Vol.2 Chapter 4 Chu

Vol.2 Chapter 4 Chu

My opponent in front of me, a quiver strapped across her back drew her bow, intending to aim and fire at me the first moment possible. I tightened my grip on the butterfly swords in response, feeling the familiar weight and balance in my hands, preparing for the challenge ahead.

3...2...1... Duel Start!

As the signal for battle rang, I launched forward while dodging the wind arrow she let fly, aiming to close the distance between us and disrupt her rhythm. But Zephyr was swift, stepping back just enough to maintain her advantage. Her arrows continued to whistle through "the air, each one a miniature wind arrow seeking its target.

After a couple of minutes of back and forth of our usual dance, she finally ran out of mana. It helps that I already have a grasp of her play style and the speed of her arrows, making it easier for me to dodge her wind arrows or parry her normal arrows.

Having no mana left, she has to result in using only normal arrows that I can parry. This match is as good as won.

As I got near her with a combination of parries and dodges, she frantically used her wooden arrows to dissuade my movements. But by then, the match was already settled. I easily parried all of her attacks while continuing to close the gap between us.

I finally succeeded in getting close to her. An archer who is not able to keep their distance is as good as dead against a skilled melee fighter unless they are proficient in hand-to-hand combat, which very few players are gifted at.

I did the fastest combo attacks I could to capitalize on the opportunity presented before me.

Zephyr

HP: 1%

You won the duel! Congratulations!

The duel ended before she died, it was not set in deathmatch mode to begin with so none of us could possibly die given the settings at hand.

“Oww, ow, ouch! You’re too rough, can’t you be gentler?” she pleaded.

I ignored the innuendo.Fiind updated novels at novelhall.com

“We cannot improve ourselves if we don’t give it our all.”

“Fine... still, can’t a strong man like you go a little bit easy on a frail lady like me?” she fluttered her eyes as if to make a point.

“There is no such thing as genders on a battlefield,” I shut her down.

“Hmmm, Fair enough, I don’t like to be underestimated either. Tell you what, how about one last fight, with stakes this time?” she smiled slyly at the suggestion.

I stared at her, urging her to continue.

“You see, the whole Magic Atelier team and I will be having a fan meet and greet event near the ‘Champion’s Brawl’ tournament venue. It was preset a while ago because we were supposed to be participating in the tournament, but sadly, we got matched into you guys,” she stared at me accusatorily.

I broke eye contact, feeling a little guilty. I know quite well that I should not feel remorseful because that is just the spirit of competition, but I still do.

“Oh, don’t misunderstand, I’m not blaming you guys or anything! You were the better team and deserved that slot. Anyway, what I’m getting at is, the event has been established way back, and a lot of our fans are planning to attend so we cannot cancel it.”

“...What does it have to do with the bet?”

“Oh, that’s simple, I want you to attend the meet and greet if I win!” she flashed a toothy grin.

“...I don’t like joining those types of events.”

“I can tell,” she said in a monotone voice. “That is why we’re having a bet, if you lose, then you have to go!” she continued.

“...And if I win?”

“Hmmm... then you don’t have to go?”

There is nothing in it for me then.

“I don’t think it’s a fair bet...” I voiced out the obvious.

“Oh, is Mr. NambaWan backing down? How can you call yourself ‘the’ number one if you back down from these types of challenges,” she goaded.

“The name was not my idea in the first place. A friend of mine changed my user name as a prank.”

A makeshift clothesline stretched from one corner of the house to a crooked pole, bearing laundry that seemed to have weathered countless washes. The yard, though modest, held signs of life—the bicycle that I often used when I was a child leaned against a wall, its tires deflated, awaiting repair and replacement.

My heart pounded as I got close to the door to my house.

I opened it, preparing for the upcoming confrontation as I entered. I was immediately greeted by my mother sitting on the small sofa of our lounge using her phone.

“You’re quite early today, you don’t have anyone to tutor this time?”

My heart doubled its beat as I prepared what to say. I cannot hide it anymore, I've been putting it long enough because of my apprehension and fear. I have to let my mother know the truth. She has always been a traditionalist and slow to adapt to changes therefore, I do not know what her reaction will be after this conversation.

It’s now or never, Chu. I thought to myself as I tried to muster the courage.

“Mother, I have something to tell you."

“What is it,” she replied, matching my seriousness.

Sensing my solemnity, she put away her phone, ready to hear me out.

“Mother I am going to LA,” I stated, my voice quivering.

“Why? You know we don't have money for trips,” She queried, confusion evident in her face.

“I... I have a gaming tournament to join,” I finally let it out, apprehension palpable in my voice.

Her look of shock and disbelief at my words tore through me, making me more anxious about what was to come.

“Please listen first, If I win the tournament, we could have the cash prize!” I immediately added.

“No, you listen! All that game nonsense is just temporary. Focus on your studies so you can find a stable source of income after graduating or you will regret it one day! I’m telling this for your sake, for you to be happy!”

“You don't know what makes me happy! The thrill of fighting strong opponents. The rivals and friends I make through duels. The feeling of getting better at my play style every single day. Those are the things that make me feel glad to be alive!” I exclaimed.

“When will you grow up and stop playing those games for kids?! Listen to your mother for once!”

“The life you want for me is not what I want, Mother! I... I want to be a professional gamer someday...” I finally let it out.

“Tsk! I told you that kind of thing is unreliable! When you get older and are not able to play at your best anymore, where will it take you? Not to mention it would be too hard for you to become one in the first place with all the young kids these days competing for it!”

“...Even if it is hard, I still want to try, at least... I will have no regrets even if I fail.”

"Tsk! Why won't you just listen, you ungrateful child!? I don't work my ass off every day just for you to play around! Study hard, get a stable job, get a wife, and have a family that is how you can live an honest and happy life!"

"That is not the life I want! That is what you want! I have my own wishes and dreams too! Just because you raised me does not mean you have the right dictate every aspect of my life!" I raised my voice for the first time in our argument.

*Slap

I suddenly heard ringing in my head even before I registered what happened.

"I did not raise you to be this disrespectful," she warned, her voice filled with a stern tone. "Don't you dare raise your voice at me!"

I was speechless. Is it too much to ask for a chance to prove myself? To have her support in trying to pursue my dreams?

Do I really have no choice but to follow the road set by society for me?

...No, I will make my own future.

I turned around, walked towards the stairs, and went to my room.

“Chu Xiaolong! We are not done yet! Get back here!” she exclaimed.

I ignored her and slammed the door shut. Thankfully she did not follow me up the stairs or I do not know what I would have done.

I decided that night that I would do everything I could to win the tournament and prove her wrong.

Whatever it takes.