“Uh, uh…?”

While the spectator who had just entered was bewildered by the gap between the realistic background and the unrealistic sensation of feeling no pain,

“Hahahahaha!”

Another spectator who had set flight mode flew up over the ravine, laughing like a maniac. Several more people followed, soaring into the sky.

There seemed to be more VR users distracted by enjoying sensations unavailable in reality rather than watching the match than expected.

Has the match started already? I just ordered chicken

Yeah Vietnam is getting destroyed

What? An all-in teamfight from the start?

Didn’t see them kill mobs, what’s with the item levels

Balance is trash lololol

Looks like it’ll be over in 10 minutes lol

When he opened the system window to select spectator mode, he saw a chat window where PC users were chatting.

[Expletive] those flying bastards are so annoying. How do you turn off VR user info?

└ Overall settings – Spectator mode – Block list – Audiovisual restrictions (VR)

They’re just rushing in like crazy lololol so funny

Damn the mosaic is annoying, how do you turn this off

Kid go drink more of your mom’s milk

Vietnamese search-type hunter lol look at that map reading lol so bad lol

He turned off the chat window full of all kinds of criticism, questions, advice, and swearing, and also blocked connection information with VR users other than pre-registered accounts. Only then did peace come to the world.

When he selected following mode based on the current dominant team leader, the scenery before his eyes suddenly changed. From the plateau above the ravine where only the smell of blood remained, to the riverside located at the bottom of the ravine.

Clang! Clash!

The sound of weapons colliding could be heard simultaneously. IHL participants wielding swords and spears with bare bodies without any notable armor could be seen. The Greek team was overwhelming the Vietnamese team.

“Ugh…!”

A Vietnamese ranged dealer exposed his back to the spear of a Greek melee dealer who had approached from behind. With a beep warning sound, a bright red light colored the attacked body part.

Soon after, the ranged dealer’s entire body distorted like a noisy screen and disappeared on the spot. Having taken a certain amount of damage, he was automatically disqualified and forcibly moved to the artificial dungeon entrance.

“Retreat! Retreat!”

The Vietnamese team leader urgently ordered movement. Four hunters quickly tore scroll items.

“Follow them immediately.”

As if it was an expected scenario, Greek team hunters who tore scroll items following them moved to the opponent team’s base, that is, the front yard of the defense facility where the dungeon core-like object was hidden.

The Greek team’s attacks poured down on the five healers who had come out in front of the defense building to restore the reduced health values of the Vietnamese hunters. To destroy the defensive items they were wearing and eliminate them.

“Get in! No, damn it…! I said evacuate the healers first!”

Some attack skills that had bounced off the tank’s defense skill flew towards Ryu Seo-ha. It’s not often you get a chance to see skills this close up. As he was observing with curious eyes wide open,

“Ah.”

A thick, solid arm gently wrapped around his waist, making him move away from the skill’s trajectory. A familiar skin scent caressed the tip of his nose.

As he was blankly thinking how amazing it was that even individual body odors were implemented and that no wonder the device was expensive, a low breath brushed his earlobe.

“You should avoid it, what are you doing?”

When he raised his head at the voice that flowed out as if scolding a careless child, a face as admirable as always filled his vision. The slightly furrowed eyebrows strangely made him feel satisfied.

“Why?”

He asked while obediently leaning against the broad, cozy embrace. The eyebrows drawn like brush strokes curved into an even steeper arc. He reached out unconsciously but barely stopped, lightly patting the arm holding his body.

“It’s not even a real body anyway.”

“The skill you almost got hit by was real.”

Even so, it doesn’t affect VR users. He surely couldn’t have misunderstood the metaverse concept. As he tilted his head and showed his puzzlement, a faint sigh tickled his ear again.

“Will you be this relaxed in tomorrow’s match too?”

“Of course not. I’ll be entering with my real body then.”

Registration of relevant information was essential for simulated combat through virtual reality devices. This means that participants would have to hand over data quantified with content they might be reluctant to disclose, such as stats or skills.

It was the reason for using artificial dungeons, using excuses like difficult technical balancing issues and an atmosphere enthusiastic about real combat. Hunters’ combat power is an even more sensitive issue than the military power possessed by each country.

