Chapter 3: Hello old friend

{GGO-Japanese server}

In one of the bars that was inside the Glocken, dozens of players were currently standing around, looking at a live-stream that was currently taking place. The live-stream was being commentated by a player that was dressed like a cat-girl. Standing next to her, was a Ginger haired man, dressed in grey and red armor and sunglasses, and a black-haired man that had a red mohawk, who was dressed in a black and blue bodysuit and a black cloak.

These were the top players, JeSuS_kun (the Ginger one) and Yamikaze (the red one). JeSuS_kun was saying,

"Hey, I'm just saying that if 'Agility' is the only stat that matters sounds ridiculous! True, dodging and firing-speed are important, but that's all in the past! I'm gonna be honest with the people who spent all their time trying to boost their 'Agility': Sucks to be you!"

Nearly every player in the bar had started to boo at Jesus, obviously angered that some of them were the people who did try and boost 'Agility'.

"As expected from the top player of Gun Gale Online."

"Well, I only get one chance to be on MMO-Stream..."

"So, aren't you aiming for the next Bullet of Bullets?"

"Of course! I plan on proving myself to be GGO's top player - "

Jesus didn't exactly finish his statement, for Yamikaze had decided to speak. He looked at the Ginger-haired player, and simply asked him,

"Jesus-san, do you honestly believe that you, someone who depends on status-type and has rare equipment, can call yourself GGO's top player? Because we all know that only the Phantom is deserved to be called the -

JeSuS had then started to laugh,

"Wow. Just, wow, Yamikaze-san! I didn't expect you, of all people, to believe in urban-legends. And besides, we all know that you're an 'Agility'-Type, so don't try and deny it."

He then stood up, and proclaimed,

"True, the only strategy that you needed was to raise your 'Agility', and then fire a powerful physical weapon as fast as you can. But, MMOs are changing all the time, meaning that you can't reevaluate your stats, so you gotta be smart, and think a few steps ahead."

Everyone in the bar started to mumble themselves. Even though JeSuS was an absolute prick, he did speak the truth about games like the one they're playing right now. That was when one player, whose entire body was covered by a white cloak, stood up and walked towards the hologram that showed the live-stream. He pulled out a Desert Eagle from within his cloak, chambering a round into the weapon, and aimed it at the image of JeSuS.

The player spoke, the voice was masculine, yet it was also deep-pitched,

"JeSuS...False Lord...be judged by my inquisition!"

Those around the player had started to laugh, believing that this was some guy who got scammed into boosting their 'Agility' by JeSuS as well, though this situation is very, very similar everyone keeps laughing.

"Hey?" A random player asked another player. "Don't this seem abit too familiar. "

"Yeah it like the day we met..." the player then had a flashback to that day he met him. "oh shit let's get out of here"

As the player shot a round into JeSuS's face, and simply waited, ignoring the funny-looks he was receiving from the other patrons of the bar.

But, that was when the others noticed something weird had started to happen to JeSuS.

The player looked like he was choking on something, as he clutched his chest and stumbled back, his avatar immediately disappearing in green light. Both Yamikaze and the commentator was confused to see that happen but the commentator had shrugged it off, believing that the man had lost connection with them. but the is familiar maybe too familiar. Even though it could've been just that, those inside the bar was shocked to see that happen, and looked at the hooded-player.

The player then aimed his weapon at those near him, allowing them to see that underneath the cloak was a helmet, that looked like a metal silver mask with glowing orange eyes. That was when the player aimed his gun into the air the tv screen then started to Flicker and started to brocade the man, and he said something that they could never forget.

" You think it all over. Don't you.... You think You're free from judgment?!....You can't escape judgement....This is TRUE POWER! if you don't know me then remember this name...remember it well. The name that this symbol and I share - THE INQUISITOR! AND I'AM THE TRUE JUDGEMENT!!" a giant smoke screen cover the whole room and the next thing later he was gone. Once the smoke is gone the tv screen had a message on it, the message reads out

'Anyone How wishes to challenge judgement. Is a dead man.'

The inquisitor smiles under his mask as he walked to the teleporter. He then opened his menu and went on his friends list and message an old friend.

{2 ago years- SAO}

In April 2024, Häyhä (Charlie), along with Skoll_Beta, Rin, and Devil_SanJin, was on a mission request by Skoll himself, to kill some members of the Assassin Who where part of the Cleaners who knows the location of there base to prevent anyone from discovering the truth behind the Häyhä's plan to destroy their bureau and to secure their safety of their secret hideout.

