Chapter 123

Level Up IlDanSimPanGwan – Chapter 123 (123/227)

Chapter 123: Arena

The largest city in the Esmaier region, Media.

A huge crowd had gathered in the central area, and Ail pushed through them, crossing the street.

After arriving in the city, the first place he headed was none other than the arena.

[‘Media’ arena entered.]

– The matchmaking system has been activated.

– All user-to-user PVP outside of official duels is prohibited.

– Restrictions will apply to the use of certain items.

Upon entering the massive arena building, Ail saw even more people gathered than on the main city streets.

“Hmm… never been to an arena in Warode before…”

Ail happily glanced at the message that appeared before his eyes.

The arena was a representative facility in each major city, specifically designed for user-versus-user duels.

Although users fought with all their strength, there was a big difference between fighting here in the arena and meeting randomly in the field for PK battles.

Here, even if you reduced an opponent’s HP to zero, there were no death penalties after the duel ended, and no grudges to hold.

This was the most healthy way to enjoy clean, proper PVP.

That said, even though it was the most wholesome arena content, it didn’t attract everyone’s interest.

The biggest motivation for PKing was looting items or faction conflicts, neither of which were possible here.

But that didn’t mean there were no rewards.

You could earn arena points with each victory, which could be used to purchase exclusive items from the arena shop.

That’s why Ail had come here.

Among the many special items available, the ‘Seal of Shattering’ needed for this quest was also available.

“Just gotta grind points as fast as possible to buy it.”

There was no surer method for obtaining the Seal of Shattering than earning points through duels.

There was just one problem.

The number of points required to purchase the Seal of Shattering was quite high.

Because of the high point cost, it would take quite a few victories to gather enough.

It wasn’t something easily obtainable even in the arena.

“But… if I can keep my winning streak going, I can cut down the time significantly.”

One of the key features of the Warode arena:

When you win consecutive duels, you receive a substantial winning streak bonus.

What’s more, the longer your streak continues without interruption, the bigger the additional rewards get.

“Without losing once… I need 30 wins. It’ll be tough, but not impossible.”

[Honor Points: Unranked (1,200 pts)]

[Arena Record: 0W 0L (0% Win Rate)]

[Arena Points: 0]

Ail checked the information window that popped up.

Since he’d never participated in the Warode arena before, it was natural that he had no record or points.

“1,200 points…”

His eyes went to the ‘Honor Points’ entry at the top.

Though obtained only through the arena, these points were very different from the reward points used to buy items.

Honor Points were an indicator of a player’s skill level within the arena content. The higher the score, the more skilled the player.

Your Honor Points go up or down based on duel results, and opponents are matched accordingly.

For players who participate in PVP, Honor Points are practically a matter of pride.

Some guilds and parties even use these scores as criteria for membership, making it a highly trusted measure of skill.

“With 30 wins… I might hit around 1,700 points?”

The base score in the Warode arena system starts at 1,200 points, matching what was shown in Ail’s info window.

Reaching the 1,300 range meant you had decent skills.

Hitting 1,500 made you a recognized upper-tier player anywhere you went.

And then there was 1,700.

This was the benchmark for being in the top 1% – a true symbol of upper-echelon arena players.

If Ail could maintain a perfect 30-win streak, thanks to the substantial winning streak bonus, he might be able to reach this 1,700 range.

Of course, beyond that lay the so-called “heavenly tier” scores, where legendary rankers resided.

This was a stretch goal for Ail’s current situation.

“This… if I hit 1,700 right away, it’d make for some good video content.”

As it happened, Ail was in need of new content for his video production.

If he could immediately reach the symbolic 1,700 points for top-tier players, it would likely generate a positive response.

Maintaining a win streak without losing even once, however, was no easy feat.

Especially since Ail was level 80.

Once his ranking got higher, he’d clearly be outclassed compared to the users he’d face.

“I’ve leveled up as much as I could, but there’s still a gap.”

In the arena, which is meant to gauge skill, there’s a basic level adjustment.

If you could simply overpower opponents with your level like outside, the scoring system would lose its meaning. This adjustment helps put players on equal footing.

Still, it wasn’t completely even.

Due to differences in the number of skills each player has learned, level still had a significant impact even in the arena.

