Chapter 118
Chapter 118
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 118
Chapter Title: Friend (1)
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I wasn't exactly a social butterfly with a wide circle of acquaintances, but I wasn't without friends.
We weren't inseparable, but I had one friend I'd meet about once a month for a meal and drinks.
Kim Sang-yoon.
Unfortunately, he found a job and moved out of the city, so we were lucky to see each other even once every six months.
“Oh Hyeon-ung?”
He recognized me at a glance, too.
Even though we only saw each other every six months, he was the only person I could call a friend, the one I'd exchange greetings with on holidays or New Year's.
“Yeah, you punk.”
Without a moment's hesitation, we pulled each other into a tight hug.
We weren't ride-or-die best friends, but I was just so glad to see him again like this.
I think he felt the same way.
Sang-yoon and I first met in middle school.
He was a weightlifter through high school, but an injury forced him to retire. He said he went into the distribution business with his older brother.
I think it was somewhere on the coast in Chungcheong Province. I even went to visit him once during a long break from streaming.
It was quite a shock to find there was absolutely nothing near his apartment building except for a single convenience store…
Actually, I'd seen his name on the tournament bracket the lord showed me yesterday.
But his last name is Kim and his first name is common, so I naturally assumed it was just someone with the same name. I never imagined it would actually be him…
“How are you here…? You were such a hipster, you never played mainstream games like Elsia, did you?”
He was also one of the viewers who had watched my stream from the very beginning.
“Tell me about it. I ended up here even though I didn't play. When did you start Elsia…?”
“I started a long time ago. I’m from the 5th wave.”
The 5th wave?
The 5th wave would mean almost three years, around the same time as Tae-soo.
He’s been here for a long time…
It makes sense, though. Only the two strongest from each region can come here.
“I’m from the 35th.”
“The 3rd? No, wait, the 35th? If you didn't fight in the round of 128, that means you’re a seeded contestant.”
He looked completely stunned.
“That’s right, I’m seeded. And I’m not lying. When have I ever lied to you?”
“Never. That’s insane. I don’t even know if anyone from our 35th wave has made it past the 20th floor, let alone the 30th. Where are you now?”
“Huh? This is the contestants’ waiting room.”
“That’s not what I meant!”
I was just messing with him. Seeing that ticked-off look on his face, he hadn't changed a bit.
“Aurelia’s Sea of Trees? Kramis?”
“Kramis.”
“Kramis? Holy crap! Does that mean you’re stronger than that girl who chops off arms?”
The girl who chops off arms?
Ah! He must be talking about Misha.
“Not exactly. It’s because I’m a Pioneer.”
“Doesn’t that make you stronger? That’s completely broken. You must have gotten a ridiculously good trait at the start.”
Failed Game Master was certainly on that level.
And now, it had evolved into True Failed Game Master, which was even better.
“I got lucky. But if you’re seeded too, you must be no slouch yourself, right?”
“Hey, we’ve been here for different amounts of time… So, what floor are you on now?”
“Floor 66.”
“Wow, our floors are pretty close too. I’m on Floor 68.”
Floor 68?
He’s further ahead than me?
The Labyrinth and the Tower might not be identical, but their difficulty should be similar. I was surprised.
I knew he’d have good stamina and strength since he was a former athlete, but I never expected this.
I suppose I’ve been underestimating the other Summoned.
“That explosion-using Summoned from your region looked pretty good too.”
“Ah, Yoon-jeong? She’s an officer in our guild.”
So they were in the same guild.
“Yoon-jeong is good, but compared to your girl who chops off arms…”
I definitely thought Misha would win overwhelmingly if they fought.
“Her name is Misha. Seriously, what’s with calling her ‘the girl who chops off arms’?”
“Ooh, what’s this? Something going on between you two?”
“…Bullshit.”
I wanted to talk more, but the waiting room door opened and three men in red clothes walked in.
I asked Misha, and she said they were staff members.
“We will now confirm the list of participants for the round of 64.”
They called out names one by one, then told half the group to wait on the other side and led Sang-yoon away.
We promised to talk again later.
Kang Ji-seon and Jeon Shin-wook left too, and as others with earlier matches filed out, the waiting room started to feel empty.
“Excuse me?”
Someone poked my shoulder. I turned around to see Misha.
“What?”
“Was it Sang-yoon earlier? It looked like you were talking about me with that Summoned.”
She acted like she wasn't interested, but she even knew his name.
When did she hear it?
“It was nothing. He was just praising you, saying how amazing you were.”
“Is that so? It seemed like you knew him from before, Mr. Hyeon-ung.”
“We were friends in our original world.”
“A friend… How unlucky.”
Why is she suddenly talking about luck?
“Huh? What do you mean by that?”
“If I win this round, my next opponent is that Summoned named Sang-yoon. Ah, of course, he has to win and advance too.”
I looked at the tournament bracket posted in the corner of the waiting room, and it was true.
If Misha won her match in the round of 64, she would face Sang-yoon in the round of 32.
It was a relief that I wouldn't have to fight him, but considering the performance Misha put on during her duel, I was worried.
“Should I go easy on him? If you ask nicely, Mr. Hyeon-ung, maybe I’ll just take one arm…”
“Not interested.”
My calm reply seemed to surprise her.
“Really? I guess you two aren’t that close.”
“No, we’re close. But I don’t think he’d want that.”
As a former athlete, he despises anything that isn't fair play more than anyone.
Besides, how is taking only one arm considered going easy on someone…?
“I see.”
“You shouldn’t be too complacent either. I heard he’s climbed higher than me.”
“Oh? What floor?”
“Floor 68.”
This time, even Misha looked quite surprised.
“Higher than you, Mr. Hyeon-ung? That’s impressive. Is Kershna’s Tower just easier? In any case, this should be fun.”
