Chapter 58: Arena Tournament(7)

October 16th. The third day of the finals was underway.

Just like the Round of 16, the Quarterfinals progressed without any issues.

However, once the Quarterfinal matches had concluded, a large message suddenly appeared on the broadcast screen.

[Please wait a moment.]

Most viewers assumed there was a technical issue with the broadcast.

But that wasn’t the case.

Before long, the message disappeared, and the screen transitioned to reveal three well-dressed individuals wearing sharp suits.

[Hello, everyone. It’s a pleasure to be here. We welcome you to the live broadcast of the Semifinals for the 1st Deron Online World Tournament.]

The broadcast began with a greeting from the man seated in the center.

A brief message appeared below him, revealing his identity.

[Choi Sung-jun]

A former VRS pro gamer who had retired from competitive play and transitioned into a commentary role.

For those who regularly followed gaming broadcasts, his voice was unmistakably familiar—even if they didn’t recognize his name.

Most viewers thought:

“I might not know his name, but I definitely recognize that voice.”

[Joining us today, we have Zeroth, the current No. 1 ranked player in Deron’s Arena, and Jin, a professional player from W.S Team in VRS.]

[It’s a pleasure to be here. I’m Zeroth.]

[Hello, I’m Jin.]

The Semifinals was where the true titans of the game faced off.

To enhance the viewer experience, the developers of Deron had arranged for expert commentators.

[For those of you who play Deron, you’re likely familiar with the name Zeroth. As the current No. 1 in the Arena rankings, he’s here to provide in-depth analysis for our viewers.]

As soon as Choi Sung-jun finished speaking, Zeroth, seated to the left, nodded politely.

Then, the commentator continued.

[And for those who play VRS, you should recognize Jin. He’s a first-division member of W.S, one of the top professional teams. Jin is here for the same reason—to offer his insights.]

As Choi Sung-jun wrapped up his introduction, the screen changed, displaying the list of semifinalists.

Below the names, a win prediction poll showed each player’s expected victory rate, determined by the votes of viewers participating in the event.

[I hope everyone remembered to submit their match predictions! The points you earn from these predictions can be used to purchase various event rewards, so be sure to participate!]

[Now, both Zeroth and Jin have also taken part in the predictions. Would you two be willing to reveal your picks?]

At Choi Sung-jun’s request, both Zeroth and Jin nodded without hesitation.

The screen changed, revealing Zeroth’s pick.

Judging by how they even had prepared graphics for this, it seemed like everything had been prearranged beforehand.

A brief explanation followed, comparing Zeroth’s prediction to the win rate expected by viewers.

Then, Jin’s pick was revealed, and another short comparison was made between his choice and the audience’s predictions.

[The match is about to begin. Let’s cut the small talk here and take a closer look at the semifinalists.]

As Choi Sung-jun finished speaking, the broadcast screen switched, displaying the tournament bracket.

Moving his mouse cursor, Choi Sung-jun clicked on the left side of the bracket.

[Let’s start from the left side. We have Yeon and N.R-AboX competing in this match.]

With another click, detailed player information appeared on the screen.

The first player analyzed was Yeon.

A screenshot of Yeon’s character was shown, along with a brief description below it.

[This player has been making headlines lately. Not only is Yeon highly skilled at character customization, but their in-game abilities are also top-tier. Easily one of the strongest contenders for the championship title. Zeroth, how would you describe Yeon in Deron?]

[Yeon is one of the first names that comes to mind when you think of Deron. In fact, they are the only player on the server to own a World Item, which speaks volumes about their achievements.]

[Have you ever faced Yeon in the Arena?]

[Yes, quite a few times.]

[If you had to sum up Yeon in one phrase?]

[Hmm… Someone you can never let your guard down against? Razor-sharp? Something like that.]

[A bit vague, but I’m sure those who have watched Yeon’s matches can relate.]

With that, Choi Sung-jun wrapped up Yeon’s profile and pulled up information on their opponent.

[N.R-AboX]

• Team: Night Rave (also known as the “Night Ravens”)
• Role: First-division player
• Main weapon: Dual-wielding
• Class tree: Rogue → Assassin (Rank 2) → Night Walker (Rank 2)

[AboX is part of Night Rave, a team often referred to as the ‘Night Ravens.’ To utilize his team’s signature sword techniques, he chose the Rogue class, which specializes in dual-wielding. Jin, what kind of player is AboX?]

[AboX is an incredibly sharp player. He’s widely regarded as the strongest sword in the Night Ravens team.]

[That’s quite the praise from you, Jin. If Yeon and AboX were to go head-to-head, who do you think would win?]

[Hmm… I’d have to say Yeon has the higher chance of winning.]

[Ah, why’s that?]

[I watched yesterday’s Round of 16 matches myself. I saw Yeon going up against N.R-AboX.]

[Was it really that impressive?]

[Hmm, rather than trying to explain it, it’ll be faster to just watch it yourself. Looks like the match is about to start anyway.]

With Jin’s comment, the screen switched.

The familiar large arena map that viewers had seen countless times spread out once again, and the two players were now standing face-to-face.

[Uh, what’s this…?]

Caster Choi Sung-jun sounded flustered as he spoke.
His eyes were fixed on a small girl standing in the arena.

The other commentators were just as taken aback.
After letting out a short, awkward sound, Zeroth quickly stepped in to explain.

[Yeon… she’s equipped angel wings… It looks like she received that costume as a reward from the recent global event.]

[Ah, so it was an event reward. I was worried for a second that something went wrong with the player.]

