.hack

Aww, man. They can't be performing maintenance

for twenty-four hours straight on this server.

Ahh... This time the Spring of Myst is empty!

Who's behind this prank?

What kind of monster was that?

Upside down palm trees,

empty Springs of Myst, unheard of monsters...

This is crazy! How is this happening?

Gotta log out

and contact the system administrator.

Eh...? What's happening?!

I, Shugo Kunisaki, upon entering junior high,

thought I had outgrown games.

Congratulations!

I knew that a net game

called "The World" was really popular,

but I never had a desire to play it

You've won the grand prize in the

The World Limited- Edition Character Contest

Until today, that is.

What? You're kidding me.

You won the contest, too?

Whaddya mean "won"?

You mean you just went behind my back and entered me?

Rena, how could you do this?

But the odds are astronomical

for the two of us to have won together!

Aren't you glad I did?

Aw, man, we're definitely twins!

But Rena...

Even if I did win this...

I don't have the software for The World.

No Problem!

Before Mom and I left your place,

I installed it on your computer.

Eh? You did what?

And, since we both won the same contest,

we can explore The World together!

She's got an answer for everything.

Well, here goes nothin'.

Oooooh! Oooh, hah!

Wow, this is a net game?

They sure are getting more realistic.

Hey, I don't see you for a while

and you've suddenly leveled?

It's 'cause I've been sticking

with a strong party.

I've gained a lot of experience with this spear.

Yeah!

That area's treasure boxes are mostly trapped!

Hey, wanna form a party with me?

Uuuuungh!!

You have some nerve

plowing into me like that.

So what do you have to say for yourself?

You wanna try it again?

Yeah, right...

I... uh, just might get to like The World.

Shugo, you're late!

You're my brother Shugo, right?

Whoa! C-Could you be... Rena? My little twin sister... Rena?

Is it you?

Bingo! It's sure been a while, big brother.

And, it's our first time meeting in character...

I'm Rena the Heavy Blade!

Nice to meet you.

Thanks...

Those two... Aren't they the ones?

Y'mean...

...the limited-edition characters?

You're kidding...

They're the winners?

Don't they look a little small

to be the legendary heroes.

Yeah, they sure do.

You just don't see those characters around anymore.

Don't look now, but I think we've been noticed.

Well, of course!

We're the winners of the Character Campaign Contest.

So cool! I never thought that the

.hacker characters would be the prize...

...we're so lucky!

Who are the ".hackers"?

In the game,

they were the party that solved the Last Mystery of The World

and because of that they became legends.

There were two original members:

a young male Twin Blade, Kite

and a young girl Heavy Blade, BlackRose.

And when they solved the mystery,

other players weren't allowed

to use their character forms anymore.

Now we get to look like the legendary heroes...

It's so cool!

We look like legendary heroes...?

What's wrong?

Y-Your outfit... It's kinda...

Can't you do something about it?

Eh?!

It's just...

Couldn't you wear something a little more legendary?

I don't know...

Personally, I think this look is kinda cute

Even if it's just a game...

It's making me a little uncomfortable.

Oh, well you just need to get over it!

I've found you!

Um, excuse me...

W-Would you... do business with me...?

Fairly sudden to ask to do business with someone...

M-My mistake.

I mean... I can... come back... if you want.

Um... or... I-I could just...

Just relax, lttlie one.

I'll do business with you...

It's so strange

talking with Rena three months after she's left.

Have you... been eating okay?

Huh? Eh? Yeah!

Y'know, I've actually become a pretty good cook.

What about you?

Is mom keeping busy with work?

I guess.

Yeah, well...

Hey, since we're logged into The World,

let's do something.

But what's wrong with chatting?

That can be fun, too.

Come on! Let's go!

Alright, I'm coming!

Let's get down to the basics of role-playing: fighting monsters!

Alright!

Okay ready?!

Bursting... Passed Over... Aqua Field!

Bursting Passed Over Aqua Field!

Here we are!

Where are the monsters?

They appear through these magic portals.

Magic portals?

This way. C'mon!

Hey, Rena! Wait up!

C'mon slow poke!

This is a beginner level...

It's an area designed for newbie characters.

But those two are...

Okay, here it comes

You'll be just fine,

you don't need to be that nervous!

The monsters are usually just small fries in this area.

That's... A monster?

That's a Mad Grass.

It's a level one monster.

Level One?

Yeah.

Stand back, Rena...

I'll protect my fair little sister!

Go, Shugo!

Be careful!

Calamity Cut!

The legendary hero is crying.

Here, take this.

Huh?

It's a health drink.