At this moment, every other participant was either familiarizing themselves with the city or searching for a suitable base.
Only Silver Wolf was still in an internet café, battling with unwavering determination.
The entire Belobog group fell silent.
Everyone else, however, had plenty to say.
Lisa: "I can tell already. Silver Wolf is definitely going to be one of the first eliminated."
Natasha: "Say… Silver Wolf hasn't forgotten that she still needs to summon her Heroic Spirit, has she?"
Bronya: "N-No way… right? She can't possibly forget something that important."
Surely not.
Silver Wolf might not have explored the city.
She might not have found a base.
She might not have gathered any intelligence.
But forgetting to summon her Heroic Spirit altogether?
That had to be impossible.
Qingque: "Silver Wolf is doomed."
Valerius: "I can already picture Silver Wolf's future battle scenes."
Sunday: "Oh? You can predict them? Let's hear it."
Valerius: "Village Eastside Battle. Cement included."
Keqing: "What in the world does that mean?"
Valerius: "Heh… Let me show you something."
"Village Eastside Battle.avi."
Valerius uploaded a video.
Everyone clicked on it with curiosity.
Then they collectively froze.
Keqing: "What… are they doing?"
Baizhu: "Rolling around in cement is terrible for one's health."
Bailu: "Exactly. They should take better care of themselves."
Hu Tao: "Wow! That hairstyle is incredible. I have a bold idea."
Zhongli: "Director Hu, I strongly advise against it."
He was genuinely alarmed.
If Hu Tao came to him with that hairstyle, he was certain he'd lose several years of his life.
Even if she was the director, he was still the consultant.
Surely he could stop her.
Xinyan: "Uh… that's definitely pretty daring."
Even Xinyan, who was already quite avant-garde, found the look overwhelming.
The heavy smoky makeup and colorful explosive hairdos were simply too much.
"Hehe."
Seeing everyone thoroughly shocked, Valerius snickered and casually pulled out a computer.
Then he launched Audition Online.
It might be an old game, but sometimes nostalgia hit just right.
Before long, crisp clacking sounds echoed through the worn-down church.
Seele: "Wait… Valerius is playing too?"
Bronya: "Th-This game… is actually kind of interesting."
What else could she say?
At this point, she could only force herself to defend it.
Valerius: "Oh? My dear wife thinks it's interesting too?"
"How about you come over and play with me?"
Playing alone in the church felt a little lonely.
Since Bronya wasn't participating in this round, bringing her over to play Audition together sounded perfect.
Bronya: "Uh… alright."
She wasn't particularly interested in the game itself.
But if Valerius wanted to play, she was more than willing to accompany him.
A portal appeared.
Bronya stepped into the space.
Valerius immediately produced another computer and placed it beside his own.
"My dear wife, register an account first. I'll buy you some clothes later."
"Clothes?"
Bronya had no idea what he meant.
Still, she obediently created an account and logged in.
"ID? So I need to choose a name?"
"Valerius, what's your name?"
"Mine? Uh…"
For one of the few times in his life, Valerius looked embarrassed.
He tilted his monitor toward her.
"This… how do you even read that?"
Bronya stared at the bizarre string of symbols and distorted characters.
Was this some kind of language she'd never encountered before?
"Ahem. Mine is '來ハ彶瑷尒.'"
"Oh…"
Bronya nodded as though she understood.
"Then… what should I be called?"
"Come here. I'll pick one for you."
Taking the keyboard, Valerius quickly typed out a name.
"荖紘孒蜯蜯."
"Alright. That's your name."
"Okay."
Bronya had no clue what it meant.
But since Valerius had chosen it, she accepted it without complaint.
She clicked Start.
Soon, the clattering sounds inside the church grew even louder.
"That's right!"
"Bronya, remember this. You have to hit the keys hard. Otherwise, it won't have any impact."
Cocolia: "..."
Jing Yuan: "..."
Jade: "..."
Watching the two of them pound their keyboards with alarming enthusiasm, everyone was rendered speechless.
As expected, Valerius was unreliable most of the time.
The moon rose high into the sky.
It was now past midnight.
All participating Masters were carefully drawing summoning circles and preparing their rituals.
All except Silver Wolf.
"Damn it!"
"I can't believe I haven't beaten him even once!"
After losing yet another match, Silver Wolf gritted her teeth.
Her opponent was using a brand-new account, just like her.
So why was he this absurdly strong?
She glanced at the clock.
She could no longer afford to keep playing.
"Hmph. '來ハ彶瑷尒.'"
"I'll come back and crush you later."
Reluctantly, she logged out and left the internet café.
The streets were deserted.
Aside from the occasional taxi rolling slowly by, there was hardly anyone in sight.
"I need to summon Kafka."
She was just about to look for a place to perform the summoning when she suddenly froze.
Wait a second.
Didn't drawing a summoning circle require materials?
And she didn't have a single one.
"Damn it."
"I need to find something."
Fixing her eyes on the city center, Silver Wolf decided to try her luck there.
It was the liveliest part of the city.
Even at this hour, there were bound to be people around.
Meanwhile, in the secluded western house.
As clear incantations rang out, crimson light flared.
Acheron appeared before Asta.
"Miss Acheron, you're here."
"Mm."
Acheron nodded and glanced around.
"This is a good location."
The place was quiet and remote.
She approved.
"I've already set up magical barriers. If anyone approaches, I'll know immediately."
"It's late, so let's rest."
"The real battle begins tomorrow."
"Very well."
Acheron had no objections.
She was the muscle.
Tactical planning was best left to Asta.
At the same time, Heroic Spirits were being summoned across the city.
Some pairs chose to rest and act the following day.
Others moved immediately, hoping to strike while their enemies were unprepared.
Qingque: "Everyone's summoned… except Silver Wolf."
March 7th: "Honestly, they should've just sent me."
Trailblazer: "Please. With your combat ability? This kind of mission obviously requires me."
March 7th: "Don't even start. I know you only wanted to go play Audition. You already had your screen name picked out."
Trailblazer: "Hehe. From now on, call me '柆彶硧戰鰰.'"
Welt: "Sigh… kids these days."
Welt rubbed his temples.
The bizarre names alone were enough to give him a headache.
And the earlier video Valerius had shared had left a deep impression.
To this day, he still couldn't understand the purpose of rolling around in cement.
Inside the game world.
After searching countless places, Silver Wolf finally spotted a shop that was still open.
It was a barbecue stand.
Unfortunately, the owner was already stacking chairs and preparing to close.
"Wait, boss!"
Silver Wolf hurried over.
"Uh, miss, we're closing. Besides, we've sold out of all the ingredients."
"Seriously?"
She looked devastated.
After all that searching, this was the only place she'd found.
And they were sold out.
The owner hesitated.
"Well… I do still have a few portions of duck blood left."
"Do you want them?"
Silver Wolf's eyes lit up instantly.
"Yes!"
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