Because of Jake's connections, Casual Clowns could log into the game world from their hotels and respawn in the tournament realm.
The esports island was now exclusive to them.
Casual Clowns walked the thoroughfare toward the arena. The mood between them was tense, as no one had spoken.
Even Shaw and Damien were as silent as mute people.
It was only when these five sat in the arena's seats that the first conversations began.
Staring at Jake and Justin getting onto the stage, Shaw asked, "Who will win?"
Damien crossed his arms and replied, "Jake. Can't you see the difference between the tournament and the current him?"
His sister added, "He looks much more confident. He's like a man who knows what exactly he wants."
Arthur nodded, "Justin has changed a lot, too. I don't see any of his usual timidness. He's staring right into Jake's eyes as they're about to clash. He's matured."
Liza whispered, "Love brought out their better sides?"
Damien smiled. "Love is like a confidence potion."
While it was sad that their international run would end in such a way, Casual Clowns could see the positives of this outcome. None of them expected these two to fight because of women, though.
But it was those people who stirred changes in Jake and Justin.
Justin spoke for himself and acted for his own happiness. He didn't stay back, swallowing his feelings. Alas, his execution was the problem, but Damien would ensure Justin would understand it.
On the other hand, Jake...
[Your duel with Last Coin will commence in ten seconds.]
[Nine... eight... seven...]
[...three... two... one...]
"THE APOCALYPSE!" Justin howled.
His mana swept through the entire arena. Even Jake could feel it. In the next moment, simple spells took their common form before becoming different versions of themselves, mimicking other elements.
Their might encompassed the whole arena, with each skill threatening to hit Jake from a different angle. So many swirled around and loomed over him that Jake stood still like a man about to be executed.
He was in Justin's cauldron!
Arthur said, "He's going all out! Generally speaking, a mage like Justin has an advantage in an open arena without obstacles. He can create Earth Walls, for instance. It gives him such an edge that I'm surprised Jake agreed for them to duel here."
Damien harrumphed, "Jake lost against Golden Coin exactly in such an arena. You should know better. And if he didn't have any problem with that, then it only means he's that confident."
Rebecca said, "It looks like a fake or forced confidence at this point."
Her brother however only curved his lips up. He didn't look worried about Jake even when Justin started combining his elements to strengthen his apocalypse and make it more effective against Jake's archery.
It wasn't like Damien didn't know about a humid zone that was more than a cover against arrows. He understood Jake so well because Damien could see the younger himself in him.
For this reason, he knew that Jake wasn't faking his confidence.
In the first place, The Apocalypse's prowess was in its quantity. It'd be challenging for Jake to defeat the apocalypse along with Justin's scheme if he were himself prior to meeting Meredith.
She had enabled him to reach a new level. For her sake, he swore to become so selfish that he would utterly defeat his friend.
This vision was becoming true with each second.
When Jake landed on the ground in a soft step, Justin's Apocalypse was riddled with holes. Jake could see him well despite the mist doing its best to cover him.
"I am... Joker," Jake said as he sneered at his friend. "This is Joker's Archery."
Jake lurched forward, storming in Justin's direction. Magic in their simple yet fantastic forms twitched before going at him like a stampede of monsters.
Jake nocked eight arrows on his bowstring and drew the short anchor. He didn't need his full strength to defeat this magic. Which translated into him shooting a volley after volley!
Magic crumbled around him, and Jake hadn't stopped.
He had awakened, both in the game and in real life. His Joker Form lacked multiple arrows release to truly reach its potential, while Jake needed to believe in himself to enable one of his forms.
The past events have helped Jake become stronger.
And with his new conviction and confidence, he turned himself into an absolute powerhouse.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
His arrows continuously destroyed The Apocalypse. The humid zone that was a problem for many archers couldn't stop Jake!
All that hurled at him shattered under Joker's swift archery!
The howls were so condescending that their sound was akin to chuckles in Justin's ears.
Jake stepped into the humid zone and approached his friend.
He kept a distance so that Justin couldn't come up with a trick.
Jake sneered. "Have fun in Europe."
He drew the highest anchor...
...and defeated Last Coin.
[You have killed Last Coin Lv. 30]
The rematch was more one-sided than it could have been.
Jake felt such immense satisfaction that he didn't know whether he was happy about his archery or connecting his server with Europe's Server.
Jake logged out.
.net
He quickly bathed before leaving the room in his casual clothes.
He headed over to Meredith to check on her.
He hoped she'd smile today.