ONLINE GAMERS {ARC 1 CHAOS IN ASTRAL CITY} CHAPTER 3

Friday, July 4th, 2024. at 06:15pm

On a late Friday night, Ayano Kimi logged into New World online, knowing full well what was about to happen. Knowing that the game would become an inescapable death game.

Actually, she logged in because of what was about to happen.

“Hmph! Let's get this over with...” She spoke.

And just like that—the 5th ranked player—4th ranked level nine—all around sadist—Ayano Kimi was logged into New World Online, under the name Tsurugi Kimiko.

◆◆◆

The city was huge.

The futuristic Astral city spanned several kilometers wide, about a total area of 22,370 kilometers squared—twice the size of Japan—of the 6.6 billion players logged in a third of them were in this city.

The city had tall skyscrapers—the tallest going past the clouds—trash cans that zoomed about collecting and organizing trash. And stores with hologram signboards and products you'd never believe.

It was early morning in the game about 6:00am.

Tsurugi Kimiko carefully examined herself outside the window of an NPC owned store—a pixel hologram displaying weapons and armaments here! floated just outside the store—she sighed at her own reflection.

She first placed both hands on her small but plump breasts—Glop—Glop! then on her small round butt—Gripp—Gripp!

She assessed her avatars body, and reacted with the utmost of calm.

Oh my god!? M-mm-my beautiful body! It's gone! My tear drop boobs! My nice round butt! Everything! Akari what the heck did you do to me!?

◆◆◆

“Tch!” Ayano Kimi hissed.

“Sigh!”

She had what can only be described as a sour expression on her face, as she walked the busy street. She was upset, but of course she would be, her proud beautiful body, one of her greatest assets was no more.

“...Everything about this body is way too below average!” She muttered quietly to herself.

Even her voice had changed to a higher pitched voice.

Her avatar—Kimiko had a petite perfectly slim porcelain figure. With long black hair tied into two twin tails, a chubby round face, big round shining sky blue eyes, small perky breasts and a small round butt.

Her garments were a black top that covered her chest but left her naval exposed, and tight black pants.

She was also incredibly small about one hundred and fifty centimeters.

“Damn it! Damn it! Damn it Akari! I look like a child! A fucking child!” She swore.

Kimiko slid her left index finger, opening the system menu window.

Akari had explained to her earlier how the games system features worked so she had a basic understanding of it already. Tapping on the messages icon it appeared—

Yahallo! Akari here! Hey Kimi—rather little Kimiko! Aha! Ha ha ha!

—A message from Akari.

(Die you bitch! Next time we meet, I'll make you pay for making me tiny!)

I'll keep this message short and sweet! So, Pay attention okay!?

(.....)

Your avatar, Tsurugi Kimiko—I made the name kinda similar to your real-life name cool right!

(Of course, any name that is similar to my own is marvelous! At the very least you have done something worthy of my praise idiot Akari!)

You probably called me something like, stupid Akari! Am I right? I have no way of knowing but I'm right, right!

(....? Strange as ever I see.)

Aha! ha ha! Gotcha didn't I...! Back to business now. Kimi-chan your avatar--Tsurugi Kimiko is under the summoner class—in short, that means you're able to summon and control spirit beings you've made contracts with! Pretty coool right!

(Spirits...? My confusion only seems to deepen the more I converse with—rather read Akari's confounded message.)

Before you go out of your way to insult me, read the whole message! She's childish and not very strong in a fight but her agility and speed are high—so you should be able to make a run for it if you're ever in any real danger...

Anyways I've contracted about ten thousand spirits for you already... But summoning all of them at once drains MP quick so stick to a hundred or so. At most a thousand, okay? You should be fine.

(Ten thousand...)

You can make contracts with more if you like but I already got all the best ones! From spearmen to gunmen even things like dragons!

That's all! Try not to die, little Kimiko! Aha ha! Ha ha! Aha! ha!

(Like I need the likes of you to worry about me!)

Oh! Btw

(What now?)

Please be nice to Atalanta! She's a bow-woman spirit...and she's my favorite okay! pretty pww-ea-sse!

That was the end of her message.

“Hrmph! I suppose I'll have to make do with this body for now...No... some might even say, um, smaller is better...”

