I Have a Reason to Hate Streamers

Chapter 46

[Posted by: DongtanMisInformed]

[Title: Gawol’s opponent tomorrow is Muse?]

Does that mean we get to see a sub-mission with them entangled up close and personal?

Is this finally the moment I can ascend?

Now, this is what a proper tournament looks like.

[Comments]

What’s happened to you lately? You haven’t been streaming and now you're falling apart?And how exactly does that relate to your ascension?Just go live, you maniac.

[Posted by: Anonymous (478.417)]

[Title: I’m honestly hyped to see Gawol vs. Muse]

Muse’s matches are always fun to watch.

Both Gawol and Muse are good at grappling, right?

This is going to be so good, so so good.

[Comments]

Animal.

[Infinity Arena Quarterfinals - Match 1]

[Stage: The Pilgrim's Desert]

[Opponent: Latin V7 Muse]

Of course, my luck with the battlefield is terrible again today.

It feels like the entire tournament has been against me. Even when I got the Shadow Hall, the lighting only served to mess me up.

And now, here I am on my opponent's home turf. It’s starting to feel like the world itself has some grudge against me.

The Pilgrim’s Desert. And Muse.

A class that relies on wind has found itself on a field covered in harsh sandstorms. Muse’s attacks are hard enough to track visually, and this arena will make it that much harder.

“Hah...”

Annoying.

My feet are sinking into the ground, making it feel like I’m walking through a swamp. The blazing sun is the last thing an assassin wants, and the desert offers barely any cover.

And it’s hot as hell.

If this were a lava zone, I could invest in some fire resistance. Unfortunately, as a playable character, this level of heat falls into the ‘bearable’ category. Even if I end up with heatstroke, I’d be better off just toughing it out.@@@@

[Exposed to intense sunlight.]

[Warning: Prolonged exposure may lead to heatstroke.]

But since my sensory synchronization is high, I feel it differently. The desert dust gets in my mouth, making it dry, and as I keep moving, sweat starts sticking to my skin. It’s uncomfortable, and there’s no in-game merit to this; they just keep piling on these inconveniences.

At least I managed to find my opponent early.

In the middle of the desert stood a woman with bronzed skin. True to the “Muse” class, her outfit barely covered her chest, adorned with hanging chains. The transparent chiffon fabric revealed her curves without restraint, and she held a scimitar and a fan in each hand.

‘The blade looks heavier than I expected. Seems like it’d be awkward for stabbing,’

I left a long cut on her exposed abs and then threw a hidden blade from my other hand.

It would have been nice if it connected, but her fan’s wind cleared the daggers, allowing her scimitar to follow through.

‘Here it comes.’

Muse’s scimitar sent sharp wind blasts down its path.

The gusts were only visible by the slight shimmer they left in the air—nearly impossible to track in this blazing heat and shimmering mirages.

Thankfully, the wind itself wasn’t strong enough to deal much damage. Originally, it was a gimmick designed to deplete the guard gauge, but that’s not a tactic assassins use. I’d have to read her blade movements instead of the wind.

The blade moved gracefully, like a dancer, reflecting light every so often, glimmering. It’d be a great sight if I could just stand back and watch, but if I spaced out now, I’d pay for it with my life.

I matched my dagger to the path I’d memorized. The clear ring of metal confirmed my parry. After eight successful parries, Muse went for a low attack.

“Your skills are impressive. Too bad your luck’s awful.”

“Remember what happened to the last girl who said that to me?”

“...?”

“Actually, you don’t need to. You’ll get to experience it firsthand.”

The desert being in her favor is nothing new.

So her mentioning ‘bad luck’ now must mean a sandstorm is coming. I was already feeling the sand shifting beneath my feet.

Sure enough, a sandstorm rose on the horizon, a yellowish storm swiftly closing in.

Our clothes and hair whipped in the wind for a moment, then Muse smirked and prepared for her sword dance. I had to use my ace card.

[You are blessed by the Red Moon.]

[You receive all defensive and survival benefits.]

[Detection capabilities... enhanced.]

Muse’s silhouette disappeared into the storm. For me, moving properly within that inferno was nearly impossible. But Muse was different.

I can see her.

Through the sandstorm, I could make out her shape, dancing. Using the storm as a curtain, her blade advanced.

Using my main buff for defense was not ideal. But this was the only way to turn the tide in this battleground. The winds from her sword scraped along the sand.

I drove my dagger against the oncoming wind, dispersing it. The broken breeze caressed my clothes, while the powerful gust from her fan smashed through my guard, leaving a shock.

Health bar is mostly intact. But I’ll avoid that next time.

‘17 seconds until the sandstorm ends. Her sword dance will wrap up two seconds before that.’

An assassin is at a disadvantage in a desert due to limited shadows. With the glaring sun and sparse cover, it’s like fighting without a weapon.

But this storm changes things.

Thanks to the dark clouds and dust, there were shadows to exploit.

It’s always like this.

Opportunities come at the most dangerous moments.

Accepting Muse’s wind blast, I edged closer.