Chapter 161: Descendants of the Beast King (3) (1)
[Date: XX Month XX Day]
The document began with a date.
I continued to read the text below.
[I received a strange file from someone named Loki.]
[Its filled with complicated words. I didnt fully understand its meaning, but I read it through. It seems like the person who organized and analyzed the data must be remarkable.]
[Wouldnt it be better to use such skills outside of gaming?]
[Anyway, I decided to keep a record of my own gameplay as well. It seems fun.]
This is
[It seems like he kept a diary of his gameplay.]
I let out a dry laugh.
Someone still writes these kinds of things in this day and age.
And on a phone, no less.
Its said that he received a strange file.
The diary seems to have started from when I had sent the strategy document.
[Date: XX Month XX Day]
[Cleared level 15. Han almost died.]
[It was because of Aaron. It got messed up because Han tried to save that guy.]
[That guy tries hard, but his skills dont improve.]
[Useless fellow.]
This.
I felt sorry for Aaron.
[Date: XX Month XX Day]
[Cleared level 20. Han took down a dragon by himself.]
[I heard that 1-star born heroes are weak? Maybe the strategy is weird.]
[Anyway, it seems like he did well, so I gave him a warrior statue. Han was also happy.]
[Date: XX Month XX Day]
[Han was dispatched to Niflheimr.]
[I looked into Loki, and he seems to be a more incredible gamer than I thought.]
[But no matter how much I think about it, I cant understand why hes interested in me. Why? Although Im grateful for the help, I think Im starting to enjoy it, even though I thought about quitting.]
The diary was written in quite some detail.
Including the expansion of facilities and the history of hero summoning. Most of it matched my memories. It means that nothing was omitted. Surprisingly.
[Date: XX Month XX Day]
[My mom nagged me to stop playing games.]
[Date: XX Month XX Day]
[Cleared level 25.]
[Kishasha is also useful. It was good to invest in her. Though it looks like Ill be eating ramen for a while.]
Most of the content could be skipped, but the impression of Pick Me Up! from Anytng seemed quite valuable.
It became easier to understand his playing style going forward.
While reading the diary, I stopped at one part.
Level 35. The tone changed from there.
[Date: XX Month XX Day]
[Level 35, a member of party 1, Eolka, died.]
[I thought Han was going to die in the last dungeon.]
[Glad hes alive. But he seems sad that a colleague died. I gave him a warrior statue to comfort him.]
[Even though its AI, it feels strange.]
[Could such sophisticated artificial intelligence exist?]
[It feels almost like its alive.]
[I told a coworker, and he mocked me a lot, asking if I was out of my mind. He also recommended quitting, calling me a game addict. I dont really want to quit.]
[Have I gone crazy?]
[Someway, I feel close to the heroes.]
I looked over at Iselle.
She seemed to be reading the same part, sighing deeply with a complex expression.
Could it be, hes suspecting?
I hadnt imagined it.
Just an ordinary gamer.
I shook my head absentmindedly.
You may be impressed by its realism, but you wont believe its real.
I think its just a momentary feeling. After that, the usual content continued.
[Date: XX Month XX Day]
[This doesnt seem right.]
[Date: XX Month XX Day]
[Han thrashed me in a mock battle.]
[Review of the strategy video for the 5th floor]
[05:35 Han gathers members for a meeting. Afterwards, the formation is set. Barricades are built, and they start defending against goblins from three directions.]
[06:43 Battle starts.]
[08:29 Why split the members into three directions? Jenna at the intersection in the middle]
I narrowed my eyes.
It seemed to have been written relatively recently.
Anytng was reviewing the strategy video for the 5th floor, analyzing why I distributed the party like that, how the battle was conducted, and how it was cleared.
Not just the 5th floor.
The strategy review was thoroughly written up to level 35.
Of course, the analysis wasnt perfect, just a rough guess
[I dont want to just wing it like I usually do.]
[This time, Han might die.]
This kind of determination is hard to find in just a normal gamer.
[Who is this user, Loki?]
[The more I see, the more remarkable he is. The answers to the doubts I had while operating the waiting room are detailed here. Its admirable that someone can invest so much passion in a game.]
[If Loki had been the master here Han wouldnt have had to suffer alone.]
Thats funny.
To others, Im just a gaming addict.
[Can I become like this too?]
A total addict.
I couldnt help but laugh.
The diary also recorded daily life incidents while being hooked on Pick Me Up!.
Getting caught using the phone during work hours or hitting a pole while walking. And being nagged daily by parents.
But still.
[I dont want to quit.]
I closed the folder.
The day after, early in the morning.
Members gathered at the training ground on the first floor of the mansion.
Me, Jenna, Velkist, Neryssa. The entire first party, except for Katiio, who was at the workshop.
And a girl crouching in one of the corners.
It was Kishasha.
Um So.
After a round of explanations, Jenna opened her mouth with a bewildered expression.
Her gaze was partly on Kishasha.
Did she really ask to join our party?
