Vol.2 Chapter 77

The air crackled with anticipation, a palpable energy that vibrated through the stadium. The crowd’s roar was deafening, a wave of sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of the arena. Thousands of faces, painted with excitement and anticipation, were turned towards the stage, their cheers echoing through the entire area.

"Let us now welcome our finalists!" the announcer's voice boomed through the stadium, his words amplified by a thousand speakers.

I sighed.

This overhyped announcement again, huh? Honestly, this is the part I find hardest and most difficult. Playing on the VR stage is a lot better since I can focus on the match, but getting applauded and fawned over by hundreds of people in a large stadium like this is really hard for an introverted person like me.

Honestly, they should just make tournaments like this online! I mean, everything is getting its online version these days, so why not make all tournaments online, too? Well, I get that Lan tournaments are better for publicity and hype, but still!

"First up is the team that people least expect to be in the finals: team Paradigm!" the announcer continued with exaggerated excitement.

"That's the signal, right?" Clarence asked, his voice a little shaky due to excitement despite his usual confidence.

"Yeah, let's go," Liz said, her voice steady and determined. She took the lead, her gaze fixed on the stage, her steps confident and purposeful.

We followed Liz as we walked toward our booth. The crowd's cheers grew louder, a wave of sound that seemed to lift us up and carry us toward the stage.

“Good luck! Team Paradigm!”

“Woohoo! Paradigm, let’s go!”

“You can do it, guys!”

“Go, Paradigm!”

“I became a fan of you guys!”

The crowd's cheers were a deafening roar, a wave of sound that washed over me, making it hard to distinguish individual voices. There were a lot of encouraging words of support, but they were lost in the cacophony of the hundreds of spectators… and then there were the others, the more outlandish shouts that made me instinctively wince.

"Elizabeth, please be my girlfriend!"

Liz was extremely popular with the boys, huh? She was beautiful, with a captivating smile and a magnetic aura that drew people in. No surprise there.

"Chu! Mary me!"

On the other hand, Chu was a hit with the girls. I couldn't blame them. He was cool, quiet, and mysterious, the kind of guy who seemed to have a secret world hidden beneath his stoic exterior.

"Look over here, Miss Katherine!"

I definitely wouldn't be looking that way now that I heard you say that.

"I bet my money on you guys! You better win, or I'll be living in the streets homeless!"

Please get a therapist to help with your gambling addictions!

But then, amidst the chaos, I heard a voice that cut through the noise. It was faint, almost lost in the crowd, but I recognized it instantly.

"Brother! Novo! Good luck!" Clarissa shouted at the top of her lungs, a valiant effort even though the surrounding noise drowned out her voice.

I smiled, a warmth spreading through me. Her voice, though barely audible, reminded me of the people who are close to us and have our unconditional support, even amidst the shouts of the crowd.

Still, if I have one complaint, it is that she still doesn't call me by my real name! Well, I guess calling me by my in-game name became a habit of hers, so I guess there is nothing I can do about it now.

"Their opponent, the protégés of the legendary team! A team that gave us a good showing throughout their lower bracket run, the one, the only, team Paragons!" the announcer exclaimed, his voice booming through the stadium.

The crowd went wild, their cheers even louder than the ones we'd received. I guess that being the next generation of Paragons, they already had a huge fanbase, and their lower bracket run, which was admittedly extremely entertaining to watch, had only added to their popularity.

As they walked towards their booths, the crowd's shouts grew even louder until they finally arrived. Standing opposite us, I could feel Lucy and Blitz's intense stares towards me from the see-through glass. It seemed different from their usual attitude, and it honestly made me a bit worried. They were always bad at concealing their emotions, and their intense gazes felt like a preamble to some kind of plan. Do they have some kind of counterplay aimed towards me, perhaps?

I need to talk to Liz about this.

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

Chu’s PoV

As the game started, we were transported to the stage for the battle. I instinctively surveyed my surroundings, taking in the oppressive atmosphere. The air was thick with the scent of dust, and the sunlight struggled to penetrate the gloom, casting long, eerie shadows across the cracked and crumbling floor. All of this was portrayed with incredible realism by the VR system.

Looking around, the walls were covered in faded murals lit by many torches, and the floor was uneven, covered in a layer of dust and crumbling debris. The ceiling was supported by massive stone pillars that were cracked and crumbling, their weight threatening to bring the entire structure crashing down.

This time, it was a vast ancient temple stage, huh? Hmph, whatever the stage was, it mattered little. I intended to defeat Blitz this time. I will prove myself and show the world what I am capable of.

