Vol. 2 Chapter 20 (Patreon)

Clarissa’s PoV

"Are you sure you're okay with us leaving you to explore on your own?" Mom asked, her voice filled with a hint of concern for my safety.

I nodded eagerly, my excitement barely contained. "Yes, Mom! I'll be fine. I've got my phone, and I know where the meeting point is. Plus, I want to cheer for my brother and my friend as soon as I see them!"

Dad chuckled, ruffling my hair affectionately. "We know you have, kiddo. Just remember to stay safe, okay? Don't wander off with strangers, and if you need anything, call us immediately."

I nodded in understanding. "I know, Dad. I'll be careful, I promise. And it will only be for a short while."

My parents shared a look, then Mom enveloped me in a warm hug. "We'll be back in a few minutes to join you in cheering for Clarence, after we purchase the toy Colin has been pestering us about for a while, okay? Have fun, sweetheart."

"Mom! Dad! Let's go already!" my younger brother Colin demanded impatiently while tugging at my father's sleeve.

"Haha, take it easy there, champ!" my father chuckled while letting Colin drag him away. My mother followed them not before giving me one last goodbye.

After I bid them farewell, I took a moment to take in the sight of Virtual Arena, the name of the stadium where my brother and Novo would be competing. The venue was a magnificent dome-shaped building, surrounded by bustling stalls that added to the vibrant atmosphere for gaming enthusiasts.

As I walk through the event grounds towards the dome-shaped building where the event is supposed to take place, I am greeted by vibrant and creatively designed stalls, each one showcasing something unique and enticing.

One of the stalls catches my eye with its colorful display of gaming merchandise. It is adorned with shelves filled with video games, gaming consoles, controllers, and accessories of all kinds. The stall attendants seem knowledgeable and passionate about gaming, eagerly assisting customers in finding the perfect game or accessory to enhance their gaming experience. All of them also look kind so much so that it makes me less uneasy about exploring the stalls.

"There are so many people," I silently pondered, taking in the sheer number of individuals present.

I never thought I would see such a large crowd gathered here just to watch Big Brother and Novo play. They really are amazing! And I'm only now realizing the extent of how truly remarkable they both are.

I scanned the area, seeing another stall dedicated to showcasing the latest gaming technology. Large screens and interactive displays demonstrate cutting-edge virtual reality pod systems and futuristic gaming peripherals.

Moving along, I came across a stall that specializes in gaming apparel and merchandise. T-shirts, hoodies, hats, and other accessories adorned with logos I am not familiar with. Some look incredibly cute, which makes me want to buy it.

As I approach the entrance, I am greeted by a massive archway adorned with vibrant LED lights, displaying the logos and graphics of the tournament sponsors and participating teams. The archway stands tall and imposing, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement.

"Woah," I mumbled to myself in amazement, completely awestruck by the spectacle I was witnessing for the first time. So, this is what a gaming event looks like.

The entrance is flanked by towering video screens that pulsate with vivid colors and dynamic animations, capturing the attention of passersby and drawing them toward the entrance.

As I got near, I was greeted by the energetic sound of music pumping through the speakers, creating a lively and immersive atmosphere. The entrance area is spacious and well-lit, with sleek and modern design elements that reflect the cutting-edge nature of the gaming industry.

I also saw a red carpet lead the way into another entrance of what I assumed to be for VIPs. Along the sides of the carpet, there are strategically placed banners and posters featuring the logos and branding of the participating teams and sponsors. There are also a lot of guards stationed next to the stanchions and velvet ropes separating the players from the crowd. The vibrant colors and eye-catching designs add a sense of excitement and anticipation to the overall ambiance, making me feel giddy inside.

The entrance area is staffed by friendly and enthusiastic event personnel, dressed in matching uniforms, who welcome attendees with warm smiles and assist with any inquiries or directions. They look like they are handing out event programs and wristbands. Probably to ensure that everyone is well-informed and ready to make the most of their experience in the event.

"Look! The teams have arrived!" one enthusiastic audience member exclaimed, capturing the attention of those around them.

