The Path Unknown

26. A Hero's Loss

"We NEED to find him! It's the only way we can ever hope of finding her!!! Search harder you incompetent bastards!" a sten female yelled at a group of investigators.

Though they searched for a trace of their target, they have gotten none over the past twelve hours. All searches came up clean, nothing digital or otherwise to show a trace of existence. This was the worst part of her day, now, because she had to report that there was nothing to be found - again. What was worse was that she had to face him personally this time, not some video call she could fake a disconnection with; though she felt as if he already figured it out. This was the first time she couldn't track the scent of her target, which was something she hated with a burning passion. He was sly when she worked with him before, but he was evermore stealthy ever since then.

This girl they were looking for was no ordinary player, obviously, it was rumored that she was as powerful as the mythological "black swordsman" that was supposed to have imprisoned her sister years ago. Not only was this payback, because of her ties with the actual swordsman, but her admirable other. He was both stunning, yet sickening. She loved his looks and his skill, but everything else lacked; to her taste. In a way, she was jealous; but also, she just really wanted to kill him and take his gear.

The message from her superior got in and, though hesitant, she opened it to find a different message:

"They are not there, they have left a while ago - if you haven't figured it out already. You need to keep a move on, the floors are being cleared alarmingly quick and I need her out of here ASAP. This is the biggest paycheck you have on your hands, so this won't only affect your current income. Remember, he is not your ally anymore. Do NOT hesitate to kill him if you need to."

She closed the letter, thankful that she didn't have to talk to him again. On top of her already lucky break, she just got the clearance to kill a green player in here. She felt especially lucky with all of these permissions and lack of physical communication. An item appeared in her inventory, "The Scapegoat's Rag." It would cleanse the player's red or orange icon back to green. To PKers, this was worth more than they would ever be able to give, though she knew she couldn't sell it. It was bad enough that she lost the trail, but now the team was moving at an alarmingly dangerous rate to her paycheck. This could not delay any longer than it already has, or else this entire collaboration would be a cause fought for entirely in vain. Floor 92 was already unlocked, only 3 more before her opportunity would be missed. She opened a PM to Kayaba and typed a short message that only one word could solve - the floor of their hideout.

"What floor was cleared before the acceleration started?"

A reply came as quickly as it was sent.

"78"

So that's where you sneaky bastards are hiding, huh? She thought.

And with that, she left into the dark night; not waiting for her team. she could do this alone.

*Floor 78, morning*

Michiko woke up to a surprising tone - a message in her inbox. She wasn't expecting one, but she decided to look. Opening her messages list, Kage's name appeared on the top of the latest message. The person she so dearly loved finally responded to her, after so long away and unreachable. Frantically, she opened it to her astonishment. Not only was he typing in an abnormal grammar pattern, but it seemed to be very rushed and urgent. she didn't like the look of this one bit, although she read it to fully comprehend what was going on.

Leave now. Bounty hunter looking for you. Knows about hideout. Love you. Stay safe.

This was bad, very bad. She knew she had to move, but this was sent a few hours ago. Information could get here quickly, but it was only a matter of time before whoever was looking for her would succeed. They could be here at any moment, looking to possibly kill her without hesitation. She would not die now, they've made it too far! Sitting on the side of her bed, she took two deep breaths; exhaling more deeper than she took in. She'd have to tell someone she had to leave, though there was only one she could tell.