Time: April 17, 2032. 22:00.
Location: Abandoned metro station on the outskirts of Tokyo. "Night Owls" secret bar.
Getting here wasn't easy. For ordinary people, this was just a rusty door and a "Dangerous Area" sign. But for real players, the special "Rogue Sign" drawn on the walls here showed the right path.
Kenji and Laylo passed through a narrow and dark tunnel and came to a heavy iron door.
From inside came the sounds of low music, clinking glasses, and heavy sighs.
"Big brother," Laylo whispered. "Who's in here?"
"The 'Forgotten' are here," Kenji said seriously. "Former legends that the government couldn't kill but erased from society."
Kenji knocked on the door.
"Password?" came a rough voice.
"Server 404. Address not found," Kenji said, using an old game joke.
A small window in the door opened, and suspicious eyes looked out. Then the door creaked open.
Inside the Bar: Home of Hopelessness
The room was full of cigarette smoke. Various people sat around tables:
In one corner, a former "Fire Mage" with no arm but magical fire burning in his eyes.
Elsewhere, a former "Dragon Hunter" with half his face burned.
Behind the bar counter, Kaito (former S-rank "Black Dagger"—Assassin) with his hair tied on top, eyes sharp as an eagle, agile movements, was wiping a glass.
When Kenji and Laylo entered, everyone fell silent.
Kaito looked at them carefully. His gaze fell on Laylo's expensive clothes and Kenji's ordinary F-rank card.
"You're lost, tourist," Kaito said in a cold tone. "This place isn't a kindergarten. Or are you the government's new spies?"
Kenji didn't remove his mask (hoodie). He approached the bar counter and sat on an empty stool.
"Give me a 'Blue Mana Cocktail.' No ice. And a milk cocktail for my sister."
Kaito slammed the glass on the table.
"We don't have milk. And we don't serve strangers. Get out. I'm not in the mood right now. Today... news came about an old friend. I don't know if we're mourning or celebrating."
Kenji smiled.
"Are you talking about Shadow?"
Everyone in the hall suddenly became alert. Hands moved to weapons (hidden knives).
"You're not worthy of speaking his name, boy," said the "Dragon Hunter" in the corner, standing up. "Shadow was our Captain."
Laylo looked at her brother in amazement.
"Big brother, why do they respect you so much? Just because you're strong?"
Before Kenji could answer, Kaito spoke. His voice held deep respect and sorrow:
"Strong? No, little girl. There were many strong players. Arrogant ones like Ryu, tanks like Sato... But Shadow and Light (Aira)... they were 'World Walkers.'"
Kaito stared into the distance.
"There were over 2000 servers in the game system. We were all locked in our own servers. Fantasy players couldn't transfer to Space. Those on historical servers couldn't enter Magical worlds."
"Only two players—Shadow and Light... were chosen by the System Creators. They could go anywhere."
One of the bar patrons joined in:
"I remember... when plague spread on my server, the cure was only in the 'Elf Forest.' But we couldn't get there. Shadow brought that medicine and saved our entire guild. He didn't ask for a single penny."
"When my 'Laser Rifle' broke, Shadow took it to the 'Gnome Workshop,' got it fixed, and brought it back," said another.
Kaito continued:
"They were our Connector, our Trader, and in the hardest moments, our Savior. That's why he's our King. Not for power. For unity."
Kaito glared at Kenji with anger.
"And now, an F-rank 'tourist' like you is speaking his name?! Get lost!"
Kaito jumped over the counter, trying to grab Kenji's collar.
He was an S-rank assassin. His speed was invisible to the eye.
But...
Kenji didn't move. He simply tilted his head slightly.
Kaito's hand stopped one millimeter from touching Kenji's shoulder. Because Kenji's index finger was touching the carotid artery in Kaito's neck.
When? How?
No one saw it.
"Kaito," Kenji said in a low but familiar, slightly sarcastic voice. "You still attack from the left side? You lost to me in the 2029 PVP tournament because of exactly this mistake. 'Hold your dagger correctly, kid,' I told you then."
Kaito froze. His eyes opened wide. This phrase... only HE knew this phrase.
"You..." Kaito stepped back. "It's impossible. Prove it! Anyone can claim to be Shadow now! Even Ryu is calling himself Shadow!"
Kenji stood up and lowered his hoodie.
"You won't recognize my face. 80 years... sorry, 2 years have passed. But you can't fool the System."
Kenji raised his right hand into the air.
"System! Open status window! Show it to everyone!"
A huge hologram screen appeared in the air.
The breath caught in the throats of everyone in the bar.
Usually players' names had various numbers and symbols: DragonSlayer99, Killer_007, Super_Mage.
Because Original Names could only exist once.
And the word "Shadow"... This word had been blocked by the Game Creators (Developers) as a "Unique ID" (Unique Identifier). No one, ever, could acquire it through any hacking method.
This name belonged to only one person—the player equated with the System's "Admin."
Writing glowed on the screen:
[PLAYER ID: SHADOW]
(No numbers. No symbols. Pure, Black letters).
[TITLES:]
World Walker
Lord of Dungeons
Player #1
Kaito looked at the screen, then at Kenji. His knees began to tremble.
That proud, S-rank Assassin who bowed to no one... knelt on the ground.
Tears flowed from his eyes.
"Captain..." Kaito said in a choked voice. "You... you really returned."
The players in the corner also stood one by one and knelt.
"The King has returned!"
"He didn't abandon us!"
Watching this scene, Laylo grabbed her collar in amazement.
"My brother... he's not just a gamer. He... he's the hope of these people."
Kenji grabbed Kaito by the shoulder and lifted him up.
"Don't kneel, idiot," Kenji said with a smile (his eyes slightly moist). "We're not in a game. We're at war."
Kaito wiped his tears and grinned predatorily.
"You say war? Give the order, Captain. 'Night Owls' are ready. We have 50 former elite members. Our weapons are old, but our spirit hasn't died."
"I don't need weapons," Kenji said seriously. "I need your loyalty and... Information."
Kenji sat on a chair.
"I want to enter the 'Temple of Light.' We need to get Aira (Light) out. And along the way, we'll collect our debt from the government for 'Bloody Week.'"
Kaito slammed his fist on the table.
"That temple... it's impossible to enter. It's guarded by 'Holy Paladins.' But with you... we'll enter Hell itself."
Kenji looked at Laylo.
"Laylo, greet these uncles. They're now your new guardians."
Laylo, still amazed, bowed.
"Hello... Uncle Owls!"
The bar filled with laughter. For the first time in 2 years, genuine, hopeful laughter rang out here.
And Kenji looked at the map on the wall.
"We've begun. First target—Tanaka and 'Red Dragon.' We'll destroy them and gain resources and reputation for ourselves."