Others followed suit, and in a short while the whole crowd gathered at the edge of the red carpet for VIP entrance to see the commotion.

The spectacle caught my attention. A line of luxurious cars pulled up at the VIP entrance. The first car came to a halt at the unloading area, and one by one, a group of four individuals emerged and made their way towards the red carpet entrance dressed in matching jerseys adorned with their team logos. They exuded an air of determination and confidence, their faces focused yet filled with anticipation. The crowd erupted in excitement, chanting "Paragons".

So, this is what Novo meant by 'hyping' the crowd. I found myself swept up in their enthusiasm, joining in the shouts, even though I didn't recognize the team currently striding towards the VIP entrance.

"I heard they're they are the favorites to win the tournament, is that true?" one of the guys next to me asked.

"Yes, and that girl in the middle is the sole protégé of Yuusha!" his friend right next to him answered.

"Protégé?" the guy queried.

"Oh right, you haven't reached the max level yet so you don't know about the Mentor System. Basically, it's a feature that gives tons of perks to both the mentor and their chosen protégé. It became a tradition to give importance to the system given how hard the game is for new players and their need for someone to teach them. Many players hold the mentorship system in high regard, even considering it sacred in a sense, as it creates a special bond between individuals who are essentially stuck with each other unless one participant goes offline for an extended period of more than six months, which is the only way for a player to switch their mentor or protege," his friend helpfully explained.

"Really? And you're telling me that girl is Yuusha's protégé? That's insane! I've only heard bits and pieces about how formidable Yuusha was. If she's her student, then she must be incredibly skilled!" the guy exclaimed.

"That's not all. I heard from the CoA forums that the guy on the far right, Zetta's protégé, even defeated a professional player once! A pro player, can you believe it?!" the friend excitedly added.

"Wow, they're sure to win the whole thing easily since no professional players are allowed to join this tournament!"

I tuned into the conversation between the two guys right next to me. They seemed well-informed, so I continued to listen, hoping to learn more about the identities of those teams that my brother was up against.

Next, the second team made their grand entrance. They stepped out of the car with a swagger, their stylish outfits and trendy accessories catching everyone's attention. The fans erupted into cheers once again, their admiration for this team evident. The players acknowledged the crowd with smiles and waves, their charisma captivating the audience.

“Oh, it's the Shadow Vanguards, right?” the two next to me continued their conversation.

“Yeah, they are pretty strong, especially in turtling and stalling plays especially their ace, the strongest Defender in the tournament. There are many replays of him stalling two or even three players while the rest of his team finishes the opponents.”

As the third team emerged from the car, the atmosphere shifted. Instead of only cheers, a mix of boos and cheers erupted from a section of the fans. The atmosphere instantly shifted, and a sense of tension filled the air. It was clear that most of the crowd didn’t like this particular team. But despite the boos, the players remained composed, as if used to this kind of reception.

I became curious about the reason behind the intense reaction. Thankfully the two next to me filled the gaps in my knowledge.

"Is that guy Draven? The streamer known for his trash-talking?" one of them questioned.

"Yeah, that's him. He takes pleasure in humiliating his opponents before defeating them. It's quite disturbing. He gained fame and wealth through his streams, thanks to this kind of unethical behavior," the other guy explained.

"I don't understand why people even watch him. He should be banned!" he added, expressing his disapproval.

“I know right? Sadly, many people watch that. There is no shortage of negative people watching those kinds of streams. That is why he doubles down on it for content and embraces his persona.”

As the fourth team stepped out of the car, the cheers from the crowd grew even louder. The fans erupted into a frenzy of excitement, their voices harmonizing into a symphony of support. Among the players, there was an incredibly adorable girl with distinctly Japanese features. She basked in the adoration, waving to the crowd and exchanging high-fives with her devoted fans from the safety of the stanchion and velvet ropes separating the players from the crowd.

“Wow! I know that girl, she’s Hana, Murasame’s sister!”

“I guess I don’t have to explain how good she is.”

“Of course not. What do you take me for? Everybody knows Murasame, you’d be stupid not to.”

