Chapter 40: Players vs. Qingxue+Hyotei+Fudo...

"So, do we really have to participate in this four-school training camp..."

"Really...really, you can't regret it anymore?"

"We're already at the school gate. It's a bit too late to say such things, Kikumaru."

"But, Oishi..."

After a moment of silence, Kikumaru jumped up in anger and pointed with a trembling hand at the neatly lined welcoming procession of cattle, sheep, chickens, and ducks at the gate of Rikkai University.

One row of chicken, one row of duck,

One rack of beef, one rack of lamb,

And the two rows of Rikkai members who were smiling and crying in the middle,

If that's all, that's fine.

What was even more striking was that on both sides of the school gate, two pigs appeared from nowhere and unfurled large, bright banners:

"Welcome to our friendly schools: Seigaku, Hyotei, and Fudomine! Welcome, welcome! A warm welcome! !"

Kikumaru's fingers weren't the only ones shaking; his entire body was trembling.

“——And no one told me… that I would have to endure this kind of mental torture!?!!”

At the gate of Rikkai University, there was a great deal of jubilation.

Passersby looked at him curiously.

Of course, only the welcoming procession was jubilant, such as the "mooing" cows, the "quacking" ducks, the "bleating" sheep, and the "clucking" chickens.

In addition, whether it was Seigaku who arrived a step earlier, Hyotei who arrived just in time, or Fudomine who arrived a step late,

It seemed like they all wanted to pretend not to know each other, and even wanted to turn around and leave right now.

Only the members of the Rikkai University tennis club, who seemed to be a little dead, were standing guard at the other side of the door with the chickens, ducks, cattle and sheep, and a fake smile on their faces.

Grasping the corner of a member of a friendly school's clothes with earnestness and affection, he said, as sincerely as if he were selling insurance,

"Don't leave, take a look, it's more exciting inside."

“…”

“………”

God, it’s even more exciting inside.

Slowly, someone finally asked a crucial question:

"Have the people at Rikkai University finally gone crazy?"

"It's possible...it's better not to provoke them..."

"...Then the only option is to stimulate us?"

“…”

"……well."

The four schools’ training camp hasn’t officially started yet.

Just standing at the gate of Rikkai University, Seigaku, Hyotei, and Fudomine had already formed a united front under such a show of force.

Next - no matter what they go through or encounter, they must stick together and must not be separated!

Momoshiro Takeshi, who had been laughing since the scene at the school gate, endured it for a moment. He followed the group and approached Echizen Ryoma, who was pretending to be offline with his hat pressed down for some reason.

"Ryoma, you didn't tell me that Rikkai University has become so interesting when you came back yesterday?"

Echizen Ryoma: “…”

Just then, Kamio, who was slowly questioning the definition of 'interesting', heard: "?"

Kamio and Echizen Ryoma silently exchanged glances.

The two of them recalled the scene yesterday when they followed... Yagi Kei's ass, one after another, shouting "Madamadadane" and "Keep up with the rhythm", and rushed into the trash can without hesitation.

silence,

All I could say was silence.

After a long while, he managed to squeeze out: "Senior A Tao, you are still far from it."

The conversations of the members behind did not reach the ears of the three school leaders in front.

Because at this moment, compared to those,

They are more focused on what is about to happen.

For example: the Rikkai University Tennis Club's inexplicable entry and exit methods.

“…”

Ju slowly pinched his brows, "...should we tell them in advance?"

“…”

“………”

"Still not."

"Haha, my team members will not be defeated by such a small difficulty."

Tachibana: "A small one..."

Small difficulties become great torture when you are faced with them in person.

Looking at the Rikkai University members leading the way, each one more fluent and skillful than the other, climbing up the wooden barrels blocking the entrance to the Rikkai University Tennis Club,

He was used to finding the narrow space between the barrels, barely enough for one person to pass through, and squeezed in.

As he drilled, he turned around with a fake smile on his face and said to the people from Seigaku/Hyoutei/Fudomine who were all stunned at the doorway after being shocked by the lethal barrel:

"Come in, everyone, come in~"

The people from Seigaku, Hyotei, and Fudomine who had never seen such a scene: "..."

Even Fuji, who was generally recognized as having the best temper, slowly opened his eyes.

Kikumaru was already bewildered, and pinched his face with a sleepwalking expression.

"Hey... Oishi, are we... dreaming now?"

Oishi: Wry smile.

