I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

〈 Chapter 17 〉 16 ­ No Easy Day

* * *

“…Guys, this game is seriously too scary… I’m losing my mind…”

New York City Hall, Armed Safe House.

On a field bed scattered nearby, a mint-colored cat lay sprawled out, quite literally.

Her eyes were unfocused, and she had casually placed her firearm nearby, staring at the ceiling with a defeated sigh.

Unlike other virtual reality games that spoon-fed you from start to finish, this one had a thrillingly spicy kick.

Harmony shook her head, almost becoming one with the bed.

– She’s lying down ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– Did you think making money was easy, Cat Human? Get up quickly!!!!

– Dark Zone… Another successful newbie extermination today….

– F***ing Henslow, lower the tutorial difficulty already!!!!!!!!!

“…No, putting that aside, it’s not really the main issue. It’s not that it’s not fun. But why isn’t there anyone in the safe house!? Did you all log out?”

Of course, the chat’s response was unanimously, ‘Excuse me, teacher, what nonsense are you talking about?’

Regardless, whether it was a matter of timing, or simply bad luck with user spawns, the safe house was practically gathering dust.

Despite breaking through all kinds of obstacles, and turning into something between a person and a rag, she had successfully made it to the safe house, but the journey ahead was still long.

– I’ve raised multiple alt characters, but if it never happened, you’re just unlucky ㅋㅋ

“Thank you, Kim Piano, for the 1,000 won donation… Really? Even when I’m stepping up like this, the universe doesn’t help me? Wow….”

– ?????????????

– Suddenly dropping bombs with no hesitation ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– You should’ve wanted it more ㅋㅋ

– She’s going to die at this rate. Did all the Nyang Dan die?

– Dark Critters, do you have any idea what’s going on?

“I can’t… I need to go drink some water. I’m getting a dehydration warning.”

At the same time, the screen all viewers were watching displayed the AFK – Away From Keyboard message.

One of the connection device’s features was that, during safe situations in-game, you could restore the signal to the choker-type disruptor and immediately move your real body.

Thus, she momentarily cut the signal and got up from the bed to get some water.

Naturally, the chat quickly filled with messages they normally couldn’t send.

Meanwhile, Harmony’s avatar, who had lost consciousness, began to gently turn due to a structural defect in the old field bed.

With a suspicious sound, the view slowly rotated. The pipes crisscrossing under the concrete ceiling disappeared, and the view focused on the entrance.

A silhouette started descending from there.

– Oh

– Oh, what’s this? Is it a user?

– Wow, that snake tail is impressive ㅋㅋㅋ The bullet spread must be huge

– Smells like a pro

– ㅅㅂ Where’s Harmony ㅋㅋㅋ Why isn’t she forming a party?

– She fell asleep….

A lively, wriggling tail.

A glimpse of pointed ears peeking through long, black hair. Significant volume visible even under the thick outfit.

Anyone could immediately tell it was a user based on her unique appearance.

However.

Even as the two-hour countdown below the two missions displayed on the UI blinked pitifully, she remained motionless.

Everyone’s assumption that she would soon move was slowly shattered by Harmony’s continued inactivity on the bed.

Even as the user in front inspected her firearm.

Even as she aimed to check if the sights were misaligned.

Even as she removed the magazine, checked the chamber, and counted the remaining bullets before standing up.

She did not move, like an object.

Thousands of viewers began to grow anxious.

– How long does it take to drink water? Get up, the bus driver is here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A seemingly short period.

Despite the user in front spending considerable time here, it was never enough for the viewers.

Movement continued beyond Harmony’s field of view. Having confirmed everything, the user took confident steps, ready to depart….

But perhaps the philosophy behind the donations was sufficient,

“…Uh, why am I lying down like this…?”

She had returned.

With a very laid-back voice.

The chat was already in a frenzy.

– That’s not the important part ㅅㅂ ㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ

– Catch them quickly! Catch them quickly! Catch them quickly! Catch them quickly! Catch them quickly! Catch them quickly! Catch them quickly! Catch them quickly!

– There’s a user in front of you, come on!

– Sister, do you want to see me die of frustration!?!?!?!?

“Huh, what? Why? Is there someone here? Where?”

So, with a situation that tested the viewers’ patience to the limit───

“Wait a second───!!!”

The encounter was made.

– Yoo Jin. I will briefly inform you of your schedule. After waking up, eat breakfast and come to the shooting range by 8 AM.

– Yes.

– Conduct flat range shooting until 1 PM, then eat lunch by 2 PM and return to the shooting range. Shoot again until 6 PM, all based on live-fire exercises.

– Understood.

– After finishing dinner by 7 PM, continue Kill House training until 11:30 PM. This routine will continue until you become completely familiar with firearms.

Once you reach the level where you can be assigned a dedicated gunsmith, the proportion of Kill House training will increase.

– …Got it.

