I Don't Need To Log Out

An announcer stepped into the arena, his voice booming across the stands.

"Everyone, let's get ready for the main event! Today, we'll witness 24 thrilling matches, and I have no doubt some of them will be legendary!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable. The announcer raised his hands for quiet before continuing.

"But before we begin, I have a special announcement to make. We know you're already having a great time, but we've decided to add even more excitement to this event."

The crowd leaned forward in anticipation.

"Two days from now, we'll be hosting a brand-new group event right here in Istarra! So, don't leave the city just yet—you won't want to miss this!"

As the announcer finished, a system notification rang out, audible to all players:

"Global Event: There will be a new group event in two days in Istarra. To participate, please enter Istarra before the designated time!"

The announcement sent a ripple of energy through the crowd.

Cheers erupted again, and players began murmuring excitedly among themselves, speculating about what the event might entail.

There wasn't such an event in the past timeline, but Arlon didn't mind it since he knew the source of this event.

---

June stepped into the arena with an air of calm confidence, her staff glinting faintly under the magical lights of the structure. This was the staff Arlon gave her as a quest reward.

Opposite her stood Alain, a tall, wiry man clad in light leather armor. A pair of gleaming daggers hung at his hips, marking him as an assassin.

A tall assassin, huh. Arlon thought. I am happy that you will regret choosing an assassin in the future.

The announcer's voice boomed across the arena. "Match one: June versus Alain! Combatants, ready yourselves!"

June twirled her staff once, planting it firmly on the ground, her eyes locked on Alain.

Alain smirked, his posture loose and unguarded. "Don't take it personally when I win," he called, his voice dripping with false charm.

June didn't respond. Instead, she whispered an incantation, a faint aura of shimmering blue light surrounding her.

"Begin!"

Alain exploded into action, his speed shocking the spectators. He dashed forward, zigzagging unpredictably to close the distance between them.

June remained rooted in place, her hands weaving intricate patterns in the air. Just as Alain was within striking range, a glowing circle appeared beneath him.

The ground erupted with icy spikes, forcing Alain to twist mid-stride to avoid being impaled. One spike grazed his side, tearing his armor and drawing a thin line of blood.

He rolled to the side, recovering quickly, and launched one of his daggers at June.

She raised her staff, and a translucent barrier shimmered into existence just in time. The dagger struck the barrier and clattered harmlessly to the ground.

Alain frowned, his smirk replaced with focus. "Alright, no more games," he muttered, drawing another dagger.

This time, he leaped to the side, disappearing into a blur in a few seconds as he activated a stealth ability.

June remained unshaken. Her eyes closed as she muttered a series of words under her breath. A ripple of energy emanated from her staff, spreading outward in all directions.

The ripple passed over Alain, revealing his shimmering outline.

"There you are," June said quietly.

She thrust her staff forward, and a bolt of lightning crackled through the air, striking Alain squarely in the chest.

The rogue cried out, his stealth broken as he tumbled backward. Smoke rose from his singed armor, and he clutched his chest in pain.

"Not bad," he wheezed, struggling to his feet. "But I'm not done yet!"

Alain charged again, ignoring the pain, his movements erratic and desperate. June stepped back, her staff glowing brighter as she prepared her next spell.

The ground around Alain suddenly became slick with frost, causing him to lose his footing. He slid uncontrollably, crashing to the ground just a few feet from June.

Before he could recover, June raised her staff high. A glowing sphere of fire formed at its tip before hurtling toward Alain.

The rogue's eyes widened as the fireball exploded near him, sending him sprawling across the arena floor.

When the dust settled, Alain wasn't there. Just when June was about to use another skill, the announcer's voice echoed through the arena. "Winner: June!"

June thought that he had just used another stealth skill, but he had simply died.

The crowd erupted into cheers, the arena alive with excitement after the electrifying match.

June gave a small bow before exiting the arena, her composure unbroken despite the intensity of the battle.

Arlon watched from the stands, nodding slightly. Good fight, but June was lucky.

This was actually true. The players here were still low level and they didn't have many skills. So, when an assassin went into stealth, mages didn't have many things to do when alone.

But, by chance, June had a skill that could detect people nearby. Of course, she was also a good player, but at this level, luck played a much bigger part.