"Hey boss" Rin asked Skoll in Japanese, "We've killed a lot of people before but how long before we get ourselves kill from this"

"Excellent question Rin" Skoll said "I'll explain when we back to camp. But we have a mission to complete, Jin give them a warm welcome."

"Yes boss" after Jin paralysed a Player named Pyro, who was informing two other players on the location of Skoll's guild base while he was being confronted by Two other players, (who was part of the Aincrad Liberation Force), at the Hill of the Cross, Rin seized the the two players and had requested to intimidate Pyro and the two other player so they forget every information Pyro have gave them and leave without nobody dying, but Skoll refused the request and intimidate Pyro himself. Jin kills Pyro after he broke free attempted to attack Rin with his skills and both of players attempted run away. Charlie stayed in the distance with his bow keeping eye out for any one else. he spotted the two running players and shot on of them with his bow but the other one kept running before disappearing into the fog. The red players chased him down but before the red players could accomplish their mission by eliminating the targets, a certain swordsman arrived

"Shit boss, we have a guests on horses coming straight this way." Skoll heard the announcement and order everyone to rendezvous with Häyhä on the hill. As they got to the vantage point they meet up with Häyhä, (Charlie). As the horse got closer it was obvious to them that these people are dangerous. It was Heathcliff, the leader of the Knight of the blood oath.

"No way that's Heathcliff, the leader of the Knights of the blood oath." Said Rin

"Looks like we've raddled the hornets nets" said Jin

Heathcliff got off his horse with 5 more other guild members. "Charlie Grey!" Shouted Heathcliff. "I know you're here. Come out with your little gang so we could talk like civilised people!" There was no respond from anyone. Nobody in Skoll's or Heathcliff group knows how this Charlie Grey is apart from Heathcliff and Charlie himself. "Charlie Grey! I know who you are, so you could come out and we could have a quick chat."

"Who the fuck is Charlie Grey?" Rin Asked Jin. Charlie heard the question and stay quiet.

"I have no idea" he responded. "Häyhä do you". Charlie had gone quiet after Jin asked him the question, which raise Skoll suspicion until,

"You're not making this easy Charlie." The group started to eye on Häyhä as the saw him in a unstable state. "Come out here before I loose my patience!" Charlie stood up and wake out of the fog bad down the hill.

Häyhä what the hell are you doing?

"You're that Charlie Grey, aren't you." Skoll asked.

"Yeah I'am so what. He doesn't even know where we are." Skoll then grabbed Charlie's collar and throw him to the ground in anger, "How does Heathcliff know you?" he asked in curiosity.

"Long story" Charlie replies, then Skoll picked him up the floor and spoke,

"You are going down there and you are going to fix this now. Our main priority is to get out alive."

"Yes boss" he started to walk down the hill to confront the guild. Skoll watches as Charlie disappeared into the fog, "Just what ever happen promised me that you'll keep Sabrina safe."

"What do you think I've been doing for the past few years?" Skoll then rally the remanding two and ordered them to leave. "Don't fucking die"

Häyhä could only smirk at Skoll's comment, "Heathcliff!" Häyhä shouted "I'm right here!"

"Charlie! Well how did you do?" Heathcliff asked. "It been almost two years."

"Everything is done Heathcliff. So why don't you run along." Häyhä coldly replies as he turned his back.

"I believe you we can't do that." One Heathcliff guard said. "Your a red player and we're here to bring you to justices." all of the other guards drew their sword and readied themselves. "So you're backstabbing me, Again?!" Häyhä let out a devilish laugh, "you never learn Kayaba." He muttered out loud, before the Guards started to question Häyhä; he shot the guard in the chest with his phantom blade and drew out his rapier.

"Fight me of you dare."

{present day- Bristol-England}

Charlie was him the shower, cleaning himself after the finished playing in GGO. His friends would not attempted to contact or talk to him, especially after they found out that he is a "acquaintance" of a killer that recently just appeared out of the blue. Charlie came out of the shower with his black jeans and his red northern face t-shirt on, He then walked to the kitchen to cook himself some breakfast to eat. He turned on the tv and switch to BBC one:

'Roughly about 10pm last night a young man how was left unidentifiable due to legal purposes had died to a stroke after he played on this online game called Gun Gale Online. Many people believe that this is the work of a new virtual killer nickname "The inquisitor ". Many claimed it is Death gun but The Japanese officials had claimed that this was not possible due to the fact that real killer is Imprisoned. This is not the first this that this had happen last year, 3 people died while playing the exact game but died to a different causes...'

