Chapter 47: The Knight Who Exposed the Truth Through Deep Strategy is a Lie

Information about the pervert (Sunraku) who suddenly appeared in Thirdrema spread among the players in the blink of an eye, seeing as he was running through the town in real-time.

"Whoa, he looked this way!"

"There he is! Ah, he disappeared!?"

"What is that? A rare monster!?"

Just when they thought he vanished into a gap between houses, he would burst out from a back alley. If they peered into the alley, he was already crossing the main street. Information about the elusive white hood became a jumbled mess. Even if someone realized that this was "Sunraku," the player hiding the Unique Scenario, they couldn't grasp his actual location.

"Where did that bastard go!?"

"Wait, this is different from what I heard! Wasn't he a half-naked guy with tattoos!?"

"Oi! Someone said they saw him over by the Dusk Blacksmith!"

"That direction means... He confused us and is planning to head to the Iron Ruins! Let's go!!"

Due to the unexpected logout (respawn) of the Clan's Number Two, followed by a sudden boycott ("Feeling kinda lazy, so I'll pass"), the PKs searching for Sunraku were left with only the minions. Without their leader (Pencilgon)—who would have likely questioned such blatant movements—they naively trusted the information and ran to cut him off at the Iron Ruins.

Meanwhile, Psyger-0 was simply running. Ignoring the occasional uproar about the white hood's appearance, she just ran.

(Even if I chase him, I can't catch up... In that case, I'll take a gamble!)

This wasn't based on proof, but conviction. Psyger-0 was convinced that the white hood was Sunraku, and that he intended to head to the next area within the short span of two days. This wasn't because of instructions from her clan; it was a deduction made precisely because she had been chasing Sunraku from the very beginning. And Psyger-0 understood that to confront Sunraku—who was more elusive than a petal dancing in the wind—simply chasing him wouldn't work.

(There are three paths from Thirdrema to the next area. Which one will he choose?)

Thinking about it was a waste of time. In that case, believing in a one-in-three chance, she would wait in ambush at a randomly chosen location.

There was no deep reason for her choice. If she had to say, it was simply the path she herself had taken in the past.

"............"

"......Why was I found out?"

And so, he appeared right before Psyger-0, who was standing like a guardian statue in front of the Northwest Gate of Thirdrema—the gate leading to the Prismatic Forest Cave. Offering thanks to the RNG gods that surely exist in the settings of this world, Psyger-0 made her move.

"......Why was I found out?"

I was currently in a vortex of shock and agitation like never before. The route switch immediately following the distraction was definitely a perfect success. I sprinted through the town with parkour-like movements, showing off the starting gear legs peeking out from the white hood covering my body. After that diversion, I intentionally switched my equipment back to normal (stealth mode) and dove toward the gate leading to the Prismatic Forest Cave in secret. It might sound like self-praise, but the flow was perfect. I didn't let my guard down like when the secret of the Unique Scenario was leaked. I was convinced I had completely outwitted this town and its players.

So why is she there? Where did she read my intentions? The only thing I know is that the Full Plate Armor (Psyger-0), whom I thought was just a muscle-brained hardcore gamer, is actually completely superior to me... She isn't a strategist with a bird's-eye view like Pencilgon; she is a formidable player with extremely high insight as a combat class who perfectly read my aim.

(Bad, bad, this is not good! What do I do!?)

Her specs aren't something I can beat in a 1v1. I sense the aura of power creep, the type that could probably blow away the Majority Hounds in a single hit. I already have a history of using her as a stepping stone. Should I use the Apology command right off the bat...? No, in that case, she might demand the disclosure of the Unique Scenario in exchange for forgiveness. No, but...

"S-Sunraku-san! W-W-What are we going to do, desu wa!?"

"What do you mean 'what'... I can't use this diversion strategy twice. I have to break through right here...!"

Trying to deal with this using clumsy items or magic has a high chance of being countered. The theory in PvP (according to Katzo) is to either saturate the opponent's choices or narrow them down. Paralyze them with too many possibilities, or force a choice to restrict their actions... "In the end, you just restrict them and turn them into a punching bag," I thought while getting beaten up by the Pro Gamer (ModoruKatzo) demonstrating it. But now, I am the one having my choices restricted by Psyger-0... She's strong. Not just in levels, but as a gamer, Psyger-0 is above me.

The options she gives me are three: Surrender, Escape, or Eradication... No, she doesn't seem to be a PK, so maybe she won't kill me voluntarily? In that case, reveal the Unique, or return to Thirdrema...

"Tch!"

The Armored Knight's hand moved. I could feel Emul's fur standing on end as she clung to my neck in a piggyback position. How will she come at me? Psyger-0, having anticipated my agitation and surely taking the initiative... she really is a considerable player.

I didn't draw my weapon, as caution and hostility could become her justification for attacking. And then, Psyger-0's hand, which was likely performing some kind of menu operation, stopped. No, that wasn't an interruption; it was a stop due to completion...

A Friend Request has arrived from Psyger-0."I humberly request we start as friends."

...It has a typo.

Author's Notes:

[Sad News] The Heroine is being treated like a Final Boss.

Translator's Remarks:

• "Deva King (Niou-dachi)": Describes Psyger-0 standing tall and imposing, like the Nio guardians at Buddhist temple gates.
• "Why was I found out?": Sunraku repeats this phrase twice to emphasize his shock.
• Typo: In Japanese, Psyger-0 writes "よろしくおながいしもうす" (Yoroshiku Onagaishimousu).
  • Onagai is a typo for Onegai (Please).
  • Shimousu is a slip into her archaic samurai roleplay tone (using mousu instead of the standard shimasu), or potentially just a severe typo due to nervousness.