Vol. 3 Chapter 11

Yuna’s PoV

I surveyed the room. Gloomy was an understatement. My teammates sat with their heads hung low, the weight of the recent loss evident in their expressions.

Artemis was slouched in her chair, staring at the floor and absentmindedly twirling a strand of her hair. She usually has this fiery spark in her eyes, but right now, she just looks defeated.

Freya was leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, looking seriously frustrated. She wasn't saying much—just scowling and lost in her own thoughts. It's rare to see her this quiet, and you could tell she was really taking the loss hard.

Murasame was sitting off to the side, her eyes closed as if she were deep in contemplation. I didn’t know exactly how affected she was by her loss, but I was pretty sure her pride as a duelist had taken a significant hit.

This is not good. Not good at all.

As I sat in my own chair, my own thoughts began to swirl. Our gameplay with the opposing team is so similar; both sides rely on a stall tactic while counting on our respective ace to win their matchup.

I couldn’t see how we could pull off a win against the strongest team with some haphazard, last-minute tactic without thorough preparation.

Sure, we had some backup strategies in place in case our main formation didn’t work, but with everyone feeling this demoralized, executing them would be nearly impossible.

It would also be like us admitting the other team is stronger than us, which would further damage our morale.

I also couldn’t shake off the memory of the recent match from the quick replay our manager compiled for me, specifically in our ace’s duel with Zetta.

Murasame had been on the back foot from the beginning. Zetta had skillfully manipulated the fight with his tactic, forcing Murasame into a position where the first one to use their weapon skill would lose.

It was a brilliant strategy, one that turned the duel into a battle of pure skill. And in that kind of battle, Aoi was a bit lacking compared to Zetta. He had managed to neutralize our ace’s greatest strength with a tactic that no one else could pull off unless they could beat Aoi in pure skill.

This spells trouble for us. With Zetta capable of defeating our ace in a one-on-one, I have no choice but to send a two-player team against him.

This, however, will leave our other capture points significantly more vulnerable and harder to defend. As it stands, we're already struggling to hold our ground.

My focus returned to the room. The whole place felt heavy, and the silence was getting worse by the second. I have to do something to lift everyone's spirits. As their captain, it was on me to help shake off this gloom and get us thinking about our next move.

“C-cheer up, guys~! We haven’t lost the series yet! We can still bounce back from our first loss!” I said, trying to inject a note of cheerfulness and optimism into my voice.

In reality, I felt far from it, but I hoped my words would have some effect.

I was met with silence once again. It was clear that our recent defeat was still weighing heavily on everyone. The added pressure of being in the grand finals only made it harder to boost our morale.

We had no time to waste moping around as the break was almost over. I need to be more proactive and suggest some battle plans to the team.

“Freya, do you think you could stall Zetta for us?” I suggested, hoping to spark some discussion and develop a battle plan to get us out of this slump.

“M-me?! That guy’s insanely good! I don’t know how long I’ll last against him on my own,” Freya replied, her apprehension showing clearly.

“Besides, his teammates will probably just stall for time until I inevitably lose to him,” she continued.

She was right. If our opponents saw that we sent Freya to fight him, they would adopt a turtling strategy. They’d wait it out, knowing that Zetta could eventually overpower her.

In addition, his teammates are no joke with their defensive strategy formation, especially with Brutus, the current strongest defender among all the pros, at the forefront.

I racked my brain for alternatives. The silence in the room was deafening, amplifying the tension that hung heavy in the air.

…

…

…

Yeah, we’re screwed. I can’t think of anything. Even though the grand final is a best-of-three match, our morale is at rock bottom since our ace lost against theirs. Given how impactful the first game was, this might as well have been a best-of-one game instead of a best-of-three.

Though I hate to admit it, my morale is sinking. It looks like we have no other choice but to double-team Zetta, even though we won't benefit from the bottom orb area buff—a boost that gives an advantage to a single player on both teams—since we're bringing two members.

It would be bad for us in terms of tactical efficiency, but there is nothing we could do about it. We would have to sacrifice tactical efficiency for a chance to win.

Suddenly, from the shadows of my thoughts and desperation, a light came from an unexpected source.

“…Let me fight against him one more time,” Aoi suddenly spoke, her voice calm yet resolute, cutting through the heavy silence that had settled in the room.

I was initially skeptical, but then I saw her eyes, and that all quickly changed.

Her eyes, once closed in deep contemplation, were now open, burning with fierce determination.

Contrary to what I had expected, those were not the eyes of someone demoralized. They were the eyes of someone hungry. Someone who had found her prey and was ready to pounce.

It wasn’t just me who noticed it. I’m sure Freya and Artemis also saw the determination she radiated.

“…I’ll beat him this time,” she continued with finality.