Charlie then shut the TV in anger and cover his face in disbelief. He could believe it, Not just that There is a new virtual killer on the loose. It's just the inquisitor is possibly someone he knows personally during his time on a certain game. He then walked towards the living-room, making a mental-note of cleaning the place when he had the time. The couch he was sitting on had some old clothes resting on top of it, and the pillows were all piled-up on one-side of the couch, as if someone would sleep on the couch often. The table in front of him also had a few clothes there, but there was also some plates with leftover food, a couple of water-bottles that were empty. He found a picture of his old man and pick it up. It was him after the war. He was in his military uniform on that day, he had is deformed jaw due to an incident that had happen when he was fighting.

His name was Simo Häyhä, the world most deadliest sniper.

"Great Grandfather. I think I know what's it like to be a like you now." He said. "It may not be in real life but I think I'm as feared as you." Charlie then receive a text from Ashton,

"Hey mate, could you meet us in Starbucks. The one down the road from my place. Could you." Charlie did not expect this at all, he is surprise they already what to possibly forgive him after last night.

After grabbing his superdry jacket, and putting on a black sneakers, Charlie walked outside of his house, and headed for his motorcycle in the garage, which still made him wonder how he was able to get such a decent ride. The motorcycle actually belonged a old army veteran - who bought it from an Italy mafia, but then he gave it to his farther - who took it with him to England, and afterwards it was given to Charlie after some shit that had happen 2 years ago. Charlie put on a red motorcycle helmet, and started the bike, letting the machine rev up a few times before heading to where he was supposed to meet with his friends

{Starbucks}

As Charlie walked inside the cafe, he was told to go to, he was immediately looking at a bunch of elderly women, who were looking at him which made him a bit uncomfortable. Then again, the fact that he looked like he was apart of some sort of gang, (something this cafe is not fond of), didn't help his image at all. He then started to scan the building, looking for familiar faces that would look like they're waiting for someone, and then his eyes landed on someone that his is familiar with.

"Hey gang!" Charlie Cried. The gang looked at him as if he was a serial killer that was released out of prison. But something is off there are 4 people their. Where's Duncan, William and Joe? Charlie eyes then catch something else. He was looking at a middle-aged Asian man, who had brown hair and brown eyes, which were behind glasses, and was dressed in a green suit. That was when the man noticed that Charlie was staring at him, which caused him to suddenly start waving at him, shouting,

"If it isn't the famous Charlie Grey that I've been hearing about!" He said in fake broken English accent.

"Who is he?" Charlie asked Ashton. Ashton said no word but the man responded,

"My name is Kikuoka Seijirou. I work for the Japanese Ministry of Internal Affair's Telecommunications Bureau, Advanced Network Division, Second Office."

"The what...?"

"The 'Virtual' Division. Basically, I helped SAO survivors get back on their feet." Charlie eyes then suddenly widen and his face was filled with both fear and surprise. 'Shit! They actually hunted me down! How did he know I was here, I thought I erased may ID from SAO so my name not supposed to appear on the survivor list.' He mentally cursed.

"Umm... Sir but if you didn't know, but you're in Britain and SAO only came out in Japan." That was when Seijirou pulled out a briefcase, and removed a folder that was inside it. After giving it to Charlie, the boy began to read through the contents of the folder, his eyes slowly widened as he began to recognize what he was looking at. Somehow, this bastard had gotten his hands on -

"My Deleted record..." the only people who has that is...

'it all make sense now'

"It seems that your not just infamous in GGO but in SAO as well." His friends then turned their attention on Charlie. But Charlie is not giving up the truth that easily. "Not to mention you've killed a grand total 200 players in SAO."

"WHAT!" Everyone, (except Charlie),cried

"There's no was way Charlie was in sword art online. We saw him last two easter. So that's almost 9 months before the people of SAO had awoken." protested Rachael.

"Yeah she's right." shouted Terry (a gang member). "There's no way Charlie is a murder we've all been friends since primary school we know more about him than you!"

Seijirou started laughing heavily to the point he was crying. " so you all claim you know him more than a record that has been recording since he was born? Let me tell you a fact shall I." He got out another file and opened it and read it out.

"Charlie Grey:

Date of birth: 21/09/04

Age: 21

"son to Samual Grey and Nicola Häyhä, granddaughter to Simo Häyhä other wise know as the white death by the Soviets during the winter war." James (the gang's gun/history nerd) was astonished by the fact that Charlie is a great grandchild of the most deadliest sniper in history. Seijirou then flip to the next page and continue.

