1.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Reconnecting to an existing game in progress.
"Ah, fuck..."
The man spat curses at the window floating before his eyes. He'd quit the game exactly one second before it started, and yet he'd failed to dodge the penalty.
"That crazy bastard suddenly started talking shit..."
He'd hesitated briefly when the top laner suddenly claimed they would carry. That had been his fatal mistake. Without that, he would've dodged successfully.
"Tch."
There was no helping it now. He'd have to play this game sloppily, surrender quickly, and move on to the next one.
Still, I should probably play it properly.
He didn't have high hopes, but who knew? Maybe the top laner would actually carry?
Of course, the odds were practically zero. Virtual reality games came with an adaptation period.
Even if it was virtual, killing something that looked human wasn't easy. Especially when all your senses were so vivid?
I didn't find it easy at first either.
In the process of taking lives in VR, some felt guilt, others disgust, and some outright terror. A portion who couldn't adapt simply quit the game altogether.
No matter how much of a genius a top laner was, they had to go through that adaptation too. That's why he figured it was impossible.
Anyone raised with modern morals and ethics would have no choice but to struggle.
At least they won't quit the game.
...That's what he'd thought back then. But the game had been unusual from the very start.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ First Blood.
The sudden first blood announcement. At first, he thought his team's top had been killed. The enemy hadn't invaded their side or jungle.
"...What?"
But when he checked the scoreboard, astonishingly, his team's top had one kill.
How the hell did they do that?
He wondered, but his thoughts didn't last long. Jungle monsters had spawned.
⚔ KILL NOTICE ⚔ Ally has slain an enemy.
After clearing the three bottom jungle monsters and heading up, another kill announcement.
Is the enemy a noob this time too?
How could anyone lose to a total newbie in The Legendary Arena? Even if they were overconfident, that didn't make sense.
Or maybe the enemy top is a beginner too?
That would explain it. In fact, he couldn't think of any other possibility. Without dwelling further, he resumed farming monsters.
⚔ KILL NOTICE ⚔ Ally has slain an enemy.
Another victory cry as he felled the last golem. At this point, it was clear something was off.
How the hell are they playing to rack up kills like this nonstop?
Curious about the top laner's playstyle, he moved upward. After killing the river scout, he headed toward the top lane.
He reached the bush near top just as the enemy charged at his ally.
Whoosh―!
The man with the long spear thrust out his arm. A strike aimed at the head. No hesitation, no wasted motion.
Not a beginner?
His team's top laner dodged the spear tip with a slight head tilt. Minimal movement.
Carrier swiftly closed the distance with quick steps and brought her sword down.
Slash―!
The blade sank into the enemy's left shoulder. The foe clutched it, staggering back.
Thud!
Carrier recovered her sword and stepped forward. She swung it wide from the side, pressing the attack fiercely.
Slaaash―!
Sword clashed against spear. A sharp metallic ring echoed across the battlefield.
The enemy barely blocked, but that was it. The hasty motion threw off their balance.
"Urk..."
The enemy's eyes wavered, and Carrier seized the opening.
Stab―!
The sword tip pierced the foe's throat. Twisting it free unleashed a gush of blood onto the ground. The body collapsed atop it.
Splat―
⚔ KILL NOTICE ⚔ Ally has slain an enemy! Ally is on a rampage!
"Whoa, fuck..."
The fight hadn't even lasted five exchanges. Short as it was, he'd witnessed overwhelming strength.
How...?
Didn't she say it was her first game? A smurf account? No, VR games used biometric IDs, so alts were impossible.
"What are you staring at?"
As he gawked at Carrier, she spoke. The sudden female voice startled him.
"Y-Yes?"
"I said, stop standing around gawking. Focus on your own lane and do your job."
"Ah, yes! Got it!"
He hastily cast recall. While returning to base to buy new items, the man thought:
Maybe that woman wasn't lying. They might actually win this game.
2.
The massive fortress before them blazed fiercely. Countless soldiers and siege weapons surged toward the enemy.
⚔ VICTORY ⚔
Soon after, the giant castle crumbled.
