PAST LIFE RETURNER

Side Story 32 – The Day of the Auction - Joshua (3)

There were characters inspired by necromancers and vampires. However, the character Seon-Hu recommended for Joshua was a knight. This suggestion was based on a guide stating that the character was highly recommended for new players because its skill set was simple.

"If you equip items aggressively, then it can also be a powerful dealer."

However, the main reason why he recommended it was different from what he told Joshua. Seon-Hu thought Joshua shouldn't be as gloomy as he had lived thus far. Fortunately, Joshua seemed satisfied.

"I will become your guardian knight."

Now it was Seon-Hu's turn. While helping Joshua, he found himself with only a few seconds left to choose his character. He knew well that if he didn’t select a character within the given time, the match would be canceled, and there were penalties affecting future logins.

Seon-Hu's eyes became busy. The character he had in mind was nowhere to be seen. To be precise, the sheer number of available characters made it overwhelming.

5... 4... 3... 2…

Time was running out.

Damn it. I can't ruin the mood. I have to choose something. After all the effort of bringing Joshua…

In haste, Seon-Hu clicked on a character that caught his eye, frowning. He had originally wanted to choose a character inspired by a Spartan warrior, loving the fact its primary weapon was a spear. Not only that, it had a reliable crowd-control skill that could compensate for the weaknesses of the character he had recommended to Joshua, and it was also a powerful dealer.

However, due to time constraints, he had to choose a character he hadn't tried before.

It was only after transitioning to the waiting screen that Seon-Hu could confirm which character he had selected.

Joshua commented, "Seth?"

The displayed character portrait was undoubtedly Seth, a traditional Egyptian deity with the head of a jackal.

However, Seon-Hu had no time to reply. It was crucial to familiarize himself with this character's skills and suitable items before the game began. One fortunate thing was that the character he hastily chose didn't seem bad. Items and skills named after deities like Osiris, Isis, and Ra were powerful in the Stage of Advent.

Seth...

In the past, the main skill of the Sixth Evil was Seth's Death Wave. Furthermore, Seon-Hu had previously experienced using a skill called Seth's Claw.

In the System, items and skills related to Seth were mainly associated with death attributes. These skills were powerful in themselves and caused excruciating pain to the target, making them more useful than other skills of the same grade.

However, this game's system was different from the Old One’s. In this game, Seth started weak and was designed to become increasingly powerful over time. It was a growth-type character.

Damn. Depicting Seth merely as a growth-type character…? These developers know nothing.

The advantage of having two dealers in the bottom lane was the powerful firepower to annihilate enemies.

In the same attack path, the goal of this strategy was to not give the enemies any time to grow and to expand the advantages gained from the bottom lane to the whole battlefield. However, it seemed challenging to capitalize on such benefits with a character that grew weakly in the early stages.

Maybe it's better to give up on this game now. It's my mistake. Nothing can be done.

Seon-Hu turned his head to explain the situation to Joshua, but when he saw the determination in Joshua's eyes, waiting for the game to start, he hesitated.

That was the problem. The game had already started.

***

[swordss: ?]

[rediw: ?]

[poroto: ?]

[poroto: We lost this game.]

[poroto: Seriously, what the hell?]

[swordss: Those troll idiots. We should've known when they said they're a duo. Look at their matching nicknames.]

Seon-Hu thought he couldn't help but bear the complaints from his allies. They didn't know who 'gamer_ethan' and 'gamer_butler' were, and choosing the wrong character was nobody's fault.

Then, Joshua began rapidly typing on his keyboard.

Tap. Tap. Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap.

[gamer_butler: Just because you're anonymous doesn't mean you'll be forgiven.]

[gamer_butler: Every word should carry dignity.]

[gamer_butler: My master and I will annihilate the enemies, so you guys just watch.]

[rediw: LMAO]

[poroto: LMAO]

[swordss: Play the game well first, butler. Isn't this round impossible to win even for you?]

[rediw: Let's just surrender at 15 minutes and report.]

"Indeed, this strategy seems unconventional. But..."

Joshua's voice sounded grim as he suppressed his anger.

It's not that. The bigger issue is that I chose the wrong character. Maybe.

Seon-Hu couldn't bring himself to say that. It would only fuel Joshua's competitive spirit. Being new to the game, he took many things into account, but he never considered an absolute defeat.

Joy always arose from securing the final victory in their camp, regardless of how many battles they lost.

The strategy I had in mind went wrong from the start. I can't change the fact that I chose the wrong character. What should I do?

[(All) kalpowerkal: You guys have three top? That's too scary. LOL]

At that moment, Seon-Hu saw a glimmer of hope.

"Joshua. Follow me. The situation has changed. We abandon the bottom lane."

***

[swordss: Please, just go away.]

[swordss: No, sorry. Please, just go bottom.]

[poroto: What about the leash?]

[swordss: What the hell is a three-top?]

[gamer_butler: You all complain a lot.]

[poroto: I'm going top too.]

[swordss: Please don't. Let me be alone.]

[rediw: This game's screwed. Let's all just go top.]