Kimiko struck an overly-exaggerated pose of superiority with a huge smile on her round little face all while puffing out her flat chest.

A single thought was in her mind.

With the amount of power, I have the first order of business should be obvious!

“Bwa ha ha ha!” She laughed thunderously.

“Hey isn't that avatar kinda cute Homura-chan?”

“For all we know that cute girl might be some dude Irl...”

“That makes me wanna pet her fluffy head even more!”

“Yeah, me too!”

“What the hell is wrong with you two?”

“And what's up with that laugh?”

She had inadvertently drawn the attention some nearby players who were now passing comments on her, in that order. Not that Kimiko cared if anything let them stare because she was the star of this new world.

“Aha! ha ha!”

I'll make myself the queen of this city!

◆◆◆

In game time 8:10am

Kimiko had been wandering around the large city for about an hour.

“Where am I?”

She was Standing in the center of a bustling intersection, completely lost.

A myriad of players walked past her. Some of them appeared as if they had come straight out of a fantasy novel—looking like wizards and knights—while others looked like they came straight out of a sci-fi film—with robotic appendages and those light swords—from that popular movie she heard of but never watched.

“Sigh...I'm not making any progress this way, to start with where even am I? And where do I even go?”

The small girl looked in several different directions but was still unsure of where to go? If someone had stopped to look at her pale face they would have noticed it too. She was definitely ...

“I am, most certainly lost. The blame lies with that baffling imbecile. “

A smiling Akari flickered in her mind only serving to worsen her anger at the current situation.

Unlike the other players Ayano Kimi did not have the luxury of experiencing the tutorial system for beginners. This was because her avatar—Tsurugi Kimiko was already registered in the system, as a Beta-tester as such she was seen as not needing one.

Owing to that fact she was lost. Her avatar, was one which was already registered. If she was going to get anywhere in her quest for conquest in this city Kimiko was going to need directions at the very least.

It was then in the crowd that she spotted a teen girl in a distinct neon yellow jumper and a pleated high school skirt. The girl was walking to the right of Kimiko with a sullen look on her face.

Kimiko noticed the girl clearly sulking.

“Ugh...” The girl sighed.

Light green hair was flowing neatly down her head, two pink eyes hidden behind her circular glasses, and a delicate face that seemed to be ruined by her sour expression.

Her name was Rin Satou, a second-year high school student at a prestigious school in the city's district seven, but of course Kimiko had no idea of any of this, at this point in the story.

Earlier today, Rin had gotten into an argument with her mother about her failing grades.

She was reluctantly on her way to school dreading each step...the last thing she wanted to do today was go to school—Mirai high.

Her school, Mirai high, was a prestigious all girls high school in Astral city. It was located near the south end of district seven. She was on her way their when she was stopped by a little girl.

“Hey you! young girl, I need you to give me directions! You would be most honored to do so.”

The small girl grabbed her wrist and tugged at Rin.

Astral city was a city in which something was always happening, either in the shadows, or in broad daylight.

There was never a moment when something wasn't going on, and more times than not, it was something life threatening.

In the case of a truly dangerous event Defense! Or the Guild would be called and even then, that did not guarantee your safety.

If you wanted to live a long life in the city you had to mind your business. This was a social norm—a natural way of life here—the dozens of people walking on the sidewalk whether consciously or unconsciously began walking around the two young girls so as not to get involved.

What the hell is this kids’ problem?

Hah!?

“What the hell is your—wait!?”

Something inside her shifted. Clearly this was no normal little girl. Her intuition as an NPC was sending danger signals all around her body.

She came to the realization all but to quickly in her mind.

Rin's mother had warned her today that the people from the other worlds would be coming. Players as they were called. Her mothers’ explicit instructions to her were to keep her distance from them.

Still, she needed to confirm her suspicions.

“Umm, pardon my asking but...are you a player?” She asked politely.

“I suppose I am, and you are not?”

“I'm...an NPC...My name is Rin Satou...” She answered truthfully.

“ENnnPiiiSSssiii?” Kimiko wasn't familiar with the term.

“Oh, I see...” It probably referred to the artificial inhabitants of this world AI, non-living beings weaker than herself, she assumed.

Not that it mattered, to the fourth ranked level nine it didn't matter what the thing she was talking to was.

“Now quickly tell me, where can I find the person in charge of this city!?”

