After that fight, I was sent back into the waiting room again. I was just about to sit down on a bench that I randomly decided was my "usual" spot, the uniformed man approached me.
"This is for you." [Uniformed Man]
He handed me a glass vial that was closed by a cork. Inside was a red liquid that sloshed around.
"...What's this?" [Solace]
"A healing potion. Please take it before your next match." [Uniformed Man]
I accepted the potion.
"Thank you." [Solace]
"No need. I am only doing my job." [Uniformed Man]
He gave me a polite nod and took his leave.
("...A potion, huh.") [Solace]
I sat down on my usual bench and inspected the potion.
("|Analyze|.") [Solace]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Item Name: Minor Healing Potion
Description: A glass bottle containing a liquid that can accelerate healing by skin contact or consumption. It has a bitter taste that a select few can enjoy.
Effects: Target receives 200 points of health.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
("I guess he wasn't lying.") [Solace]
I popped open the bottle and downed the entire thing.
"Alert: You have gained 200 health." [Spirit Guide]
I felt much better. There was also a mild bitter taste in the back of my throat. It reminded me somewhat of bittermelon.
("Now, I wait.") [Solace]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
My next match began two hours later. I was called up along with a girl wrapping her brown hair into a ponytail.
"Sir Alt Account and madam Rila B. Colders. Please follow me." [Uniformed Man]
The longer I sit here, the more I realize that the people here have weird names.
("It really is a different world.") [Solace]
We followed the same procedures of the last fight. I went up to the arena and honored my opponent.
"You may begin." [Wilharrow]
Unlike Dilyan, this girl didn't use a melee weapon. Matter of fact, I don't think she was going to go for close range at all since she just took out a bow. It looked quite fancy as well since it was black, gold, and laminated.
"|Burst Arrow|!" [Rila]
She summoned transparent arrows into her hand before flinging them at me with the bow.
"Three arrows at once?" [Solace]
It was impressive that she was able to shoot a handful with such accuracy. In any case, I snatched them out of the air.
"That was eas-" [Solace]
Was what I said before the arrows exploded in my face. It wasn't very harmful. It was just super dusty.
("That's what "Burst Arrow" meant?!") [Solace]
I honestly thought it meant she was going to shoot arrows in bursts of three or something.
"|Root|!" [Rila]
I heard something cut through the air before hearing a sharp thunk by my feet.
"Huh?" [Solace]
I fanned the dust away to see an arrow laying by my feet.
("Yep, that's a trap.") [Solace]
Vines sprang out of the arrow, reaching for my legs. Luckily, I reacted fast enough to jump away at the last second.
("Isn't this tricky? I should close the distance.") [Solace]
I knew that being far away isn't going to do a thing for me against a long range combatant. Therefore, I ran straight at her.
"E-Eek! |Stone Golem|!" [Rila]
She looked a bit scared of me as I made a mad dash for her. Perhaps Rila was caught off guard by how fast I was.
("Almost there.") [Solace]
Rila tried to create distance by leaping backwards, but I was already right on her. Just as I was about to grab her bow, I was pulled back.
"Eh?" [Solace]
Next thing I knew, I was slammed into the arena flooring.
"Urgh!" [Solace]
I let out a groan as the sun hit my eyes. I shielded my face from the light, allowing me to see the perpetrator that grabbed me.
("...The hell is that?") [Solace]
A rocky figure, kind of like a mannequin, had a hold of my leg.
("|Analyze|.") [Solace]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Name: N/A
Race: Golem
Class: Stone Golem
Gender: N/A
Age: N/A
Level: 26
Health: 2000
Mana: 0
Strength: 600
Agility: 100
Intelligence: 11
Willpower: 0
Status: Stable
Skills: |Hammer Swing Lv. 5| |Tenacity L.v 8|
Unique Skill: |Self Destruct Lv. 2|
Titles: N/A
True Titles: N/A
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
("Ayo?!") [Solace]
The stats weren't even noteworthy. It was just |Self Destruct| that terrified me.
("That thing is definitely going to latch on to me.") [Solace]
The first thing I needed to do was to get it to let go of me. So, I shattered its arm with a kick.
"There we go." [Solace]
I got up quickly as it tried to grab me with its other arm.
("At least it's slow.") [Solace]
As I began to move out of the way, I noticed a few arrows coming my way.
("Not again!") [Solace]
This was giving me flashbacks of fighting Dilyan. Dealing with both long range and close range is annoying on a whole 'nother level.
"|Earthen Shield|." [Solace]
I made a dirt wall that caught the arrows. On the other hand, I still had to deal with the golem.
"|Wind Edge|." [Solace]
I cut off the golem's legs, forcing it to crawl. It was then that I realized it had begun to regenerate.
("Oh. So THAT'S what |Tenacity| does.") [Solace]
"|One Shot|!" [Rila]
Is what I heard before an arrow pierced my |Earthen Shield|.
"Woah!" [Solace]
Thanks to my quick reflexes, I ducked under it.
("I think I've had enough of this.") [Solace]
I grabbed and pulled the wall of dirt off the ground. I know this may sound like a "Jukhan" kind of move, but I kind of just threw it at Rila.
"You're kidding!" [Rila]
She jumped out of the way, only to find me standing right in front of her.
"Hi." [Solace]
Rila quickly raised her bow at me and knocked an arrow.
"Nuh uh." [Solace]
To put it simply, I yoinked the bow and snapped it in half.
"Game over." [Solace]
She had a stunned expression, which changed into determination as she stepped back.
"|Self Destruct|." [Rila]
"...What?" [Solace]
I felt something heavy place itself on my back. What do you think it was? That's right, it's that stupid golem.
"Crap-" [Solace]
That damn golem blasted itself to bits in an attempt to take me down with it.
"Wow! I never expected such a turnaround!" [Urth]
"It was a very clever display." [Ross]
At this point in time, my ears were ringing. I had asked Master what they said so I could write it down instead.
"I believe we should call the healers." [Grotto]
Master raised a hand.
"I disagree. Let it play out." [Vincent]
"Vincent, I understand your faith in your student. However, he needs treatment." [Grotto]
"Actually, I agree with Vincent. I don't think it's over yet." [Wilharrow]
"What? Sir Wilharrow, how can you agree-" [Grotto]
"Just watch. You will understand." [Wilharrow]
As the smoke cleared, and the ringing in my ears subsided, I found myself face to face with Rila wearing a stupefied expression.
"Good to see you again. By the way, that frickin' hurt." [Solace]
"You have gained |Experience|. |Experience| limit reached. |Temperance| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
I was pretty damn pissed.
"I… I…" [Rila]
Rila stuttered as she tried to convey something to me. In the end, she gave up on that and raised her hands.
"I… surrender." [Rila]