Original subtitles

--It's a full-dive RPG that pursues the ultimate in realism.

--If it's lame, I'm returning it! --It's a full-dive RPG that pursues the ultimate in realism.

--If it's lame, I'm returning it!

No! He's dead!

Oh, shit! Oh, shit! Oh, shit!

What the hell?

Best Friend Killer!

It's game over right off the bat!

"Best Friend Killer" "Amicide"

It's game over right off the bat!

It's game over right off the bat!

What?

"Living in a Dead Game"

Best Friend Killer?

And what do you mean, "game over"?

To kill your best friend right off the bat...

you're one messed up high schooler, huh?

You've got it all wrong!

It was, um, uh...

...an accident!

That's what most murderers say.

It was!

I just gave a little push and suddenly it was like, splooch!

So it was...

...intentional.

Absolutely not!

Look, just tell me how to reset the game!

You can't, dude.

There are no do-overs in this game.

Real life doesn't have a "New Game" option, right?

That's part of what it means to pursue realism.

What's with the smug look?

Also, Kiwame Quest uses autosave.

Even if you quit right away,

you'd continue from after killing your best friend.

So then I'm forever stuck with the title "Best Friend Killer"?

And you can't just buy another copy of the game.

Your play history is retained on your hardware.

To start over you'd have to purchase a new console.

The VR NX costs 90,000 yen. At that price, I...

FYI, I do sell those.

Just 120,000 yen.

That's crazy high!

Enough already! I'm returning this! Give me my money back!

That's not happening.

Wh-Why?

We have a strict policy:

"No refunds, no matter how justified the reason! (Including damaged or defective goods)" "--Management"

We have a strict policy:

"No refunds, no matter how justified the reason! (Including damaged or defective goods)" "--Management"

no refunds---under any circumstances.

no refunds---under any circumstances.

I'll report you to a consumer agency!

I have no desire to cast a shadow over your bright future

with a nasty legal battle.

Let's think more constructively.

Constructively?

You said it's already game over, didn't you?

Kiwame Quest, KQ for short, is a full-dive RPG sold ten years ago only in Japan.

The company already shut down services.

The player base shrank and shrank, and it's essentially a dead game.

Even so, an extremely small number of players still remain.

There are people still playing this game?

It's a big country!

And one of those rare players is Ginji.

Ginji...

Sounds like my money's getting stolen...

Ginji supposedly also killed his best friend at the start ten years ago.

So let's try asking him.

O-Okay.

Oh, but first, check your right pocket.

That's your starting money. Thirty gald.

Let's buy some cheap clothes with it.

Clothes?

I imagine the next stage of your situation is...

Did you hear about Martin?

Yeah, I heard he was killed.

What?! Who would kill such a nice young man?

Well... apparently it was his best friend, Hiro.

The City Guard is looking for him.

There are already wanted posters?

Yup. You're a full-on fugitive. Get plastic surgery if possible.

Real-life plastic surgery for my avatar?!

Anyway, the clothing store isn't far, but keep your head down.

Walk like someone ostracized from society.

I don't want to play this game anymore...

This is it, Hiro.

Is it really safe for me to enter a store?

Whether in real life or virtual reality, stores are all about the customer.

No matter how suspicious you seem, they won't just immediately report you.

Is that true?

Yes. I should know. I'm a merchant myself!

You're not particularly trustworthy...

Welcome.

Hiro, get this one.

Fifteen gald.

I-I'll take this.

Sure.

Sir, you're the talk of the town right now.

H-Hey! You said it'd be safe!

Now, now. I'm a businessman. I'm not reporting my customers.

Th-Then...

Twenty-five gald.

He took thorough stock of the situation. That's KQ's NPCs for you.

Realistic, right?

I'd call it unpleasant, not realistic!

So I'm also stuck with high prices?

It's yet another reason we should talk to Ginji.

So, where do we find this Ginji?

Supposedly he's always at the casino.

Been that way for ten years.

Ten years?! Does he have a gambling addiction?

Dunno. He's probably just garbage.

That's harsh!

This city's pretty big, huh.

Yes. Though it's inland on the continent of Alfrey,

trade with other towns or castles is prohibited.

It's a massive, self-sufficient city that's practically closed off.

The city of Ted, AKA the Closed City.

The Closed City?

FYI, leaving without permission is punished severely as "exurbance."

No one had a better name for the crime?

Anyway, getting out of the city is the first step to clearing KQ.

Let's ask Ginji about that, too.

We should be in the clear now. The casino is close.

Ah, what a relief--

Hiro!

Alicia?!

I found you.

I've looked everywhere.

