Chapter 6

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 6

Chapter Title: Carry Hard. No Dodge

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Deciding to grind my rating was a good call. At least it gave me some direction.

‘But what the hell kind of game is this?’

The problem was that I'd never seen the game my sister was playing before. First things first, I needed to look it up.

I searched for The Legendary Arena on Green Wiki to gather some info.

From the description alone, it looked similar to games I'd played before—just with the input device changed.

‘Guess I should just try it.’

Reading the wiki was one thing, but actually playing the game would be better. Might as well strike while the iron is hot. I started to get out of bed, then lay back down.

Checking the match history site, my sister's tier was Platinum. Not super high, so no need to rush right away.

‘For now, let's get some sleep...’

I closed my eyes, and drowsiness gradually washed over me.

*

‘So this is how you charge it up.’

The next day, I headed to the capsule room at the crack of dawn. No staff around this early, but using it was no problem.

The corner spots were best, so I went to the one farthest inside. I stashed my shoes and stuff in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the locker next to the capsule and locked it.

"Done."

I set the password, and it locked with a click. Standing up, I pressed the button on the outside of the capsule.

Pssshhh—

Air hissed out, and the lid slowly opened. I climbed in and lay down, feeling like I was floating in water.

‘So that's how it works.’

After a brief moment of surprise at the novel sensation, I pressed the button inside, and the lid closed.

"Yes."

I nodded to confirm.

The walls around me shimmered green.

My vision flashed. A falling sensation pulled me into another space, my body floating weightlessly.

Soon, solid ground touched my soles. A lush green meadow stretched before me. The scent of earth tickled my nose, and a gentle breeze brushed past.

"...This is all supposed to be virtual, not real?"

They say sufficiently advanced science is indistinguishable from magic. And it was true. Even illusion magic couldn't feel this real.

While I was purely admiring the surroundings, text appeared. Instructions followed, easy to follow step by step. I performed various movements and actions as guided.

‘Amazing.’

It felt no different from moving in reality. How could it respond so quickly?

A sword dropped from the sky, and a scarecrow appeared simultaneously.

I bent down, gripped the sword. The familiar weight brought a smile. Never dreamed I'd hold one again so soon.

Whoosh—!

I took stance and slashed the scarecrow. Its head cleanly severed and hit the ground.

A bow and arrow appeared. I aimed at the distant target, slowly drawing the string.

Creak—

Tension, hand tremor, weight—all perfectly felt.

Twang—!

Releasing, the arrow flew true to the center. Recoil shook the bow.

After that, it made me trip on purpose or bump into walls. Fire and ice let me feel heat and cold.

‘Pain is limited.’

It wasn't completely absent—just a sting, not overwhelming.

Makes sense. Full pain could cause shock. Who'd play VR games with that risk?

The scenery dissolved like dust into green code-filled space, then back to the meadow.

"Skip it."

With that, all text vanished, replaced by various UI elements.

"Oh."

The Legendary Arena was there. I quickly selected it.

Vision flashed; massive castle walls filled my sight.

Boom— Boom— Boom—!

"Waaaaaaaaaa—!!!"

Fierce drums and roars echoed. Arrows darkened the sky in a volley.

Boom—!

Cannon fire boomed, iron scent stung my nose. A soldier charged at me—then vision blacked out.

"Whoa..."

Impressive intro. Reminded me vividly of battling the Demon King's army.

The screen brightened to reveal a large desk—a holographic battlefield. A woman appeared beside it.

"Welcome to The Legendary Arena! I'm Melena, here to assist you. Nice to meet you!"

"Nice to meet you."

I shook her hand. The vivid touch. Hard to believe she was an NPC.

"What should I call you?"

"A name..."

I pondered briefly, then entered one.

‘Since I was a porter back then.’

I wanted to express returning from that other world. I was a Carrier there.

No one would get it, but self-satisfaction.

"Carrier! Great name! I'll call you Carrier from now on!"

"Sounds good."

Melena beamed, spreading her arms.

"This is the lounge you use before entering The Legendary Arena. Let me guide you through what you can do here!"

With bubbly energy, Melena explained the lobby and Arena.

"So, to sum up, heroes from all dimensions gather to battle in the 'Legendary Arena.' I pick one to support?"

"Exactly. If you get it, time for game basics!"

"Nah, I'm good."

"Huh?"

That was enough explanation. I'd already figured out what The Legendary Arena was.

Needed to start ASAP to meet my sister sooner.

"Can I jump into a ranked game right away?"

"Sadly, no. I trust you, Hayul, but the heroes don't. You need 20 quick matches first for competitive."

"Tch."

Yeah, a total newbie dropping into ranked would be a disaster for teammates.

"Guess no choice then."

Was gonna take it easy, but plans changed. Blitz 20 quicks, then ranked.

"Start with quick match."

"Got it. Starting matchmaking!"

Matchmade instantly—popular game. View shifted to holographic battlefield.

The moment the first chat popped up, I grasped the situation. Fingers flew to type.

I checked heroes one by one—weapons, abilities. Some familiar skills, some brand new.

"Hmm. Which one's good."

‘Same old.’

I ignored the chat and selected a top laner from the list.

Game hadn't even started, and teammates were already fighting.

I quickly typed to stop our jungler.

"Smurf on another account, but..."

No point explaining; they wouldn't believe it.

As our jungler said that, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the timer hit zero—game started.

I quietly inhaled. Sharp blood scent pierced my nose. Back to the battlefield.