Chapter 109 - Rankings
There was, apparently, something called a ranking.
From first to tenth place within each faction. This ranking, which was primarily based on 'combat ability', was the throne for the players who reigned at the pinnacle of their respective factions.
The 'primarily' part was because Vestol, which champions the blessing of peace, used a different set of evaluation criteria.
Like Kagura-san and Nia, the western faction, being a gathering place for artisans, apparently required technical skill as a Magister—
"…The fact that you're telling me this means…"
"You guessed it—they'll be participating in the selection tournament, too. The only ones with reserved seats are the commanders who have already been chosen to represent the faction."
Well, that much I get, but… seriously?
"Is there any point in making them participate? Doesn't that just turn them into obstacle characters who automatically eliminate anyone unlucky enough to be matched against them?"
"There are a number of reasons, but the biggest one is demand from the general participants."
"What…"
What's that about? What's the reasoning there? Why would they willingly ask for boss characters that turn the event into an impossible game…?
He must have read my confusion.
"I see, so that's where he's at… You seem to have your hands full too, Sora-chan."
"Aha… I think I'm starting to get used to it, though."
Sora and Lotta seemed to be sharing some similar sentiment.
…Ah, right. Again? Did my ignorance just rear its ugly head again?
"You see, Haru. You know how many people are playing this game… um, the active user count, was it? You know what that is, right?"
"Uh, well… I think it was twenty-seven million?"
"Yes, that's correct."
Ever since the day Kagura-san drilled some common sense into me, I've been trying my best to study up.
Thanks to that effort, I managed to pull the correct answer from my still-accumulating knowledge. Teacher Sora smiled as if to say, "Very good," and… I think I might awaken to something, so could you please stop that?
"The people whose names are in the rankings are the top forty players out of nearly thirty million Arcadia players, you know? They are the top forty in a virtual world that has the entire globe's attention."
"…Right."
…Yeah, okay. It's something I should've understood with a little thought.
I became aware that I still hadn't shed the feeling that this world was "just a game." Being guided in my thinking by Sora in such a gentle way made me lose a little confidence in my own foolishness.
"So, what you're saying is, those rankers are—they're treated like living national treasures, basically?"
…The moment the words left my mouth, I nearly laughed myself, so I'll forgive Lotta for bursting out laughing. You don't have to twitch your lips, Sora-san, you can laugh too. I won't get mad.
Of all things, why did the phrase "living national treasures" pop into my head? I could have come up with a better analogy.
"…There's also gold medalists, major leaguers, rock stars, movie actors, top models, idols, astronauts, three-star chefs, famous comedians, and school principals."
"Schoo—!"
"Pfft…!"
At this point, I decided to just go all-in and make them laugh, listing off every kind of "amazing person" I could think of.
Apparently, a few of them hit the mark, because Lotta was taken down within seconds. Sora, trying to hide the smile breaking across her face, feigned anger and started swatting my arm.
Alright, I think I've managed to dispel the awkward atmosphere of me bombing on my own.
"So? What about these… living national treasures?"
"Bwahaha…!!"
"Haru, stop it…!!"
I finished them off with a repeat of the punchline, and Lotta clutched his stomach, rendered immobile for a while. Sora pressed her forehead against me to hide her face and started relentlessly patting my knee.
…What were we talking about again?
"Ahem… So, basically, the rankers are celebrities on that level, and the simple truth is that many players want a chance to test their skills against them."
"I get it now."
Including the fact that Istia is the only faction where this is the case.
What a bunch of battle junkies. I don't dislike it.
"The point I was trying to make is that the main selection tournament is filled with those genuine monsters and the quasi-monsters who gleefully challenge them."
"The ones even you wouldn't stand a chance against, huh…"
Well, to be honest, it's not like I have an accurate grasp of Lotta's own abilities, but… hey, I was just thinking that I probably wouldn't stand a chance against Lotta, you know?
"For the record, you're definitely stronger than me, so you can relax."
At the very least, you won't be as helpless as I would be, Lotta said with a laugh. What's so funny? Is that really true…?
He returned my suspicious gaze with a wry smile and raised his hands in surrender.
"If you were zipping around at that ridiculous speed, there'd be nothing I could do. I could probably aim for a single counter-hit, but…"
Lotta trailed off, his eyes narrowing as he gave me a measuring look.
"Besides, you still haven't played most of your hand, have you?"
"…"
His confident assertion made me look away. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Lotta's face, which bore an incredibly happy smile for some reason.
Well… it's true that the only things I showed off in that fight were a fraction of my status build, my instant weapon switching with [Blink Switch], and the self-enhancement ability of my [Demon Horn Spear: Crimson Valor].
"In terms of pure gameplay, I was going all out, you know."
That was a fact. While I did intentionally hold back on my skills, the gear I was in for the fight itself was undoubtedly my max. I came close to dying a few times, after all…
"Well, I'll look forward to seeing the rest in your upcoming matches. In any case…"
Lotta stood up abruptly and started operating a window. As Sora and I watched, a pop-up requesting our consent for a transfer appeared before our eyes.
"There's a bit of time before the main tournament starts… since we're here, why don't we go have a look?"
"A look? At what?"
Are we going to watch the second preliminary round? I wondered, but he just smiled mysteriously, drawing out his words.
"The names of the Title Holders who stand at the pinnacle of Istia."
