Chapter 133
Recently, Hanbyeol had been having quite a fulfilling day.
Of course, by her own standards.
It wasn't that her experience points were soaring daily, or that she saw any remarkable Skill growth.
It was simply that she had more opportunities to meet the NPC she had been observing so closely.
Hanbyeol had, in fact, been wondering lately how she could naturally meet him.
To be honest, she and Yor weren't particularly close.
Their first meeting had started with a fight, and the reason for that fight wasn't exactly friendly. While she did want to fight him, she had gone there for *Bounty Hunting*, after all. It was bound to be awkward.
Still, they had managed to meet regularly under the pretext of *Holy Water Trade*... but that pretext was gradually losing its meaning lately.
He had recently been associating with the *Knight Order* and replenishing his own holy water. So, the pretext of “Holy Water Trade” inevitably faded a bit.
She had been pondering how to meet him more often...
She was a little surprised that her casual suggestion of the *Arena* would last this long. Thanks to that, Hanbyeol has been bringing him to the *Arena* every day recently.
Originally, one could buy multiple *Arena Tickets* and transfer them. But she didn't bother doing that.
After all, it would only reduce the frequency of their meetings. Although it was a hassle to visit the *Cave* every day, it was a burden she was willing to bear.
Of course, going back and forth like this sometimes brought on a moment of self-realization.
Seriously, why am I acting like this all because of one NPC...?
It was absurd to put herself through such trouble for just an NPC.
What would people who knew her think if they saw her like this? They would surely find it ridiculous. They might even think I'm an over-immersed otaku.
No matter how many NPCs were on par with real *People*, to many, they were still just fakes inside a computer.
Of course, there were many who spouted strange theories, claiming the vivid realism meant it was actually another world... but unfortunately, Hanbyeol wasn't foolish enough to believe such things.
But even considering that, she couldn't help it. Strangely, whenever she was with him, her lower belly would tingle, and her cheeks would often flush.
Looking at his face, she even recalled memories of being called 'Happy' and having her head stroked when she was captured long ago.
What was even more surprising was how often those *Sense*s felt pleasant.
So, the situation of going to the *Arena* together like this was naturally welcome to Hanbyeol. Of course, there was one regrettable point.
*When will Hand-to-hand Combat finally come up?*
Although she was blunt and her personality was a bit rough, Hanbyeol was still a 'woman'. A spirited *Athletic Club* woman in her twenties. She had desires simmering within her.
The first time he came out to the *Training Ground* and pressed his body against an *Opponent*, Hanbyeol felt something tingle deep inside her.
Without even clothes being removed, the scene felt more stimulating than most adult videos she had seen. She had even replayed videos online, imagining herself in those situations.
What kind of sensation would she feel if they touched so closely? What would it feel like if her whole body was restrained by him like that? Would pain come first? Or would some other subtle *sense* find her before that?
She often felt like a pervert for thinking such things, but she couldn't stop her stimulated imagination.
From then on, Hanbyeol diligently started playing in the *Arena*. She played dozens of times. She met Yor many times, but... unfortunately, *Hand-to-hand Combat* never came up.
It was already hard enough to get matched for a duel with him, given the unnecessarily large number of *People* in the *Arena* recently. To simultaneously get *Hand-to-hand Combat* was truly like plucking a star from the sky.
*Hmph...*
Thinking about it made her sigh automatically. But she didn't show it outwardly. He would surely find it strange if he saw her. And right now, she didn't have time to be distracted.
Where are you looking?
*Whoosh-!*Even with his *Physical Ability* restricted, he was never an *Opponent* to be complacent with. That man was someone she had a chance of winning against only if she gave her all.
Wielding two curved swords imbued with *Sword Aura*, she blocked the surging spear.
*Clang-!
A clear clang echoed, and a heavy impact enveloped her body.
Now was the time to focus on the battle.
*
*Clack-! Clang-! Weapons clashed. *Sword Aura* pierced *Sword Aura*. This was already more than the third time I had faced her in this *Arena*. As I encountered her so often, my thought was that it was indeed not easy.
She truly is Rank 1, I suppose.
Her flashy <F1>Finesse</F1>, sharp <F1>Judgment</F1>, and the way she used her vision with two blades. She was quick and flexible. Her long hair even made her seem distracting at times.
She used to do Artistic Gymnastics. I heard.
It seemed to be quite helpful.
Perhaps because my *Physical Ability* was restricted, there wasn't much of a difference between our levels anymore.
Thanks to that, I had been pushed back a few times during our battles. That was either her quick learning ability or her rapid adaptation during combat.
In fact, when I had the *Sandbag* heavily weighted, I was the one to declare forfeit first. In short, she was a challenging *opponent*.
Of course, that didn't mean I couldn't win.
Unfortunately, my *Spearmanship* hadn't particularly improved while I was here.
Well, it's only been a week.
