Even though the sync rate had dropped, the wind within the game still felt invigorating.
Circling nearby, I offered light greetings to some streamers while bestowing others with death.
The hit list I possessed remained fully active.
[‘Silver Moon’s Blessing’ effect activated.]
[For up to 10 seconds, able to meld into shadows within 10m of a player…]
Truth be told, my situation did improve significantly after contracting with Sigma.
Like pouring water into a bottomless pot, my funds were continuously drained due to the enormous medical costs for my leg.
However, with financial support from Sigma, my monetary issues eased significantly.
In the end, the money had been going to Sigma anyway.
Regardless, I was now in a situation where the money I earned could be utilized for my own needs.
I no longer needed to subsist merely on instant noodles and supplements.
Naturally, there was no longer a need to maintain field player-killing activities while under contract with the siege guild.
But… perhaps it was a matter of habit.
The killing of streamers has always been akin to a hobby for me.
Why should I stop doing something I am good at and enjoy?
“Hello?”
“Not really… why do I keep…”
I’d decided to kill, and the opponent was one I could take down.
It was the fault of anyone who dared to place their name on my notepad!
I couldn’t find any reason to spare them.
I managed to flank and split open their side.
The opponent was a skilled streamer in their own right, with impressive reflexes.
As our daggers clashed, the metallic sound rang out.
Aiming with a fake attack to the right, I observed the opposite side.
I struck the hand reaching for a throwing weapon.
I quickly retrieved my blade, tearing apart the hand it was planted in.
Because one attack was blocked, the next move was obvious.
This time, wouldn’t the backup dagger at their waist come out?
My hand moved quicker and I pre-emptively seized it.
Despite the success… stealing is wrong.
This is still a game, despite its realistic appearance.
Ownership isn’t transferred just because I briefly took something.
I should return it, right?
I’m not someone with bad habits.
While the man hesitated, his hand lingering near the now-empty dagger sheath—I threw the blade at his forehead for it to be clearly visible.
“Here, it’s yours.”
[Adventurer KimchiNinja forcibly eliminated.]
[Acquired 1,082,625 Gold from opponent’s funds.]
[Outlaw Elimination! Acquired Bounty worth 12,200,000 Gold.]
I never expected this to hit.
Maybe my standards have become too high.
Seeing the opponent fall more weakly than expected made me smile faintly.
Having been away for a bit did make me feel a little worried.
However, while I hadn’t been engaging in the main game, I had still been practicing PVP constantly.
My sense on the field seemed far from dulled.
If anything, I felt like I’d improved slightly compared to the past.
With the sync rate lowered, enduring pain had become easier, and recently, I had been continuously honing my skills with professional gamers.
Their movements were now visible with much greater clarity.
Because of this, I was in such high spirits… I circled the platform, extinguishing the seeds of live streams.
Having finished my rounds with KimchiNinja, I felt a mild thirst.
I wanted to see more blood.
Something suddenly caught my eye.
“Perhaps this is a pretty good time, no?”
On an impulse, my hand pressed a button.
[Would you like to begin Rank Game matchmaking? Y/N]
[Random matchmaking has begun.]
[Searching for opponent… Estimated wait time: 03:30]
In a ranked game, tier is a matter of pride.
Much like how debates among gamers often boil down to “So what’s your tier?”, it’s akin to a gamer’s identity.
Especially the highest tiers, which only a very small group can reach in any game, are naturally objects of envy.
But winning in ranked games doesn’t directly put money in my pocket.
Evaluations among gamers remain purely in the realm of honor.
To me, an honor without substance was far less important than a penny.
Not that I didn’t participate in ranked games at all.
Since starting the game, I’ve never fallen from the highest tier, Infinity.
The reason being the season-end rewards.
The game developers put up enticing rewards to encourage participation in ranked games, and I focused solely on those rewards.
In other words, I was proficient at “parking” – maintaining the tier’s reputation without much effort.
But for those who have tried playing in the top ranks, there’s one thing they all feel.
[Author: RealGameNot]
[Title: The top-tier players in Infinity really seem like another league]
There’s a clear difference between those on the first page of rankings and those who barely hold onto the tier.
There might only be a few hundred within this group, but even among them, the skill gaps are immense.
Even now, I find myself paired with them sometimes, and they feel like an invisible wall.