Still, she didn't look worried at all.
It seemed things were about to start. The staff members from before came back in and began calling out participants, leading them away.
“Mr. Hyeon-ung, if you want to watch the duels, come over here.”
“Hm?”
Misha pointed to a large white cloth, which was already surrounded by a crowd of people.
After about a minute, light emanated from behind the cloth, and an image began to appear on it.
It was the dueling arena I’d seen this morning.
“You can watch the other contestants fight from here.”
“Oh, nice.”
It was like a beam projector. Truly fascinating.
Wait, I wonder if it can be linked with a Video-Recording Crystal?
If so, I definitely want to buy one.
I always record with a Video-Recording Crystal and bring it back, but it’s too small for everyone to watch at once.
I'll have to ask Lord Almondeu to look into it after the duel.
“It’s starting.”
It was Kim Yoon-jeong, the first to advance from the round of 128, and a man with green hair.
Just like before, she caused an explosion.
*Boom— Boom— Boom— Boom—*
It was about to engulf the green-haired man, but with a single swing of his spear, the explosion stopped.
Judging by his name, he didn't seem to be a Summoned. He must have watched the morning duel and prepared something.
Even non-Summoned could use items.
Kim Yoon-jeong seemed a little flustered, but a red bow soon materialized in her hands.
It looked like she took it out of her inventory, but where were the arrows?
She seemed to draw the bowstring without an arrow, but suddenly, hundreds of red arrows rained down on the man like a torrential storm.
*Boom— Boom— Boom— Boom—*
The man deflected and dodged, trying to close the distance, but Kim Yoon-jeong didn't just stand there.
She continuously created distance while firing arrows, her rapid fire and volley skills on par with a melee fighter's speed.
The damage must have accumulated, as the man started taking more hits. After about five minutes, the match was decided.
“That’s insane.”
“I thought she was a mage, but she was an archer.”
“How is she so strong?”
“He couldn’t even land a single attack…”
A few contestants in the waiting room were impressed, but from my perspective, she wasn't all that great.
She didn't use her will this time either.
She was decent, but she was no match for me.
The same would go for Misha.
Of course, Sang-yoon was probably stronger than her.
Still, could he beat the girl standing next to me?
I glanced at Misha beside me; she was clicking her tongue.
“How utterly pathetic. Relying on the power of her gear like that.”
“Acquiring good gear is a skill in itself.”
That's what I said, but honestly, my opinion wasn't that different from Misha's.
I watched a few more matches, but no one particularly caught my eye.
Anyway, I was the seventh match, so I thought my turn would come quickly, but maybe because it was the round of 64, it felt like it was taking longer than the morning matches.
“Oh Hyeon-ung of Kramis? Where is the seventh participant?”
Speak of the devil.
“Do well.”
“I’ll just do what I do.”
I raised my hand and followed the staff member down a dark corridor.
“Don’t you need the restroom?”
“I’m fine.”
I went after I ate.
After about three minutes of walking, I saw an exit ahead, bright light pouring in.
Someone was already sitting there.
He had his eyes closed in meditation, but his body was trembling slightly, clearly nervous.
“Wait here until the referee calls your name. After the duel, bow, come down, and exit this way.”
“Understood.”
I peeked outside. A duel was in full swing in the arena.
A blood-soaked man was trudging from the stage toward us.
It looked like it had been a fierce fight.
The man who had been waiting before me was called out, and I waited for another fifteen minutes.
“The first match is Summoned Kang Ji-seon from Aurelia's Sea of Trees! Versus Summoned Oh Hyeon-ung from the Kramis Labyrinth!”
Finally, my name was called.
The guy who went out before me hadn’t returned yet…
He seemed so nervous. I guess he lost.
I walked slowly toward the light of the exit.
There were no cheers or shouts, but the moment I stepped into the arena, I could feel an immense heat.
It must have been the countless gazes fixed on me. It felt completely different from watching with Lord Almondeu and my companions this morning.
I leaped lightly onto the dueling stage.
Following the referee’s instruction, I gave a slight bow toward the emperor and exchanged greetings with Kang Ji-seon, who held a red whip.
“Let’s both do our best so we have no regrets.”
“You’ll be in for a rude awakening if you underestimate me.”
“That’s enough of the psychological warfare. I assume you’re both familiar with the rules, but I’ll mention one thing. When I shout ‘Stop,’ you must both cease immediately.”
Kang Ji-seon and I both nodded.
Unavoidable deaths or injuries were permitted, but if malicious intent was proven, there would be punishment.
“Are you ready?”
““Yes.””
“Both of you, take your distance!”
At the referee’s command, we retreated to opposite ends of the stage.
A moment later, a spark erupted from the referee’s fingertip, and Kang Ji-seon charged toward me.
After watching Kang Ji-seon’s duel in the round of 128, I had given a lot of thought to how I would face her.
Ah, not because she was a difficult opponent, but because of the way I wanted to fight.
I had originally planned to use my will to end it in one blow, just like Misha, but she had already used that tactic.
I didn’t like the idea of doing the same thing, as it would look like I was copying her.
So, what I came up with was…
“Aren’t you underestimating me a little too much? What are you thinking about in the middle of a duel?”
Kang Ji-seon, who had closed the distance to about two meters, spoke as she swung her red whip.
It snaked toward my head like a living serpent, but I didn’t move a single step.
“I’m not underestimating you. This is my strategy.”
*Clang—*
Sparks flew in the empty air as the whip was deflected.
“What?”
Gritting her teeth, Kang Ji-seon swung her whip again, but it was useless.
*Clang— Clang— Clang—*
Even if she swung it dozens, hundreds of times, her whip would never even graze my clothes.
Because only a will stronger than mine could break through the wall of will I had erected.