Deadshot

"Do you know how to use a gun?" Kasugo asked as they stood in front of the shooting range.

"More or less. I've played a few first-person shooter games," Iroko replied.

"First things first, materialize your weapon," Kuroki suggested.

Iroko imagined his sniper rifle and, after a few seconds, it began to appear. It was purple.

"Purple?" Iroko asked, frowning but showing no disappointment.

"You like that color, don't you?" Kasugo asked with a knowing smile.

"Well, yeah, it was the first color I imagined." Iroko confirmed his hypothesis.

"The powers manifest in colors we like. Your hair turned blue because it like too, right?"

"How does the game know all that?"

"That's what I've been trying to figure out," Kuroki replied with a sigh. "They know more about us than we know about ourselves."

"Well, at least we're not alone," Kasugo consoled him.

"Yeah..." Iroko said as he placed his rifle on the table, ready to aim down sights.

"You said the recoil was greater than normal, right? You shouldn't bring your eye so close to the scope," Kasugo suggested.

"I know... I'm just trying to get used to this position."

"Aren't you forgetting something?" Kasugo asked, patting Iroko on the shoulder and handing him an ear protector.

"Yeah, I was forgetting that something... Thanks." He put on his headphones and waited for the others to do the same. They gave him a thumbs-up.

Iroko positioned himself comfortably. None of them knew if that was the correct position, so they were all nervous about the possibility of the recoil damaging his collarbone. Even so, he didn't wait long and pulled the trigger.

The recoil pushed him back, so Kasugo and Kuroki held him. His arm and chest began to tremble from the impact, which gradually subsided. The shot was so loud that everyone heard it clearly, even with their headphones on. Iroko made the rifle disappear, then they removed their ear protectors.

"Ouch..." murmured Iroko, feeling pain.

"Sorry for not using my power..." said Kasugo, scratching the back of his neck. "It only works on surfaces, so only your skin would be protected."

"And mine only works after the damage is done," added Kuroki. "And it can negate the healing process, so it would be better for you to recover naturally."

"It's okay, it's not that bad," Iroko giggled nervously. "I guess this means I can only finish off targets, because if I miss the first shot, they'll find me instantly."

"How about we finish some missions while you watch and recover, so you can unlock your first skill?" Kuroki suggested.

"So I just have to finish the target?"

"No, you're part of our guild now. Any experience we earn will be shared among us."

"Really?! That makes it so much easier!"

"For the first levels, yes. But the higher your level, the more experience is required."

"This is starting to look more and more like a game... Oh, speaking of game, Kasugo..." He turned to look at his friend. "That game you were playing on your phone, it's pay to win."

"Haha, I know! I should stop spending money on that shit, but it's addicting!"

"You spend money on that?! Do you at least have one hero? They added that stupid type of card, now it's even more unbalanced!"

"Yeah, I have some. It's not too expensive for us, only for the casual player."

Iroko frowned with a disappointed expression. "You're the reason they keep adding these stupid updates." 

He turned to look at the target he had shot. "I was so focused on not dying from the recoil that I forgot to check the result." His shot was accurate, considering he couldn't even aim properly with his eye far from the scope. 

"Not bad, huh?"

They left the shooting range and got into the car, with Kuroki driving this time.

"So?" Kuroki asked, without taking his eyes off the street. "Do you think you can handle it?"

"Yeah, I guess so..." Iroko answered reluctantly.

"Then I want you to keep watch from the rooftop."

He was now on top of the building where Kuroki and his friends lived. He pressed the button on his ear piece to communicate.

"Do you really think they're going to appear?"

"They always do, but they're not easy to spot. This job is perfect for you."

"Man, I've been a sniper for the past few minutes. I can't spot one in a crowded street."

"Relax, we're talking about beginners here."

"I'm also a beginner! Can't you guys at least give me a little hint on how to identify them? I can't see colored hairstyles from here."

"Analyze how they act, not how they look. Not all of them have an extravagant appearance."

"Alright, I'll see what I can do."

Three people caught his attention, though they seemed ordinary. One was a tall young man with black hair, a white shirt, and a gray jacket. Another was a shorter, skinnier man with spiky hair, thin eyebrows, and an intimidating gaze. He walked hunched over, with his hands in his pockets. Next to them was a shy girl with gray hair, a short ponytail, and glasses, dressed all in gray.

"Them seem uneasy. It's a trio, can you see them?"

"Where are you aiming? Am I close enough?"

"Minako's closer..."

"Wait, don't tell her. I'm going there."

I didn't want to talk to her anyway...

"I'm here, can you see me?" Kuroki asked as he waved his arms. Since his hair was covered by a hooded sweatshirt, he didn't attract much attention from passersby.

"Clear as the sky."

"Don't shoot yet. I'm going to verify if they're players or not."

"How?"

Kuroki shouted at the top of his lungs: "THERE'S A PLAYER HERE!"

What?!

Kuroki naturally moved away, so few people knew the origin of that shout. The three suspects turned around, startled.

"Their reactions?" Kuroki asked with a neutral tone.

"They seem scared."

"Bingo. They're players."

"Wait a second, anyone would be scared if they heard a cryptic message like that!"

"Not in Japan. People here don't bother with what's not their business."

"But players can hear you!"

"That's why I'm going back to my apartment. Let Minako finish this, or help her. It's your choice."

"I can't just shoot out in the open, everyone will hear."

"Then Minako will take care of everything. In her own way, of course."

In her own way...?

Minako was leaning against a wall shrouded in shadows, as the sun didn't illuminate that area. She had a small lollipop in her mouth. She took it out and moved away from the wall, entering the building behind her. 

She went to the bathroom and turned off the lights. Three shadows appeared before her, in the shapes of the three players. She punched each one repeatedly, replicating the damage inflicted on the real people.

They fell to the ground, defeated. Their wounds healed slowly, for that was the weakness of her power. However, she continued to punch them until they fainted. But she didn't stop there. She kept punching until...

"Minako, stop!" Iroko shouted upon seeing the shy girl's desperate cry. Minako paused for a second, waiting for his reasons.

"What's the matter, Iroko?" Kasugo asked from behind.

"Is this really necessary? Can't we steal their points without killing them?" Iroko turned to look as his friend. "Wait, since when have you been here?!"

"No one showed up where I was patrolling, so I came here to offer you help, in case you needed it."

"I see... But are you okay with this? Do they really have to die?"

"If we want points, yes, they do. The game was designed this way. It's not our fault, Iroko."

"Wait, she's saying something... I can't hear it, she's too far away."

"She's saying she can give us all her points if we let her live," Kuroki said. "It's her power."

"So there's still a chance!" Iroko exclaimed.

"I wouldn't say so. Do you really think we can trust her?"

"We're four against one! She can do nothing to us."

"Minako, do you hear this?"

She didn't answer.

"She doesn't like the idea..." Kasugo muttered.

"See? There's nothing we can do," Kuroki reassured. "If we try to escort her to our apartment, people will get suspicious."

"Didn't you just say that people don't give a damn about what's none of their business?!"

"This is a different occasion. People are already calling an ambulance for the other two."

"What?!" Iroko observed the people's reactions. Some of them were indeed worried about the beaten trio lying on the ground. "But there's still a chance... Kuroki, you said you'd come to your apartment. What are you doing there? You want to save her too, don't you?"

"Wanting something is not the same as being able to do it."

Minako continued to beat the girl until she took her last breath.