Vol.3 Chapter 6

I sighed heavily as I arrived at the entrance of my upscale apartment complex, feeling a mix of exhaustion and relief after a long day of school.

It can’t be helped. It’s getting a bit troublesome in my college lately, with some students even persistently asking me to add and play ranked matches with them in-game. Thankfully, no one confessed this time. It’s probably the only silver lining for the day, though.

The guard outside greeted me as I stepped through the glass doors. Inside, I was greeted by the familiar, polished marble floors and the soft ambient lighting of the lobby.

The familiar employee manning the counter, a young man with a crisp uniform and a welcoming smile, immediately noticed my presence and immediately greeted me.

"Good evening, Miss Katyusha," he said politely. "I hope you had a pleasant day."

‘Pleasant’ is not what I would like to call it, but it’s no use ranting to the staff right now. He’s probably busy as it is already, and it would only add to his burden.

"…Good evening," I replied politely, careful not to take too much of his time.

As I made my way towards the elevator, the staff member suddenly called out again to catch my attention.

"Uhm! Miss Katyusha, I wanted to let you know that you have a guest waiting for you in the guest waiting room."

Surprised, I paused and turned to face him. "A guest?”

"Yes, Miss. Your guest arrived a short while ago and is currently waiting for you in the guest waiting room. Would you like me to escort you?" he offered.

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary. I know the way," I replied appreciatively.

With a nod of acknowledgment, I proceeded toward the guest waiting room. The plush carpeting and tasteful decor of the hallway enhanced the building's ambiance, making the walk to the guest waiting room feel even more serene.

Reaching for the door to the guest room, I took a moment to collect myself before entering, wondering who it could be. I suddenly realized that I should have asked the staff earlier to avoid this uncertainty, but it was too late now.

Pushing open the door, I stepped inside to see my unexpected but familiar guest. The sight of him brought a mix of surprise and curiosity. The unexpected guest was none other than Tactical, my former teammate.

“How did you find out where I’m staying?” I asked, trying to mask my astonishment with a calm demeanor as I sat down across from him.

He offered a small, somewhat sheepish smile. “It wasn’t easy. I had to pull some strings in order to know where you live and get some information about you.”

Hearing this, my expression tightened, and without a second thought, I suddenly picked up my phone. My mind raced as I considered the implications and the need for immediate action.

"What are you doing?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

"Calling 911 to report a case of stalking," I replied, my tone resolute as I began dialing.

"H-huh? Wait!" he said desperately, but I wasn’t having it.

The phone connected swiftly. Kudos to them for the fast response. At least I know I can trust them in case of an unexpected emergency like this one.

"Hello, 911. What’s your emergency?" the operator's voice came through clearly.

"W-wait, I know you're Yuusha!" he suddenly exclaimed, his voice filled with urgency.

I paused for a moment, processing his words. Then, with a measured breath, I responded to the operator, "…Sorry, false alarm," before turning off the call.

As I ended the call, I couldn't help but worry that they might think it was a prank. Well, I’m sure they’re used to calls like this, so I shouldn’t mind it too much.

"…How long have you known?" I asked, my voice steady despite the turmoil inside.

"Ever since the tournament," he replied, his tone matter-of-fact as always.

It made sense. He probably obtained the information from Celeste, as they were always together during the Champion’s Brawl tournament. I’d have to give Celeste a piece of my mind after this. This could also serve as a valuable negotiating advantage for our guild.

…Wait, I’m becoming a schemer like Dust. Is this what it’s like being a guild leader? Is this what it means to be a guild leader? Well, circumstances shape individuals, so I might as well make the most of this bargaining chip.

My eyes then fell on Tactical. Should I be concerned that he knows my secret? It's probably fine since I trust he wouldn’t tell anyone. Neither of us wants this information to go public, as it would affect his prospects of recruiting me and also disrupt my peaceful life both at once, and he understands how much I value my tranquility.

"...And you're only telling me this now because?" I asked, my curiosity piqued and my guard up.

"I wanted to be cautious in my approach this time. That's why I hired a private investigator to investigate your background and the reason you suddenly disappeared three years ago. I wanted to know more about your reasons for not joining any pro team," he explained, his tone calm but serious.

I see. I already have a feeling about what he wants to talk about. Still, I wanted to make sure.

"Why is that?" I asked, my voice steady.

"I know you already declined my offer once, but I want to try and recruit you again to join the pro team I'm forming," he said, looking me solemnly in the eye.

For a moment, his words hung in the air. The weight of the proposition was clear, and I could clearly see the determination in his gaze.

I sighed heavily. Thought so.

"None are as naturally talented as you, though," he responded without hesitation, his eyes locking onto mine with determination.

