[Author: FeroFero]
[Title: Reaper’s Successful Path to the Sweet 16 – Interview Translation]
Q. You had a fierce battle against Rime. What are your thoughts?
A. It was a valuable victory. It’s incredibly difficult for a veteran player like that to enhance their skills within a short period, but Rime has done just that. This match made me reevaluate him.
Q. Due to the group stage’s format, I couldn’t ask after your earlier defeats. What do you think was the cause of your previous losses?
A. As always, there is no reason for my defeats other than the fact that my opponents were better prepared and more skilled, and I couldn’t overcome them.
Q. Since the start of the arena, you’ve highly praised Gawol. Is there a reason for this?
A. I happened to watch her qualification match footage. My appraisal was simply accurate.
……
Q. Is there any player you’d like to go up against in the next round?
A. According to the tournament rules, it’s not possible to choose an opponent, so I haven’t thought about it. Regardless of who I face, I’ll give it my all.
Q. Your ground technique during the final game of the second set became a hot topic.
A. …I think it was a good move. I’d rather not elaborate further.
Q. There was talk of a conflict of interest.
A. Absolutely not!
*
In the video, a man’s hands trembled violently.
The background seemed to suggest a single-person apartment’s foldable dining table.
A white bowl held a mix of greenish-blue ice cream and a scoop of rice.
A freshly opened can of soda was poured atop it.
The eating process itself was less enjoyable to watch, so I skipped it. All I confirmed was that the man successfully endured this hellish meal.
Once the video ended, I erased a name from the hit list.
Whenever someone makes a bet, they should honor it properly.
There’s no point in running away from inevitable tasks; it just creates unnecessary noise.
When trust is broken, consequences are bound to follow.
I left a simple comment: “Confirmed~”
It was a happy ending.
– Is this year different? Luche, Traveler, Gawol advance to the Winners’ Bracket.
– Reaper successfully enters the Sweet 16 after a grueling battle.
The elimination bracket saw Reaper defeating an enraged Rime to secure their place in the Sweet 16.
The match was reportedly fierce but didn’t seem necessary to verify.
The next opponent would be decided by a direct draw conducted by the referees.
The 1st seed is secured for the advancement of the Winners’ Bracket while the 2nd seed goes to the elimination bracket’s qualifiers, shuffling the remaining players.
My next opponent will be one of the 2nd seeds from the groups excluding Group E.
Something caught my eye during Reaper’s interview.
‘Next opponent…’
Certainly, I, too, didn’t recognize any standout players at the moment.
Sure, everyone in the tournament was quite skilled, but compared to names like Reaper or Cerberus, they seemed a step behind.
Considering the overall high standard of competitors, nobody stood out as particularly special.
Even Traveler and Luche, who advanced to the Winners’ Bracket, couldn’t be faced against in the Sweet 16, but maybe I could look forward to Round of 8?
“Nah, I don’t know. Ughhhhhh…”
Stretching out my aching body, every muscle screamed in protest.
Still, it felt like my breathing had steadied a bit.
My total physical exhaustion made me reluctant to move, but somehow, I resisted the dangerously comfortable cushioned lounge at the clinic.
Time keeps moving forward whether you twist the clock or not.
Weekends keep arriving, and today, I went all out during my rehab training.
I pushed myself after hearing the doctor mention the improving test results.
– The test results are getting significantly better.
– While the changes are still minimal, they are noticeable. Overall health appears to be improving.
Today, I have plenty of time. Perhaps I can rest a little before heading home?
It’s not because the cushion is soft and comfortable.
It’s just because something came to my mind.
Yesterday, my Master sent me the kendo team’s training video.
After finishing my training, I planned to watch it immediately. However, checking the fulfillment of the bet temporarily distracted me.
When I regained focus, I found black-dressed kendo practitioners clashing shinai.
“Ah! Everyone still has a long way to go. If you’re going to hold your shinai like that in front of me, I’ll…”
A tingling feeling rose in my chest.
Amid the mixed emotions, I quickly jotted down notes on my tablet.
I listed the players on the left and added comments on the right.
– Too much force on the right hand, with the left unable to effectively support the sword. Might help to use a tool like Men-nari to fix the issues.
– Lacking basic strength.
