-1705- [ SBC Glocken ]

Rozen ignored all the uproar on the internet surrounding the incident.

Instead, he focused on having a peaceful lunch with Kirito and Suguha, who were too anxious to log in today. He reassured them to the best of his ability. Afterward, he spent the afternoon taking calls from concerned friends, calming them one by one, before preparing to enter the stage of GGO.

During this time, Kikuoka Seijirou also called, offering a secure login location to ensure Rozen's safety. However, Rozen refused outright.

"I'd feel less safe leaving my body under your watchful eyes."

Rozen wasn't about to trust Kikuoka or the government entirely. Their interest lay only in Rozen's abilities and mysterious nature—not in any genuine rapport.

While Rozen did have means to deter any attempt against him, such as curses that would backfire, they were ultimately insignificant. After all, even if someone dared to act against him, they could simply use a proxy or scapegoat. Should anything happen to those individuals, the masterminds would remain untouched.

Realizing this, Rozen decided not to play mind games with them and declined their offer outright.

As for safety, with Gyokuto guarding him, Rozen felt no reason for concern. Meanwhile, Kinu was stationed to protect Asuna. Since Asuna's recovery, Kinu had been assigned as her protector to ensure her safety—a testament to Rozen's care for her.

By the afternoon, Rozen finally received an email containing GGO's game software.

"Be careful," Kirito and Suguha repeatedly urged him, their worry evident.

Especially Suguha, who kept a close watch on Rozen, forcing him to give in.

"Alright, alright, I get it. Don't worry."

Rozen reassured them again and again until they finally left the room, though not without frequent glances back.

Once they were gone, Rozen let out a sigh of relief.

"Honestly…"

He muttered in exasperation before picking up the AmuSphere next to him.

The game software had already been downloaded into the AmuSphere.

Rozen was ready to dive into GGO.

However, before that...

"Papa, there's a message," said Yui's voice from the phone on the bedside table.

Rozen picked up the phone and opened the message.

"I'll be waiting for you in Aincrad. Let's reclaim the 22nd floor together—it's our home."

The message was from none other than Yuuki Asuna.

"No arguments there, Mama is absolutely right," Yui chimed in again. "That's our home, so Papa, come back soon."

Hearing this, Rozen couldn't help but smile.

"I will."

Leaving this promise behind, Rozen donned the AmuSphere and lay down.

Then...

"Link start."

Upon issuing the command, the world before Rozen's eyes was engulfed in light.

---

When Rozen felt solid ground beneath his feet and opened his eyes again, he was greeted by a sky tinged with faint red and yellow hues.

The oppressive atmosphere of the sky made the air feel heavy, as if moving one's body required extra effort.

Rozen found himself in a highly futuristic city.

Towering metal skyscrapers seemed to pierce the heavens, interconnected by aerial walkways that resembled nets. The recessed areas of these buildings were illuminated by colorful neon holographic advertisements that cascaded downward, forming a waterfall of light and sound as they neared the ground.

The city's surface wasn't asphalt or stone but metallic plating.

In the distance stood a skyscraper that reached into the clouds, its peak adorned with a rotating searchlight.

Rozen appeared in this urban landscape near a dome-shaped building that seemed to serve as the initial spawn point for new characters.

Rozen surveyed the scene before him.

"So, this is SBC Glocken?"

SBC Glocken—unquestionably the capital of GGO and the main hub for player activity.

The world of Gun Gale Online was set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, devastated by a past war. Players assumed the roles of individuals returning from space migration fleets to reclaim the planet—a premise already established.

SBC Glocken was initially a space battle cruiser but had been repurposed into a city after landing on Earth. Officially named Space Battle Cruiser, it was referred to by players simply as SBC or Glocken. It was the hub where players gathered when not out hunting or completing quests, as it provided all necessary in-game services.

"Well then, what does my character look like now?"

Rozen opened the main menu to check his character stats.

As expected, the parameters were entirely different.

While the overall concept remained the same, GGO categorized attributes into six parameters: STR (Strength), AGI (Agility), VIT (Vitality), DEX (Dexterity), INT (Intelligence), and LUC (Luck).

Players could freely allocate points to these parameters. Since respecs weren't allowed in GGO and points were limited, players needed strategic thinking to build their desired playstyles.

In addition to attributes, GGO offered a wide range of skills, such as Gun Proficiency, Ballistic Prediction Line Enhancement, First Aid, and Special Techniques, among hundreds of others. Players combined these skills with their attributes to tailor unique abilities.

Rozen's character, carried over from ALO, had its stats converted to match its original capabilities. Thus, Rozen didn't need to allocate points. However, skills unique to GGO weren't leveled yet, leaving him with an initial state for those abilities.

Unsurprisingly, Rozen's equipment and items had all disappeared, as he had handed them over to Asuna.

Currently, Rozen's only advantage over other players was his high base stats.

"Pretty much as I expected."

Rozen closed the menu.

"Now, let's see what my character looks like in this world."

In GGO, character appearances were regenerated, so Rozen's avatar wouldn't resemble his ALO form as a Sylph.

Rozen turned to a nearby shop window to look at his reflection.

What he saw left him stunned.

"...What is this?"

Rozen's mouth twitched involuntarily.