“That’s why.”

“…?”

“What if you get hurt?”

As it’s a method that involves taking risks, sufficient safety measures have been put in place. Like automatic disqualification and forced movement systems, or assigning different scores for each damaged body part, or accompanying entry with medical staff matched one-on-one.

“Healers enter wearing armor, don’t they?”

Unlike participants in team or individual events, medical staff are allowed several layers of defensive items and are forced to wear them until exit. If the armor is destroyed beyond a certain level, they are automatically sent back to the entrance.

“It’s still dangerous.”

Choi Gang-hu’s worry and concern meant clear overprotection. Feeling slightly embarrassed, he found himself looking around for no reason.

“I don’t like Ryu Seo-ha being exposed to danger. In any sense.”

Choi Gang-hu cupped Ryu Seo-ha’s cheek to fix his gaze on him as if telling him to focus, and whispered in a serious voice. For some reason, he felt his cheeks burning.

“…I’ll be careful.”

“In any situation?”

As he lowered his eyes slightly and answered obediently, a quiet question returned.

“Yes, in any situation.”

“Good boy.”

Only then did Choi Gang-hu smile with satisfaction and pat his head. The touch full of praise didn’t feel awkward.

Greece (Win) : Vietnam (Lose)

Would you like to move to the waiting room?

The match that had been one-sided throughout finally ended with Greece’s victory. Choi Gang-hu, who had released his hold on his waist, could be seen lightly touching the empty air as if manipulating the UI.

You have received a gift of ‘Rome City Entry Ticket (DLC)’.

Would you like to use the entry ticket?

A separate paid content that could only be enjoyed with additional purchase arrived as a gift. It was the right to access a map modeled after the shape and structure of the actual city boasted by the host country.

It could be considered an essential cultural content that almost all VR users purchase, as you can experience various entertainment or food according to the concept of the city you enter.

“Ah…”

“Don’t like Rome? Shall we go to Florence instead?”

As he let out a low sigh, Choi Gang-hu, who had incredibly noticed the subtle reaction, raised his hand again.

“No, it’s not that… I have to join the team event participants in the afternoon.”

“Can’t you even take a quick look around?”

He couldn’t bear to turn away from the face facing him with an uncharacteristically dejected expression.

“…If it’s just for a moment.”

As if bewitched by something, his lips reacted before his head. Shaking his head while thinking the strangely random thought that he was unbelievably handsome, Ryu Seo-ha spoke.

“Let’s go taste the veal dish first.”

Choi Gang-hu, grinning as if he had never worn a dejected expression, pulled him into his arms and whispered in an excited voice. It was a voice much softer than even the saltimbocca made with tender veal.

❖ ❖ ❖

While the IHL tournament has events with various concepts, matches operated under rules borrowed from existing popular games were mainly arranged in the main stadium, which can handle the most server traffic.

Among them, monster wave defense battles that add speedrun elements to PvE (Player vs Environment), or PvP (Player vs Player) battles reminiscent of AOS-type games were the most popular events.

Today’s first round team match that the Korean delegation would play belonged to the latter category, and could be said to be a match where they needed to focus on strategy development to avoid being ridiculously defeated like Vietnam yesterday.

Japanese hunters are world’s best! Everyone do your best!

Korea’s growth rate has been scary lately, will we be okay? •́︿•̀ ｡

Don’t worry! We can’t lose! Kenta-kun’s Two Sword Style is amazing! wwww

What was the recent head-to-head record in Korea-Japan matches? About even?

Honestly if we just look at dealers we’re way better lol

Fact: 100% power reduction due to lack of military exemption

Moreover, as it was a Korea-Japan match that attracted the entire nation’s attention, the chat was already heated up.

“Everyone review the consumable item purchase order one more time.”

The participants who had been skimming through external reactions they wouldn’t be able to see after entering the artificial dungeon began their final check at the instruction of Koo Myung-ho, the delegation leader. The medical staff also checked their plans according to their own system.

The first round team match that started like this. Fitting for a match against Japan which prefers safety-oriented strategies, it seemed to have taken a general and smooth flow. At least until the medical staff were suddenly attacked.