Chapter 74 - The Knight's Duel (4)

As Lee Kyungbok and NewtonZa returned to their respective positions, the commentators chatted busily.

"Lord Purple and NewtonZa, they've already faced off once. How do you see this match?"

"Well, the game has definitely changed. The intersection between Ganner Ground and Elden Soul is almost non-existent."

"Yes, and during our live interview with Lord Purple, it was revealed that NewtonZa received coaching from him. But with less than a week passing, has there been any improvement?"

"Ah, that's a bit difficult. Even though the coaching was expensive, accepting it is another matter!"

Jinom shook his head.

- Got to give it to GodP for hitting the nail on the head lol

- He probably didn't have time to practice, right?

- Isn't NewtonZa a golden spoon? If so, he should have had plenty of time lol

- Didn't he say he was working earlier?

- How much can a golden spoon really work?

- He probably did more than the streamers lol

- Streamers have no jobs and no money, right?

- That's true! Excessive fact-bombing is a violation of the Geneva Convention!

Shin Hye-rim, checking the chat reactions, quickly spoke up.

"Well, we can't miss this opportunity to have a vote, can we? Lord Purple and NewtonZa, NewtonZa and Lord Purple! Who will be the victor in this duel?"

"Please vote now!"

[Who will win the duel?]

[1. Lord Purple] [2. NewtonZa]

[Voting will close in 1 hour.]

Just like during the Eclipse event, the voting window opened, but the results were completely different.

[1. Lord Purple – 99.9%]

[2. NewtonZa – 0.01%]

The gap was overwhelmingly one-sided.

"Goodness... The vote is so one-sided, it almost seems meaningless!"

"Ah, everyone, this isn't a popularity vote! You should vote based purely on skill! Of course, I voted for Lord Purple."

Jinom's comment made 'lol' spread across the chat.

- Isn't this a sure bet?

- What's with the 0.01% lol

- Buying NewtonCoin here?

- Info: Even Newton's stocks are down

- HOXY's apple group?

- This lol, even if he wins, it's like getting the principal back lol

- I'll probably make 1 point ^^

- 0.01% should just save it in a savings account lol

- Haha, literally one in a million

- 0.01% is a good deal, right?

- How much are you invested in gacha? Haha

- It's the voting rate, not the probability lol

- Haha, it's literally one in a million

While the viewers were joking about the 0.01%, the two duelists arrived at their respective positions.

"Ah, now! The duel has begun!"

"Who will make the first move this time?"

"Based on skill, Lord Purple is clearly superior. We'll have to see how long the standoff lasts!"

"Huh? But Lord Purple isn't even holding his sword!"

As Shin Hye-rim said, Lee Kyungbok didn't raise his sword even after the duel started. Instead, he stood relaxed with his sword lowered.

"I'll let you have the first move."

Finally, those words came from his mouth.

Before the chat was filled with question marks, another line followed.

"I want to see how much you've improved, if the coaching helped."

He wanted to see the results of his coaching. Jinom's voice rose again.

"Ah! He's starting strong!"

"Strong?"

"That statement already divides the advantage! 'I'm the teacher, and you're the student!'"

- Haha, that's harsh lol

- That's a romance drama line

- The joke is too much lol

- Is there a drama with such a line?

- You know it and still pretend not to lol

- What's the old man's role in streamers?

- I'm young, but all my peers know this line ^^

While the commentators and viewers laughed and chatted, NewtonZa couldn't laugh.

She gripped her sword firmly with one hand and quickly typed on the virtual keyboard.

[>I won't make any concessions]

With the message sent, she pushed off the ground. Her momentum was fierce, as if trying to gain the upper hand from the start.

However, a smile still lingered on Lee Kyungbok's face. He lightly stepped to avoid the incoming sword strike.

NewtonZa's sword immediately followed. Lee Kyungbok raised his sword to counter the more aggressive attack.

"You've practiced a lot, haven't you?"

He asked with a brighter smile. Of course, he didn't expect an answer. It was impossible to type during combat.

Lee Kyungbok's sword moved as if sweeping the blade, a movement infused with the sword skills he learned from Eclipse. NewtonZa's sword was drawn to his like a magnet.

She flinched and tried to pull her sword away. Lee Kyungbok didn't miss the opportunity. In an instant, her sword fell, and she staggered.

Lee Kyungbok struck like lightning.

Surprised, NewtonZa quickly rolled on the ground. The invincible hit slid along the ground.

"You've improved a lot. Your gaze control is also better."

Lee Kyungbok smiled and retracted his sword. NewtonZa, instead of responding, raised her guard.

"Wow, what happened? It was too fast to see!"