I nodded.
As you all know, Kishasha is the highest-ranked hero in the waiting room. I guarantee her abilities. Shes worth taking on. Wouldnt it be a waste to let such talent go unused?
So, when you said I should prepare for the selection match, you meant this.
Velkist smirked bitterly.
Already in a battle stance, Velkists hand rested on his sheath.
So like last time, the winner takes the spot?
For now.
Im ready. It will be different from before.
Velkist glared at Kishasha.
This guy was thoroughly defeated by Kishasha last time when I was in Niflheimr. Since then, he has been grinding his teeth and training hard.
Its better this way. Saves the trouble of having to go find and stick to someone.
Kishasha yawned with a lazy face.
How interesting.
Velkists mumbled.
Then Ill be
Your turn comes much later.
I shook my head.
Jenna stood next to me with a tense expression.
She didnt look like she was backing out, nor did it seem like she had any intention to, but it looked like she was preparing for something.
Jenna first.
So Im to fight first, huh?
It will be a good experience for both of you.
Alright. Ill give it a try.
Jenna, with her quiver and bow strapped to her back and a dagger sheath at her waist, stepped into the arena.
As I gestured, Kishasha, who had been looking lazy, lit up her eyes and followed Jenna.
So, Im fighting that human girl?
Your first opponent.
Theres a second then. Well, it doesnt matter.
I glanced at Velkist and Neryssa.
The reason for having Jenna spar, firstly, is to gather a wide range of combat data, secondly, to increase Jennas experience, and lastly, to offer a small advantage to these two.
To give them a chance to observe the opponent.
This should be fine.
At the very least, Im offering a minimal merit.
What comes after, theyll have to handle on their own.
Velkist, seated on a chair, watched Kishasha with blazing eyes.
Always full of fighting spirit. Even if he falls this time, hell rise again soon. So, I can also make decisions without hesitation.
She seems a bit cooler.
Neryssa seemed to be thinking something else.
With a face showing no interest, she alternately looked at Kishasha and Velkist.
Something changed in her.
Her attitude was different from before.
At first, I thought she was similar to Velkist.
Neryssa suddenly looks a lot like me.
Our eyes met. She made an indescribable, peculiar expression, then turned her head away.
The duel began.
Jenna, as usual, retreated while unleashing a barrage of arrows.
Moving nimbly to maintain distance, she dragged the battle into a mid-to-long-range fight. If the enemy managed to break through, she would confront them with a dagger, looking for an opening. This was Jennas most common tactic. However.
Huh?
The outcome was decided in the blink of an eye.
Having never fought anyone faster than herself, Jenna was caught by Kishashas dazzling speed. Kishasha easily deflected the arrows and dagger, then placed her claw at Jennas throat.
About 20 seconds.
I, I lost.
Jenna raised her hands.
For a human, youre fast. And skilled too. But dont rely too much on your legs.
Jenna nodded her head to Kishashas advice with an awkward face.
Kishashas advice was simple: change the battle pattern according to the opponents characteristics. In a speed battle, Jenna couldnt win against Kishasha. If she had fought differently, she could have lasted at least twice as long.
Hey, Oppa!
Jenna, who was deep in thought while descending from the arena, called out.
What?
Can I try one more time?
Go ahead. Ive cleared the schedule for today anyway. It doesnt matter.
Im always ready.
Kishasha smirked.
Jenna bowed to me and Kishasha before stepping back into the arena. Her expression was filled with determination.
Theres plenty of time.
Since I cleared todays schedule.
Sis was incredibly fast.
Referring to someone visibly younger as sister must be due to her understanding of the different races. Kishasha simply lifted her claw without a word.
30 minutes later.
I lost.
Jenna shook her head.
Jennas final record was 6 losses out of 6 matches. In the last match, she managed to hold out for nearly 5 minutes, but still, she didnt land a single effective hit.
Youre strong. I see potential in you.
Thanks for the compliment. When my secret technique is complete, lets match again.
Will do.
Jenna descended the stairs with a look of regret.
Secret technique. That reminds me, she didnt use the skill she acquired from skill synthesis last time.
It seems incomplete.
Next.
My gaze shifted to Velkist.
Naturally, his winning rate wasnt high.
At best, it was less than 10%. But it didnt seem like he had any intention of backing down. On the contrary, he was even smirking while handling his sheath.
Am I next?
Yes.
If I cant beat that archer, Ill be the target for this selection. The same goes for other roles. If I lose, Ill leave the first party. Isnt that right?
I didnt lie.
I affirmed Velkists words.
This brat is still monstrously strong. Its like looking at the senior. But I havent been just playing around either. Lets do this.
Velkist chuckled, drawing his sword.
And just as he was about to step up the stairs.
Ill step down.
A dispassionate voice shook the training ground.
I turned around. Neryssa had her hand raised.
What did you say?
Velkist muttered.
Ill step down from the first party.
You must be joking. Are you serious?
Serious.
Neryssa answered without hesitation.
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