Of course, the combat power of a priestess is lower than that of an assassin.
While there isn’t a significant difference in raw strength, in terms of mobility and attack speed, the comparison is almost embarrassing.
Her skill setup revolves mainly around shields and buffs, which don’t help much in close combat.
However, it’s not as if engaging in battle is completely impossible.
As always, Invul is a game where skill can overcome limitations.
Insufficient mobility can be compensated with a shield.
All I need to do is fully prepare my defensive stance while the assassin breaks the shield. If I can read their moves well enough, I might even be able to advance further.
My staff hit Hecate’s ribcage.
I initially hesitated, wondering if she’d feel mocked, but upon seeing her face, I felt like she was okay with it. It wasn’t a look of defeat; rather, I could tell her stubbornness was reaching new heights.
“Huh?”
“Hey, if you, an assassin, lose to a priestess, it’ll be horribly embarrassing. Since we’re friends, should I cut you some slack?”
“I haven’t lost yet.”
“You haven’t? But it doesn’t look like it from my perspective. If I lose today, I’ll be your slave for a week.”
“You’d better keep your promise!”
This is more fun than I expected.
Since the weapon didn’t have a blade, the sensation of hitting was quite different. With the shock directly transmitted to my hands, it felt satisfying. Plus, each time I swung it, the chain made a jingling sound, making it feel like I was earning bonus points, which was quite satisfying.
Not to mention, Hecate wasn’t a complete novice at assassination.
It seemed that her amateur background was true; with practice, she could likely improve enough to use her assassin skills professionally. She might even have a chance to reach lower-tier competitive levels.
In other words, that’s her current level.
She’s too easy to read. The battle power gap is too wide, and to be honest, a staff doesn’t really bow to a dagger. It has a longer range and gives off better force.
During an intense bout of attack and defense,
I aimed at Hecate and consumed some magic power.
[‘Ritual: Grace of the Divine Dragon’]
[Heal’s target and increases physical defense for 12 seconds…]
“What, what is this? Did you just heal me?”
“Yeah. Your pride seemed to be hurting a lot.”
“Ah…!”
“Apparently, emotional wounds are hard to heal.”
Moreover, the priestess outfit and the staff resembling a ceremonial baton were quite noticeable. Even just twirling it around effortlessly in front of Hecate provided some substantial stimulation. Sure, I got hit a few times while teasing her, but as a supporter, I could always replenish my health.
In a few more exchanges, Hecate’s arm broke. I healed it with a recovery spell, then struck her thigh. Avoiding any further stabs, I landed a slap on her buttocks.
If the distance widens again, it becomes a stalemate once more. I waited for the right moment to engage while twirling my staff.
“Why… how can you be so good with even that kind of weapon? Aren’t you an assassin?”
“I guess you didn’t know that I’m good with every weapon. Daggers are just particularly well-suited to my skills.”
It’s funny to bring this up, but I really enjoy this game called Invul. In reality, I’m a person with a lame leg, but this is my paradise where I can move freely.
And not only that, during practice mode, I can freely try out all kinds of weapons and skills.
Of course, I have experimented with them until I tired of them. I found the chained scythe during one of those sessions, and I became adept at handling traps like shadows as well.
Spears, staves, bows, and firearms are the same. I chose the assassin class because it’s suitable for PVP. Though I haven’t mastered every weapon to perfection, I can use them well enough to be satisfied.
The only weapon I can’t handle now is a sword. Specifically, I can’t use the size of sword I used to wield best.
“So, what would you like to do? We can keep fighting; I still have plenty of magic power left.”
After practicing a bit, I’ve gotten significantly better at twirling the staff.
I twirled it deftly with one hand, then skillfully transferred it to the other. Afterward, I returned it to the starting hand, making it whirl faster and faster with a “whoosh whoosh”.
It looks quite flashy even just from the surface. I should record a video and upload it sometime. Maybe people will like it.
I looked at Hecate expectantly, and I noticed she had her head bowed deeply.
“Okay… it’s too humiliating. I’m done.”
“Alright, let’s do better next time.”
“Seriously, you’re so annoying. Can I at least hit you once?”
“You should’ve won if you wanted to do that.”
“Hmph.”
