Came To Die, Part 3

Trans, battered in chat by CameToDie, must’ve lost it, because he started spewing curses like a keyboard warrior.

Since unfiltered profanity in the game could be screenshot and reported, I diligently captured every single one of his insults.

Seeing the screenshots pile up in my folder gave me a small sense of satisfaction.

We’re not exactly buddies, but since he helped me out, this much should be fine, right?

[All/SoonToDie: Weren’t you here to talk to me?]

[All/SoonToDie: Isn’t this a case of the guest stealing the show?]

[All/Trans: ** Finally showed upㅋ;; Done hiding, ****?]

[All/SoonToDie: I’ve been here the whole time?]

[All/SoonToDie: Your mental’s already shattered by CameToDie, and you still wanna fight me?]

[All/SoonToDie: Is your mental so transparent that’s why you’re called Trans?]

[All/Trans: I’ll PK you until you’re begging me to stop, **]

[All/SoonToDie: Go ahead.]

I’d expected this kind of mess when I started PKing, so it wasn’t exactly surprising. In no time, the chat window was flooded with Trans’s curses. He’s gotta be close to a chat ban by now with all that typing. I sighed, scanning the users gathering around. I’m not an attention seeker, so this kind of agro is annoying.

[Whisper/SoonToDie > CameToDie: Just ignore him. Nothing good comes from engaging.]

[Whisper/SoonToDie > CameToDie: One word, and he’ll go crazier. Ignoring’s the way.]

[Whisper/SoonToDie > CameToDie: Thanks for the help, but this is my fight. Why’re you butting in?]

Third parties make things messy, so I wished he’d back off already. CameToDie didn’t respond to my whisper for a while, then started spamming emotes and replying.

[CameToDie winks at SoonToDie.]

[CameToDie expresses affection toward SoonToDie.]

[Whisper/CameToDie > SoonToDie: Whoa, you sent me a whisper? Huge!]

[Whisper/CameToDie > SoonToDie: Is today some kind of holiday?]

What a bizarre shtick.

Half-ignoring the flood of whispers, I scratched my ear.

Guess today’s not a good day for gaming either. I just logged in, and this nonsense is already happening.

The random jerk picking fights is annoying enough, but CameToDie jumping in to brawl back is just as bad.

Rolling my stiff shoulders, I left the computer and headed to the kitchen. Getting worked up over nothing made me hungry.

Grabbing some bread from the fridge, I took a bite while watching Trans still going off. Wonder if he’d answer if I asked something.

[All/SoonToDie: Serious question, why do you only fight in chat?]

[All/Trans: Cause you’re pissing me off, ****!]

[All/SoonToDie: No, I mean, why just chat when clean PK is an option?]

[All/SoonToDie: Or how about the arena?]

Why resort to words when violence is such a fine tool? I don’t get it.

He brought his whole guild, so he’s not here just to argue, right? Sure, the arena’s one-on-one or group vs. group, but a duel between me and Trans would be simple enough.

When Trans didn’t reply, I chewed my bread leisurely and typed.

[All/SoonToDie: Scared?ㅋ]

[All/SoonToDie: Breaking news: Veteran max-level Trans is too scared to go to the arena. Take it down.]

[All/Trans: This **** is * acting like ** ***]

[All/Trans: Let’s go to the arena, ***!]

[All/SoonToDie: By the way, I’ve been thinking…]

Pausing for effect, I typed again and sent Trans a duel request.

[All/SoonToDie: Your curses are pretty cheap. Brain as transparent as your name?]

[All/SoonToDie: Special report! <TransBoss>’s IQ confirmed to be ‘living up to his nickname’…]

(3)

The moment we entered the arena, Trans let loose a string of curses. Guess he’s only got swears starting with ‘ㅆ’ or ‘ㅈ’ in his vocab. I brushed off his taunts and checked my gear.

Switching to equipment with attack speed options, I hit the ready button.

While waiting for Trans to prep, I took another bite of bread and started the game’s built-in recording program. Can’t let him claim he won without proof. His class was Dual Blade, known for its high attack speed.

