How long has it been since I started this game?
I spent most of my game time as a loner.
Most of the conversations I’ve had were only about ‘work.’
Aside from that, it was mostly minor banter with the enemies I had to kill.
Even then, there were many who just spewed insults, so it wasn’t fun at all.
But now, things are different.
Humans are evolving creatures. Over time, my social relationships have evolved as well.
Now, I can even form a party from the people on my friends list!
[Party Member List]
[Party Leader: Elderlyn (Wizard)]
[Gawol (Assassin)]
[Sansa (Bard)]
[Soobin (Warrior)]
[Abujidolgyeolloga (Broad Warrior)]
Soobin and I are strange tastes… no, that’s not it.
Thanks to Elderlyn’s invitation, we gathered again.
Although we gathered smoothly, the things to do in the game were mainly just idle chat or hunting.
Eventually, we all agreed to try party hunting.
The missing members were filled by me calling Sansa and then she called Gyoryeol.
It was as if the two regular players from the previous event with the SSA Guild had reunited.
“By the way, Mr. Soobin, did you have any particular reason for choosing your nickname? I once asked you this on a stream, but I never got an answer.”
“Oh, that. When I was young, my parents often bought me Soobin bread. I didn’t quite understand its taste back then… but…”
“Hahaha! Right, it is an old-fashioned food, so it’s not sold much these days. You seem to have a meaningful memory with your parents through Soobin bread. I do too.”
“No… I was about to joke that there was no such backstory. It’s just that in a previous game I played, there was a food item called Soobin… Sorry.”
“…”
Broad Warrior Gyoryeol was a fan of Soobin.
Sansa also seemed to watch Elderlyn’s streams regularly, which helped create a good atmosphere in our party from the start.
Especially the combination of Sansa and Elderlyn worked well.
Both being socialites, their conversations were endless and lively.
I couldn’t keep up with them and simply listened.
Just watching someone else chat and enjoy themselves brought me a peculiar pleasure.
The fact that these two weren’t ignoring me gave me a sense of belonging.
This is how a loner accumulates warmth…
“By the way, what kind of work do you do, Gawol?”
“Ah, I was also curious! During a previous VOD, someone mentioned that you looked talented in sports.”
“Sansa really watches a lot of streams….”
“It’s because I work alone. Even outside of gaming, I often watch streams. I saw your tournament this time as well. You were amazing!”
“Hmm…”
When someone praises me like that, my mood always improves.
Though I’m not really keen on sharing my past, just mentioning it doesn’t make me shake anymore.
It’s something I need to overcome someday, even if I couldn’t overcome it right away.
I chose my words carefully.
“True, I used to do sports. But not anymore.”
“Is that so. Then, by any chance, is your body really flexible? Or, soft…?”
“That… um. I’m not sure. I’ve never compared with others. But I don’t feel stiff at least.”
Of course, compared to my past self, I am quite soft now.
Ever since I was young, I swung a wooden sword.
Still, it’s a woman’s body. It’s softer than a muscular man’s for sure.
However, it seems the topic of conversation is shifting to real life.
This feels a little uncomfortable.
In an attempt not to show discomfort, I pushed forward.
Anyway, this time my role was to gather the mobs.
They probably wouldn’t find it strange.
Fortunately, the real-life talk didn’t last very long.
Sansa primarily worked on video editing, and Elderlyn majored in design.
Turned out Soobin wasn’t as old as I thought, actually being in his mid-20s.
Gyoryeol, as expected from his gruff appearance, was in his late 30s, so that wasn’t surprising.
“Gawol, do you have any preferred opponents you want to face in the group draw?”
“Hmm… not really. I’d prefer to meet the ones I want later, in higher levels.”
“Do you even think you’ll lose in the main tournament?”
“Of course I don’t. I didn’t enter with the intention to lose.”
“Fair enough. It’s refreshing to see that kind of confidence.”
Still, there are several people I want to face at least once.
I’ve wanted to fight Luche since before the arena started, and I’d love to cross weapons with the famed Cerberus.
Especially Cerberus, since we’re on different servers, it’s hard to meet in the field.
AT Kelberos.
