Clang. A cold metallic sound reverberated through the air.
A lance wreathed in flame turned its head, seeking prey, while deep within the heavy armor, a tense breath was exhaled with a whoosh.
The opponent that was supposed to be visible was nowhere to be seen.
Hiding? Or had they already put distance between and entered cover?
In the moment when the wielder of the spear was about to shift its tip ever so slightly, an unexpected voice echoed from where it shouldn’t have.
Directly in front.
The spot that had been hidden from view by the shield.
“You. Starting to lose focus, aren’t you?”
“Crazy…!”
“Let’s end it here. Adding more would be meaningless.”
The lance of the lance knight discharged a massive explosion.
An explosion so loud that the one who unleashed it momentarily lost their hearing.
The flash was managed by simply closing the eyes for a moment, but nothing had changed in the situation.
A hot sensation rushed through the ankles.
It was where the shield had failed to protect, and daggers had slipped past.
Being attacked.
That must mean the barrage had missed the assassin, Gawol.
With no definitive knowledge of the enemy’s position, the traveler had no choice but to aim at places Gawol might strike from.
Swinging the shield around while spinning backward, there was nothing for the hands to grasp.
In that instant, the traveler’s rationale conceded defeat.
The tendons in the knees were severed, and the blades cut into the shoulders, making it burdensome to hold their weapon.
Two daggers mercilessly bisected the enemy, locking the victory.
[The practice match has ended.]
[Winner: Gawol (Assassin)]
As the match ended, the traveler collapsed to the floor.
Their eyes expressed both frustration and disbelief as they glared at the small girl.
“Where did you play pro?”
“I’ve never been a professional gamer.”
“Well… why is your stamina better than mine?”
“It’s more about focus than stamina. You don’t have to regulate breath so much when playing games, right?”
The gap between professionals and amateurs is vast.
It’s not merely about skill but other significant differences outside of the match that also come into play.
The levels of tension before a match and the ability to sustain focus throughout vary greatly, too.
Bridging such gaps isn’t a matter of just a day or two.
Though the traveler realized they’d have to accommodate an amateur, the reverse situation left them baffled.
“In other games?”
“I’ve never been a pro gamer.”
“Then… were you an athlete? Or maybe something like a Go player? The way you handle retrospection is familiar, and it’s clear you’re not a regular person.”
“Bring more money if you want to hear all my background story. If we’re not going to analyze the match, I’m done for today?”
“Alright. Sorry. Let’s analyze it before leaving.”
The traveler quickly regained their composure.
The two methodically dissected the match that had just occurred.
The assassin’s hiding spot. The reasons for the blind spots in the vision.
Conversely, the reasons why the spear knight’s defense succeeded at times.
Despite certain differences in approach, the exchange of opinions flowed smoothly.
Upon concluding the conversation, the traveler let out an amused chuckle out of disbelief.
“How did I come across someone like you?”
It was evident, though, that it wasn’t a unpleasant laugh.
*
[Infinity Black has been terminated.]
[Thank you for using it, Miss Gawol.]
Exiting the connection device in perfect condition was rare indeed.
I usually came out of the game with my body screaming out in agony.
I only managed to climb out when my body was utterly exhausted, and my stomach was crying out from hunger.
I hopped around on one foot, opening the window and also lying down on the bed with a clear mind.
Strange that even this felt foreign to me.
Seems like my normal routine has fallen apart significantly.
Still, I don’t intend to change it.
There were only two instances when I remained sane in the real world:
When I’d just woken up and on weekends when I go out for rehabilitation training.
So, why did I come out of the connection device this time…?
– In that moment, player Rime thrusts forward.
– The fortification timing was perfect, breaking the guard gauge entirely.
– There’s a bit of damage to the health bar, but the great lance’s energy charge is complete.
– Closing in on the enemy with a shield charge – Burst!
– The paladin’s shield couldn’t hold, and the front line collapsed.
Because I had to analyze the next opponent.
While viewing videos inside the game is possible, it was inconvenient for writing notes or gathering data.
In such cases, it’s better to just use a computer.
I hooked an outdated tablet on my arm and slouched into a chair.