💬 Ally Chat — GottaNerf Thanks for the carry, top! ㄷㄷ — TrapMaster We actually won lololol — KillSquad Whoa, you're insanely good. This defies logic. ⚠️ WARNING ⚠️
13 hours of playtime reached!
Excessive gaming may disrupt daily life!
⚠️ WARNING ⚠️
Forcing game exit to protect the user!
Capsule unavailable for 12 hours after forced exit.
His vision flashed, and his consciousness was yanked out. His feather-light body regained its heavy weight.
"Ah..."
It felt like waking from a pleasant dream. Brain fog made him squeeze his eyes shut.
"Cough, cough..."
His parched throat triggered endless coughing. Hunger twisted his stomach, and his body felt like lead.
This isn't humanly possible...
I rushed outside and tapped the tablet. I hit the order button and got various foods and drinks.
⚙ SYSTEM NOTIFICATION ⚙ Order completed.
After ordering everything I needed, I flopped onto the floor.
They say there's no such thing as a useless item in this world...
I'd wondered why they designed it this way, but everything had its reason.
This level of thirst and hunger. No wonder they sold food and drinks in capsule rooms. VR consumed far more calories and energy than expected.
"Here's your order of food and drinks... Oh, Hayul!"
The staff soon arrived with my items and recognized me.
"Hello."
I smiled awkwardly and bowed. No memory, so I played it safe.
"You play VR games too, Hayul? Last time you said you didn't."
"Everyone around me was doing it, so I figured I'd try. Can't keep up these days without it."
"True, most games are VR now. But wow, so much food? You're eating all this alone?"
"Ah, yeah... Just really hungry..."
I smiled awkwardly.
"Got it. Enjoy."
"Thanks, take care."
He set everything down and left.
Ramen and rice bowls on the table. Sports drinks and zero cola. Ordinary stuff, but right now, it was a feast.
I opened the cup ramen, stirred it with chopsticks. Steam rose with a rich aroma.
Slurp―
A full chopstickful hit my mouth, and my eyes widened. Spicy, salty, hot―but it revived me.
Feels like I'm alive.
I'd slain countless lives in VR, but this one bite of ramen felt more real.
In the end, it's all virtual reality.
I finished the ramen and chugged the zero cola. With my stomach somewhat full, I relaxed.
"Whew."
I vowed never to game this long again. One more time, and I might actually kill someone.
At least I finished all the normal games thanks to it.
Games ended in 20 minutes fast, 30 slow. In just one day, I qualified for ranked.
Safety limits block 12 hours, but I'd jump into ranked right after.
My skill today seems pretty good. What tier will this place me in?
[The Legendary Arena Gallery]
Stuffing rice in my mouth, I searched and found a community full of game info.
This is it.
I thought I'd need to sign up to post, but anonymous posts were allowed.
I searched my ID on the match history site, screenshotted it. Hit post, attached the image...
Non-member restriction! Gallery settings prevent non-members from attaching images or videos.
"Ah, damn."
I clicked my tongue and signed up. Easy: ID, password, nickname.
Back in the gallery.
📰 General The Legendary Arena newbie here. Can I go pro with this? [Carrier's Match History] Thoughts??? Pro material??? Perfect normal win streak ㅇㅇ
I posted and hit submit.
Ding―
Alarm rang as I ate rice.
Comments — Anon1 What pro talk off normals? Idiot. — Reply ↳ Reply Even accounting for normals, that KDA is nuts??? Using hacks??? ⭐ Top Comment — TalentScout If it's really your first time in Legendary Arena, yeah, you've got talent. Go pro!!! — Hater That vicious prick lololol trying to ruin someone's life — Skeptic 20-win streak is impressive... Smurfing??? — Reply ↳ Reply Checked history site, no other games? — What Huh?
"Hm."
Scanning the comments, it seemed my performance was solid.
— [OP] So where do you think this skill lands me tier-wise??? — Reply At least Diamond easy — Reply Just Diamond??? Master ez lolol — SmurfHunter Smurf noob pretending to be a talent lmao so obvious — [OP] Suck it~
I replied once and closed the community.
"Hm..."
Diamond possible, huh. That was a problem. What if I overshoot Platinum in placements?
Should I throw it anyway?