C.S.O.

Doom Realm.
It is a vast place resembling a Colosseum, serving as the PvP (Player Versus Player) battleground in CSO.
Like any other location, Doom Realm has become a popular place to train agility using skills, whether those skills are meant for attacking monsters or facing other players.

Each battle lasts for 3 minutes, during which every player can use all of their skills to kill or defeat their opponents.
Of course, everything is arranged beforehand before the duel takes place.

Sometimes, people take advantage of duels to earn money.
One of the players who exploit this is Gladia, level 678.
She is a solo player who focuses solely on PvP.
In fact, she earns almost all of her experience points from fighting other players.

Doom Realm has become like her own home.
Whenever she is online, she only goes to Doom Realm to fight.
Sometimes she issues challenges.
Anyone who can defeat her will receive a prize and rare items that she possesses.

Certainly, those are enticing rewards.
Especially since the items given as prizes are obtained after completing difficult quests.
It's no wonder that there are challengers every day.

“[Rock Blast]”

The opponent immediately panics and tries to dodge, but it's too late.

The ground in front of him transforms into spears from all directions, striking the opponent.
Although made of earth, they possess enough power to pierce high-level equipment.

And that's how another match ends today.

“Ha ha ha…
It seems no one can defeat me today.
Hey, are you okay?”

The opponent looks annoyed, but slowly his expression fades, replaced by a sigh.

“I'm fine.”

The opponent stands up and approaches.
Then he activates the menu window and transfers a sum of money as compensation for the match.

“Thank you.
Don't hesitate to fight me again sometime.”

“No.
I won't do it again.
You may be famous for never cheating, but after battling you, I'm not so sure about that reputation.
You're too strong, Gladia-san.”

“It's just a difference in combat experience.
I focus on facing other players, while most players like you are more focused on facing monsters.
Monsters may be powerful, but they have patterns that can be predicted.
On the other hand, players are humans, they don't have rules or patterns that can be predicted.
Facing players is more difficult than facing monsters.”

“Maybe Gladia-san is right, but I doubt that's the only reason I lost.”

Gladia chuckles and looks confidently at the player in Doom Realm.

“Does anyone want to be my next opponent?”

All spectators fall silent.
Although some of them have higher levels than Gladia, they hesitate to challenge her.

Gladia is known as a strong player, not only because she possesses balanced defense and power, but also due to her strategic use of skills.
Gladia's face showed disappointment, but she wasn't too disappointed as she had fought against more than 10 players and emerged victorious.
Looking at her record, it was understandable that many doubted challenging her.

“Ha…
I guess I don't have a choice.
I think that's enough for today, see y-“

Boom!

Suddenly, an object or something fell in the middle of the arena, creating a thick smoke.
Although it hadn't completely dissipated, a figure resembling a player became visible.
And after the figure vanished, a black-clothed player could be seen.

All the players in Doom Realm were shocked by what was happening, especially by the sudden appearance of this player.
But when they saw the name displayed on the bar, all the players became even more surprised.

“…I didn't expect you to come here, Kuro…”

Kuro remained silent and didn't move from the pit he created.
Gladia's opponent stepped aside, leaving the two of them alone.
The atmosphere became even more tense.

Gladia is known as a player who can't be defeated by other players.
Meanwhile, Kuro is a player known for being able to fight on par with a Demon God.
Even though time has passed, CSO players will never forget the battle that turned the city into ruins in just a few minutes.

“Ho…
I can feel it.
This strong aura and the desire for battle can only come from you.”

Gladia activates the menu to initiate a duel.
Unlike before, this time the battle will be to the death.

“You will accept it, won't you? If not, what is your purpose for coming here?”

Kuro, without touching the window, accepted Gladia's challenge.
No one found it strange, but the countdown indicating the start of the battle began to decrease.

The match began.

Unexpectedly, Gladia made the first move.
She kicked the ground and moved as if teleporting.
Suddenly, she appeared in front of Kuro with her large sword ready to strike.

