Last Shelter Online

Hiro racked his brain out on the way to an unknown place. He no longer cared about his own fate and entrusted everything to the person who had arranged it all.

His mind still lingered at Johnson Hope Hospital.

After successfully recollecting the memory shards where he first read the name of the hospital, Hiro regretted not staying there longer. Who knows? He might meet Liberty by chance. In the real world. Not just a virtual reality.

However, remembering that Liberty had forgotten about him, Hiro clenched his fists again. He slapped his face once to wake him up from his reverie. He should not get distracted right now.

"No, I have to focus. I have to get back to playing the game and get stronger." Hiro spoke to himself confidently.

His last meeting with Yuujin was a sign that he really had to overpower everyone in the LSO, especially his own brother who didn't hesitate to kill him with an invisible weapon.

Hiro growled in annoyance remembering that event. How could he be defeated so easily?

"Just you wait, Yujin. I will definitely beat you up."

In Hiro's mind, he needed to defeat his brother because it was Yuujin who challenged him first.

However, in order to defeat an Archmage who carried the power of a disaster, he needed to work harder. Hiro knew it might take him a very long time to defeat Yuujin. But at least, he needs to try.

"Arghhh. Why is he always more superior than me?"

Hiro leaned back in the soft and comfortable car seat.

His destination was quite far away, and Hiro hoped that there were no tracking devices on his body so the kidnappers wouldn't find him. After all, the big city was very crowded and looked busy at night.

…

After thirty minutes had passed, the car finally gave an AI voice signal that they were about to arrive at their destination.

Hearing the voice, Hiro immediately straightened his back and peeked through the car window, looking at the destination that Anonymous had arranged for him.

His heart pounded even more when he saw on the GPS screen. He would soon arrive at the marked location.

"Anonymous, huh? Don't tell me he was Yuujin."

He's starting to guess and assume Anonymous' identity. Again.

At that time, Hiro still couldn't believe that Yuujin was dead, even though he had seen Yuujin's body with his own two eyes.

"We've arrived. Take off your seatbelt, check your belongings, and see you later. Thank you for using the automated taxi service from T-Company."

The sound of the machine made Hiro do exactly what it ordered. Even though Hiro didn't bring anything with him.

"No need to pay, right?" This was Hiro's first time using the service, and he was confused because the taxi didn't ask him to pay. Is it really free?

Hiro walked out of the car and the machine still didn't ask him to pay until the taxi left.

It was then Hiro realized he had been taken to a location far from the main highway.

The sound of music boomed loudly in the air greeted Hiro. In front of him, women in sexy dresses lingering around the street. They gave him a disinterested look, as if he wasn't worth their attention in the slightest.

Hiro swallowed hard. It seemed like Anonymous had just pranked him.

"Damn it. What the hell? Why does it have to be in a place like this?"

"Hello, Cutie… What's up?! Do you need a friend for tonight?" Hiro was surprised when a drag queen dressed in all pink clung to his arm.

"Ahh—I'm sorry, I'm lost. But, thank you. I don't need a friend for tonight. I am okay." Hiro gently let go of the drag queen's hand from his arm, which was bigger than him. He didn't want to offend him.

"Yeah, what a pity. I'm already here for you though." he replied in a disappointed tone.

"He's with me, Queen! Go away! He is mine."

Hiro's body stiffened when he heard a familiar voice. The voice came from behind him.

He quickly looked back to make sure he wasn't mistaken.

"Yo! Hiro!"

Alice stood behind him, wearing only a black tank top and oversized black jogger pants. She was enjoying her cigarette. A puff of smoke came out of her luscious lips when she locked her gaze on Hiro.

The tattoos on her body completely proved that it was indeed Alice who was standing there, calling out to Hiro.

"How did you get here?" It was really unexpected. Hiro couldn't think straight after seeing something so shocking like this.

"Home sweet home, Baby." Alice threw away the remaining stump of her cigarette on the ground. She didn't seem to care, even though Hiro showed that he was greatly confused by her appearance.

Alice's hand moved to snap Hiro's android bracelet and then crushed it by stepping on it using her thick-soled boots.

Cracks!

"You don't need this anymore."

Hiro was dumbfounded, and he could not say anything. He wanted to protest, but all the words stuck in his throat. What's more, the android bracelet had been destroyed, and it was too late to save it.

Now he was a person with no identity and wandering alone in a very big country.

"What are you doing here?" Hiro still hadn't grasped the point. He thought that he accidentally met the girl.

"I know that you're dumb. But, how could be so dumb like this?"

"Come on. Follow me."

Alice grabbed Hiro's hand to go after her.

The two of them walked through narrow alleys that were dirty and damp.

Hiro repeatedly saw vomit that was still fresh or dried on the pavement. Still, he didn't say anything or utter any protest. At least he was with people he knew. That was what he thought.

They arrived in front of an old building that looked a little scary with minimalist lights.

Alice led Hiro into the building that looked like a haunted house at first glance.

The building was an old apartment. Even the rats inhabiting the building looked old and had lost some of their skin and fur.

Hiro had never been to a place like this before.

"Where are we going?" Hiro asked, starting to feel uncomfortable with his surroundings.

"Our temporary home." Alice's answer made Hiro even more restless.

Does anyone live in a haunted house like that?

The house has five floors and Alice led Hiro to the top floor.

They were using old stairs that squeaked whenever they stepped on it.

Hiro saw several rooms with tightly closed doors on each floor. He was not sure if each room had occupants.

And finally, they arrived at the room that Alice called their temporary home.

Alice took out a key and opened the door with some difficulty, as the latch was very hard and slightly rusty.

"Come in."

Entering the room behind the door, Hiro was amazed.

The room inside was quite clean, although the air felt very humid.

"This was the one and only cleanest room available when I came." Alice clearly noticed the sparkle in Hiro's eyes.

Hiro went deeper into the room and found a long sofa facing the closed window. At that moment, his eyes widened when he saw a familiar object on the sofa.

"VR new gen?"

"Are you also a player?" Hiro immediately ran to check the VR. He still couldn't figure out what was really going on.

And Alice rolled her eyes. She thought she must speak it frankly.

"Nope. I am not a player. Or maybe an Ex-player."

Alice's answer made Hiro twist his neck and looked at her in confusion.

"You are really dumb, aren't you? That VR is yours. I brought it from Tokyo. And… don't tell me you still don't recognize me?!"

"No way… Is this really mine? What do you mean by not recognizing you? You're Alice. I know who you are."

"That's not the point. You don't know anything, what a useless boy!"

"I am Alice, but I also have one more name." Alice has reached her limit.

Hiro arched an eyebrow in confusion and waited for more information to come.

"I am Anonymous."

Blurrpp!

Hiro let out a laugh at Alice's exclamation.

"Ha ha ha."

Of course, he didn't believe it.

The Anonymous figure in his mind was a mysterious man who was extremely genius and at least wore thick glasses. Not a tattooed thug girl like Alice.

"Are you kidding me?"

"Ha ha ha no way!"

Alice rolled her eyes at Hiro's disappointing reaction. She didn't laugh at all.

"Wait—you're kidding, right?!"