How? I was even wearing a hood!

I recognized you instantly!

I've known you since childhood after all.

What a terrifying childhood friend!

That's the ultra-fast general-purpose AI R-Evo for you!

The NPC's have personality, freedom, and insight--

Be impressed later!

Oh, what's wrong, Hiro?

Why are you talking to yourself?

Oh, right. NPCs can't perceive Reona's fairy form.

A-Alicia! Hear me out! It was an accident and...

Yes, I know.

I went a little crazy there, didn't I?

So much screaming and shouting...

Oh, but I've calmed down a little now.

Alicia.

I loved you, Hiro.

No, I still love you a ton!

And so I'll...

Th-Thank goodness. Everything's...

...give you sweet release!

...not okay at all!

Don't worry. I'll follow soon after.

The three of us will be friends again

in the afterlife!

Oh, no! She's totally lost it!

Come on, Hiro...

Th-That's...

the knife from...

Yes, I'm Hell's Fruit Slicer--

The Fruit Knife Wielder From Hell:

Alicia Von Rotarzen!

What kind of title is that? No thank you!

I'll chop you up into little bits!

Like I'm making apple juice!

Be careful! The childhood friend's speed is set oddly high.

Lots of players have her join their party.

She was supposed to join my party?!

It's an open-ended story system, so it's your choice who joins you.

Though the best friend and the childhood friend are standard.

Except I killed one and the other's about to kill me!

Hiro, what's all the muttering about?

Oh, of course. You're saying prayers of repentance!

Hiro!

Hiro! Run! Run! Run!

Don't stop or you're a pincushion!

Please, no!

--Hiro! Get back here!

--T-T-Take a right here! --Hiro! Get back here!

Okay!

Now a left!

Okay!

--Right!

--Don't run away! --Okay! --Right!

--Don't run away! --Okay! --Left!

--Don't run away! --Okay! --Left!

--Okay! --Right!

--Okay! --Right!

--Okay! --Left!

--Okay! --Left!

--Okay! --Right!

--Okay! --Right!

--Okay! --Left!

--Okay! --Left!

--Okay!

Hiro, you're a really fast runner.

The real question is why I'm so tired in a video game.

KQ doesn't stop at the five senses. It reproduces fatigue, too!

I could do without that feature.

Did I level up?

What? "Running Best Friend Killer: Fleet-footed Amicide"?

You did it! You got a new title!

Does this raise my speed or something?

Nope. They're just something you collect!

Let's keep this up and get lots of titles!

Sorry. I think I need to log out for today.

Really? Now of all times?

I have school tomorrow!

Who cares about school? Just enjoy the present.

What kind of adult says that?!

The life of a shut-in is a valid choice.

Even so, I'd like to stop for now!

Okay, fine.

Go ahead and save in case.

Huh? The save screen won't pop up...

KQ doesn't let you log out during combat.

So then...

You're not out of combat yet!

There you are!

Ow!

Stay calm! Pain is set to be lower than in real life.

It doesn't feel like that to me!

Even if you got a limb torn off,

it shouldn't hurt any more than full-body bruises from falling down the stairs.

No need to worry!

That's not reassuring!

What the hell is with all this mumbling?

I-It's all over!

My eye!

Take this! And this!

--What's happening? --And one of these!

Reona.

Dammit!

Hiro, hurry! Run!

R-Right!

Dammit!

Hiro!

No matter where you run, I swear I'll find you and kill you!

Your fate is to be chopped up

by Hell's Fruit Slicer: Alicia, the Fruit Knife Wielder From Hell!

What the hell is wrong with this game?

How long has it been since I ran all-out like that?

"Reona"

Reona?

Let's play KQ again today!

When does school end?

I'll log in, so make sure to join me!

Even if it kills you!

Is this a threat?

So did you get your new game?

Actually, I was tricked into getting this weird full-dive RPG.

Wait, what?

It's crazy realistic. You even feel pain.

It's a game, but it hurts like crazy.

So it's a shitty game?

You got that right.

I'm sorry about yesterday.

Video games are your hobby,

and I didn't have any business saying anything about it.

It's okay. I'm not mad or anything.

Good.

Though I do think it's out of fashion and juvenile.

But for real, Hiro. You really need to set them straight once and for all.

Look. Doesn't this rule?

Ooh, sweet! Let's buy it.

We have our awesome friend, after all.

You got that right!

Th-They're not really a big--

If you only ever play games, you won't be treated with respect.

That may be true...

Out of fashion and juvenile...

And never treated with respect, huh?

Kaede...

I knew it.

Playing games again?

Oh, no. I'm--

It's loud and annoying. For real.