After a bit of practice with Hecate, she eventually accepted her clean defeat. I had been quite looking forward to another match with Outro, but he refused and ran away. That’s how things go sometimes; there will be a better opportunity later.
Still, I don’t intend to keep pushing forever. Sometimes it’s better to give a break to improve efficiency. My decision to comply with Hecate’s requests reflects this.
My holidays typically don’t have much going on. Precisely speaking, I don’t have any plans outside of the game.
Most of Sigma’s team is already aware of this fact. Naturally, Hecate, who shares my floor, knows well enough, so when she suggested a shopping trip, I couldn’t bring myself to reject it. In hindsight, I probably should’ve made some excuse and run away.
“Are there still things left to buy?”
“Of course! How often do we get to go shopping? I’m going to get everything I want this time.”
“Seriously? Are you going to search the entire mall?”
“You don’t understand. Good finds always come from unexpected places.”
Up until now, I haven’t really empathized much with the idea of women finding shopping annoying.
It’s not like I’ve done it many times, but the people I’ve shopped with have been Luche and Elderlyn. Both disliked aimlessly spending time. They bought only what they needed or skipped deliberation and made swift purchases.
However, Hecate is different.
She’s of the type who won’t open her wallet unless something truly appeals to her. She’s the kind of girl who’s willing to walk around the mall infinitely until she finds what she wants.
At least there’s one thing to be thankful for: she didn’t drag me around everywhere. She was considerate enough to check out resting spots for me, given my leg condition. Time passed, and Hecate returned, her face beaming with excitement and bearing shopping bags.
“Da-eun, Da-eun, do you want to take a look at this?”
“What is it?”
“A hairpin. I think it would suit you perfectly.”
A white hand revealed a hair accessory with a bow attached. The clean black ribbon looked quite sophisticated. Hecate, or Seo Ye-won, turned behind me and gently began stroking my hair.
“Are you giving it to me as a gift?”
“Of course. Haven’t I been picking things out for you as well?”
“Oh, no. I’ll pay for it. It feels kind of embarrassing.”
“No, it’s fine. I kept you waiting longer than I thought. Since we’re friends hanging out, I think I may have gone overboard.”
Her returning words threw me off temporarily.
Friend. I haven’t heard this simple word in so long that it left a deep impression on me. After someone’s death, I haven’t had anyone I could call a friend.
Luche is my idol.
Someone I admire and want to emulate. Like Iga-yun, I want to overcome my disability and have also received significant real-world help from her. Thus, while she could be a great colleague, it was difficult to call her a true friend.
Elderlyn and Sansa are like sisters to me.
People who helped me grow mentally. While we are close and I’m grateful, I’m not sure if “friend” fits. It’s kind of hard to say.
Soobin… well, we’ve grown distant over some time.
It feels like he finds my presence somewhat burdensome. When I tried to approach him as one would with a peer, it backfired. He’s the one who made me truly realize I’ve become a woman.
My mind wandered too long. Seo Ye-won was waving her hand in front of me.
“Hey, did I do something wrong?”
“Not really… it’s just… hearing the word ‘friend’ after so long surprised me.”
“You didn’t have friends?”
“…”
It was hard to nod. The return I got after enduring hardship was an unexpectedly shocking tease.
“Da-eun, you were useless in real life, weren’t you?”
“That’s… not something nice to say.”
“Da-eun the Loser.”
“No, it’s not like that.”
Seo Ye-won burst into laughter.
I was teased repeatedly.
Comments about how I didn’t look as cool as expected and that it was finally satisfying to give me a piece of my own medicine followed. In the end, she placed the headband on me with her white hand.
With my hair tied to the side, the ribbon became visible whenever I glanced down. Ye-won smiled happily and asked,
“Now that you’ve received a gift, what should you say?”
“… Thank you.”
“Good, now let’s go eat.”
—
[Streamer ‘Sigma Ga-wol’s Lounge]
[Author: Sigma Ga-wol]
[Title: I’ve acquired a new talent.]
(Attached video: Ga-wol twirling the staff beautifully)
While practicing with Hecate today, I managed to fit this into the gaps.
Doesn’t it look like I’m doing a good job with the twirls?
With a bit more practice, I might be able to twirl two at once, but the staff is a bit too large for that.
I’ll show this in a broadcast someday.