"Record says that he has along history in computer programming and marksmanship, Mr. Grey. I'm really impressive. You went on a school trip to japan to Argus development facility to learn about the nerve gear and ohh."

"What! Oh what!" He Demanded.

"It looks like you caught the eyes of Kayaba Akihiko due to your ingenuity young man. And Kayaba personally asked your school to keep you with your parents permission, so you could assisted him on making the nerve gear."

There was another astonished reaction from the group Terry felt like an absolute idiot when the Japanese man looked and smiled at him.

"Thee months after the development is complete Kayaba personal asked you to become his first Alpha tester on 2020 and later became the first and only non-Japanese beta tester. And lastly you hacked into the hardware of SAO and attempt to save some people but the only people that made it was you and a player called Rin. The other people died before they could get to you so you couldn't save them and ultimately makes you and Rin the first person to leave SAO. Isn't that correct." Charlie remains silent with an angry face, signifying his defeat.

"Charlie is this all true?" Ashton curiosity asked. Charlie said nothing as he was too afraid to.

"I would like everyone to leave please. I want to talk to Mr.Grey privately. " everyone got up their chairs and walked off.

" well I wonder what other secrets Mr. Grey here have!" Racheal violently got off her chair and stormed off, she was obviously mad.

"Sis wait" shouted Ashton.

"Hey lads can you make sure nobody else knows about this." Requested Charlie. All of the boys nodded in agreement and left the building. As the last person left Charlie finally spoke "What do you want? I know you're not who you say.....Templar."

I see you're very observing" He complimented. "You play the game: Gun Gale Online, right? We're having another major incident."

"Another SAO incident?" Charlie couldn't help but look at this person as if he grew a second head. Was there was another madman who trapped players inside GGO, making them all kill each other for their amusement... and he have to go in there again to be friend and deceive more assassin's and kill more rogue Templars.

"This is not another SAO-incident. Have you heard of a player called 'The Inquisitor'?"

"No" he lied "What is he?"

"we believe he's a Assassin and Somehow...The Inquisitor is killing people in game and in real life and we need someone to investigate this situation. And this is where you come in."

"Excuse me?!"

"There has been only one victim so far. Usujio Shigemura other wise known as JeSuS_kun. He was a young member of the order, he died from a stroke while playing this game."

"Well to be honest he had it coming anyways" he sarcastically but disrespectfully commented. "people like him deserves to die."

"Well is this also the reason you killed 200 of our Brothers and Sisters of our sacred order " he asked Charlie. Charlie did not answer a single word only give him a intimidating death stare. "Ook, but don't forget you're no different to Assasins maybe even worse. I could arrest you immediately right now if I wanted to." That sentence back Charlie up.

"So why don't you arrest me now! 200 kills is worse than 1 is it not." Charlie asked. "And it I had no choice, the assassins where on me at that point."

"Because I'm given you a chance. A chance to walk free in this world! Or you're willing to spend your life behind bars for 60 years in our dirtiest abstego facility."

"Listen to me, Seijirou, I am not - you hear me? NOT - going to become bait for this psychopath of yours. Just for you to turn you back on me and throw me behind bars!"

"I'm giving you one more chance Mr.Grey. Help me find The Inquisitor and I'll erase this record of yours and you're a free man. And if you die, think of it as a punishment." Charlie thought for the pros and cons of the situation he is getting himself into. But before Charlie could answer, Seijirou had interrupted.

"Oh! Mr. Grey just one more thing." He flipped the file to He last page, there Charlie could find a location pined in a Red Cross and next to the map there was a photo, it was a honey blonde girl in a school uniform, "You done a great job of hiding her. It will be a shame if the Grand master know that she's in japan. Her name is Sabrina, Sabrina Grey I assume"

Charlie violently lashed out of his chair and grab the Japanese man by his collar. " Are you trying to book an early ticket to hell?" Charlie asked

"Then...I take it we have a deal?"

{Later}

Kikuoka Seijirou finally finished his conversation and heads back to the airport to leave to japan, but as he was in the car he grabbed a part of his neck and pulled on it, revealing that he was wearing a mask. he was not the man who he said to be, later on he way he receives a phone call.

"Hello"

"I see you talked to the kid."

"Yes, I have. Thank you for finding him, he's maybe our only chance on ending this inquisitor shenanigans."

"Your welcome." The voice said. "If you want to find a killer then get a hunter to hunt him. So what are you going to do with this file I got you."

"Some of the information in here could be enough to change his life. I'll burn the actual paper but upload this to a secure file in the computer. I'll do anything in my power to secure this file from the Japanese government and the Assassin."

"Good"