The realization hit me like a bolt of lightning—I had overlooked one crucial factor in my calculations. Aoi possessed the mindset of a true champion; she was a real-life Olympic gold medalist before becoming a pro.

Her sheer resolve left me momentarily speechless, but I quickly gathered myself and spoke.

“All right, we’re counting on you, ~ Senpai!” I said with complete confidence.

After all, she is our ace. If we cannot fully and unconditionally trust her to lead us to victory, then we have no right to call ourselves her teammates.

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Zetta’s PoV

The stadium lights dimmed as the crowd's anticipation reached a fever pitch. The massive screens flickered, displaying the logos of the two competing teams. The announcer's voice boomed through the speakers, echoing across the arena.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for has arrived! The break is over, and it’s time for the second game of this epic showdown! Get ready to witness unparalleled skills as these titans clash once more on the grand stage!” the caster hyped up the crowd.

His efforts were extremely effective. The crowd erupted in cheers; their energy was palpable as the announcer continued.

“First up, let’s hear it for —Team Razor Gaming!”

The roar of the spectators became even more deafening, a wave of support and enthusiasm crashing over us as we made our way to the booth. Banners waved high, and the fans' chants echoed throughout the arena.

My teammates and I walked confidently, each step resonating with the energy of our loyal supporters. As we reached our booth, we turned to acknowledge the crowd, drawing even louder cheers and applause.

Those who cheer for me are even more noticeable than before, a testament to my performance in the earlier duel in the first game.

"ZETTA! ZETTA! ZETTA! ZETTA!” the crowd chanted in unison.

“Well, you sure are popular,” Brandt teased, a playful grin on his face as he waved to the crowd.

I just barely heard his voice over the cacophony of cheers, but his teasing tone was unmistakable.

I gave him a scoff in response.

“And now, put your hands together for —Team Atelier!” The crowd's excitement was rekindled with a new wave of cheers as the opposing team made their entrance.

Using the caster’s announcement as their cue, our opponents walked onto the stage with a calm and collected demeanor, their presence commanding respect. The lights illuminated their path as they made their way to their booth.

As they arrived at their destination, my eyes were instinctively drawn to where Murasame stood. Our gazes locked, and the look in her eyes struck me.

Instead of the hopelessness I had expected, her eyes were filled with determination, a fierce resolve that was hard to ignore. It was a rare sight—few had faced me and still had eyes full of such unwavering resolve.

"Heh, this is good. It seems you have more fight in you, after all," I murmured to myself, a smirk forming on my lips.

Well, no matter! I’ll crush that remaining spirit with this match, along with your hope of ever winning against me.

---------------------------------

Rin’s PoV

I watched as both teams entered their respective booths. The lights dimmed slightly, casting an intense focus on the two teams as they prepared for the upcoming match.

“The players are getting ready for the match in their respective booths for what might be the last match of the whole Andartha Cup tournament! That is if Team Razor Gaming wins again in this second game!” DJ Riot's voice echoed through the stadium, his words amplifying my anxiety.

“That’s right, Riot! Let’s just hope Atelier can bounce back from their previous devastating loss. I’m not biased or anything, but I’m sure the viewers, me included, want more of a showing from these two powerhouses! The more battles, the better,” ParaTrooper, his co-caster, chimed in, his enthusiasm adding to the atmosphere.

I agree with him, although for a different reason, a biased one. I sincerely hope that our organization wins since I’m on friendly terms with the players, especially Murasame, who was a great help to me during my own struggles. Her guidance and pointers with the sword lifted me out of a slump, and I owed her a debt of gratitude.

Please, win the match. I believe in you all!

Suddenly, the stadium's cheers ignited again as a wave of excitement swept through the crowd, and it didn’t take me long to find the reason why.

All of the giant screens in the center of the stadium shifted to show a dark, foreboding forest, the stage for what might be the last match of the tournament if Team Atelier fails to bounce back from the loss.

“Oh! It's starting! I’ll switch it again to the main channel so you can watch the second match with me!” Liz, who was sitting right beside me, turned to her viewers and addressed them with a charismatic smile.

My eyes instinctively turned to Hana, who was sitting next to Liz, a seat away from me, to gauge her reaction. She was uncharacteristically silent, and it seemed that she was nervous about the match. If her trembling hands, which were clasped tightly on her lap, weren’t an indication, then I don’t know what is.

As I pondered what to say to comfort her, Liz beat me to it. She must have noticed Hana's distress as well. Liz reached out and gently took Hana's hand, offering a reassuring squeeze.

“Your sister’s an amazing player, Hana. She's got this. She won’t lose a second time. Have faith in her," she said as she held Hana’s hand to reassure her.