I’d like to practice this in real life, too. Any good tools for it?
[Comments]
– Seriously, no clue what kind of practice you’re talking about.
– Oh, priestess outfit.
– It’s hilariously good, lol.
– Sigma Hecate: Seriously, stop these crazy antics.
└ What exactly did you do?
└ Show me what you showed her.
└ Release! Release!
– Serious trouble keeping up with your train of thought.
…
*
—
In the end, Hecate surrendered gracefully to her defeat.
I had quite the expectations for a match with Outro, but he declined firmly and fled. There’s nothing much that can be done; there’ll be a better occasion in the future.
Still, I don’t intend to keep pushing forever. Sometimes giving breaks helps boost efficiency. That meant I decided to comply with Hecate’s requests.
I usually don’t have special activities on holidays. To be precise, I don’t have any plans outside of gaming.
Most of Sigma’s team members know this fact. Of course, Hecate, who shares the same floor as me, also knows well enough, so when she suggested visiting a shopping mall, I couldn’t refuse. In hindsight, I should’ve found an excuse and escaped.
“Is there still anything left to buy?”
“Of course! How often do we get to go shopping? I’m going to buy every item I want to this time.”
“Seriously? Are you going to search the entire mall?”
“You don’t understand. Good items are always found in unexpected places.”
Until now, I haven’t really empathized with the idea of women finding shopping annoying.
It’s not like I’ve done it many times, but the people I’ve shopped with have been Luche and Elderlyn. Both disliked aimlessly spending time. They bought only what they needed and skipped the deliberation process to quickly make purchases.
But Hecate is different.
She’s of the type who won’t open her wallet unless something truly appeals to her. She’s the kind of person who’s willing to walk around the mall infinitely until she finds what satisfies her.
At least there’s one fortunate thing: she didn’t drag me around everywhere. She was considerate enough to check out resting spots for me, given my leg condition. Some time passed, and Hecate returned, her face beaming with excitement as she held shopping bags.
“Da-eun, Da-eun, do you want to take a look at this?”
“What is it?”
“A hairpin. I think it would suit you perfectly.”
A white hand revealed a hair accessory with a bow attached. The pristine black ribbon looked quite sophisticated. Hecate, or Seo Ye-won, turned behind me and gently started stroking my hair.
“Are you giving it to me as a gift?”
“Yeah? Of course. Haven’t I been picking things out for you as well?”
“Ah, no. I’ll pay for it. It feels kind of awkward.”
“No, it’s fine. I kept you waiting longer than expected. Since we’re friends hanging out, I feel like I might’ve gone a bit overboard.”
Her returning words threw me for a loop.
Friend. I haven’t heard this simple word in so long that it left a lasting impression on me. After someone’s death, I haven’t had anyone I’d dare call a friend.
Luche is my idol.
Someone I admire and want to emulate. Like Iga-yun, I want to overcome my disability and have also received a lot of real-world help from her. Thus, while she could be a great colleague, calling her a friend feels difficult.
Elderlyn and Sansa are like sisters to me.
People who helped me grow mentally. We’re close and I’m grateful, but I’m not sure if they’d fit the category of a friend. It’s hard to say.
Soobin… well, at some point, our relationship grew distant.
It feels like he finds my presence somewhat burdensome. When I tried to approach him as one would a peer, it backfired. He’s the one who made me truly realize I’ve become a woman.
My mind wandered for too long. Seo Ye-won was waving her hand in front of me.
“Hey, did I do something wrong?”
“Not really… it’s just… hearing the word ‘friend’ after so long caught me by surprise.”
“You didn’t have friends?”
“…”
It was hard to nod. The follow-up was unexpectedly teasing.
“Da-eun, you were useless in real life, weren’t you?”
“That’s… not something nice to say.”
“Da-eun the Loser.”
“No, it’s not like that.”
Seo Ye-won burst into laughter.
I was teased repeatedly.
Comments about how I didn’t look cool and how this was finally satisfying to hit me with my own medicine followed. In the end, she tucked the headband into my hair with her white hand.
With my hair tied to the side, the ribbon would peek into view whenever I glanced downward. Ye-won grinned and asked,
“Now that you’ve received a gift, what should you say?”
“… Thank you.”
“Alright. Now let’s go eat.”
