Chapter 132
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[Is it true you can meet Yor if you go to the Arena now?]
And is it *really* true that if you're lucky, you can get physical with him bare-handed?
Yep, it's a fact. Wow, where's that Arena? I want to join too, damn it! No, obviously it's the Arena near the Forbidden Forest. Where else would it be? No, you're the type who talks like a jerk when a supermarket employee asks you something, aren't you?
[Hand-to-hand Combat never comes up, damn it.]
I want to get physical with Yor too...! Don't hog all the fun...!
Haha And there are so many competitors too. No, seriously, when I queue, 9 out of 10 are users with breasts? No, that's because there are so many bastards like you trying to get a touch... No, aren't you? No, lol No, lol
+[I'm an experienced Hand-to-hand Combatant.]
The moment I entered the Arena, my Opponent was Yor, and I cheered when I saw he had no weapon. And without any mind games or anything, I cranked up my Synchronization Rate and immediately went for a Tackle.
Wow lol After that, I subtly groped him, and his body was *so* good hahahaha It was so firm, and I learned that a person's muscle definition could be felt so clearly for the first time that day...
Thanks to that, I came back with my *Lower Body* throbbing. Even with his stats lowered, he's a good fighter, so I ended up losing. Yep.
[You fucking bastard, I'm so jealous!]
[I'm reporting you too. See you at the Guardhouse.]
[You crazy, filthy pervert bastard, do you want to touch a man that badly?][No lol. Don't worry, I wouldn't touch spam like you even if you begged me.]
An unexpected craze swept through the Arena, all because of a single NPC.
There were streamers there from the start, and the content of their broadcasts was nothing short of provocative. Yor's combat scenes quickly spread across the internet.
Thus, countless Otherworlders were now flocking to the Arena, creating a bustling crowd. For Users, the ability to challenge a desired NPC without fear of losing items was a huge advantage.
Of course, dying still resulted in a 3-day suspension, but since surrendering was possible in the Arena anyway, there was virtually no risk.
Of course, not all Users challenging Yor were perverts simply looking to sexually harass him. Many Users simply wanted to test their Skill against him.
Normally it would be impossible, but since he appeared in the Arena with all his stats significantly lowered, he was quite a match. If they won, they could gain a certain honor and sense of accomplishment. And if “Hand-to-hand Combat” came up when they were challenging him... well, they could just use Ground Techniques.
+ [Wow, damn it, I thought I could win.]
Can't win even once lol
It's really frustrating when you feel like you can catch him but can't, for real.
Isn't his Regeneration seriously overpowered?
I'm gonna queue for another match and come back.
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It's hard enough to get one match. How many are you queuing for? Whoa No, dunno? Probably around 50 matches now? No, you're practically living in the Arena.
[It's seriously absurd that he's wearing Sandbags lol]
[No, for real lol I'm glad I didn't participate in the raid...]
Is he queuing for team matches too?
I queued without thinking and met him on the same team.
Thanks to that, I got carried lol
+
It seems like he's doing All Random, not just stats? No, for real, it's like gacha haha
Of course, there weren't many reports of victories among Users yet.
Just because his stats were lowered didn't mean he was weak enough for anyone to beat. Rather, that moderate difficulty stimulated Users' desire to challenge him.
[Did Yor, that bastard, raise his stats???]
Before, I could somewhat block his spear, but why is it heavier now? Why does his spear seem faster? It doesn't feel like my imagination. Did he perhaps tamper with something?
[Yep, I heard he was pushed back earlier and ended up surrendering, so he probably lightened his sandbags a bit after that?]
[No, that's how it is. If he loses once, he seems to raise his stats little by little.]
[No, you cowardly bastard...!!! How am I supposed to win now!!!]
[No, why are you complaining to me?]
Time passed. The Arena's fervor grew day by day. But at the same time, another anticipation was rising...
But what do you think this 2nd Anniversary Update will be about?
The game was about to turn two years old. Just like the 1st anniversary, users were looking forward to the update.
Splat-!
“Aargh! I surrender! I surrender!”
With the sound of flesh tearing, the Opponent quickly surrendered. The figure of the Opponent, clad only in modest chainmail, rapidly vanished.
Waaah! A round of customary cheers erupted from the Audience Seating. Watching that, I let out a short breath.
“*...That makes seven wins.*”
It meant the number of consecutive wins. And this also meant that I had lost once before the seventh win. Indeed, fighting with restricted Physical Ability was quite strenuous.
When my stamina was too depleted from continuous fights, or when I got into a team match and was ganged up on 5-on-1, I had no choice but to declare surrender.
