[Title: I Fought Well Enough]
[‘Soobin’ is currently streaming.]
– Got a lot of rewards just before the final.
– Yeah, definitely got more than I would have from just hunting.
– Actually, I should have been eliminated in the first preliminary round, but enduring this long means I did well, right? But I guess I can’t say that, can I?
– So, what now?
– If I meet Silph and lose, it would be an honorable death. Haha.
Streamer Soobin.
The bulky warrior lay sprawled in the middle of the field.
The azure sky stretched above, dotted with clouds. Harsh system messages also floated by.
[Infinity Arena Second Preliminary – 4th Phase]
[Regrettably, your journey has come to an end. Next time, there will be better results.]
[Receive Participation Rewards]
This was quite a commendable outcome.
Most of those who made it to the last phase were notorious monsters whose names were recognizable even when heard casually.
Soobin, who was an ordinary streamer, had long been feeling his limits.
When he started encountering overseas gamers, the situation became even more severe.
The fascinating metas from all over the world and all sorts of monstrous players thrashed him happily.
So, it wasn’t surprising that he had been eliminated.
“And… guys. This time, I really hit a wall. What should I do?”
– When did you get this good?
– Hey, Kim, stop talking nonsense and grab a raid leader.
– What are you going to do now? You’ve been asked three times.
“It’s not about when. I thought I had respectable skills, at least good enough for my level. Yes, Silph is skilled, they’re amazing. I recognize that.”
Just his pride was broken.
He wasn’t overestimating his skills.
Names that were easily recognizable simply by hearing them.
Watching their play made him doubt if they were even human. In front of such experts, Soobin felt utterly small.
But he was still a top-tier streamer.
He was confident that, in Korea, whenever someone mentioned a great-sword warrior, his name would immediately come to mind.
That was until he got thrashed by overseas gamers.
“Was I just a frog in a well? Am I actually just a mere speck of dust? What do I need to do to get better here? I’m feeling too much self-doubt, guys.”
– Have you ever won against someone whose name you’ve heard?
– He thinks he’s world-class.
– What will you do now? You’ve been asked five times.
– If you keep asking, what are you going to do about it?
– Oh? Then, starting now, I’ll show you what I can do.
“Stop! Don’t show! Um… Sorry. Yeah, I’ve been pretty ridiculous. Let’s figure out what I should do from now on.”
Soobin wiped away the system messages.
Even so, with the solid rewards he had acquired, his spirits seemed to have lifted a bit.
He suddenly sat up from where he’d been lying down, but nothing particularly came to mind.
He originally intended to decide slowly based on the chat window’s atmosphere.
Just then, a message popped up.
– Elderlyn: Hello, Soobin.
– Elderlyn: Is it okay if we talk briefly?
– Elderlyn: Even if you’re streaming, it’s no problem for me. Please let me know when you’re available!
“Hang on. I’ve just received a message from Elderlyn. She’s asking if we can talk. Is this right?”
– Look at the tone! Haha.
– This guy just likes drama.
– Your cheek muscles look ready to burst.
– Soobin would beat anyone to a pulp, he was so funny.
– We miss Gwal too.
[Calling Elderlyn…]
《Hello? Can you hear me?》
“Yes, I can hear you fine. I’m streaming now. What’s the matter?”
《I heard that you didn’t make it through this arena.》
– Haha.
– Yeah.
– What?
– Hahaha.
– ??
Soobin lost his words for a moment.
The great-sword warrior froze like a malfunctioning robot, then pressed his aching eyebrows tightly.
Had he been prone to making comments, he would have fired one off, but as he thought Elderlyn wasn’t the type to mock him, he kept quiet.
She wasn’t contacting him with the intention of mocking.
It wasn’t because she was a woman.
Possibly, it was for a different reason.
“Yeah… I didn’t make it. Yes.”
《So, is there any plan for streaming soon? Or are you busy?》
“No, not particularly. I was considering whether to join a raid.”
《Great! Would you do an arena commentary with me?》
“Commentary? Hmm… if you’re fine with me, I guess so. Whose commentary is it? Honestly, I’m not at the level of doing pro gamers’ commentary…”
《Gawol.》
– ??
– Gawol?
– PTSD ON.
– Gawol is streaming?
– Is she doing interviews too?
“Eh… Do you mean Gawol, the one I know? The assassin who PKs people in the field?”
《Yes, that Gawol.》
“Me?”
《Yes. You and I.》
“How about that?”
《…?》
“Why… Is someone threatening me right now? Is Gawol hiding nearby?”
No, she has no reason to hide from me.
Soobin’s head became confused.
