.hack//ROOTS

Pathetic!

All these newbies joining the game

are so easy to kill.

It's just no fun.

That was a close call.

You'd better be careful.

Right now, there are many PKs in The World.

PKs?

Yes, Player Killers.

They hunt and kill other players.

Like those guys that attacked me?

Umm... who...?

The name's Ovan.

Ovan...

I'm Haseo.

Thanks for saving me.

You have to be stronger.

Huh?

This game has become far too challenging,

especially for beginners.

You found yourself in a helpless situation,

and that is not unusual in this game.

But there are also amazing things

that don't exist anywhere else but in The World.

You have a gift, Haseo.

A gift?

Something completely unique,

that only you possess.

I don't get it.

Don't worry.

The day will come when you will.

Let's meet again soon Haseo.

Wait!

Interesting...

Shino! Shino!

You mean I can really have these?

Yes.

Thank you!

You worked very hard to get this far.

There's no need to thank me.

But without your help

I'd be completely and hopelessly lost!

There's a map

on the upper left of the screen, isn't there?

Yeah!

Like I told you before,

you won't get lost if you use it.

But maps confuse me.

You'll get it.

But, until I do, it'll be difficult.

You can't play unless you get used to it.

Yeah!

Hang on a second...

Huh?

I have to go.

Uh... really?

The master is summoning me.

Master?

The guild master.

A guild?

Wow, is that kinda like a club?

Are you in one, Shino?

Yes, the Twilight Brigade.

Can I see you again?

Perhaps, if you like.

Oh! I can't wait!

You can use the e-mail address I just gave you

in case you ever want to get a hold of me.

Okay!

Goodbye!

Sorry I'm late.

How was he?

He was PKed, but I revived him.

PKed... he's been killed once.

Mmm hmm.

I still hadn't figured out how to approach him,

so it worked out perfectly.

You're lying...

You already knew exactly how and when

you were going to contact him...

Am I wrong?

That's hard to say.

I've been talking with the girl,

I'm optimistic... I think... If we asked her,

I bet she'd join in an instant.

I see.

You will meet with her, won't you?

I suppose so.

When can you do it?

Soon enough, Shino.

Okay then.

I suppose I should update Sakisaka next right?

Please.

We can finally... hopefully...

...reunite the guild.

Yes.

We'll find it. I'm certain.

There is only one thing in this world that is certain.

Huh?

All living things will one day die.

But wait...

I'll be in touch.

He's here.

Do you think you could at least be on time?

Punks don't have any manners these days.

It seems to take forever to do business with them.

So, what is this meeting for anyway?

Ovan has made a move.

Ovan? Ovan?

Who's that again?

Oh gimme a break.

Would you quit playing dumb!

Hold on... no, no idea.

He's the guild master, of the Twilight Brigade?

He's a Steam Gunner with a modified left arm.

Oh! Wait! I remember!

He had something to do with Naobi or something like that.

So am I right?

If what Ovan is looking for actually exists,

then we of TaN can't just stand by and watch.

Yeah, yeah, sounds like dirty work to me.

I think that Ender

would be perfect for the job.

Hey!

It is both of your jobs

to be handling TaN's private matters.

This time, it is your turn Tawaraya.

I see.

Ovan has made contact with a beginner

who just joined the game today.

He revived him after being PKed.

Then he disappeared.

I want to know all about this beginner.

What's his name?

Haseo...

A Black Adept Rogue.

An adept Rogue?

How lame.

He sure picked a weak vocation.

And black?

I mean, really.

That's cheap.

The name of TaN is to remain concealed.

Understood.

Well then...

Let's get to work.

Tawaraya!

Yeah, yeah, say no more.

Don't worry, I'll keep my ear to the ground!

Hey, did you see that?

Totally!

I mean that guy has an amazingly sweet staff.

Looked pretty rare.

Should we take him out?

Think we'd have a chance?

It's definitely worth a shot.

Yeah! Let's follow him.

What is with that?

Plotting so openly...

They're underestimating us.

That's no good.

Let's teach 'em a lesson.

What is with this game?

How shameless!

Hmm?

It's amazing!

Today's youth seem to lack manners and morality.

Huh?

Ovan left you behind, did he?

Wait a sec, you know Ovan?

Huh?

Sorry.

My cats pulled the cord out of the socket.

Cats?

I have two.

They like to nose into my gaming.

We need to have a little talk.

Heh.

So, I'll give you my member address

then you can invite me to a chat.

If we talk in a chat,

outsiders won't be able to eavesdrop.

You've read the manual, haven't you?

Ah, there we go.

But why--

Why what?

Why did I start talking to you?

Or maybe why do I know Ovan?

Which one did you want to ask?

Both?

I wanna know about Ovan.

Who is he?

I thought that you had met him.

Yeah.

He's just the way he looks.

What did you think of him?

Hmm...

Come on. Spit it out.

A mysterious... person.

Well that's a vague description,