Kapitel 1727: -1708- [ Shinon ]
"Second place in the previous BoB tournament?"
Hearing this, Rozen raised his eyebrows.
The BoB tournament, known as the Bullet of Bullets, is a competition to determine the strongest player in GGO. Winning the championship earns the title of the strongest player in GGO.
If this player named Yamikaze achieved second place in the BoB tournament, it meant they were currently ranked as the second strongest in GGO.
And the first-place champion had been killed by Death Gun.
In other words...
"This person is currently the strongest player in GGO?"
Rozen looked at Yamikaze with a hint of interest in his eyes.
"You really want to fight me?"
Rozen asked with a faint smile.
"If you don't mind," Yamikaze said with a low chuckle. "Even though you're new, you were the strongest player in ALO, not to mention the most formidable player in SAO. Challenging a player like you doesn't feel like lowering my standards."
Under normal circumstances, it would indeed be a disgrace for the second-place finisher in BoB to challenge a newcomer who had only been in the game for less than ten minutes.
But if the opponent was Rozen, that was a different matter.
"Will you accept?"
Yamikaze's tone carried a subtle challenge.
Seeing this, Rozen smiled, this time more genuinely.
Although Rozen had just entered the game and hadn't gathered any equipment—dressed only in the initial military uniform and armed with the stats carried over from ALO—by all logic, it was impossible for him to defeat the strongest player in GGO.
But...
"That's what makes it interesting."
Rozen was about to agree when suddenly...
"Challenging a player who doesn't even have a gun—is this the second-place finisher of BoB?"
A clear, cold, ice-like voice echoed, reaching everyone's ears. Everyone present froze and turned to the source of the voice.
Rozen paused for a moment as well, then turned his head to look.
The next moment, everyone saw a girl.
A girl leaning against a nearby wall, arms crossed.
The girl had a petite and delicate appearance, dressed in a desert-colored military coat paired with tactical armor and boots. A long scarf wrapped around her neck. Her hair and eyes were an icy blue, exuding the air of an aggressive mountain cat. Her entire being radiated a cold, unfeeling aura.
The surrounding players immediately began murmuring.
"Isn't that Shinon?"
"The one ranked 22nd in the previous BoB!"
"I heard she recently acquired an incredibly rare weapon."
"Really?"
"Many are saying she'll be the dark horse of the next BoB!"
"What's she doing here?"
"No idea..."
The players whispered amongst themselves.
Yamikaze frowned, looking at the girl known as Shinon.
"Do you have a problem?"
Yamikaze's tone was slightly irritated.
Shinon shifted her gaze to Rozen, her eyes firm with an unshakable resolve.
Seeing her gaze, Rozen paid closer attention.
In the game, there were few female players who had such a determined look—at least, Rozen had only seen Asuna with that kind of expression before.
Moreover, in this world filled with the smell of gunpowder and coarse gunfire, the presence of a female player was rare. Rozen couldn't help but feel a bit intrigued.
The girl seemed somewhat interested in Rozen as well.
Evidence of this was a fleeting glance she gave him.
That glance carried a sense of hunting excitement.
Yes, hunting excitement.
She seemed like a predator eyeing her prey, causing a chilling sensation.
Even so, she appeared to be speaking on Rozen's behalf.
"Not exactly a problem."
The girl named Shinon spoke with a flat, emotionless tone.
"But, challenging someone who doesn't even have a gun—are you seriously inviting such a duel? That's not a battle; it's just bullying, isn't it?"
"This…" Yamikaze was momentarily speechless.
Unlike ALO, GGO didn't equip new players with initial weapons. Instead, they were given starting funds to purchase their weapons of choice.
Rozen, as a newly logged-in player, had no weapon. No matter how high his stats were, no weapon meant no weapon.
Without a gun, how could there be a fight?
In a gunfight, facing an opponent without a gun was undeniably bullying.
"The second-place finisher in BoB wouldn't stoop so low as to challenge an unarmed opponent, would they?" Shinon continued in a calm tone. "There will be plenty of chances later. Why rush?"
Yamikaze fell silent.
The surrounding players also remained quiet.
Even those who harbored hostility toward Rozen knew that inviting an unarmed player to a duel outside the safe zone was something only dishonorable individuals would do.
While there were such individuals among the crowd, saying it outright in public would only bring shame.
Rozen, however, remained indifferent.
If a fight was possible, Rozen wouldn't mind. If not, he wouldn't feel regret—perhaps just a hint of disappointment.
Finally...
"According to online rumors, you'll be participating in the next BoB tournament, won't you?"
Yamikaze asked Rozen.
"Yes."
Rozen nodded without any hesitation.
"Good." Yamikaze nodded as well. "In that case, let's settle this during BoB."
Yamikaze had been convinced by Shinon.
"Fine by me."
Rozen shrugged, his tone as nonchalant as ever.
This annoyed the surrounding players.
"Does he really think he'll win?"
"It's just one week. There's no way he'll get much stronger."
"Hope he doesn't even make it past the preliminaries."
"Tch."
One by one, the players dispersed.
Including Yamikaze.
"See you at BoB."
With those words, Yamikaze turned and left.
Only Rozen and Shinon remained, facing each other.
Shinon stared at Rozen as if trying to commit his appearance to memory. Then, without hesitation, she turned and walked away.
Rozen watched her leave. After a while, he smirked.
"What an interesting girl."
With that, Rozen turned and left as well.
The once lively scene instantly fell silent.
Meanwhile, Rozen's character appearance in GGO began circulating online through a screenshot, spreading like wildfire.
Everyone now knew that Rozen had indeed transferred to GGO.
And many GGO players had set their sights on him.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein