IRL Duel (3)
Humanity developed language and built civilizations, learning to resolve problems through words. They exchanged words to bridge irreconcilable differences and minimize conflicts. That's the decisive difference between beasts and humans—the possibility of solving issues with talk. But even humans pursue individual gain, so dialogue doesn't always cut it. That's when force comes into play, and honestly, it's simpler than talking. A binary winner-takes-all method. So damn convenient.
The Gallery was no different from what I'd described. Except here, unlike reality, anonymity ruled. People had little will to persuade; when conflicts arose, mocking or digging in heels was the norm. You couldn't swing a sword on a message board, so the one who lost their shit first was the loser. But every now and then, someone called for an IRL duel.
Opinions wouldn't budge? Settle it with strength. Pretty much.
Title) Calling for an IRL duel is basically admitting defeat, right?
Your logic is fucking spot on. No words left? Let's throw down. That's what you're declaring by posting it, no?
ㄴYeah, exactly. That's why nobody actually gets challengers lololol
Did you see one? I sure haven't lololol
ㄴFights in the Gallery get settled in the Gallery—what's this IRL bullshit lololol
ㄴFr, the challenger just looks like a loser lololol
That declaration alone marks you as the loser, so IRL duels rarely get proposed or accepted. Respond or not, the challenged party breaks even. They almost never happen for real. Users just chuckle and move on.
Title) Hyped for Cheonma vs. Blood Squad IRL duel? Upvote if yes lololol
Me first lololol
ㄴJungwon folks got it good. Getting to see prime entertainment like that.
ㄴI'm Jungwon but can't upvote.
ㄴWhy?
ㄴI'm not from that region... Jungwon's too damn big; takes days just to travel between cities.
ㄴNo teleport system in Jungwon?
ㄴThere is, but so many transfers it bankrupts you ㅠㅠ
But if an IRL duel actually went down? Pure gold. Especially between famous high-nics? Unmissable. Cheonma even had a sub-mod badge, so eyes were glued.
ㄴDidn't a mod call one out before?
ㄴYeah, demon vs. elf. Sub-mod told head mod they weren't working, so IRL challenge dropped.
ㄴSaid they'd hand over the badge to the winner, but both got wrecked lol
ㄴAnd they didn't stop the duel?
ㄴWhy stop? They wanted to fight~ lololol
ㄴI called one too. Off to dig that guy's grave now.
ㄴㄷㄷㄷ You actually killed him?
ㄴNah. Ate with my buddy right before the duel, then he up and died naturally. Humans got short lifespans...
ㄴAigoo...
ㄴOh man...
ㄴThat's rough.
ㄴMust've been real close if you're digging the grave yourself.
Users buzzed with anticipation for this rare high-nic showdown. Most IRL duels ended in bro hugs—about 70%. The other 30%? Bloody brawls to the death. This wasn't Earth with its complex societies and strict laws. In Jungwon, people fighting was just daily life.
Waggling voices filled a plaza in Jungwon's Shaanxi Province. As a major city, it saw heavy foot traffic. But today, an unusual crowd lingered, waiting.
"Pardon the intrusion."
"Hm? Speak."
"What's got this many people gathered?"
A martial artist who'd noticed asked a passerby. The passerby eyed the man's garb: neat and tidy unlike a commoner, well-groomed beard, black daoist robes hinting at his sect.
"Ah, nothing much. Word is a fight's going down here soon."
"A fight? Martial artists?"
"Not sure about that. You know the Gallery?"
"Gallery? That vulgar trash?"
The warrior scowled. Clearly no fan. The passerby explained anyway.
"Since you don't know it, short version: Gallery's all about anonymity, right?"
"Obviously. That's why all the filth flies around."
"So fights stay online. But..."
He recapped events so far. The warrior's face shifted: curiosity, then pity, then...
"What?! Blood Cult scum coming here?!"
"Yep. That's why the other warriors showed."
Shock. The Blood Cult remnants had called an IRL duel. Troublemakers nonstop, even as remnants—ignorable? Nah, cockroaches that wouldn't die. Their existence alone was mental damage.
'Heard the Blood Demon ascended or something...'
Rumor started two days back: Wi Ho Chang, root of the Blood War and ultimate demon, had achieved ascension. Gallery gossip, half-ignored. But now? Unsettling. Timing too perfect.
'If the Blood Demon really ascended and the Cult's rising on that...?'
Plus, accepting an IRL challenge on the anonymous Gallery? Only the truly confident. No leaving now. Without the Blood Cult name, he'd have tsked and passed. Others here too, probably.
"Bets on who wins!"
"Cheonma!"
"Cheonma my ass! You dissing Blood Squad?!"
