Everyone in the Great Arena is taking a small break before the semifinals.

After went back to the waiting area, a janitor party of macho men bombard the ring to kingdom come in order to destroy any [Recall] disc she might have missed during her cleanup. That certainly is more efficient than spending another ten minutes trying to find and pick them up by hand, and totally not because these maniacs have been itching to blow stuff up.

Why did they not do it earlier to avoid wasting time? They were not aware of those discs, and when they learned of the discs' existence, they were occupied because of reasons that might or might not have involved a long theory-crafting discussion with in their waiting room. Their guildmaster would ban them from watching tournaments on the clock afterwards, but it was totally worth it.

_ Choruse: Planned or not, it looks like we will have a guild-versus-guild situation between and . What do you think of this development, ?

_ Vladina: Feeling sad because it developed too fast to have a loli in the semifinals.

_ Choruse: Aside from little girls, please.

_ Vladina: Well, one is filled with mostly old-timers and led by a newbie, while the other is full of newbies and managed by old-timers. Neither has a dominant fighting style so there is no telling what is going to happen in the coming matches, especially after the flashy displays from . At the same time, players both have [Artifact]-grade equipment and status advantage over their respective opponents. I would not count them out just yet.

_ Melodyn: It is ironic, isn't it~? For our guild to be fighting at a status disadvantage. Who do you think will become the champion?

_ Vladina: Bragging, aren't you…? Forget the finals, I don't even know how the upcoming match would go! Analysis needs a lot of preparation you know!? Give a warning at least three days in advance before surprising me with new playstyles!!!

_ Melodyn: It would not be a surprise anymore in that case…

_ Vladina: I don't care! I am a sage who obtained knowledge by actual scientific methodologies, not a suspicious old prophet walking around villages spouting conspiracies after conspiracies until the last boss accidentally commits one of them!

The guildmaster of has snapped. She is not the most patient person when dealing with surprises, or pretty much anything unknown really.

_ Vladina: Ehem! Sorry, lost my cool there. Anyway, I honestly do not know what will happen from this point on out. Theorize all you want, but that will be just as useful as a coin toss. Actually, tossing a coin is faster, and there is no false assumption driving you to the wrong conclusion.

_ Choruse: Huh… Did you get heads or tails?

_ Vladina: …That's confidential information.

In the last few minutes of the break, the spectators scramble to find who to bet on, starting with and in Block A. A good chunk of them are not good at crunching numbers, so they resort to the second-best course of action, which is listening to the expert and tossing a coin. The curious overseeing Goddess pulls the statistics and finds the average odds roughly 50-50, predictably.

Other players don't rely on their luck when their savings are at stake. They calmly analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each combatant, past performance indicators as well as other factors that will affect the match. Considering how little time they have, the amount of theories and arguments thrown around is astounding, even for an AI.

As for the odds the number crunchers come up with… Also 50-50.

…There's no way that was intentional.

Still, the little guildmaster did in fact give correct advice, even if she did not mean it that way. A bullseye's a bullseye though, so a reward is in order.

[Condition fulfilled. Unlocked Title: "Fortunate Teller"]

[Fortunate Teller: The person who tells the odds, who also happens to be fortunate. Allow inspection of probabilities using the insights of the Goddess.]

_ Vladina: What the heck is this!!!

_ Choruse: …Sis, I think is going through little girls withdrawal.

_ Vladina: I am not! Actually, I am! But that's not the problem here!

Through sheer dumb luck, once again solidifies her position as the most knowledgeable player in the game. With the newfound power, there is no secret, even those of RNGod, will be out of her grasp!

Except for how she actually got this title, that is! It doesn't count if Sateri-chan refuses to disclose the unlock condition for it!

____________

The semifinal of Block A starts off quite… peacefully. As peacefully as a duel can get anyway.

There was no verbal abuse, no shouting contest, no nothing. Not even a hateful glare between the combatants! Sure, and are acquaintances, and the gentleman warrior was never one to ask to be stepped on so there was no reason for them to lash out at each other. Problem is, when almost every interaction before a match is hostile, the ones that are not are more terrifying in comparison.

_ Hessenria: Nothing against you, , but I'll have to ask you to die here.

_ Ignar: No offense taken. Out of curiosity… What will happen if you actually win the tournament?

_ Hessenria: *Shrugs* I date myself for a day on the clock, or as you guys usually call it, "Paid time off".

