The moment Asuna appeared on the giant screen and the announcement rang out, our already derailed plan encountered yet another unexpected variable.
Though Koyuki was completely absorbed in her game, hearing a familiar name made her glance up during a break between pulls. The instant she saw the screen, her expression turned to shock.
"Aaaahhhhhh!? Asuna-senpai!? Why is Asuna-senpai here!?"
"Neru, smoke grenade," I reminded her.
The response I got was a long sigh.
"...No. It's already too late."
At that moment, Koyuki, who was as alert as a rabbit when it came to her surroundings, had already spotted both Neru and me.
At this distance, even if we tried throwing smoke grenades or flashbangs now, someone as experienced and agile as her would easily predict the area of effect and dodge.
At this point, there was no longer any way for things to end peacefully.
"Waaahhh!? Miss Guard! There are intruders over here!"
Koyuki jumped to her feet and shouted toward the security guard who had warned her not to hit the machine and hadn't gone far yet.
"The intruders are right here!"
The guard's face changed dramatically.
"What? Intruders!?"
Koyuki nodded frantically and pointed at us.
"Over there, over there! That short orange-haired thug-looking girl who seems really arrogant and scary! Hurry and arrest her!"
Hearing herself described that way, Neru instantly exploded.
"Who are you calling short!?"
"Eek!? Miss Guard, look at her! She even pulled out a weapon!"
Neru's excessive reaction immediately convinced the guard, who had still been somewhat doubtful.
"All personnel, assemble!" she shouted into her communicator. "Apprehend the suspected intruders!"
At the same time, Koyuki, having reported us, or more specifically, reported Neru, took off like the wind and fled into the distance.
Seeing this, Neru's expression darkened further.
Then she slowly let out a breath.
"Hey, Sensei. Stay back. From here on..."
She raised her dragon-patterned submachine guns and spoke coldly.
"That idiot isn't getting away."
As conflict became inevitable, some passengers who had noticed the disturbance early fled the area. Others moved closer with their phones out, trying to record the scene, only to be stopped by passing guards.
But most passengers paid no attention whatsoever to the chaos around them.
It was as though they had already fully entered a world where investing money offered the chance of obtaining rewards far beyond what they put in.
In stark contrast to the customers still glued to their machines and staring at screens were at least several dozen bunny-suited security guards, with their numbers continuing to increase.
Each one was highly trained, weaving skillfully through the crowded hall like an endless tide flowing in from all directions toward a single destination.
At the center of this noisy, chaotic, almost frenzied marketplace stood a small girl dressed in a bunny suit, made even more ridiculous by the jacket she wore over it.
The next moment, Neru grinned.
She suddenly leaped high into the air.
A spherical object dropped from her person and exploded with an intense flash and deafening bang.
Countless players disrupted by the blast immediately started cursing. Some became so angry that they outright drew their weapons and joined the fight.
Neru paid them no mind.
Keeping her fingers firmly on the triggers, she laughed gleefully as her twin submachine guns spat fire at the security guards who hadn't reacted in time.
"Hahaha! I'll take all of you down! Ora ora ora ora!"
While Neru and the bunny-suited guards began exchanging fire...
Having retreated to the side, I suddenly noticed something gleaming on the floor from the corner of my eye.
I picked up a gaming token that someone had apparently dropped.
After pondering for a moment, I found an empty machine.
After inserting the coin, I received four chances to play.
The first pull gave me the lowest rank, D.
The second upgraded me from D to C. Not bad.
The third upgraded me from C to B.
The screen suddenly changed and projected my image as someone who had reached that rank for the first time.
As I started the fourth draw, I glanced upward.
I had to admit that although this disguise still couldn't completely hide my handsome appearance, it was fairly effective.
In a place like Kivotos, where everyone practically suffered from face blindness, only students familiar with me should have been able to recognize me.
At that moment, despite the battle occurring nearby, a congratulatory announcement still played through the speakers.
"Wow! It seems someone's draw luck is amazing today! Let's congratulate this guest who reached Rank B in only three attempts, Kono Dio... Gyaah!? W-Wait! Th-That's Schale's Sensei, isn't it!? That's Schale's Sensei, right!?"
...Why was I suddenly recognized?
The fake name "Dious" on my ticket had practically been fully read out.
Could this be another fan?
After letting out a nearly voice-cracking scream, the female announcer fell silent for quite a while before finally recovering enough to continue.
"A-Anyway, please continue working hard to raise your ranks, everyone...!"
By then, the result of my fourth draw had already appeared.
Ignoring the faint commotion spreading through the hall, I quickly checked the result.
To my slight disappointment, I got another C rank.
My rank hadn't increased.
It seemed the effect of my "fortune that keeps money troubles away" was limited to this extent.
Though it was a shame I couldn't mindlessly charge my way to S Rank, triggering a hall-wide announcement was already enough.
This way, I could inform Asuna of the situation.
She was still acting alone and wasn't answering communications.
Now that my identity had already been exposed, I should hurry and regroup with Karin and Akane.
However, the moment I stood up, I saw a bunny-suited security guard rushing toward me.
White skin exposed beneath her uniform was stained with gunpowder residue, suggesting she had just been fighting Neru.
If it was only one opponent, the strategy was simple.
First, intimidate her using Serika's or Iori's Authority.
Then rely on the Shittim Chest's defensive capabilities while catching her off guard and attempting to seize her weapon.
Finally, run.
If that failed, surrender immediately and wait for C&C to rescue me.
However, before I could even begin the first step, the guard stopped several meters away.
She placed both hands over her chest and showed absolutely no intention of using force.
"Ex-Excuse me!"
She gazed at me with admiration, her voice trembling with excitement and nervousness.
"Are... are you really Schale's Sensei?"
...Again?
At that moment, I suddenly realized something.
Had I once more made a problem far more complicated than it actually was?