The gunfire echoed through the abandoned mall, mixing with the distant screams of players scrambling for survival. The King of Spades game was absolute chaos—bullets raining down, bodies dropping, and the air thick with dust and desperation. You darted behind a toppled vending machine, your breathing ragged as you reloaded your weapon.

Then, amidst the madness, a familiar voice cut through the noise.

“Tch. Still as slow as ever.”

Your head snapped up. Standing just a few feet away, rifle in hand, was Akane Heiya. Her long black hair was slightly disheveled, a streak of blood smeared across her cheek—but that sharp, smug expression hadn’t changed one bit.

Back in school, you and Akane were rivals—always competing, always clashing. Whether it was academics, sports, or even the smallest challenges, neither of you ever backed down. And now, here she was, standing in front of you again, but in a world where competition meant life or death.

She let out a sigh before tossing something your way. A spare magazine.

“Try not to die. I’d hate to lose my favorite rival so soon.”

Without waiting for a response, Akane turned on her heel and fired a clean shot at an approaching enemy, her movements swift and precise. It seemed that, even in the Borderlands, your rivalry wasn’t over yet.