Okay, đây là bản dịch chương có tiêu đề "Bước Chân Trong Bóng Đêm":
Chapter: Footsteps in the Darkness
I lay on the bed, my heart still pounding. The System's notification repeated in my head: [Item: Handgun. Type: G17. Location: Vicinity of Host. Estimated distance: Under 50 meters.]
A gun. G17. Right nearby.
Fear was the first thing I felt. Fear of that damned item. Fear of someone finding it. Fear of being dragged into trouble. A programmer like me, or rather, a 16-year-old girl now, had never faced anything truly dangerous like this.
But then, another thought surfaced. A thought... of defiance.
What about leaving a gun lying around in a residential area? It could fall into the wrong hands. It could cause fatalities. The incident in Shibuya, the death of the original Yuuka... It was all because of things like this.
And... I have information. The System told me. I know it's nearby. The police might not know immediately. Others might find it first.
What if I could... recover it before anyone else does?
It was a reckless, foolish thought. But at the same time, it was strangely appealing. This was the first opportunity for me to not just be a passive victim or an amateur online researcher. This was a chance for me to... act.
And if I had it... a G17... Maybe it would be useful in this dangerous world?
No! That thought is too dangerous! I told myself. I don't know how to use a gun. Having it in my hand is more dangerous than someone else finding it.
But what about the thought of helplessness? The thought of knowing danger was lurking right next to me and being unable to do anything?
I sat up.
I couldn't sleep anymore. Just lie here and worry about that G17? That's not my style. Hiroshi Takahatsu's style is to confront problems, gather data, and find solutions. Even though I was Yuuka Hatsumina now, that core mindset remained.
The decision was made. I would go find that G17.
Gently slid my feet off the bed. The wooden floor was cold beneath my bare feet. I went into the changing area. I needed to wear something discreet and easy to move in. Jeans (girl's style, tight but still more comfortable than a skirt), a dark t-shirt, and a hooded jacket.
Changing in the dark, relying on the faint light from the streetlamps filtering through the window. The feeling of the fabric rubbing against my skin, the feeling of my body's curves... it was still a bit awkward, but I was getting used to it. Finished quickly, not thinking too much about it.
Cover my face.
I found a disposable medical mask in a drawer. Put it on. Then I rummaged for an old baseball cap of Yuuka's. Pulled it low over my forehead. My long black hair was tied neatly under the cap.
Okay. I didn't look too conspicuous in the dark.
I went to the desk, picked up Yuuka's phone. Unlocked it. The screen light shone on my face.
System, exact location of Item G17.
[Item: Handgun, G17. Location: Coordinates [X, Y, Z]. Distance: 35 meters.]
On my phone screen, a faint directional arrow suddenly appeared. It wasn't a phone app, but a translucent overlay that only I could see, appearing on the System's simple map display (showing only my location and the Item's location).
Distance: 35 meters. Very close.
Direction: The arrow pointed directly towards the opposite wall, out of the apartment.
35 meters... So it's not inside the apartment. Could it be in the hallway, the stairwell, or outside the building?
I moved quietly towards the door. Every step was taken carefully to avoid making noise. My heart was still pounding.
Avoid surveillance cameras.
I remembered Inspector Tanaka mentioning monitoring. Apartment buildings and streets in Tokyo have security cameras. If I walked around late at night, dressed like this, and went straight to the 'Drop Item' location... it would be very suspicious.
System, are there any surveillance cameras on the way?
[Data on surveillance camera locations not available.]
Damn it. I told myself. I'll have to look out for them myself.
I opened the door gently, just enough to create a narrow gap to peek outside. The hallway was empty, dimly lit by the hallway lights. No one was there.
Stepped out. The door closed behind me.
Now... how to get to that 35 meters without anyone seeing me?
I followed the System's directional arrow. It went down the hallway, towards the stairwell.
Don't use the elevator. Noise, cameras in the elevator.
I tiptoed towards the stairwell. The stairwell door was closed. Opened it gently. A small creak echoed in the silence. I tried to turn the doorknob as slowly as possible.
Entered the stairwell. Darker than the hallway. Only a little light filtered down from the floors above.
The System's arrow pointed downstairs.
So it's not on this floor. Downstairs?
I started going down. Every step was taken as lightly as possible. My footsteps, Yuuka's footsteps, were much smaller than Hiroshi's heavy ones. But in the late-night quiet, they still sounded loud.
Quiet... Must be absolutely quiet.
I strained my ears, listening. The sound of the night wind outside, small animal noises, and the distant hum of the city that never sleeps. No other unusual sounds.
The System's arrow didn't change direction, only the distance was decreasing. 30 meters... 25 meters...
Down one floor... two floors...
The stairwell was empty and slightly cold.
Suddenly, from far away, I heard a police siren wailing. Then it died down. Maybe they were on patrol, or dealing with another 'Drop' incident somewhere else.
The thought of calling the police briefly crossed my mind again. Just an anonymous call reporting a discarded gun... But... no. If I called, there would be an investigation, and they would ask who reported it. My fake amnesia would be jeopardized. And... I still wanted to know what this item was, and if it could be useful to me. That selfish thought still lingered, mixed with the reason of "preventing crime."
20 meters... 15 meters... The System's arrow pointed towards the emergency exit door on this floor.
What?! Here?!
I stopped in front of the emergency exit door, holding my breath. The distance was only 10 meters.
The arrow pointed outside.
What was outside this emergency exit door? Another hallway? A small balcony? Or an exit to the building's backyard?
I reached out my hand to the doorknob. It was cold.
My hand trembled slightly. My heart pounded faster. Fear returned, stronger. Just 10 meters away. A G17 handgun. In the darkness.
Calm down... Just take it slow...
I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself.
This was my first step into this "Drop Item" world. Giving up the role of a passive observer, to become an active participant. Even if I was just a small girl trembling in the darkness.
I slowly turned the doorknob, ready to face whatever was waiting for me on the other side.
Distance: 8 meters.