"Blood Squad what? Six of one, half dozen of the other!"
"...".
Just ignore it? But as bets flew, he sighed inwardly. Fights in Jungwon? Run to avoid. Warrior vs. warrior was civilian disaster. But this? High-nics from Gallery. Third-party spectacle, not official murim business. Officials watched from afar, unsure if murim exemption applied. Ambiguous, so just spectating.
Time ticked closer; crowds swelled.
"You mocking our sect?!"
"You started it with your bullshit!"
Crowds bred talk, talk bred clashes. Fights sparked everywhere. Jungwon: fists before words. Scattered warrior brawls.
"Hey, calm down. You're here to watch, not fight. Quiet."
"What'd you say...!"
"Quiet, I said?"
Bigger force crushes smaller. 'Experts' in the crowd? Normal. Peace held oddly till duel time neared.
"Why's no one here?"
"They bail after talking shit?"
"Nah, that'd suck."
The two high-nics, Gallery trolls extraordinaire, were no-shows. Supposed to strut in flashing nics. Time up, no dice—crowd doubted.
'Figures. Gallery's 90% lies, 10% truth.'
The first warrior tsked. Turned—and thunk!
"Guh!"
Slammed into something huge, like a boulder. Fell back. Embarrassing, but the guy just kept walking.
He scowled, yelling through the crowd: "Hey! No apology?!"
"...".
Glanced back, then away. Worthless response. Pride stung; he stood fuming.
"You dare...!"
Crunch!
Mid-sentence, massive hand gripped his head. Pot-lid sized. Squish! Skull burst like watermelon. Blood sprayed, chunks rained. Life snuffed cruelly.
"Aaaahhh!!!"
"What madness!"
Screams, panic. Even battle-hardened Jungwonites recoiled. The giant ignored, tossing the corpse ahead—to the duel spot.
Splat!
Crowd-made clearing. Headless body landed. Folks whipped around.
Thud-thud-thud.
Crowd parted like the Red Sea. Not huge by local standards, but this guy towered over 2m. Ragged robes, lion-mane hair.
Drip. Drip. Blood-red palms.
Blood Cult.
Giant scanned frozen crowd, deep breath, bellowed: "BloodDemonReincarnationAllBloodOceanRevenge! I am Geumjang! Where's Cheonma?! I'll herald the Blood Cult's return with your blood!"
High-nic and name dropped, target named—terror hit.
"B-Blood Cult! Remnants!"
"R-Run! Real ones!"
"Aaaahhh!"
Thought it Gallery joke. Realized brutal truth—fled. Left: warriors, ready to purge on sight.
"Actual Blood Cult..."
"Geumjang... one of Blood Demon's disciples?"
"Still alive?"
Gallery memes aside, real Blood Cult? Serious. Geumjang no mere remnant—Blood War legend.
Warriors charged...
"Gaaahhh!"
"B-Bro! This bast—aaagh!"
"Kuhahaha! Blood! More blood!"
Outmatched. Blood War survivor vs. diluted modern warriors? No contest. Hands grew redder with each kill.
Crunch! Casual skull-pop. Scanned plaza: corpses everywhere, no intact ones. Blood-soaked ground. Satisfied, checked for more. None.
'Perfect.'
Looked skyward. Posted to Gallery.
Title) Heralding the Blood Cult's Return.
BloodDemonReincarnationAllBloodOceanRevenge
Today, the Blood Cult returns. Descendants of the Blood Cult, come to our old holy site to fulfill our vow. The Blood Demon watches from the heavens; we shall never break!
Should get banned, but whatever. Planned for it. Goal: reunite scattered remnants. Gallery's perfect.
'No legwork needed.'
Real rumors crawl. Gallery? Wildfire.
Geumjang smirked. Plenty of time.
'Cheonma's a no-show. Saw this and bolted...'
"Vile hobby. Filthing the ground like this."
"?!"
Frail woman's voice pierced his ear. Jumpy—always alert, yet no presence detected. Turned toward it.
"You..."
"Quite tall. A few cheok at least?"
Veiled woman, black robes, slender yet mature curves. Lower face alone screamed beauty.
"Kneel."
"What?"
"This lady commands you to kneel."
Sudden height jab into kneel order. Absurd. So many begging death today. Fine—more blood.
Geumjang sneered: "Good joke. Your last words?"
"This lady is serious."
Whoosh! Instant charge, invisible speed. Red palm thrust—like some gorilla's move. Skull-crusher...
Pok.
"Wh-what?!"
Blocked by her pinky. To stunned Geumjang: "Didn't I say?"
Arrogant tone. Not hubris—confidence.
"This lady is serious."
The Heavenly Demon had descended.