_ Ignar: Hahaha, fair enough. Say, what do you think about letting me have this match, and in return, I leave you alone on the date. It's not like you girls need the rewards your guildmaster donated to the tournament in the first place. Win-win, right?

_ Melodyn: Hey~! No flirting with the barmaid~!

Indeed, did not join the tournament for the money, nor the dumplings. She mostly joined to avoid being thrown into a date with a weirdo first and foremost, and some backdoor deals with second. just all but said out loud that he wasn't interested in dating her, so if he wins this match and the next, the waitress will not be forced to do anything anyway.

…Somehow, that kind of pisses her off. Of course not everyone is into her appearance and personality, but getting a preemptive rejection in the face still hurts her pride a bit.

Yup, let's murder him.

_ Hessenria: Sorry, I'll have to decline your offer. Now please die on the double.

The cold glare back at full power, much to the surprise and joy of the spectators.

_ Ignar: Wait, why?!

_ Choruse: Confession failed. Now fight!

_ Melodyn: A maiden's heart is complicated, isn't it~?

More like a death trap with no way out, think the single players sitting around the arena.

*BOOM* *BOOM*

Two almost simultaneous explosions engulfed both and right off the start. Before anyone could comprehend the situation, the mighty warrior had rushed out of the dust cloud.

_ Ignar: UUUUUOOOOOOOOHHH!!!

And with a heroic battle cry, he charges towards the other cloud, where his opponent is supposed to be.

Little did he know, the blond waitress who hacked to death in melee earlier had decided to head out too, in the exact same direction even.

That is to say, she is running the hell away.

_ Ignar: Oh come on! That SPD bomb was expensive you know!?

By the time he realizes what is happening, the distance between them has already increased. Observant viewers would notice that both are more sluggish than usual. Rather than dealing damage, the bombs appear to have SPD-debuffing effect as their main purpose.

_ Hessenria: And you think mine wasn't?! [Dark Bolt]!

And so, the fight between the wielders of a greatsword and dual swords started off with bombs and long-ranged magical assaults, contrary to all expectations. No epic sword clash is to be seen. Then again, it's hard to stab someone from a distance that the only arm capable of reaching is firearm…

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What followed was one of the weirdest almost-mirror match known in the game's history. Except for one side constantly dashing away and shooting magical bolts at the other, their actions were pretty much identical.

would use a consumable to remove his own SPD debuff, and would without fail use one as well.

He would then throw a new bomb to add in a new debuff, and so would she once the item cooldown wore off. It seemed like they had bought their consumables from the same place, which was 's shops, hence even their item cooldowns were the same.

Then they brought out the skills, also to buff and debuff SPD. Of course, they were using the exact skills of their opponent. Both obviously have many other skills, but anything that can change running speed takes the highest priority. Only after having all of them on cooldown do the gladiators try to kill each other.

Even though that's what they are here for to begin with.

The battle raged on for another ten minutes, making it the longest match in the tournament up until now. The tanky warrior brought way too many potions to be considered reasonable, and the waitress was barely dealing damage, focusing on keeping her distance and all that, so it was to be expected. The constant chase was pretty intense though, so no one is complaining.

_ Ignar: [Weapon Throw]!

Somewhere along the way, added throwing his sword to his action list, probably out of desperation. It was a literally long shot at best, but he simply did not have a better alternative. At least it's not a mirror match anymore, since did not need to hurl her swords to deal damage. Her bolts are stronger, faster, and most importantly, have homing.

Like the protagonist of a tragedy plot, the gallant hero struggled until the bitter end.

A miracle did not happen, however, and went down with his face full of [Dark Bolt].

_ Choruse: We have a winner! That said, without her [Artifact] arsenal, is a scaredy-cat, isn't she?

_ Melodyn: I know, right~? If she had used her [Artifact] arsenal, she would have had equipment advantage over too.

_ Hessenria: I am not allowed to use [Artifact] gear here, okay?!

The deceased gladiator shudders (as much as a corpse can anyway) thinking about the amount of [Artifact]-grade equipment he might have to face in future tournaments. He doesn't know why the players from forwent their top gear this time, but he is definitely not counting on it happening again.

