Chapter 84: Heroine Dance

After the competition ended and people gradually left the arena room one by one, I found myself alone before I knew it.

Left all alone in the vast space, I couldn’t bring myself to log out so easily.

It felt strangely empty.

‘Hmm, how should I put it?’

Being alone in a virtual reality setting, especially in a place like this, had a unique feeling.

If anything, it felt like a good place to ponder and reflect.

The inside of the arena, with its enclosed walls, didn’t offer much to look at.

But outside, things were a little different.

“Wow!”

As I stepped out of the arena building and onto the wide bridge in front of its entrance, I couldn’t help but let out an exclamation.

This bridge, connecting to a massive castle in the distance, was the only path leading out of the arena.

Come to think of it, I’d heard that this arena had some lore behind it.

‘What was it again?’

‘Ah, that’s right.’

I remembered it was a place in the story where the most glorious knights, adventurers, and distinguished guests were invited to test their skills.

As I sifted through my memories, I found myself already standing in the middle of the bridge without realizing it.

This was as far as I could go.

Beyond this point was an illusionary space I couldn’t step into.

Still, just standing here and looking out was imbued with a certain charm.

***

“Hmm?”

There was someone precariously perched on the edge of the bridge, surveying the surroundings—a figure dressed like a lotus flower.

Of course, since this was a virtual space created by graphics, there was no danger of falling.

And even if someone did fall, it wouldn’t cause any harm.

‘Was she here, like me, to clear her mind?’

It seemed like she hadn’t noticed me yet, so I cleared my throat softly and greeted her gently.

“Nice to see you, Lotus. I didn’t expect to meet you here.”

Startled by my greeting, she turned her head, revealing her expression.

‘What was that? Why did she look like a moldy loaf of bread?’

“Friede?”

“Yes. It’s a beautiful night, isn’t it?”

The sky, which usually would’ve been gloomy and heavy, was surprisingly sprinkled with bright starlight tonight.

There was a reason I’d made a comment about the weather—it was rare to see such weather in Soul Warfare.

It reminded me of the time I caught a sunset off guard a long while ago.

I settled next to her, leaning against the railing, and asked casually, “Would it be rude to ask why you’re sitting here alone?”

“Oh, not at all,” she replied, shaking her head. “It’s just… I feel a bit of regret.”

“Regret?”

“Yeah. Don’t worry—it’s not because of you, Friede.”

She smiled faintly but bitterly as she answered.

“I feel like I’ve been unnecessarily stubborn. Things like insisting on equal weapons or feeling like you didn’t give your best effort. I don’t even know why I kept those thoughts bottled up. At some point, they turned into an obsession. And then I went and picked up a weapon I wasn’t familiar with, only to completely fall apart. I must’ve looked ridiculous earlier, didn’t I?”

“Hmm, I did think it was odd when you chose that broken greatsword at the end. For someone like you, I expected you’d pick the best weapon based on performance.”

‘It might’ve been a harsh truth, but what could I do?’ The choice in the final set was undeniably puzzling.

‘Sure, I had experience using the broken greatsword as one of my main picks, but Lotus? She wasn’t known for that.’

‘In fact, I was probably the only professional player who used that weapon regularly.’

“Sorry if I disappointed you…”

“Well, it was a bit disappointing, but the ending was still good. Actually, the first set was pretty amazing too.”

Lotus turned her head to avoid my gaze, perhaps trying to hide her self-deprecating smile.

It seemed she had held high expectations for herself in this match—more than I’d anticipated.

‘How cute.’

It was like watching a sulking child who didn’t get to create the scene they wanted.

Seeing this side of her was surprisingly refreshing.

The Lotus I knew was the embodiment of a professional: cold, poised, proud, and equipped with skills to match.

To live up to those expectations, cooperating with me during the match would’ve been important, but maybe the path I chose didn’t align with hers.

In hindsight, I should’ve gone with the two-star sword and single sword build.

But what was done was done.

I couldn’t turn back time.

Still…

***

“Um, I’m not a pro, so I don’t know if what I’m about to say makes sense,” I began, hoping my words could offer some comfort.

“But I think you’re amazing, Lotus.”

“Eh?”

‘Her startled expression was priceless, but why not?’ Compliments should be direct.

“Regardless of how you set your standards, I admire how you constantly strive to improve. For example, your movements in the first set with the Lantert short sword—you were imitating me, weren’t you?”

“Ah, well… yes,” she admitted, twisting her fingers nervously like a child seeking approval.

“It might sound weird for a pro to say this, but your playstyle is incredible, Friede. I’ve reviewed and practiced your matches just to catch up to you, even if just a little.”