Gladia utilized the [Auto Use] skill commonly possessed by players to summon a weapon in a specific position.
In this case, the opponent wouldn't be able to anticipate what kind of weapon would appear or what Gladia would use.

“Take this! [Hammer Slash]”

But just before the large sword touched Kuro's body, it was stopped by something.
That object was a thin katana sword that looked easily breakable.

A shockwave pounded anything behind Kuro, but it couldn't touch even a single fingernail of Kuro.

“How about this? [Spiral Blast]”

Gladia used one of her signature skills.
She spun around and once again struck at Kuro.
Compared to before, this skill had five times the power.
The damage it inflicted was even more devastating than before.

But once again, Gladia had to face the bitter reality.
Although her attack managed to crack Kuro's sword, it still wasn't enough to make Kuro move from his position.

“Tch!”

Realizing that her attack didn't have a significant impact, Gladia leaped into the air as if floating.
In mid-air, she dispelled her sword and replaced her attack with magic.

“If physical attacks don't work…
how about this? [Meteor Crush]”

From the sky, a large object over 10 meters in size appears.
It's a massive rock plummeting directly into the center of the arena, targeting Kuro.

As it descends, it gains speed and generates flames.
It doesn't take long for it to turn into an actual meteor.

All the spectators were thrilled because it had been a long time since they last saw Gladia use magic.
Furthermore, the attack she unleashed had a wide Area of Effect (AOE).
It wasn't a suitable attack against a single player, but due to its immense impact, it was perfect for breaking through the defenses of a strong opponent.

With a massive explosion, the entire arena turned into dusty and devastated ground.
Kuro was nowhere to be seen, and all that could be seen were large rocks.

“Did it work?”

Gladia slowly descended and landed, but at that moment, she witnessed something even more unbelievable.
Black beams of light sliced through the large rocks, cleaving them in half and slowly disintegrating them into particles.

A figure gradually became visible.
Of course, that figure was none other than Kuro.
However, unlike before, his HP bar indicated that Gladia's attack had taken effect.

“I can't believe it only had such a minor impact.
Among countless people, you're the second person who managed to withstand my attack.”

Gladia was surprised, but she couldn't deny that she was starting to feel excited.
She realized that her current opponent was different from any she had faced before.

“I'm delighted.
I truly am delighted because I never expected that you would make me resort to this.”

Gladia's armor changed into lightweight armor.
The color and symbols indicated that the armor she wore was not something easily found.
Not only that, but Gladia even swapped her sword for a small, double-sided blue sword that was almost transparent.

The spectators who witnessed this were shocked.

“Hey…
Isn't that a Myth Class item? It's even more valuable than the one she received as a prize.”

“As usual, she always manages to surprise people.
But…
Her opponent this time is equally astonishing…”

All eyes turned back to Kuro.

While Gladia changed all of her equipment, Kuro only replaced his broken [Acid Blade] with a new one.
It was a black, double-sided sword that was almost transparent.
At a glance, everyone could tell that Kuro's sword was the same as Gladia's.

Seeing that, Gladia couldn't help but laugh.

“Interesting.
You're a great opponent.
So interesting that it makes me able to use everything I have.”

Gladia's MP bar became full after using an MP potion with the Auto Use skill.

“Let's begin…”

Gladia dashed forward and used all her strength to strike at Kuro, but upon touching Kuro, what was struck was Kuro's shadow created using the [Illusion] skill.

Gladia quickly moved to the side, and at that moment, a black spear impaled the spot where she had been.
It was Kuro's [Acid Spear] attack.
Unlike Acid Blade, Acid Spear was pure magic formed into a spear and shot like a bullet.

After successfully evading, Gladia looked up at the sky where Kuro was currently located.
She used the [Dark Bind] skill as a foothold and attacked from above.

