Chapter 64
Chapter 64
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Translator: penny
Chapter Title: Cannot Find the Corresponding User
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I was clearly going to quit, but Yura suggested it first.
How could I resist this?
Even more, Yura took the lead in convincing Cruise and Hean.
The party formed without issue.
Yura's got some real finesse.
Two high levels and two low levels.
Not the best balance for PVP grinding.
But that's exactly why it was perfect for partying up.
Games took a bit to match, but they always got teams with players just a tad higher or lower than Yura.
But Yura's skill was way above her level, actually.
She'd been hidden because she'd only faced stronger opponents until now.
Yura was a prodigy who'd made it into the Academy.
She devoured most average players.
Amazed by Yura's unexpected performance, the game continued.
What?
Me?
Me? Well...
Level high or low didn't matter.
Thus, the low-level but strangely skilled 4-player party advanced unstoppable.
Utterly invincible.
No, undefeated in a hundred battles.
Thirteen rank games in, already.
Yura marveled at the board stamped with 100% win rate.
The next game matched.
This one was Point Occupation mode.
I tossed advice to Yura now and then while playing.
That was the deal from the start, after all.
But somehow, her reaction was different from usual.
What can I say...
She seemed extremely satisfied.
My gaze toward Yura turned awkward.
Specifically, she looked like someone who'd nearly missed the bus but barely caught it, not regretting the fare.
What?
Why's she suddenly like this?
Did I talk too much and mess up her head?
...Time to stop.
Perfect timing—this was the last round.
League of Worlds match times vary by mode and map.
But we'd already been at it for over two hours.
Time to wrap up.
This was the first time playing games like this for so long.
With a group, time flies.
This isn't bad once in a while.
Partying up brings back old memories.
-Let's all pray to the gods.
-Why does she always say to pray at mealtimes?
-She's the saint. But you're the hero and you don't pray?
-I'm agnostic?
-Wow...
-You don't pray either.
-Mages don't have to?
-Both of you, quiet down. If you're not praying, at least let me.
It was just as lively and bustling as back then.
Leaving the chatter behind, we ran the final round.
This round was Point Occupation too.
The thought that it drags on annoyingly crossed my mind when a message popped up.
A familiar nickname caught my eye.
That's on my hit list.
But more eye-catching was the class right next to it.
Shaman?
That Shaman I know?
Yura was in an exceptionally good mood today.
The bus was too sweet.
And the bus fare was just listening to advice.
Advice sweetened by the bus felt barely distinguishable from coaching.
'I didn't think this would actually work.'
Who knew allowing armchair advice would get her on the bus? It worked.
Yura regained her peace of mind, calling it a blessing in disguise.
Pity it was already the last round, but there'd be next time.
Putting regrets aside, Yura picked Mage again and scouted enemy classes.
Then, one all-chat message stood out.
Someone who knows us.
Nothing special.
Running into players who recognize you mid-game happens.
Fans or casual acquaintances popped up in previous rounds too.
But this felt off.
Like the stench of a malicious troll.
Not just Yura—Hean and Cruise sensed it too.
Unfriendly chat.
The trio knew engaging would just be tiring, so they ignored it and prepped to finish quietly.
This was occupation mode.
Players respawn until points are secured, so rounds drag.
The support Shaman hung back, while the charge-main Knight clanked toward the occupation point.
Mage Yura cast at the enemy Knight. Earth rumbled, raising then dropping his footing.
As the hampered Knight hesitated, Cruise charged and slammed his sword down.
Then Hean backed up Cruise deep in enemy lines. [Barrier]. The protective spell enveloped the Holy Knight, synergizing with blessings to make his monstrous stamina even more monstrous.
Hean targeted the ankles of the Holy Knight shielding the Shaman and Mage. To counter dulled magic from blessings, a gunshot pierced the knee cartilage. Bang! The bullet shattered one knee completely.
The Mage safely under Holy Knight protection paled. He stopped chanting, hastily switching to a defensive spell—but too late. Yura launched a fire pit.
Fireball isn't mere AoE. The massive blaze's heat makes eyes water. Amid blocked vision, the Holy Knight—blessings and magic cloaked—burst from behind.
Slash.
Under dual Mage support, the Holy Knight smoothly beheaded the enemy Holy Knight.
Only Mage and Shaman left.
Not instant win in occupation, so plan to delay kills. Mismatch respawns to tilt the game favorably.
With the final round going smoothly, Yura caught her breath.
Keep this up and victory's certain.
Unless a ninja quadra-kills everyone including her.
Resting, Yura noticed Third Life hadn't moved yet.
'Why hasn't he moved since earlier?'
If he'd chatted advice or something, no issue—but Third Life stared fixedly at one character, motionless.
His gaze was on the Shaman. With teammates gone, the Shaman pulled a last desperate card for counterattack.
Shaman's skill with clearest strengths and weaknesses.
Offering sacrifices a qualifying character to steal their abilities outright.
Seems cheat-like, but the victim can't respawn until Offering ends.
To break the situation, Shaman offered two teammates. Knight and Holy Knight sacrificed; Shaman gained one Holy Knight's power.
Sacrificing two for one—inefficient, but situationally potent.
Shaman's ace to turn the tide. Overflowing Holy Knight strength fueled counterattack prep.
And.
Krunch!
Third Life smashed his head.
Before he could wield the power properly.
Yura let out a small gasp.
'Perfect finisher.'
Finisher skill top-tier.
I hate Shamans.
One.
But game Shamans might differ from the one I know.
So I observed quietly.
-Hey... just one question. What are you doing?
A quiet rural village. We'd come on a request; it wasn't a great place by any stretch. Barren soil for farming, nothing for other work.
Still, good-hearted folk with decent hospitality. No sharp edges, no rough ones. Then a Shaman arrived. Villagers welcomed him. No Mages around, so he was exotic.
Curious and kind, they approached—and he sacrificed them.
-What? Sacrificing. Offerings.
Grinning ear-to-ear, the Shaman gained desired power and lifespan easily. Offer as much, get as much—Shamanism.
-St-stop, please... spare me!
Shamanism itself isn't evil.
-Shamanism's like magic, in a way. Just stricter equivalent exchange. But this crosses the line.
As the sage said, equivalent exchange. Give more, gain more. But sacrifice yourself, not others.
I waited for the game Shaman to show abilities, wondering if different sacrifices or powers.
Saw him use others as offerings.
Confirmed.
Krunch!
As expected.
The only good Shaman is a dead Shaman.
I only targeted the Shaman the whole game.
Others? Party handled fine.
So I focused solely on him.
Incomprehensible words from the Shaman.
Fitting for a Shaman.
Totally alien.
But one thing clear.
He was pissed.
Yeah.
Don't main Shaman if it bothers you.
Match ended smoothly 2-0.
Victory curtain call.
"Argh! Teammates are dogs!"
Bam!
Duntangil slammed the desk, huffing.
Rough breaths.
Promotion match, lost.
Two reasons for defeat. Teammates sucked. And Third Life targeted only him.
Fury-fueled keyboard smash.
Heavy on the MSG.
Duntangil knew a plain "targeted only me" post wouldn't go viral. Even sniping Cruise got brushed off. So he pivoted.
Pure troll craftsmanship.
And.
Academy PR Department.
A two-year newbie reported to senior.
"Senior, that student we monitored last time."
"Yeah, what about her?"
"Someone maliciously targeting her in posts. What to do?"
"Again?"
"Yes."
"Big deal?"
"No. Few malicious, mostly one guy repeating."
"Handle it yourself."
Thus.
A community ghost story born.
Click.
-What? Where'd the post go?
-?
-Wtf?