Kaneki's POV...

In a fast haste to get away, topping the fastest speed I could get, I jumped among the tree branches, trying to escape from "him". From who your asking? Kirito. Now how did this happen? Funny you should ask, I absolutely can't remember how I got in this situation yet heres a noteworthy example. I was on his trail like usual but don't get me wrong, in the first place, I've never even agreed to spy on him but if he does know any information on this death game, then I'll gamble on this thread.

Keeping still with stealth and awareness out in order not to get caught but when upon taking a little peek at his training session, I made a little noise. I was so sure he wouldn't be able to hear it but for him to instantly sense that, to my surprise, he was also able to pinpoint my position. Yep, I've taken note on that and before I knew it, he was on my trail, tracking me with every inch of his speed to keep up.

This is bad. If he found out I was spying on him, all this effort will all be a waste. Realizing that he also have the map in him my position was a sure occurrence of being exposed. I mentally face palmed myself after that obvious realization. I then sighed, without any moves of an escape nor any way to hide, there was only one option left.

guess I got no choice but to use it...

Activating a certain skill, in that split seconds of almost getting caught, my whole body magically faded. Camouflaging me completely in my surroundings, almost invisible that Kirito could no longer see me in front of him as I stopped my tracks. He stopped for a second as my signs of movement was no longer heard. I wondered as I cautiously observed him. He was looking at his right side, looking at the map, probably trying to figure out where I was. However, in my state, I hoped to end this quickly and quietly.

Kirito's POV...

"what was that just now?" I muttered out and checked on my map once more. It only left me shocked. That was odd, that red enemy ended up vanished and out of my radar of sight. I gulp down hard, I wanna question this new occurrence. Was that a bird? I looked around me in haste. No sign of movements. Not among the bushes nor the trees. I'm starting to think it wasn't a bird I saw. Rather it was something hardcore. I felt those gaze. I don't know why I was able to feel it, I guess its because of my perception skill. I took a mindful thought, still in my high alerts for any kind of ambush.

That doesn't felt right to call it a bird when its gliding among the trees. So, what could it be then? Agh enough, I must be hallucinating..

I left out a exasperating sigh, maybe I am becoming delusional, the fact that I've been killing monsters on my own and yes its suicidal. I guess my brain couldn't take the feeling if I died. Speaking about this death game, 200 players had died. They die in the game, which in the end died in real life. Reducing the amount of hope and instilling fear among us once again.

This fact, maybe thats the cause of my hallucination? guess a nice inn in the barn would do me some brainstorming and some needed sleep. The sun's going down after all, it would be dangerous to stay here any longer. Slowly turning away, checking the map again, I ran, all the way to the town. As for the red dot, if I even met it again, then this time, I'll be assure that I'm not paranoid and my resolve would be clear. I'll kill it if I met it again but not today.

Kaneki's POV...

When all was soon clear, I deactivate my skill. I can finally breath again, and that quick moment was intense that it got me panicked. But still, how was he able to track me with his map? Doesn't that only happens when its about looking for mob monsters? I'm not really sure about that thought since I still need a lot more to learn about RPG games, including my current situation where I need to survive, however my only hope to survive is to remember the basics Kirito taught me and for that I'm very glad that he did, yet some other part was left unheard since the day Kirito broke ties with us and speaking of that day, I feel kinda bad for leaving Asuna on her own, but knowing the huge number of members beside her, I'm sure she'll be alright.

I was acting on the whim in order to get closer to him, gaining the information I needed, informing Amon while doing so. It was a certain chance that he's first encountered me. True, I never know the basic rules of the game.

But after my course of following him, I had gain a skill. Conceal and Keen Eye.

I don't know what to do with them, however I did use Conceal a while ago, so it's now common to know what it could do although it's still unknown to me what it could cause and how high it could take me to use its maximum output and duration.

Anyways, now is not the time to look into this new skills I've acquired, I should follow Kirito as I see fit awhile doing Conceal on the way.

Kirito's POV...

I finally reached my destination, out in the Sunny Forest and into Sunny Town. The home of popular corn fields. Well, it isn't too populated for more than 17 NCP's living out here and it seems I'm the only player in this town. In a barn inn, I stood there but soon in a curious glance, I came upon to check my map, looking out if the red dot was still following me. And it soon in turn, it was there rushing towards me at an alarming paste and then vanished again.