The effect was immediate. Hana's shoulders relaxed, and the tension in her face eased visibly. She took a deep breath, her trembling subsiding instantly.

We were right to choose her as our captain. Although she deliberately acts clueless and is overly enthusiastic most of the time, she’s extremely charismatic and empathetic deep down.

Of course, her flawless track record of leading Paradigm as their captain to win the Champion’s Brawl was also a huge factor in our decision to make her this team’s leader.

Hana managed a small smile. “…Yeah, I know. Thanks, Liz.”

"Woah, folks! It looks like Team Atelier is sticking with the same strategy as the previous game! Is this the definition of insanity, or has Team Atelier finally found the formula to defeat Team Razor’s unbeatable tactical formation!?” DJ Riot’s booming voice brought our attention back to the game.

ParaTrooper chimed in, sounding just as surprised. “I’m with you on this one, Riot. I thought they'd mix things up after the last match, but maybe they’ve got a trick or two up their sleeves. Not that I’m complaining! I’m sure the viewers are more than excited to see a rematch between the two strongest players in the world right now."

I turned my gaze to one of the large screens, and my heart sank. The casters were right; Murasame and Zetta were once again heading to the bottom orb as they traversed the dark forest terrain.

Despite not being a tactical genius, even I could see that letting them face off again might not be the best decision, especially after what happened in the first game.

All I could do now was pray and hope that this time, things would turn out differently.

----------------------------

Zetta’s PoV

“Hoh? This is unexpected. I didn’t think you’d want a round two after the beating you got earlier,” I taunted the opponent in front of me.

“…” she remained silent, her steely gaze fixed on mine.

My taunts fell flat, failing to elicit any reaction. It seemed there was no room for banter in her mind. Well, I like that. Actions speak louder than words, after all.

I gripped my rapier tighter, the cool metal a reassuring presence in my hand. She, on the other hand, prepared her stance.

We stood there, weapons at the ready, sizing each other up as our eyes locked, both searching for any sign of weakness, any opening to exploit. I could see the determination in her eyes, unyielding and unwavering.

Hehe, this is going to be fun!

It took a while—I don’t know how long, as both of our stances had no openings—but finally, the tension broke. With a swift movement, I lunged forward, initiating the first attack.

My rapier flashed through the air, seeking an opening. She parried with her katana, the clash of steel echoing through the dark forest.

Our exchanges were as fierce as our first duel, with neither of us willing to yield an inch. The air was filled with the sounds of clashing steel and swift footwork.

It was a blur of rapid strikes and deft close-call dodges, each movement a testament to our skill as two of the strongest duelist in the game.

With every dodge, every parry, every stab, and every slash, I could feel the exhilaration of battle coursing through my veins as I faced a truly formidable opponent.

"Hahaha! This is pure bliss! Entertain me more!" I shouted, a wide grin spreading across my face.

I relished every moment of the fight, savoring the thrill of each clash. Yet, I remained cautious of her overpowered weapon skill.

I doubted that she would risk using it this time, considering how hard I had countered her before. Still, there was no harm in staying vigilant, just in case she got desperate.

Despite the intensity of our duel, I still held the advantage, like I did in the first game. My attacks were precise. Each one meticulously aimed to exploit any weakness in her defense using my vast experience in dueling with strong opponents.

I landed several glancing strikes, pushing her back. However, she retaliated with relentless ferocity, showing no regard for her own HP.

It was a full-on brawl, and her determination was evident in every strike. As a result, both of us chipped away at each other’s HP in a matter of seconds.

Zetta

HP: 62%

Murasame

HP: 51%

But as the duel progressed, I began to notice a change. Her movements became faster and more fluid, and her strikes were harder to dodge. Each clash revealed her growing skill, and she targeted my weak spots with ever-increasing accuracy.

It was as if… she was exceeding her limits with every exchange while also relishing every moment of it.

How come?! How is it possible that she is getting even faster and more precise in such a short amount of time?

Our eyes locked for a split second, and in that brief moment, I saw the fire in her eyes burn brighter than ever before. It was a fierce determination, a resolve that seemed to grow stronger with each passing second.

She was enjoying the match as much as… no… even more than I do!

Don’t tell me… She entered both the zone and flow at the same time?! Is that even possible?! No, there is one other person I know who could also do it… Yuusha.

A silhouette of her formed in my mind as I traded blows with the opponent in front of me.

In an instant, I played more aggressively than ever before. Probably because the memory of my old rival spurred me on, I got impatient and rushed to finish the match.

It was as if I wanted to win against the girl I had not been able to overcome, a ghost of my past. A chance that I knew would never come in this lifetime.

Almost immediately, I launched a powerful slash aimed at her midsection. But to my astonishment, she parried my attack with flawless precision, her katana deflecting my rapier with a resounding clash of steel.