In short, unless one was a warrior with their passive skill to see beyond stealth, assassins were dangerous.

---

June exited the arena to thunderous applause, her performance setting the tone for the day. The excitement in the crowd was palpable as the announcer prepared to call the next match.

Arlon remained seated in the upper participants' area, his gaze steady as he watched the ongoing events.

The tension among the competitors was tangible now; each victory brought them closer to the ultimate prize.

The announcer's voice boomed again, silencing the murmurs of the crowd.

"Next match: Arlon versus Felix!"

A ripple of whispers moved through the stands as Arlon stood. His masked appearance drew curious stares from both players and Trionians alike.

Arlon looked at the seat with the most soldiers around. Seating there was Lady Rael. He needed to talk to her as Arlon the player soon, But now wasn't the time yet.

Arlon descended to the arena with calm, measured steps, his randomly equipped sword strapped to his back.

His opponent, Felix, was already waiting—a nervous young man clutching a spear.

Felix was clearly a new player. His movements were stiff, and his grip on the spear was shaky.

The announcer's voice rang out again. "Combatants, ready yourselves!"

Arlon drew his sword slowly and the metallic ring of the blade sent a shiver through the air. He held it loosely, almost casually, as he assessed Felix.

Felix's eyes darted nervously. He gripped his spear tighter and took a defensive stance.

"Begin!"

Felix lunged forward, his spear thrust aimed directly at Arlon's chest.

In a single, fluid motion, Arlon sidestepped and brought his sword down in a controlled arc.

The blade struck Felix's spear mid-shaft, snapping it in two. Before Felix could react, Arlon reversed his grip and struck Felix with the flat of his blade sending him sprawling to the ground.

The match was over in an instant. Felix wasn't dead but he didn't get up from where he lay, letting people know that he lost.

The crowd erupted in cheers, marveling at Arlon's precision and composure.

The announcer's voice cut through the noise. "Winner: Arlon!"

Arlon sheathed his sword and left the arena without looking back. His victory was effortless yet commanding.

He returned to his seat in the participants' area.

---

The matches continued, some thrilling, others straightforward. The tension in the air only grew as the announcer called the next combatants.

"Next match: Evan versus Lei!"

The participants' area stirred with excitement. Both Evan and Lei were well-known among the players not only because they were on the leaderboard, but also thanks to their performances the day before.

Evan the assassin was notorious for his speed and cunning, while Lei's reputation as a skilled warrior with a powerful bastard sword made her a formidable opponent.

Arlon leaned forward slightly, his interest piqued. He had given Lei that sword as a quest reward, and he was curious to see how it would fare in combat.

Lei entered the arena first, her athletic frame drawing cheers from the crowd. She carried the bastard sword with confidence, its broad blade glinting under the magical lights.

Evan followed, his lithe form and dual daggers exuding an air of danger.

Unlike Lei's commanding presence, Evan moved with a subtle, almost catlike grace while his eyes scanned Lei for weaknesses even as he approached.

So, that boy was also an assassin. At least, he seems good. Arlon thought.

"Combatants, ready yourselves!"

Lei unsheathed her bastard sword and held it in both hands with practiced ease. Her stance was solid and her expression was focused.

Evan twirled his daggers, "I hope we have a good duel!" he said.

"Ah, yes. I also hope that," Lei answered.

"Begin!"

Evan vanished in a blur of motion, activating his stealth ability. The crowd gasped, their eyes darting across the arena, searching for him.

Lei, however, remained calm. She turned slowly, her sword raised defensively, her sharp eyes scanning the ground.

A faint shimmer appeared behind Lei—Evan's outline, barely perceptible.

This was thanks to the passive skill warriors had, Hawkeye. It allowed warriors to see barely beyond basic stealth.

Assassins at this level only had the stealth skill that came with their classes, which was a basic one.

But it was enough for Evan. Since his level was higher and Lei didn't have protective armor, 3 hits would be enough to win this match.

Evan lunged, his daggers aimed at Lei's unprotected back.

But Lei was ready. She pivoted sharply, bringing her bastard sword around in a wide arc—the blade connected with one of Evan's daggers, sending it flying from his hand.

Evan was at a disadvantage now.