"Okay, guys! I have a suggestion to make," our captain, Elizabeth, said clearly and confidently as the battle preparations began.

"Kat thinks that they might focus on the middle orb in this battle, so we can either face them head-on in a 0-3-1 play in the middle or do a 2-0-2 and dodge them and acquire the two orbs at the top and bottom, then regroup after that," she continued.

2-0-2 play, huh? That meant I wouldn't be fighting against Blitz on my own, and I didn't like that.

"I think we should face them head-on," I suggested, my voice firm. After all, it was the grand finals, and we needed to show the world that we were the better team.

“Me too. I want to defeat them in a direct confrontation and show we are the better team!” Renz agreed to my reasoning.

Katherine, our strategist, sighed. "…I knew you two would say that; 0-3-1 play it is, then.”

Her gaze then flickered to me, “But Chu, are you sure you're all right on your own against Blitz?" she said worriedly, her concern evident in her soft and calm voice.

"…Yes, I will not lose this time," I said determinedly, my voice unwavering.

I had improved a lot since our scrim matches, and I wouldn't easily lose to him this time.

"Hmph! You better not! Or I will be sure to mock you after the match if you do!" Renz chided, his usual banter laced with a hint of seriousness.

"All right, now that that’s settled, then let's go, team Paradigm!" our captain declared, her voice ringing with determination.

We headed towards our respective capture orbs, the match timer starting as we moved, the air thick with anticipation.

I moved through the ancient temple, my steps echoing through the cavernous halls. The faint sound of dripping water echoed through the corridors, a constant reminder of the passage of time.

I navigated the uneven floor, careful not to trip over the crumbling debris, my senses on high alert. The air was heavy with tension, the silence broken only by the sound of my own footsteps. The shadows danced and flickered in the dim light, making the stage challenging for beginners to navigate. I’m already familiar with this stage, though, so it is impossible for me to become lost.

Eventually, I reached an open space, a vast chamber bathed in an eerie, ethereal glow. In the center of the chamber, a glowing orb pulsed with an otherworldly energy, its light illuminating the surrounding area. I finally arrived at the bottom orb capture point.

As I expected, a faint silhouette stood on the other side of the chamber. I turned, my gaze locking with his across the space. He stood tall and proud, his eyes burning with fierce intensity with his usual eagerness for a duel, a sentiment that both he and I share.

"Even though Seer told me you would, I didn't expect you’d really face me again, considering you've never won against me in all our mock battles," he teased playfully.

I was used to his antics by now, so I wasn't offended by his forwardness. He has the skills to back up his attitude, too, so I can't really hold it against him for being so confident.

"...I've improved a lot since our last duel. I won't lose this time," I declared.

He gave me an approving smile.

"That's what I like to hear! Give me all you’ve got!" he said with a toothy grin.

There were no more words for both of us. The only thing left is to let our skills speak for ourselves.

As if on cue, both of us charged at one another. He moved with a speed that was almost impossible to follow, his rapier flashing like a silver serpent. I parried his attacks with my dual butterfly swords, the blades meeting his with a resounding clang that echoed through the chamber.

Ting*

After our weapons met, he suddenly blinked by using his weapon skill, disappearing from my sight for a split second, only to reappear behind me, his rapier aimed at my head. I spun, my butterfly swords intercepting his attack. The blades met with a shower of sparks that illuminated the temple in a fleeting burst of light.

He was quick, as usual, but I had become more agile since we last fought. My butterfly swords danced in my hands, a whirlwind of steel countering his every move.

I felt a surge of confidence.

I was pushing him, forcing him to react instead of dictating the pace. I got this. I can win against him this time.

As I pressed my advantage, he blinked again with his low cooldown weapon skill, this time appearing directly in front of me, his rapier thrusting toward my chest. I parried, the blades meeting with a deafening clang.

Ting*

But in that split second, I saw an opening.

I shifted my weight, my butterfly swords twisting in my hands, and I struck. My blades found their mark, slicing through his defenses and drawing a slash on his cheek.

Blitz

HP: 92%

“Whoah! That was close!” he exclaimed in surprise at my attack.

It was a shallow cut, only doing minimal damage, but every damage counts in a duel where there is no healing involved.

He staggered back, his eyes widening in surprise. I had never taken the first hit on him before in all of our duels.

I didn’t let him regain his composure. I pressed my advantage, my movements becoming more fluid and aggressive.

