"So, you're telling me that I, who was supposed to be incapable of using magic, now have access to mana since we've combined?" Aiken's gaze was fixed on his altered reflection. His once-familiar appearance had transformed into something ethereal – a pale complexion, hair as white as snow, and a striking combination of violet and red eyes, with intricate runes adorning his right eye.
"Yep, that's the gist of it. But remember, even with this newfound power, you're still in a villager's body. So, exercise caution or you might end up self-destructing," Althea cautioned, her tone tinged with a hint of concern.
Aiken's lips curled into a sinister smile, a sight that sent a wave of unease through the surrounding birds, causing them to take flight. "And why exactly do I have someone else's face now?" Aiken's fingers traced the glowing runes etched onto his right eye.
"That's the price for committing a taboo," Althea replied matter-of-factly, her words wiping away the fleeting smile that had appeared on Aiken's lips, as if it was never there.
"A Taboo?" Aiken's expression turned somber as he pulled up his hood, blocking out some of Althea's incessant protests. Despite the barrage of her warnings echoing in his mind, he pressed on with unwavering determination. His journey continued, marked by Althea's relentless screams that seemed to pierce through his thoughts like sharp needles.
After a relentless mental struggle, Aiken finally arrived at the next town. The atmosphere inside the town's inn was charged with excitement as the live broadcast of the Top 100 player battle captivated the attention of everyone present.
"The thrill of battle continues today! This live broadcast is brought to you by yours truly, SONG, from the Orion Arena!" Song's charismatic voice echoed throughout the inn, captivating the crowd's attention. "With the top 15 players missing, today's battles promise to be even more intriguing! Isn't that right, folks? This is your first and last chance to claim the top spot! So let's give it our all!"
As Song's words roused the crowd, cheers erupted in the inn. The announcers, Genesis and Halo, took over, providing commentary on the unfolding semi-finals. The competitors within the arena fought with determination, and the crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch.
Amidst the spectacle, a heavily armored man with an imposing sword approached Aiken, who remained focused on the screen. "You're new here, aren't you?" the man asked, attempting to strike up a conversation. Aiken spared a brief glance in his direction but quickly returned his attention to the screen. A figure resembling an assassin emerged on the screen, drawing even louder cheers from the crowd.
"CheeseBurger?" Aiken read the name aloud, incredulous. "You're not familiar with him, huh? Well, he wasn't part of the Top 100 before, but now he's fighting in the arena to claim the top rank. He kind of looks like 'Cziell,' but I suppose you wouldn't know him – he's history now," the man beside Aiken explained, his words laced with a touch of mockery.
Aiken's internal thoughts wandered for a moment, pondering how he could be compared to something as mundane as fast food. The energy in the inn intensified as the spotlight shifted to CheeseBurger, hailed as the dark horse of the battle. With graceful agility and precise strikes, CheeseBurger showcased his prowess, wielding daggers crafted from the teeth of a cave dragon found in the Snow Land.
Despite the lively atmosphere, Aiken's focus remained on the screen, his mind consumed by a determination to uncover the truth and locate the missing 14.
The battle commenced, and CheeseBurger's movements were nothing short of perfection. Swiftly evading his opponent's attacks, he exhibited the prowess of an offensive player. His adversary, a stout man with a beard and heavy armor, specialized in defense. However, such a strategy wasn't enough against the relentless onslaught of CheeseBurger's attacks. Seizing an opportune moment, CheeseBurger darted towards the beard-clad foe's blind spot, his daggers finding their mark with a critical hit that pierced through the man's eye and into his head.
"OMO! What a flashy move from CheeseBurger! Kuhu is facing a tough situation!" the announcers exclaimed in amazement. Despite being caught momentarily, CheeseBurger managed to regain his balance and execute a graceful landing, showcasing his elegant combat style. With swift efficiency, CheeseBurger concluded the battle, prompting a wave of enthusiastic cheering from the crowd.
Aiken, on the verge of leaving the inn, found himself captivated by the unfolding spectacle. As he was about to exit, a new challenger emerged on the screen, wearing a black robe reminiscent of the one Althea had provided him. The enigmatic figure remained nameless, earning the moniker "ANONYMOUS" from the announcer due to his brief previous battles.
Despite Aiken's reluctance to stay, his attention remained glued to the screen. Althea's interruption urged him to leave, but he couldn't tear his gaze away. The battle began, and to everyone's astonishment, it was over in a mere three seconds. The camera barely had time to capture the swift movement before CheeseBurger's body was horrifically crushed, prompting the need for censorship. A sense of bewilderment and shock rippled through the crowd.
Yet, the abrupt end of the battle was overshadowed by a surprising turn of events. The victor pulled down their hood, revealing themselves to be none other than "MS. RAM," the fabled strongest player of Lethe Online. The audience erupted in disbelief and excitement at her triumphant return. "HI! EVERYONE, I'M BACK!!!" Ram's proclamation filled the room, marking her triumphant resurgence on the virtual battlefield.
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