Deep inside the palace there was a large black monument with thousands of names on it in alphabetical order. On closer examination, I noticed that some names had been crossed out. The room was mostly empty save for a few players who stood by the monument looking solemn or crying.

“This here’s a list of every player in Aincrad.” Argo informed me in a hushed voice. “If ya know what name your sister would use, you can find it on this board, then we’ll have a place to start at least.”

“There are… so many names…” I exclaimed almost in awe of the daunting task that lay before me.

“I’m sure you’re up for the task.” Argo patted me on the shoulder. “You can skip the crossed out names by the way. She probably wouldn’t be one of those.”

“Why? What are the crossed out-”

my question was cut short by woman who cried out sobbing as she ran up to a segment of the board. She traced her hand along a name that the game was in the process of crossing out. Two others ran to her side to console her but she appeared to be oblivious to their presence.

“Never mind.” I replied quietly. “I think I figured it out.”

Scanning over the board again, I noticed just how many names had been crossed out already.

“There are so many…” I gasped under my breath.

“Too many.” Argo replied more mournful than usual.

I spent what must have been the next hour scanning the wall for names. Many people came and left during that time. Some looked at me oddly as I slowly made my way across every row jotting things down in a message as I went, but most barely acknowledged my existence.

I had gotten too hopeful when I realized that everyone in the game was forced to use their real appearances. I had totally forgotten about how unpredictable Miku was when it came to character creators.

For me, I always created the same character with the same name. Miku on the other hand was an alt-aholic. She would make numerous characters for each game we played rarely ever going above level 10 on any of them. Each character she made would have a completely unique name, appearance, and back story. I couldn’t even guarantee she intended to play a girl character this time. As such, I went through the list making a note of every name that sounded like a something she would come up with.

By the time I reached the final column I saw Argo standing looking at the bottom of the list.

“So your name is Makku huh?” she pondered half to herself. “I guess that makes you Ma-bou then? Almost sounds ominous though. You aren’t plannin to become a demon lord or something are ya?”

I was a little shocked hearing my in game name being spoken out loud for the first time, especially as I hadn’t mentioned it to anyone yet.

Following Argo’s eyes I noticed one name at the bottom of the list that wasn’t in alphabetical order like the others. My name.

“It’s a pity it’s tacked on like that. People are bound to start askin questions.” Argo added. “Though, I suppose it would be a lot more noticeable to suddenly shift half the players’ character names down one position.”

Argo let out a sigh then turned back to me. “Did ya find your big sis’ name?”

I shifted uneasily. “I got a list.” I replied, “but nothing really stood out to me as being hers for sure.”

“Good work Ma-bou!” Argo chimed in opening her menu. “Send me the list as well as a description of what she looks like and I’ll get to work chasing down leads. In the meantime, you get to work putting that manual I gave you to good use. You’ll find other volumes for sale in town and you’ll need them if you want to start earning Col fast. After all, I’m making an investment not a charity here!”

I hesitated for a moment as a friend request from Argo appeared before me.

“Why are you being so kind to me?” I asked bluntly.

Argo leaned back to ponder for a second as if she wasn’t completely sure herself.

“I’ve met all kinds of crazy people in here.” She answered after some consideration. “Most I make a point to avoid. A girl’s gotta watch the company she keeps after all. But the kind of crazy that knowingly locks themselves into a game of death to look out for a family member? That’s a kind of crazy I think I can get behind.”

Argo looked up at me with a big toothy grin. She was tactile and a bit brash, but she truly did seem like a trustworthy person. I was unsure how old she would be but she seemed young. It took a great amount of strength to smile like that in these kinds of circumstances.

“I’m sorry for doubting you.” I replied with the best smile I could manage as I accepted her friend request.

Argo shook her head in response. “Don’t be! It put me at ease!” she chuckled. “You’re my investment. You wouldn’t be lasting very long in this world if ya trusted everyone at face value. There’s some real madmen out there I tell ya! But not everyone here has given up hope either!”

Argo reached out her hand while grinning from ear to ear.

“Here’s to a mutually profitable partnership!” she beamed.

Grabbing her hand tightly, I smiled back. “Definitely!”