Not that it would change the outcome much, really. He knows he is weak against kiting enemies. That's why he bet everything in the first bomb of the match. By slowing down the opponent, he hoped to score a hit to debuff her with [Night]'s effect. As it is a special debuff with no counter, it would have given him an advantage in status, mainly speed, allowing him to catch up and overwhelm the opposition in melee.

Unfortunately, understands that as well, hence her unyielding strategy of maintaining distance no matter the cost.

_ Dead Ignar: Good game, . I really should not plan my strategy around a superweapon that everyone knows about huh.

_ Hessenria: No kidding. If you had landed a hit, I would not have stood a chance. Good game.

It wasn't that the warrior's play was bad, considering how one blow was all he needed to completely turn the tide of the battle in his favor. He just got hard-countered by a bad matchup and an opponent who knows him too well, that's all.

_ Melodyn: This civility is getting on my nerve, so we are going to the next match~!

The lead waitress can only sigh and regret her choice in personnel.

It was probably too late.

____________

_ Maximus: Oi, nub! That teleporting trick of yours is not gonna work on me. Just surrender and get this over with! I have a championship to claim!

The spectators are relieved to see the bad manners coming back to the ring. There is nothing wrong with grace and respect between gladiators per se. However, the general populace's idea of an arena is less of a place for friendly competition and more of a gruesome pit filled with death and violence. They won't feel right without some verbal abuses or snide remarks in some way.

Totally not because they are used to the usual (mis)treatments in the cafeteria, honest.

_ Fuelri: *Shrugs* Sorry, no can do. If you are so confident, then why bother demanding a surrender? You can win without breaking a sweat, can you not?

_ Maximus: Heh, big mouth for a one-trick pony. Empty barrels do make the most noise.

Despite the usual snarky antics, is actually feeling the pressure on the inside. Whether she really meant it or not, 's retort was right on the money. He is sure he is fast enough to evade teleporting shenanigans, but being caught by surprise is a whole different story. In a way, 's heroic (?) sacrifice saved the assassin from suffering the same fate.

Now one question remains: Does this salamander-riding woman have anything else up her sleeve?

Considering his squishiness, anything but a resounding "Hell no!" is bad news. Because his answer to the question was bad news, he tried to negotiate. The execution was much to be desired obviously, but it's the thought that counts.

_ Choruse: Now this is more like an actual murder party… I mean duel. Get ready! And… FIGHT!

The moment it started, the halberd in the supposedly cavalry girl's hand disappears. In its place, a javelin manifests into existence and gets launched towards the ill-mannered archer.

No matter how one looks at it, there's no way that is mounted combat anymore. Even the previous match was already stretching it.

While everyone is stunned by the summoner not summoning anything at the beginning of the fight, is eerily calm. He is used to opponents pulling this kind of surprise attack, and another reason is that has made her shown this hand already.

Even if he will never say his thanks out loud, this arrogant assassin is still capable of acknowledging the help and feeling grateful to the dead guildmaster.

_ Maximus: Ha! Is that all you got? You think you can win against with these cheese plays?

He is in high spirits after thwarting the attempt by simply stepping sideways. If 's plan was to kill him with half-hearted sneak attacks like that, his victory is assured. Sneak attacks are his specialization, after all.

Or maybe, just maybe, cavalry is not solely about devastating charges (as glorious as they are), and may have a different tactic that is constant harassment. The elf girl may have simply exercised the latter to keep the pressure up, but wouldn't know that.

Unlike his opponent, he is not an expert in horse warfare. Seriously, who does that in a game where you can run as fast as one without being tired?

He counterattacks right before can pull out another javelin. The match turns into a shooting contest in which both sides try their best to shaft each other from afar, one that is immensely to the expert archer's advantage. Whether it is speed, weaponries or experience, he is multiple steps ahead of the one in front of him.

Lots of empty quivers later, the so-called cavalry girl has chugged down several potions, yet the salamander is still nowhere in sight.

Although the audience is understandably confused, the min-maxer is not. The explanation is dead simple: Riding that big pet with a horrendous turning rate is bad for evading arrows. Had done that, she would have had a few times more arrows in her face and run out of potions by this point.

_ Maximus: Not so tough now, aren't ya? Drop dead already so I can fight against someone who actually knows what they are doing.

His taunting continues as per the requirements of being a jerk.

_ Fuelri: Always this, that. Don't you know it's rude to keep comparing one lady to another?! For the last time, I will be the one beating her up!

The elf girl who barged into the shop that day to attack does not take kindly to being compared against that very person.