"Ah! An intense exchange just happened! Even though you might not have seen it clearly, it's clear who has the upper hand!"

- As expected, the best swordsman in Elden!

- NewtonZa is already rolling on the ground lol

- Gravity only applied to her, right?

- GodP is really in a different league lol

- Are the underdogs coming to their senses? Are the underdogs coming to their senses?

The brief exchange was over, but the advantage was clear. Both the commentators and viewers expected Lee Kyungbok to win.

NewtonZa felt isolated in the middle of the battlefield. No one was cheering for her.

However, she didn't shrink back. Instead, she raised her sword with renewed determination.

"Wait a moment."

Suddenly, Lee Kyungbok raised his hand. Everyone looked at him with puzzled eyes.

"If we continue like this, there's no reason to keep fighting."

His words caused a stir in the chat and among the commentators.

"Ah, now... Lord Purple is suggesting a halt to the duel?"

"Ah, is it because the skill gap is so obvious that it's a waste of time?! Is it another passive skill?!"

Was Lee Kyungbok just playfully deceiving as usual? The chat was filled with laughter, as the viewers had similar thoughts.

[>What is this? Deciding the match with just one exchange?]

NewtonZa quickly sent the message. She clearly felt ignored. Jinom, observing the situation, quickly corrected himself.

"Ah, no! His expression is serious. There seems to be another reason!"

Lee Kyungbok's face showed no playfulness. He turned to NewtonZa and continued.

"The sword you use is better suited for speed, not power. The heavy armor you're wearing is a hindrance. This way, you're fighting with a penalty."

A moment of silence followed his words. Shin Hye-rim nudged Jinom urgently.

"Jinom, Jinom sir?!"

"Ah! Amazing! NewtonZa uses a fast sword, not a heavy sword, which requires strength! Did he figure out her style from the previous exchange?"

- Did he figure it out from one exchange?

- Haha, is that even possible?

- But if it's GodP, maybe?

- (GameTalk)(GameTalk)

- Then it makes sense lol

- What kind of barn is this?

- What can you do with the best swordsman in Elden?

Everyone was amazed, including NewtonZa herself.

'He figured all that out from one exchange?'

She knew best what style suited her. In reality, she was better suited for speed. But to hide her identity, she had to wear thick, heavy armor.

That didn't mean she had to completely avoid light armor. Elden Soul, being a dark fantasy game, had no gender restrictions on equipment design.

'Still, light armor reveals the body lines.'

She had added leather to cover all the necessary areas, so the curves weren't prominent. But the smooth silhouette couldn't be hidden even with light armor.

"Didn't we agree to give it our all?"

Lee Kyungbok's question snapped her back to reality. She looked at him.

Then,

[>We have a lot of broadcast schedules, and such opportunities are rare, right?]

A private message appeared in front of her. NewtonZa froze like a stone.

[>Don't worry. I'll help you keep your identity as a woman a secret.]

Lee Kyungbok showed her a gentle smile and spoke.

"Let's not leave any regrets. Let's face off properly later."

NewtonZa stared at Lee Kyungbok for a moment, then sheathed her sword. She moved her fingers a few times, and her appearance changed.

A set of thin leather armor, her face hidden behind a black mask.

The tight fit revealed her curves, which were clearly not those of a man.

"Ah..."

"Ah, wait... This is..."

The noisy commentary booth fell silent. Even the experienced Shin Hye-rim and Jinom were speechless for a moment.

The chat was in a similar state.

-????????

-Did Elden Soul have female armor?

-Can male characters wear female armor?

-Isn't it gender-neutral?

-Even with multiple IDs, gender doesn't change, right?

-Then what is this?

-You don't mean...

-NewtonZa was a woman...?

-Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god

-NewtonZa is a girl? Is this real?

-If I knew this, I would have bet on the underdog!

-NewtonZa's second loss! NewtonZa's second loss!

-(PurpleFan)(PurpleFan)(PurpleFan)

-??? : He just cut down another insignificant thing...

-Don't let the casual fans ruin the proper martial arts

-How is this martial arts? Haha

Everyone was shocked. Even NewtonZa herself was surprised.

'He figured all that out from one exchange?'

She knew best what style suited her. In reality, she was better suited for speed. But to hide her identity, she had to wear thick, heavy armor.

That didn't mean she had to completely avoid light armor. Elden Soul, being a dark fantasy game, had no gender restrictions on equipment design.

'Still, light armor reveals the body lines.'

She had added leather to cover all the necessary areas, so the curves weren't prominent. But the smooth silhouette couldn't be hidden even with light armor.

"Didn't we agree to give it our all?"

Lee Kyungbok's question snapped her back to reality. She looked at him.