As the fifth team emerged from their car, a wave of anticipation rippled through the crowd. The players exuded a blend of confidence and humility, their youthful energy captivating the audience. The chant of "Arthur" echoed throughout, indicating the popularity of this individual. The shrieks of some girls were so loud that it even caused discomfort in my ears. It seems like I’m not the only one as the two next to me also shouted to make their voice heard to each other.

“Holy Shit, my eardrums hurt! That Arthur really is a Casanova. Just look at how many girls are shrieking their hearts out!"

“There are many female fans of Arthur after all, it does make sense. Kindness, chivalry, and good looks. It's like he hit the jackpot in the genetic lottery. I have to admit, I also admire how he actively contributes to the community."

As the sixth team made their grand entrance the crowd's cheers reached a deafening roar. I kind of agree with this team’s reception. The players themselves exuded an aura of greatness, their every move commanding attention. The energy in the air was electric as they made their way toward the red carpet, their determination evident in their stride. What stood out to me was a girl with a cane. She seems to be blind but is able to walk on her own without any help.

I turned my focus to the two guys right beside me who had been anything but helpful up to this point, curious about their take on this team.

“That’s Gilligan, right?”

“Yeah, they are considered the second-strongest contender in this tournament. I heard he traveled all over Asia for a year in search of prodigies to build his team in e-sports. Each of his members is extremely skilled in their respective forms of martial arts.”

“But… look at that. Isn’t one of their member blind?” he exclaimed while pointing at a beautiful girl.

“Yes, I heard she is. It’s no big deal though. In VR games, even blind people can see since the VR pod directly sends signals to your brain, not affected by impairments or lack of other senses.”

“I see… still, it must be nice, to be the only child of a famous AI company CEO and have a shit ton of money to do anything you want. That Gilligan guy must be spoiled to the bone.”

“Dude, your jealousy is showing. Tone it down a bit.”

“Humph! Fuck off!”

Following that, the seventh team made their grand entrance. I couldn't help but notice that all of them had distinct Chinese features. Unlike the previous teams, there was no immediate eruption of cheers or applause. The crowd seemed to be taking a moment to evaluate this team. There were some cheers here and there, but not as strong as the previous ones.

“Those guys are the Chinese team, they are pretty strong, especially, HiddenDemon, their ace.”

“Oh, I think I heard about him. Still, I won’t root for them.”

“What a racist.”

“It’s just a matter of preference, don’t attribute everything to race. That makes you the racist one, stupid.”

Finally, the last team that I had been waiting for made their grand entrance. My brother, who is smugly walking with confidence. Novo, with her usual calm and expressionless face. Miss Lizbeth, smiling broadly while waving to the cheers. And another teammate whom I am not familiar with. They all have matching uniforms, showing off their camaraderie. However, it seemed that their team was not well received by the fans. Even though there were cheers here and there from the crowd, it was evident that the overall enthusiasm was subdued compared to the previous teams.

"Brother! Novo! Miss Lizbeth!" I shouted at the top of my lungs, determined to cheer for them and compensate for the lack of enthusiasm from the crowd.

My efforts were rewarded instantly when my brother glanced at me and gave me a thumbs-up, while Miss Lizbeth waved to me and the others who were cheering for her. Novo, for her part, responded with a serene smile of acknowledgment towards me. I knew I should refer to her by her real name, but I had become so accustomed to calling her by her in-game name that calling her anything other than Novo seemed… strange somehow.

Curious about the opinions of the others regarding Novo's team, I eavesdropped on the conversations next to me. To my surprise, the comments were not what I had anticipated.

"Who are those guys?"

"I believe they're the Paradigm team."

"What kind of name is that? It sounds like a cheap imitation of the Paragons."

"Yeah, I heard they gained some recognition for defeating the Magic Atelier in the qualifiers."

"But are they actually strong?"

"Not really. I watched a YouTube video that ranked the teams participating here, and their team was placed in the lowest tier."

“Really? A shame, since those two girls in the middle look gorgeous. I kind of want to root for them.”

“Save your energy dude. You’ll only be disappointed since they will be eliminated on their first game anyway.”

