episode_0256

▶The next event is archery!◀

▶Go to the designated waiting room, check your equipment, and prepare for the match.◀

The second day of the martial arts competition has arrived.

From here on out, there are no sports events included in the competition.

Real events that can be called ‘fighting competitions’. In other words, events that are directly related to the fights of the participants will appear.

Although the first day was similar to a sports competition, the main episode of this game is still a 1:1 fight. In fact, in this era, that would be the biggest attraction.

Because of that, the weight of the score is greater on the second day.

The gap from the first day could easily be reversed.

In other words, you can see that the real competition starts now.

‘I think the stats… will probably be enough.’

Lv. 70

▶Strength 6.53

▶ Agility 7.81

▶Stamina 8.09

▶ Stamina 6.39

▶Immunity 1.65

▶??? 70%

Even the stats that I had raised to their limits in the game weren’t at this level.

My body, which I have managed by consistently sweating, cannot be ignored even in terms of data.

Moreover, since we knew what events would be held, we were able to practice in advance.

Thanks to that, I had already practiced to some extent with a bow, even though I had never held one in real life.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can be 100% at ease.

This branch itself follows a route I was familiar with, but the development is a little twisted.

For that reason, unlike the previous choice of not going down to the waiting room, I now had to go down to the waiting room to fill in some of the missing information.

As a result of coming down to the waiting room.

I was able to get some information.

“Just a little while ago, someone gave up on attending the martial arts tournament. Because of that, there were fewer people, so the arrangements were reorganized?”

My seat changed due to one person’s giving up, to F15.

That area is a bit lower in altitude but is more easily affected by the wind.

Therefore, in order to achieve the optimal conditions found in the game, the stiffness of the bow had to be increased and the arrow size had to be changed to a larger size.

‘If you hadn’t come down, we would have been in big trouble.’

I guess I’ll have to meet with Viscount Ptoa and check it out again. I already prevented that.

“There’s one more event added. Previously, it was all about competing using a score system, but now they’re making a field and running it in a competition format.”

Additionally, archery is divided into two events.

One is the well-known archery competition format with a score system. The other is a competition format where you calmly hit your opponent’s target while moving the other’s target with mana to take away points.

This matchup required multitasking, and it was important to understand the opponent’s style.

Since there was one less person, my opponent would have suddenly changed as well. I was able to quickly come down, read the notice, and figure out the style.

“The stuff I’m going to use is being watched closely by Viscount Ptoa. I have some time left.”

Should we look for one more hidden item?

As far as I know, this is a martial arts tournament.

There were times when hidden items helped.

If you go to the warehouse, you can get a grip that will improve your accuracy, and if you want to do a light warm-up, you can head to the far end of the practice arena and meet a merchant who will give you some useful string to strengthen your existing bow.

In addition, items suited to specific sponsors were placed here and there.

This allows you to use the right items at the right time in the martial arts competition to gain points.

Well… it’s boring, but this is actually the fun of Tsukur games.

In dot games, touching each object one by one to obtain items can be considered a classic among classics.

I started walking right away.

‘Victor Ptois… Victor Ptois… If that gentleman is…’

An item you can obtain when you choose Viscount Ptoa as your sponsor.

I moved to the hallway of the building on the other side, recalling the game information in my memory.

As I went down to the waiting room, I started hearing strange sounds.

-Phukk! Phukk!

“…this sound.”

My mouth gulped.

Because it was a sound I was quite familiar with.

That’s why my steps naturally quicken.

As I felt like I was getting dirtier rapidly, the corners of my mouth became dry.

Yes. This sound is the sound of a person kicking with their feet.

“Ugh…!”

As the distance became closer, the sound of impact became clearer and human voices could be distinguished.

Everything is transmitted through the ears.

The sight of him being trampled and kicked by many people while crouching.

Before I knew it, I was running.

The sight that came into view as I turned the corner.

“That’s right, why, why are you so upset, you see blood, huh?”

“You’ve been annoying me since last year.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier if you just said one word?”

“Ugh…! You can’t say something like that…!”

It was definitely group bullying.

…Fuck.

The water inside rises up on its own.

But I was in a situation where I couldn’t move carelessly right now.

‘…I forgot this.’

-Tiring!