"I wouldn’t be too sure about that. There are unknown monsters out there, like Lua, for instance. You just have to keep looking," I countered, hoping to divert his attention elsewhere.

"If I am to build the strongest team that ever existed, I want you to be part of it," he said, looking at me with a seriousness that was hard to ignore.

He really trusts me this much, huh? It’s honestly quite flattering, but I can’t let myself be swayed by his words easily.

"It’s a life-changing choice to make, and I’m not sure if I want to take the leap," I admitted, the weight of the decision pressing down on me.

"I get what you mean. But wouldn’t you want to try a career path in something you’re already good at?" he asked, his tone softening.

“You and I both know it’s not that simple. We’re not guaranteed to even get a professional team slot in the qualifiers with the millions of players that would participate just to get a professional slot in the next AC run,” I reasoned.

Sure, going pro in gaming sounds like a dream for most, but it's much tougher than it seems. The competition is fierce, and many don’t make it. Aspiring pros often spend years honing their skills, sacrificing education, social life, and even their health, only to fall short.

Articles I've read mention that the constant pressure to perform can lead to burnout, mental health issues, and physical problems from long hours of VR gaming. However, as a retired pro, he probably understands this better than I do.

Additionally, gaming careers are typically short-lived. When it ends, many former pros find themselves with limited skills and career options outside of gaming. I don't want that to happen to me, affecting my future prospects.

“And even if I trained non-stop to become as good as I was before, I would still need teammates to synergize well with my gameplay. It’s a team game, after all, and I can’t win games alone,” I continued.

Going pro is filled with uncertainty, and I’m not adventurous enough to dive into something I'm unsure about. I’m a coward at heart, after all, which is why I'm so good at dodging.

"You don't have to worry about that. I've recruited some talented individuals. You're the missing piece of the puzzle, and the ultimate team will be complete," he insisted, his confidence unwavering.

I doubted it was that simple. He may be overconfident in my ability, or he may just be trying to entice me to join his team. Either way, letting him down gently was not an option. I needed to be firm in my response.

"…Sorry, I can’t join you this time around, Tactical. I can join tournaments here and there, but going pro just isn’t for me," I said, my tone resolute.

He looked at me seriously, his gaze intense.

"We both know that’s not true," it was his turn to return my words right back at me.

"I’ve known you for some time now. Even back then, facing strong opponents was in your nature. This was clear from how much you enjoyed your fight with Murasame. I believe your past is holding you back. You should move on. I know that's what your sister would want," he stated confidently.

A sudden wave of annoyance surged within me at the mention of my sister. I had almost forgotten that he had delved into my background. He probably already knew the reason why I quit the game back then.

"If she were still alive, then I would know what she truly wants," I snapped at him, my voice trembling with frustration.

He seemed a bit surprised at my tone but continued nonetheless.

“I understand how you feel, but—”

“No, you don't!” I cut him off immediately in a loud voice that echoed throughout the guest room, startling him.

Even I was taken aback by the intensity of my uncharacteristic outburst. However, the emotions deep inside me surged uncontrollably, and it was too late to hold them back.

“You have no idea how painful it is to have missed my sister's final moments, all because of that damned Andartha Cup tournament!” I exclaimed, releasing all my pent-up frustration.

His eyes widened in shock, and he seemed at a loss for words.

“If I could turn back time, I would never have joined it in the first place!” I continued, my voice breaking under the weight of my grief. “Maybe, just maybe, if I had been there with her, the operation would have been successful…”

"...Sorry, that was insensitive of me..." he finally muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

I felt the weight of his apology, but the raw emotion still clung to the air, making it hard to breathe. A tense silence settled between us, thick and suffocating.

A couple of awkward seconds later, an employee entered the guest room, breaking the stillness. "Is everything alright, Miss Katyusha?" he asked, concern evident in his voice.

He must have heard me shout and thought something was wrong.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

"...It’s nothing. My guest here is just about to leave," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt.

The employee nodded, casting a wary glance at Tactical, who was sitting across from me.

"...Alright, I’ll come back another time," Tactical responded remorsefully.

He left the room, the sound of the door clicking shut punctuating the uneasy atmosphere.

It seems he's not willing to give up. Typical of him. He's always been relentless in pursuing his dreams and visions. That determination is what I admire about him, and it's the reason we won the first AC together.

Even now, I feel a pang of guilt for lashing out at him. Deep down, I know I'm being unreasonable to blame the tournament for my sister's death. Yet, I cling to that blame stubbornly, hoping to avoid shouldering even a small part of it as a way to cope.

Heh, even now, I'm still running away, aren't I? I really am such a coward.

Sis, what would you do if you were in my shoes?