Just as the commentators said, Yeon, appearing as a small girl, had enormous angel wings on her back — so large they could wrap around her body.

Apparently pleased with the look, Yeon kept fluttering her wings playfully.

[She looks very satisfied, doesn’t she?]

[She hasn’t stopped smiling at all…]

Some time passed like that.
While everyone was still captivated by Yeon’s transformation into a literal angel, the preparation time ended, and the match officially began.

[Alright, the match has started. Both players seem cautious, studying each other carefully…]

[Honestly, it’s hard to focus on the match because of those wings.]

It was exactly as the commentators said.
The huge angel wings Yeon wore were so eye-catching that it was nearly impossible to focus on anything else.

Even when trying to examine AboX carefully, your eyes would instinctively drift toward Yeon’s fluttering wings every time they moved even slightly.

At that moment, AboX closed the distance and launched an attack.
He swung his sword, activating the skill [Shadow Pull] to drag the opponent toward him.

A black effect shot forward, enveloping Yeon.

However, just as she was being pulled in, Yeon slammed her sword into the ground.

By activating the skill [Frenzied Slash] at the moment she was being dragged, she quickly recovered her stance.

Boom!

However, the attack didn’t land.
That was because AboX’s body disappeared, swallowed by a black shadow.

It was a lightning-fast exchange of tactics.

[Ah, AboX got out of that very nicely. If he had gotten greedy and stayed, he would’ve been shredded to pieces by that Frenzied Slash combo.]

[We can’t see AboX anymore. Looks like he’s using stealth to wait for an opportunity—ah, just as I say that!]

As the commentators said, AboX had entered stealth, looking for a chance to strike.
Using the stealth-only skill [Assassinate] required him to get extremely close to the target.

Just as AboX approached Yeon’s side—

a sharp slash burst through the fluttering angel wings.

It was as if Yeon had already anticipated the stealthy approach.
The same scene from the Round of 16 replayed itself.
Now that AboX had voluntarily closed the distance, he was met with a terrifying flurry of sword strikes.

[Ah! Yeon predicted the stealth approach!]

[Stealth skills from the rogue class can hide the user’s appearance completely, but they can’t hide their footsteps or the sound they make. Looks like Yeon picked up on those sounds and detected the approach.]

[We saw the same sharp awareness back in the Round of 16.]

Their swords clashed relentlessly.
Each time the shimmering blades grazed one another midair, it was AboX who kept getting pushed back.

The lower his health dropped, the faster and heavier Yeon’s attacks became.

Clang!

Yeon swung her sword with a huge motion, striking upward from below.
AboX’s body was slightly lifted into the air and knocked backward.

Yeon didn’t miss the opportunity.
Releasing a surge of red energy from her entire body, she leapt into the air.

[Ah! Yeon’s gone airborne!]

It was a clear declaration — she intended to finish this.
The large angel wings on her back spread wide behind her.

The skill [Leap Smash] activated.
A powerful shockwave slammed down onto AboX from above.

Taking the full force of the descending blow, AboX couldn’t withstand the following strikes, and his head was cleanly severed.

[She took flight! She actually flew just now!]

[With those wings spreading out, she looked exactly like an angel.]

Winner:
[Yeon]

1 win, 0 losses.

Loser:
[N.R-AboX]
0 wins, 1 loss.

[Yeon takes the first victory of the match.]

The match ended.
Both players returned to their starting positions in a faint shimmer of light.
At that moment, AboX raised his hand and started saying something to Yeon across the arena.

[Ah, AboX is requesting a conversation with Yeon. I wonder what it’s about?]

[Hmm, unfortunately, we can’t hear their conversation.]

While quietly listening to AboX, Yeon suddenly frowned, as if displeased.
She gently stroked her wings with a regretful look, then began manipulating the system interface with her fingers in midair.

[Ah, the wings are gone now. Looks like AboX asked Yeon to remove them.]

[They were quite flashy wings. It’s understandable that they could be distracting.]

[Since he didn’t request a rematch, I guess it wasn’t disruptive enough to warrant one.]

[Yeon is complying quite obediently with AboX’s request.]

[Look at her expression, though. She doesn’t seem too happy about it.]

Just like the commentators said, Yeon, now without her wings, was pouting—
like a child who had their favorite toy taken away.

[And right as we’re saying that, the next match has begun!]

The waiting period ended, and the match resumed.
Yeon’s playstyle shifted completely from before.
It was clear she intended to finish it quickly, even if it meant playing recklessly.

She deliberately took attacks she could have easily avoided,
burning through her health to activate her berserker skills.

Once all her skills were activated,
Yeon unleashed every ability she had and pounded AboX mercilessly.

Even when AboX used stealth, he couldn’t escape.
Yeon chased down his transparent form and continued slashing ruthlessly.

Another defeat for AboX.
The duel wasn’t over yet, as from the quarterfinals onward, it became a best-of-five.

However—
AboX was never able to win even a single round.

The relentless berserker’s blade severed the raven’s throat.

Winner:
[Yeon]
3 wins, 0 losses.

Loser:
[N.R-AboX]
0 wins, 3 losses.

[Yeon advances to the finals.]

[That’s the end of the match. Yeon has secured a spot in the finals.]

As the match concluded, the arena began to disappear.
At that moment, behind the calmly standing Yeon, her large angel wings reappeared.

[Ah, she brought out the wings again. She really loves them, doesn’t she?]

Yeon rested her sword on her shoulder and watched her fading opponent.
And on Yeon’s half-transparent face, a smile she couldn’t hide bloomed.