ALL NOVEL The Strongest Solo Gamer with Terrible Social Skills Reincarnates as a Hated NPC in a VRMMO Chapter 150
150: The Observing First-Year Student
The rules of the class competition were the same as before. The only change was that each student was given an armband with A to D alphabets, allowing their classroom affiliation to be easily identified. This was likely a consideration for the spectators. In our first year, each student was mixed up, making it difficult to distinguish.
The fact that the rules remained the same meant that each classroom’s strategy would also change.
What stood out was that the PT with the lowest overall power among A to D classes withdrew immediately after the competition began. The dropouts, who returned to the outside of the structure, rushed to the spectator seats.
Just like the tactics used by 1-A’s Tenshi Jūkia against me?
Some students were using the structure to gather information about the enemy’s position and reporting back to their classroom. It was reasonable to assign reconnaissance roles to lower-ranked students. The observing seniors had learned from our first-year strategies and were applying them to this competition.
It was complex, but effective.
“…It’s just as expected, isn’t it?”
“It’s the seniors’ strategy, after all.”
“Ah. They withdraw immediately when they realize it’s impossible to continue fighting.”
“They’re always placing multiple PTs from the same faction nearby, allowing them to cover each other…it’s something we couldn’t do.”
Aoba and Kanzaki were observing the second-year students’ strategies while reflecting on their own actions.
The others were doing the same.
“Ah, ah, why couldn’t we do that?”
“…It’s just a lack of training, I suppose.”
Suzuki’s disappointed mutter was met with a concise answer from Banma. It was a straightforward truth, but…
“We didn’t have the luxury of merging with other PTs, and we were exposed to the enemy’s attacks.”
“That’s because we were targeted from the start, right?”
“…But even if we weren’t targeted, I think it would have been tough. We would have lost if we clashed head-on with other classrooms.”
“Actually, only Ishirō won, didn’t she?”
The four girls, Takeuchi, Kōhane, Shinonome, and Uzumi, were chatting while glancing at me.
……Do I need to say something?
It can’t be helped….
“…There’s a level difference, so it’s not surprising we couldn’t win. But I think we could have done better, don’t you?”
“For example?”
Uzumi leaned forward, asking.
This is a bit like the school newspaper’s tone, isn’t it?
“For example, judgment during emergency escapes? You can say the same to others, but you guys are too sticky. …Looking at the second-year students, you’ll see that most of them judge when to withdraw strategically and do so immediately. That’s the correct approach. The class competition is a simulated battle, not an event to be taken lightly. You guys are usually more cautious when diving into ABYSS, right? It’s the same principle.”
“But that’s not going to win us the game!”
Aoba gritted his teeth, looking frustrated.
……He’s being too stiff, isn’t he? I wish he would think more lightly about it.
――Defeat becomes nourishment. What we should avoid now is receiving a devastating blow that would render us unable to stand.
「……Are you saying we should learn and become stronger?”
“That’s right.”
As I munch on a caramel popcorn I bought, I say this to Kanzaki.
Mmm~~~! So sweet and delicious~~~!
I spend an hour watching while savoring the sweetness.
The second-year students, who had been engaging in small skirmishes, have altered the battle situation since arriving here.
――2-A. I, Ryūji, have made a move.
‘Woooaaao――!!’
It was a genuine dragon’s roar.
As I let out a mighty cry, I charge into the enemy camp. With each swift and powerful strike, I accumulate points for 2-A. No student can stop me.
The students are blown away like bowling pins, one after another, with radiant transfer lights flashing. I, the only one left, stand alone on the battlefield.
My face is expressionless.
I am satisfied.
I am merely satisfied.
D Group has been annihilated. C Group has been destroyed. B Group is on the brink of death.
There is no one who can be her enemy.
In the face of this reality――I am stunned.
‘Ryūji――!!’
――Until my sister arrives.
“Ran’a-san……!!”
“……Is it starting now!!”
Akane and Kanzaki simultaneously voice their concerns.
Ran’a Ishizuru, along with the B Group PT members, appears on the scene. I, Ryūji, stand with my hands on my hips, chest puffed out, looking rather nonchalant.
‘You’re late……what a pain in the neck~~~’
‘!!’
‘That was a tedious task……I’ll make you pay with your body for making me wait, so enjoy it!!’
‘……Can you enjoy it? I’m not sure. After all, I’m the one who will defeat you……!!’
‘Huh? You’re full of confidence? I’ll make you regret your arrogance.――Come on, then!!’
‘――!!’
In that instant, the two of us clash.
Ryūji vs. Ran’a.
This battle has now begun――