ALL NOVEL Chapter 107
The synchronization rate had dropped, yet the breeze in the game was still refreshing.
As I patrolled the area, I gifted some streamers a light greeting while offering death to others.
My kill list was still very much valid.
[You are under the effect of ‘Blessing of the Ashen Moon.’]
[For up to 10 seconds, you will merge into the shadows within 10m of players…]
It was true that my situation improved significantly since I made a contract with Sigma.
The enormous medical expenses that drained my balance felt like pouring water into a bottomless barrel.
But with Sigma’s support, my wallet was no longer in dire straits.
Of course, the money I received was from Sigma, but either way, I was finally able to spend the money I earned on myself.
I no longer had to survive on instant noodles and nutritional supplements.
Naturally, this meant there was no longer a need to maintain field PK as a subcontractor for the Siege Guild.
But… could this also be referred to as inertia?
After all, killing streamers was practically a hobby of mine.
If I’m good at something and it’s fun, why should I stop?
“Hello?”
“Honestly, how long am I going to…?”
I decided to kill, and this was a target I could kill.
The one who had written their name on my note was already in the wrong!
I felt no slightest reason to spare them.
As I struck with a sneak attack, I cut into their side.
The opponent was a rather skilled streamer; their reaction speed was not bad.
The sound of metal clashing echoed as daggers met.
I feigned to the right and aimed for the opposite side.
A thrust to the hand that tried to pull out a dagger.
I tore my weapon from the hand that was impaled, as if ripping it out.
Having one attempt blocked, my next move was obvious.
Wouldn’t they pull out a spare dagger from their waist?
I could sense my hand was a bit faster, so I snatched it ahead of time.
I succeeded, but… thievery is a bad deed.
No matter how realistic this place seems, it’s ultimately a game.
If there’s no ownership, taking something for a moment doesn’t make it mine.
I guess I should return it, right?
I’m not a person with bad hand habits.
While the man’s hand hesitated in the empty dagger sheath, I threw the blade so it would be visible.
“Here, it’s yours.”
[You forced the defeat of Adventurer Kimchi Ninja.]
[You have acquired 1,082,625 Gold by taking the opponent’s belongings.]
[You have eliminated a wanted criminal! You obtained a bounty of 12,200,000 Gold.]
I never thought it would hit like this.
Have my expectations become too high?
Seeing this guy collapse without a fight made me chuckle a bit.
I had some worries given my break, but…
I hadn’t just been idle – I’d been practicing PVP the whole time.
It seemed my battlefield instincts hadn’t dulled much.
In fact, I felt a bit better than before.
With a lower synchronization rate, enduring pain became easier, and lately, I’d been continuously coordinating with pro gamers.
Their movements appeared much clearer to me.
Thanks to that, I got a little too excited… and took a spin around the platform, killing the live broadcast’s vibe.
Having just finished with Kimchi Ninja marked the end of my tour.
It felt like I hadn’t played in a while and I was a little thirsty for more.
I wanted to see more blood.
Suddenly, something caught my eye.
‘Isn’t this a pretty good time?’
Impulsively, my finger pressed down on the button.
[Do you wish to start a rank game match? Y/N]
[Starting random matchmaking.]
[Searching for an opponent… Estimated time: 03:30]
*
In games with ranks, tiers represent pride.
Most gamer arguments eventually boil down to, ‘So what’s your tier?’ thus, tiers become the identity of a gamer.
Especially top-tier ranks, attainable only by a minuscule number of users, are always coveted.
However, winning a rank game doesn’t shove money into my pockets.
Evaluation among gamers is purely a matter of honor.
For me, a measly honor is far less important than a single coin.
That said, it wasn’t as if I hadn’t ever played rank games.
Since starting the game, I’d never fallen below the highest tier, Infinity.
The reason? The seasonal rewards.
The game company advertised decent rewards to encourage participation in ranked matches, and I had my eyes on just that.
To put it simply, I had honed the skill of maintaining my tier’s business card – a master of ‘parking’.
Yet, anyone who has played at the top rank feels something palpable.
[Author: Not a Real Game]
[Title: The Upper Echelon of Infinity Truly Has Different Laws]
Those appearing on the first page of the rankings
and those barely making it and holding a card are in completely different tiers.
There are only a few hundred of them in there, and the skill gap among them is immense.
Even now, when I queue, I sometimes get matched with them
and feel a wall as if I’m stuck.