[Author: Feroperro]
[Title: Summary of Arena Survivors from the Latest Update.]
[Views: 311(216)]
(Attached File)
While looking through the survivors’ names in the DB,
I’ve picked out some noteworthy ones.
The criteria for selection include nicknames I recognize, Koreans, pro gamers, and streamers.
I might not know some, but that’s unavoidable.
Complain and do it yourself if you’re unhappy.
Interestingly, many domestic pro gamers have made it further than expected.
Even names like Rifle and Camellia from the second-tier teams have popped up.
Is this Luche’s influence?
It’s exciting that Gawol is also participating in the tournament for the first time.
And if you look at Cerberus’ record, it’s nothing but admiration.
[Author: Kimchi Ninja]
[Title: Gawol is going to do arena commentary?]
Oh,
Tension.
I feel like I’m going insane.
Still, I’ve always wanted to see how this assassin operates…
Every day, all I get is thrashed, so I should learn at least something.
[Comments]
– Are you still getting killed by Gawol these days?
└ Yeah, it’s kind of fun now.
└ Actually, I get startled when I see someone in black in real life. Haha.
└ Hahahahaha.
– Mr. Kimchi, the martyr…
– The videos are awesome.
└ ?
[Author: Mocha Gold Coffee Mix]
[Title: Is this Gawol’s first broadcast?]
[Author: Huang B Yu European League]
[Title: Holy crap, Cerberus is on fire, lol.
[Author: Dongtan Mi Sicham Education]
[Title: Elderlyn has started the broadcast – everyone, take your seats.
[Author: ㅇㅇ(375.208)]
[Title: Gawol’s first round opponent is hilarious, lol.
*
The appointed time came.
Why am I so nervous?
While checking my equipment throughout, my heart was giving me trouble.
[Elderlyn’s Whisper]
– Preparing for the broadcast!
– As announced, I will turn on the broadcast exactly at the 20-minute mark. Soobin and I are on the voice channel 🙂
– Will Gawol really not join?
– Many people want to hear Gawol’s voice.
– Go for it!
[Soobin’s Whisper]
– Since we’ve received this commentary job, stop killing me already, okay?
– I took a big leap this time.
– Immediately after the announcement of our commentary, hundreds of emails arrived.
– Field adventures have become scary for me.
– Still… Since we’ve agreed to commentate, show us a win.
– It’s strange how we’ve grown attached.
The number of viewers is rising on the corner of the screen.
Elderlyn’s audience has barely exceeded a thousand, while Soobin’s has crossed 800.
From a glance, it’s evident that the numbers are climbing at an impressive speed.
Is this really okay?
It felt strangely surreal.
If I didn’t do anything, my anxiety might have shown on my face.
Absently, I spun a dagger between my fingers.
[Infinity Arena 2nd Preliminary – Final Phase matching has been completed.]
[Do you accept the match? Y/N]
[… You will be transported to the battlefield in 20 seconds.]
Before I knew it, the number of viewers had risen again.
A variety of people would probably be in there.
Some out of curiosity, others with hostility might have joined the broadcast.
I know I shouldn’t hope for much.
Is there anyone among them cheering for me?
Hardly. Honestly, I’ve probably accumulated too much demerit.
[Sansa’s Whisper]
– Win this!
“Ugh…”
It was there.
Unknowingly, a smile escaped me.
[Arena: Duel Corridor]
[vs Sigma Camellia (Warrior)]
[Battle begins in 3 minutes.]
[Caution: Please check your equipment, traits, and skills. They cannot be changed once the battle starts.]
Curiosity set aside, I turned off the broadcasts from both people.
From now on, it’s time to focus solely on the fight.
Perhaps it was the mischievous hand of fate.
Nothing from the battlefield settings, element advantages, to even the opponent’s nickname felt coincidental.
The ‘Duel Corridor’ is an arena consisting of a long and wide corridor without obstacles.
Specifically designed for 1:1 duels in Ranked Games, it’s a place where only skill determines the winner, removing any annoying factors.
Due to the lack of surprise plays possible here, skills or traits related to stealth have been removed.
Instead, builds should focus on shadow skills or combat-oriented ones.
Anyway, the opponent is a warrior.
It’s a match where the better player wins, regardless of elemental advantages.
Let alone when it comes to Camellia from Sigma eSports – she’s considered a promising player in the lower-tier leagues.
‘If I’m going to meet someone from Sigma, LuChe would have been better.’
No, it’s still the preliminary stage.
It’s better to meet them in a bigger competition.
[The battle starts in 5 seconds… 00:03]
[We wish you victory.]
