The sky was black and filled with white clouds. The ground was ashy gray, and filled cracks and was completely infertile. There were gravestones as far as the eye could see, all with barbed wires wrapped around them. The world itself shouted death, despair, and solitude.

In this barren world, a single person sat on the largest tomb around. This person was Miko.

“……….”

He silently looked at the world that laid before his eyes with a peaceful expression. After a while he finally spoke.

“This world is still dead even after everything.”

“This world is a reflection of your heart, it can’t be changed that easily.”

The silhouette that would always appear before him when he’s in deep thought, once again made an appearance.

“This bleak and lifeless world is your, our view on reality as a whole. It can’t be changed that easily.”

Said the silhouette.

They were currently in the depths of Miko’s mind.

“Is that so?”

Miko didn’t argue. The silhouette sat beside him and looked at the world itself.

“That’s just how it is.”

He said.

“But look on the bright side. We’re evolving.”

He looked at Miko.

“You should’ve noticed it as well. You’re subconsciously trying to break out of your shell and reaching for new heights.”

“Well, I won’t deny that. But the problem is that I’m not evolving fast enough.”

Miko said.

“I can tell that I can accomplish far more than I have, but something is holding me back.”

He said.

“Sometimes I feel like I’m suffocating in my own body.”

He looked at his hand.

“I’m evolving. However, just what am I evolving into?”

“Who knows? The Ultimate Evil perhaps?”

The silhouette joked.

Miko ignored his joke and looked at all the graves in front of him.

“Man, the way I see the world sure is depressing.”

He said.

“It can’t be helped with the life you’ve lived.”

The silhouette said.

“I guess you’re right. If my mother saw this, I’m pretty sure she would be pissed after all.”

Miko gave a light laugh, but his face showed no joy or amusement.

“Say, Yamiko.”

Miko called out to the silhouette, Yamiko.

“Do you think the world looks different when you look down on it from the top? Or is this all a waste of time?”

He asked.

“Having doubts again?”

Yamiko laughed.

“Who knows. We’ll have to make it to the top first to see.”

He answered.

“I guess you’re right.”

Miko jumped down from the tomb and Yamiko followed behind him.

The two silently looked at the dead world before their eyes.

“Grr!”

That’s when they heard a growl coming from the tomb behind them. They, however ignored it.

“You know, I did some research on Irregulars. Apparently they possess special abilities that defy the very universe called Irregularities.”

Miko said. He pointed at the tomb behind them.

“Both you and that guy in there seem to be a part of my Irregularity.”

“That’s right. We’re a part of you and are also your power.”

Said Yamiko.

“It seems that even among Irregularities, my power stands out from the rest. The fact that I can’t control it is proof.”

Miko said.

“That’s only because you refuse to accept us. If you did, our power would be yours.”

Said Yamiko.

“Accepting that power means turning this world into living hell. I still have my family in this world, I can’t just indiscriminately destroy everything around me. That’s why I sought a different approach for strength. Even though it will be far harder for me than others.”

“Then, if your family weren’t here?”

Yamiko asked.

Miko showed a smile.

“Then what is the point of allowing this stupid world to continue to exist?”

He replied.

“I see. I think I get why I’m in such a rush to get stronger. It’s because I know that I have the power and potential to claim the world, but can’t tap into them. I’m desperate to being able to fight without being restrained.”

The moment he said that, black chains appeared wrapping around Miko and linking him to Yamiko and the tomb behind him.

“It’s heavy.”

“But you have no choice but keep walking right?”

Yamiko asked.

Miko nodded.

“I’ll have to keep walking until I’ve obtained the freedom I’ve long for all my life.”

He smiled.

“The freedom to truly live as I please.”

“I see. But be careful, Miko.”

Yamiko showed Miko a sly smile.

“You’re becoming less and less human every day.”

“………”

Miko opened his eyes to see the familiar ceiling of his room.

“I can already see that.”

He mumbled.

“Ugh….”

“Hm?”

He heard a moan and turned to looked beside him. There he saw Tia sleeping next to him in a pretty erotic lace night gown.

“……..”

He stared at her in silence for a while before looking at the clock beside him. It was now 7 in the morning. Remembering that they had something to do, he sat up and shook her.

“Tia, it’s morning.”

He said.

“Just five more years….”

Tia replied with a sleepy voice before going back to sleep.

“Is that so?”

Miko then laid back down and started to sleep. Time flowed by and the two continued to sleep without any signs of waking up.

*Bam!*

That when Miko’s door was suddenly blown off, and Momo was seen walking in.

“I knew it. They’re still asleep, even though we promised to meet at 8.”

She growled angrily.

“Get up, you two! How dare you make me wait for hours by myself?!”

She stretched her hand out and a magic circle appeared on the bed and exploded.

“Wha?!”

Both Miko and Tia were blown across the room, and was forced out of their sleep.

“Who dares interrupt my sleep?!”

Tia angrily roared.

“Me. Do you have a problem?”

Momo replied.

“Ah….No.”

Tia said.

She realized that she must’ve slept in and caused Momo to wait by herself. Because she thought that Momo’s anger was justified, she couldn’t complain. That and Momo’s angry face was pretty scary.

Miko got up looking all confused before laying on the ground.

“Wake up!”

Momo shouted in his ear and finally forced him awake.

“Get cleaned up the two of you. We’re hunting Ace today!”