It was a chair I’d used since I was a player, now comparable in size to a bed with my current frame.
A relic I purchased, sparing no expense for my health.
The soft cushion pressed comfortably against my skin.
The next lance knight to face was a class that best earned the name “One-man Fortress.”
Defense power that doesn’t falter even against decent tankers, and simultaneously, burst damage that rivals that of decent attackers.
However, this was a class that sacrificed a lot in other areas.
On the monitor, I replayed Rime’s gameplay while jotting down notes on the tablet.
– Tends to initiate guard when the situation is unclear.
– Prioritizing repositioning over securing vision.
– Surprisingly slow reaction speed.
Although, her judgment and battle sense are extraordinary.
Is she a calm type? No. There have been recent matches where excessive engagement led to lost points.
This is an illusion brought on by the consistently high-level play. Reality is, her aggressive streak is masked by experience.
She usually checks in the order of forward, right, left, then above.
This guy also neglects the bottom. A point worth exploiting, perhaps.
‘A person like this should’ve tried some odd strategies… but how the heck do I comb through so many records?’
During my player days, I used to memorize opponents’ videos to the best of my ability.
In decisive moments, people rely on their experiences.
By sharing someone else’s experiences, my options expand.
Some people depend on coaches for such analyses…
But I was not that type.
I need to see things through my own eyes to feel satisfied.
Until that person’s movements and judgments are naturally sketched in my mind.
Nowadays, I don’t have a separate coach to delegate to, anyway.
Having been a pro for quite a while, there were plenty of materials to research.
After finishing these, I’ll also review the rest of my opponents.
Especially Reaper – whose gameplay is bizarre enough to already give me a headache.
“Uurgghh…”
How long had I been lost in analysis?
Stretching my arms wide and gulping down some cold water, I realized I was famished.
Placing the tablet down, I relaxed my body briefly, and suddenly, vitality surged back into my sprawled limbs, lifting the corners of my mouth.
Today was the day to treat myself after all this hard work.
Switching away from my analysis screen, an app I hadn’t used in a very long time was launched.
Instantly, countless temptations bombarded me!
But my resolve was unwavering; it had already found its companion.
Only Chicken. My utmost devotion is aimed directly at chicken, proceeding unchecked.
Anyone who wavers between choices like a reed in the wind is surely an amateur.
[Your delivery order has been completed!]
[The store has accepted your order!]
[Delivery time left: 31 minutes]
Indeed, my wallet now comfortably accommodated this expense.
Thanks to the proceeds distributed from Soobin and Elderlyn a while ago, I could order chicken, which I hadn’t eaten for a long time.
Though I won’t gain broadcasting income in the main tournament, there’s a guaranteed prize for every victory instead.
And then… I’ll probably have to PK some more to make money, I guess.
Even though it’s a path that somewhat hesitates.
[Message from Elderlyn]
– Miss Gawol! Would you mind doing an interview after this Arena concludes?
– We could even have you on as a guest for content collaboration; it would be fun! 🙂
– Of course, feel free to decline without worry. Just take your time to think about it and give your answer.
– Arena Fighting! ￣▽￣)b
I haven’t given her an answer to that yet.
Repeatedly delaying has made me feel a bit apologetic.
It’s not that I don’t want to do it.
The prospect of broadcasting revenue is much sweeter than I imagined for this run. It’s something I’ve wanted for a long time.
The problem is the lack of consistency.
Without a doubt, it would just be a fleeting dream if I couldn’t continue streaming.
The same applies to entering pro. Fundamentally, my legs need repair.
I’ve planned for other directions recently, but ultimately, I’ve put them on hold.
It remains an impractical direction for now.
[Your order is almost ready to be delivered.]
[Delivery complete!]
While contemplating, the chicken arrived.
On one foot again, I leaned on my crutch, retrieved the chicken, and returned triumphantly.
Once placed on the table, a deep excitement bubbled from within my chest.
Now that I think about it, Elderlyn did say that if I win the Arena, she would treat us in the real world.
A real-life meet-up. I should probably give her a response, right?
…If I go, will she pay for something good?
The long-awaited chicken was truly delicious.
So much so that my long-standing concerns suddenly felt trivial.
