Heart Ripper

The waitress returned with the cappucinos.

— Please enjoy.

Iroko: "Thank you, miss."

She nodded and left.

Iroko: "You're right, we can't lose time here."

Kuroki: "You asked me who Blazy was; she's considered the strongest player. Some people call her the Queen."

Iroko: "Aren't both nicknames?"

Kuroki: "Players can have many nicknames. Mine is Barrage."

Iroko: "So Kuroki is your name? I feel honored."

Kuroki: "I only gave you my name because some players might know me by my nickname. But you seem trustworthy, so now you have both."

Iroko: "Now I feel even more honored..."

Kuroki: "Don't be; I'm not that strong. Blazy has an army; I only have a few friends."

Iroko: "You have friends? We're going to get along so well..."

Kuroki: "They're trustworthy, but one of them is a little... unpredictable."

Iroko: "I like unpredictability. Speaking of which, why did you dye your hair? Doesn't that make you more visible as a player?"

Kuroki: "I didn't. The game has a system that changes the players' hair color and, in some cases, their eye color."

Iroko: "Can't you just... bleach it?"

Kuroki: "I can, but recognition points are calculated based on how visually someone stands out."

Iroko: "There are points too?"

Kuroki: "As I said before, it's a killing game, so you need to earn points by killing other players. Killing non-players doesn't give you anything."

Iroko: "Then why did Blazy kill innocent people? Did she know you were on that plane?"

Kuroki: "Probably not, since she only attacked once... I don't know what her motivations are."

Iroko: "What are the points for?"

Kuroki: "Points are used as currency to unlock new skills and perks, and even a new power, if balanced enough. And if you're more easily identifiable, you earn more points"

Iroko: "Isn't there an easier way to get points? I mean, standing out too much is death sentence..."

Kuroki: "Not necessarily, if you have an army like Blazy. From time to time, events occur, some of which are mandatory. If you follow the instructions and survive, you will earn rewards. Otherwise, you will be executed."

Iroko: "E-Executed? So not only can the players kill each other, but the system can too?"

Kuroki: "Yes, and that's why this is your last warning. Go home and live."

Iroko leaned back in his chair, gazing thoughtfully at the ceiling.

Iroko: "Nah, this is my ideal life."

Kuroki: "What? So you'd rather risk dying every day than live a peaceful life?"

Iroko: "Exactly. Besides, we only live once. Ending on a high note is the dream."

Kuroki: "I can't relate. I'm not doing this for the love of the game."

Iroko: "Come on, man, you have to enjoy the little dangers of life! They're what make you appreciate being alive."

Kuroki: "Except that this is no small danger. Everything has a minimum and a maximum limit."

Iroko: "I'm raising my minimum."

Kuroki: "Don't look back. Someone's been following us since we left the plane."

Iroko: "What? Is that why you ran away?"

Kuroki: "She was waiting in the lobby for passengers to pass by. She's probably a player."

Iroko: "Maybe she's a fan."

Kuroki: "She has pink hair and is wearing a black jacket and cap. She draws a lot of attention for a civilian."

Iroko: "Come on, she can't be that bad. I'm sure we can solve this peacefully."

Kuroki: "She's coming. Go to the nearest bathroom and stay there."

Iroko: "Nah, I'd win."

Kuroki: "Leave this to the professional. If you die, I won't be responsible."

Iroko: "Gotcha!"

He gave a wry smile and pointed at his friend, trying to appear confident.

— Hi.

Iroko turned to look at the girl. She was exactly as Kuroki had described her, but with some... enhancements. Her abs were visible, as she was slightly muscular. She gave a friendly smile, and Iroko returned it.

— I love seeing cosplayers in person. Are you one?

Kuroki didn't respond. He simply stared at her with a blank expression.

 — Can I take a selfie with you?

He remained motionless like a statue. Iroko gave an awkward smile, scratching his own cheek.

Iroko: "I'm sorry, he must be daydreaming... His job is exhausting, so it's natural for him to be tired."

