Chapter 75
Chapter 75
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 75
Chapter Title: Monstrous Prowess
-----------------------------------------------------------------
‘That’s….’
Pattern was stunned. He could see Willie hunting the blood wolves. No, it wasn’t hunting.
It was a massacre.
‘That possible at his level?’
Willie had revealed his level as 37. Was it even feasible to carve through a pack of blood wolves like that at level 37?
The sight of him smoothly dodging attacks from blood wolves charging in from all directions, then ripping into them in counterattacks, was chilling yet awe-inspiring.
It felt familiar. Like he’d seen Willie’s movements somewhere before.
‘Meteor.’
The name of his fated rival, one that made his teeth grind just hearing it. And yet, ironically, the first person who came to mind watching Willie’s moves was Meteor.
‘Insane physicality.’
That was why he thought of Meteor upon seeing Willie.
“How about it.”
Python spoke up.
“Impressive, right?”
“…….”
Was it because it reminded him of Meteor? Something about his pride stung, and Pattern didn’t respond. But he couldn’t deny Python’s words either.
Pattern stayed silent, but Python didn’t press for an answer. He simply gazed at Willie with satisfaction.
“Where’d you find this guy? No, why isn’t he famous? His name should’ve popped up in the community at least once.”
It was the first time Pattern had heard the name Willie.
Maybe he’d changed it. Unlike other games that forced you to pick a character name at creation, Arc didn’t require one.
When introducing yourself to others, you just claimed whatever name you wanted. So name changes were easy anytime—just say a different one.
‘No, whether he changed it or not, this guy should’ve been a hot topic.’
Just look at Meteor.
Of course, Meteor had drawn attention by devouring black bread like it was delicious, then racked up insane feats like consecutive bonus boss clears and victory over the Hers Guild, accelerating his fame.
But with skills like that, he should’ve been known at least in the low-level zones.
“Just didn’t know about him myself?”
On second thought, given his personality of ignoring low-level zone chatter, it was likely he’d simply missed it.
That made sense. It was when Pattern reached that conclusion himself.
“No, nobody knows Willie.”
“Even in the low-level zones?”
“Yeah.”
“How’s that possible?”
With those skills?
“He leveled up while strictly hiding it. Apparently, he’d rent out an entire hunting ground and grind there.”
“Luxurious way to level.”
But not unheard of. Wealthy players often monopolized hunting spots or cleared dungeons without interference from parties.
If he’d leveled that way, it explained the lack of fame.
“But why go to such lengths to level in secret?”
“That’s his business.”
Python shrugged.
Did he not know, or was it a hint not to ask? Either way, Pattern couldn’t pry further.
“So how’d you find out about him?”
Python should’ve been in the dark too, information-wise.
“We didn’t meet in-game.”
“In real life?”
“Yeah. Ran into him by chance IRL and saw his athleticism then.”
Python recalled the moment.
“A monster.”
The thrill he’d felt was still vivid.
Physical abilities so superhuman, it was hard to believe they were the same species. If Arc hadn’t existed and traditional sports still ruled, he’d surely be a global sports star.
Sport didn’t matter. No matter the field, defeat was unimaginable.
“As you know, Arc’s physicality ties heavily to real-life reaction speed.”
Because you control your avatar with the sensations of moving your real body.
Of course, avatars didn’t perfectly mirror real physical stats.
But that made reaction speed even more crucial.
Strength, stamina—physical traits—were equalized at Arc’s start. Bonuses could even reverse real-life advantages.
Reaction speed, though? That’s where early player gaps showed clearest, alongside situational judgment.
Judgment could improve with experience, but reaction speed? Not so much.
Sure, levels, stats, and skills provided system boosts to reaction speed later, but initial gaps lingered.
That’s why reaction speed was key for players.
It was Python’s longstanding view, one Pattern knew and somewhat agreed with.
“But this guy’s real-life reaction speed was on another level. Unbelievable.”
His other stats were monstrous too—strength, agility, speed, stamina, all of it.
What if this guy started Arc? Became a ranker?
Could he beat him?
Python couldn’t answer yes. For someone prouder than even the arrogant Pattern, that was shocking.