I’m playing the same character, but they seem faster and stronger.
Just because they’re the same tier doesn’t mean they’re of the same level.
Rankings in the 1-digit and 3-digit spots are worlds apart.
In reality, the score difference often exceeds that between Diamond and Bronze, although not many realize it.
Given that the points gained from a match are lower, the actual difference is likely even larger.
I acknowledge that this is as far as I go.
Getting here is an achievement in itself.
[Comments]
– For real, you learn why pros are pros.
– It’s tough to keep up with the tempo when you play together…
[Matchmaking completed.]
[Do you accept the match? Y/N]
[…You will be transported to the battlefield in 20 seconds.]
To the average players, this tier is seen as lofty.
But there’s another sky above that sky.
Until now, I hadn’t intended to climb because I thought time was precious… but now, hey, I’ve got plenty of it.
‘After all, it’s confirmed that I won’t be able to participate in this international war.’
The temporary access period allowed for 50 days.
Even if everything goes perfectly, I’ll need at least 50 days before I can join the pro scene.
By that time, the spring international war will likely be wrapping up.
Depending on the schedule, it could already be over.
Anyway, during the roster submission stage, it was impossible to write my name.
If I can raise my ranking while there’s still time – wouldn’t that be a decent significance for my debut?
Since I’m at it,
it wouldn’t be bad to see my name in first place at least once.
*
[Rank Match – Diamond II]
[Battlefield: The Place Where the Storm Sleeps]
[Rules: 6-Person Elimination]
The nickname ‘Throwing Chain Scythe’ belonged to a user of mild disposition.
Their main class was Assassin, and their sub-class was Paladin.
As soon as the match was set, Anonymous Adventurer A picked Assassin, and naturally, a sigh escaped from his lips.
I had a bad feeling right from the start.
Even though he played Assassin as his main class, it wasn’t handled well in ranked games.
High peaks only pertained to the professional level.
In commoners’ territory, it’s a burdensome class with low stamina and attack power.
His principle was that he didn’t trust any Assassins except himself.
But in a rank game, the person who wants to win is always at a disadvantage.
So, instead of his real feelings, soft words slipped from his mouth.
“Uh, Assassin. Since our main classes overlap, could you please graciously concede? It doesn’t seem right to have two Assassins in an elimination match.”
The answer… didn’t come back.
At that moment, it clicked.
This guy had no intention of communicating with the team.
Given he had hidden his nickname and avatar before the game even started, he must have something to hide.
My head was already starting to ache.
I’d rather just quit the game, but – I couldn’t.
Desperate for the points, victory meant everything to him.
However, once the game began, he couldn’t help but furrow his brow.
‘Chain Scythe? When did it go out of style?’
The flood of Chain Scythe Assassins had turned ranked games into a hellscape for a time.
His nickname ‘Throwing Chain Scythe’ was a name he had also changed because he couldn’t stand it any longer.
But he wasn’t strong-willed enough to throw the game, so he timidly gripped his shield.
The Chain Scythe-wielding Assassin was nowhere to be seen.
It seemed his avatar was mimicking Gawol.
This type is the most troublesome.
Yeah, this might just work out.
Let’s consider that we have one less teammate in this game.
Holding back my bubbling emotions, I surveyed the battlefield.
“Since we’re one player short, let’s play defensively for now. We have a hunter, so please set some traps…”
The composition of our team wasn’t suitable for offense.
It’d be better to build defenses like a fortress, led by the Hunter.
Our Assassin was free to do as they pleased…
[Anonymous Adventurer A has defeated ‘Peropero Cerberus’.]
“Oh, at least he did something. It seems he managed with the Chain Scythe?”
Right, good things are good, so let’s roll with it.
The Paladin’s lips began to form a smile.
But soon, his joy turned into a question.
[Anonymous Adventurer A has defeated ‘Kokpung Kokpung Quick Lean’.]
[Anonymous Adventurer A has defeated ‘Psychotic Warlock’.]
“?”
In a six-person elimination match, the kill log was suspiciously rising.
The main force, which had just fortified its defensive stance, hastily moved towards the enemy lines.
After wrapping up two fleeing opponents, the game unexpectedly came to an end.
[Anonymous Adventurer A has defeated ‘I Want to Eat Croquette’.]
[You have won.]
[MVP: Gawol (Anonymous Adventurer A)]
[Would you like to change your nickname to ‘Chain Scythe is Gawol Only’? Y/N]
[Changed.]