Arena Finals (5)

My whole body ached with lingering phantom pain.

Especially my heart, which was attacked at the end, was beating faster than usual.

It would have been dangerous if it was in the past.

How long has it been since I died in the game?

It’s a defeat I’ve experienced after a long time. It reminds me of old times, and I feel a bit frustrated.

…No, I was very frustrated.

I was so angry I wanted to throw and break anything I could find if there was something to throw.

Something was boiling inside my chest, but there was no proper place to vent it.

If I had been aware, there would have been a way to notice.

I was so careful not to be hasty.

In the end, I’m human too. My vision might have narrowed with the thought that I needed to make a decisive move.

“What should I do? I really want to win.”

There’s still one unsolved problem in my heart.

If I win this tournament, will I be satisfied?

As a player, I ultimately failed to prove myself to the world.

For whatever reason, I couldn’t participate in the World Championship, and with that accident, the clock in my heart broke down.

Like a spirit bound to a strange land, I’m still stuck at the same time.

Please help me.

I want to live too.

Saying that doesn’t change anything.

I know I need to quench this thirst in the end.

The gap between the stopped time and reality has become too wide.

If I win this tournament, will that gap narrow a bit?

Will the stopped time start flowing again, and will I be able to catch up with the world someday?

Can I, who lives with regrets rather than tomorrow… shake off these regrets?

No answers came.

Still, I hate losing to the point of death.

Despite being at rock bottom, my pride remains.

I couldn’t easily erase the screen in front of me.

[Class Selection]

– Assassin

– Swordsman

My choice is…

* * *

[Infinity Arena Final – Match 3]

[Battlefield: Ancient Weapon Hangar]

[AT Kelberos(Dark Knight) vs Gawol(Assassin)]

《 All preparations are complete! 》

《 The two players have exchanged one victory each. Cerberus took the second match, making the set score 1:1. 》

《 With this, even Gawol, who was writing an undefeated legend, has been checked once. The wall of the world is indeed high, isn’t it? It seems the European hegemon has shown his true colors. 》

《 But the content of the match wasn’t bad, right? As discussed at the analysis desk, she really pushed Cerberus to the brink of death. We can look forward to the next match. 》

The official caster of Infinity Arena.

Ho-eun calmly poured out her commentary.

The players’ build information was revealed on both sides of the broadcast monitor.

There’s not much time left until it’s revealed to the public.

Analyzing that is the job of the commentators on both sides. Meanwhile, Ho-eun observed Gawol’s expression.

It’s more common than you might think.

For a player said to be the protagonist of the next generation to crumble after just a few defeats.

Among them, the first defeat often becomes the biggest shock.

‘Is she wavering?’

Excluding the first preliminary round that was broadcast on a private streamer’s channel, Ho-eun has commentated all of Gawol’s matches so far.

Before entering a match. The appearance players show contains a lot of information.

That player’s attitude towards the match. Their condition that day, even their work ethic or confidence.

That’s why Ho-eun knew better than anyone what kind of player Gawol has been.

Gawol is a player with an incredible obsession with victory.

To the point where you might wonder why she hasn’t gone pro until now.

Her fighting spirit against strong opponents and her desire for recognition, wanting to reveal herself to others, are comparable to top-class players.

Perhaps the commentator next to her will evaluate Gawol like this again today.

《 Gawol has brought out the physical assassin she showcased in the first match again! 》

《 This can be summarized in one word. “I’m good at fighting.” It’s like saying, let’s fight again? 》

《 As expected of a player brimming with confidence. The fact that she can attempt this against Cerberus shows she has a strong heart… 》

The physical assassin is a build that heavily depends on physicality.

It’s difficult to create tactical variables, but it’s a choice you might make if you have confidence in pure skill.

So at a glance, Gawol appears to be a player with a strong heart and ego.

But Ho-eun thought differently.

Her heart acts strongly not for herself, but only for victory.

Physicality that even active players would acknowledge. The psychological warfare that Cerberus described as “fox-like.”

All of that is built on top of the goal of victory.

So, to reiterate, it was a common occurrence.