It was difficult to accumulate enough *skill* to feel a noticeable difference in such a short time. But instead, I had picked up several tricks.
No, calling them 'tricks' wasn't quite right. They were quite useful *techniques* that could be employed in actual combat.
Thinking that, I immediately thrust one arm towards the incoming blade. My arm was now in the *path* of the sharp curved sword.
!
I saw Hanbyeol's eyes widen for a moment. She seemed to be contemplating whether to quickly withdraw her sword.
Even if it was a *sparring* match where one's life was guaranteed, the pain felt the same. And if luck wasn't on your side, serious injuries were common.
In that sense, thrusting an arm into an attacking blade was no different from begging to have one's arm severed. At first glance, it seemed like an extremely dangerous act, but of course, it wasn't something I did recklessly.
*Slash-!
*Immediately after, Hanbyeol's blade dug into my forearm. After a moment's hesitation, she ultimately chose to unleash her *Attack*.
I had the vague thought that I would deal with it myself.
In a way, this could be considered trust.
Red blood flowed from the torn skin with a searing pain. Seeing that, I immediately activated *Blood Power Art* to harden my blood.
It was a type of *barrier* made of blood. Though it required some effort, it was an extremely practical *barrier* with incredibly fast formation speed. It would block all mediocre *attack*s.
*Clang-!
*Immediately after, her blade stopped dead at the crook of my arm.
I immediately thrust my spear towards her torso. The sharp, dark spearhead surged forward, aiming for her life.
H-forfeit!
Sensing that escape was impossible, she hastily made a *Declaration of Forfeit*.
Her form vanished, and my spear was left to cleave through the *Void*.
Once again, victory was mine.
...Hoo.
I let out a light sigh.
*
Every time I see him fight, I think he fights like a total brute. What kind of guts does it take to stick your arm into a blade imbued with *Sword Aura*? LOL. Can he also adjust his *Synchronization Rate* like us? They say he's a *Virtual Character* so he can't feel pain! As if! Our *Older Brother* is tough... he's cool, but sometimes he's scary... The number of *Hand-to-hand Combat* matches was one today.
After the battle with Hanbyeol, Yor immediately left the *Arena*.
He had played enough for today, so it was time to return to the *Cave*.
Upon returning to the *Cave*, he found Chaerin sitting there with a somewhat displeased expression.
While many *Users* enjoyed Yor's sudden *Arena* tour, there were also a few *persons* who viewed it unfavorably. Yu Chaerin was a prime example.
As soon as Yor appeared, she asked.
"The *Arena* seems fun these days. You've been there for a very long time, haven't you?" "Yeah. Want to try it too? It's fun." "Look at him, so casually recommending it! At the very least, you should turn off *Hand-to-hand Combat*."
Honestly, she was a little worried. She could overlook him fighting in the *Arena*, but that *Hand-to-hand Combat* thing was a bit much.
Even she could see that the participants' intentions were rather lewd. Even if it was just a match, seeing a woman and a man interact so intimately didn't sit well with her. It would be one thing if they were complete strangers, but they had even experienced “19+ Mode” together.
Though the one being touched didn't seem to think much of it. Yor asked innocently.
You could block just that?
Fact: It's impossible. You can select an *Event*, but I don't think you can block an *Event*. This game is a small-time company game, so they didn't make such a feature~ A "small-time company game" is a game played by more than half the world's *People*. Haha, what are you gonna do if there's no feature? Haha. Can you quit the game if you're annoyed? Haha.
Hoo...
Chaerin let out a small sigh. Well, if he himself didn't care, there wasn't much more she could say. Besides, he himself would declare forfeit if things got too strange or excessive.
Chaerin decided to just observe for now, even if Ms. *Rank 1*, who was often seen nearby, was a bit annoying.
What's the matter, by the way?
As she was lost in thought for a moment, Yor asked. Chaerin replied.
There'll be some kind of *Update* in a few days, so please come back quickly then.
It was almost the game's second anniversary. And typically, games release *Major Update*s annually.
Although the *Game Company* hadn't made an official announcement, many *Users* were anticipating it.
There must be a way for you to come to the *Arena* too, right? There are too many *people* there; I don't think it'll be easy to meet you. ...Well, I'll think about it.
Yor nodded appropriately.
Chaerin chatted for a bit longer, then returned to the *City*.
And a few days passed. Fortunately, as the *Users* had anticipated, there was indeed an *Update*. However, it wasn't the good news they had hoped for.
No, wait, this is a bit disconcerting...
Chaerin hastily delivered the news to Yor. It was rather unexpected.
"They say the *Russian Server* collapsed...?"
"...Huh?"
In [Demon's Saga], 'server' meant a *Region*, a *Country* where *Otherworlders* resided. Therefore, the collapse of one server was synonymous with another meaning.
On the game's second anniversary. A *Country* had been destroyed somewhere.