The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 40: Your attention please. (Part 3)

The rest of our team easily made it through the round of 32 with nothing much to say. There was a clear skill gap between us and them, even Maggie who had little to do with the real Areithia was significantly stronger than a regular player. When it came down to it, real life experience was key and other players were starting to catch on. There was a reason why Zen's channel had been blowing up and she had even started to show recordings of herself in game.

I was again up first for the round of 16. As I entered the stage a cloaked player appeared. They were covered head to foot in black and brown fabrics with only a line for their eyes to see from.

"I'm A.Friend. Let's have a good match," I greeted them smiling.

"I know who you are," the player began roughly. "Big fan actually. I call myself Artemis."

"Thanks Artemis," I nodded to them. It was impossible to tell if they were a male or female from the voice.

As the field selection appeared I chose open stage and Artemis chose woodlands. I expected as much as judging from their equipment they were some kind of ranger. The stage changed growing large thick trees that stretched upwards several dozen metres. While the base of the trees lacked branches, there were plenty above. As I had chosen an open stage, the trees were further spread apart and less dense.

We took our positions. 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... BATTLE START! I took my stance and breathed slowly, calming the energy within my body. Artemis immediately disappeared from sight and sprang into the trees. They were camouflaged well and visually I was unable to see them. Then the first arrow launched towards me. I deflected it into the ground. Another fired but this time from the opposite side. I smiled as I deflected it as well. Judging from the timing, he either was exceptionally fast or was playing tricks.

"You really are as good as I thought," Artemis' voice came from nowhere. "But just how many can you stop?"

My senses suddenly jumped in alarm as I felt dozens of arrows fire towards me. I grit my teeth. It really would be a challenge to only use Flow here but I was prepared to take it on. My body moved following the slight changes in the energy around me. His arrows were being guided by mana, shot and strengthened by Aura. I closed my eyes and began to move, following my instincts. Interestingly my footwork was easy, reminding me of the dances I had been taught before. As the last arrow approached, I counter attacked and instead of deflecting the arrow into the ground, I guided it back to its owner.

Artemis fell from the trees in shock as the arrow punctured their shoulder, "Seriously?"

"Yep," I leapt towards him, activating the leap skill. Artemis fired his bow as I hounded towards him but by now I had perfectly read his energy and the arrows flew away almost by themselves. I landed in front of them and Artemis swung down with a dagger. His response was perfect but exactly what I wanted. My hand guided his blade and allowed the energy he exerted to seep inside before returning it to him two fold.

"Shit," Artemis gasped as suddenly he was flipped into a spiralling mass and slammed into the ground. Artemis groaned and I finished them with a punch that broke through the earth. The last attack wasn't using Flow but I couldn't think of a way to finish them off otherwise.

"You were impressive," I said as Artemis began to disappear.

They laughed, "Good luck for the World Championships."

"Thanks."

**

The round of 8 was when things got more serious. Unlike before all matches would be played out one at a time and my opponent this time was Maggie.