▶The meeting with a specific person has been arranged.◀

▶In return, you can proceed with additional episodes.◀

▶Do you accept?◀

It’s true that there are many helpful items and information found in the waiting room, but this game always has traps lurking.

Obtaining an item requires taking a certain amount of risk.

If you take the wrong item, a trap trigger will be activated and you will be in a difficult situation.

Sometimes, you may act thoughtlessly and end up having to perform a sub-episode as a penalty for satisfying a condition.

Also, there are quite a few factors that trigger traps.

One of them is this. This trap forces you to meet a character who causes an episode at any time and force you to make a choice.

If you think rationally, you should leave.

This episode is probably the most annoying one for me.

however…

You want me to just look at that and ignore it?

Me, who knows that feeling better than anyone else?

“Ah, you stubborn kid. Why are you so persistent?”

“Either you get tired or you give up, just do one of the two! Huh?”

“I don’t like it, I don’t like it…! What’s wrong with that guy winning!”

…

How could you do something like that?

It’s impossible. I, of all people, would ignore that.

I approached him silently and put my hand on one of his shoulders.

-Bam.

“What the heck. What kind of clueless idiot is this─”

-Pfft!

“Kekeke!”

As I knocked one of them down with a precise bullet, their eyes immediately turned to me.

“I’m so sorry for not being tactful. Okay.”

“Ka, Karsain Bagrand…”

“Why are you here…!”

-Thud.

Why are they having such expressions on their faces when they’ve seen something so unsightly?

As if I wasn’t supposed to be here.

Yeah, well. Let’s give it a try.

“Why. Can’t I be here?”

“…”

“…”

That seemed to be the correct answer, and they kept their mouths shut.

There is something fishy about it.

“Okay. You guys, get some.”

I’m feeling pretty dirty right now.

-Tiring!

▶Accepted the episode.◀

▶This episode has a huge impact. The main episode will change!◀

▶Episode II. Unexpected Gaze Progresses◀

***

“Ugh…!”

Before I knew it, the cleaning was finished.

Starting with the first one, then the second one, then the third one, and then the last one.

It didn’t take long to sort out the guys who rushed in with their poor skills.

Finally, the guy who was gnashing his teeth made an indignant expression at my gesture as if to ask if I wanted to try any more, and then quickly backed away.

“Things that are nothing special.”

As I was roughly shaking my hands and clicking my tongue, the guy got up.

“Thank you… I don’t know how to express my gratitude for this…”

“Okay.”

▶Episode II. Cleared the unexpected gaze.◀

▶Successfully saved a character who was being bullied by a group.◀

▶No penalty is imposed.◀

I came here in the first place just because of this status window.

I treated him appropriately.

I cleared the episode and the penalty window didn’t even pop up.

I guess I should go back to my seat and start preparing for the game.

Just as I was about to turn around.

“Hold on a second, bro!”

The guy grabbed me.

“…You’re calling me hyung all of a sudden. What would you do if someone heard─”

“Brother. You won’t do that this time, right?”

“What?”

“You didn’t show off your skills at the last martial arts competition!”

My eyes widen at the unexpected question.

Karsine… didn’t show his full potential during last year’s martial arts tournament?

This doesn’t seem like something that can just be overlooked.

“I don’t know why you think that.”

“Stop lying! If Hyung had held the sword properly, he could have won against all these people…!”

“Well, maybe you’re mistaken.”

“Brother!”

The guy raised his voice.

“I know how to use a sword too. That’s why I know! Hyung, you lost to your opponent on purpose that day!”

“…”

As expected. It’s annoying.

-Tiring!

▶You can accept the linked episode.◀

▶Episode III. Clear conditions for those who prove their qualifications have been changed.◀

[ Clear Condition: Top 10% ]

▶If you decline, your reputation score in the 1st Division will slightly decrease.◀

▶Would you like to accept the episode?◀

This guy’s name is Willard Stephen.

He is one of the few people who support Karsine.

As you can see from his surname, Stefan, he is a descendant of Lord Carlton, the 1st Knight of the House of Bagrand.

That is, this is an episode that is connected to Bagrand.

‘There is only one solution. We have to achieve the clear condition and show that it was not wrong to support Karsene, who we have supported since the past.’

In aristocratic society, defending Karsene is a surefire way to get buried. That’s why accepting this episode was such a bother.

It’s a hundred percent right to refuse.

