Hitman

"Minako has always been a great fighter," Kasugo commented as he and Iroko descended the rooftop stairs. "She's mastered multiple martial arts and uses them for what she judges right."

"Can't you guys convince her that killing unarmed people is wrong?"

"We don't entirely disagree with her point of view. As Kuroki said, if we did anything else, we would be exposed now. Of course, there are other players watching."

Iroko clicked his tongue, clearly dissatisfied. Kuroki appeared downstairs.

"You're still here," he said.

"Players would have seen us anyway..." Iroko complained.

"It's still the safest outcome. Or did you want to be captured and used as a hostage by Blazy?"

Iroko continued down the stairs, gazing thoughtfully at the steps.

"You helped me kill that girl from the airport," Kuroki accused. "How is this any different?"

"She went after us. It was either us or her."

"All players are guilty for joining the game. If it weren't for them, it wouldn't gain momentum."

"So you do admit we're guilty, right? And what about them? They seemed confused. What if they were forced to participate?"

"The reasons are none of our business. The outcome is what matters. If we stop to think about what could have been, we'll be hit in the head with a bullet."

"Objective as always, huh, Kuroki? Where is that kind guy I met on the plane?"

"You're right, I wasn't always like this. The game changed me. That's why I'm going to shut it down."

"And how? Killing innocent people for nothing?"

"It's not for nothing. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make. I'm sure you understand. You don't really care abou their lives, would you? If you did, you'd be crying."

"I don't have to cry to show sadness."

"You're right. But you don't have to be sad to cry either. Can you really feel something deep towards them? Because I don't."

"Of course not... I knew them for about ten minutes."

"Then would you cry if we died?"

"Probably not..."

"Is it because we've only met? Or because you hate us? Or because you don't really feel anything inside?"

"I feel happy when I do what I love..."

"For yourself, right? If you want to help someone, it's to feel better about yourself. There's nothing wrong with that. It's better than living for others."

"Speaking from experience?"

"If you don't think of yourself first, you're going to die in vain."

"What if I get captured? Will you think of yourself first?"

"Of course. I won't get captured trying to save you. However, I will do the best I can."

"You're right, but... I wish you weren't."

Kasugo patted him on the shoulder with a smile. "Now that we're a group, the chances of us having no chance of saving someone are very slim. Someone on our side, of course."

"What if we try to bring someone to our side?" Iroko suggested.

"That won't work," Kuroki discouraged the idea. "Players are too self-centered not to betray us."

"Am I too self-centered?"

"You're an exception because I had the opportunity to meet you before you became a player. I can't risk trusting a player I've only known for a day."

"Then try to get to know them better!"

Kuroki shook his head negatively. "Too risky. People can pretend for years if they're dedicated enough."

Iroko sighed dramatically. "I thought this was going to be fun..."

"I warned you."

They returned to the apartment. Minako was sitting on the same sofa, fiddling with her cell phone. Iroko shuddered.

Does she feel anything? I know she didn't see them begging for mercy, but...

Kasugo stopped in front of him with a smile. "How much experience did you gain? Was it enough to level up?"

"Oh, I completely forgot about that," Iroko said as he opened the app on his phone. His level was now 2. His power had increased, and he had unlocked a new ability slot.

"Your power is now stronger and its weaknesses have been reduced," Kasugo instructed. "Besides that, you can choose a new ability. What do you think?"

"Wait, so my sniper rifle is more powerful now? And the recoil and sound are less? It was faster than I expected."

"Exactly. Every level makes your power stronger."

"Now, for the ability..."

"Think of something simple, but that can make quite the difference, given the circumstances."

Besides the aftermath of the shot, the greatest weakness of a gun is... missing the target.

"How about increasing accuracy somehow?"

"Now add a condition for it to work. Conditions open up many possibilities."

What increases the accuracy in games...? Scopes and... holding my breath!

The app said the ability was too powerful for his level. However, it suggested a new condition for it to work: subsonic bullets. This way, the sound would travel faster than the bullet, giving the target minimal reaction time.

I guess I'll have to go with it. Better than depending on wind resistance and stuff like that.

"You can now hold your breath so the bullet hits the target exactly in the center of your sights. The bullet will not lose speed with distance and will not deviate from its trajectory; however, it will become slightly weaker and slower."

Kasugo read it out of curiosity. "Well, at least you can't miss it now."

"If the target remains still for a few seconds, then yes."

"I have the perfect target for you," Kuroki intervened. "Look through the window."

They walked to the apartment window. Kuroki opened it and Iroko placed his rifle in the frame. Kuroki pointed to a distant building.

"It's a penthouse. You see the last floor? He's there."

"Who?"

"A rich player. He's involved in some international crimes with another famous billionaire. Is he there?"

"Wait a second, let me check."

Iroko examined what he could see of the penthouse, but the scope's zoom was at its limit.

"I can't really see anything, it's more than 3 kilometers away... Plus, that floor is above ours."

"It's still our best shot. We're so far away that they won't see us. Do you think you can do it?"

"Yeah, I just need some time."

After what seemed like hours, a man finally appeared on the balcony, taking in the view of the city.

"I see someone!"

"How does he look?"

"Japanese, black short hair... smells rich."

"He's the one. He doesn't have kids, so he only lives with his wife. Do you see her?"

A blonde woman with a ponytail, scarlet eyes, and a red dress appeared and hugged him from behind.

"I see a woman. She looks extravagant. Is she a player too?"

"Yes. She tries to be like Blazy, in an attempt to surpass her. She even has the same power, just weaker."

"Ehh... so Blazy is really that hot?"

"The real one looks even better, if you like muscular girls!" Kasugo confirmed.

"Were you paying attention to anything else, Kasugo?" Kuroki asked, confronting him.

"Well, I heard two words that fired up my neurons. And she is literally hot, the kind that sets your heart ablaze!"

"Ignore him, Iroko. Focus, is he still there?"

"Yeah, he's drinking some wine," Iroko confirmed.

"Do you think you can kill both with one shot?"

"Impossible. She's not behind him anymore."

"Then prioritize him, even though she's a player. You can't kill them one after another."

"Understood. What if I miss?"

"They can't do anything but hide."

"I won't disappoint you either way."

Iroko focused all his attention on the target, breathing slowly and deeply. The man seemed small at that distance, even with the zoom.

I don't have much time... if he moves just a bit, I will miss. If the bullet is slightly slower than sound, and the target is 3 kilometers away, it will take more than 10 seconds to arrive.

The center of his sights was positioned precisely on the man's face. Iroko held his breath and pulled the trigger. The sound was deafening for a few seconds, then it subsided. Iroko took a deep breath and dematerialized his rifle.

"Wait, you still have to check if he's dead!" Kuroki reminded him.

"Oh, right!"

He materlialized his rifle again and looked through the scope. The bullet had still not hit its target. After a few seconds, the man's head was successfully pierced by the bullet.

"Yes, he's dead!"

"Woah, really?!" Kasugo congratulated him. "Good job, mate!"

"Wait, it's still too early," Kuroki retorted. "I don't know his power yet. Maybe he can revive."

"You're being too cautious, Kuroki," Kasugo said.

"He's still on the ground," Iroko assured. "His wife knelt down to see him, so I can't see her from here."

"And look at this, Kuroki!" Kasugo pointed his phone at his friend, showing off their newly acquired experience. "We leveled up again!"