บท 17: Mock Battles
Akio was overcome with a slight unease as he gazed upon his creation, motionless and eerily lifelike. The elder lytch stood tall on its thin, pale feet, its gaze fixed and emotionless, as if it were a mere vessel awaiting a soul. Despite this, he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, believing he had truly outdone himself and demonstrated his most creative abilities.
"Well, no way around it," he murmured to himself, breaking the silence. "I've already finished the first floor, but now I need to start on the second floor. I can't waste time figuring out how to work the complicated AI. If it took my father years to understand it, what makes me think I'll finish it in hours? I'll probably ask Akane if I can access the AI files."
With a determined nod, Akio left the elder lytch behind and set to work on the second floor of the dungeon. The first floor now lay empty and lifeless, even the undead standing still as if in a state of suspended animation. Akio had finished decorating it with traps and small touches that he had squeezed in.
The open dungeon space where the elder lytch stood was cold and slightly damp, with the faint sound of dripping water in the distance. The air was eerie, and the slight changes in the wind made it sound as if the dungeon itself were speaking in a deep, ominous voice. Suddenly, the elder lytch's empty eye sockets glowed with an otherworldly light.
—
Several days passed in the real world, and time continued to flow swiftly within the virtual world of Three Realms Online. What equated to days in reality translated to weeks in the game, and the city of Farris buzzed with activity. Crowds flooded the streets, and vendors clamored for attention, their voices rising above the din to attract potential buyers. Navigating through the bustling streets was a challenge, as the throngs of people made progress slow and cumbersome. Many grumbled, imagining signing a petition to widen the street, though the omnipresent buildings made that a logistical impossibility. Amidst this chaos, a cloaked figure persisted, pushing through the crowd with determined purpose.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" shouted a man whom the figure inadvertently bumped into. Such interactions were inevitable, and many in the crowd voiced their frustrations. The figure, with only her lower face visible, glanced back at the man briefly "an NPC," she muttered, before forging ahead.
Finally, she arrived at the plaza in the center of town. The gathering here consisted mostly of warriors and knights, all adorned in cheap, dusted armor and wielding slightly better swords. Standing out amidst them was a knight on a raised platform, clad in shinier armor with a grander sword. He waved his arms to quiet the crowd, which was predominantly male with a smattering of women.
"So, you all want to join the Clandestine Knights, huh?" he bellowed, eliciting a mighty battle cry from most of the crowd, while others nodded in agreement. The hooded woman, however, remained still amidst the fervor.
"Alright, first, we will assess your strength and skill through mock battles," the knight continued once the crowd had settled. "Currently, there are too many of you. We need to reduce the numbers by a third. This will help us separate the weak from the strong and ensure we recruit only the best."
The Clandestine Knights had swiftly risen to fame, largely due to their leader, Caspondis Ferinrirois. Revered as a actual 'hero' by NPCs and a formidable player by others, Caspondis proudly displayed his level, which hovered next to his name: 'level 6.' To many, this achievement was akin to wearing a Medal of Honor. While numerous players had surpassed the initial level 1 barrier, reaching level 3 was a notable accomplishment, with only a few venturing into level 4. Level 5 was rare but not unheard of, while achieving level 6 was deemed legendary.
The gathered crowd had formed circles around ten dedicated zones, each designated for 1v1 mock battles using wooden swords or other chosen weapons. In this particular audition, ranged and magical abilities were not permitted. Nearly 200 eager participants awaited their turn, knowing that only around 60 would be selected. While the process was slow, it was necessary to accurately assess each player's strength and skill.
The hooded woman observed as the battles unfolded, noting that most participants were rookies with much to learn in terms of technique. However, that was precisely what the Clandestine Knights aimed to address. Once the final 60 were chosen, they would receive expert training and support from real-life masters, a significant perk of joining the clan.
"I heard he's a professional fencer IRL, which explains his skill in the game," whispered one player to another in regard to Caspondis.
"It does seem like an unfair advantage, but I suppose we have all the time in the world to learn proper swordsmanship," the other replied.
Unbeknownst to them, the hooded woman overheard their conversation as she stood behind them.
"Okay, next, numbers 67 and 41!" the referee called out. Prior to the matches, each participant had been assigned a number for identification purposes. Stepping forward, the hooded woman and another man from the crowd showed their numbers to the referee, who allowed them to advance.
"So, you're the scrawny one I have to fight? ...Wait a second, a girl?! And she's an elf?! Don't make me laugh! It's going to take me 2 seconds to snap you like a twig! Shouldn't you be out somewhere practicing your puny magic?" The man, an orc with a substantial build that strained against his leather armor, taunted the hooded woman.
"Orc. A tank perhaps," she muttered under her breath, her words unheard by the orc. With a swift motion, she removed her hood.
"You know, buttercup, it's not too late to throw in the towel."
"What's with that guy?" "Why did he choose to be fat in a VR game where he could be muscular?" "I've heard of people staying skinnier to boost certain stats, but what does that really boost?" Spectators in the background commented and judged the orc's appearance. Unfazed, he visibly showed irritation, a vein bulging on his forehead in response to the comments.
"Ugh... you idiots, this is the ultimate tank build," he muttered to himself, annoyed by the spectators' remarks.
"Oh, what a hottie! Too bad we don't know if she looks like that in real life." "I might have to ask her out." "Dude, you won't do it."
Comments about the hooded woman filled the air after she revealed herself. She was an elf with beautiful purple hair and matching eyes. Her hooded robe was a deep shade of purple and her body suit black, accentuating her slim and tiny figure, which led many to underestimate her.
The ten small zones for the mock battles were all within view of the stage where the clan leader stood, carefully observing each match. Some battles had already begun, while others had concluded. His role was to identify extraordinary talent among the participants. Standing beside him on the stage were five other clan members, each assigned to a specific role to ensure the smooth running of the event.
"Hey Cas," one of the clan members called out to their leader, Caspondis.
"Yeah?" Caspondis replied.
"Take a look over there... zone 3. It's a female elf versus an orc tank."
"What about it?"
"I mean, aside from looking beautiful, she's hiding her level," the clan member remarked, referring to the female elf's ability to conceal her current level from other players.
"Oh, you're right. Why would she need to hide it?" Caspondis pondered, turning his attention to zone 3.
"Okay, both of you, the rules are no unnecessary roughness, no hitting below the belt, no killing, no heavy plated armor, physical contact is allowed, no magic, and no ranged weapons. Is that clear?" the referee announced to both the female elf and the orc, setting the ground rules for their match.
With nods of acknowledgment, the female elf, assumed her fighting stance, clutching a wooden sword, while the orc, a tank by nature, wielded a wooden shield and a spear with a rounded tip to prevent piercing damage. Tightening his grip on the shield, he positioned himself firmly, both combatants poised and prepared to strike at a moment's notice.
As their names hovered above their heads – 'Natalia Goriro' and 'Ganghis Farmarion: Level 3' – the crowd tensed with anticipation. This matchup promised to be more riveting than the others, drawing even more spectators. Beyond those vying for a spot in the clan, curious onlookers had gathered, including local NPCs, adding to the excitement.
Unlike previous matchups between regular swordsmen, this duel featured a female speed build against a male orc-tank build. Speculation ran rampant among the spectators, with some betting on the orc's raw power while others favored Natalia's agility. The conflicting opinions even piqued the interest of the clan members, making it a particularly intriguing matchup.
"Are you both ready?" the referee asked, teasing the crowd with a pause before continuing. With simultaneous nods from Natalia and Ganghis, he declared.
"You may begin!"
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