Considered a key player in the current European league and one of the top contenders for the arena championship.
He was also the one who defeated Luche in last year’s international tournament.
If Luche beats Cerberus and I beat Luche…
Could there be anything more enjoyable than that?
“Hey, can someone take care of that mob?”
“On it!”
As the party hunting carried on for a long time, we shared even more stories.
I enjoyed it. I felt like I had proper friends for the first time.
I don’t know what these people think, but at least that was how I felt.
After that person passed away, I didn’t really have any friends.
Most of the people I knew during my athlete days had a subtle distance between us.
Once my body changed so drastically, I unilaterally cut off contact.
Watching other athletes might make me feel too painfully about my own changes.
In fact, this was true for Master too, but I’ve grown accustomed to seeing them regularly.
I couldn’t possibly reveal my own sense of inferiority to Master.
“Gawol, where do you live?”
“I’m… from Incheon.”
“Ah, that’s close to Seoul!”
Elderlyn’s question.
I overcame a moment of hesitation and answered.
This much information should be fine.
“So, if you do well in this arena, will you come to Seoul?”
“In real life…?”
“Yes. I’ll treat you!”
“That’s… how about I think about it some more?”
“Yes, take your time, and if the mood strikes you, we’ll see each other!”
I didn’t give a definite answer.
—
*
The predicted time arrived.
Focusing on party hunting for a few days quickly brought us to the main tournament date.
In principle, attending the group draw ceremony is optional.
However, non-participation means forfeiting all choices, so there’s no need to take such a risk.
As this was my first time attending such an event, I found it strangely exciting.
[The main tournament group drawing invitation item has been used.]
[You will move to a special field in 5 seconds… 00:03]
My vision went dark for a moment, revealing a clean, organized stage.
There were already a few people gathered, chatting.
Regrettably, Luche wasn’t there yet.
Perhaps sensing I was lingering too much, a familiar character approached me.
“Nice to meet you! It’s your first time, right?”
“Ahh, yes.”
“Just take a seat and wait. There’s a brief order and rules announcement, which you can revisit if you missed them. For now…”
Caster Ho-eun, a familiar face in domestic matches, approached me.
It was strange hearing the voice I usually heard through broadcasts in person.
I politely listened as Ho-eun kindly explained.
“…so, the group drawing order will go like this. Your seed is 11, Gawol.”
“Thanks, it was really helpful.”
“Before the group drawing begins, a highlights reel will be shown. You can expect a lot, Gawol, especially since you’re popular overseas?”
“Popularity overseas…?”
“Oh, you didn’t know? Then you’ll see it now, enjoy!”
Meaningful words.
My overseas popularity, though?
Could they have mistaken me for someone else?
Despite pondering this over, no conclusions came up.
Considering I didn’t do anything to earn overseas attention, I searched anyway using terms like “Gawol” or “Kawol.”
Nothing unusual appeared.
At best, a post from a few months ago mentioning that I got insulted over ranks surfaced.
It’s not the first time I’ve done that, right?
Is it too strange to gain attention now on such minor things?
“Looks like all participants are here. If anyone needs more time for the rehearsal, speak up now.”
After everyone had gathered, there was a quick rehearsal.
The purpose was to familiarize everyone with the general order.
Things we spoke briefly about, like the highlights reels and athlete interviews, were skimmed through.
I waited absently.
I’ve seen rehearsal sessions many times before, but for some reason, it felt unfamiliar now.
Is it because it was related to the game back then?
“The broadcast will start soon!”
After the producer announcement, until the cameras turned on,
I just sat and idly observed the other players.
Some tried to approach me but stopped short of executing.
– Next up… Acid Gaming Reaper!
As the main players were introduced, their highlight reels passed by.
Names recognized worldwide were among them.
Players from North America, Europe, Japan, China, and the Middle East were shown.
And between them was me.
“Next, we have… recently getting famous here. Known as the ‘Korean Teabagging Girl’ on Western platforms!”
“…”
The main class is Assassin! Sub-class Swordsman! Let’s watch Gawol’s highlight reel!”
With the host’s call, a video appeared before everyone.
It started with me dunking an Archer in sea water and pulling them back up.
The proceedings continued…