— It's okay, don't worry. Is this a bad time? I'm sorry if I disturbed you.

She bowed and turned to leave. Suddenly, something appeared between the three of them. The girl pulled it violently toward her. It was a red cord. Kuroki was pulled toward her, so he instinctively pulled the rope back with both hands, negating the momentum. They both stood still, pulling the rope toward themselves.

— Didn't your parents teach you not to ignore someone when they're talking to you? And to just stare into their eyes without saying anything? How embarrassing...

Eh? Is she a player?

Kuroki: "Pull yours!"

He looked down; a cord also came out of his chest. He felt a pang in his heart, the cord connecting each of them. The ropes were identical, forming a triangle with six lines in total.

— Not so fast!

She pulled Iroko's cord with one hand, while holding Kuroki's with the other. Iroko pulled his with all his might, easing the pain in his heart. The three were competing in an intense tug-of-war.

Kuroki: "The cords, they are linked to our hearts!"

— Oh-ho, as expected of an experienced player... You got it right, our hearts are all connected. They don't call me Heart Ripper for nothing.

Iroko: "What a shame... I didn't want to fight a pretty girl like you."

Heart Ripper: "What are you talking about? You're not a player, are you? You don't look like one."

Iroko: "Eh? So my red eyes don't look unique enough to you?"

Heart Ripper: "So you know about the game. Too bad, I was thinking of sparing you, because my target is your friend."

Kuroki: "You should only speak when necessary..."

Iroko: "I-It's not my fault! This is all news to me!"

The girl pulled both cords with impressive strength. They cancelled it with both arms.

Heart Ripper: "So you can talk, huh, player? How about you give me your life and I'll spare your friend's?"

Kuroki: "Even if you were telling the truth, I wouldn't accept death so easily."

Heart Ripper: "Good! That gives me even more points!"

Iroko: "What? Why?"

Kuroki: "I forgot to mention, the will to survive and determination also affect a player's score."

Iroko: "It's getting more complex by the second..."

Heart Ripper: "So, what do you plan to do, hm? I'm strong enough to hold you both with one arm each."

Kuroki didn't answer. Instead, he began tapping his foot rhythmically, while also touching the cord with his thumb. Iroko immediately realized that was some kind of message, since his power had nothing to do with it.

What is his plan? A timer?

The girl focused on the rhythm, wondering what it could mean.

A rhythm-related power? What is he gonna do, dance?

Kuroki quickened his pace until he stomped hard on the ground. He began pulling the rope with all his might. Iroko realized it a little late, but did the same, overpowering the girl. She was pulled towards them, suffering damage to her heart. However, she undid the cords and ran away.

Iroko: "Eh? That easy? Come back here!"

Kuroki: "Wait, she's not trying to escape from us. We must kill her before she comes up with a better plan."

Iroko: "Kill her? Isn't that a bit extreme?"

Kuroki: "We have no choice! Even if we manage to knock her out, there's no way we're going to escape security holding her body."

Iroko: "You're right... I just thought her power would be a good addition to our team."

Kuroki: "You're not part of the team yet..."

Iroko: "I'm going to be."

Heart Ripper walked through the airport corridors, waiting for them to split up. She spotted Iroko in front of a store, alone and defenseless. Without hesitation, she approached him and linked her heart with his.

Heart Ripper: "Call your friend. I'm going to spare you if you convince him to die for me."

Iroko: "W-Where did you come from?! Get away from me!"

Heart Ripper: "Oi, stop with the act. I know you're up to something."

Iroko rushed towards her and punched her in the face, surprising her. Irritated, she punched him in the stomach, immobilizing him for a second. He slowly stood up and walked around her, repositioning her field of vision. He walked towards her and she slowly backed away, avoiding getting too close so that her power would be more useful.

Iroko pulled a pair of scissors from his pocket and threatened to cut the cord. She quickly pulled it with both hands, since he was distracted and holding an object.

Ha! You shouldn't waste so much time making empty threats! Now you're going to die for nothing!

He cut the cord, but his heart was already damaged.