If this is really a dream...that would be great.

Mukai Taketo slowly patted his partner Oshizuka Yuushi's shoulder, "...Oshizuka, you're really tight-lipped."

In fact, it was just because he was too creative that his brain had selectively lost its memory and forgot this crucial step: "..."

I remember now.

I remember everything.

"...Are we really going in?"

"We've come this far, it would be rude not to go in."

“…”

“………”

"Is it polite to go in now..."

For a moment, it was just a short distance from the Rikkai University gate to the Rikkai University Tennis Club.

But everyone's mentality has changed a lot, and when they look closely, they all look a little old.

"Ha...hahaha, it really is... Rikkai University."

Everyone can only use this sentence as an excuse to comfort themselves.

After all, he is the legendary 'Kanto Overlord', so to proceed in such a peculiar way... there must be a unique reason, right?

After climbing up the barrel with difficulty, he entered the real Rikkai University tennis court through the leaking space.

The moment my feet touched the ground, I looked out at the vast tennis court.

Everyone couldn't help but feel moved.

Great...it's actually a normal court!

Most of the Rikkai members who had crawled in earlier were already waiting for them with smiles on their faces.

"Great, you guys actually caught up."

"That's awesome! Follow us!"

“Never give up, never abandon, this is our virtue!”

“…”

"...Are they humanoids?"

Soon, the members of the three schools understood why the members of Rikkai University said so.

No, no one said that.

To become the 'Kanto Overlord', one must undergo such a lethal amount of training?!

Following Rikkai University's regular players and members, we ran breathlessly around the court for two hundred laps.

Turning back to swing the racket a thousand times, swinging the racket for a while without putting it down,

The weight will grow on its own.

Seeing that the weight training has not yet ended, the mental training is about to begin...

After the whole process, everyone was almost exhausted.

Panting, sweating, lying down, or gazing at the sky with empty eyes, doubting life.

"Mom, Mom... Is this really the right decision to come to the training camp..."

"I can't take it anymore, I can't take it anymore. If you do any more, I'll really die right here..."

"Are you still human? After going to this extent... wouldn't you want to die..."

"Ha ha,"

Most of the Rikkai members laughed heartily. "That's just the beginning."

"It's just a warm-up, keep up the pace, buddy!"

“…”

“………”

"Is it too late to quit now?"

After the four school heads finished their meeting and assigned the order of the next matches, they came to the court.

A lot of people have died everywhere.

Pushing up his glasses, Tezuka frowned slightly.

Atobe said "hmm", and the corners of his lips slightly raised up and pulled down.

Ju quickly stepped forward and checked the breathing of his own team member.

Fortunately, fortunately... I'm still alive...

Sanada was no longer surprised. He exchanged glances with Yanagi and went forward one by one to pour a small cup of liquid into the fainted members who had fallen to the ground.

Under the watchful eyes of Tezuka, Atobe, and Tachibana,

With a "swoosh", the person who was barely alive just now suddenly jumped up and screamed, jumping around vigorously.

Because the movements were so fast, they looked distorted and convulsive, like a zombie coming back to life.

Even Tezuka and Atobe, who were as immovable as a mountain, did not take a single step back.

Jue slowed down and said, "Is this... a medical miracle?"

Sanada said nothing, but just pried open the teeth of the half-dead members and poured an unknown liquid into them.

Liu Liangxin was online, paused, and said silently, "No, this is Gui juice."

"...Gui juice?"

Orange didn't understand why.

But Tezuka's lens flashed, and the hairs on Atobe's back stood up reflexively.

Hearing rustling noises behind him, Tachibana turned around, wondering, "Captain Tezuka, Captain Atobe, what are you doing?"

Tezuka and Atobe walked to the left and right respectively.

When my name was called, I had to stop.

“…”

Tezuka: "Nothing."

Atobe: "Hehehehe, isn't it just Kei Juice? I definitely won't have any reaction..."

Orange: "..."

Isn't this already a very strong reaction?

After looking around, I found that everyone from Seigaku, Hyotei, and Fudomine were already there.

Only Rikkai University seemed to be missing a figure.

Tachibana asked with concern, "Sanada-kun, isn't your school's acting president coming to the training camp?"

Sanada's hand trembled uncontrollably when he heard a name while drinking Keiju: "..."

The Rikkai members, already half-dead from the blow from Kei Juice, suddenly choked: Ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh, ugh--!!!

