Time: April 16, 2032. 16:00.
Location: Central Tokyo. Government Quarter and Shopping Centers.
The armored vehicle of "White Tiger" (this time a simpler, black SUV to avoid attention) moved slowly through Tokyo's streets. Sato himself sat at the wheel (he didn't like drivers, saying "I need to feel the steering wheel"). In the back, Kenji and Laylo were watching the city.
"Wow! Look at that building!" Laylo pressed herself against the window. "Is it floating in the air?"
Kenji looked. This was the building of "Magitech" (Magic and Technology) Corporation, from which antigravity platforms flew out.
"Beautiful," Kenji said. "But the foundation looks weak. Could topple it with one good 'Earthquake' spell."
Sato, sitting at the wheel, laughed.
"You haven't changed, Shadow. You look at everything thinking 'how can I destroy it.' This is architecture, not a battlefield."
The car entered the area where government buildings were located—Nagatacho. The atmosphere here was completely different.
The streets were full of military personnel. Tanks stood guard at intersections. Snipers and drones on building tops. The air was heavy and tense.
Sato became serious.
"Kenji, Laylo... listen carefully. In this area, don't say you're a 'Player.' Just say you're 'Awakened.'"
"What's the difference?" Laylo asked, pausing from eating her ice cream. "Both are powerful people."
Sato sighed. He stopped the car at a red light and turned around.
"The difference is that 'Awakened' are ordinary people who randomly gained power, like winning a lottery. The government can control them. They're registered, drafted into the army."
"But 'True Players'... meaning us... we're different."
Kenji saw the pain in Sato's eyes.
"'Purge,'" Kenji said in a low voice. "They massacred us, didn't they?"
Sato nodded.
"2 years ago. A month after 'Black Day.' Governments realized that 'Top Rankers' (high-level players) who returned from the game weren't just soldiers, but Walking Nuclear Weapons."
"Imagine," Sato said, pointing at a skyscraper with his hand. "You, Shadow, could split a city in two with a single sword strike during the game. The government feared this. They knew they couldn't control us."
"And they organized an assassination," Kenji continued. His voice turned cold.
"Yes. 'Bloody Week.' Under the pretext of registering 'Awakened,' they gathered all former Top Players. Poison, snipers, bombs... They killed most in their sleep."
"Do you remember 'Samurai X'? The fastest swordsman in that world?"
Kenji nodded.
"They blew him up in his own home, in front of his family."
"'Mage Lord' (King of Mages)? The US government declared him a 'dangerous element' and rocketed an entire block."
Laylo almost dropped her ice cream.
"This... this is horrible! They were heroes!"
"For politicians, there are no heroes, my dear. Only rivals," Sato said, stating the bitter truth. "Those of us who survived fled. I formed my own guild, offered the government 'Taxes' and 'Protection,' and saved my life. Others... fled to Korea, China, Europe, even Antarctica."
Kenji clenched his fist.
He had fought creatures for 80 years to save humanity. In real life, humanity had strangled its own saviors with its own hands.
"What about Aira?" Kenji asked sharply. "Why did she stay in Japan?"
"Because she's a Healer," Sato said. "The most powerful healer in the world. If the government killed her, they'd shoot themselves in the foot. They need her alive. That's why they locked her in the 'Temple of Light' and guard her like a 'Sacred Cow.' Her memory loss... was exactly what the government wanted. Easy to control."
The car passed by the Government Palace. A huge banner hung there:
"AWAKENED — THE NATION'S SHIELD! SERVE THE STATE!"
Kenji looked at the banner and spat (internally) in disgust.
"So Aira is in a golden cage. And I need to find the key to that cage."
"Not a key," Sato smiled, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "You'll need a 'Sledgehammer,' my friend."
They left the government quarter and entered the Ginza shopping district. Life was bustling here.
Laylo's mood had dropped a bit, so Sato decided to play the "Big Uncle" role.
"Hey, Laylo!" Sato said. "Do you know the world's best 'Mutant-Strawberry Cake' is sold here? Since creatures appeared, fruits have changed too. Strawberries are now the size of apples!"
Laylo's eyes sparkled.
"Apple-sized strawberries?! Big brother, can we get some?"
Kenji laughed. His little sister's happiness was his only cure.
"We'll get some. Sato, stop the car. Today's on me. (Meaning, with the money he got from Sato himself)."
They got out of the car.
As Kenji walked down the street, he observed his surroundings.
He sensed that some "True Players" were among the people. They were walking in hiding.
For example, a young man playing guitar as a street musician—was actually a "Bard" (Music Mage), evident from his finger movements.
Or a chef skillfully spinning a kitchen knife—could be a former "Assassin."
"They're here," Kenji thought. "They're living in fear, in hiding. But if I unite them... If I become their New Leader..."
Kenji looked at Sato.
"Sato, besides 'White Tiger,' what other guilds are loyal to 'True Players'?"
"Almost none," Sato said while eating cake. "'Black Dragon' (where Tanaka works) is the government's lapdog. 'Phoenix' guild only works for money. Only... there's one small, secret group. 'Night Owls.' They help refugee players. But they're hard to find."
"I'll find them," Kenji said. "I'll need an army."
Laylo bit into a huge strawberry and spoke with her mouth full:
"Big brother, are you planning to conquer the world again? First finish this cake, it's melting!"
Kenji and Sato burst out laughing.
"Alright, alright, Your Majesty."
But Kenji's eyes were serious. He understood that his path wasn't just clearing Towers. His path was Revolution. He had to save his old friends from government tyranny, free Aira, and change this new, corrupt system.
"Sato," Kenji said in a low voice. "Tomorrow I'm entering Tower-1 (Beginner Tower). I want to set a record there. Such a record that all of Japan, the entire government, and all hidden players see it."
"I want to announce that 'Shadow' has returned."
Sato stopped eating his cake. He looked at Kenji and grinned predatorily.
"You're crazy. But I like it. 'White Tiger' stands behind you. Tomorrow there'll be an explosion in the news."