Chapter 104 - The First Step
—The start time is approaching. Transfer to the venue will now commence.
We had been waiting for about ten minutes. We were shamelessly holding hands, which earned us murderous glares from the surrounding male players, so we’d retreated to a corner of the waiting room to kill some time.
A system message finally announced that the time had come.
"Haru."
"Yeah, I'm heading out."
We’d already said all that needed to be said. All that was left was to give it my all.
Sora smiled and said, "Take care." A moment later, my body was enveloped in the light of teleportation—and in the next instant, I was stepping onto the floor of a wide, perfectly circular arena.
I looked around and saw an incredibly high roof, and equally high walls lined with spectator seats. It had the atmosphere of a simple, no-frills indoor stadium, just as you’d expect for a preliminary venue.
Players were being sent in one after another, and soon the influx stopped. The number had definitely dwindled from what I saw in the waiting room; I’d say there were about a hundred people now.
...Looking at them again, I was keenly aware of just how much of a rookie I was.
They were all decked out in impeccable, flawless equipment, with not a hint of frivolity in their expressions or demeanor. Some were relaxed and even smiling, while others looked so accustomed to this that they were yawning.
So this is the preliminary round... I'm sure my nerves are coloring my perception, but why does every single one of them look like a battle-hardened veteran?
I had no intention of spouting nonsense about lacking confidence at this stage, but it looked like I'd have to brace myself and go all out, even more than I'd anticipated—
"Hey, you look nervous."
"Wh...?"
That surprised me. I was so caught off guard by someone speaking to me that I was at a loss for words. The male player who had approached me smiled gently. "Sorry for startling you."
"I didn't recognize your face, so I thought maybe this was your first time. You okay?"
"Ah, no, my apologies. Haha... you're right, I'm a newcomer, so I was a little overwhelmed by the atmosphere."
When I laughed to cover it up, he nodded sympathetically as if to say, I get it, I get it.
He seems like a nice guy—though his gear is insane.
His scale mail, made of red leather with a subdued sheen, was clearly high-quality. Unlike its real-world counterpart made of metal plates, this was likely the real deal, crafted from some kind of monster material. It had a certain biological, organic power that inanimate metal lacked.
For armament, he had a single longsword at his hip. I didn't need to see it unsheathed to know—from a gamer's perspective, it was undoubtedly the kind of masterpiece known as a 'magic sword.'
Even without ornate decorations, the details and the aura it exuded... it was like I could feel the sheer weight of its information.
"I should've introduced myself first. I'm Rotta, and you can just call me that. No need for formalities if you don't want to."
Oh, this guy really is nice. His natural, unforced smile and the hand he casually extended for a handshake—my gut, honed by dealing with all sorts of people at my part-time job, was telling me so.
Even though we were grouped in the same preliminary round, there was a high chance that Istia itself was a den of monsters. He looked like a skilled player, so getting to know him now might be a stroke of luck.
"Well then, if you don't mind—I'm Haru. I'm a rookie who just made his debut after a three-year charging period. It's a pleasure, Rotta."
I took his offered hand, and he gave me a somewhat friendly smile.
"Yeah, pleasure to meet you, Haru. Three years, huh? That's quite a long prep time."
Rotta probably had no idea my "charging period" was spent buried in part-time jobs in the real world. He laughed it off with a joking tone, as if asking, Were you off training somewhere?
"I was actually planning to wait a lot longer, but I've been lucky with the people I've met recently. I've got some decent gear now, so I figured I'd take the plunge and participate."
"I see... And that's some nice gear, for sure. To be honest, I was surprised I didn't recognize any of it. I have to admit, part of the reason I came over was for a bit of reconnaissance."
His handsome face smiled, his flaxen hair swaying gently.
Damn it... I wanted to make a handsome character too, if I could have...!
"Reconnaissance, huh. As for me, everything I see is new to me. Unfortunately for you, I can't give up my only advantage: being a complete unknown."
"You've got a point. And you don't seem like much of a pushover yourself. I'll be sure to stay on my guard."
"You could always let your guard down and turn your back to me, you know?"
"Not a chance. I can only imagine the future where I'd have to sleep off the shock of getting done in by a first-timer."
For a first meeting, I was holding a surprisingly lighthearted conversation, but that was more due to Rotta's skill than my own. He was a good talker, or rather, he was good at getting others to talk—
—The start time has been reached. The 11th Four Pillar War Selection Match, First Preliminary Round, will now begin.
"Oops."
"It's finally time."
It was an unexpected way to kill time—and it would be rude to call it that—but my conversation with Rotta had thankfully eased some of my tension. We received the system message announcing the start of battle, and after exchanging a look, we both nodded.
"...I have a suggestion."
"Yeah, let's put some distance between us."
Even though it was only for a short while, crossing blades right off the bat with someone I'd just met felt a bit off. Perhaps he read my mind, or maybe he felt the same way.
Before I could even voice my thoughts, Rotta nodded and once again extended his hand.
...I like it. This kind of intensity isn't so bad.
I returned his handshake with a firm grip, and he grinned mischievously.
"I won't hold back. But I'll be cheering for you. Let's both give it our best."
"Yeah. And I plan on learning from everyone here, not just you, Rotta."
We released our hands, raised them in a mutual gesture, and simultaneously turned on our heels, heading toward opposite ends of the arena.
—The countdown to battle displayed at the top of my vision showed thirty seconds remaining.
I wonder just how big this arena is. By my estimation... no, I can't tell. At any rate, it's large enough for a hundred people to spread out and take their stances comfortably.
Ten thousand people divided into blocks of one hundred... Does that mean there are over a hundred facilities like this? No, it's a game, so it's probably an instanced area.
—Twenty seconds remaining.
Even for a preliminary round, there were a fair number of spectators in the outer seats. Some were probably here to support friends, while others likely got teleported here at random.
It seems to be a fact that many enjoy the game from the sidelines rather than as participants; by a conservative estimate, there might be around five hundred people here.
Sora-san... ah, there she is.
I was worried she might be getting hit on, but I spotted a flash of gold mixed in with a group of female players.
Our eyes met, and even from this distance, my adorable partner gave me a small wave.
—Ten seconds remaining.
I reached the edge of the outer wall.
Having your back to a wall is often an advantage. Several other players with the same idea were lined up against it, eagerly awaiting the countdown to reach zero.
—9
I exhaled.
—8
The tension wouldn't fade.
—7
But strangely, I felt calm.
—6
The brand-new aquamarine brooch on my chest glinted as if to encourage me.
—5
My raised left hand was clad in the night-sky gauntlet crafted by my personal magic artisan.
—4
The hand I clenched held the confidence I had hastily built up.
—3
I recalled the words of encouragement from the crimson artisan.
—2
The memory of the cheerful, azure-haired artisan's voice telling me to do my best resurfaced.
—1
Whenever I close my eyes.
My partner, who is always watching over me—is there to push me forward.
"[Panga Fool]... [Parabellum Bullet]."
A black knife in my left hand. And in my right, a seamless crimson dagger, its entirety from blade to hilt composed of a translucent, scarlet crystal.
—0
The system call announcing the start of the battle echoed.
The battle cries rising from all around.
The roar of the crowd.
Letting it all fade into the distance, I muttered,
"—Time to begin... Ignition."
Now, I take my first step onto the grand stage.