I Have Returned, but I Cannot Lay down My Gun

The first day of the Final Championship passes.

In a way, it was a good start. As someone mentioned, during the three games held today, Dice and Harmony each took first place once. Unfortunately, in the other game, an innocent player took it. In a battle royale game where the kill zone shrinks, luck is part of the deal, so it’s understandable.

Anyway, that’s already in the past. Let’s focus on the present. Though, honestly, there wasn’t much to focus on in the immediate moment. The two who had returned to their room were just sprawled on the bed, clinging to each other in an odd scene that was being broadcast.

It was a short little incident, so the bed-rolling didn’t last too long, and soon enough, everyone struggled to get up and sat on the bed. Judging by their expressions, it seemed they were quite satisfied with today’s results.

"Since the number of games has increased this year, everyone will need to manage their pace well. We don’t want to burn out on the first day and then slump by the second, right?"

"Right..."

"The increase in the number of games is actually a good thing for players who aren’t on your level. I doubt anyone here is less fit than the two of you..."

"Ugh."

Ignoring the chaos in the chat, I glanced outside.

The sun was setting. The games, which started at 2 PM, only ended around 5 PM, and soon it would be time for dinner and debriefing. Last year, I think... it was probably around 7 PM. Funny how those little details are hard to remember.

Anyway, there wasn’t much to convey to these two right now. And even if I didn’t speak, my acquaintances would likely chip in their own comments, and that’d be enough feedback. Of course, that wouldn’t be the end of it. After dinner, that’s when the real feedback would come.

Still, I figured a few words would be helpful for these two, so I spoke up.

"DICE, well... there’s not much to say. Just keep playing as you are. But Harmony, your win rate changes significantly depending on whether there’s cover or buildings in the last circle. You’ll need to figure that out."

"I’ll just bring more bombs!"

"...Well, that’s one way to do it. Try to get as creative as you can."

Dice looked at Mina with an expression of being fed up, but after that, the six of us in the room all began to casually lounge around. There was still about an hour before dinner, so we had time to kill.

During that time, various discussions popped up. Someone brought up the idea of room service because they didn’t feel like going out, and it seemed to be taken more seriously than expected. The reason wasn’t much—since Icarus had set up their own "second Las Vegas," the room service prices were pretty reasonable.

Moreover, there was a "Manifestation-Exclusive Room Service" where price and quantity were proportional, and with that, there was no real need to go to the hotel buffet on the lower floor.

However, it was ultimately rejected, mainly because there were concerns that food smells might linger in the room, and no one wanted to see a pile of dishes outside the door.

And then—

"Our new juniors, if you eat too much and laze around, you’ll turn into cows."

"...Why does Loren Tina know so much about Korean proverbs!?"

"Heh heh, studying foreign culture is essential. Some friends just came back from a Niagara Falls tour; let’s invite them and have dinner together."

Loren Tina’s strange knowledge left me utterly confused.

Anyway, just as she said, Kato’s group had returned safely from their Niagara tour a few days ago. I heard it wasn’t just that, though—they traveled around Canada and had quite a bit of fun. The hotel wasn’t too far away, so it wasn’t hard to call them up.

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So, about ten people gathered quickly in the 26th-floor lobby. As they entered the elevator, I couldn’t help but notice Harmony’s eyes, which sparkled as she stared at Kato, and soon enough, her mouth opened.

"By the way, I didn’t realize Kato’s avatar was so popular. I saw it in the limited-edition goods shop inside the stadium."

"Ugh, what!? What did you say!?"

"Kato’s avatar is easy to mock... just kidding, but it’s popular for several reasons. I remember it was pretty well-known among overseas viewers, too. I heard the tantrums he threw on my stream were a big hit..."

"Was I the only one who was desperate?"

"Maybe it was your desperate thrashing that made it more popular."

Kato was sinking.

I could see his mental strength plummeting, and it seemed like a topic I shouldn’t touch. So, after a quick glance exchanged with the others, we agreed to drop the subject and moved on to other topics.

The next topic was the upcoming event match in two days.

"By the way, why hasn’t anyone contacted Eugene and the other participants for the event match?"

"It’s not that they didn’t contact us... To be precise, they asked us to participate. I accepted. But they didn’t provide further details."

"Well, if they gave us all the info upfront, it wouldn’t be fun. But Eugene, you usually check emails all at once, so you might have missed it."

"True, but I’m sure there’s a reason for this. Shall we hear that first?"

"I’ve been waiting for that."

As expected, Harmony, who had been standing next to me, shoved her phone in front of me.

She quickly read through the mix of photos and text in English. After scanning it, I gathered that—while Logan and I weren’t a concern—the inclusion of Mecha Eugene in the event was a disaster for regular users, so additional measures had been taken... which was understandable, considering the monsters’ abilities.

However, the problem came with what Mina’s finger was pointing to next.

"..."

"So, the embargo was lifted yesterday, so external disclosure is fine now?"

"Yeah. I’d love to embargo Mina myself, but that’s fine, right?"

"Ah, what is that, ah, no, no!"

Anything else was fine, but Mecha-Biyam transformation?

The noise quickly spread in the elevator and continued in the hotel’s massive buffet on the second basement floor. And then, of course, the gossip began.

As expected, the ones most interested were my disciples. I don’t even need to say what they were whispering about next to me.

The fact that Dice and Harmony turned bright red before they even sat down at the buffet chairs told me everything I needed to know.

"Why is everyone so excited about the Mecha Biyam transformation?"

"Because we’ve never had one before, that’s why!"

"I mean, really. People born with tails can’t possibly understand the void felt by those without, right? Ow ow ow!"

"Someone’s gonna think we were born with tails, if they keep talking like that!"

...It seems like these guys would start a riot if they didn’t get a tail. Maybe only a very few select people can actually become Biyam, or something.

Anyway, despite this, the green indicators in my friend list for Jin, Rain, and Mav lit up one after another, and the session grew from 100 to 105, catching the attention of everyone in the room.

I crumpled Logan’s message that read “Good luck taking care of those whiny brats” and tossed it into the gaming trash can, then checked the time—only 10 seconds left before it starts.

"...Well, everyone, try your best to become Mecha Biyam, okay?"

"If I become Mecha Biyam, I’ll come find you, teacher!"

"Please don’t. I’ll pretend I don’t know you."

Looks like my disciple farming... no, my mentoring has been a success in some ways and a failure in others.

With that thought, the event match for the 4th Final Championship began.