The bespectacled girl forced a smile.

What is up with this kid!? Ever heard of the word please!? Still, I shouldn't piss her off...if she is a player I better be careful not to upset her.

Rin scratched her head lightly before replying to Kimiko.

“In charge...? Um...you must mean the head of the city, right? Ahaha...They're all the way up in district one up at the World Tower. About four hyper-trains from here.”

“District one? World Tower? Hyper train!? Young girl you aren't making much sense! Do you not know how to speak clearly, I wonder?”

Rin's expression could no longer hide her irritation nonetheless she smiled. She was getting yelled at for helping and by someone younger than her.

“Listen, you want the person in charge right. Ehehe, well that person is in the world tower and district one is where you'll find the world tower, do you understand now.”

“Damn it! I cannot! Young girl you constantly keep mentioning District one! District seven! Tell me where we are right now!?”

“Could you maybe stop calling me young girl! I have a name it's Rin!”

“Huh? Young girl, you listen here I am a level nin—ow! Ow, ow! S-ss-stop it you're hurting me!”

Her hand was now crushing little Kimiko's skull with a brutal grip!

As much as she struggled the smaller of the two couldn't escape the others grasps.

“I'm older than you brat! Show me some respect!” Rin said.

Ow-ow ow! “Stop it! I'm sorry! I'm sorry okay...!”

Rin released the fourth ranked level nine from her clutches. Player or not Rin was sick of the brats’ arrogant attitude, someone had to discipline her.

“Didn't your parents ever teach ya to respect your elders you bratty kid!”

“Tch...!” Kimiko heaved an infuriated sigh after she was released from the older girl’s grip.

Ayano Kimi was the daughter of the C.E.O of a major company in Japan, everyone around her always treated her with the highest of respect, there was no need, for her to respect anyone beneath her.

Stifling her anger as best she could Kimi smiled. Ayano Kimi wasn't some heartless monster she would forgive the young bespectacled girls’ ignorance. It was not her fault that she did not know who Kimi was.

She placed both hands on her petite hips.

“Be thankful of my benevolence, otherwise you'd be in serious trouble.”

“Huh?”

Is the shrimp that was crying helplessly a second ago threatening me. Rin thought. A smirk plastered on her face.

Kimi was infuriated by the girl smirking at her!

I'm certainly older and more mature than this high school girl!

Ayano Kimi, her real-life self was a first-year student in college after all. But for the time being she was degraded to the appearance of a flat-chested, jail bait, small girl. That was the truth there was no denying it.

And yet she denied it.

The mere thought of people calling her little and brat thoroughly appalled Kimiko.

“Listen you young—ahem! —Rin-san! I might not look it, but I am a twenty-one-year-old woman! You should show me respect!”

“As if you brat!”

“In any case I'll need you to take me to the district with the head of the city! Right now!”

Kimiko got the impression that she would not be able to make her way to this world tower on her own, so her only option, troubling as it may be, was to put the disrespectful young girl to use.

“You little...!”

Rin pondered her options for a bit. Would she rather go to school...not really. Or go on a justified leave escorting an annoying brat to district one for some sightseeing.

Truthfully ditching class to help out a lost child—player or not would be the right thing to do. But firstly, this brat needs some manners!

The bespectacled girl smiled and adjusted her glasses. It was the kind of creepy smile that would send shivers down the spine.

“Oh my, if you want my help you, you'll have to ask me nicely, and call me Rin-sama, then I'll help you get to the world tower.”

“What!? You cannot be serious! I am an existence far exceeding the likes of you, young girl.”

Kimiko pointed at the grinning girl.

“If anything, you ought to revere Kimiko as a goddess, for I to ask of you anything politely is laughable!”

◆◆◆

Later they boarded the hyper train to district four—you had to go through about two trains—to get to district one from seven.

Kimi was sitting beside Rin, she was pouting.

Her tiny little face filled with rage.

“Are you still mad...” The bespectacled girl asked softly.

“...”

This damn brat, all I did was make her ask nicely!? Now I feel like I just bullied her...?

There's something sad about picking on a kid that makes me feel ugh...

They exited the hyper train.

As they walked the busy and hot streets of District four ten minutes had passed.

