To become as strong as the characters in the game.
This has always been Shinon's wish.
Shinon has been striving toward this goal, even challenging formidable foes that others wouldn't dare to face. She's even boldly reached out to ask about Rozen's past, which is enough to show just how determined she is.
However…
(I'm actually just an ordinary person, not truly a cold-blooded sniper…)
Shinon only wants to overcome her weaknesses, not become cold and unfeeling.
Deep down, she still wants to laugh and play with her friends like a normal person, not turn into someone from another world.
Just like how patients wish to recover from illness—not to ascend and become deities, but to return to an ordinary life, running in the sunlight and working toward their future.
For this reason, Shinon keeps challenging powerful players in the game, strengthening her in-game character and, along with it, her real-world spirit, hoping to ultimately conquer her weaknesses.
Shinon's goal is to break through the dark, hardened shell encasing her heart and free herself from the terrifying memories haunting her.
If she can accomplish that, she would gladly give up her in-game persona.
After all, the Shinon in the game is just data—virtual code.
The purpose of creating this persona was for it to help her real self grow stronger, not the other way around.
But Kyouji misunderstood this. His eyes seem to see only the Shinon in GGO and not Asada Shino in the real world.
Shinon had vaguely sensed this for some time. However, since Kyouji bore no malice and always looked at her with nothing but kindness, she maintained her friendship with him until now.
These thoughts were ones Shinon chose not to share with Kyouji.
In truth, there was no need to tell him.
Perhaps Kyouji harbored feelings for her that scared her, but Shinon didn't have the energy to dwell on that right now.
She had already poured all her strength into resolving her own struggles and had no capacity to deal with other matters.
Thus…
"Let's not talk about this anymore," Shinon said, choosing to change the subject with a faint smile. "The third BoB tournament is about to start. I should go and log in. What about you?"
Seeing her shift the topic, Kyouji's fiery gaze dimmed, his enthusiasm faded, and he forced a bitter smile before replying.
"Yeah, I'll log in at home too. Though I'm not participating in the BoB, I'll be cheering for you from the screen, Asada-san."
His smile was somewhat heart-wrenching.
Shinon inwardly apologized as she opened her mouth.
"It's really a pity you didn't sign up for the BoB this time. You made it to the semifinals in the preliminaries last year, just one step away from qualifying for the main event. If you worked a bit harder this time, you'd definitely make the top 30."
This was something Shinon genuinely felt was a shame.
Even though AGI (Agility)-based players were being gradually overshadowed by STR (Strength)-based ones, that didn't mean AGI-based players were completely obsolete.
Take Yamikaze, for example—he was an extreme AGI-based player. Although he lost to the STR-VIT (Strength-Vitality)-based champion in last year's BoB, he still became the runner-up and was ranked second in the entire server—a very impressive feat.
Currently, around half of the top 30 in the BoB rankings were still AGI-based players, proving that AGI builds weren't entirely out of the running.
With persistence in refining his skills, Kyouji could someday become someone like Yamikaze—Shinon was sure of it.
Kyouji's technical skills were excellent, as evidenced by his advance to the semifinals in last year's BoB preliminaries. He'd won the first three rounds but lost the fourth due to a counterbuild disadvantage. Otherwise, he would've easily entered the finals and earned a spot in the main tournament, which meant being among the top 30 players.
In that sense, Kyouji's potential wasn't any less than Shinon's, who ranked 22nd in last year's BoB.
Shinon truly had high hopes for him and wished he wouldn't give up so easily.
Unfortunately, Kyouji could only respond with a helpless smile.
"You don't have to console me, Asada-san. I know my limits. There's no way for me to go further unless I switch to an STR build. It's an obstacle no AGI build can overcome."
His words were resolute.
Naturally, Shinon didn't agree with that perspective.
However, as always, she chose not to correct him.
For one, Shinon wasn't keen on the idea of facing Kyouji in the main tournament and shooting a bullet into the head of someone she could call a friend. For another, she wanted Kyouji to tone down his passion for the game.
After all, Kyouji spent far more time in full-dive than Shinon did. While Shinon attended classes, Kyouji was often logged into the game, spending several times more hours in full immersion than her.
Shinon wasn't sure if he even had time to study.
If his gaming habits led to him failing to get into a prestigious medical school, that would ruin him.
Keeping that in mind, Shinon didn't want to reignite his excessive enthusiasm for gaming.
"I'll be going now. See you in the game."
Shinon stood up.
"Sure, see you in the game."
Kyouji stood as well, smiling warmly.
The two left the café together, parting ways as they walked toward Shinon's apartment.
As Shinon's figure receded into the distance, Kyouji suddenly called out.
"Good luck, Asada-san!" he shouted. "You can't lose to that Magus!"
Shinon stopped in her tracks.
A moment later, her eyes shone with the same cold, determined, and resolute light as Shinon's in GGO.
"Mm!"
She nodded firmly.
Thinking of that man's face, Shinon clenched her fists.
Although she still wanted to finish the conversation interrupted that day and ask him her questions, getting his answers…
If she couldn't do that, then Shinon wouldn't mind blasting her way to his level with her Hecate.
At that point, the answers wouldn't matter as much anymore.
(I have to become like you—fearless in the face of anything.)
With that determination, Shinon quickened her pace toward her apartment.
Only Kyouji remained, standing still and gazing after her departing figure.
He didn't move for a long time.