A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 185

The first official offline event of the New Dimension has begun.

[There have been many events recently, starting with Albion, right?]

[Yes, that’s correct. Personally, I think the Crusade event was the most fun. I was curious about how this flow would unfold, and the outcome was… I clapped for it, personally.]

[Isn’t the underdog’s rebellion the most exciting part? In that regard, it was perfect.]

[Right? I’m sure many are looking forward to the upcoming World Quest, Tagirion.]

[I’m really looking forward to it too. I wonder how strong that Tabung will come back.]

Of course, even though it was an offline event, it wasn’t something that could only be enjoyed on-site.

There was a separate online broadcast showing what events were happening at the venue.

They said a famous MC and celebrity would be hosting… Hmm. As expected, I didn’t know who they were.

“Will Rene stay here the whole time?”

“Yes….”

Just looking at the broadcast screen, I could see the enormous crowd.

I was definitely not keen on getting swept up in that.

“Then I’ll wander around a bit and come back. If you need anything, please contact me via Miscode?”

“Okay….”

With that, Tuni headed to the event area, leaving me alone in the waiting room….

Squeak─.

“Hello?”

“…Ah, hello.”

That wasn’t it.

The one who opened the door to the waiting room was Edde, the person I had just greeted… who would be my PVP opponent today.

“I heard you’re my opponent today… I wanted to chat a bit. But earlier there were so many people, so it was hard to have any deep conversation, right?”

“Oh, yes….”

I just wanted to be alone.

“A lot of discussion has come up on my broadcast about who would win if I fought Rene. Questions like that.”

Isn’t it obvious that I’d lose?

They said you were ranked number one globally.

I’m just an A rank who has never even played in the ranked matches, let alone being S rank.

That’s why Rebongi tease me by calling me Ed tag all the time.

“I’m currently ranked number one globally… and Rene is a hidden powerhouse helping the Sirius Team? In that sense, I think it makes sense that people say that, especially since there are hardly any capable female players in New Dimension’s PVP.”

I helped the Sirius Team with AOS, not PVP.

“Even if that’s not the case, I’ve personally been curious. I watched the PVP video you did with Ga-eun oppa. I’ve never seen someone use Warhammer like that.”

“Th-thank you….”

Getting praise from the global number one.

I should be happy, but remembering that this person is my PVP opponent today only made me more nervous.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I feel like I talked a lot all by myself.”

No.

Please, continue talking by yourself.

“Is there anything you’re curious about me, Rene?”

Asking for a question to ask… What is this malicious…

Of course, it’s not that I have no curiosity at all, but would it be okay to ask this?

I feel like they might think it’s rude…

“You can ask me anything freely.”

“…W-well, then, what about your hair and eye color…?”

“Oh, this? It’s bridge dye and colored lenses. You said you’re natural, right?”

“Oh, yes….”

I felt a sense of solidarity, but it was disappointing.

“Hmmm… Anyway, I look forward to working with you today. Well, I don’t plan on losing to someone who’s afraid of meeting pros and gave up on ranked matches.”

…Huh?

Before I could even respond, Edde left the waiting room again.

Did I do something wrong to that person…?

★

Lying on the couch in the waiting room, it was already 6 PM.

“…Did you really stay in the waiting room the whole time?”

I nodded in response to Felt’s question.

Thanks to the official channel broadcasting this event separately, I was able to have such a fruitful time.

Before finishing today’s event, they said they would reveal various information including the World Quest, Tagirion, so I was curious about what stories there would be.

“Well, if you enjoyed it, then that’s what matters, right? Anyway, I’m going to explain the schedule from now on. First… since you came all the way here, are you thinking of going up on stage?”

“…What?”

What do you mean by stage?

“I mean we’re planning to do an interview before the PVP with Edde. So I’m asking if you want to do that interview on stage.”

“D-do I have to…?”

“Of course, it’s not something you have to do. But from my perspective, I’d really like you to…”

Felt had a hesitant atmosphere as they said that.

Though they said otherwise, they probably want me to get on stage.

…Okay.

Anyway, I’ve already revealed my face, and the fact that I’m participating in an event will eventually get out.

I can’t keep running away forever, right?

“I-I’m sorry….”

“Oh, no. Haha….”

So, I’ll use this event as a stepping stone, and if another opportunity arises, then I’ll definitely have to do the interview on stage.

After all, people grow.

“Then, you’ll move to the stadium at 6:30 PM, and an invite will go to Den’s ID. Once you receive that invite, you’ll move to the event field, where you’ll do the interview with me.”

“Okay….”

“And, um… are you okay with trash talk?”

Trash talk?

I think I’ve heard that before.

…Ah. Wasn’t it during the NAK broadcast?

They said it was when you intentionally said bad things to your opponent for psychological warfare.

“U-um….”

“Edde said she’s fine with it, and I was wondering about you…”

“Should I do it…?”

“Right. You might think it’s not good, but in general, it’s one of the best ways to uplift the atmosphere.”

Hmm.

I heard that was the intention, but it still weighs on my mind…

“And for this event, you have nothing to lose, right? Edde is ranked number one globally, so if she wants to win, she has to beat you; if she loses, it’s a loss for her. So since it’s come to this, how about going all out?”

“W-wouldn’t Edde feel bad…?”

“Come on, it’s trash talk; she’d understand it’s all in good fun.”

Is that so…?

If it were me, I think I would feel somewhat hurt.

…But since everyone seems to be okay with it.

“Then I’ll just do a little….”

“Understood! Please wait a moment!”

With that said, Felt went out, leaving me alone in the waiting room again.

And right now, the official broadcast was streaming the waiting time announcing the next event… my PVP against Edde.

Only ten minutes left.

Once this time passes, I’ll be facing the global number one in PVP…

…Since it’s come to this, I guess I should look up who Edde is.

With that thought, I took out my phone and searched for ‘Edde.’

★

Edde had been a fervent fan since Ga-eun’s kickboxing days.

Everything from learning kickboxing to starting in New Dimension was all influenced by Ga-eun.

Even starting a broadcast was all to create a connection with Ga-eun.

So for Edde, the existence of Rene was somewhat irksome.

“I took three years just to get in contact…!”

And it wasn’t for personal reasons, but as a ‘streamer’ that she managed to connect.

But now Ga-eun had approached her first, given her coaching help, and now she became an official partner streamer for the Sirius Team.

Of course, aside from not being a partner streamer, Edde also had many connections with Ga-eun.

After all, Ga-eun was the one she talked with the most regarding PVP.

But for Edde, that was a result of hard work.

“I didn’t even know who Ga-eun oppa was… No, how could one even not know Ga-eun oppa? Didn’t they say they opened New Dimension from the start?”

Of course, that didn’t mean Edde had any particular dislike for Rene.

If anything, she was leaning more towards liking her.

Both her outstanding looks and the nurturing personality that naturally arose made her quite fascinating as a capable female player.

Edde found herself thinking that she would like to get closer personally.

“Even so, this isn’t right…”

Her fandom for Ga-eun overcame those thoughts.

So she thought that through this event, she’d prove herself superior and after that, she’d get to know her personally.

“Now it’s time to ask Rene! Everyone knows Rene is an excellent player in PVP, but this time, you’re in the underdog position. The title of global number one is certainly not light. If there’s anything you’d like to say to Edde, who is a challenging opponent, what would it be?”

“Umm….”

But that thought was.

“…Lady?”

With that word from Rene, Edde’s thoughts instantly crumbled.