_ Fuelri: Take THIS!!!

If this was a final battle to save the world, she would probably gain a newfound power of friendship (?) with the waitress to overcome her ordeal.

It is not, so what came out of her hand was a normal javelin instead, which spent a minimum effort of stepping to the side then shot back in return. Angry people make more mistakes, and the assassin is pleased with the current situation.

_ Fuelri: How about this!

Same problem, same solution.

_ Fuelri: And this!

Even the trajectory is so predictable, he can evade it in his sleep. Another side step, then pull the bow again. Can't get any simpler than this, really.

Until he realizes that it is not a javelin.

For the whole match, 's offense has been nothing but throwing normal, most likely unenchanted, javelins. Every javelin was aimed at his head without any deviation. That means no attempt to use explosives or deploy [Recall] discs on the ground either. Not that such actions go unnoticed in the first place. Being perceptive is part of 's job description and all that.

In other words, the assassin was only dodging headshots and counterattacking this whole time. It was so monotonous that he subconsciously stopped thinking about objects coming at his face. As a result, he made very little movement on his part to barely get out of harm's way, allowing more time to shoot back.

Combined that conditioning with the elf's outburst, his focus was everywhere else but another supposedly futile attack. That's why he did not notice anything strange until the thrown object was a hand's length away from his face.

Which turns out to be a stone.

_ Fuelri: [Summon]!!!

A [Summon Stone], to be exact.

As per the mistress' order, the audience's favorite salamander of darkness makes its appearance.

Right in 's face.

*WHAM*

There was no time to spew a swear word that requires censoring, let alone calling out a [Leap] to get out of danger.

His overconfidence and min-maxing habit have become his downfall.

_ Fuelri: Ren, [Fire Bomb]!

*BOOM*

Worrying that a simple collision might not be able to one-hit the assassin, has her pet activates a bomb in its inventory, swallowing both it and the target in a fiery explosion.

_ Fuelri: [Dark Breath]!

Adding in an AoE followed a bite even before the dust settles for good measure. She knows she won't get another opportunity like this one, so she is not going to take any chance.

When the cloud finally dissipates, the salamander casually jogs its way back to the owner, with a battered dead body in its mouth.

_ Dead Maximus: WHAT THE *BEEP* WAS THAT!!!

_ Melodyn: The winner is ~! Once again, her love for our leader proves to be capable of overcoming all obstacles!

_ Fuelri: Who the heck would be in love with her?!

_ Spectators: WE ARE!!!

_ Fuelri: You guys shut up!

The fight is over, yet the discussions around the arena seats are heating up rather than slowing down. No, they are not speculating about what did. Apart from the unusual usage of a [Summon Stone], it was pretty straightforward anyway. They are debating a much more philosophical problem:

Does throwing your own mount at the enemy count as a cavalry tactic?

____________

The tournament enters its last break before the final duel.

What everyone expected was a long detailed analysis from , the commentator duo, and maybe an interview with the combatants themselves.

_ ???: Hello, everyone~!

What they did NOT expect was the guildmaster entering the stage in a frilly dress. Behind her are two more ladies in costumes of similar theme, along with a row of muscular dudes in black suits.

The commentators are as dumbfounded as the audience. In fact, is already sighing in defeat, while her sister has a blank look before she speaks in monotone as if she is reading the lines from somewhere.

_ Choruse: Ehm… Preparations for the finals are underway. Please enjoy the performance of 's idol group, Bloody Girls, in the meantime. Have a good day.

It wasn't that she was unfazed. She gave up on trying to comprehend the situation!

_ Cinrald: Thank you, . Everyone, thank you for coming~! We, the Bloody Girls, will officially debut starting today!

That ominous name is more suitable for a gang! Quietly think the players who still have their wits together.

_ Cinrald: Now then, please sit back and enjoy our debut song, composed by Sateri-chan herself: "Light, Dark, Heroes"!

At the background music switched to the new song, jaws were collectively dropped. Most players are not capable of processing this sudden development on top of other weird plays throughout the event. Thankfully, recordings exist, so they can watch the show again after restarting their brain.

"Good song, but too much muscle. 5/10 will only listen without vid."

"Muscles were distracting. Singers were cute though. 6/10"

"Gap moe~"

"Muscle lovers assemble!"

That is if the reviews don't shut their brains down again.