley of bullets coming their way. After a while, the shooting stops as the attacking player had to reload.

Akiri: I guess we should start our new partnership by sending this guy to the Gulag. I'll block his shots. You fire as soon as you see an opening

Sinon then nodded and went prone with her sniper.

Sinon: Roger

The player then started to open fire again and Akiri narrowed his eyes as he went on to deflect all the incoming shots. Sinon looked at him completely amazed at the sheer quickness of his swings.

He then blocked the last shot and jumped high up into the air. Sinon saw the opening and pulls the trigger, shooting the player through the chest, killing him as Akiri then landed on the ground.

Akiri: Good work

Sinon: Thanks

Akiri twirls his photon sword before deactivating it and he clips it on his belt.

Akiri: Now, let's get going. If he has gone into the river, Death Gun should be following the current. That means he's heading north. I want to stop him before there are more victims. Any ideas, Sinon?

Sinon: Even if he has that power, he's still basically a sniper. That puts him at a disadvantage in open spaces with few places to hide. I think he's headed into that
abandoned city

Akiri: Right. To the city it is, then

The two then started to make their way towards the city.

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.
.

Back in ALO, everyone still had the looks of shock on their faces after learning that a Laughing Coffin member is now in GGO.

Asuna is trying her best to calm down Lizbeth, who is hugging her legs, lightly shaking, while Silica is holding on tightly to Leafa with the look of fear in her eyes.

The room stayed dead silent for a moment, tense atmosphere is in the air until Klein then started to speak up.

Klein: In SAO... There was an unwritten rule to never let someone's HP reach zero, no matter what happened. Because if that happened, you'd really die

Kirito: But LC killed dozens... No, hundreds of players... In the end, the lead group took them out. We formed a team to capture them

Leafa: Then Akiri-kun...

Kirito: Yeah... He fought on the front lines. He's one of the few players leading the charge

Asuna: I knew he was acting weird since last night... Then the reason he transferred his account into that game...

Leafa: Maybe he's trying to settle this once and for all...?

Liz: W-wait a second. He said that it was only a part-time job! What's he doing getting involved with LC members?

Asuna: I'm logging out

Asuna suddenly said, and everyone looked at her surprised.

Kirito: Me too

Kirito said as he then got up.

Asuna: I'm going to contact Akiri's employer

Silica: Employer?

Kirito: Yeah. The person who sent Akiri to GGO. We have questions, and he'll give us our answer

Asuna: And, Yui-chan. While I'm logged out, can you search for information on GGO?

Yui: Roger that, Mama

Yui said with a salute, and with that, Kirito and Asuna excused themselves before logging out of the game.

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.

Sinon: We didn't catch up to Death Gun. Did we pass him somewhere?

Akiri: No. I kept an eye on the waters the whole time

Currently, Akiri and Sinon had already reached the outskirts of the city. After a while of walking, they are now stopped where the river ends.

Sinon: I see... Then he must be somewhere in the city already. The river ends there

Akiri: Yeah. Then we'll wait for the next scan to identify his location, and take him out before he shoots someone else

Sinon: That's fine but, there's a problem. You haven't forgotten that "Death Gun" isn't his character name, have you?

Akiri: Damn it, you're right... But there were three new players you didn't know, right? Pale Rider obviously wasn't him. Which leaves Gunner X or Sterben

Sinon: If they're both in the city, we don't have time to wait. But listen, I just had an idea. "Gunner" is like the "Gun" of " Death Gun". And the "X" is like the cross gesture he made. Or is that too obvious?

Akiri: That is a possibility. But we can't be too sure. But if both of them are here, we go after Gunner X. Even if I get incapacitated, don't panic. Just get into sniping position and Death Gun will come out to finish me with his black gun. Fire then

Sinon: I might aim at you...

Akiri: You won't

Sinon: Huh?

Akiri just smiled at Sinon.

Akiri: I know you won't. I trust you. I'm counting on you, partner

He said as he tapped Sinon's shoulder and walked up the stairs. Sinon seemingly froze in place as she held her sniper, slightly blushing.

Akiri: Sinon, you're coming?

His voice snapped her out of it as she then shook her head.

Sinon: This is the only time I'm helping you, okay?

Akiri: Yeah, yeah. You've said that three times already...

Sinon: What was that?

Akiri: Nothing

Akiri and Sinon then hid behind a rolled over car and checked the scan terminal.

Sinon: Akiri, you check from the north

Akiri: Roger roger

They then started to search the terminal map for the names, Gunner X and Sterben. They started searching through the names of some other players that are in their vicinity, and then found Gunner X's location, which is in the stadium.

Sinon: There he is! Right now, only Gunner X is in the city

Akiri: Yeah, there's no sign of Sterben. In other words, Gunner X is Death Gun. We've found our target

Sinon: We need to stop him before he's in range

Akiri: Yeah. Watch my back, partner

Sinon: Roger

Akiri and Sinon then started to run through the city and they stopped at a corner near the stadium and Sinon saw the barrel of a sniper rifle sticking out from cover on high ground.

Sinon: There he is. Over there

Akiri: Seems like he's waiting for another player. Okay. While there's still time, I'll surprise him from behind. You get into position in the building in front of the stadium. Cover me

Sinon: I'm going with you

She insisted, but Akiri then gave her a smile as he places a hand on her shoulder.

Akiri: I can fight without fear because you're backing me up. That's what a partner does, right?

Sinon: Right...

Akiri: I'll begin my attack thirty seconds after I split from you. Is that enough time?

Sinon: Yeah, that's plenty

Akiri: Okay. Let's do this, partner

Akiri held up his hand in a fist. Sinon looked at it for a second before hitting it with her own fist, and Akiri smiled as he then started to move in towards the stadium to ambush Death Gun.

Sinon then went to get into her position. However, as she is running, she's shot on her side and is paralyzed by a stun bullet and she had a confused and shocked look on her face.

Sinon: (thoughts) What...?

She looks on in disbelief as she saw the stun bullet in her arm.

Sinon: (thoughts) Who's there...?! Death Gun is in the stadium...

Sinon then looked over and saw Death Gun, who was standing near her invisible and she looked completely shocked.

Sinon: (thoughts) What...?! How...?

Death Gun then walked up to Sinon and stood over her as he pulls out his black pistol. Sinon looked completely horrified as she saw the gun.

Sinon: (thoughts) A Black Star Type 54... That gun... What... What is it doing here now..?!

She struggles, trying to reach to her sidearm on her back, however, her arm doesn't move.

Death Gun moves his hand in a cross motion before cocking the slide back and pointing his pistol at Sinon as she looks on, completely and utterly terrified. Her heart beats rapidly, her breathing getting faster.

Death Gun: Akiri... This will tell me if you're real or a fake. I remember your raging anger back then. Your bloodlust as you hunted us down without mercy. If I kill this girl, will you go mad the same way you did then?

Sinon: (thoughts) Kill me...?

She could only look with fear in her eyes as she is completely powerless, unable to move a muscle, only able to wait for what was to come.

Death Gun: Now, show me your rage, your hatred, Akiri. Your killing desire. Your thirst for revenge, your mercilessness. Show me once again, your true self... Blood Reaper...