The Lone Sniper: I Was Just Minding My Own Business Sniping Players, and I Ended Up Becoming a Raid Boss

Chapter 87

Chapter 87

That girl was strong. And her cheeks were soft and squishy.

I met her when I was nine; she had long hair that often hid one eye, and she kept her head down a lot. The way she cradled a water-gun for sniping—almost as tall as she was—looked so precious it was adorable.

She was timid, her reactions were huge, and her cheeks were soft and squishy.

She was a rabbit-like girl, but the moment a fight began she turned into a lion. Even though her cheeks stayed soft and squishy, the eyes that looked through the scope were sharp and electric.

It was a different vector from the "power" I sought, so I never felt jealous... or rather, maybe that was the first time in my life I ever felt what you'd call "respect."

I can say without doubt that parting ways with her at the time was the right decision. If I'd stayed with her after that, my talents would never have blossomed.

I piled up all kinds of experiences. While still in middle school I made it big as an actress, stealing countless hearts with my performances. I've even played a Phantom Thief on stage. Through expanding my network as an actress, I became the pupil of a famous magician and took off as a conjurer as well.

Even in full-dive environments, I gained enough reflex speed and dexterity to overwhelm others. I spared no money or effort in polishing my talents.

Not long after I entered high school, an idol so self-centered she might as well have been the embodiment of egotism introduced me to Infinity Space on a drama set. I got completely hooked. It felt like something clearly different from other VRMMOs. Every time I played, I could feel new talents within me awakening.

Running into her again in the middle of all that can only be called a miracle. She was far stronger than she'd been back then, and yet her cheeks were still soft and squishy.

Isn't she the perfect opponent to test myself against? Everything I've lived through, every crystallization of my training—the perfect trial for Phantom Thief Labyrinth's abilities—there's no one better suited. Originally I'd planned to test my raw strength against White Meteor, but this is even better. I'll beat her, then I'll beat White Meteor too. In doing so, I'll affirm everything my life has been so far.

...Selfish of me, isn't it? I'm going for a serious victory, yet some part of me wants to lose, wants to be pushed to the brink.

Just so you know, I have zero intention of becoming a real-life Phantom Thief. That's only within fantasy. When I was a kid I seriously planned to become a great Phantom Thief, though.

What I admire now isn't the profession of Phantom Thief, but the mindset of one. A heart that constantly craves thrills—that way of living.

A life without thrills is pizza without cheese, mapo tofu that isn't spicy, cola that's lost its fizz.

In the real world and in this world, I love thrills.

The tension on a drama set—especially the crackling atmosphere when a legendary director or actor is present—gets me soaking wet. The sweet, cold thrill of sin when I kiss a girl is also the best.

Theft in this world is great too. Especially theft inside the colony, where getting killed erases everything I've built up in the game—it's the best.

Right now, I'm feeling the greatest thrill I've had since starting Infinity Space.

I'm sure there's no one who's warier of you than me, Shiki-chan. Respect and terror etched into you as a kid don't fade easily.

"Being the strongest sounds boring... Perfect, strongest, invincible, number one under heaven! Those are places to aim for, not places to reach."

Being immature and weak is fun.

Having enemies—knowing you're not alone in the world—is the happiest thing.

"White Meteor probably finds this game dull, huh~"

There are people who enjoy crushing the weak, but that's not her type.

So why does she stay in the game?

Is she waiting... for someone who'll defeat her, who'll give her thrills—

"Just wait a little longer, okay?"

Tonight, too, the night comes.

Atop the skyscraper, I look down on an oasis in the desert.

A Phantom Thief's golden hour is 9 p.m. The kids are asleep, and the adults have finished work and are tuning in.

"I believe a single day should be a labyrinth. Unknown paths, treasure, thrills, and strong enemies. Any treasure will do—your favorite streamer's new video, some sweets, a gacha pull in a mobile game. Any enemy will do—your boss at work, a teacher at school, even yourself. Only a day with sharp contrasts counts as a day. Only by repeating such days... does life have meaning!"

No payment necessary.

No assistance necessary.

Cheers and worries alike are unnecessary.

I ask for only one thing: once the Phantom Thief who bewilders the light and vanishes into darkness appears, give her thunderous applause.

——Afterword——

This work has, incredibly... incredibly... won the "Fantasy Division Award" in the "We Want to Read Your Favorite Yuri Novel Contest"!!!!!

This is my first time ever winning a contest, and I'm super-duper happy!!! All the effort I've put in was worth it...

It's all thanks to every reader who's supported me so far! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

Starting at 8 p.m. today, Fantasia Bunku's "G-Line Broadcasting Station" will apparently be talking about this contest! I don't know any of the details, so chances are high the title of this work won't be mentioned at all, but please check it out!

Going forward, I'm counting on your continued support!!!