Gladia then activated her next skill, [Iron Spear].
The ground around her formed hundreds of spears and shot toward Kuro's location.

Kuro defended against the attack by slashing the incoming spears, but suddenly, the ground beneath him shattered, causing Kuro to fall to the ground.
Seizing the opportunity, Gladia leaped and struck.

But as expected, Kuro wouldn't be defeated by such an attack.
He blocked with his sword, but Gladia didn't stop, sending Kuro's body flying into the wall.

“?!”

However, Gladia was surprised by something even more unbelievable.
Kuro used the wall as a foothold and, combined with the [Shadow Bullet] skill, shot forward with incredible speed.
Not only that, Kuro swung his sword, aiming for Gladia's neck.

Gladia defended with her sword, but due to her inferior strength, she was thrown backward just like Kuro before.
Gladia was thrown, crashing hard into the wall, and at that moment, black spheres shot toward her, causing a more powerful explosion.

Kuro then appeared in the middle of the arena, still in a ready-fighting stance.
He positioned himself in the iai sword technique.
Combined with the [Acid Blade] skill, Kuro was prepared to attack.

On the other side, Gladia rose from the ruins and threw debris toward Kuro.

Before the debris could touch Kuro, he used a skill, or rather, Kamikiri-ryu.

“Shin Kamikiri-ryu…
[Kamikazuki].”

He struck.
The debris split in two.
The arena and the spot where Gladia stood were split in two.
Everything in Kuro's attack path was split without exception, extending up to a kilometer.

Seeing that sight, everyone thought Gladia would die, but from the rubble, Gladia's figure soared toward Kuro with her sword.

“[Rock Bullet].”

Just like Shadow Bullet, Rock Bullet was a skill used to move at high speed.
But unlike Shadow Bullet, Rock Bullet increased the player's basic stats.

Gladia's attack was successfully blocked, but Kuro was pushed back several meters.

“Not yet.
[Rock Blast].”

Like a landslide, the ground formed spears and converged toward Kuro, piercing through all of his defenses.

At least, that's what Gladia estimated, knowing that Kuro's equipment was not of high-class level.
However, an unforeseen event occurred right in front of her, something that no player could have anticipated.

Just before the spears touched Kuro's body, he leaped back gently.
Then, using his foot, he stopped the spears and used them as footholds.

Gladia had heard of a technique called Tai Chi, but she never expected to see it used to evade her attacks.

“You're a monster…”

There was no doubt that anyone who witnessed it would say the same.
Especially with the level and status difference, Kuro's defeat was actually predetermined before the battle began, but the events unfolded in the opposite way.

Gladia's HP and MP decreased by more than half, while both Kuro's HP and MP only decreased by about one-tenth.

Due to frequently fighting against players, defeating players with higher levels was achievable, but what was happening now was too difficult for anyone to believe.

Kuro unsheathed his sword, standing at the tip of the spear in a standing position.
He looked down at Gladia.

“I am not a monster.”

For the first time, Kuro spoke.

“The one you're facing right now is more dangerous than any monster you've ever encountered.”

At that moment, Kuro's black eyes turned red with a square-shaped symbol.
Gladia had heard that Kuro was a unique player who could change the color of his eyes.
In the middle of his eyes, there were two chained square symbols, but Gladia could only see one.

“Who…
are you really?”

“Who am I? Honestly, I also want to know.
But one thing is certain, I think the playtime is over.”

Hearing that, Gladia immediately became furious.

“Do you think this fight is just a small game to you?”

“Don't misunderstand.
It's precisely because if I continue this battle that it would make you feel humiliated.”

“Do you see me as so weak that you don't even consider me worthy of being your opponent?”

“…Yes.
But it's not that you're weak, it's just that I'm too strong.”

“Kh!!”

“I will finish everything.”

Kuro raised his hand upwards.
A black aura enveloped his body, and shortly after, a magic circle with a diameter of over 1 kilometer suddenly appeared in the sky.

