<<Gun Gale Online>>

Chapter 1 part 3

Author's Note:

This is where the main part starts. Those other chapters are just the introduction. I spent a little longer typing this one mainly because this one is on my phone. Well, enjoy!

Friendship, friends… I truly regret having any. Reason? Hehe… you will see soon enough.

            With two thirds of the village destroyed, there is almost no refuge for us players in this chapter. However, I believe there would be another village in the next chapter, which is only accessible to upon completion of this chapter. We are only left with the boss to defeat, but no one dares to step out to fight the damned monster. Therefore, Haruka, Andrew, Rosette and I volunteered to observe the boss’s behavior and if possible, kill it. We made an arrangement to gather at the main square at noon, but… it seems like only Haruka and I have arrived. Why are those two taking so long?

            “Hayate! Come, take a break! Walking to and fro at a pace like that would decrease your STM (Stamina)!” Haruka called from the dry cobblestone fountain.

            Sighing, I altered my direction and headed towards Haruka with an imaginary storm cloud above my head, which only Haruka and I can see apparently. I flopped onto the discoloured fountain’s edge beside Haruka, looking as irritated as ever.

            “What’s wrong with you, grouchy pants?” Haruka poked my cheek repeatedly.

            “Do you know when to stop?” I hissed, slapping away his hand before folding my arms. “Those two are late by an hour,” I muttered, glaring at a group of players crowding around a weapon shop taken care of by some scantily dressed NCPs.

            Just then, a loud hum shook the ground violently, making some players scream in shock. What?! I stood up instinctively, my eyes darting left and right in a haste scan of my surroundings.

            “Hayate! Don’t stand during an earthquake!” Haruka pinned me down on the cobblestone footpath.

            No! This is not an earthquake! I wanted to say but was winded by the impact of my body hitting the ground. But… What is it then?! Urgh! I can’t remember! Is it the… “The cleaner!” I gasped into his ear.

            “No way! It is supposed to arrive next month!” he pushed himself off me to stare in my face in disbelief. “This has to be an earthquake! Nothing else!”

            “I know! But I remember the manual! A violent rumble along with a hum signifies the arrival of the cleaner!” I tossed my head to the side to see some players rushing to shelter from the ‘earthquake’. “STOP!” I shouted loudly. “The cleaner is coming! Run into the safety zone, 2km from the main square! Anyone including NPCs will get butchered in the radius of the cleaner! Run!” I struggled out from under Haruka and dragged him onto his feet. “Come! Tell everyone!” I yelled at him before jogging backwards, south of the main square. “We’ll meet here in two minutes! If I do not appear, abandon me!”

            Turmoil. Worse than the time when the knights attacked. “The cleaner is coming! Run! All injured, lost and young have to be supervised!” I hollered as I helped a wounded man up on his feet and left him in the care of a compassionate, younger and stronger gamer. “Run!” I screamed myself hoarse. However, it was worth it. The cleaner is a scary thing. It emits a blinding light that circles a selected area at an extremely high speed, cutting up anything that was not originally in the area into pieces. The chosen area will then increase in size up to the programmed range, which is in this case, 2km from the main square.