I ran inside the inn, thinking it shouldn't follow me because of the area as 'Safe' standing a barrier for only players to refuge on. I didnt it expect to follow me that quickly. Thinking about the mysterious monster, I payed 180 cor for an available bed and soon led me to a hay like bed near a stall for horses. Well, a bed is a bed, can't blame the game.

Lying quietly as I left the red Enemy at the back of my mind, I lay there, almost trance from my thoughts with everyone I've met so far. I wanna be with everyone so badly and I'd be lying if I wish that.

Klein. It's been so long I haven't seen him lately I hope he and his friends make it out okay. Asuna. I wonder how is she? She might be good with her sword but she can be pretty clumsy sometimes. But I'm sure Egil and the rest of the members will look after her.

And let's not forget about the white haired newbie, Kaneki. He is the most mysterious of them all. The first time we met, he had no single idea of what to do, he had a weird impressions with things especially the foods I wanted him to eat. I keep persisting him to eat the bread but he doesn't want to take a single bite of it. I always thought he was picky with his meals but for some thought, there was something between those eyes he held. A kind of sinister gaze along with a pleasing look.

He looked as if there are two people inside of him and yes, that won't prove it but I can somehow feel it. Asuna didn't seem to notice about it but that I'm sure. Kaneki is hiding something. Something that I should'nt force him to.

But still my thought of him is still a complete newbie, and even Asuna is agreeing to that title. Remembering the good times we all had, it was the most cherish memory I've treasured. But then, instead of being with everyone, I decided to be a solo player.

I sighed. Wondering what's about to happen next morning.

Kaneki's POV...

" I wonder how's everyone? I haven't met Klein, Kaneki nor Asuna lately. Maybe that's because I had already reached higher enough on the floors.."

I could hear Kirito below the the roof. Still using Conceal as I quietly overheard his words. So he was worried about me and Asuna? I don't know about that Klein guy, but whoever he is, I hope he'd get to meet him.

I lay on the roof, looking up the starry skies, mixed in a futuristic glow of swirl purple and emerald. Twinkling lights accompanied the movement in the sky. I wish I can see my friends too. I wonder if Hinami's doing well with her grammars. I hoped everyone in Anteiku, that day, had somehow escaped from the doves. Are they doing okay? I wonder if some of them got injured...and Hide...

I hope tomorrow would do any good.

[Next Day] 5:30 in the morning (in the rocky plains)

Kirito is currently killing off a Rock Bird, trying to pierced out its hard feathers, as it's been blocking his attacks. I stood there in a nearby cliff, looking at the amazing view of him killing it in rage.

In the next 4 minutes, he had successfully killed it, looting coins and items as it disappears. Observing him from a far, I decided to leave him as I wanna experiment on the new ability I've acquired and who knows maybe I can master it.

Leaving Kirito to fight off a humanoid monster tree, I've been training my Conceal and Keen Eye to its fullest use and both its advantages and disadvantage and so far I have come to note of its weaknesses and duration. Each time I level up, my Conceal skills duration is taking affect longer for about 1 hour than my time of 30 minutes and while Keen Eye will increased its radius of sight for over 5 miles by then I have reached about 20 miles in the radius.

But in a down side, I can't use it to look in the water. I did that while shoving my head in a nearby lake and in some misfortune, a fish monster attacked me. Note to self, never stick your head in a lake. Kirito would probably laugh at me. In my reports with Amon, I had a earful of tone from him. Saying I should be more careful not to die.

Days even? I don't know, I lost track of time in both the Real World and in the Game. But I can tell it's been a year now. Anywho, Kirito's leveling up pretty faster than I should've guess and is now fighting off ogres in the Middow Forest. I had leisure time to watch at how fast and agile his wield with his sword as he succeeded 34 kills in a row.

Out to train myself again, I noticed Kirito was using a new skill. It surprises me to see him train with two swords. Huh, maybe that's the reason why he brought two a while ago in the previous dungeon. On that floor, It came from a crystallize beast, looting down a glowing blue sword. It was by pure chance that I was there to level up as he defeated it on his own.

In a hot environment, he stopped his training and levels and decided to eat bread to replenish his energy and the so called hungry meter. However in my case, I looked away, averting my eyes away at his enjoyment of eating a single bread with some butter added in it.

