"Woaaahhh?!!"
The crowd was shocked! That ending was amazing! Using everything the team that started with a disadvantage had completely annihilated the enemy team!
The chat was flowing like crazy on the livestream!
-What is this protagonist level of luck?!
-It's like watching those card game animes, this is ridiculous yet so cool!
-Joint Reels lost at his own game!
The private chatroom was no different.
-Anon597: Yooo, that was awesome!
-Anon905: Ayo 626 what you got to say for this?!
-Anon412: Haha! That was a ridiculous level of one shot!
-Anon733: That was actually really entertaining, and I'm not usually into card games!
-Anon100: Good god, what even happened? Was that math done correctly without flinching?!
-Anon451: @Anon100 that's a very fair question! Someone run the math!
-Anon690: I just did on the calculator, it's completely accurate down to the decimal.
-Anon100: ??? What's the IQ of Proven Remedy?!
-Anon905: @Anon626 where are you, I want to see your reaction~
-Anon626: Sigh.
-Anon597: Forget about 626! I want the opinion of the expert 771! Come tell use your thoughts!
-Anon733: ^
-Anon771: Ridiculous
-Anon597: ?!
-Anon905: ?!
-Anon733: ?!
-Anon100: ?!
-Anon626: ?
-Anon771: That was sheer luck. What level of luck even was that? Can someone even be that lucky? Every card they drew was perfect, down to the last moment? Even the double dice roll?
-Anon626: Luck counts as one's abilities does it not?
-Anon597: ?!?! In a stranger turn of events 626 is actually defending Six Lights!
-Anon905: The world is turning upside down!
-Anon626: I'm not defending them, but that level of luck wasn't sheer chance. Something else must have been in play.
-Anon771: I lost my cool, 626 is right. There should be something else here. Something we are unsure about.
-Anon626: Just what could that be?
~ ~ ~
Wrock sighed, "In the end I still didn't do anything!"
Akiol patted his shoulder, "The majority of the good cards came from your large Skill pool. I hardly contributed!"
"You dare say that with a straight face? The one who dealt the final blow?"
"That was Stars, what do you mean."
'Aye!' -Stars
The party turned to light shortly later and they all began walking to their VIP room.
Wrock shook his head, "They really challenged Yielya to a card game."
Kan'na corrected, "They challenged 'us' to a card game, we simply chose Yielya."
"Who else would we have chosen?"
"Fair."
Yielya shrugged, "Honestly that final blow was complete nonsense. My original plan was just to delay until he ran out of cards, which would have happened in six to seven turns."
Wrock stared at her with a blank face, "That's how I felt when I lost all my money."
A figure walked up to them, "Greetings! I'm glad I could catch you on your way back."
They turned to look at the individual. They were dressed messily, wrinkled clothes obvious at a glance. Crooked tie that was loosely fitted. Their hair a curly mess that sat on their head. The only neat thing about their appearance was the shining pair of circle rimmed glasses on their face.
They held out their hand, "I'm Steven, a pleasure to meet you."
Akiol shook it with his only available hand, "Did you need something?"
"No no, I came to personally thank you. I'm sure you are aware of how the audience is growing bored already?"
"It isn't the most hidden thing."
"Precisely. Your match has gotten their spirits stirred up again, we believe we can salvage this and end it off well. So thank you."
Akiol moved back, "You'll have to thank Yielya for this one."
Yielya scratched the back of her head, "Ahh, I'm sure I have gotten many angry over the battle."
Steven nodded, "Oh you have. Many are accusing that it was rigged. It should die down after some time, as long as we don't pay attention to it."
"My apologies then."
"Mere haters. Nothing we aren't used to already. Either way my break is over soon, thank you again."
Steven quickly excused himself as he moved towards an employee only door. The party continued walking towards the VIP room. However Akiol hung back and called out, "We'll keep things entertaining for you guys!"
Steven paused midway through the door and looked back. With a thumbs up he called out, "I appreciate it!"
He then walked through the door, a loud click echoing through the hall as the door shut.
Shortly after they entered the VIP room someone began knocking at the door. Jarvis opened it to see Reverence standing on the other side.
Reverence greeted, "I've come to congratulate you."
Jarvis beckoned him in, "Come inside then!"
Reverence seemed slightly hesitant, but complied to not seem rude. He went around and shook hands with everyone, giving a personal congratulations to each of them.
Akiol was amused at the sight, the Vice Leader of a powerful Guild being so stiff.
Reverence subconsciously stuck to the person he knew better: Akiol.
Akiol munched on some crackers and asked between eating, "So I assume you already gathered some data on everyone?"
Reverence nodded, "Of course, who do you take me for?"
"A very thorough man, although slightly arrogant."
Reverence coughed embarrassedly, "I suppose that isn't an incorrect assessment."
Akiol chuckled slightly as he leaned forward, "Wanna share?"
"Did you not do your own?"
"Research? Nah, we aren't trying to obliterate everyone. While we don't plan on throwing a match we don't plan on taking it at one-hundred percent either."
"Many would want to choke you for that."
"I would much rather not be choked. But someone caught my interest. Pretty one, stern face?"
"Ah, Era of Determined Souls. That description fits her like a glove."
"Era, that's her name?"
"In-game one. Really shows how quickly she joined the launch."
Reverence then examined Akiol, "Didn't take you as someone that chases women."
Akiol shook his head, "Not like that, she's incredibly familiar. I wanted to make sure it wasn't the same person I was thinking of, or anyone close."
"Oh."
"What about her abilities? Fighting style? Etcetera?"
"A hidden Variant Magic Swordsman. Or swordswoman in this case. Wields basic spells and magic alongside with her sword in combat. Might be similar to your style?"
Akiol sighed, "Fits the description more and more eh?"
"Anything else you want to know?"
"Anything I should?"
Reverence pondered momentarily before responding, "Bakery Basics then."
"What about them?"
"They follow the same team composition as you. Warrior, Pugilist, Sorcerer, Priest, Summoner, and Defender. While their actual abilities are quite different I just figured you should know."
"I appreciate it then."
They stood silently for a while. Watching the flow of people. After a minute of this silence Reverence spoke, "Unyielding Blossom is no longer interested in the rematch."
Akiol rose an eyebrow, "Oh? That's surprising. She was so adamant about it too!"
"After her loss against you in a few seconds she decided that you were too high to reach. She wants to improve before trying to fight you again."
"A much better outcome."
"You have stimulated her desire to train again. My debt grows further."
"Mere coincidence. To think if you weren't so confident back then this conversation wouldn't be happening."
Reverence felt like it was intentional that Akiol kept bringing it up, "Ahem, I'll take my leave now. Good luck on your next match tomorrow."
Akiol grinned, "Alright I won't keep you hostage any longer. Hope you enjoy the show!"
Reverence only nodded and left. Akiol payed no attention to his leave, for the next match was beginning. . .