They play the same characters as I do, but theirs always seem faster and stronger.
Being in the same tier doesn’t mean being of the same level.
The gap between the top spots and the bottom of the upper tier might be bigger than the difference between Diamond and Bronze, though people often overlook that.
Considering the lower point gains, the actual gap might be even greater.
I accept my limits here. Climbing this high was already an achievement.
[Comments]
– Really realized why pros are called pros.
– It’s hard just keeping up with the tempo.
[Matchmaking completed.]
[Would you like to accept the match? Y/N]
[… Moving to the battlefield in 20 seconds.]
A tier that ordinary players consider heavenly.
But above that heaven, there’s another heaven.
Until now, I hadn’t thought about climbing higher due to time constraints… though now, what I’ve in excess is time.
“After all, participation in the upcoming international tournament has been confirmed impossible.”
With the temporary connection allowance period being 50 days.
I won’t be able to join the pro scene for at least 50 days, even if everything goes smoothly.
By the time that’s over, the international tournament of Spring will likely be nearing its end.
Depending on the schedule, it could already be finished.
Anyway, I wouldn’t have been able to be included in the roster submission phase.
If I raise my ranking while I have the time… wouldn’t it be a nice sign for my debut?
While at it…
Placing my name once at the top wouldn’t be bad.
[Rank Match – Diamond II]
[Battlefield: The Place Where the Storm Sleeps]
[Rules: 6-Man Elimination]
The user with the nickname ‘Throwing the Chain Scythe’ was rather standard in nature.
Primary class: Assassin. Secondary class: Paladin.
As soon as the match began, an anonymous team member chose the assassin class, prompting an audible sigh from him.
This didn’t feel good already.
Even though he also primarily used the assassin class, they were poorly treated in ranked games.
The high peaks are only a feature at the professional level.
In general gaming circles, the assassin class was simply a nuisance, having low health and attack power.
His personal belief was that he should not trust any other assassin aside from himself.
But in ranked games, the weaker often have the drive to win.
His mouth let out a softer tone than he truly felt.
“Uh, Assassin. Our roles overlap. Could you possibly let me take this? Two assassins in an elimination battle just doesn’t feel right.”
There was no answer.
At this point, the realization hit him.
This opponent intended to not communicate at all.
Hiding their nickname and avatar before the game began meant they must have something to hide.
Already, his head started to ache.
Though he wanted to give up the game right then— he couldn’t.
To him, obsessed with points, victory was the most desperate need.
However, once the game began, he could only frown.
“Chain Scythe? When did that fad end?”
An overwhelming flood of chain scythe assassins once turned ranked games into a nightmare.
His nickname, ‘Throwing the Chain Scythe’, itself was from not enduring that period.
But he lacked the backbone to truly quit the game, so he quietly gripped his shield.
The assassin holding the chain scythe was nowhere to be seen.
The avatar looked like a imitation of Gawol.
This class was the most troublesome.
Alright. Perhaps it’s for the best.
Let’s count this game as having one less teammate.
Attempting to suppress his bubbling emotions, he scoped out the battlefield.
“Since our numbers are down by one, let’s take a defensive stance. Have the hunters lay some traps…”
Our team isn’t suited for a first-strike strategy.
Leading with a hunter to build a fortress-like defense would be better.
It doesn’t really matter what our assassin does…
[‘Anonymous Adventurer A’ has eliminated ‘PeroperokerPeroferos’.]
“Ah, still managed to get one. How’d they do it with that chain scythe?”
Alright, if things work out, that’s good.
A smile began to form on the Paladin’s lips.
But his joy turned to confusion soon.
[‘Anonymous Adventurer A’ has eliminated ‘CocPhungCocPhungQuickly’.]
[‘Anonymous Adventurer A’ has eliminated ‘MentalIllnessHongRace’.]
“?”
In an elimination match of 6 players, the kill logs were suspiciously piling up.
The main force, which had been preparing defense, quickly rushed towards the enemy line.
After hastily finishing off the two who were running away, the game ended surprisingly anticlimactically.
[‘Anonymous Adventurer A’ has eliminated ‘WantingToEatCroquette’.]
[Victory Achieved.]
[MVP: Gawol (Anonymous Adventurer A)]
[Would you like to change your nickname to “ChainsickleOnlyBelongsToGawol”? Y/N]
[Nickname Changed Successfully.]
