Here We Are! Alben! (2)
Having finished registration, she dashed into the player waiting room.
"Ahem."
It absolutely wasn't because she was embarrassed.
She scrolled past the rising chat window and approached the NPC in front of the waiting room.
"I'm heading in."
"Let me check your participation confirmation, please."
She pulled out the confirmation slip she'd received during registration and showed it.
"Baldojang, confirmed. May the glory of Alben be with you."
With that, the NPC cleared the path to the waiting room.
Torchlight flickered at regular intervals along the long corridor, catching her eye.
Feels like a dungeon.
At the end of the torchlit passage stood an iron door slightly taller than her, blocking the way.
The moment she placed her hand on it to open—
Main Quest: Alben Founding Anniversary
📍 Enter the main Colosseum hosting the Founding Anniversary Gladiator Tournament.(Achieved!)
🎁 Secure the highest possible ranking in the Founding Anniversary Gladiator Tournament.(New!)
"Looks like the story progresses even without first place."
"Still, first place it is."
Who does she think she is?
Korea's fourth S-rank (for some reason, not announced yet).
Plus, Alben's gladiator tournament is Libion's first main story event.
Failing to take first in such a monumental event? No way she'd show her face.
"That's 'cause you guys couldn't do it."
Ignoring the viewers' declarations of war with one ear, she pushed the iron door.
"? Why won't it open."
Hidden title 'Over the Hill' confirmed.
Hidden route accessible.
Enter? Y/N
This route cannot be re-entered upon death.
"What the hell is this."
Most of the chat seemed clueless too.
In times like this...
Guide's unprepared.
Shouldn't she have looked this up beforehand?
Staring at the rising chat, she thought of the herb costs she'd wasted.
"Nah, don't wanna."
"I know."
"Why? 'Cause... no romance."
Imagine leisurely traveling with that constant ding-ding beside you.
Nothing kills the vibe more.
"I got a guide, so no need."
Ding-
Ignoring the viewers' complaints once more, a whisper arrived.
Free opportunity like this? No reason not to.
With that final chat, she hit Y.
Confirmed.
….
Good luck.
As the alert appeared, her vision darkened.
Good luck...
She frowned involuntarily at the familiar phrase.
It was what the goddess had said when she fell into this otherworld.
Irritation mixed with the darkening sight.
Then, vision gradually brightened.
Looking around, it was clearly the same corridor.
But not entirely.
The feel's different.
Libion's senses are hyper-realistic, but not exactly reality.
Close your eyes, focus, and you sense it's not real.
But not now.
Metallic tang lingered in the drifting corridor air.
The presence of countless people throughout the Colosseum pressed vividly.
Mingled faintly: blood scent, murmurs.
And foreboding.
All indistinguishable from reality.
No way...
"...Nah?"
Her heart pounded, fingers trembled.
It had to be no.
She couldn't lose her hard-won peace like this.
She swiped the air to open the menu.
Ding- The menu appeared.
With shaky hands, she frantically found the stream panel.
Clicking the chat icon, the tower of scrolling text appeared.
"Ha... good, safe..."
Thank god she hadn't been flung to another world.
Snapping back, the chat was full of concern.
Sweat...?
Touching her forehead reflexively, beads of sweat met her fingers.
Sniffing her hand, it smelled real.
"Haha..."
What was this? Reality or game? Indistinguishable.
A bit scary, ominous.
But chat was there, and crucially, logout button below the menu.
"...Let's do this."
Bail if things go south.
Steadying her breath, she pushed the iron door.
The waiting room beyond was torchlit like the corridor.
In the dim atmosphere, weapons hung on the walls.
At the center, a door like hers let sunlight pour in.
"Preliminaries begin now! Participants, please stand before the door!"
Following the announcer, she approached the iron door.
The arena came into view: sturdy sand floor ringed by walls with identical iron doors embedded.
Between gaps, figures visible.
"Why's that waiting room got multiple people."
Unlike her solo room, others had groups—roughly 200 total.
Varying auras suggested diverse participants.
Grind—
Gauging them, the front door rose with a heavy groan.
"Gladiators, please enter!"
Confirming it fully open, she strode into the arena.
Gladiators entered one by one, then in droves.
"Packed house."
Levels above heads: 30s to 60s.
Diverse gear screamed different regions.
"Prelim format: individual survival! Top 10 remaining advance!"
Quest: Alben Founding Anniversary Gladiator Tournament Preliminaries
📍 Survive to the end.
🎁 Reward: 100,000 credits, Ascension Potion x10, unidentified red ore
"What was it normally?"
"Hmm..."
With a soft hum, her hand rested on scabbard and nose guard.
As all gripped weapons and posed, the announcer boomed again.
"Trumpet signals start! Gladiators, stay sharp!"
Left leg back, she scanned the gazes on her, gauging levels.
Under Lv50 small fry: ~15.
Planning to boost egos on weaklings.
Sloppy stances, rotten minds.
Can win fights, no point.
Avoid melees now.
Variables pop up; her condition couldn't handle.
Stuck with them? Instant melee.
So, what to do?
Battō activated.
Swiftness activated.
Answer was set.
"Then! Let the games begin!!"
——!!
Trumpet boomed; her form shot forward.
Target: red headband, white dobok man.
Blade flew at his head, tracing a sharp line.
Ting-
Thick arm intercepted cleanly, ringing clear.
Like clashing sword on rock.
Thrill jolted her; she recoiled.
His fist crossed where she'd been.
As all froze at the instant clash, he bowed formally.
"This humble one is Yamada Ryo from Nishiyama. What is your name, swordmaster?"
"Baldojang. Just a wanderer."
"A splendid strike, Baldojang-sensei. Had my eyes caught its beauty, tears would flow. Truly regrettable."
Lv60 above his head; "Boss" beside.
Take him down? Probably win.
"Thanks, but talk ends here."
She thrust her sword at him.
"I challenge Yamada Ryo to a duel."