For a player who received tremendous expectations to crumble after one defeat.

《 Cerberus is solid! 》

《 This is what’s possible when the best player takes up the dark knight. Try to break through if you can! 》

《 It’s difficult. Player Gawol is doing her best to breakthrough, but opportunities just aren’t arising. 》

Before entering a match.

Players who are truly confident and at ease show emotions in their expressions.

Those who can enjoy the game even have a slight smile.

But Gawol has never smiled once in the waiting room until now.

She shows her mischievous side as people think when she secures victory, but that’s a separate matter.

When left alone, Gawol was always a cold and calculating competitor.

Gawol’s expression has darkened particularly since the last round.

It means her psychological balance has been broken.

–  Looks like Cerberus has won this one

– Honestly, it was tough lol

– Even winning 1 match is good~

– At least she drained a lot of health in the previous round, but this round is really lost

As the game tilts.

As the structure collapses, people gradually noticed this fact.

Gawol’s unique physicality is still there.

Sense that shines in moments, fakes that go beyond ingenious to malicious.

Capabilities that are impossible to believe come from an unknown player are pouring out.

If news came out that Gawol was a promising player secretly raised by some pro team.

Ho-eun would nod and say, “I knew it!”

It would be the same if a prestigious team scouted her after this tournament.

Nevertheless, her strength didn’t reach Cerberus.

《 That exchange just now was extremely sharp. Player Gawol precisely targeted the gap when the magic shield’s duration ended. 》

《 Yes. It was really a split-second moment, but she wedged in well and opened up an engagement. However, Cerberus’s response was too clean. 》

《 Gawol must be feeling very frustrated. She showed the best she could do at the moment, but keeps getting blocked. The physical assassin was first shown in the first match, but it’s being perfectly countered. 》

In this match, Cerberus adopted a build more focused on defense than usual.

Ho-eun was once an active player too.

Although she’s now active as a caster rather than a commentator, she could clearly read the intention of that build.

It’s impossible to directly counter Gawol’s speed or technique.

But by focusing on defense, you can force choices.

Try to break through if you can. I’ll take as much as you give.

The dark knight’s unique long game.

And combined with Cerberus’s unique sense, it became an impregnable fortress.

《 Ah… the debuffs. Too many debuffs have stacked. 》

《 In fact, it’s been a while since the dark knight’s skills were enhanced to the highest level. The fact that there’s been a tight engagement until now is already amazing. 》

《 It’s also reminiscent of the match with Luche. She endured a bit longer, but limits are gradually becoming visible. 》

The collapsing match gradually showed its end.

As Gawol’s strength waned, Cerberus made his decisive move.

A heavy and solemn first strike.

A sharp counterattack even in difficult circumstances.

Desperate resistance continued, but in the end, the winner seemed clear.

Cerberus’s sword pierced Gawol’s neck.

Even while spewing blood, the dagger aiming for the heart – failed to achieve its purpose and went limp.

[The match has ended.]

– AT Kelberos: 2

– Gawol: 1

It would be a lie to say it’s not disappointing.

But Ho-eun was a caster who had been commentating matches for a long time.

She doesn’t put personal emotions into the broadcast.

《 Player Cerberus has delivered the final blow, ending the match! 》

《 It seems like a point where change is needed. Player Gawol, there should still be a lot left to show… 》

The two players returned to the waiting room.

Gawol’s expression looked even darker than before.

Is it over? That can’t be.

Suddenly, interest returned to Ho-eun’s expression.

Those eyes. And that expression.

It was definitely not that of someone who had given up.

It’s the face of someone who wants to win at any cost.

The monitor displaying the assassin’s build information flickered for a moment.

All information disappeared, and new information overlaid it.

Ho-eun, and even the two commentators, had bewilderment on their faces.

Finally, at the moment when the player had to make a decision.

Ho-eun shouted something loudly.

As always, dry text appeared in the arena.

[Infinity Arena Final – Match 4]

[Battlefield: Duel’s Corridor]

[AT Kelberos(Dark Knight) vs Gawol(Swordsman)]