One hour until the real start.
The stadium’s seating is already about 90% full, and the remaining 10% are quickly coming in.
On the giant screens placed in the central four corners, pre-recorded final match players were being shown.
Since it’s a virtual reality game, it’s more enjoyable and immersive to watch inside Deoen rather than in real life.
However, DCK adopted the format of past computer pro competitions.
Players enter the access points in the center of the arena to play the game, and the in-game screen is broadcast live on the screens.
Of course, since there’s also a stadium inside Deoen, you can watch from either side, but the advantage of the offline stadium is that you can see the players’ ‘real selves.’
Before the match starts, players conduct interviews in reality, and after entering the stadium, they have short follow-up interviews.
And after the game ends, they emerge back into reality to lift the trophy.
Angels and demons.
The grand trophy, elegantly crafted in black and white, symbolizes the two races clashing.
“Finally, the finals.”
Chota Choka Chuka Chip, leader of Team CO, nodded at the words of his long-range dealer teammate, Kim Ha-neul.
It’s finally the finals.
Though they’ve lifted the trophy twice already, the nerves still linger.
Choi Hana is strong, but pro competitions are team battles, and one person alone can’t guarantee victory.
“We have to win. No exceptions.”
But still, they’ll win.
They must win to knock that smug Baekseol down and rise again.
Currently, Chuka Chip and Choco rank 4th.
With the strong presence of the Sword Saint, Leo, and Michael ahead of them, they’ve stalled and can’t rise higher, but now that the Sword Saint has slipped, there’s a chance to move up.
‘Lily, Leo is one thing, but… I can take out the other two.’
Michael is strong, but his guild has a strong influence, and the Sword Saint is currently underwater with a lost weapon and decreased levels.
After the DCK match ends, there will be downtime, so they’ll level up during that time and aim higher.
If they keep climbing steadily, they might just reach their ‘target.’
‘Towards the target called Lily.’
Creeeak…
‘…Of course.’
“Oh my. You’re here?”
Gotta step on this one first.
Despite being in reality, the woman has dyed her hair white like her character.
With her hair tied up, she’s wearing the team’s colors, a red uniform, and a logo on her chest featuring a white bird cradling a red and blue magic orb.
She’s her opponent and an ace in Team WoW, having rapidly risen into the top 10 just two months before the finals.
Ranking 9th, the freezing sorcerer Baekseol smiled sweetly at Choco.
“Hey Hana. You must be super excited today, right?”
“Don’t call me Hana. Why are you even here, managing your team, Seolha?”
Choi Hana frowned at Baekseol.
This is the waiting room for Team CO.
Of course, it’s not exactly a secret waiting room; it’s more of a place where they can go on stage at any moment, so staff can come in and out.
Just a moment ago, a coordinator came in and out of the room.
Right now, they deliberately sent people out, so there were only the two of them.
Baekseol approached Choi Hana, chuckling.
“Come on, we’re still same-generation debutants.”
“Who’s your same-generation friend? I’ve never been on a team with you.”
“I’m talking about being debut mates. I still felt a sense of camaraderie, you know? This is disappointing…”
Baekseol smoothly dodged Choi Hana’s prickly comments.
Baekseol, whose character name is Baekseol, doesn’t get along with Choco.
This isn’t just a matter of personality or because they belong to opposing teams.
In fact, Choco is friendly with Black and has maintained a decent relationship with teammates like Yena.
If your social skills were poor, you wouldn’t even be able to be a professional.
Still, the reason Baekseol seems ready to devour Choco is…
“Could it be because I lost to you in my first debut match…?”
“…What are you talking about?”
Choi Hana is a founding member who debuted in her first year when Deoen was introduced.
As soon as professional matches started, Choco began her pro career, gaining popularity for her impressive skills and beautiful appearance, making people look forward to her activities.
‘…Oh?’
‘Did she lose?’
In that debut match, the ‘Team Brawl,’ Choco suffered a crushing defeat.
In a brawl that limited strength and technique, the mage had a significant advantage, and Choco was pierced right through the heart by Baekseol’s ‘Frost Prince.’
Though she lost the brawl, they ultimately won as CO in other matches, but for Choco, it was a blow to her pride.
Choi Hana gritted her teeth.
“After that, I kept winning. Guess you don’t remember?”
“You were so scary that I remember. Seriously, you act like you’re ready to eat me just because I lost one game.”
“……”
“Watching you whine about wanting a one-on-one with a mage is pretty funny…”
Baekseol shrugged and stepped back slightly.
Before Choi Hana could throw a punch, the Sky, who had been watching, stepped in front of her.
“Hey Sky, how’s it going?”
“Baekseol, just go. It seems like we’re starting soon.”