I don’t know the details of this incident, I don’t know anything at all.

We don’t know whether Karthus was really skilled, whether he had the skills to lose in a martial arts tournament, or who his opponent was.

But… strangely enough, I felt a sense of understanding about this situation.

…Because there were times like that in the past too.

So it makes sense.

‘Yeah. There was a guy like that back then too.’

That’s how it was at school.

Seniors are people who graduated before us.

As the years go by, we grow older and move up a grade. And then, just like we did, new students come in. The so-called juniors.

In some ways, from my perspective, it was better for time to pass quickly.

The higher-ups who used to bully me are slowly disappearing one by one. The guys I had to deal with are disappearing for an entire grade.

Besides, it is impossible for a junior to bother a senior who is one year older than him.

But the reality is no different, so I quickly gave up on those expectations.

New juniors coming in? Seniors leaving?

Even if a person changes, isn’t it meaningless?

It’s obvious what rumors will spread about a celebrity named Kim Min-hyuk.

I will do whatever it takes to make sure my story reaches my juniors.

Old enemies have disappeared, and new ones have appeared. I have no one on my side unless it’s time to graduate from that school.

…I thought so.

Until I met that guy.

-Don’t be ridiculous. If you just look at his skills, that guy is no different from the captain of the kendo club. Why are you being so stubborn?!

Among the freshmen, there were some who chose the kendo club.

However, among those juniors, there was only one guy who used to say such things.

The guy noticed my outstanding skills early on and used to protest boldly to the third-year seniors.

And it wasn’t long before he was being bullied, just like I was.

‘…Now that I think about it, it was the sports day back then too.’

I personally saved a guy who was being bullied.

-Brother. If you fight properly, you’ll win. I know you didn’t show your true strength!

-You did it on purpose because you thought it would be annoying, right?

Also, in last year’s competition, I deliberately lost to my opponent so that I wouldn’t be bothered by anything and would step down from the starting lineup.

What a strange coincidence.

Not only did it overlap with the sports competition, but how did I see such a similar guy?

“Forget that memory. I’ll make it seem like it never happened.”

“Yes?”

I answered the guy who asked me the question as if he was dumbfounded, with a sly smile.

“This is a martial arts tournament. I will win.”

Just like at the sports festival.

-Tiring!

▶Episode III. Accepting the One Who Proves His Qualifications◀

▶Intimacy with a specific person has increased.◀

[ Willard Stephen ]

[ Intimacy level: 38% ]

***

I returned to my waiting room, leaving Willard behind.

Finally, the time has come.

It’s not strange for Viscount Ptoa to be here, as he is my sponsor.

But the problem is that I’m not alone.

“Your Highness, it looks like the young master has just arrived.”

“…”

[ Arina Bagrand ]

[ Intimacy: 35% ]

-Tiring!

▶One of the family members came to visit randomly.◀

▶Arina has been named as a random family member. Complete the conversation.◀

A mandatory event on the second day of the martial arts tournament.

There, the one I disliked the most came out.

.

.

.

“Okay. I’ll wait in the room across from you until you two finish talking.”

“Thank you. Self-made.”

Count Ptois left, saying that they should talk comfortably.

In my waiting room, only Arina remained.

‘The options don’t appear?’

When the martial arts tournament is held in Chapter 3, since the tournament results and another plan are the main focus, skip scenes like this sometimes appear.

In the game, there were only a few lines of dialogue and then it skipped straight to the end, but why isn’t there anything like that here?

Just in case, let’s get to the point quickly and wrap up the story.

I first ask Arina a question, who noticed me and walked over to me.

“What’s your business?”

Arina let out a light exhale and gave instructions to her attendants.

Before long, the servants began to move in all sorts of objects, and the table in my waiting room was filled with the things they had brought.

“You can choose whatever you want. This is what I am giving you.”

“ha?”

“After the investigation, I found out that it wasn’t your fault. Yes. It was clearly my misjudgment. So, this is what I’m going to compensate you for. Karsane.”

Ha. It’s called compensation.

It’s a way of responding with appropriate compensation for a mistake. It’s so familiar. First of all, I’m no different from that girl.

In a way, that was a relief.

“Also, as your mother said, I plan to give you back all your rights. From now on─”

“No need.”

Cold blood began to flow through my body.