Just the thought of the taste of the bread he's eating, makes me hurl in disgust. Human food, my worst weakness. I've tried tasting one thinking it won't take an effect on me, however, I ended up throwing it up. The taste, was so indigestible, it was the worst and awful action I've ever made. Way worse than the breads back in reality. (Real World) And here I am, twisted beyond repair along with a nasty familiar growls thats been conquering my stomach.

For the last course of 2 months of bearing the hell, I decided to try a different route to satisfy my hunger. Speeding up to find a suitable prey, right in the corner of my eye, I spotted a tiny creature, hopping around. It's Rocky body along with a above its forehead. Black fur with brown add ons along its ears and limbs.

No matter how risky it is, I can take it. Plus, it's better than getting myself starve...

Taking that mindful thought, I used Conceal as I dangerously crept near its eating ground. I looked above its head, where its HP and name was placed.

A Gemalop..I sure hope it taste nice...

Readying my self to catch a prey, I ready out my knife attempting to kill it in one swing. Chewing neatly at the flowers, I braced up my knife and attack behind it. It's HP lowered to a red and out of my trance to eat it. I was hesitating at first but I began to eat it with out a second thought what I had done.

However the result soon surprised me.

They have taste..but unlike a human flesh they're more edible. Do they really taste like this? I can't help the feeling to keep consuming them though, a chunk of their flesh is enough right?

Is what I thought, but my Ghoul instincts took the better of me and ended up consuming half of its flesh. You can clearly tell that it's form is slowly crumpled with my few bite marks here and there.

Argh..I gotta control myself.

I was happy to find a meal. But, this is strange, how come I can eat them? aren't they made up of datas? And just where did it's taste come from?

Upon 19 seconds pass, the unfortunate monster I eat, vanished. Probably from my bite marks, the wound was open and its HP was lowering by seconds. Almost instantly, that it died. After this new sudden, unexpected occurrence, a white block of words has shown up in my view.

[Congratulations! You have gained a skill!

Predation]

Predation? This is new. I'll look into myself..

With a flick of a finger, my status was shown. About me, my levels, my gained skills, attacks, sword skills and most of all my title. I was titled as the 'Stealthy Swordman' which I think I know where I got it from.

Taking a glance look at the Predation, that had soon added to my info in full detail;

Predation Lv. MAX

[rarity] Very Rare.

-able to consume ones life force gaining 100% strength, 50% HP/MP and attack power boosts.

[Duration] consummation would take seconds depending how high the prey is.

I see now..since that Gemalop died down in 19 seconds it's because of its level. But, if I consume a level 100 monster, would that take 100 seconds..?

It must have come from my trait as a Ghoul in real life. I don't know how a game could take this much details out of me but I can't deny but be impress. Better take a self note on this. Best I'll give this report about it to Amon.

In the usual routine, after seeing Kirito kills off a mob of Monster Slimes and heads off to the next town, I started up a journey more further in the woods, thinking that a nice meal and a good practice ground would basic my needs. Possibly leveling myself up for upcoming boss battles.

Feeling tired, I decided to head to town. I'm almost done with the book I've currently have and decided to buy a new one for hobby needs. Upon buying a good book from a merchant, I noticed Kirito buying an amount of (M) HP potions. He probably needs a lot more if he's training himself so hard to the point of buying amount of them. Oh, he's heading back to the forest again. I better follow him.

In a big time journey, he'd gone higher up the floors for likely 2 months and so far, I've leveled up. Kirito's sword skill had increased greatly and his training with his two swords had been well up used profoundly and skillfully to the point that he's trying new skills with it. Meanwhile, killing off a mob of Seedlings, I'm starting to get bored of this routine and Im starting to get hungry. A nasty growl was a sure enough proof of it. In the near corner of a tree I sense a yummy smell. Oh I found a nice meal. Lucky me.

Out of my delicacy state of mind, my perception skill was picking up. I wondered what it meant till I picked up a sound. But instead of rustling bushes or the sound of a creature instead I hear human language. Voices? With that in alert, I used Keen Eye to inspect the intruders who entered my feeding grounds. Let's see here, if I concentrate hard enough, I'll be able to pinpoint where they are.

6 players huh...I wonder who they are?