At that moment, I saw an opportunity to turn the tide. Instead of resisting her counter-parry, I let the momentum of her deflection carry my rapier away from me, appearing to be disarmed.

 But I had a plan—my other hand was ready to catch the momentum of the disarmed rapier and use it for a surprise counterattack.

Time seemed to slow as the events unfolded. My rapier spun through the air, the blade glinting as it arced away from me.

In a split second, my free hand caught the hilt of the spinning rapier, the force of the momentum adding power to my counterattack. I lunged forward, aiming for her exposed side.

Her eyes widened for a brief moment, but she didn't falter. With a swift, fluid motion that defied belief, she twisted her body, her katana coming down in a swift, precise arc. The movement was so fast and fluid that it seemed almost unreal.

KACHACK*

SWOOSH*

My rapier found its mark, the tip piercing her side, giving me a quick sense of satisfaction, while her katana slashed across my chest with deadly precision. Pain sensory from the VR feature exploded through me as both of our attacks struck true.

Murasame

HP: 8%

Zetta

HP: 0%

“…I lost… well played,” I mumbled, disbelief and admiration mingled in my voice.

She had perfectly calculated the damage, ensuring she could survive my hit while also dealing enough damage to me to secure her victory. What a player. She exceeded my expectations in every way.

“It was a good fight,” she said with respect, giving me a slight bow.

I gave her a wide grin, and my respect for her was evident in the gesture. As the blue motes of light began to envelop me, signaling my defeat.

“Yeah, it was.”

I responded as I vanished into blue motes of light, the battlefield fading from my sight.

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Yuna’s PoV

"Crimson Surge!"

I saw the blood mage, Creed, raise his hand, dark energy crackling around it as he cast a blood spell aimed directly at Freya.

"Luminous Shield!"

Without hesitation, I cast my channeled spell, a light-type protection spell, forming a shimmering barrier just in time to intercept the attack. The blood spell dissipated harmlessly against the barrier, and Freya shot me a grateful glance.

In the lull of the moment where the enemy mage and I are currently pre-casting our next spell, I quickly analyzed the battlefield, taking stock of our current situation and considering our next move.

They have a more defensive lineup compared to ours. Unlike Freya and me, who have a traditional DPS-healer combo, our opponents have a full defender, Brutus, accompanied by Brandt, a blood mage—a hybrid class capable of dealing damage while also providing supportive spells.

“Brutus, continue stalling them until Zetta wins. I’ll just sacrifice a bit of my HP and mana to heal him back to full after he’s done with his duel,” Creed, their strategist, announced with an air of confidence.

His voice carried across the battlefield, clearly intended for us to hear. It was a provocation, a tactic to pressure us into making a rash move.

I won’t fall for his trick, though. Our faith in our ace was unshakable. If Aoi said she would win, then we believe her with all our hearts.

“Freya, transition to A3 tactic, please,” I commanded, my voice devoid of its usual cheerfulness.

Freya nodded, understanding the code perfectly. With a determined look, she adjusted her grip on her sword, ready to implement our strategy.

A3 was our tactic to maintain a defensive posture while gradually chipping away at the opponent’s mana and health. It was a battle of attrition, designed to wear down the enemy over time.

The exchange continued, and the battlefield was a flurry of activity as we implemented our plan. Spells and attacks were exchanged, each side attempting to outmaneuver the other. 

Freya's blade danced through the air with precision, striking at opportune moments to chip away at Brutus’ health. For his part, Brutus was unyielding about protecting his teammate, not letting Freya get anywhere near him.

It is as expected from the top defender in the pro scene. It looks like we won’t be breaking their formation anytime soon.

I focused on intercepting incoming attacks and providing support, ensuring Freya could continue her offensive maneuvers. The clash of sword and shield echoed through the virtual forest as our battle continued.

After a while, I suddenly noticed a shift in our opponents' body language and disposition. Brutus and Brandt exchanged worried glances mid-fight, and their movements became more hesitant. It seemed like they were suddenly demoralized in just a matter of seconds.

That’s impossible, though. We are both at a stalemate... Wait! Could this mean what I think it means?!

As if to confirm my hunch, a familiar voice crackled over the team comms, one I had been desperately hoping to hear.

“…Yuna. I’m heading over there. I’m low. I need your healing spells,” Aoi’s calm and emotionless voice rang out.

Aoi! She won! The good news hit me like a bolt of lightning, filling me with a surge of relief and excitement.

“You got it, Senpai~!” I cried out, unable to hide the unadulterated happiness in my voice.

With renewed determination, I turned my focus back to the battlefield. Aoi's victory was a significant turning point, and now it was up to us to capitalize on the momentum.

With Aoi’s victory over our opponents' ace, this game might very well be won!