2　Sub-Character

"――Ehh? "

　By the time I noticed, I was in Mobius Online.

　I was in the middle of the main street, Vinceton, right in front of the grocery store 『Icicle』, that I often used.

　These medieval European-styled streets that I've seen so many times. To be honest, I never thought I'd see this scenery spreading before me again, this world of magic and swords. Anyway, no matter how many times I see this, I really love it. It gives me the feeling like I'm home.

　But… Just when did I log back in?

"Hey, you're in the way!　Don't just zone out right in front of my store! "

　From behind me, I heard the voice of the poster girl, Ice-chan.

　It's the familiar tone of a famous voice actor… huh? But I've never heard this line before. Was there an update I wasn't aware of?

"Mm...!　Eh… Excuse me. Did you need something from my store? "

　When I turned around, surprise could be seen in Ice-chan eyes and her attitude swiftly turned meek.

　Looking closely, her cheeks also were thinly dyed in a slight crimson color.

"Ohh, how cute! "

　I involuntarily spoke my thought aloud. But this is nice. Extremely nice. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a godly update.

"W-wh-what are you talking about, jeez! "

　After that, the blushed Ice-chan turned around looking ashamed and went right inside the store.

　What an incredible behavior!　It seems like, in the time since I haven't logged in, some sort of popularity system was implemented. This is a nice addition, stupid developers. It seems that thanks to this, the number of players is increasing, the market seems quite――...

　...Eh?

　Just now…

"――――! "

　I saw my reflection in the window of the grocery store.

　Ahh, as expected.

　It's not the same.

It's not 『seven』.

　This is――

"...Second, huh?"

　I muttered as I touched my cheeks, confirming it was my face.

　At the same time I created my main character 『seven』 I created the alt character 『Second』. This one was to serve as a bank character with zero experience, one I never bothered leveling up.

　Unblemished white skin, blueish-black hair and silver colored eyes. A transcendental handsome avatar shaped using the limited-time avatar change billing service was reflected in the window showing a surprised expression.

"I see, so it's like this."

　I then remembered the last time I logged out was in front of this store.

　Since the inventory of my main character got full while buying industrial amounts of mochi rice for the New Year's event, I think I used this guy too and just left him here.

"...Haaaaaaaaa."

　A fucking huge sigh leaked.

　I was stupid for even considering for a moment that I had recovered seven.

　My seven, the world's rank 1, no longer exists anywhere.

　I went over it over and over again, and just by recalling it I feel like crying.

　It's useless.

　I don't think I can bring myself to start over again in Mobius.

　I'll just log out.

　...

　......

　......

"Huh? "

　I can't log out.

　Or rather, I can't even open the menu screen.

　Is it a bug?

　For now, should I just press the emergency stop button and return to the "real world"――?

　...Ah.

　Wait a moment.

"――――Ah, I see."

　So that's it. There is no real world. How did I even forget? That's right. Right. I already.

"Died."