Paradise Lost (3)

Even though the synchronization rate had decreased, the wind in the game was still refreshing.

While circling around the area, I gave light greetings to some streamers and gifted death to others.

The hit list I had was still valid.

[‘You receive the effect of the Gray Moon’s Blessing’]

[For up to 10 seconds, you melt into shadows within 10m of players…]

It’s true that my situation has improved a lot since contracting with Sigma.

The massive treatment costs for my legs were draining my balance like pouring water into a bottomless pit.

With Sigma’s support added to that money, my pocket situation was no longer tight.

In the end, the place receiving that money was Sigma anyway.

In any case, it’s a situation where I can use the money I earned for myself.

I no longer had to get by on just ramen and supplements.

Naturally, there was no need to maintain field PK while subcontracting from siege guilds.

But… you could call this inertia too.

Killing streamers was close to a hobby from the beginning.

Why should I stop doing what I’m good at and enjoy?

“Hello?”

“No, how long do I have to…”

It’s a target I decided to kill and can kill.

It’s their fault for getting their name on my notepad in the first place!

I don’t feel any reason to let them live at all.

The surprise attack landed properly, slashing the side.

The opponent is also a skilled streamer. Their reaction speed isn’t bad.

Metal sounds rang as daggers clashed.

Let’s put a feint on the right and aim for the opposite side.

A stab to the hand trying to draw a throwing knife.

Retrieve the weapon as if tearing the hand the blade is stuck in.

Since one attempt was blocked, the next is obvious.

This time, won’t they draw the spare dagger from their waist?

Thinking my hand would be a bit faster, I snatched it preemptively.

I succeeded, but… stealing is bad.

No matter how real this place looks, it’s just a game in the end.

Without ownership, it doesn’t become mine just because I stole it briefly.

I should return it, right?

I’m not a person with bad hand habits after all.

While the man’s hand hesitated at the empty dagger sheath – I threw it at his brow so the blade was clearly visible.

“Here, it’s yours.”

[You have forcibly killed adventurer Kim Chi Ninja.]

[You have stolen the opponent’s money and gained 1,082,625 Gold.]

[Wanted criminal killed! You have gained a bounty of 12,200,000 Gold.]

I didn’t think this would hit.

Have my standards become too high?

Seeing him collapse more feebly than expected, I couldn’t help but smile.

I was a bit worried since there was a gap period.

Although I hadn’t logged into the main game, I’m someone who continued practicing PVP itself.

It seems my sense in the field hasn’t dulled much either.

Rather, I felt like I’ve improved a bit from before.

As the synchronization rate lowered, it became easier to endure pain, and recently I’ve been constantly matching up with pro gamers.

I could see the opponent’s movements much more clearly.

Thanks to that, I got excited… and went around the platform drying up the seeds of live broadcasts.

Just as I finished my rounds with Kim Chi Ninja.

Maybe because it’s a game I haven’t logged into for a while, I felt a bit thirsty.

I want to see a bit more blood.

Suddenly, one thing caught my eye.

‘Wouldn’t this be quite a good time?’

My hand moved impulsively, pressing the button.

[Do you want to start Rank Game matching? Y/N]

[Starting random matching.]

[Searching for an opponent… Estimated time 03:30]

* * *

In games with ranks, tier is a matter of pride.

Just as most arguments between gamers eventually come down to “So what’s your tier?”, tier was ultimately like a gamer’s social status.

Especially, the highest tier that only a very small number of users can reach in any game was bound to be an object of envy.

But winning in ranked games doesn’t put money in my pocket.

Evaluation among gamers is purely in the realm of honor.

For me, a penny of money was far more important than empty honor.

That’s not to say I didn’t play ranked games at all.

Since I started playing the game, I had never come down from Infinity, the highest tier.

The reason was the season end rewards.

The game company dangled attractive rewards as bait to encourage participation in ranked games, and I aimed only for those rewards.

In other words, I was a master of “parking”, just maintaining the business card of the tier.

But anyone who has played in the highest ranks feels one thing.