Ju watched in bewilderment as the poor lucky guy did a somersault and ran away crookedly. Before he had taken two steps, he crashed into a trash can and rolled over twice.

"clang clang clang",

People are going away.

The barrel rolled away.

By the way, a familiar-looking mushroom rolled out of the trash can.

Ju stretched out Erkang's hand: "..."

Sanada/Yanagi/Tezuka/Atobe who witnessed this scene: "..."

Mushroom Head looked around blankly, then looked at the four heads of schools gathered together.

Suddenly realizing it, he glanced over with dead fish eyes and said hello in a cool and arrogant manner:

"Yo."

“…”

“………”

Yanagi slowly patted Sanada's shoulder, whose face was as dark as coal.

Tezuka pinched his palms, and Atobe looked at the sky and the ground instead of people.

Honest Tachibana said slowly: "It's okay, Sanada-kun, it's okay, it's not that... funny, right?"

The player finished the daily search of 44 trash cans in the Opposition Sea. Although he was attacked by an NPC when he was looking through the last trash can,

But it's harmless.

Holding the green algae that was turned out from the trash can, he attacked the nearest NPC and sent him away.

He silently lowered his head and looked at the sticky green algae orange that was stuffed into his hand without any warning: "..."

He slowly said: "This is..."

Tezuka: "A gift."

Atobe: "Oh, what a plain gift."

As soon as the words came out, Tezuka and Atobe looked at each other, and a light of "you too" flashed in their eyes.

Orange: "?"

No, why are you two so skilled?

It’s terrifying when you think about it. It’s terrifying when you think about it.

But does it really have to be this slimy pool of green algae?

to be honest,

A bit disgusting.

Ju endured it and accepted the green algae and gave the player a five-point favorability rating out of courtesy.

The player who had gotten rid of the little trash and gained some favorability points turned around and glanced at him.

——I even like this little piece of trash!

I’ll give it to you next time!

Ju suddenly shuddered.

...Or just throw it away secretly.

After remembering the characteristics of this NPC who likes green algae, the player's attention shifted to the newly refreshed task.

[Activity Task 1: Friendly competition among four schools during training!]

The four-school training camp, full of anticipation and enthusiasm, has begun!

To deepen friendships and impressions, try to form a random team for friendly competition! 】

Random team?

interesting.

After much difficulty, we rescued all the half-dead members.

When they were brought back from feeding, they were all in a daze and had no idea what year it was. They lined up one by one in a daze.

"Next, we will have a joint battle between the four schools."

As the host, Rikkai University, because the acting director was mute most of the time, the speeches were basically made by Sanada and Yanagi.

"This joint battle will be conducted in a shuffled formation, with teammates and opponents randomly matched. Don't let your guard down!"

"--yes!"

Players quickly skip the cutscene CG and focus on the main task.

Yesterday's [Emergency Mission: The Beginning of a Successful Business] was only halfway through when it was interrupted due to the message "Insufficient NPCs present to witness the player's achievements."

Looks like I have to do it all over again today.

Which lucky ones should I choose...

For some reason, everyone who was listening to the speeches of the school directors with their hands behind their backs suddenly felt a chill on their backs.

"Then, the battle schedule is as follows—"

A ninety-nine-sided die suddenly popped up in front of the player.

——Here it comes!

Click, and the ninety-nine-sided dice spins so fast that it almost leaves an afterimage.

"The first doubles match, the Kirihara and Niou combination—"

When the name of this group was announced, before other schools reacted, most of the Rikkai members had already sensed something was wrong.

Marui was a little worried: "Do we really want to let these two guys go? Isn't it a bit unfair to the others..."

Ding!

【Your teammates are: Seigaku and Echizen Ryoma! 】

"Battle—Echizen and Yagi!"

Marui immediately changed his tone: "Haha, that's so fair!"

Kirihara Akaya, who just picked up the racket: "..."

Niou Masaharu, who was about to stand up, said: "..."

Although, but, do we really have to torture them like this?

From the Seigaku team, Echizen Ryoma raised his eyebrows and pulled his hat when he heard this.

Well… I’m not his match, but as for doubles teammate… it’s just barely possible.

Someone familiar with the situation looked at the two teams of players already heading towards the court and said, "...They actually let that guy go so early."

The player took out the racket from behind his back and walked onto the court facing the NPC's gaze.

Fudomine noticed that everyone's attention had more or less shifted to this group of players.