Overwhelmed by a surge of emotions for belittling my brother’s team, I couldn't help but interject in their conversation. "You... you guys have it all wrong!" I blurted out, unable to contain myself. Their startled gazes met mine, prompting me to provide an explanation.

They stared at me, shocked by my outburst.

Feeling the need to explain myself, I continued.

"My brother's team, Paradigm, is the strongest! And I’m sure they will win the tournament!" I exclaimed with conviction.

"Huh? What are you saying, girlie?" The man, who appeared to be in his thirties and wore a hoodie, confronted me. He had been the more knowledgeable of the two, providing information about the teams.

"They were simply lucky to face weaker girl streamers in their bracket. They are nowhere near the caliber of the participants in this event. They should be grateful for the chance to compete. I guarantee they will be eliminated in the very first match," he continued, his tone filled with skepticism.

“Y-you’re… you’re wrong! I know how strong Novo is. She won't lose to anyone!” I exclaimed passionately, trying to convey how serious I was.

The two guys exchanged glances for a moment,

“Who is Novo?” the other guy queried.

"I believe Novo is their support player. I remember her because she's only at level 90, not even at the maximum level," the first guy explained, seemingly amused by the fact.

They exchanged a brief moment of understanding before bursting into laughter simultaneously.

“HAHAHA!” They both chuckled as if it was the funniest joke, they heard all day.

"A level 90 support that won’t lose to anyone in the tournament? Hahaha, that was the funniest joke I've heard all day! Thanks for giving us a good laugh, girlie. Word of advice, don't let your personal connection with them cloud your judgment. Facts don’t care about your feelings. They are weak compared to the other teams, and that's the harsh reality. They would be considered lucky if they can even win a single match here," he said in a condescending tone.

Their statement made my blood boil. How could I make them understand that they are wrong? I've never been skilled at persuading others, but I can't allow them to believe that Novo is anything but strong. She... she is the most formidable person I've ever known! And deep in my heart, I know it to be true and whatever they say won’t change that!

Before I even made a rebuttal, someone interjected in our conversation.

“I think that is enough. All of you clearly have a strong passion for the teams you like to win. However, I believe it's important to remember that your support for a particular team should never lead to division or conflict. It’s a bit shameful to mock someone for supporting a team they love; don’t you guys agree? After all, in the end, all of you are playing the same game, aren't you?”

I surveyed the man. He was wearing a face mask, dressed in a long, dark undercoat, and had a hat that partially concealed his upper face. As I pondered for a moment, trying to recall where I had seen him before, it suddenly clicked in my memory. He was the same person Colin had bothered the other day, accusing him of appearing suspicious and shady.

The two guys appeared to be intimidated by the peculiar attire of the mysterious man as they observed him.

"I-I suppose you're right," one of the guys reluctantly agreed.

"Yeah... you have a point. Let's go, Aron. We don't want to miss out on getting our hands on the limited merchandise and figurines," his informative friend conceded.

After the two left following the crowd that dispersed after the spectacle, the man suddenly spoke up.

"They're simply die-hard fans. Don't dwell on it too much. They're just incredibly passionate about the team they're rooting for," He paused for a second, as if pondering, then continued. "I think It is best to keep your opinions to yourself and simply cheer for the team you support. People can be extremely passionate about the team they love, and you will only end up in arguments if you challenge their opinions.”

"…Why did you help me?" I asked, genuinely curious about his intentions.

“You seem like a newcomer to these kinds of events. I simply want new players to also enjoy the game I am passionate about,” he proclaimed as he stared at me warmly, giving credit to his motive.

His explanation resonated with me, and I realized that I had misjudged him based on his attire. It made me question the validity of other things my brother had told me about spotting bad strangers. Perhaps there were other misconceptions I had been holding onto.

"Well, thank you for your help," I said gratefully as he prepared to leave. "And I will definitely keep in mind what you said earlier."

He gave me a nod, turned around casually, and started walking towards the entrance. As he made his way, he gave me a wave, even though his back was turned, showing that he was aware I was still watching him. I couldn't help but be captivated by how effortlessly cool he looked in that moment.

It was only then after he was gone that I remembered something grave.

I forgot to ask for his name.