Your Commander-in-Chief – Chapter 283

“Oh, is that them?”

In the Stadium where the Deathmatch was taking place, I spotted the opposing players across a large tent.

Their team consisted of three boys and one girl, and they seemed to notice us, glancing over occasionally.

“Oh, do you think we can win again today…?”

“Don’t worry. I’m here, right?”

“Uh…?”

I replied with a smile to Seongsin’s hesitant tone. Having watched the videos of the opposing team’s matches with Sohee last night, I was confident.

Our team would definitely win.

“Everyone, please head inside and prepare!”

The voice of the staff announcing the official start of the match commanded our attention. We followed the instruction and walked into the tent.

Just like yesterday, the space contained just one Large Capsule and a screen, and nothing had changed with the main event beginning.

That’s when I noticed the information about the player from the opposing team who would be taking part in this match appear on the screen.

The first up was the only female player from their team.

Her class was Knight.

She was equipped with a Claymore that didn’t use a Shield.

As I examined the player’s nickname, I rubbed my chin.

The total number of match videos I could review from the opposing team was three, but there was no footage of this female player.

“Who’s going to go out for us…?”

I looked over my teammates in response to Seongsin’s question.

Sohee appeared indifferent.

Ellie still seemed to be dozing off.

And Seongsin herself looked uncertain.

It seemed I would have to step up for this match.

“I’ll go.”

“Really…?”

“Yep.”

Was she worried she might have to go? Seongsin let out a sigh of relief and stepped back a little at my words.

“I’ll be back~”

With a light greeting, I walked towards the Capsule.

My steps felt light. Thanks to the aroma Sohee had lit for me last night, all my fatigue melted away.

I was in perfect condition right now.

“Uh-cha.”

I opened the Capsule lid and lightly jumped inside.

Even though this wasn’t the world of the game, my body felt weightless.

Inside the Capsule, I quickly settled into my familiar stance and tweaked some settings.

Moments later, I logged into the VRS game with my account.

I arrived in the familiar Waiting Room.

I turned my head to look around at the game menu.

Maybe it was because this was the tournament server?

Only the Deathmatch mode was active, unlike the regular server.

Next, I checked my character status.

Since I hadn’t changed my previous settings, my class was Samurai, and my stats were untouched.

[Time remaining until the match starts: 1:00]

This message appeared right after I entered the Waiting Room.

It looked like we had a short wait before the match began.

I waved my hand up at the sky.

It was a greeting to my teammates watching from outside.

“Sohee, can you see me?”

[Yep. I can see you.]

“Seongsin and Ellie can see me too, right?”

[Yep. They’re both watching.]

That relieved me.

It was the captain’s match. They had to be watching for sure.

After waiting for a while, I finally felt my body shift with the familiar sensation.

A bright pillar of light filled my vision.

As I stepped forward into the light, a wide circular Stadium unfolded before me.

Numerous weapons were embedded in the ground. They looked sharp enough to be used as substitutes.

Swoosh—

I stretched my legs and ran my foot over the ground.

I felt a slight grain of sand beneath.

If I didn’t keep my balance, I would surely slip and fall.

No matter how long it had been since I played VRS, instincts etched into my body wouldn’t fade away.

Or rather, it was more accurate to refer to it as my mental state.

I faintly smiled as I gazed across at the opponent.

Creak—

The Knight, encased in armor from head to toe, cautiously approached me.

A low gaze, hasty breaths, and slightly trembling hands.

No matter how hard they tried to act calm, I could tell instantly.

The opponent was in a state of extreme tension.

As the distance closed, they would likely attempt a Charge.

The outcome would be decided in one move.

I exhaled quietly and lowered my stance.

My foot stretched out, and my hand shot back.

I felt the distinct grip of the Nodachi in my palm.

Just then, the flow of air shifted.

The opponent’s breath quickened as they moved sharply.

Tai-!

A leg shot out wide.

The moment their foot slammed down, I heard a crisp sound.

The iron boot relentlessly smashed into the solid stone floor.

Thud- Thud- Thud-!

“Woah!”

Just as I expected, the opponent chose to Charge.

I wasn’t flustered. I didn’t even feel the need to enhance my senses.

I moved as smooth as water.

I took a step forward, matching the opponent’s advancing motion, and transferred my waist’s rotational force to my fingertips.

Whoosh!

The slight force flowed through me.

Due to the recoil, the Nodachi hanging at my back unsheathed, revealing its sharp blade.

But it still wasn’t enough. I needed to take one more step to load the blade with strength.

So I advanced.

Thud-!

Swoosh-!

As I planted my other foot forward, the Knight’s sword grazed my cheek.

Missing the attack meant my stance had faltered.

And right now, I was digging deep into the opponent’s space.

Starting from my enlarged step, a rotation began.

That rotation transferred through my waist to my hands.

Power was infused.

Swoosh—!

From my abdomen to my neck.

A large blue blinding flash ascended.

Swiish!

The sensation at my fingertips, the delayed sound, the burst of red blood.

Everything told me this match was over.

Avoiding the collapsing opponent, I withdrew my body.

Thud—

A clean strike.

The closure of all circumstances.

[Wow…]

Even the admiration echoing in my ears.