In one game, all three were from Rikkai University.

"So it was an internal conflict within Rikkai University right from the start..."

Fudomine, who had fought against Seigaku before and was well aware of Echizen Ryoma's strength, perked up a little, "Then let's take this opportunity to observe."

Players enter the team battle loading page,

Yes, the teammate bar appears, and the opponent's health bar also appears.

Second stage blood lock boss and mirror imitation boss,

Players are no longer the same players they used to be!

——For the player’s mission, become the player’s captured soul!

"salute--!"

"Please give me your guidance!"

Fudomine perked up, watching the players starting to walk towards both sides of the field, and slowly made predictions in his mind.

According to Seigaku's Echizen's offensive style, he would definitely use his special skills when he first got the serve.

Wait, why are there two Echizen?!

Fudomine looked at the venue blankly.

You read that right, there are still two Echizen! ?

Even if I racked my brains, I still couldn't tell which one was the real Echizen. After all, they were both equally short...

"Haha, you actually use such a trick right from the start?"

Fudomine heard the Niou from Rikkai University on the other side say this to himself,

The body shape changes suddenly!

Three Echizen suddenly appeared on the field!!

Seigaku and Rikkai University, who were already familiar with this: "..."

Hyotei and Fudomine, who had never seen such a scene before: "..."

"—They've appeared! It's the long-lost Echizen No. 1, No. 2, and No. 3!"

Echizen Ryoma, who once again became a blueprint and template and lost his own name: "..."

No, can you use your own name?

Atobe placed his finger against his brow bone to activate his MAX observation ability, stared at the field for a while, and smiled brilliantly.

"Hahaha, it's actually done this way..."

"So what did Atobe see?"

"I don't know...why don't you ask?"

Mukaito was curious: "Atobe, can you tell which of these three is the real Echizen?"

Atobe glanced at him and said in a flashy voice, "Of course—my observation skills are no joke."

Everyone's eyes lit up.

Atobe pointed confidently, "That guy on the other side of the net, he's so tall—he's definitely not the real Seigaku brat!"

Everyone: “…”

Once again, Nioh is out of place due to his height: Silence.

Is there a possibility that he is already on the other side of the net, how could it be the real Echizen Ryoma?!

There is silence off the court, but the action continues on the court.

Kirihara Akaya was the only one who didn't have the ability to imitate: "..."

——Don’t isolate him QAQ!!!

"...You look a bit pitiful, Akaya."

Marui sighed,

Kuwabara nodded, "Yeah, yeah."

The next second after the words fell, I saw Akaya start to transform into a demon, chasing after Echizen No. 1, Echizen No. 2 and even Echizen No. 3 on my side. The two on the opposite side were fine.

Those on our side were chased away in panic.

Marui Ganba: "...Well, it seems that he is not so pitiful all of a sudden, haha."

Niou Echizen No. 3: ...What kind of suffering is this?

Attack my teammates and protect my opponents.

Why do you have to learn even this from that kid?!

Akaya, you really need to stop hanging out with that Kei guy—!!

Nioh's inner complaints could not reach the heart of Kirihara Akaya who had already turned into a demon.

now!

The only thing in his mind was the obsession with victory.

Defeat these three identical Seigaku guys!

In this way, he is Kei's perfect partner!

For some reason, the kelp head suddenly laughed "hehehehe" and began to twitch and twist.

The player silently watched the Boss enter the second stage of blood lock, took out a wild onion and ate it,

The teammate in the upper right corner seems to be injured, so I caught a fish to heal him.

无防備の越前龙马：?

He turned around and saw himself slowly walking towards him, holding a lively eel. "Hey, what are you going to do... Ugh!!"

It's simply inhumane and shocking.

Looking at the replenished stamina and health bar, there is an additional debuff [Fear].

But if it doesn't affect the game, then forget it!

The player who has hidden his merits and fame continues to swing his racket and attack.

Witnessing this scene, Niou Masaharu strangely felt a sense of tranquility and peace in his heart.

Finally...finally someone understood him,

The difficulty of teaming up with the Kyuu boy, the bitterness, the tears of regret left when being forced,

Ahhh, is this heaven?

Player: No, I'm sending you to heaven.

Around the net, we witnessed strange scenes such as cosplay transformation, indiscriminate attacks, and forcing teammates.

For a moment, there was absolute silence.

Slowly, someone spoke with difficulty:

"Or, let's pause..."

