"Items that can avoid satellite scans..."
Rozen's words hit like a thunderclap, waking up Shinon.
This wasn't such a rare thing after all.
In fact, there were ways to avoid satellite scans in GGO.
For example, optical camouflage could evade certain radars and satellite scans.
Optical camouflage refers to a technology that attaches nano-computers to clothing and items. The nano-computers collect environmental data and then alter the brightness or color of the clothing to blend into the surroundings, effectively making the wearer almost invisible.
While this technology is still not fully developed in the real world and is used in military applications, it remains largely theoretical for civilians, making it hard for the general public to access. But in a future tech world like GGO, this kind of technology naturally exists.
However, the ultimate camouflage ability that refracts light to make one invisible, undetectable by any radar or satellite, was likely an ability possessed only by ultra-high-level Boss monsters. No player had ever shown such an ability or item.
But, if Death Gun possessed optical camouflage, everything would make sense.
With the ability to become invisible, even if Death Gun sniped from a close distance, no one could detect them.
With this ability, even satellite scans wouldn't pick up the target, allowing them to appear like a ghost, popping up at any location at any time.
Rozen believed...
"You were captured by Death Gun, probably due to this factor, unable to detect the enemy's location. When you were tied up in the warehouse, Death Gun was likely still there, maintaining an invisible state, waiting for my entry, and then ambushed us."
This was Rozen's reasoning.
"If it weren't for that, when I dealt with Yamikaze and used the receiver, I should've seen the signal from Death Gun when they tied you up and brought you to the abandoned city, but at that time, besides you, I didn't see any other players enter the abandoned city."
This wasn't because the abandoned city only had Rozen and Shinon, but because Death Gun, using optical camouflage, was not detected by satellite scans and stayed hidden.
If that were the case...
"Then Sterben is undoubtedly Death Gun."
Rozen spoke with certainty.
"No wonder..."
Shinon murmured.
As a sniper of her level, even with some carelessness and rashness, it shouldn't have been so easy for her to be hit.
Shinon had thought it was because Death Gun had equipped a suppressor on their sniper rifle, but she hadn't expected optical camouflage to be involved.
At the same time, Shinon now understood why Rozen had said the problem was how to find Death Gun.
If Death Gun really had optical camouflage and could evade satellite scans, how could they possibly find him on a map with a ten-kilometer diameter and take him out?
There was no way.
The only option was to wait for Death Gun to come out on his own, and then engage in combat.
Otherwise, they wouldn't even be able to find the enemy.
Of course, this problem wasn't insurmountable.
"If we're patient, he'll eventually come to us," Rozen remarked with a grin.
"After all, his ultimate goal is to kill me, and even if I don't look for him, he'll eventually come for me."
What Rozen didn't know was what tricks Death Gun would pull during this time.
After all, Rozen had only been playing with Yamikaze, and yet Death Gun had gone as far as to kidnap Shinon. Once they were in a passive situation, Death Gun would likely resort to more underhanded tactics.
If Rozen only had to care about himself and not worry about others, he might continue playing games with Death Gun.
But with Shinon's situation, Rozen no longer had the heart to indulge Death Gun any longer.
"Even though I don't know where he is right now, he'll definitely appear once I show up."
Rozen stared directly at Shinon.
"You stay here."
"If you don't want to fight anymore, you can forfeit."
"But remember, do not quit the game, understand?"
Rozen gave this strange advice before getting on the off-road trike and starting the engine.
"Wait..."
Shinon finally reacted, instinctively trying to stop Rozen.
"Boom!"
Rozen didn't listen, slamming the throttle and the off-road trike roared to life, kicking up a storm of sand as it sped off ahead.
Shinon stood up, watching Rozen rev up the trike and disappear into the distance, helpless.
Soon, Rozen's figure had completely disappeared from her view.
Shinon stood there, lost in a daze.
What should she do next?
Shinon had no idea.
She had lost the reason to fight, the reason to persist, even the strength to go on. She had no idea what to do next.
Watching Rozen leave, Shinon felt like she had been abandoned, left alone in the world, with no one by her side.
This sense of loneliness made her truly want to quit, even leave the game and never return.
But Rozen's parting words stayed in her ears.
Although she didn't understand why Rozen had said that, Shinon chose to listen.
It wasn't that she trusted Rozen that much, but because she truly didn't know what to do anymore, and so instinctively followed Rozen's advice.
Shinon lowered her head, and after a while, summoned the main window and manifested the weapon from her item bar.
"Clang!"
The light gleamed as the heavy rifle fell into Shinon's hands.
The familiar weight and cold touch transferred to her body, giving Shinon a small sense of reliance.
The rifle in Shinon's hands was, of course, her beloved sniper rifle—Hecate.
Perhaps because he didn't care, Death Gun only took her antidote items and didn't bother to take her rifle.
Holding the anti-material sniper rifle, Shinon's sense of loneliness was somewhat eased.
Then...
"At least, let me witness it...."
Shinon made her choice, took a deep breath, and began running in the direction Rozen had gone.