So when the project kicked off, Python thought of Willie first and moved to recruit him.
Conveniently, he learned the guy—who hadn’t played Arc before—had just started.
Felt like the world was on his side. Python tracked him down, persuaded him to join the guild.
And succeeded.
“The more he grows, the faster my influence in the guild skyrockets from scouting and recruiting him.”
That’s why, even after IRL persuasion, he’d staged an in-game recruitment show.
Sacrificing precious ranker time to look like C.O.T.S’s future-bringer.
“And as you see, his potential’s sky-high. Imagine that physicality backed by our guild’s intel and resources.”
Willie had already butchered every blood wolf. Damage taken? Practically zero.
Pattern had no choice but to agree with Python.
If that guy grew, he’d be terrifying.
“If we’d snagged Meteor too, it’d be perfect….”
Pattern had nothing to say to Python’s tongue-click.
“Whatever. No point dwelling—it’d just sound like nagging. He joined another guild, a top-tier wild card one. Hard to poach now.”
Unspoken, but Python harbored his own resentment toward Meteor choosing Willful over C.O.T.S.
“Regrettable, but we’ll settle for Willie. Meteor’s skilled, sure, but not on Willie’s level.”
‘Not on Willie’s level?’
Python seemed to rate Willie higher than Meteor. That much trust?
“How’s that? Satisfied?”
“Absolutely. Impressive as expected.”
Python clapped.
“You’ll be a guild ranker in no time.”
“Heh, thanks. Guess I should brainstorm a new name early? I hear C.O.T.S rankers use Greek and Roman mythology names.”
“Ah, that.”
Python frowned.
“There’s a trend, yeah. Up to you.”
“Not thrilled, huh.”
“The reason behind it isn’t fun for me. Originally, I was the only one using Greek/Roman names. Then Apollo—that punk—suddenly changes his. Obviously to mess with me.”
“And in myth, Python gets killed by Apollo.”
“Kid-level grudge. After Apollo switched, others followed one by one. Said it gave unity?”
“Myth names sound cool.”
“That’s why most rankers use them. Not mandatory, though. Keep yours or change—no big deal.”
He added,
“Even if someone’s already using a name you want, no worries. Beat ’em down a few times, they’ll switch.”
A glimpse into why C.O.T.S’s rep wasn’t great.
“Haha, I’ll think it over.”
After chatting, the trio headed to the dungeon exit for their destination.
Pattern trailed Willie and Python. He glanced back.
The blood wolves’ corpses were gone. But the memory lingered in Pattern’s mind.
Willie was undeniably skilled. But….
<[That guy’s skilled, sure, but not on Willie’s level.]>
Python’s words echoed.
Python had sounded so certain, and with the scout failure already under his belt, contradicting him might invite more heat for the mission flop.
‘But is it true?’
He recalled Meteor effortlessly slaughtering his hired mercs.
Deep down, Pattern couldn’t agree with Python.
* * *
Back in Silaremit, Meteor, Cooking Day, and West Garden entered a large building.
An empty rental space, paid by the hour. Luxurious—must’ve cost a fortune—but Cooking Day paid without flinching.
They’d rented it for Meteor’s guild intro stream.
“Our guild finally got a new member after ages. Gotta do it right.”
Cooking Day said breezily.
They set three chairs in front of a spacious living room backdrop and sat.
“Ready?”
Meteor and West Garden nodded at Cooking Day’s question.
Cooking Day went live. The familiar chat window popped up.
[Stream this early?]
[Hi!]
[Kuha!]
Viewers trickled in, but the three showed no nerves.
Cooking Day and West Garden were veteran streamers. Meteor had faced too much scrutiny to tense up now.
[West Garden too?]
[Sis, you’re pretty!]
[Who’s the other guy?]
[Oh, Meteor!]
[Who?]
[Hottest guy in low levels right now!]
With big crowds came plenty unaware of Meteor.
Meteor eyed the chat.
Scroll speed dwarfed streamers like Naltorri or Bom Bom. Viewer count below was leagues apart too.
“Hello, everyone. Streaming today with great news.”
Question marks flooded chat.
Savoring it, Cooking Day cut straight to it.
“Meteor here has joined our Willful Guild.”