I Have a Reason to Hate Streamers

Chapter 96

[Sigma eSports Admission Contract]

Sigma eSports Pro Gaming Team (hereinafter referred to as the “Team”) and Han Da-eun (hereinafter referred to as the “Player”) mutually agree to enter into the player contract (hereinafter referred to as the “Contract”) as follows:

Article 1 (Purpose) This contract is intended for the Player to maximize her abilities...

...

The team agrees to ensure that the Player can fully dedicate herself to her activities as a player...

...

Date of Contract Signing: ■■■■ Year ■■ Month ■■ Day

Player: Han Da-eun (Signature)

"Da-eun, do you know specifically which clause was the basis for the connection ban?"

"The problematic part is here: 'Connection methods with safety concerns for the user are not permitted.'"

"It doesn’t specify which connection methods are banned exactly."

"Why don't we gather a large amount of evidence and data, then Sigma can keep tweaking the connection device?"

Thud. Thud.

As I limped forward, clutching my ankle, I could feel several eyes on me.

As expected, they weren’t the kindest of looks.

I didn’t know exactly who they were, but surely some of them had encountered me in the game.

It wouldn’t have been a pleasant experience.

Back then, I was a far more unpleasant person than I am now.

I had spread my dark, gloomy thoughts everywhere.

It was only natural that the emotions returned to me were rough.

"The stability issues with the connection device vary greatly from person to person."

"So, there’s a possibility of making an exception just for Da-eun."

"As it happens, Sigma has a research model of the neural connection device within its facilities. Although it’s only available for practice servers, not for the main game."

Of course, I didn’t need to feel intimidated for no reason.

In Infinity Black, random PKs are considered bad manners but aren’t illegal according to the terms and conditions.

I’ve never done anything beyond what the system allows or engaged in unjust harassment.

So, I hadn’t done anything wrong.

In a game that operates on the law of the jungle, it's the weaker party that's at fault.

I held my head high, stiffly.

This may be the real world, but I came here not as Han Da-eun, but as Gawol.

My fists clenched so hard that the blood drained from them.

A heavy silence filled the practice room as we waited for the connection devices to open.

"Let’s collect battle data together. Sigma’s data will have enough credibility."

"Meanwhile, you can practice with your teammates and sync up with them."

"So, how about it? Want to give it a shot with our team?"

What I had to give up in exchange was the connection device at home.

They said they’d dismantle the internal hardware and decompile the software to develop a new connection device.

Given the terms, my parents wouldn’t be too disappointed.

Their son just wants to give this a try. Please understand.@@@@

Pure admiration spilled from them.

Something about that reaction seemed so genuine, it made me chuckle.

There’s one major drawback only archers among the ranged classes have.

Their projectiles are relatively large and slow.

It’s a unique flaw of the class that physically loads magic onto arrows.

Hunters using firearms have bullets that are too fast.

Mages’ attacks lack a physical form in the first place.

But arrows? I can catch those.

“It’s why archers rely too much on the hit notification.”

“That’s... a bit of a stretch, don’t you think?”

Stretch? What stretch?

I just did it, didn’t I?

[Victory.]

[Prepare yourself. Your next opponent will be sent in without delay.]

Although I secured the first victory easily, the next rounds weren’t as simple.

The Berserker’s reckless attacks left my left arm and thigh injured.

I lost my mobility when I had to sacrifice my left leg to the Kunoichi, and because of that, I couldn’t avoid the Blood Mage’s self-destruction spell, leaving my health at rock bottom.

By the time my final opponent, Camellia, arrived—I was no longer in any condition to fight.

I couldn’t even hold my dagger, let alone stand up.

All I could do was cough up blood while waiting for my enemy, Camellia, to arrive.

[Current synchronization rate: 65.8%]

At least that was some relief.

Sigma’s neural connection device was less sensitive than the one I used at home.

It still hurt like hell, but it was a bit better than what I experienced at home.

But what should I do?

This is... fun.

Even in the burning pain, I chuckled as I coughed.

My mind spun wildly, already thinking, ‘What should I do next time to win?’

“Ah, damn it. The league is different from the arena after all.”

The difference in skill levels was clear in one-on-one matches.

I thought handling five of these players would be easy.

But experiencing it firsthand told a different story.

It’s only natural that there’s a skill gap between ordinary players and the ace in a continuous elimination match.

So, they’ve evolved not to even think about winning.

They use themselves as sacrificial pawns for victory.

Leaving their opponent wounded so that their teammate in the next round can finish them off.

After all, the ace isn’t always on the opposing team.

In the first-tier pro league, no one has ever achieved a full sweep in a five-man continuous elimination match.

If today’s opponent hadn’t been second-tier rookies.

If a first-tier pro had sacrificed themselves, I would’ve been at my limit after defeating just two.

By the time Camellia arrived, she placed her sword at my neck.

Her hesitation was palpable.

Feeling guilty about killing me?

“What are you waiting for? Hurry up and kill me. That way we’ll gather the data.”

“...Yes.”

A searing pain shot through my heart—my vision darkened.

[Killed by Sigma Camellia.]

[No death penalty applied due to 'Training Mode'.]

[Reviving in the 'Player Waiting Room'.]

Again.