Chapter 2-3 : Strange Bond (part 1)
「ーー！！！？？」(Umika)
I opened my eyes and raised my upper body up.
「Hahhh… Hahhh… hahhhh… *heavy breathing*」(Umika)
I looked around and found myself in a familiar place.
「This is… my room…?」(Umika)
The scenery of the dark woods changed into the view of my cute and bright room.
Currently I was sitting on my bed with my VR headgear on. Seems like I was disconnected from the game.
Recalling what had just happened, I slowly moved my hand and gently touched my neck.
「She killed me… She cut my head off…」(Umika)
That’s right… I was killed in the game.
But why am I disconnected from the game? Normally, you will respawn at the church when you’re dead, right?
As I wondered, I remembered the veteran guy’s corpse remained after the girl killed him. Don’t monsters and players normally disappear when they die?
Is it some kind of special skill that girl has? Does that mean my corpse remains in that forest?
Thinking about it makes me feel sick.
I still remember her cold smile the moment she swung her blade toward my neck. How could a cute girl like her make such a face?
「Alice, was it…?」(Umika)
Remembering her face, my hands trembled, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. However, I don’t think it’s fear.
This weird feeling… I’m not sure what it is, but I’m certain it’s not fear.
Is it… Excitement…?
For some reason, the more I think about her, the more my heart beats and the more my cheeks heat up.
I wonder what’s wrong with me.
「Alice… Aahh, Alice… I want to see her again…」(Umika)
ーーーーーーーーー
TREAD NO. XXX
「Rumors Around The Erst Town」
163 : Anonymous Player
Good day, folks! How’re ya doin’~? I hope you guys have a great day, especially you, beginners! Welcome to NWO!
164 :
Thanks, but I nearly had the worst day of my life today. My girlfriend and I almost got killed by a pack of wolves. Luckily, a cute veteran player saved us.
165 :
What!? Playing with girlfriend!?
166 :
This MF is living a dream. I’m so jealous!
167 :
Uhh, should I apologize?
168 :
Ignore these retarded virgins. You said a cute veteran player, didn’t you? Tell us more about this savior of yours.
169 :
I don’t know her name, but she was wearing a kimono. She was truly amazing! She created earth walls to protect us and killed the wolves in a second! But I noticed something weird. The wolf corpses didn’t disappear. Is it a bug?
170 :
No, I don’t think it’s a bug. Where did it happen?
171 :
The forest west of the town.
172 :
I knew it!
173 :
What? You know something?
174 :
Yeah. I went to that forest too. As I wandered around, I heard a song.
175 :
A song? In the forest?
176 :
Yeah. I heard a girl singing. I was curious, so I headed toward the voice, and guess what?
177 :
What?
178 :
I found several dead bodies of beginner players! Moreover, all of their heads were separated from their bodies! All of them!
179 :
That’s wild! Did a monster kill them?
180 :
The corpses that remain on the field… The spooky song… And the girl in a kimono… Oi, oi, oi! It wasn’t a monster that killed them! It could be her!
181 :
Yeah, I think it’s her! Ugh, remembering what happened at the arena makes me feel sick.
182 :
What? Who is ‘her’? Can you tell us?
183 :
You beginners don’t know her, but some of the veterans like me know how terrifying she is. This player’s name is Alice, aka The Head Hunting Princess.
184 :
That’s right. But why in the world would a person of her caliber go into that forest? Moreover, why did she kill beginner players?
185 :
No idea, but we should warn beginners not to make her angry.
ーーーーーーーーーー
ーAlice’s perspectiveー
A few days after I was confronted by the internet idol and her followers, I logged into the game like usual and spawned in Erst Town.
I thought I would never see her again after what happened. Howeverー
「Geh!」(Alice)
I saw her standing by the town’s gate. She seemed to notice me as well.
I swiftly looked away and walked, pretending not to notice her, but she stopped me.
「Hey, don’t pretend I’m not here! I’ve been waiting for you!」(Umika)
I sighed and turned to her.
「Do you still need something from me?」(Alice)
「Umm, well…」(Umika)
「I won the fight. I thought you would leave me alone.」(Alice)
「Yes, but… I want to see you no matter what.」(Umika)
「Why? I told you I won’t become your follower.」(Alice)
「No, that’s not it. I just… umm…」(Umika)
「Hm?」(Alice)
She averted her eyes and mumbled.
She seems to have something to say, but why doesn’t she say it out loud?
There’s something off about her today. She usually talks loudly and acts arrogantly, but now she’s not even looking me straight in the eye.
I also notice that she’s alone today. Normally she’s accompanied by her followers.
I wonder what happened to her.
「I… I’m sorry about the other day!」(Umika)
「Eh?」(Alice)
Suddenly, she bowed deeply and apologized.
I was surprised. I didn’t expect this arrogant girl would properly apologize.
「I’m sorry for causing you trouble. I was too overconfident and arrogant just because I’m a famous internet idol and have many fans. I learned that this game world is different from the idol world where I belong. I realized how powerless I am here. I’m truly sorry.」(Umika)
「Un…」(Alice)
「So… Would you forgive me?」(Umika)
I had a bad day the other day because of her. She annoyed me. However, now that I see her sincerely apologize, there’s no reason for me not to forgive her.
「Yeah, I forgive you, so please raise your head.」(Alice)
「Th, thank you!」(Umika)
She raised her head and showed me a smile.
「By the way, why are you alone today? Where are your followers?」(Alice)
「Ah… They quitted the game and my fan club. Perhaps they’re sick of my arrogance. Haha…」(Umika)
「I see…」(Alice)
So they quitted, huh? I kinda feel bad for her.
Being able to play a game with their idol is probably the happiest thing for fans. I can’t really comment on why someone will play a game, but that’s probably their motive.
However, after learning how arrogant their idol was, I could understand why they abandoned her.
「But you still have fans, right? The veteran guy who protected you, for example.」(Alice)
「Yeah, some of them are staying, including him.」(Umika)
「I know little about internet idols, but I think you should cherish your loyal fans.」(Alice)
「You’re right…」(Umika)
She was smiling, but I felt sadness from her eyes.
「Umm, you okay?」(Alice)
「…….Hiks…」(Umika)
Suddenly, tears began to fall from her eyes.
「Hiks… Hiks…」(Umika)
「Eh? Ehh? Did I say something wrong? P, please don’t cry!」(Alice)
「Hiks… I’m not crying!」(Umika)
She clearly is, but I guess she will keep denying it, so I decided to wait for her to calm down.
After crying for a while, she wiped her tears and continued talking.
「Ahem! Anyway, I was thinking of playing alone today, but… umm…」(Umika)
She was fidgeting and poking her fingers together, looking somewhat shy for some reason.
「A, Alice-sama!」(Umika)
Alice-sama!?
「Wait, you can just call me Alice.」(Alice)
「A, alright. You can call me Umika too. And, umm… Alice… Would you play together with me…?」(Umika)
I thought she would persistently ask me to join her fan club, but it looks like she just wants to play together with me. That’s a relief.
I smiled at her and answered.
「Alright. Let’s form a party then.」(Alice)
「~~~!! Un!!」(Umika)
She jumped at me and grabbed my hand. She looks so happy.
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Binged my way through to here. Thanks for the translation!