Still, thanks to the practical experience I'd accumulated so far, my win rate was quite high, but occasional losses were unavoidable.
Each time that happened, I gradually increased my Physical Ability. It allowed me to filter out the mediocre opponents and engage in higher-level fights. Currently, my stats are adjusted to just over 70%.
“Next game.”
Having fully caught my breath, I started queuing for matches again. It had already been a week since I started using the Arena, and I was still continuing my battles. I wasn't particularly bored.
Being able to face countless types of opponents and seeing Otherworlders cheer when they met me were quite enjoyable.
“Nice! Finally, Hand-to-hand Combat!!”
Sometimes, when they hit the gacha jackpot, the Opponent's hands would become strangely lecherous... but I decided to just put up with that much. It didn't happen often anyway, and I didn't want to give up Random Matching just for this.
“Hiyah!”
I naturally countered the opponent who tried to tackle me. Doing this multiple times, I was gradually getting used to it. My strength was usually quite high to begin with. Victory was easily within reach.
“*Eighth win... hmm.*”
The Opponent, with a satisfied look, surrendered and vanished.
“Oh, it’s a team match this time.”
“Ah, why are we on different teams?!”
Still, after spending a solid week in the Arena, I had noticed a few things.
“Well, since it’s come to this, let’s just win. What are everyone’s classes?”
“I’m a Greatsword Warrior, and this one next to me is an Archer.”
“I’m a Mage.”
“Alright. I’m a Lancer class, so the Greatsword Warrior and I will be in front, and the rest of you can provide Deterrent Maneuvers from the back. It seems they’re weak to Magic, so Mage, please put in a little extra effort. Does everyone agree?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, that’s just common sense.”
The first was that the Otherworlders' Skill had indeed improved significantly. Not only had their levels improved, but they were also good at formulating basic strategies depending on the Opponent. Everyone knew how to act according to one's class, and their movements were well-controlled, as if they had learned it somewhere. Otherworlders had become proper Combat Personnel.
“*Well, they must have hunted hundreds of times by now.*”
Honestly, sometimes they seemed better than mediocre Gaians. Of course, these would be among the top-tier Otherworlders.
The second was that Otherworlders weren't the only ones coming to the Arena. For instance, even I was frequenting the Arena like this, so there was no law saying other NPCs... no, Gaians, couldn't do the same. Since their lives were guaranteed, Gaians tended to enjoy the Arena even more.
“...Huh?”
It was like that even now. After somehow winning the team match, I queued for the next round and couldn't help but be surprised.
The opponent I met this time was someone I knew.
“Florence?”
That was Florence, one of the Elite knights under the 2nd Knight Commander. In the past, after capturing Andras and returning to the Empire, we often sparred. Up to this point, it was understandable. Practical experience was important for Knights too. It made sense for them to frequent the arena.
But the problem was that I had never met her here before. If I'd been queuing in the Arena for a whole week, I should have met her at least once. This made it seem like she had come after hearing rumors, just like the Spectators filling the Spectator Room.
“Ah, Sir Yor. Haha, what a coincidence. I just happened to have some free time and came to the Arena, and I never would have thought I'd meet you here.”
“...”
I briefly looked at my opponent with suspicious eyes.
Oh, surely not. It couldn't be.
Well, an Opponent is an Opponent. I drew my spear as usual. Fighting a Knight was incredibly valuable. Simply facing the Knight, a collection of Techniques, taught me a lot. The thrill of fighting was also good.
And so, I clashed with the Knight Florence after a long time. Perhaps because my stats were lowered, facing her wasn't easy. I also had to engage in a war of nerves, especially since she was someone who employed Defensive Swordsmanship.
Still, even with lowered stats, my Regeneration and Blood-infused Ability weren't going anywhere. Ignoring a bit of pain and pushing through, I quickly seized victory.
“Indeed, it wasn't easy. I surrender.”
“Yes, it was a good match.”
After securing my tenth consecutive win and taking a short break, I queued for another match.
I'd fought enough for today, so I figured this would probably be my last battle.
“...Haa.”
Upon seeing my Opponent, I let out a sigh. I had wanted a light match, but this wasn't an easy Opponent. No, honestly, even with my Sandbags on now, there were few Opponents as tricky as she.
I looked ahead for a moment.
Standing there was a woman with purple hair and two curved swords: Hanbyeol Shin.
She looked at me, then immediately checked her hands.
“!”
Then, after checking the weapons in her hands, she frowned.
“...Tch.”
I thought I heard a momentary click of her tongue.