[Author: RealGameIsNot]

[Title: The upper ranks of Infinity really have different footwork]

The kids exposed on the first page of the ranking and

The kids who barely got in and got their business card are just different tiers

There are only a few hundred people in there, but the level difference within is huge

Even now if I queue up, I sometimes get matched with them

Every time I feel like there’s a wall

They’re playing the same character as me, but somehow they seem faster and stronger

Being in the same tier doesn’t mean the same level

Those in 1 digit ranks and 3 digit ranks are just different worlds

In fact, if you look at just the score difference between them, it’s bigger than the difference between diamond and bronze, but people don’t realize that

Considering that the score you gain per win is lower, the actual difference is even bigger

I’ll admit this is my limit

Getting this far is already doing well

[Comments]

– You really understand why pros are pros

– When you play with them, it’s hard to even keep up with the tempo..

[Matching complete.]

[Do you want to accept the match? Y/N]

[…You will be moved to the battlefield in 20 seconds.]

A tier that’s considered just the sky among ordinary users.

But there’s another sky above that sky.

Until now, I didn’t think of climbing because time was precious… but now, well, I have time to spare.

‘It’s already confirmed that I can’t participate in this international competition anyway.’

The temporary measure period allowing connection is 50 days.

Even if everything goes well, it will take at least 50 days to join the pro scene.

By the time that much time has passed, the spring international competition will be wrapping up.

Depending on the schedule, it might have already ended.

Anyway, it was impossible to write my name at the stage of submitting the roster.

If I raise my ranking when I have time – wouldn’t it be a good meaning when I debut?

Since I’m doing it anyway.

It might be good to put my name at number 1 once.

* * *

[Rank Match – Diamond II]

[Battlefield: Where the Storm Sleeps]

[Rule: 6-person Annihilation]

The username ‘ThrowIfUseChainSickle’ was a user with a moderate disposition.

Main class is Assassin. Sub class is Holy Knight.

As soon as the matching was set, an anonymous teammate selected Assassin, and naturally, a sigh escaped his lips.

The feeling is not good from the start.

He also mains Assassin, but it’s not treated well in ranked games.

Having a high ceiling is only a story at the pro level.

In the realm of ordinary people, it’s just a nuisance class with weak health and attack power.

His principle was to basically not trust any Assassin other than himself.

But in ranked games, the one who wants to win more is the weaker one.

Words much milder than his true feelings flowed from his mouth.

“Excuse me, Assassin. Our main classes overlap, could you possibly give it up? I think having 2 Assassins in an annihilation match is a bit much.”

The answer… didn’t come.

At that point, he immediately got the feeling.

This guy is a case of having no intention to communicate with teammates at all.

Judging by how they set their username and avatar to private before starting, they must have something to be guilty about.

His head was already throbbing.

He wanted to give up the game, but he couldn’t.

Victory was more desperate than anything to him who was obsessed with points.

But when he actually entered the game.

He couldn’t help but frown deeply.

‘Chain sickle? When did that trend end?’

The flood of chain sickle assassins that once made ranked games hell.

His username ‘ThrowIfUseChainSickle’ was also a name he changed because he couldn’t stand that time.

But he wasn’t strong-willed enough to actually throw the game – so he quietly grasped his shield.

The assassin holding the chain sickle is nowhere to be seen.

Their avatar seemed to imitate Gawol too.

This type is the most troublesome.

Yeah. It’s better this way.

Let’s consider this game as if we’re missing one teammate.

Suppressing his bubbling emotions, he surveyed the battlefield.

“Since we’re one person short, let’s play defensively. Hunter, please set traps…”

Our team composition is unsuitable for initiating.

It would be better to defend by making a fortress with the Hunter at the forefront.

Whatever our Assassin is doing wherever, it’s not our business…

[‘Anonymous Adventurer A’ has killed ‘PeroPeroCerperus’.]

“Oh, they got one at least. How did they do it with a chain sickle?”

Well, let’s say all’s well that ends well.

The Holy Knight’s lips started to curve upwards.

His joy soon turned to doubt.

[‘Anonymous Adventurer A’ has killed ‘CokPungCokPungQuickly’.]

[‘Anonymous Adventurer A’ has killed ‘InsaneVampireClan’.]

“?”

Kill logs suspiciously pile up in a 6-person annihilation match.

The main force that was about to solidify their defensive posture hurriedly advanced towards the enemy camp.

After finishing off the two who were frantically fleeing, the game ended anticlimactically.

[‘Anonymous Adventurer A’ has killed ‘WantToEatCroquette’.]

[You have won.]

[MVP: Gawol (Anonymous Adventurer A)]

[Do you want to change your nickname to ‘ChainSickleIsOnlyForGawol’? Y/N]

[It has been changed.]