“…..what?”

Surprised by what was happening, Gladia couldn't believe what she was seeing.
Moreover, Kuro's MP bar didn't decrease at all.
One could say that the magic circle in the sky was a skill.

“Shin Kamikiri-ryu…
[Yami no Owari]”

The Doom Realm was swallowed by darkness.

___________________________________________________________________

Ruko felt that something bad had happened.
Her intuition told her that Kuro had done something dangerous.

“…Onii-chan?”

Even though she wasn't on Earth, the spreading darkness could be felt all the way to the ground.

“Ruko-chan, is there something wrong?”

Chiaki brought some water and handed it to Ruko, who was still lying in bed after fainting.

“Thank you, Chiaki-chan.” Ruko returned the glass.
“By the way, where are Flamia-chan and the others?”

There was only Chiaki in the room.
Although it was Mea's room, there was no sign of the owner.

“They are out shopping.
Well…
since that idiot rarely does it, she's very excited to go with that siblings.”

Chiaki smiled bitterly.

“Flamia-chan hasn't changed at all.
She's still the same after everything that happened.”

The fact that Kuro turned into a demon was surprising to Ruko.
Chiaki might have felt the same, although she didn't say much.

“She's so strong.
…compared to me, I'm truly pathetic.”

“…”

Chiaki remained silent and suddenly stood up.

“Chiaki-chan?”

“…I'll be right back…”

Chiaki left the room and didn't return.

Meanwhile, Ruko immediately looked for her cellphone's location.
She wanted to contact Yamato and Kuroyuki, but she couldn't find her phone.

“Why at a time like this…”

She had to inform them about what had happened as soon as possible.
Moreover, the feeling of darkness she sensed was gradually growing stronger.

At that moment, she heard the sound of the door opening and several girls chatting.
The voices belonged to Flamia, Mea, and Chiyo.
It seemed like they had just returned.

Footsteps could be heard, and finally, the bedroom door opened.
Flamia entered and saw that Ruko was awake.

“…Ruko-chan…?”

Flamia immediately jumped onto Ruko and hugged her tightly.

“Waaa…
I'm glad you're awake.
You can't imagine how worried I was..”

“….bffbfbtbmhj….”

Flamia forgot one thing.
Currently, she had her CSO powers.
Secondly, Flamia's breasts were large.
Thirdly, Ruko couldn't breathe because of the squishy object obstructing her airway.

“Uh…
Sorry, it was accidental.”

Flamia released her hug.
Afterward, she sat near Ruko.

“Ruko-chan, are you feeling better?”

“Yes, I feel better.
But my energy hasn't fully recovered.”

“In that case, rest.
You've been unconscious for three days.”

Ruko's eyes widened.

“….three…
days?”

“Yes.
Didn't you hear it from Chiaki-chan? Oh right, where is Chiaki-chan?”

“Eh? Wasn't she in the bathroom?”

“No.
If she was in the bathroom, I'm sure Chiyo-chan would have met her, but she didn't find anyone.”

They both realized.
Something had happened to Chiaki.

Ruko and Flamia got up from the bed and left the room.
They went to the living room and found Mea and Chiyo chatting.

“Ruko-chi, you're awake? Why are you both in such a hurry? Hm…
By the way, are you feeling better?”

“Mea-san now is not the time to think about my condition.
What's more important is, where is Chiaki-chan?”

“…eh?”

_______________________________________________________________________

Chiaki was not found.
It didn't mean she disappeared or left aimlessly.
She simply went home.

She went straight to her room without greeting or informing her parents that she had returned.
During Ruko's unconsciousness, she had at least gone home once to attend school and then returned to Mea's house.

The reason she didn't bring Ruko home was that Mea believed that Ruko should be taken care of at her house, where someone could look after her in her absence.

They could entrust Flamia with taking care of Ruko, but Flamia was the type of person who was careless, so it was sometimes difficult to trust her.