He stepped back to distance himself in an attempt to escape my onslaught, but I was too quick. My butterfly swords found their mark again, this time slicing through his arm, a direct hit that dealt significant damage to his health.

“Ugh!”

Blitz

HP: 75%

After receiving damage, he used his weapon skill that had just gone on cooldown a second too late to regain his posture. I didn’t pursue it as he was quite out of my range of attack due to his weapon skill.

I met Blitz's gaze, and I could feel his surprise. He had underestimated my improvement. He was used to my speed and parries, but I had evolved throughout our tournament run. I was no longer the same person he had faced before.

"You were not kidding when you said you've improved," he said, his voice laced with a hint of grudging respect.

His praise was genuine, a rare acknowledgment from someone as skilled as him.

I remained silent, my focus unwavering. Words were unnecessary. Only actions.

"Still as unfriendly as ever, huh? Welp, shall we enjoy our duel even more?" he said, stretching his arms forward.

His demeanor shifted, the bouncy edge of his earlier words replaced by a focused intensity.

Then, in an instant, his temperament and aura suddenly changed. His playful nature was gone; all that was left were his gleaming eyes, which hungered for battle. For a proper duel.

He was in the flow.

This was it. He was serious now. But I was more than prepared for him. I had trained for this moment, pushing myself beyond my limits for the past few days during the tournament. I wouldn't lose this time.

He charged towards me, and I went on the defensive this time. I need to get used to his speed to beat him in this state.

As he was drawing near, he used his blink for a surprise attack. I successfully parried it, but his attacks didn’t end there; he was full-on the offensive. Does he plan to end this match as fast as possible? I won’t let him!

I tried to match his movements, but he was a lot faster. He was even faster when he was in the flow in our sparring matches. His rapier was a blur to my eyes as I failed to even follow his movements.

I tried to hold my ground and parried his attacks, but he was relentless. He pressed his advantage, his movements becoming more fluid, more graceful with each passing second.

Eventually, my posture was broken due to his relentless assault. His rapier found a weakness in my defense. He capitalized, his rapier finding its mark, a critical hit right towards my unguarded head.

Kachack*

“Ack!” I exclaimed.

ZiJi

HP: 59%.

He wasn't done. He pressed his attack, his movements becoming even faster, his rapier a blur of silver. He faked a strike, his speed a blur, destroying my posture again with his attack. After his successful move, he used his weapon skill to blink, disappearing from my sight for a split second, only to reappear behind me, his rapier aimed at my torso.

“Ugh!”

ZiJi

HP: 32%

I staggered back, my breath catching in my throat. I cannot keep up with him, but I still refuse to give up. I had come too far. I trained so hard for this moment. I had to win.

He pressed his advantage, his rapier flashing like a silver serpent.

He moved with a speed that was almost impossible to follow. He feinted, his rapier a flash of silver, then he struck. I tried to use my weapon skill, ‘Reversal,’ in a desperate attempt to halt his momentum and parry his attack, but I was too late to activate it, given I was completely caught off guard.

My butterfly swords met his rapier with a resounding clang.

Ting*

In that split second, he saw an opening.

He lunged, his rapier aimed at my right wrist. I tried to pull back, but it was too late. His rapier struck, the impact sending a shockwave through my arm. My grip loosened, and my right butterfly sword clattered to the ground.

I tried to regain my balance, but Blitz was relentless. He disarmed me again, this time, his rapier striking my left wrist, sending my other butterfly sword clattering to the ground.

I was defenseless. I stood there, my arms empty, as he dealt the finishing blow.

ZiJi

HP: 0%

"How... how on earth could this happen?" I muttered with regret, my voice barely a whisper.

How did the gap in our skills widen even more than before? It felt like a chasm, an insurmountable gulf that separated us.

He stood there imposingly, his overbearing presence washing over me. "You're good," he said, his voice laced with a hint of respect. "You've really improved a lot compared to before. But so have I… even more than you did."

Then it finally clicked.

His words were a blow, a cold reality that pierced through my denial. I was too naïve and self-centered, thinking I was the only one who improved. The hardships they faced during the matches in the lower bracket had made him grow exponentially compared to me, whose team had breezed through the upper bracket with fewer matches.

I had been complacent, assuming that my progress was enough. But Blitz, too, had been pushing himself to his limits, honing his skills with every battle, training as long as he could whenever possible, working as hard as I did, or even more than me, to improve himself.

After his statement, he then turned and walked away towards the capture orb, leaving me behind to wallow in my own defeat as I disappeared into blue motes of light.