– Your physical strength and abilities are quite impressive. But the outside is still a combat situation. Either get used to all of this quickly and prove yourself, or die. The choice is yours.

…These were the words of Anthony Owens, my senior officer in the 1st Special Actions Group, also known as Delta Force, on my first day of training.

There was no particular reason why this memory suddenly came to mind… If I recall some old memories, I didn’t understand back then why I had to go through such rigorous training.

Even a small mistake would bring down about 80% of all the world’s curses on me.

But…

“Wow, just forming a party makes things so much easier. Thank you so much….”

“…Do not point your gun when not in combat. Make sure to be vigilant for any signs of life around you.”

“Oh, yes, yes.”

…Now that I find myself in this situation, I’m really glad I only got cursed back then.

And at the same time, I automatically understood why the instructors used all kinds of harsh words while teaching me.

Just putting gear on an ordinary person doesn’t make them an operator….

Every second, I wanted to kick this green cat’s shins, but I had to remind myself several times that this was just a game.

At least the appearance is cute, so I can tolerate it.

“…You seem to have a lot of interest in this field. Your actions are really professional and impressive. How did you set your calibration?”

“Calibration?”

“Oh, you didn’t tweak it separately?”

“…I guess so.”

No.

Since it never came up, it’s true I never touched it….

If I hadn’t forgotten, I’m sure… it said calibration and sliders were all omitted.

Moreover, I was too focused on the ICARUS abbreviations and the operator valid code instructions, and there was no related explanation.

Hmm…

Well, it shouldn’t be a big problem. It doesn’t affect gameplay, and it probably won’t in the future either.

Anyway, aside from that, the city was still noisy, even though it was wrapped in darkness. The sound of beans roasting from quite a distance, the unnecessarily proliferating animals….

Moreover, this green tea-colored cat, who introduced herself as Harmony and confirmed there were no enemies around, started chatting non-stop as soon as she had the chance.

“This game is seriously too difficult.”

“You might be struggling because you’re not used to it.”

“But I’ve conquered all sorts of games! I’ve climbed with a pot and pogo stick, and scaled with just jump skills, and all that….”

…Does this person have a hobby of seeking hardships?

Still, what she said was somewhat interesting.

Her explanations were all about game genres I had never heard of before.

“…Even if it’s not a trash game, it’s just as tough. How can there be so many different kinds of difficulties in this world…?”

“The world is originally like that.”

“Right? So it’s not me who’s wrong, it’s the world.”

Very naturally, she said something that might also apply to me.

However, she then glanced at the air for a moment and said,

“No, what do you mean by that? Think about it. If there weren’t a lot of trash games in this world, would you guys have made me play them?”

What?

Did that calibration thing come with an imaginary friend feature or something?

Trying not to show a confused expression, I kept a neutral face as she hurriedly added,

“Oh, sorry. I forgot to mention, I’m streaming right now. I should have told you earlier, but the situation was too urgent, so I didn’t get a chance.”

“A situation?”

“Yes, yes. I was trying to do some party play, but there was no one around. I thought I wouldn’t be able to clear the tutorial at this rate.”

So that’s why she was so desperate for a party earlier.

Anyway, streaming. As usual, I had to dig through my memories before I fell into this world.

So… in simple terms, they were people who broadcast their gameplay?

The thought of what’s so fun about watching someone else play games briefly crossed my mind, but there were always different kinds of people in the world.

With the puzzle pieces fitting together, I spoke

up.

“Then all those weird games you mentioned earlier were part of your stream…?”

“Yes. Who would want to suffer through games? Of course, there’s a sense of achievement when you clear them, but, ugh….”

“I almost misunderstood, thinking you had a unique hobby.”

“What!?”

No, wait.

What did I do?

Thump.

The sharp voice, shattering and scattering in all directions as it hit the building walls in the cold winter air, spread in the form of aggro.

I hurriedly covered my mouth, but it seemed too late.

Simultaneously, rustling sounds came from the nearby park.

I had a bad feeling about this.

As I removed my hand from my mouth, I added quietly,

“…Get ready for battle.”

“Y-yes!”

She clumsily hid behind nearby cover and aimed in the direction of the noise, twitching her fingers.

Praying that she wouldn’t cross my line of fire during the engagement,

– Clack.

“Ah…!”

“…!”

Damn it.

Why did that fall?

Time felt like it slowed down. For a moment, I thought I had seen something wrong, but even if I had the chance to wipe my eyes and look again….

It was a magazine.

The magazine of Harmony’s gun had dropped as the magazine catch was pressed while she was aiming.

Quickly catching it with her tail,

“…………”

“Ah, no, that’s, uh….”

…Though I didn’t say anything, my expression must have been far from pleasant.

With my eyes still on the red dot sight, I reinserted the magazine that her tail had caught back into its place.

Imagining countless ways to smack her head after this engagement ended.