“Well, it’s a bit embarrassing for me to say this, but I take pride in the fact that my playstyle isn’t easy to imitate. That’s why I was impressed and could tell—‘Ah, this person worked really hard.’”

“So…”

As our gazes met, I removed the helmet that had been stifling my face.

The fresh air tickled my skin, and I felt the soft dawn breeze brush through my hair.

In that moment, fully revealing myself to Lotus, I smiled gently and said, “You’re truly an amazing person, Lotus.”

The starlight in the night sky began to fade, and a golden glow slowly rose from one side of the heavens.

‘Was it the sunrise at the end of dawn?’

With the warm golden sunlight behind me, Lotus’s face, partly obscured by shadows, was quite a sight to behold.

“So don’t let it get to you… Oh, I’ve got it!”

A way to lift the spirits of Lotus, the pro-gamer who resembled a mischievous cat, came to me after just 0.25 seconds of thought.

“Do you know how to dance?”

“What?”

“Look, it’s just the two of us here, and the atmosphere is perfect. Dancing is the best way to shake off a bad mood!”

I extended my hand, and after hesitating for a moment, Lotus gently placed her hand in mine and said softly, “I’ll… try my best.”

Stepping down from the edge of the bridge, she slowly followed my lead, matching my steps.

But this… this is bad.

“Now that we’re doing this, I should probably confess…”

“What is it?”

Looking into her wide, curious eyes, I couldn’t help but let out an awkward chuckle and admit, “I actually don’t know how to dance either.”

‘A warrior who only knows how to wield a sword—that’s me.’

‘Hmm. Now that I’ve jumped into this, it’s a bit awkward. This must be why planning is important.’

But as I wrestled with my embarrassment, Lotus smiled brightly and said, “Let’s just go with the flow, then.”

Her smile brimmed with vitality, as radiant as the sunrise that was now illuminating the bridge stretching from the arena’s entrance to the horizon.

The two figures began to dance together, awkward yet endearing, their steps blending with the hues of dawn.

***

From a distance, someone was watching them—a member of the STK marketing team.

“Friede… Friede-nee-chan is dancing with Lotus!”

The sight made their heart race, and their breath came out in excited huffs.

Witnessing such a moment felt like winning the lottery.

Initially, they had delayed logging out, wanting to see Friede one last time after her spectacular victory.

After all, the moment they logged out, Friede would surely do the same.

‘She was amazing. Truly amazing, Friede-nee-chan.’

It was unfortunate that Lotus had lost, but it was a fair and honorable match.

Even though this situation might cause headaches for the organization later, watching Friede’s magnificent victory made all concerns seem trivial.

And then, it happened.

Just as their eyes were glued to Friede, they noticed something strange.

‘Why hasn’t she logged out yet?’

The awards, interviews, and greetings had all concluded.

The tournament was officially over.

As spectators, players, and staff logged out one by one, leaving the arena empty, Friede remained.

Just as confusion filled their thoughts, Friede finally moved—but not to log out.

Instead, she left the arena building and headed toward the bridge, where she encountered Lotus.

The two began talking in hushed voices, their demeanor anything but ordinary.

From that moment, an unmistakable tension surrounded them.

The marketing team member was sure of it—this could generate incredible promotional buzz.

With the camera crew having already logged out, they couldn’t afford to let this opportunity slip by.

In a pinch, they decided to start filming the scene themselves.

The two, who had started with quiet conversation, reached the climax when Friede removed her helmet under the rising sun.

Though far away and partially obscured by the sunrise’s glow, the marketing team member, with their razor-sharp instincts, knew—Friede’s face had been revealed.

The two figures, now intertwined, began to dance.

Though clumsy, their steps were charming and refreshingly sincere.

Ah, how cruel the beautiful sunrise seemed at that moment.

If only they could also witness Friede’s unmasked face up close, along with Lotus.

But even so, they couldn’t stop filming.

‘Not a single frame should be missed.’

This would be the perfect highlight to wrap up the STK Battle Tournament and would ignite excitement among the hardcore fans.

It would satisfy both professional obligations and personal delight.

Thus, though they shed invisible tears of regret, they continued filming without pause.

Of course, they would need to obtain prior consent from Friede and Lotus before releasing the footage.

But even if consent wasn’t granted, the footage would become a treasured personal keepsake for the die-hard fan within them.

“Friede-nee-chan. And Lotus…”

They silently prayed that these two would get along well, without any conflict.

A bittersweet turmoil, rich and intense, swirled in the marketing team member’s heart—enough to make even a devil give up.

A few days later, this video would crown the STK Battle Tournament vlog as its grand finale, stoking the flames of curiosity around Friede’s face reveal.