The finish needed to be as dazzling as the victory itself.

This was a match being watched by everyone, after all.

I swung the Nodachi in my hand in great arcs, shaking off the blood.

Whoosh!

“Ha…”

Ending with a low exhale.

Did everyone witness that?

My flawless form.

Did they see?

My outstanding skills.

[Victory!]

The message signaling our win flashed before me.

This was the expected outcome.

With the match concluded.

The first person I encountered as I stepped out of the Capsule was Sohee.

Standing in front of the Capsule donning a headset, she beamed at me the moment our eyes met.

“How was the match?”

“Uh…”

Could I be honest about it?

Surely, no one was eavesdropping on our conversation, right?

I looked around nervously before answering.

“It was boring.”

I’d felt no tension at all.

Would it change a bit if I reached the finals?

Thinking this, Sohee approached the Capsule.

“Are you going to participate next, Sohee?”

“Yeah.”

She looked indifferent earlier; what had changed her mind?

I nodded and hopped down from the Capsule.

Sohee was set to compete in her second match.

She chose Samurai again, and her opponent was a Viking.

The Viking, without upper-body armor, ruthlessly swung dual axes at Sohee, but she did not lose her calm, waiting for the opponent to weaken before landing the final blow to secure victory.

The match lasted just two minutes.

As Sohee emerged from the Capsule, she complained of fatigue and hugged me.

“Sohee…”

“I’m tired…”

“You did well.”

Sohee didn’t have talent as I did. It was normal for her to express fatigue under such intense focus.

I patted Sohee’s head and nodded.

“Alright. Next…”

Now just one match remained.

If we won, that would conclude our responsibilities for the day.

“Seongsin.”

“Huh…”

“I think you need to compete.”

“Ca-can I really do well this time…?”

“You’ll do just fine. Don’t worry and go.”

“U-uhh…”

I wished I could send Ellie out, but she curled up on her chair and had fallen asleep in that short time.

How could she sleep like that in such a cramped spot?

Thus, Seongsin took part in her third match.

Contrary to her earlier doubts, she kept the opponent pressured throughout the match.

Ultimately, the third match ended with us winning again.

As Seongsin exited the Capsule, she wiped the sweat off her forehead and slumped down.

It seemed she had exhausted all her mental energy in that short period, but her expression suggested she was satisfied with the outcome.

“Good job.”

“Yeah…”

The matches held on the first day of the main event only consisted of the round of 128.

With that, our responsibilities for the day were finished.

Just like yesterday, the staff entered our tent and handed a sheet of paper to Sohee.

I crossed my arms and glared at the staff and Sohee disapprovingly.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes…?”

“I’m the team leader, you know?”

“Ah…?”

The leader of this team was me.

Naturally, if there was something to hand to the team, they should be looking for the leader first, right?

I thought yesterday was a simple mistake and let it slide, but I couldn’t ignore it today.

“Ah, I’m sorry…”

The staff finally realized their mistake and bowed their head, handing me the paperwork.

I reached out with one hand to accept the paper.

“Hmm…”

“Uh, just like yesterday, the opponent match schedule and match videos will be uploaded to the designated site around 8 PM. The precautions and the start time for the next match will be stated there…”

“Got it.”

“Then…”

I watched the staff as they exited the tent, loosening my crossed arms.

A small smile on Sohee’s face approached me from behind.

“Are you upset?”

“Upset? Me? No way.”

I wasn’t sulking. I was merely asserting my rightful authority as the team leader.

“Shall we head back?”

“Yeah.”

I took Sohee’s outstretched hand and nodded.

We were done here, so I was about to suggest we head back.

“Ellie~”

“Uh…”

Cumbersomely.

The Ellie who had been lying on the chair flopped down at my call.

With her melted mochi-like appearance, I couldn’t help but sigh.

“Seongsin. What was Ellie doing yesterday?”

“Um… well…? I was messing with the computer in my room for a bit, but… I’m not sure.”

As I grabbed Ellie and exited the tent, I was suddenly faced with unexpected figures blocking my way.

Three boys in school uniforms.

One girl.

It was the opposing team we had fought earlier.

Could it be they were looking for a confrontation because they couldn’t accept the match outcome?

I raised my arms, slowly backing away.

“Um, excuse me! Are you the middle school girl Samurai?”

Middle school girl Samurai?

Are they talking about me?

The students’ gaze was fixed on me.

I cocked my head and replied.

“Is that me?”

“You’re Yeo, right? The one who participated in the event with Wild?”

“Ah…”

Wild.

I remembered him. The strange guy who kept calling me sister.

As I nodded, one of the boys whipped out a notebook and pen from his pocket and exclaimed.

“An autograph…! Please!”

Sohee and Seongsin stared at me and the students in disbelief, their eyes wide open.

I felt a slight swagger in my shoulders.

“Hayun… do you have an autograph?”

I nodded at Sohee’s question.

I had prepared for a day like this, practicing my signature.

As my hand moved swiftly, a magnificent autograph was left on the notebook.

The boy who received the signature nodded with a profoundly moved look and repeatedly expressed gratitude.

I watched the departing students and rubbed my forehead.

“Phew…”

So this is what the life of a celebrity feels like.

I felt a bit tired.