Soon, a message popped up that Trans was ready, and the duel began.

[All/Trans: ****]

[All/SoonToDie: Slice slice, nice and transparent.]

Let’s wrap this up quick. I’ve only killed one guy since this mess started. Click clack, I targeted Trans’s character, hammering the keyboard to chain combos.

Sure, Berserker’s defense is low, and its main skill got nerfed, but that’s not the whole story.

It’s got a simple trick that doesn’t work on mid-to-large monsters but shines against small ones or players.

I hit the shortcut for a knockback skill, then spammed single hits while Trans’s character was staggered.

Normally, Berserker’s basic attack is a three-hit combo.

But with a specific action, you can cancel it to only land one hit.

Most people think hitting three times is better for more strikes, but Berserker’s first hit has a slight stagger effect, making it an exception.

The stagger lasts less than a second, but with attack speed gear, it’s exploitable.

[All/Trans: Yo ** you hacking? Why doesn’t your combo stop;;]

Infinite single-hit combo, baby.

SoonToDie tapped Trans lightly, hit by hit. No need for flashy skills or wild combos. Dual Blade’s attack speed outpaces Berserker? Then don’t give them a chance to attack. I toyed with Trans, using only single hits until his HP hit zero.

Even while getting pummeled, Trans kept cursing in chat. I chuckled dryly.

Any player who knows Berserker even a bit could counter this. Just dodge with the right roll timing.

But since Berserker got nerfed hard from the start, barely anyone plays it, and unless you’re a PVP nut, you wouldn’t know about the stagger on the first hit. It’s such a dead class, you need someone to even use it.

As Trans’s HP hit zero and his character collapsed, SoonToDie raised his greatsword in a victory pose. I rubbed my nose, feeling proud.

[All/Trans: You ** I recorded everything. I’m reporting you for hacking.]

[All/SoonToDie: Who asked?]

Hacking? I didn’t even use a bug, just the game’s mechanics. Nothing to worry about.

They’ll just tell him there’s no issue. Bored, I left the arena and returned to town, only to burst out laughing at the sight of CameToDie waiting for me.

Didn’t expect him to stick around. Wish the arena had a spectate mode instead of being private.

They update new maps and dungeons religiously but neglect the arena. Are the devs avoiding the forums to dodge complaints?

[All/Trans: Yoㅋ Feels good winning with hacks?ㅋ]

[All/Trans: You’ll be banned tomorrow and gone foreverㅋ Don’t make a new character like a loser, just quit while you’re at itㅋ]

Should’ve done a character delete bet. Then he wouldn’t be bragging about losing. Rolling my eyes at his pathetic whining, I ignored Trans’s taunts. But I was the only one ignoring him.

[All/CameToDie: Hahahahaha Veteran max-level Trans finally lost? And bragging about it? Must be thrilled to loseㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋㅋ]

[All/CameToDie: Breaking news: Veteran Trans has lost. Take it down.]

This guy butts in again after I told him to stay out. He’s gonna make Trans cry. No idea why he’s so invested in someone else’s fight. Should I whisper him to ignore it again? Just then, a whisper pinged, and I turned my attention to it.

[Whisper/Beta > SoonToDie: Yo hahahahaha You’re trending on the forums.]

[Whisper/SoonToDie > Beta: Yeah, I know.]

[Whisper/Beta > SoonToDie: Hahahaha Why the hell are you PKing like that?]

[Whisper/SoonToDie > Beta: Cause Gunners killed Altania.]

[Whisper/Beta > SoonToDie: Crazy bastard HAHAHAHAH]

Beta’s someone I met while running raid parties, and we’ve stayed pretty close by my standards.

The other raid members are chill too, laid-back folks I’d hit dungeons or PVP with whenever I logged in. Good people to mess around with. Then, Beta dropped unexpected news.

[Whisper/Beta > SoonToDie: Wanna join our guild? We got the raid crew together and made one.]