A Basement-Dwelling Loser, the Inquisitor – Chapter 187

“When we mention Edde as a player, she’s famous for saying ‘Professionals don’t do boring things,’ right?”

“Right.”

I nodded at Tuni’s comment and turned my gaze to Ga-eun.

“As the pinnacle of New Dimension pro gamers, what do you think about that statement?”

In response to Yong-ha’s question, Ga-eun quietly stroked her chin.

“I do know what Edde meant by that statement.”

“Oh, really? Then could you share that intent with us?”

“Yes. I actually discussed it with Edde.”

At Ga-eun’s words, the audience fell into silence.

Hearing about the world of pro gamers directly from the current peak of New Dimension piqued even the interest of players who weren’t into PVP or AOS.

“Edde’s statement is that pro gamers are inferior to her. So it feels boring. There’s some distance from the exact meaning. Of course, it’s true that she has that level of confidence.”

“Then what does it mean?”

“You might think it’s bragging on my part… Simply put, it means ‘No matter who challenges me as a pro, including myself, Ga-eun is going to win anyway, so what’s the point?’”

At Ga-eun’s calm words, Tuni and Yong-ha burst into chuckles.

How could the intention to praise Ga-eun transform into that?

And Ga-eun already knew the answer to that question.

Now that she had started streaming and had improved significantly over time, Edde had always possessed relatively low communication skills.

That statement also stemmed from her low communication ability.

“Then what do you think about Edde’s respect, Ga-eun?”

“I think it’s nice and also natural.”

“Does that mean you acknowledge that Ga-eun wins?!”

“Yes. I acknowledge it. It’s something that naturally must be acknowledged. Isn’t that what being a pro gamer is all about? No matter who the opponent is, I’ll win. That level of confidence is the basic requirement.”

“Thank you for your wonderful words.”

With Yong-ha’s statement, Ga-eun nodded, concluding the conversation about Edde, and the trio moved on to discussing Rene.

“In the case of Rene, she was already famous in the community before debuting as a streamer, right?”

“Exactly. Her nickname is Inquisition Officer, but her profession is a Traveler! And she made a name for herself by PKing the members of the Elun Cult… um, she was quite notorious!”

“I got killed a ton by her. I think it was over 30 times….”

Tuni’s sigh elicited laughter from the audience.

Of course, that memory could be a nightmare for Tuni, but the suffering of a streamer is often the joy of the viewers. Tuni also knew this well, giving a wry smile.

“After creating such a notorious reputation, she suddenly debuted as a streamer! Afterward, it’s said that she proved her skills through various incidents.”

“Yes. The two decisive incidents were the Albion Hunt and the PVP against Ga-eun.”

“I did win 3-0, but I definitely felt it then. This person is really different…”

Ga-eun still couldn’t forget the shock she felt that day. There was no way she could.

Of course, there had been quite a few players who had beaten Ga-eun in PVP, but no one had been able to break the unique rhythm she displayed until now.

In other words, it meant that Rene was the only opponent capable of exploiting Ga-eun’s weaknesses.

“I see. Then today! In the PVP between Edde and Rene, who do you think will win, Ga-eun?”

“Hmm… Since I’ve received a lot of help from both of them and know their play styles to some extent… it’s hard to say with certainty.”

“Does that mean Rene can beat Edde? The opponent is the global number one?”

“Yes. Considering Rene’s winning percentage, I think it starts at least at 40%.”

At Ga-eun’s words, the atmosphere in the audience turned chilly.

No matter how undeniable Rene’s skills had become, her opponent was still the global rank one.

Every PVP player in the world recognized Edde as the queen of PVP.

There was a rumor that if Edde debuted as a pro gamer, all the rankings of pro gamers would drop by one level, except for Ga-eun.

Yet, against Edde, Ga-eun confidently claimed that Rene’s winning percentage was at least 40%.

“Wow… Ga-eun has flipped everyone’s expectations with that evaluation. Ah, it seems the match is about to start.”

[Then today’s main event of Break The World! Edde and Rene! Let’s begin the PVP between Rene and Edde!!!]

As Yong-ha’s words rang out, Felt’s voice echoed through the arena.

〔Are You Ready?〕

Familiar to PVP players, the sound of the Great Bell Tower resonated through the venue.

〔Fight!〕

[Rene, I heard you like acceleration skills.]

[…Yes.]

[I like acceleration skills too.]

Then, the first to move was Edde.

A soaring blue aura—it was the very skill deemed the worst in New Dimension.

Acceleration.

“Oh, Edde is using the acceleration skill right from the start!”

Simultaneously, Edde began to dash forward.

Then a blue aura leapt from Rene’s body as well.

