In the central circular square of the main city area "Urbas" on the second level, a "Duel" between players was going on under the witness of hundreds of people.
Moreover, this duel is no longer just a discussion between players. Perhaps in a certain aspect, this victory or defeat is even related to the way in which closed beta players and ordinary players get along in the future.
…
(Huh...huh...damn it...)
His expression was almost distorted, and Kibaou, who was breathing heavily, looked at the girl holding the sword in front of him with red eyes.
It had been several minutes since the text 'DUEL!' recognized by the system appeared, but the other party just made a simple hand movement and perfectly blocked all his attacks.
On the contrary, he looked like he was almost exhausted by the opponent's seemingly random counterattack.
(Why is this happening?! Even if this guy is also a closed beta player, there is no way he would be like this!!!)
He believes that his strength is not among the best among the current players, but he is definitely not a mediocre player who can be dismissed at will.
It's a pity that the cruel reality was placed in front of him.
"Oh oh oh oh oh -!!!"
Seeing the girl's relaxed look, Kibaou, who couldn't accept the difference in strength, roared and raised his weapon again and charged forward.
This is not the first time he has met a closed beta player. As early as the first level, he had already teamed up with some people who also hated the closed beta player to block an identified guy outside the circle and perform an 'execution'.
Although the other party resisted, they still gave him a good meal and took away everything.
That's why Kibaou, who has tasted the sweetness, will repeat his old tricks, hoping to continue to stir up the hatred of ordinary players against closed beta players.
Only now did he feel that this time, he seemed to have offended someone who should not be offended.
"--How can it be!?"
Still leaning backwards, Kibaou, who was frozen, screamed a little madly.
The opponent actually used the tip of his sword to deflect the sword he had struck with all his strength.
Could it be that with just two levels, the strength gap would widen to a point of despair?
"That's it?"
"Then your 'game' ends today~"
Lowering her body, Yuuki switched to an attacking stance for the first time in the duel.
It will also be the only time.
At a speed that is difficult for ordinary people to react, the black-haired girl rushed in front of the opponent.
He swung his long sword and then slashed Kibaou's neck without hesitation, leaving a deep data wound.
"Ah ah ah ah ah------!!!!!"
Sitting on the ground shrouded in fear of death, Kibaou yelled crazily as his health bar continued to decline.
The purple text began to flash, and the winner's name appeared between the two.
"...I really want to say this, but unfortunately, this is just a 'duel'."
Looking at Kibaou writhing on the ground with a bored look on his face, Yuuki regretfully took back his weapon.
In a duel within a safe area, no one can be killed.
"A guy like you will never be able to surpass my sword."
Leaving behind her final words and no longer paying attention to the loser lying on the ground, Yuuki walked towards the girls who had already been unable to suppress their feelings and rushed towards her amidst the cheers of the audience.
Kibaou is already finished. How can the words of a grown man who will lose to a little girl in a duel be credible?
Maybe a few players can see Yuuki's difference, but to most players, a man who was crushed by a little girl just after the game started is probably just a guy who can only talk nonsense.
This is exactly the purpose of Yuuki ending the duel with such a high profile.
So even if Kibaou came back to his senses and yelled at Yuuki for being a closed beta player, no one would care about him anymore.
Is this girl a closed beta player? She doesn’t seem to have much to do with them, right?
Soon, Kibaou who still refused to give up was "friendly" invited out by someone sent by Diabell.
After the meeting, Yuuki declined Diaber's solicitation, and headed towards the hotel where she was staying with a team of five people.
When saying goodbye to Mr. Knight, the other party whispered "Thank you" while passing Yuki by mistake.
As for what to thank, both of them knew it well.
In short, this turbulent strategy meeting would have ended successfully if this 'little episode' was ignored.
…
After returning to the hotel, Yuuki looked at the two people walking beside them who were still immersed in the joy of reunion, but she still felt a little scared.
What if someone takes off their NERvGear, what if they accidentally fall at the monster's feet...
There are too many eventualities for a girl to worry about, but seeing the two of them standing in front of her alive and kicking, it seems that the goddess of fate is favoring her this time.
"...There's obviously a lot I want to say, but at this point, I don't know how to open my mouth."
Smiling bitterly and shaking her head, Yuuki could roughly guess the reason why they came to this world without them having to explain.
"Ha ha……"
'hey-hey……'
Looking at each other, they both laughed in their own way.
"Although it's a bit late, let me say it."
Arriving in front of the two of them, Yuuki took the initiative to hug them for the first time.
"It's great that you're okay..."
Closing her eyes and burying her head between the two of them, Yuuki said the words that had been stuck in her heart.
"So, after the touching reunion, it's time for us to introduce our new friends to each other, right?"
After chatting with Suguha and Aiko for a while, Yuuki brought the topic to the chestnut-haired rapier user and the twin-tailed rapier user who were sitting alone after entering the door, leaving the space for the three of them to communicate.
Coming to Silica with a grin on her face, Yuuki put her hands on the little girl's shoulders and smiled.
"This child's name is Silica. I 'picked' it up outside the maze area. How about it? Isn't it cute?"
"Forehead……"
Ignoring Silica who pouted and began to complain, "I'm not a little animal!" "Why do you always treat me like a child even though we are the same age!" Yuuki turned to look at Hosei who kept his head down on the other side.
Sword user.
Although she already recognized who this person was, she still asked aloud.
"Where's yours?"
"..."
Just when Aiko and Suguha were thinking about how to introduce them, unlike when they first met, the rapier-wielding girl took the initiative to speak.
"...Asuna, this is my name."
"If I have to say it, I was probably picked up by Lan and Leafa."
With a wry smile, Asuna raised her head and looked at Yuuki.
"Hey, Miss Yuuki...can I become as strong as you?"
As if he was thinking about what to call Yuuki, the rapier made the girl pause for a moment, and finally said the idea that had come to her mind since watching the duel.
After glancing at Aiko and Suguha who kept winking at her, Yuuki nodded understandingly.
"Of course, if you expect so."
Hearing these words, something came to life in the chestnut-haired girl's eyes. (To be continued)