To Live Again, For the First Time!

Theodore didn't find accomplishing an 8 hit combo anything out of the ordinary, much less something to boast about. After all, he had personally witnessed much more complex and longer combos, which is also why he couldn't comprehend Gen's hype.

She spoke of the event as if it had been something completely unimaginable, inflating his own skills to another level, which only left Theodore even more flabbergasted.

'How do I even proceed? If I am to downplay it now, after all, you've said, then won't I just seem like I'm trying to humblebrag?'

It had to be said that Theodore really didn't know how to stop this conversation from steering in the wrong direction. It seemed like Emilin's lack of experience had rubbed off on him more than he had expected, or that he would like to admit.

He was relieved when he realized that the others didn't take Gen's prattling very seriously, after all, she was using her 'I'm gossiping tone', reserved for when she was both bored and had something to talk about.

The reason for such a tone was because even she herself didn't know what kind of skills Theodore actually possessed. As for Theodore's comments about his own skills, that wasn't a reliable source of information.

He might just be trying to brag. Although Theodore didn't sound like such a type of person, it was also true that they had only just met, and so she really couldn't make an accurate judgment. Though she was leaning on the side that told her that Theodore had at least some skills, after all, he definitely acted as if he'd done it before.

By that, she meant that Theodore acted as if the 8 hit combo was nothing to him. If it were any other ordinary person, they would have most likely been shouting in excitement, not able to wait to tell everyone what they had accomplished, but Theodore clearly didn't find that necessary.

Definitely the attitude of someone who's been there before.

[For those who don't understand. This is referencing the people who make a big deal out of winning and rub it in on other people's faces (mostly the people who lost) that they won. They are told to 'act like they've been there before, as in act like you've won before.]

As for the others, who had died in [Doorii]'s hand. They were just as shocked if not more by this event. It was as unbelievable as it was eye-opening.

"Have we been doing something wrong all along, because this doesn't seem right?" [Super Handsome] who had been the first to fall was in disbelief even though he had personally witnessed the whole thing happen right in front of his eyes.

He never felt so entrapped in this game before. It was as if his opponent knew exactly where and how he wanted to escape from and so [Doorii] was always one step ahead of him.

This was not his misconception; it was indeed the case.

As for [Handsomer than the Others], he was watching his replay, a short clip, showing him how he had died to a 4-hit combo.

It was only natural that he had died in fewer moves as he was both stationary and he had less health than the swordsman [Super Handsome]. That also meant that the attacks he took on were more centralized and effective, making it so that less was necessary.

"I've been living a lie." [Handsomer than the Others] added in a monotonous voice.

"Should I change jobs? If I play support can I do that too?" [Super Handsome] questioned his life and everything he had believed to be set in stone. Like the fact that swordsmen should have more combat prowess than support, but this last battle broke this iron law as if it had been in fact made of glass instead.

"No I think it's just that guy, [Doorii] was it?" [Handsomest], who had been finished by Genie wasn't nearly as shook, but as a battle maniac, it was still a cause for concern.

"Hey, don't be so sexist it may be a girl you guys are talking about." [Handsome Hunk], the captain of the team commented from the sidelines.

They were a team of males, and although they didn't necessarily want to be actively sexist, they couldn't help but have some bias.

It could be said that their main cause for concern would be the user's username. Though [Doorii] didn't clearly indicate a specific gender, it seemed like something a female would use more so than a male.

In no way did it indicate the player to be a tall buff male, it seemed more suited for a cute loli, but they all shuttered to think that such a personality would be able to slay them with such ease.

"No way." [Handsomer than the Others] shook his head when hearing his captain's claim, even though no one could see him doing so. His disbelief stemmed from his previous shock and so he didn't want to think about all these other possibilities, quickly changing the topic.

If someone were to tell him now that it was a young loli girl that had slaughtered him, then he would most likely start sweating profusely as he questioned his own existence.

"Who is this guy anyway? I'm sure we're never gone against him before. I would remember." He asked even though he was quite sure that no one knew.

"You're right, I think we've gone against just about every member of 2045, he's probably new." [Super Handsome] nodded.

Meanwhile, Theodore and Genie had already made their way towards the towers that they had to destroy. Without sparing another moment, they started their attack, knowing full well that the players who were about to respawn were going to be making their way to them in no time.

"We're already at the tower so you guys should get over here after you get some new equipment. A battle is going to ensue soon." Genie commanded, her serious tone making it sound like she was in a real-life or death situation.

It was do or die.

Dyson was finishing off on his end and the other two were going to head out it a bit too, to join them in the tower.

"Yes Ma'am" BBAD, Dyson, and DanK all got serious in the split second that it took them to process the command they had received.

Everyone's blood boiled as their visions blurred for an instant.

This suppressive mood shocked even Theodore.

'Are these even the same people? Why do they seem so different all of the sudden?' Theodore was at a loss.

"Am I that old? So old that you can call me Ma'am?" Gen's voice turned even deadlier and more oppressive than it had before, but the effects were worlds apart.

"No Ma'am," they all said in unison, nearly unable to suppress their laughter.

The previously tense spirits dissipated as if they had never been there, to begin with. Theodore even questioned if it had all been his imagination when he felt the atmosphere around him almost visibly lighten.

The world around him that seemed to have turned into shades of grey and blood red reverted to its original form.

If not for Theodore's strong confidence in his own mental health, he might have suspected that he was hallucinating.

'Have I done drugs that I don't know of?' He immediately dispelled such an absurd idea as he would never allow himself to jump into such a rabbit hole.

His intrinsic fear for Gen rose to new levels when he realized that such a psychological change could only be due to her. She was clearly the only one that had spoken, but what was scarier, was that this was all through a screen. Just imagine how it would have been if they had been right next to her in real life.

'Scary.'

'Is this what Big Brother Nathen meant when he said that women are much scarier than they seem?'

'Because this woman seems plenty scary to me.'

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Author: Hm… things seem to be a little too quiet and it's been a while since I've added a mini theatre. Should I just go for it? Yeah, let do that.

Author: Wait. What should I say?

Author: I guess a little drama is ok to spice things up.

Author: Theo, these people are comparing you to a loli!!!

Theodore: WHO! WHO DARES! IN WHAT WAY DO I LOOK LIKE A LOLI? JUST BECAUSE I'M NOT AS BUFF AS BIG BROTHER NATHEN?

Handsome Fivesome: … [please don't look this way please don't look this way please don't look this way please don't look this way please don't look this way please don't look this way please don't look this way please don't look this way]

Author: Over there, it's them.

Handsome Fivesome: [*beep* *beep* *beep* *beep* *beep*]

Handsomer than the Others: Bro, we didn't mean it.

Super Handsome: Yeah, yeah exactly.

Handsomest: We were only thinking it! We didn't even say it out loud!

Theodore: *Veins bulge*

Handsome Hunk: We only meant to say that your name was cute.

Everyone else in the team: [captain, are you trying to get us killed? Can't you tell how he's already at his limit?]

Theodore: Hmm, I guess you guys can't help it.

Handsomer than the Others: ???

Super Handsome: ???

Handsomest: ???

Secret Member who has yet to be introduced: ???

Theodore: After all, Emilin personally came up with it. It's not your fault that you can't help but marvel at the masterpiece.

Handsomer than the Others: …

Super Handsome: …

Handsomest: …

Secret Member who has yet to be introduced: …

Handsome Hunk: …

Handsome Fivesome: [Whatever you say, bro. As long as you let us go now.]

Author: P.S. (it's my birthday today. <3 hehe)