At level 80, Ail had learned 8 skills. If he faced a level 120 user, that player would have 12 learned skills to bring into battle.

“But I’m at level 80 now, so it should be fine.”

Ail had learned two additional skills using the skill books he’d obtained last time.

The equipment he’d acquired, even when adjusted for level, was quite good overall, so he didn’t need to worry about gear.

The rest would have to be made up for with skill.

“43rd arena, please. Good luck!”

Following the attendant’s directions, Ail was assigned to an empty competition arena.

Walking toward his assigned arena, Ail found himself reminiscing.

“Brings back memories… Back when I played other games, I practically lived in arenas.”

In his past online gaming days, he had deeply immersed himself in arena content.

Whether it was called a duel arena or martial arts tournament, once he got into it, he always managed to get his name onto the rankings at least once.

Thanks to that, he even uploaded a few videos as a hobby and gained some fame.

Of course, due to time constraints as a student and getting into other content, maintaining those rankings long-term was difficult.

[Duel participation confirmed!]

[Matchmaking system successfully connected. An appropriate opponent for your rating will be summoned! (0W 0L, 1,200pts)]

[Please select your match format before the match begins.]

Upon arriving at the arena, a message appeared before Ail.

1v1 duel, 2v2 tag match, 4v4 team battle, free-for-all individual matches, etc.

There were many types of duels available, and Ail immediately chose the 1v1 option without hesitation.

Team battles like the 4v4 gave slightly more points, but with more participants came longer match times and many unpredictable variables due to teammates and other factors.

Naturally, for Ail who wanted to maintain a winning streak, this wasn’t the wisest choice.

[Matchmaking complete!]

Pwoosh!

His first opponent entered from the opposite side.

The two players drew their weapons and faced each other.

Before the duel began, you could view basic information about each other, including records and levels.

“Level 80… pretty high, but nothing special.”

A smile formed on the sword-wielding man’s lips.

Though the 61-level man was lower in level compared to Ail, he could clearly see the record next to him.

0 wins, 0 losses, 1,200 points.

His opponent was a complete newcomer to the arena.

Many players who were only experienced in monster hunting and had high levels were clumsy in PVP, making them easier opponents here in the arena.

Moreover, he had no idea who Ail really was.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The system message began the duel countdown.

[Duel has begun!]

Sssshh!

The moment the duel started, the heresy designation skill Ail used caused a mark to appear above the man’s head.

Unaware of this fact, the man confidently stepped forward.

“I’m coming!”

Klang!

The clash of the two swords.

The confident man tried to push forward while keeping his sword locked with Ail’s.

Had he had better judgment, he would have avoided a direct confrontation upon seeing Ail’s clearly unusual equipment.

An incredible Unique-grade weapon.

And a Hero-grade set of armor and accessories.

Even with the arena’s level adjustment effect, the superiority of the grade remained unchanged.

Moreover, Ail had bonuses from Madness and Favor stats.

Creeeaaak!

“W-what the…?”

The man’s sword was sent flying backward after being completely overpowered in the strength contest.

Before he could even react, Ail’s sword swung multiple times, dealing precise attacks that quickly depleted the man’s HP.

Thud!

“Cough… this can’t be…”

The man collapsed onto the floor in near-death condition.

The fight was over in an instant.

But it wasn’t quite finished yet.

Ail summoned a stake in the center of the arena and grabbed the man.

“Wha-what are you doing?! Aaaahhh!”

The man was enveloped in rising flames as he was bound to the stake.

Losing the duel in the blink of an eye was already shocking, but now he was writhing in agony as flames danced before his eyes.

[‘Light Judge Lu’ gazes upon the flames with delight.]

[Light Church Contribution +100]

The man’s body was completely charred black.

However, despite the man being completely dead, Ail’s stats remained unchanged.

“Well, obviously.”

Though he burned the opponent anyway, Ail hadn’t really expected anything.

If burning someone in the infinitely repeatable arena battles increased your stats, it would be more like a game-breaking cheat.

He had merely tried to see if he might gain any attack power buffs from the execution, but nothing was granted.

[Duel Victory!]

[Current Record: 1W 0L, 1,205pts]

With a casual victory, Ail sheathed his weapon.

“Next!”

[Matchmaking complete!]

Pwoosh!

The next victim appeared before Ail.