The sharp sounds of smacking echoed across the floating island, mixed with Yae Miko's pained cries.
She regretted it.
If she had known, she wouldn't have caused trouble.
For some reason, even though the branch in Valerius's hand was thin, every strike hurt unbearably.
"Do you admit your mistake?"
"I do!"
She quickly gave in. If she didn't, she'd only get hit more. It was infuriating—why was he just like Ei, so obsessed with spanking people?
"And what did you do wrong?"
"I… I…" Her eyes darted around before she said, "Whatever you say I did wrong, that's what I did wrong."
"Heh, smart answer. You can go now."
"Oh."
The moment Valerius let her off, Yae Miko bolted away without hesitation, sprinting back to her own island.
As soon as she landed, she didn't stop for even a second. She activated her propulsion devices and sped off.
She was scared.
That thing really hurt.
"What a shameless fox."
With no players left on it, the island slowly began drifting again.
Three days later.
Almost every player's island had expanded, and most could now move freely.
During this time, Yae Miko had gone on a rampage with her AK and grenades.
"Seven points already. Oh ho ho~"
Looking at her island—clearly larger than most others—she felt extremely satisfied. As expected, with weapons, no one could compete with her.
"Oh? Another one."
In the distance, another black dot appeared.
No doubt about it—a player's island.
"Heh, my eighth point, here I come."
Without hesitation, she steered her island toward it. With six propulsion devices, her speed was impressive.
The gap closed quickly.
Soon, the full view of the island came into sight.
"Oh? Who's this? Pretty well-developed."
The island was at least twenty square meters, complete with a small wooden house and a fruit tree heavy with ripe produce.
Yae Miko's eyes lit up.
All of this… would be hers.
She closed in quickly, then jumped over with her AK in hand.
"…Huh? Where is everyone?"
She scanned the area.
No one.
The fishing rod was still there, unattended.
"In the house?"
There was only one building, so she crept toward the window and peeked inside.
"…Still no one?"
The house was empty—just a wooden bed.
That made no sense.
The island was still drifting normally, yet there was no player.
"Did someone get eliminated and forget to merge the island?"
She recalled hearing several elimination announcements earlier. It was possible someone had defeated the owner but didn't know they could absorb the island.
"Perfect. It's mine now."
After confirming no one was around, she slung her gun behind her back and walked toward the fruit tree.
She picked a red fruit and took a bite.
"Mmm—so sweet."
Her eyes lit up. She had never tasted something this sweet before.
"Not bad, not bad. As expected of Lady Miko's luck."
In a great mood, she ate a few more fruits.
Time to merge this island and enjoy these at her leisure.
But after just a few steps—
Her head began to spin.
The world blurred.
"…This is bad."
Her body went limp, and she collapsed to the ground.
Her eyelids grew heavier and heavier, until she could barely keep them open.
In her fading vision, she saw a hidden panel open, and a figure crawl out from beneath the island.
"Well, well… isn't this the mighty Lady Yae Miko, slaughtering everyone with purchased gear?"
A mocking voice echoed.
She couldn't even tell who it was anymore.
"…Despicable…"
With her last bit of strength, she forced out two words.
"Oh? An AK? What a powerful weapon."
"And grenades too… better store these safely."
Darkness.
Endless darkness.
She could feel her weapons being taken one by one.
She had become nothing more than prey.
"Ei… where are you… I miss you… ugh…"
At that critical moment, she thought of her dear friend.
Surely, only her closest companion would come to save her now.
Thud.
The sound of a blade piercing flesh echoed.
Then—
A body fell nearby.
[Attention: Player Raiden Ei has eliminated Player Sampo.]
Was that Ei… coming to save her?
Or just an illusion?
"…Hmm? That looks like Miko."
"Kujou Sara, move closer."
"Yes, Your Excellency."
As her consciousness faded, she vaguely sensed two figures approaching.
…
When Yae Miko opened her eyes again, she realized she was still in the game.
"So I was saved after all."
She vaguely remembered—it was Raiden Ei.
"Don't move."
A gun was pressed against her forehead.
"…Ei… so it really is you."
Right.
She hadn't imagined it.
But… this didn't look like a rescue.
"Heh, caught you again, didn't I?"
What was the most satisfying thing in the game?
Gaining points.
And what was even better?
Personally eliminating your best friend.
Right now, Raiden Ei was in an excellent mood.
You thought you could get away?
In the end, you still fell into my hands.
As the saying goes—you can never outplay your elder.
"…Ei, you're really going to eliminate me?"
"Of course."
Yae Miko immediately protested, "We're best friends! And you're attacking me?"
"Do you realize I already have seven points? I might actually win!"
"You're really going to hand victory to someone from another nation?"
That made Ei pause.
Seven points… the highest so far.
If she eliminated Miko now, others might catch up.
But Miko herself was worth one point.
If she let her go, she'd lose that point.
In the end, between Miko and herself—
Ei chose herself.
"Don't worry. With these weapons, I'll earn even more points than you. You can go in peace."
She hadn't even bought anything from Valerius yet. With Miko's weapons in hand, victory seemed within reach.
"…You—you—you…"
Yae Miko was furious.
Why was it always you?!
Every single time she was about to claim victory, Raiden Ei would appear out of nowhere.
Was she cursed?
Seeing there was no escape, Yae Miko made one final request.
"Wait… let me eat one more fruit first."
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