On their way to the next hyper train, Rin noticed Kimiko was exhausted. Apparently Akari had given her avatar speed and agility but not endurance Kimi realized albeit too late.

“Want to take a break...” Rin asked considerately.

Still no answer.

“...”

“Argh...you shrimp! Are you still not talking to me?”

Ayano Kimi in real life was above everyone. She was treated like a queen, acted arrogant and never respected anyone. She was given anything and everything she ever wanted. No one ever dared to go against her—no one except Kobayashi Akari that is.

In this world she was now Tsurugi Kimiko a level nine that far out ranked everyone in this city, she was better than everyone, and far surpassed them, she believed.

Yet this NPC who was weaker than her in strength had gotten her to 'ask politely'.

Those who knew of her personality in real life would understand the significant inner turmoil this would cause Kimiko. For someone like her to ask nicely, this situation was a stab in the heart to the proud girl. What else could she do but ignore Rin.

Kill her? She was seriously considering it.

Rin punctuated her sentence with a sigh, “Hey...fine, I'm sorry.”

“...........................................................................................................................”

Rin gave it some thought. The ignoring was going to be a problem, it's not like Rin wanted to chat it up with the brat but, if they weren't communicating the whole trip that might be a problem later on.

Heh heh heh

Rin had an evil gleam in her eyes. An idea found itself in her mind. “Wait here for a second.”

“???”

Kimi was still upset and watched as Rin hurriedly walked away.

Left alone in the sweltering heat the petite girl found a lone bench to lounge on.

“That stupid young girl! Where could she have gone!?”

She had just dashed off somewhere leaving Kimiko alone on a bench. Kimi sighed. The hot sun's rays made her feel as if this were an oven and not a city.

◆◆◆

“It is annoyingly humid.” Kimiko said, shoulders slumped on the bench.

Her black twin tails absorbed heat like solar panels.

Kimiko was lying flat down on the bench. The sun's rays bore into her, practically cooking the petite girl, at the very least she was tanned now. She had been waiting for a while. She began to wonder what was taking Rin so long?

Hm?

It was possible Rin simply ran away, leaving Kimi behind.

That she may never return was a genuine possibility, Kimiko couldn't blame her if she did not, it was not as if Kimiko was her responsibility.

It is fine, in the end I do not need any...

“Hey! Brat!”

Kimi looked up.

“Huh?” Her upturned eyes led her to a figure clad in a neon jumper wrapped around her waist, smiling down at her. She was holding an ice cream cone in each hand.

“Sorry I took so long... the line was wicked long.”

“You came back.” Kimi whispered.

“Of course I did, why wouldn't I?” Rin smiled.

At that exact moment, a light breeze blew past them, causing her hair and jumper to dance in the wind.

Kyaah! Rin yelped.

Her skirt had flipped up.

A flustered Rin panicked and looked around to see if anyone caught site of her strawberry themed underwear.

“H-hey! B-Brat you don't think anyone saw me right!”

Tcchh!! Kimi beat her lip.

While keeping her gaze averted, she put her hands to her hip as she sulked. Her expression could easily be described as cute. She was back to ignoring Rin though.

What's her deal...? Rin thought.

Heh heh! Right, Rin had a trick up her sleeve no child could resist.

Rin smirked at the upset level nine.

“...Hmph!” Kimiko pouted. Her mind was lost in her own thoughts.

am I relived by her return...w-why? Preposterous, but I haven't been acting like myself lately...?

...what's wrong with me? Rather did that fool Akari do something to me?

A voice broke her train of thought, “Hey, hey! Is that anyway to act towards the onee-san who waited in line, in this blistering heat, to get you an ice cream cone? Huh? Huh?”

“...” The last thing she needed was the insolent young girl giving Kimiko over her silent treatment.

“Ah, but if you don't want it, I'll have to eat it myself.”

Kimiko smirked inwardly.

Is she seriously trying to win me over with soft serve.

“If you want it, you'll have to ask me nicely, or I just might eat it myself!?”

Pffft! Like I give a damn about some ice cream!

Normally this would be true.

So why?

Why do I want it so badly!? Huh! What is this?

There's no way I actually want it! Impossible!

Her brain as if rejecting her thoughts, was sending contrary electrical impulses. She wanted it. She wanted it so badly!

She was craving the soft serve cone in Rin's hands. Kimiko shuddered at the thought of her body's stupid wants.

She could feel the drool in her own mouth! Disgusting. This was utterly repulsive.

No way!?

Like a puppy following a bone in their master’s hands, so too did her gaze follow the ice cream cone in Rin's hands.

“If you don't ask soooon...I'll gobble it all up.” Rin teased.

Tsk! Damn it! Fight it! Don't give in!

“...Give it.”

“Huh? What was that? You'll have to ask more politely and speak up.”

“P-P-Please give it to me.” Kimi said, her face flushed from embarrassment.

“Oh, you want it, some conditions first. Let's see, firstly you won't ignore me anymore?”

“Yes.”

“Ah, you'll also do what I say?”

Again, she replied. “Y-yes.”

What on earth has come over me? T-The Hell is wrong with me!?

Rin grinned. “There's a good girl...here you go.”

A smile was quickly plastered on the level nines face.

Munch! Munch! Munch!

Kimiko wiggled her little legs as she munched on the soft serve. The look on the tiny girl—Tsurugi Kimiko, fourth ranked level nine—was the definition of adorable.

Rin took that as a sign Kimiko was enjoying the nice cold treat, she got for her. She raised her hand to pat Kimiko on the head. “Ehe-heh-heh. You can be kind of cute too, when you're not opening your mouth.”

The petite level nine finished munching on her ice cream cone and quickly turned her eyes to glare at Rin, who was resting her hand atop the small girl’s head.

Her eyes were watery with tears from embarrassment <<Emotion effect>> but she spoke in her usual haughty tone.

“...Ha! Ha ha ha! ha! You are permitted to pat my head this one time! Only this one time never again! And don't you go thinking this is enough to win my favor, once I become queen of this city I'll have you work to bone!”

“Uh-huh...” Rin sighed. “Anyway, let's go look around district seven for a bit.”

“Huh?”

“The next hyper train won't be here until an hour from now, and district seven is the entertainment district, you've never seen it before, so it should be fun if we hang around here for a while.”

“...”

“Come on.”

Rin stretched out her hand to Kimiko. “let's go.”

◆◆◆

Two hours later.

“Hahaha! You little brat I can't believe you actually drop kicked the guy who was hitting on me! Aha haha ha ha!” Rin laughed.

They were now on the train to district one.

“He completely ignored me, even though I have the better sex appeal...! Frankly I considered killing the insignificant plebeian!”

“Better sex appeal!? Aha ha ha!” Chided Rin. Maybe if we're talking to people that belong behind bars! Rin thought, but chose not say, so as to not ruin the smaller girl’s mood.

Kimiko let out a loud boisterous laugh. “Gahaha ha ha! He should be thanking his lucky stars that I was in high spirits today! Otherwise, I would have certainly tortured him!”

The contents of their conversation may have been shocking to hear for strangers, luckily for them the train was completely empty, aside from the two girls that is. It seemed they were the only passengers on the train right now--the carriage had just emptied when they got on and no one else was heading to district one for today.

The hyper train moved incredibly fast-- it moved between three districts within five minutes --and yet when on the inside it was as if you were standing still. Kimiko was still surprised at how it all worked.

The pair continued chatting on, giving off an air of close friends.

“Aha ha ha ha! Wait you brat! R-Remember how you wet yourself on that ride!?”

“I did not!” she protested.

As Kimiko was pleading her case the train came to an abrupt stop. The windows and doors slid opened. The setting sun dyed the interior of the train a dark shade of orange. It was time to get off, and perhaps never see each other again.

“Hey brat, what are you even going to do at the world tower anyway?” Rin questioned.

Tsurugi Kimiko simply laughed. It was slightly different from her usual laugh.

“Ahaha! Ha! ha ha! Aha ha ha! Have you not been listening to a word I said. Fine, because you are such a loyal vassal bringing me here in such good time, I'll repeat myself, if only for the last time! “

The level nine climbed on top of one of the empty seats opposite Rin and struck a gaudy pose.

“‘What am I going to do?'“

Illuminated in the setting suns' rays, her shadow looked almost devilish. She proclaimed: “I am going to take over the entire Astral city...”

“Kimiko-chan...?” Of course, Rin couldn't take that declaration seriously, “Uh-huh. Yeah, sure you are.”