Whew. Dying’s a new experience.
After coming back to life in a place known as the Temple of Revival, I’d made my way to an open area where the spectators were all gathered.
By the way, if you’re wondering how I got my bow back after throwing it away in the arena, it had spun like a boomerang with enough intensity to smash through the interdimensional barrier and make it back to me. Impressive stuff.
The plaza was suddenly full of energy when the tens of thousands of spectators saw me arrive. Some cheered “Ahhh! It’s the Demon Lord!” while others screamed “Arrrgh! It’s the Demon Lord!”
“Whoa, you’re stunning up close!” someone told me. “W-Would you mind if I took a screenshot...?”
“Stay back!” warned someone else. “Don’t be fooled by the pretty face! She’s ruthless! I should know! I was in the arena with her!”
“I couldn’t believe it. I always thought bows were worthless trash once an enemy gets up close, but I never thought I’d see someone throw their bow away like literal trash to start using their fists instead! Who’d have thought a ranged weapon user would be so eager to throw a punch?!”
“It looked like she was more comfortable throwing punches than drawing the bow... Combine that with her glamorous looks, and it’s like she’s a crime boss!”
The players were all keeping their eyes glued on me while giving me a wide berth.
Heh heh heh. Feels good to be famous. Now I ought to give my fans what they want! “Thank you, thank you! Since you all enjoyed watching my first battle royale so much, rejoice! I plan to join the second one!”
“Demon Lord Yuri, please no!” everyone cried.
Why are they trying to stop me?! I don’t get it! Well, I’m joining, whatever they say!
For a short while things were hectic. Players I’d killed in the first match were getting mad at me, while other summoners and bow wielders were coming over to thank me, saying “We’re going to give it another shot!”
Before long, I noticed a bright light coming from behind me and turned around to see Odin himself had teleported to us! His unannounced arrival had me and everyone else shocked.
“Is this a surprise attack?!” I said. “If it’s another battle, then I’m up for it! Let’s do this!”
“Hold on a moment!” Odin replied. “You’re the one person I’d rather not fight!”
“You sure? Today taught me how fun it is to beat people up.”
“Eek. We’ve created a monster!” For a second, the old man genuinely looked terrified, but then he composed himself and cleared his throat. “Ah, ahem! I am here for but one reason! As the winner of the first battle royale, you have earned my praise! I believe we all owe this brave warrior a hearty round of applause!”
The crowd erupted into a storm of clapping, and everyone’s cheers once again filled the plaza. Well, there were a few players I’d defeated (such as Korin) who remained quiet and pale, but even they relented when I showed them my friendly side. “Hopefully I’ll run into some of you out in the field,” I told them, just to let them know I was up for some cooperative play. They all reacted by twitching, then trembling, and finally clapping like broken toys with tears in their eyes. What a weird bunch!
Once the applause had died down a little, the old guy continued. “There’s something I’d like to say not just to Yuri, but to every brave fighter here. The event points you’ve just earned may be exchanged for limited items and limited skills! And since event points have no expiration date, you may hold on to them indefinitely, should you prefer. I anticipate that the number of items available for exchange will increase in the future.”
Ooh! Limited items and skills! I like the sound of that! The 30,000 points I got in the first battle ought to be enough to buy whatever I want. And there’s still four more battle royales to go! I’m only just getting started! Mwah ha ha ha!
“And for our victors, I have a very special reward! Each winner of a battle royale will be granted the right to establish their own guild home!”
The old man’s announcement caused a stir among all the players, me included. “A guild home...?!”
A guild was an organization formed by a group of players. Some games called them clans. Oh, yeah... I remember hearing that Blade Skill Online was supposed to have guilds...
“Mwuh huh huh,” Odin laughed. “Quite the shock, I’m sure! Let me make the announcement official here and now! Following a software update due the day after tomorrow, there will be a guild system! There are also plans for special events and quests specifically for guilds! I do hope you’ll all enjoy!”
The old man’s announcement was met with a huge cheer.
That really does sound fun. If you’ve got to be in a guild to take part, then maybe it’ll be a guild war! A war sure sounds nice. I’d love to be caught up in one! It’ll be just like those old yakuza movies my grandpa used to show me! I’ve always wanted to experience something like that!
“A lone man risking it all to storm rival headquarters and take out an old enemy,” I said to myself. “That’s the kind of action I’m looking for.”
“Wh-What a disturbing thing for our victor to say! I shall pretend I didn’t hear it!” Odin continued his announcement. “You can also look forward to more story quests, a video streaming feature, and even more after a short break for maintenance. Oh, and...there will of course be some tweaks to several skills and classes for the sake of balance...”
For some reason, everyone was looking at me.
I dunno what they’re looking at me for. I’m using a summoner, bow, and pure luck build—the weakest options. No one’s going to nerf good old Yuri!
Oh, maybe they’re gonna make me stronger?! I can’t wait!
My excitement was growing as Odin continued his speech.
“And finally... Well... I was just in an impromptu meeting with the rest of the staff and— Uh, no, I mean, I convened my ministers for a council, and the following resolution was passed! Yuri, in recognition of the incredible power you’ve shown me during the first battle royale, I see fit to bestow upon you the title of Renowned Player!”
“R-Renowned?!” Oh, wow! What does that even mean?! Maybe the title comes with cool items! Whatever it is, I just know it’ll be awesome!
“As a Renowned Player, you have earned the right to sit in the commentary booth and share your thoughts on each upcoming battle royale! To everyone else, let me assure you, Demon Lord Yuri will be sitting out of the subsequent battles. You may participate without fear!”
“Thank God!” everyone cried at once.
Hey, hold on a second! Who said I wanted to do commentary?! My rampage is just getting started! No!!! Why?!
A message had just appeared in front of me saying “Congratulations! You have been chosen as a guest commentator! (You may not participate for the remainder of the event.)”
“And now I must disappear! Goodbye!”
“Thanks, King Odin!” everyone shouted.
“Hey, Odin, you can’t leave!” I cried. “Let me fight some more! I wanna kill more people! I was just gearing up to go nuts!”
Odin quickly teleported like he was trying to get away from me.
My plan to assume the role of hero and make everyone think twice about bad-mouthing summoners, bows, and pure luck builds had been a huge success, but in the process, I’d fallen victim to an evil ploy by the devs. They’d kicked me out of the event!
This isn’t over, devs... I’ll be out for vengeance again, and you’ll be my new target! This sucks!
[The Event Is Over] General Discussion Thread 300 [Nice Fighting!]