Huh?

You were shouting and screaming last night, too.

Sorry. But it's okay. I was just playing a game. No need to worry.

Who would worry about you?

I wish you'd get rid of that crap.

I-It's not some big problem for me to have a hobby.

If you're gonna have one, why not take up running like you used to?

"National Track"

If you're gonna have one, why not take up running like you used to?

"National Track"

Why would I go back to that after all this time?

Why would I go back to that after all this time?

Whatever. I don't care. Just stop playing games late at night.

Or cover your eyes, nose, and mouth first!

That'd kill me!

What is everyone's problem?

I'll log in, so make sure to join me!

Even if it kills you!

It's just a game.

That hurts!

I start in exactly the same condition?

Would it kill them to let me recover a little?

I had silver coins in my right pocket.

So then they probably also gave me...

Yes! I knew it!

Barf!

Realistic medicinal herbs, too?

Huh?

In a normal full-dive game...

...it would activate just like that.

Hey! Come on!

Do it. Say something.

What? What's the deal? Still no?

Take that! Well? What about this?

It's looking a little wilted.

What? Is this like real life, too?

How do you use herbs? Stick 'em on? Boil and drink?

I have no idea!

And the blood's not stopping!

What the hell?

What's this? I haven't seen this NPC before.

Hey, I'm not an NPC!

Wait. "NPC"?

If he's using meta terminology, could he be...

Ginji?

Huh? How do you know my name?

Oh, I was right!

I'm a player character!

And also I've been looking for you!

I'm kinda screwed.

To be playing a dead game like this at your age,

I can believe your life is screwed.

I'm talking about the game, not my life!

Anyway, lemme see that.

Huh?

This takes me back ten years.

Ow! Will this heal immediately now?

No, it'll hurt for two or three days.

What?! This herb's no different from normal healing!

But thank you for your help.

Don't sweat it. We're dead game pals.

You said you were looking for me?

Follow me. Let's go somewhere to talk.

This is a casino?

Here. Drink up!

A-Alcohol? I'm underage...

It tastes like cola. It's not booze.

R-Really?

Yum!

Ah, that was refreshing.

Wait, how is he drunk on this? He's strange.

So what do you need?

Oh, right!

Well, um, I heard that you you-know'ed your best friend,

and actually, I did, too--on accident!

Oh, you, too?

I really didn't mean to--

--Right. Of course.

--No, really-- --Right. Of course.

Hey, I'm clearly talking to someone here.

Huh?

Look, I've told you. I don't know the answer! I never have!

Huh? What?

This is scary.

Sorry. They've appeared for ten years now. And always at random times.

Wh-What does?

You'll see soon enough.

Very soon.

What was it again? You asked about how I killed Enrique?

"Enrique"? Is that your best friend? Mine was named Martin.

The best friend's name is different for everyone.

I see...

So why did you kill your best friend NPC?

It was a youthful indiscretion, you could say.

Haven't you ever wanted to try shooting the townsfolk in a gun game? Same thing.

I've never wanted to or done that.

I got annoyed at Enrique's best friend routine,

so I just gave his neck a little squeeze.

It was that easy?

I did judo. Sleeper moves made it a cinch.

The childhood friend wouldn't stop screaming, so I strangled her, too.

Who does that in a realistic VR game?

You mean you did judo in real life, right? Weren't you weak in the game?

KQ stats reflect your real-life physical ability.

Seriously?

Then to beat the game, you need to work out?

The game pursues the ultimate in realism, so yeah.

If you don't have martial arts experience or a crafty mind,

you can't even get out of this town.

But then no one could win the--

Someone did win.

Someone fully cleared this crazy-hard game.

I only saw him once, but even as forgetful as I am, I could never forget.

He was sharp, and he was also strong.

He looked kinda like a normal student, but he had an aura about him.

Apparently he got out of Ted in no time and easily cleared the game.

His name was Kamui.

His title was "The Eternally Invincible: The Never-Bested Adventurer."

S-So cool!

Nothing like "Best Friend Killer!"

Mine's just "Not Human: Heartless."

Even though I've lived a pretty normal life these last 45 years.

Though I did skip out on my convenience store job.

Yeah, that's kinda heartless.

So now what do I do?

Want me to help you?

What? Are you saying you'll join my party?

I'm too old for that now.

Like I could do kid stuff like games. Don't be silly.

We're in a game right now!

Besides, I have gout.

And my body doesn't move the way it used to.

Oh. Then what help--

Well, this kind of help.

Hey! The killer is right here!

Call the City Guard!

Th-This asshole!

He really is heartless!

Episode 3: Adult Event Time.