Then,

[>We have a lot of broadcast schedules, and such opportunities are rare, right?]

A private message appeared in front of her. NewtonZa froze like a stone.

[>Don't worry. I'll help you keep your identity as a woman a secret.]

Lee Kyungbok showed her a gentle smile and spoke.

"Let's not leave any regrets. Let's face off properly later."

NewtonZa stared at Lee Kyungbok for a moment, then sheathed her sword. She moved her fingers a few times, and her appearance changed.

A set of thin leather armor, her face hidden behind a black mask.

The tight fit revealed her curves, which were clearly not those of a man.

"Ah..."

"Ah, wait... This is..."

The noisy commentary booth fell silent. Even the experienced Shin Hye-rim and Jinom were speechless for a moment.

The chat was in a similar state.

-????????

-Did Elden Soul have female armor?

-Can male characters wear female armor?

-Isn't it gender-neutral?

-Even with multiple IDs, gender doesn't change, right?

-Then what is this?

-You don't mean...

-NewtonZa was a woman...?

-Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god

-NewtonZa is a girl? Is this real?

-If I knew this, I would have bet on the underdog!

-NewtonZa's second loss! NewtonZa's second loss!

-(PurpleFan)(PurpleFan)(PurpleFan)

-??? : He just cut down another insignificant thing...

-Don't let the casual fans ruin the proper martial arts

-How is this martial arts? Haha

Everyone was shocked. Even NewtonZa herself was surprised.

'He figured all that out from one exchange?'

She knew best what style suited her. In reality, she was better suited for speed. But to hide her identity, she had to wear thick, heavy armor.

That didn't mean she had to completely avoid light armor. Elden Soul, being a dark fantasy game, had no gender restrictions on equipment design.

'Still, light armor reveals the body lines.'

She had added leather to cover all the necessary areas, so the curves weren't prominent. But the smooth silhouette couldn't be hidden even with light armor.

"Didn't we agree to give it our all?"

Lee Kyungbok's question snapped her back to reality. She looked at him.

Then,

[>We have a lot of broadcast schedules, and such opportunities are rare, right?]

A private message appeared in front of her. NewtonZa froze like a stone.

[>Don't worry. I'll help you keep your identity as a woman a secret.]

Lee Kyungbok showed her a gentle smile and spoke.

"Let's not leave any regrets. Let's face off properly later."

NewtonZa stared at Lee Kyungbok for a moment, then sheathed her sword. She moved her fingers a few times, and her appearance changed.

A set of thin leather armor, her face hidden behind a black mask.

The tight fit revealed her curves, which were clearly not those of a man.

"Ah..."

"Ah, wait... This is..."

The noisy commentary booth fell silent. Even the experienced Shin Hye-rim and Jinom were speechless for a moment.

The chat was in a similar state.

-????????

-Did Elden Soul have female armor?

-Can male characters wear female armor?

-Isn't it gender-neutral?

-Even with multiple IDs, gender doesn't change, right?

-Then what is this?

-You don't mean...

-NewtonZa was a woman...?

-Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god

-NewtonZa is a girl? Is this real?

-If I knew this, I would have bet on the underdog!

-NewtonZa's second loss! NewtonZa's second loss!

-(PurpleFan)(PurpleFan)(PurpleFan)

-??? : He just cut down another insignificant thing...

-Don't let the casual fans ruin the proper martial arts

-How is this martial arts? Haha

Everyone was shocked. Even NewtonZa herself was surprised.

'He figured all that out from one exchange?'

She knew best what style suited her. In reality, she was better suited for speed. But to hide her identity, she had to wear thick, heavy armor.

That didn't mean she had to completely avoid light armor. Elden Soul, being a dark fantasy game, had no gender restrictions on equipment design.

'Still, light armor reveals the body lines.'

She had added leather to cover all the necessary areas, so the curves weren't prominent. But the smooth silhouette couldn't be hidden even with light armor.

"Didn't we agree to give it our all?"

Lee Kyungbok's question snapped her back to reality. She looked at him.

Then,

[>We have a lot of broadcast schedules, and such opportunities are rare, right?]

A private message appeared in front of her. NewtonZa froze like a stone.

[>Don't worry. I'll help you keep your identity as a woman a secret.]

Lee Kyungbok showed her a gentle smile and spoke.

"Let's not leave any regrets. Let's face off properly later."

NewtonZa stared at Lee Kyungbok for a moment, then sheathed her sword. She moved her fingers a few times, and her appearance changed.

A set of thin leather armor, her face hidden behind a black mask.

The tight fit revealed her curves, which were clearly not those of a man.

"Ah..."