Once Ruko regained consciousness, there was no reason to accompany her.

At the moment, she had something more important to think about.
Although it was only based on intuition, Chiaki's intuition related to Kuro had never been wrong.

She took out her VR Gear and immediately put it on.
After that, she went to CSO, where Kuro was.

She arrived at Flamia's house in Midgard.
After that, without hesitation, she activated the [Wind Feather] skill and flew to the nearest city.

When she arrived, she searched around for information related to the all-black player, Kuro.
Of course, she didn't forget to use the tracker to find him, but due to system failure or unclear reasons, the search results were always unsuccessful.

On the other hand, the system failure was not bad news.
In fact, it was good news because it meant that Kuro was in CSO.

“…”

Although she didn't find any clues about the all-black player, she didn't give up.
She then searched for other information regarding abnormalities occurring in CSO.

This time, she found a lead.

One day ago, the Doom Realm was covered by a mysterious black fog.
The fog was incredibly dense and dangerous.
Even when players touched it, their HP bar would drastically decrease as if affected by the poison.

No one dared to approach it, but over time, the black fog grew larger and spread.
So far, there had been no announcements from the GM or responsible parties, but most players considered it the beginning of a specific event.

Armed with this information, Chika (Chiaki) immediately rushed to the former location of the Doom Realm.

It didn't take long for Chika to arrive.
When she arrived, she witnessed a horrifying sight.

Romath City, the location where the Doom Realm used to be, was now completely destroyed.
The once beautiful and vibrant city now resembled a dead city.

“…Kuro-chan?”

She didn't know why, but she felt that Kuro was within that black fog.

Tears slowly streamed down her face, but at the same time, a sense of consciousness urged her to step into the black fog, despite knowing what would happen if she touched it.

“..Ku..Kuro…-chan…”

Although she knew the consequences, it didn't give her a reason to stop.
What mattered now was that Kuro was in front of her.

She had once lost Kuro.
She wouldn't let it happen for a second time.

Slowly, her fingertip touched the black fog.
Even without fully touching it, she already received numerous negative statuses.
If she were to truly touch it, her HP bar would undoubtedly deplete instantly.

But why should she be afraid?

Running out of HP didn't mean she would truly die.
This wasn't the real world.
There was no reason to give up.
Even if she died, she would keep trying until she succeeded in meeting Kuro.

“…Kuro…-Chan,…I'm sorry…
for making you wait.
I…
have come…
Kuro-..chan..”

With unwavering determination, she advanced toward the black fog filled with death.

…But at that moment, a warm and lively hand stopped her.

“Don't do that, Chiaki-chan.
You may not die, but the more you enter that fog, the more your soul will be damaged.”

“…Ruko…-Chan…”

Chika turned to the white-haired girl, who was another side of Ruko.
Not only that, she saw Flamia, Mea, and a purple-haired player whom she had never seen before.

Chika understood how Mea could enter CSO without using an avatar.
As for the other player, despite the difference, she could tell that it was another side of Chiaki.

“Chiaki-chan, if you want to save Onii-chan, it doesn't mean you have to sacrifice yourself.
Besides, do you think Onii-chan would be happy knowing what you're doing?”

“…I…”

“You're not alone, Chiaki-chan.
We are all here.
With our powers, we will stop Onii-chan.
After all, it's the duty of a wife to scold her husband when he causes trouble, right?”

Tears still didn't cease, but this time they flowed not out of sadness but out of happiness.

For a long time, she believed herself to be weak.
She wasn't like Flamia, who possessed superpowers.
She wasn't like Ruko, who had the power of a God Slayer.
She wasn't even like Mea, who had great abilities by properly utilizing the power of the ring.

She was just an ordinary human.
An unimportant supporting character in a story.

But now she realized.

It was okay to be a supporting character because, without supporting characters, a story would not be complete.

Moreover, she wasn't just a supporting character.
She was one of the main heroines.