◇◆◇◆◇
"Wow…"
"This definitely has the right vibe…"
We were teleported to a massive entrance hall, even larger than the previous arena—or at least, I think it's an entrance hall. It was a huge, lobby-like chamber.
Though its exterior remained a mystery, I was finally getting the sense that this place was, in fact, a 'castle'.
Given that the many Istia players coming and going were mostly clad in imposing gear, the mismatch with the elegant atmosphere created by the decorations and furnishings was undeniable… but anyway.
Sora let out a breath of awe. My own voice, next to her, was filled with admiration. Our gazes were fixed on a massive black stone monument, framed in luxurious gold, which stood with imposing dignity.
―――――Ranker's Title―――――
◇First [Absolute Lawlessness] — [Tengen]◇
◇Second [Sword Saint] — [Ui]◇
◇Third [General Commander] — [Goldow]◇
◇Fourth [Left Wing] — [Mi-na]◇
◇Fifth [Right Wing] — [Ri-na]◇
◇Sixth [Scorching Gaze] — [Hinayo]◇
◇Seventh [Sword Protector] — [Irori]◇
◇Eighth [Twin Fists] — [Genkotsu]◇
◇Ninth [Undying] — [Tetra]◇
◇Tenth [Screen] — [Yurayura]◇
―――――――――――――――――――
…Suuuuuu… Now that's cool.
"It just makes you want to… read them all out loud."
"I know what you mean."
Leaving the two of us guys to our mutual understanding, Sora, who already knew about this, was staring at the monument, seemingly moved.
She'd become a bit more talkative when the topic of Title Holders came up, so maybe she was a fan of one of them.
"Well, I don't know a single one of them, but… what about you, Sora? Do you have a favorite?"
I asked out of curiosity. She looked a little embarrassed and turned her gaze toward the top of the monument.
"Um, the person ranked second… I've always admired Ui-san, the [Sword Saint]."
"Oh?"
Really? For someone who asked, that was a little unexpected.
While I stared, surprised that she'd used a word as direct as "admire," Lotta nodded with a look of understanding.
"I see. Is that perhaps why you chose to be a 'swordsman'?"
"U-Um… actually, yes. It's embarrassing to admit."
"Huh…"
So that's why Sora had wanted to fight up close—or rather, wield a sword—from the very beginning.
"Although, I've ended up a very different kind of 'swordsman' from what I'd imagined."
As the girl laughed jokingly, Lotta wore an expression of undisguised curiosity. He seemed to have guessed that Sora, being the partner of the guy who just rampaged through the prelims, was also hiding a few secrets of her own.
Still, he would never guess that she was an extraordinary 'Magic Swordsman' wielding an Anima. When the day comes for Sora to step onto the main stage, he can have his mind thoroughly blown.
"…So? I have to face all of them?"
He said the main tournament would have around 600 participants, so ten of them would be one-sixtieth. If I advanced through the tournament, the chances of facing one of them weren't that low—
"No, only four of them will be in the vanguard selection match."
Or so I thought, but Lotta coolly denied it.
"It's the four in a row from sixth to ninth place. The other six are in commander roles or fire support roles… and two of them aren't even participating in the Four Pillar War at all."
"Huh? A ranker isn't participating?"
No way. A ranker from Istia?
"One of them publicly announced his retirement two years ago and left the virtual world."
"What the???"
Wait a minute, there's too much to unpack there.
Huh? What does that mean? Why is the name of a player who retired two years ago still in the rankings?
"The other is a practitioner who just focuses on honing his skills by himself. We've asked him to participate countless times, but… after fighting in the very first Four Pillar War, he's never once come out into the open."
"You're kidding…"
I don't really get this one. Is he a free spirit? He participated the first time, so maybe he decided large-scale battles weren't for him?
"By the way, the one who retired is number one, and the hermit is number two."
"Wha—?!"
The hell?!
"No, no, no, I can't keep up! Forget number two, what's the deal with number one?! His rank hasn't been updated for two years since he retired? What kind of monster is he?!"
"Let's see… How about 'the only player who could go toe-to-toe in a fistfight with the Princess'?"
That… that doesn't help. I don't know anything about this 'Princess' other than that she's supposedly 'super cute,' so I can't make a judgment.
I really need to watch the archives of the Four Pillar War… I've had too much to cram into my head lately, and there's just not enough time. I've got university and the selection tournament, after all.
"Man… seriously, it's a miracle our faction is even putting up a good fight…"
"It's certainly not an easy situation. That's why—"
Lotta clapped me on the back as I stood there, dumbfounded by the series of shocking revelations, and grinned with an expression of utter reliability.
"Once again… we on the 'Four Pillar War Steering Committee' wholeheartedly welcome a supernova like you. We have great expectations for you, Haru."
His cheerful voice made me groan. "The expectations are heavy."
As for Sora, who had been quiet this whole time, the partner being bullied beside her was currently outside her field of interest.
I wonder what the girl was thinking as she gazed at the name of the player she admired with sparkling eyes. Her body fidgeted restlessly, and her dazzling golden hair swayed with delight.
Q: Isn't the number of active players insane?
A: It is insane. There's a whole backstory and set of rules to make this consistent and not contradictory... but explaining it in detail would touch on major spoilers and probably take about twenty thousand characters, so please forgive me.