[gamer_ethan: It's not that we're messing around. We're trying to win. Everyone, come top.]

[swordss: It's not that we're messing around. We're trying to win. You're driving me crazy. Hey, butler. Tell your master this: The top is the man's lane. Just get the fuck off.]

"They can say those things because they don’t know who we are. Don't mind them."

Seon-Hu tried to calm Joshua down. Joshua tried to smile whenever Seon-Hu spoke, but his forced smile looked as if he could snap at any moment.

"Things will quiet down once they see we have a chance to win."

"Okay."

I must win for Joshua...

[gamer_ethan: After all, the game is about destroying the enemy's base to win. Let's concentrate our firepower and try to win in the early stages.]

[gamer_ethan: We can move flexibly according to the enemy's movements afterward.]

[gamer_ethan: If we use a non-standard strategy, the enemy will be caught off guard. But remember, splitting up means direct defeat. I will give the orders.]

[gamer_butler: Yes, Master.]

[poroto: Can’t believe you guys are still keeping your concept. Respect. ]

[swordss: Don't fight. Please. I don't care if we lose, just get out of the top. ]

[rediw: Yes, Master. ]

[swordss: I told you not to. ]

[rediw: Just give the order, Master. ]

[proto: Just give the order, Master. ]

[gamer_ethan: At first, it's crucial to demoralize the enemies. Don't move out of the hiding area. As long as they don't realize we're hiding, only one enemy will approach this route according to the current tactics. ]

[gamer_ethan: Killing that one and destroying the first tower is the start. ]

[gamer_ethan: Further instructions will be given after the first tower is down. ]

[rediw: Yes, Master. ]

[proto: Yes, Master. ]

[gamer_butler: Yes, Master. ]

Joshua seemed to have calmed down. As he was intensely watching the monitor, he relaxed and leaned forward. Just as planned, one character from the enemy line appeared.

[gamer_ethan: Not yet. When he's far enough in and can't escape. ]

[gamer_ethan: Now! ]

Like everyone hidden in the stealth area, Joshua's character also charged forward, like a wild beast sensing blood.

***

The game was over, and there was silence. Joshua and Seon-Hu were staring at the red words displayed on the screen.

[ Defeat ]

Joshua remembered those who had defied the Master's orders. He imagined punishing them, who were begging for mercy, one by one for their mistakes. Their sins were countless. The Master had been respectful and considerate, but they took him for granted.

Excluding those faults, if they had only followed the Master's command! If they continued with the momentum after destroying the first tower as the Master ordered! They would've definitely won.

However, they became greedy after their first victory and only focused on the top lane. The cause of defeat was there. They couldn't even manage a simple game strategy, defying the leader's orders.

If this was during the Stage of Advent, it was unacceptable as it would lead to the entire group's destruction.

Joshua suddenly remembered his old teammates. They had suffered together during Act Two, Stage One, a place worse than hell. The plague melted their skin, and later they were even labeled as "Plague Monsters" by the Awakened, who were lucky to survive.

I was too careless.

Joshua wondered about his old group members. He should've helped them with their burdens but couldn't due to the intensifying situation. With a heavy heart, he pressed the confirm button. And then, it happened.

[rediw: What a shame. We should have won this one. ]

[proto: It has been a while since I have seen such a well-executed concept from players. But it was fun, so that’s all good. ]

[(All) kalpowerkal: I really thought we would win. Five top is ridiculous. ]

They had the audacity to chatter even when they deserved punishment.

[swordss: Hey, Master. Weren't you the one saying the game would be decided early on? Thanks to you, we lost. ]

[swordss: You were so annoying before. Why so quiet now? ]

The remarks were a sudden jolt to Joshua's sentiments, especially when he was immersed in thoughts about his old group members. That jerk was the main problem. Because of him, Joshua had witnessed the death of the Master's character multiple times.

This is just a game? Is it because he doesn't know who the master is?

There were plenty in the Stage of Advent who had made similar excuses, and they were all reduced to ashes. As anger swelled to Joshua's temples, his mind paradoxically felt clearer. His next steps were evident.

All that remained was the Master's permission. Joshua didn't mean to kill them. It was just a game and given the anonymity, how could he?

He was flexible, but he did plan to rough him up a bit. Such minor aggression was possible, and in the silence next to Him, Joshua saw an opportunity.

When he turned his head, he saw the stern face of the Master.

"Mas...”

Before Joshua could continue, Seon-Hu interrupted him, "We didn't lose."

The voice laden with suppressed emotion gave anyone who heard it chills. Joshua realized the master was angrier than he was. This realization fueled Joshua's rage even more.

"Joshua."

Joshua prepared to stand.

If He granted permission to use Joshua’s powers, things would be smoother. However, if the master's wish to maintain order here, there might be some discomfort, but Joshua had no choice.

The player with the nickname 'swordss' would undoubtedly be on his knees.

Finally, the Master's ultimate admonishment fell upon him.

"This is just a game."

"…"

"I mean it. It's just a regular game. Just. A. Game."