Momo declared.

“Also, Tia stop creeping into Miko’s bed already. I’m tired of throwing you out all the time.”

“But he’s so comfortable to hold.”

Tia said.

“He’s your Proxy, not your teddy bear. Please show restraint since Miko is a teenage boy with raging hormones. He might jump you one day.”

Tia looked at Miko.

“Is that true?”

“Well, I ain’t no Buddha.”

Miko replied.

“Really? I’m up for it whenever you are, just tell me when you’re in the mood.”

“Alright, I will.”

The two nodded in agreement and looked at Momo like puppies wanting praises from their master.

“Don’t look at me like that, you idiots!”

She shouted.

“Why are you two casually making dangerous agreements like it’s nothing?”

She threw some clothes lying around at the two.

“Come on, get ready. We’re definitely finding him today.”

After Momo’s constant nagging, Miko and Tia got ready and they all went to the Battalion Arcade, where they entered the game. They decided to search one of the more popular spots in the game and see if they could get any info on Ace.

“He’s definitely been here a lot of times, but he never sticks around for long.”

Said Momo.

“Well, he’s a pro player. I’m sure he’s taking jobs all over the game, and in other games too.”

Tia said.

“We’ll have to search around until we find any clues.”

Miko said.

“Until then, we can also try to make a name for ourselves and then outright challenge him. If he has any gamer’s pride, he’ll accept if we’re skilled enough.”

Tia said.

“Alright, let’s run wild!”

Elsewhere outside the game.

The Dragna Empire consisted of various countries, with the imperial city serving as the capital. The other countries all had their own culture and practices which were different from the ones in the city.

Of course, they also had their own problems.

Gael was one of these countries. It was also considered one of the most dangerous because of its high crime rate. There was a saying in the empire.

“Only the strongest and the toughest hails from Gael.”

To many, this saying was the undeniable truth.

Currently in the capital city of Gael, there was a young man walking down the streets. He had messy orange hair, green eyes, and a rather handsome face. He had a slim built, but had well defined muscles. He was dressed in a dark jeans, a black slippers, and a white tank top. He also wore a necklace with an “A” pendant.

“Yawn~. Man, I’m so tired.”

He said.

“Playing for two days straight was more exhausting than I thought.”

He yawned again and turned down an alley and used it as a short cut to make it to the next street.

“Hm?”

Once he reached it, he saw a group of thugs sitting on motorcycles, smoking and drinking.

“What the hell are you looking at?”

One of the bikers asked him.

“Ah, I wasn’t really looking at nothing in particular. With that said, see ya.”

He waved at the bikers and walked away.

“Heh.”

The bikers all grinned at each other.

“Hey, hold up.”

“What is it? I’m really sleepy you know. I want to hurry up and finish this chore and hit the hay.”

He responded to the bikers’s calling out to him. They all slowly started to surround him.

“Don’t worry, it won’t take long.”

“We’re low on cash you see, and was wondering if you can lend us some?”

The bikers asked.

“Sigh. What’s with this cliché development? Hina would feel ashamed as a writer herself.”

He mumbled.

“Look, guys. I think it’s better for both of us if you change targets. I’m tired, and you’re clearly not worth my time, so can we stop?”

He said with a sleepy tone.

“What was that?!”

“You bastard, are you looking down on us?!”

“We’ll kill ya!”

The bikers responded just as he expected they would.

“I guess logic doesnt work on low level players even in the real world.”

He said with a sigh.

“Kill him!”

The bikers all attacked him at once. Sounds of destruction echoed through the area soon after. When everything became silent, only the man stood in place. All of the bikers were either groaning in pain on the ground, or was lodged in the side of buildings. Even their bikes were broken, with some on the roofs. It was a chaotic scene.

“Man, that was such a waste of time.”

The man turned his back on the scene and started walking away.

“I had harder times killing slimes. Although, recently slimes seem to be evolving in games.”

He said.

Later in the afternoon, he was seen walking down a different street carrying a few bags in his hands. He soon stopped in front of an apartment building, and yawned again. He then entered the apartment. The inside was rather luxurious and was filled with expensive furniture and gadgets. This was however the lobby where visitors would wait for the owners to come down and meet them.

He walked over to the elevator that led to the higher floors, and entered it. Once the elevator doors opened again, he stepped out. He looked around and saw a girl in her late teens working on her computer.

“Hina, I bought the stuff you asked for.”

He said to the girl, Hina.

“Oh, thanks. You’re a lifesaver, Ace.”

Hina replied.

“Could you not send me out after a long gaming session? I’m pretty tired you know.”

Ace put down the bags and said. He then walked over to a couch and flung himself on it.

“Sorry, but I was just in the zone after meeting with Miko again. I think that this may be my best story yet.”

Hina said while typing on her computer.

“You really like that kid, huh?”

Ace asked.

“He has an interesting character, that’s all.”

Hina replied.

“By the way, the company wants you to take first place in this new gaming tournament coming up. They also want me to increase my book sales, and for Sora to write another hit single.”

She said.

“What are we slaves?”

“In their eyes, we might as well be.”

“Nebulous must be putting some serious pressure on them.”

Ace replied.

“The great Crime God of the empire can’t be angered after all.”

Ace said.

“……….”

Hina said nothing, and kept writing her story. However, there was a sharp looked in her eyes.

“Just you wait, I’ll make sure to take back my freedom.”