After each group had been assigned a player, it was my turn to make a pick.
Cerberus and Traveler, the top seeds, were off-limits.
Luce’s group hadn’t been decided yet either.

I could add Luce to my group if I wanted and settle things between us.
But even when given the chance, I didn’t feel inclined to do so.

There were many people rooting for a “Korean” to place high in this arena.
I didn’t care about that, but Luce probably did.
She’d feel a lot of pressure if she ended up in my group.

So, just this once, I’d let her go.

I was confident I could win regardless.
Out of four in each group, only two would survive. If you took my spot, only one would remain.
We’d meet later anyway; there was no need to add more pressure now.

"And next, it’s Gawol’s turn in Group E. A player with a lot of personality—aren’t we all curious about her choice? I know I’ve been looking forward to this moment."

Hoeun handed me the mic as he approached, his face full of strange anticipation.
What’s with that look? What are you expecting?

The camera seemed to be focused on me more than usual, which was unnerving.

"So, Gawol, you’ll most likely be facing Acid Gaming’s Reaper. He’s considered a role model by many assassin players. How are you feeling?"
"Well, I’m not really impressed. I’m not one of those assassins."
"Are you saying you don’t care who your opponent is?"
"That’s right. They’re just another opponent to defeat. But I do respect some aspects of Reaper."

Hoeun’s eyebrows lifted, intrigued.

"Oh? Which aspects are those?"
"His ability to accurately assess both his own and his opponent’s skills. Seems like Cerberus has some trouble with that."

As soon as I finished, several people’s gazes turned toward me.

Reaper didn’t seem bothered, but Cerberus’s eyes were on me.
I caught his sneer, even as he tried to hide it.
I didn’t bother calling him out.

After all, this was something I’d have to prove with my skills.
Cerberus was the one objectively recognized as strong, not me.
If my skill matched my confidence, I’d be seen as daring; if not, just reckless.

Every sport has players who gain recognition through provocative remarks.
It’s not a new phenomenon. It’s long past the time when strong words alone drew attention.
I’d have to show through the matches that I wasn’t just talk.

"A rookie’s confident interview, indeed. While we’re curious about Cerberus’s reaction... there’s still a lot of time left. Let’s see Gawol’s choice!"

On the central stage, nameplates of the remaining players were displayed.
Most of the lesser-known amateurs like me had been picked already, leaving mostly pro gamers.

As I looked over the nameplates, Luce’s name caught my eye briefly.
For a moment, I was tempted, but I resisted the urge.
My choice was just a bit off to the side.

LB Rime, or Rime as he’s known in Korea.
Like Luce, he’s known for his solid playstyle—a spear knight from North America.
Usually a tough matchup for assassins, but... I happen to be quite good against spear knights.

When my choice was displayed on the camera, Hoeun let out a joyful exclamation.

"Oh my! Rime is joining Group E in the second slot! An assassin picking someone they’d typically avoid—why’s that?"
"I’m confident against spear knights. I should do well, but I’m not so sure about Reaper."

It was a rational choice.
I might have some respect for Reaper, but competition must be ruthless.
Whoever Rime picked, I wasn’t worried.
Like I said, I’m confident I’ll survive no matter who comes.

If I were going to back down in the face of adversity, I wouldn’t have taunted Cerberus.

Rime made a safe pick to round out our group.
Someone he had a favorable matchup against, yet wouldn’t be at a disadvantage to us either.
He filled the last spot with a Japanese swordsman player named Fury, and the draw concluded.

After the draw, the players were randomly shuffled into matchups.
Ironically, my first opponent was Rime.

"Hey! You! Gawol!"

[Would you like to leave the Arena Special Stage? Y/N]
[Cancelled.]

There was nothing left to see on the stage once the event ended.
The players who knew each other stayed back to chat, but that didn’t concern me.
I was about to leave when someone called out.

I turned to see Traveler coming toward me.

"...?"
"Finally got to see you. Why don’t you ever accept friend requests?"
"Why the sudden informal tone?"
"You started it, remember? Told me to speak casually if I had a problem with it."
"Did I... say that?"

I might have.
I’d encountered Traveler three times so far.
Twice on his stream, and once by coincidence.

I was even more of a jerk back then.
It was during those times when I resented the world, where every breath I took filled me with bitterness.
Especially when I saw streamers or pro gamers, a deep-seated malice would take over, and I couldn’t help but lash out.

Have I changed since then?
Hard to say.

Maybe a little.
I still carry that bitterness, but it doesn’t burn as fiercely.
I’ve found ways to cope, and now I’m quenching that thirst a bit in the arena.

Anyway, meeting me back then probably wasn’t pleasant.
It’s a wonder he only remembers the informal language.

"So, what’s this about?"
"Why didn’t you accept my friend request? Didn’t I send you a message too?"
"A message...? I probably deleted it. I trash anything with a weird title without reading it."
"What kind of messages are you getting, anyway?"

What do you think?
Requests to kill other players, mostly.

If Traveler’s message didn’t include an item attachment, it went straight to the bin.
I can’t keep my sanity if I read every message that comes my way.

"Don’t worry about it. But I did accept your friend request. Right before the final phase, I think."
"What? You did? Then why didn’t you ever whisper me?"
"You’re the one who had something to say. Why should I reach out first...?"
"Fine, I get it. We just think differently."

He gave me a look, like I was some kind of oddball.
Traveler nodded as if satisfied, while I frowned.

"Now, get to the point. You’re not here to chit-chat, are you?"
"Do you even know when I sent that friend request?"
"Of course not."
"Right before last year’s international match. So, a few months back, during winter."

The last international match... I remember.
It was the tournament Luce was in.
Traveler wouldn’t have missed the national qualifiers.

Not that I paid him much attention.

"You lost to Cerberus?"
"...Yeah."
"And what does that have to do with me?"
"It’s similar to back then. There’s an assassin in our group, and you’ve got a spear knight in yours. Seems like we could help each other."
"Hmm."

I see what he’s getting at.
Traveler’s main class is a spear knight.
His style might be different from Rime’s, but he’d still be a good sparring partner.

"So you want to spar together?"
"Exactly. It’s not a bad deal for you, either."
"Where’s your team’s assassin? You have Sparrow, right?"
"He’s on vacation. Won’t be back until it’s over."

So he came to me as a practice partner?
I didn’t mind. It meant he recognized my skills.
Recognition from an opponent always carries a special weight.

But I had to make one thing clear.

"How much are you paying?"
"What?"
"Money. You weren’t planning to ask me to do this for free, were you?"
"This isn’t something that... benefits only me..."
"That’s a pro-gamer’s view. I’m an amateur. Party hunting during that time would be more profitable."

You have to get what you can.
My time isn’t free.

Sparring with Traveler could be beneficial for me too.
But I didn’t need to cling to it. Everyone in my group was a pro gamer except for me.
With so many match videos available, there were plenty of ways to study my opponents.

Practicing before the match... plenty of streamers would be live to help with that.
Realizing I was serious, Traveler fell silent.

"...How much are we talking?"
"More than I’d make from party hunting."
"Fine. I’ll ask my team. Just answer your messages next time."
"Of course, dear customer!"
"Wow. How are you so annoying?"

Annoying? That’s harsh.
I just have a strong professional ethic.
If he doesn’t like it, he should’ve offered me a pro-gamer contract.