The Red Hand

Interlude 1 – The Hero and the Assassin.

Capital City, March, 14th, 2056, approximately 8 pm Free World Online (FWO) Standard Time.

It had been raining quite heavily for most of the day, and even now a light mist could be felt in the air. The streets were almost pitch black, with only the flickering street lights to provide illumination. On this night, one lone figure walked down the main street of the lower city. Their face was obscured by a thick hood worn over their gear and they were short, almost like a child. The figure headed into the back alleys, careful to avoid contact with the slum's residents or the few patrolling guards. After around fifteen minutes; they arrived at their destination, "the Lost and Found", a run-down tavern.

The tavern was almost empty, with only a few NPCs present. The hooded figure walked up to and sat at the bar.

"What can I get you?" (Bartender)

"I would like an Amber-Eyed Cider." a feminine voice replied.

"Good choice, we just got some in today. Would you like it mixed with anything else?" (Bartender)

"No thanks" (hooded girl)

A few moments later, the bartender brought the girl a tall cool glass of cider. After drinking it, she called the bartender over.

"The last time I was here, I think I might have forgotten an item. Can I check your lost and found?" (hooded girl)

"Sure, come into the back with me." (bartender)

The hooded girl followed him into a room behind the bar itself beyond two sets of doors.

"Go ahead and check downstairs; if what your looking for is here, it would be down there." He points to the staircase.

The girl replied with a nod.

Descending the staircase, the girl entered the below-ground section of the tavern. It was slightly busier than up top and the people here looked less like normal citizens and more like criminals.

{I can't believe a place like this exists in the capital. We're just a stone's throw from one of the Knight's barracks. Just how much money are they paying to keep this place quiet?} (hooded girl)

The girl pushed these thoughts to the back of her mind. She might not like it, but she was here on business and needed the help of one of these people. After a few minutes, she spotted the woman she had been looking for. Sitting at one of the back booths was a woman wearing traditional Japanese clothes and smoking from a Kiseru. The hooded girl approached the woman and took a seat directly across from her.

"Well, you actually showed up." Akagi chuckled. "I must admit when you first contacted me about a meeting, I thought it might be a trap."

"I'm already aware that confronting you is a pointless endeavor. The last group that tried was wiped out, and I've better things to do than fight you." (hooded girl)

"Oh? The Great Hero Hishya is letting evil go unpunished? What is the world coming to?" Akagi laughed.

"Don't go saying my name aloud idiot! No one, and I mean no one, can know I was here today." Hishya scolded.

"You don't have to worry about that. The moment you stepped into the booth, I activated its special feature which completely obscured it from the outside. No one can see or hear what goes on inside, though we can see outside." Akagi winked. "So you can go ahead and remove that hood."

"Sigh" Hishya removed her hood.

Underneath was a girl who looked no older than thirteen to fourteen years old. Her hair was a light purple while her eyes were candy apple red. Despite her small stature, she was wearing what looked like heavy plate armor underneath her cloak. It was clear that this girl was a front-line fighter and had the gear to back up such a role. Most people would think it crazy to send such a small girl into combat but Hishya was no push over. She had spent the past year progressing her abilities in FWO to the point that she was considered one of the best if not the best player in the game.

Akagi had encountered her quite a bit since they became trapped, and had even crossed blades with her on more than one occasion. There were even players who wanted Hishya to deal with Akagi to stop her from killing more players. However, Hishya always refused, not because she agreed with Akagi's actions but rather because she saw Akagi as a rival that could help her improve. Her soft attitude on Akagi had caused friction with other members of the assault team and some had even ventured out themselves to hunt her down. Of course, they always failed and the assault team was forced to make due with less members.

Eventually, after losing a not insignificant number of members it became an unofficial policy to leave Akagi alone. To her credit, Akagi did try to limit the damage she did to the Assault team since she didn't want to be blamed if they became unable to beat the world bosses.

Akagi had known Hishya even before FWO, the two had battled each other across many games and had become fierce rivals wherever they met. But this time, their lives were at stake in this game and while most found it terrifying there were those like Hishya and Akagi that thrived in such an environment.

"You just really enjoy playing with me, don't you? Do all your clients have to put up with this level of harassment? Is it because I have a cute face? Do you just enjoy seeing it look mad? Like, who the hell set up that system to get down here, that's like some cheesy spy movie stuff!" Hishya said exasperated.

"Cheesy or not, it works and you can't deny that. And who might I ask chose such an appearance because it was quote unquote fucking adorable? I take no responsibility for any teasing I may or may not do because of it." Akagi said with a smile. "And to answer your question, it varies; some clients come to me sometimes I go to them, it depends." She says taking a sip from her drink." Now then, shall we get down to business?"

"Yes, while it pains me to ask this." Hishya straightened up and looked Akagi in the eyes. "Akagi, I need you to wipe out the Black Gauntlet."

This chapter upload first at NovelBin.Com