“But there’s still time left! We haven’t even finished talking…”
“That’s why I said to leave. Talk or fight all you want during the match later.”
“Sky, move. I need to hit that girl.”
“You too, hit later. We’re not Street Fighters, we’re pro players, Deoen.”
The Sky sighed deeply, completely blocking the two.
Despite being ranked within the top 1000, Sky was weak compared to Baekseol and Choco’s notorious reputations, but reality was different.
“Hmm… Sky is tall.”
Sky was a tall man, while Baekseol and Choi Hana were a head shorter than him.
“Hey Sky, do you want to get hit too?”
Of course, he couldn’t defeat Choi Hana, who had learned boxing.
“Sigh… well, this villain should back off.”
In the end, it was Baekseol who retreated after a battle of nerves.
She spun around, grabbing the door to the waiting room as she slid.
“So, see you later? Don’t come crying and whining to fight again after losing.”
“I guess I’ll find out after it’s over.”
Sky waved his hand while Choi Hana threw him a piece of taffy.
Thud!
“Phew… I thought there’d be another accident.”
“Who do you think I am, a troublemaker?”
“If you hit here, it’s really going to be a big deal, Hana.”
As Sky, who was leaning against the sofa, freaked out, Choi Hana chuckled and shook her head.
“How could my training show? Of course, I won’t leave scars.”
“No, the issue is hitting, you idiot. What if you get disqualified?”
“That’s just nonsense. I’m not out looking for trouble. I’m just here getting picked on.”
Creak!
“It’s obvious you’re laying the groundwork because you think you’ll get pummeled in the relay battle. How can you just overlook that? Aren’t you angry?”
“… If I get angry, I can take revenge later. Like I said, we’re not reality fighters.”
Sky let out a deep sigh.
This is why they needed Leiter around.
“Why did he have to leave to watch cosplayers at a time like this…”
“Well… your brother is a Lily fanboy. You have to respect his tastes.”
“What’s happening? Usually, you’d despise someone like that?”
“… I mean, Lily is someone you can respect to some extent….”
“I don’t know.”
“?”
“Forget it. Did everyone go out to watch?”
“Asa is practicing the finale, so he’s playing as Deoen, and Leiter and Gunner are out having fun. It’s strange that they’re going out when the finals are less than 50 minutes away…”
“The other three are waiting?”
“Yeah. They can be brought in at any time, but since it’s WoW, who knows what’s going to happen.”
“Okay.”
It felt too lax, but they’d already practiced their combinations hundreds of times to improve their skills.
In fact, being too tense could lead to unnecessary mistakes, so releasing the tension a bit wouldn’t be a bad thing.
It’s okay to let it slide a bit; we might make some mistakes.
In fact, even up until 20 minutes before the match started, I was surprised, but I lifted the championship trophy for that season.
“Well then, I’ll take a look around since I’ve arrived.”
“The people who sent the tickets? Just in case, make sure you’re here by 30 minutes before.”
“Got it.”
Choi Hana opened the waiting room door.
As I opened the soundproof door, the already loud sounds of the stadium pierced my ears.
The sky was tinted with sunset colors, and the numerous seats in the stadium were filled with people.
“…Hoo.”
I composed myself.
I’m going to win.
I will definitely win.
No matter who the opponent is, I’ll win.
Steeling my resolve, I headed quickly to the VIP seats.
The VIP seats located at the front are a place where only verified people can enter, and entry is impossible without a special invitation.
Mainly celebrities, their acquaintances, and DCK officials can access this area.
Choi Hana had a total of five invitations, two of which she gave to acquaintances and one to Black.
She also gave two to Yena.
Black would be on broadcast, so showing up right now would be a bit odd…
After briefly greeting her two acquaintances, she headed straight for Yena.
Originally, she hadn’t planned to give Yena two invitations, but since Laguiel, who was on the same siege war team, didn’t receive an offline invitation, she gave both to Yena.
She wasn’t sure who Yena would come with, but perhaps she came with an acquaintance?
“Yena?”
“…So the final match narrative is really, oh! The main character of today has arrived!”
Yena stood up happily and extended her hand.
Yena was indeed strong.
Honestly, if they had the same specs, she could easily bully that arrogant Baekseol.
Since her face resembled Deoen’s, Choi Hana felt a strange familiarity and turned her head.
The person next to her… Is she a cosplayer?
A woman with a black cap and black mask covering her face.
Seeing her blue hair, she looked like someone cosplaying as ‘Lily.’
Even with half her face covered, her beauty was undeniable.
The cosplayer cautiously stood up and extended her hand.
“But why does she look so familiar…?”
“Nice to meet you.”
“……Huh?”
Lily?
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