– Naturally gifted physically, but lacks the basic skills, and relies too much on talent. Unless the mindset changes, this type won’t last very long.
This was a small side job of mine.
Taking a quick look at the students my Master trains.
Even though I can’t go to the dojo due to my condition, my vision hasn’t deteriorated yet.
It started as a way to repay a debt of gratitude, but my Master insisted on regularly depositing payment.
At first, I tried to refuse, but it truly helps my situation financially.
If my legs were just a bit less damaged, I might have considered coaching.
Direct involvement in training is difficult, setting limits on the path of teaching.
But, would that modest salary even cover my medical expenses?
Ah, the past is already gone.
Just occasionally watching these videos is satisfying enough… humm.
I’m not sure it’s really fine.
“Wow, kendo, huh? I didn’t know you were interested in this!”
“Kyaa!”
“Oops, sorry! Didn’t mean to scare you.”
As I neared the end of my notes, a voice behind me startled me.
It would’ve been fine if anyone else, but it was Luche’s voice.
“Do I intrude?”
“No… not really. I used to practice kendo quite passionately.”
“Hmm. Kendo sure is cool. Are you resting after finishing your rehab?”
“Yes.”
In the middle of our conversation, I felt a sudden shiver down my spine.
Lately, I’ve spoken a lot in various places, which worried me.
What if someone figures it out?
Luckily, no one here connected me to Gawol.
After all, my microphone has a lot of echo, and the sound quality isn’t great.
Through video, my voice sounded quite different from usual.
Luche smiled with her characteristic eye crinkle.
“Are you alone today? I was just about to head back. If it’s okay, I can give you a ride.”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Is it fine to drop you off at the bus stop like usual?”
“Could I bother you to drop me at the shopping mall?”
“Of course!”
As we walked out of the building, Luche slowed her pace to match mine.
I felt at ease next to her.
Because she doesn’t pity me.
She, too, once faced challenges like mine.
She doesn’t give me a look that makes me feel pitiful.
Instead, she silently extends a helping hand.
“Should we go towards the terminal? That’s the closest mall.”
“Yes. Going there would be fine. I don’t plan to buy much, so anywhere is good.”
“Ah, you’re shopping too, huh? Anyone accompanying you?”
“No, I’m good alone.”
As we approached the parking lot, the door of a high-end sedan opened.
I know absolutely nothing about cars, but I can tell this one is expensive.
It’s clearly luxurious and something I rarely see outside.
I hesitated a bit as I sat in the passenger seat, but the engine roared to life.
“Da-eun.”
“Yes?”
“It’s been a while since we last met, right?”
“Yeah, since I started the rehab sessions.”
We occasionally exchange a few words or occasionally share rides.
But if you calculate, we’ve known each other for quite a while now.
Still, this car is hard to get used to, no matter how many times I’ve ridden in it.
Despite the visible movement of the wheels, there are almost no vibrations felt inside.
Just how expensive is this car?
Is this a domestic professional gamer’s annual salary?
My vision started spinning.
“By the way, can I join you at the mall?”
“Of course, it’s fine… uh-”
“Don’t worry; I wouldn’t feel offended. If it feels like an inconvenience, you can always refuse. I was just being too abrupt.”
“No, it’s not like that. I just thought you might be busy, and didn’t want to cause extra trouble.”
“It’s no trouble at all. I want to tag along, and today I’m not too busy.”
I nodded.
It’s probably better than wandering around alone.
Since turning into a woman, this would be my first visit to the mall.
It’s a place that feels like an enemy dungeon due to its girly atmosphere.
For the old me, it was a daunting place just like the dungeon infested with monsters.
“Did I just get your permission?”
“If you’re going to shop, sure.”
“Me? Of course I am. It’s been ages since I last went shopping.”
Huh? Ages? Suddenly, a glimmer of hope sprouted in my mind.
Ah, right. Thinking about it, Luche is a professional gamer.
Pouring countless hours into games could make even the most sociable person dread public spaces.
Beneath her glamorous exterior, she might fear shopping malls just like me.
We’re now comrades on the brink of a terrifying journey.
But just in case, I’ll ask.
“So, when was the last time you went shopping?”
“Hmm, about a month ago? I should have gone when I had time, but things happened.”
……
Traitor.
You lied to me.
