Something felt strange. Why did this… why did this taste so good?

The flavor of the cheese melted in my mouth, rich and slightly salty, but with a satisfyingly mild aftertaste. The stretchy, chewy texture as I bit into it—there was nothing about it that wasn’t perfect.

I knew my tastes and preferences had changed, but I hadn’t realized they’d changed this much. I never would have guessed that cheese could be such a high-class food.

Thinking back, the pasta I had with Luce was quite rich too. I hadn’t noticed because I’d been so distracted at the time.

Had my own preconceived notions been blocking me from enjoying something so wonderful all this time? Was I just now realizing how good this was? It was the kind of taste that made me reflect on myself.

“…You were acting like you wouldn’t eat, but here you are, really digging in.”
“Uh…”
“If it’s not enough, we can always order more. If there are leftovers, you can put them in the fridge and reheat them later.”
“Thank you…”

Embarrassed, I lowered my head, but I didn’t stop savoring the pizza. The sensation of the cheese on my tongue brought a strange sense of satisfaction each time.

We didn’t bother watching any match footage during the meal. Work was for work time, and breaks were for resting—that was a rule I’d kept since my days as a pro. Besides, I had something on my mind that I wanted to talk about.

“Sensei, I’ve got something that’s been on my mind lately.”
“Hmm? What is it? I’ll help however I can.”
“It’s just… there are a few people who’ve helped me out for this tournament.”

I was referring to Sulbbang and Elderin. There was also Traveler, but our relationship was more of a transaction. He probably needed some time to himself, and contacting him now felt complicated for various reasons.

What was on my mind was Elderin’s proposal.

He’d suggested we meet if I did well in the tournament. He’d mentioned that it was okay to decline, but… had I been too lonely for too long? I found myself wanting to make new connections.

Thanks to his financial support, I was able to focus on the tournament. Due to the tournament, I hadn’t been getting as many job offers, so I was in a bit of a dry spell. If not for Elderin, I might have had to dip into my emergency funds.

“It’s risky for someone to help me in this game. It’s a game where grudges can easily form.”
“So he was brave enough to reach out first?”
“Yeah. He wants to meet in person, but to be honest, I’m a little worried.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“This game involves a lot of money. You spend it, you earn it. There are people like me who rely on it for their livelihood. That’s why I’ve always avoided anything that could compromise my identity. You never know what could happen when money’s involved.”

Perhaps I was overthinking it. Even if the Infinity Blade community was a bit rough, it seemed unlikely that it would lead to criminal activity.

But I was weaker now. It didn’t have to be an adult male—even someone with fully functional limbs could overpower me physically. Fears that I never had as a player now left me feeling overly cautious.

But the reason I was finally willing to step out of my shell was that loneliness had become unbearable. The warmth I’d once felt had become an addiction, digging into my brain like a drug. I needed people in my life.

“You’re uncertain, aren’t you? Meeting people for the first time always comes with some risk.”
“…Yes.”
“I understand. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’ve already shown courage. You’re doing just fine.”

He patted my shoulder. His hand felt larger and more reassuring than I remembered.

At least it seemed like I wasn’t overreacting. If he was willing to reassure me like this, I thought I could muster up a little more courage. I’d make arrangements to meet Elderin once the tournament was over.

What’s the worst that could happen?

“So you haven’t set a time yet. If you do meet, where will it be?”
“Probably Seoul. That’s where he suggested.”
“Seoul, huh? Well, that’s convenient. Once you’ve set a time and place, let me know.”
“That’s easy enough, but… why?”

Was he planning to come along? That… would be a bit awkward.

He wouldn’t have anything to say, and it would feel like I was making him work for me. Then again, wasn’t I already doing that with this tournament? I wasn’t sure. My head felt a bit dizzy.

“As long as it’s not at an odd hour, I’ll bring a few of the students and have a gathering nearby. That way, you can enjoy yourself without worrying about anything.”
“Oh, really? That would be great!”
“Why not? I’ve been thinking of treating everyone to some meat anyway. I just have to be in the right place at the right time; it’s no trouble at all.”

The casual way he said it almost brought tears to my eyes. I hadn’t planned on crying, but I felt my eyes growing damp as I regained my composure. I could blame that on my weakened body, no doubt.

It wasn’t my fault.

To avoid showing my tears, I grabbed a tissue and pressed it against my eyes. Thankfully, Sensei turned away to give me a moment.

After Sensei left, he continued to send me support and advice. Bolstered by his encouragement, I put in my best effort. Crow was an unknown entity, but it was the same for him, facing me.

I’d have to blaze my own trail from here. If Crow thought he’d seen all I had to offer, I’d teach him the same lesson as Muse.

Her rear end was currently the subject of countless memes overseas. She seemed to take it in stride, which I had to respect. That kind of resilience deserved some recognition.

Anyway, the semifinals I’d thought would never come had finally arrived. Tournament time had a funny way of being unpredictable. When you’re waiting for it, it seems to drag on, but once you’re prepared, it rushes in and pushes you forward.

I’d been pushed into a new arena.

[Infinity Arena Semifinal – Match 1]
[Map: Bamboo Grove]
[vs. Team CP Crow (Necromancer)]

The Bamboo Grove was a map inspired by the bamboo forests of East Asia. While it didn’t have any unique mechanics, the bamboo here was tough enough to stop a longsword mid-swing, though it didn’t pose much of a problem for a mage like Crow or a dagger-wielder like me.

The visibility was good, but the place was packed with obstacles. Rather than taking the main paths, I wove through the bamboo stalks, looking for my opponent.

For this match, I’d invested heavily in detection skills. With so little information on Crow, I needed every bit of insight I could get on the field. The energy moving between the bamboo stalks looked like a dark, navy mist.

‘The magic detection is focused above… It’d be better to keep low. I have been using aerial ambushes a lot lately.’

I crept through the shadows, evading the concentrated magic.

Passing by, I noticed a few undead creatures. Zombies reeking of decay and weathered skeletons with chipped bones. They weren’t much of a threat on their own, but they’d probably keep harassing me until the match ended.

After noting their positions, I moved on.

In this game, necromancers specialize in controlling tangible undead creatures. They’re what most people picture when they think of necromancers—except Crow didn’t deal with spectral undead like banshees or ghosts.

As I reached the center of the magic, I saw a strange orb made of twisted bones. I knew Crow was inside. Dragging things out wouldn’t do me any good, so I immediately launched my dagger at the sphere with full force.

My blade sliced cleanly through part of the orb. I couldn’t break it entirely, but I caught a glimpse of blood within.

[The undead are watching you.]
[Every undead under the necromancer’s control now harbors intense hatred for you.]

It wasn’t wise to get greedy after the first hit. The ground in the Bamboo Grove was soft, and in his last match, Crow had favored laying hidden traps. Sure enough, a massive bone hand erupted from the earth.

When it fully emerged, it looked like a giant skeletal hand. Had I been hasty, I would’ve either been grabbed or skewered by its sharp fingers. As the orb shattered, Crow appeared.

For a pro gamer, an in-game avatar is a form of self-promotion. A memorable avatar helps cement an image and sticks in the minds of fans.

Muse’s dancer avatar was popular because of its revealing outfit—whether or not it was a personal preference, it certainly worked. Crow, too, had a distinctive look.

Dressed in a black robe and wearing a mask resembling a crow’s beak, he looked like a medieval plague doctor. He struck the ground with his staff, and something underground began racing toward me at high speed.