"Save people... Save people is the most important thing..."

The player successfully took the first kill of the two opposing bosses through the perfect cooperation with teammates!

A world where only players are happy has been achieved!

The jubilant players left the three fallen players behind and happily walked off the court with a pace that even their mothers couldn't recognize.

As soon as he took a step forward, the NPCs all took a step back.

Wherever you go, there is a vacuum zone.

Although I really want to make amends for the younger generation, but when I think of the scene just now,

Marui said with difficulty: "Actually...actually Kei is not always...uh."

"He's still very human sometimes, really... For example, that..."

“…”

Marui gave up treatment: "...Haha, just get used to it, just get used to it!"

“…”

"Is this something I can really get used to..."

"So I said that everything at Rikkai University is a little bit abnormal..."

On the court, Echizen, Kirihara, and Niou, who were defeated by the players, slowly climbed up.

"A worthy opponent."

"You're just trying too hard."

The three of them, persecuted by the same idiot, actually developed a sense of comradeship and were about to become sworn brothers on the spot.

Gan Shanshan came late,

"—Oh, I forgot to tell you, the loser in the battle has to drink this, okay?"

Gan slowly took out two cups of green liquid with unknown bubbles and pushed his glasses. "This is the improved version of triple concentrated super comprehensive dry juice."

"Come on, drink."

Having already understood the lethality of dry juice, Echizen Ryoma breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, fortunately, although the victory is hard to describe, but at least... I don’t have to drink this stuff.

Kirihara Akaya and Niou Masaharu exchanged glances.

"Haha, although I don't want to brag, but after training with Gui Juice, we are no longer afraid of anything like this—"

"Yes, yes, I won't be afraid--!"

"Cheers, Akaye!"

"Cheers! Niou-senpai!"

When Seigaku was impressed that Rikkai University was indeed Rikkai University, they had actually trained in this aspect,

Kirihara Akaya/Niou Masaharu clinked glasses and poured the liquid from the cup into his mouth without blinking: "..."

wrong.

“……?”

The kelp head that was strangling his neck tightly: "Ren, Renwang-senpai... no, that's not right..."

Slowly, Niou, whose eyes had begun to blurt out, said: "Aka, Akaye... I, you... he..."

The two of them screamed: "This thing... is poisonous!!"

"Bang Dong" and "Bang Dong" sounded twice in succession.

Gan squatted down in front of the two unconscious bodies and took out his notebook to record the situation. "Hmm... It seems that the effect this time is quite strong. It actually caused fainting..."

"But successfully surpassing Yagi's threshold of Keijutsu is good news. Next, we'll have to improve in the areas of XX, XX, and XX..."

Echizen Ryoma's eyes twitched as he slowly took a step back.

He pulled his hat and said, "You're still a long way from here," and quickly slipped out of the court.

But Gan happened to reach out and stop him, "By the way, Echizen,"

"This is the right of the winner," Gan pointed to the battle table that was specially marked blank.

"You can decide your opponent for the blank match. Just choose from the awake players."

Blank occasions, without exception, are all doubles.

Echizen Ryoma: “…”

Echizen Ryoma looked up,

He pushed his glasses up, "You know what I mean, Echizen."

Gan smiled and said, "This is also for the sake of everyone's data collection."

The player sits down to prepare for fishing and wait for the matching time to end.

[Ding!] The taskbar refreshes with a prompt.

So fast?

Isn't it usual to match for at least 1 hour?

The player opens the taskbar without warning.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak—!"

"Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak—!"

"Squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak, squeak—!!!"

There are tasks stacked on top of each other in front of the players.

Dozens of battle invitation interfaces overlapped.

They all rushed towards my face, leaving no room for vision.

Player: No, is there a system bug?

“…”

Looking at the blank application form submitted,

The name "Yagi Kei" was written all over the place.

Even Sanada, whose expression never changed, slowly pinched his brows.

Although, if everyone's opponent is that guy Yagi...

After today, will anyone survive the joint training of the four schools?

After a successful match, the four school members, who had strengthened their friendship, went to the notice board to check the updated match schedule.

Everyone: Happy.

The moment you see the content clearly,

The smile suddenly froze at the corner of his mouth.

Everyone: Unhappy.

“…”

Slowly, someone trembled and asked:

"...Are we really going to die today?"

“…It seems so.”

"——Otherwise, they wouldn't be chasing and killing us like this?!!!"