“I know that acceleration skills are often said to be really hard to use.”

“Right. In New Dimension, where players are affected by the weight of their gear, gaining speed is a huge advantage. However, the big downside is that the player using the acceleration skill can’t keep up with that speed.”

However, Ga-eun continued.

“But Edde and Rene are different. If we had to name the ones who completely mastered the acceleration skill in New Dimension, it would be those two.”

Boom!

A sharp sound that made my ears ring erupted.

What appeared on screen was a warhammer buried in the ground, pinned down by a spear.

“Edde deflected Rene’s attack. Then this means…”

Before Ga-eun could finish her words, Edde’s spear began to shine red.

In an instant, it twisted direction and pierced Rene’s chest.

“Oh no! Rene allowed Edde’s preemptive attack with her ‘Gae Bolg’ skill!”

“That’s the terrifying aspect of Edde. She uses her skills at perfect timing, precisely where needed.”

“She has a style that relies solely on her movements, unlike Rene.”

“Indeed. If it were a standard match, such situations would be repeated, but now it’s interesting to see how Rene will untangle this!”

★

The elongated spear pressed down on my warhammer.

Because the spear perfectly pinned the neck between my warhammer and its handle, even moving slightly was becoming difficult.

“…Hmph.”

Along with Edde’s snort, her spear glowed red.

“Ah…”

In an instant, Edde’s spear twisted upwards.

It executed movements impossible in reality, piercing me like the fangs of a sharp venomous snake.

A soft sound echoed in my chest, and an unpleasant sensation surged through.

And instantaneously, my HP dropped.

Using the disappearing weight pressing on my warhammer, I quickly retreated, but the mark of the curse was already perfectly etched on my chest.

〔Curse: Bleeding〕

〔You take damage equal to 1.5% of your current health every second.〕
〔If hit in the same area again, you take double damage.〕

“This Gae Bolg skill is my favorite.”

Edde, having perfectly succeeded in her preemptive strike, spoke to me once more.

“…Why?”

“Because it feels like a skill that would only exist in a game.”

“It is a game…”

“That’s true.”

Edde shrugged, overflowing with confidence.

Is that really the global rank one?

Well, sure.

Taking 1.5% damage from current HP every second can be summarized as a debuff that is the worst in PVP.

However, I must not panic.

Overreacting will only lead to me being on the receiving end.

I must ignore the diminishing HP and focus on what I can do best.

Speed is obviously her advantage.

Range is also her advantage.

However, I have the advantage in attack power.

But how do I create an opening?

Especially since the field is unfortunately the widely open Coliseum.
Using the terrain is practically impossible.

Then what…?

“What are you thinking so hard about?”

Edde, as if not wanting to give me time, rushed back in at me again.

I’m definitely not at the level of not being able to react.

The movement restrictions caused by my warhammer merely allowed her to close in.

“Let’s hear that thing you said during the interview again?!”

“…Aunt?”

“Seriously…!”

Suddenly, Edde’s movements intensified.

Why is she acting like that?
I did what she asked for….

That made me panic slightly and disrupt my posture, and in that opening, Edde was not an easy opponent.

“Ugh!”

With her shoulders pushed back, her stance was the flower of a Spear Master, a thrust.

Swish!

Her thrust shot towards me, threatening to tear everything in its path with a speed that outstripped even the instant moment.

Naturally, she was aiming for the same spot where I had been pierced earlier.

“Phew…”

While thrusts boast extreme speed, they are easy to parry if you can read the posture.
But in the current situation, with my posture disrupted, parrying is impossible.

…That’s what she must be thinking.

With my right leg anchoring my balance, I drew my left leg far back.
I forcibly corrected my disheveled posture, feeling a nasty sensation in my shoulder due to the strength I used to stabilize my upper body.

Then, with the characteristic stutter of the acceleration skill and the prickling sensation I felt, I took the stopping position and swung my warhammer towards the point where the thrust was aimed.

Boom!

Following the loud sound, Edde was sent flying backwards, kicking up a cloud of sand dust.

Even if most aspects favored the spear over the warhammer, the warhammer’s destructive power was overwhelmingly dominant.

It would be no surprise to see her fly that far, having taken the blow head-on.

“Wow… how do you do that? I’ve tried to do it alone a few times but never succeeded. It’s totally cheating.”

Edde emerged from the sand dust, expressing her dissatisfaction.

“Should I teach you later…?”

It’s not easy, but with her level of skill, she should be able to learn it.

“…For now, let me win first.”

With that statement, Edde rushed at me once again.

Both of our remaining HP stood at around 70%.

…I began to feel that this match was going to be quite enjoyable from the very first round.