Chapter 233. Swimming Pool Party (2)

ForeverAlone confidently picked up the camera for a personal stream before the tournament match started. He swept his hair back and brought the camera close to his face.

“Hehehe... Ladies and gentlemen, I have truly been reborn as a man."

— His laughter makes me not want to believe in him.

— The first thing he said was a lie, haha.

— No way, just practice more with your eyes closed.

Even though his fans advised that his confidence was in vain, ForeverAlone had a wild gleam in his eyes and didn’t listen to them at all.

He swept his hair again and emphasized his changed appearance, "Can’t you tell after seeing my new hairstyle?"

— He looks better with his hair up. But.. he still looks like... a loser.

— Why on earth are you wearing those round glasses in virtual reality? LOL

— How about changing your head into a bun instead of that hairstyle?

— Just because you put your hair up doesn't mean you’ve become a real man. Then who's going to deliver my bread, you jerk?

— Did you quit the nationwide school bread delivery business?

"Oh my, who's talking about a nationwide bread delivery business? I’ve never had to fetch bread ever in my life!"

ForeverAlone was only twenty years old. It was quite challenging for a youngster like him to endure the teasing from multiple viewers.

He ended up shouting in front of the camera again.

— Your reactions are hilarious! Haha.

— So funny to make fun of you.

— Although you haven't tried delivering bread, you were always made for it! LOL.

— He's kind of cute.

[Commander has donated 1,000 won.]

[LOL. He's not a delivery boy, but a lackey, LMAO~]

The voice, as if it belonged to an obese man, rang out along with the donation. They continued making fun of him.

"Shit..."

— Lackey, lol

— Guys, pay attention to ForeverAlone. Let's hear how he became a real man~~

"Yes, thank you. There's finally someone trying to listen. It was my birthday last week, right?"

ForeverAlone's birthday happened last week. He received a lot of congratulatory donations during the entire week.

— So, are you asking for more donations?

— This kid is already spoiled, OMG.

— Can you deliver birthday bread instead of cake?

"No, no. I don't deliver anything, guys. The point is, I’m legal now! Right?!"

Snap.

ForeverAlone picked up countless magazines of Miho. There were photoshoots from underwear brands and pictorials with swimwear concepts that minors couldn't buy.

— Oh, wow...

— Are these allowed out here?

— Wow... I can't focus on LIL with these.

"Nature tells us to adapt or decline."

— You crazy, hahaha

— Nature would not tell you those specific tips about the world.

— Who's Nature? Is she pretty?

— Nonsense, LOL

— You're the world champion in talking BS.

"I, Jung Gi-Chan, am complete now."

— Nature???

— I don't think Nature would ever go on a date with you.

— So you're used to life as a single, right?

The teasing continued.

"Are you guys fucking crazy?! Argh," ForeverAlone eventually yelled at the viewers.

— It’s too late for you~ Like your sperm~

— LOL, this is hilarious. Do it again!

— Work perks!

— Wow, we finally made you yell! Where's the guy who bet against me earlier?

— How can you swear at me? This is unacceptable. OMG OMG!!

Even when ForeverAlone shouted obscene things at them, no one in the chat seemed affected.

"Ah, whatever. Just watch how I do, everyone."

Thud.

ForeverAlone pointed directly at the camera and ended his stream. Then he headed to the arena.

***

"Alright! All players have gathered! Let's check out the bans!"

Solo Is Back had the first opportunity to ban.

A moment later, the casters became shocked.

"What?"

"Huh? They’re clearly provoking Balloon Stars!"

"They're really doing this?"

Cheers erupted from the audience.

— WOWWWWW!!

— Jung Gi-Chan! Jung Gi-Chan! Jung Gi-Chan!

ForeverAlone was holding Miho's photobooks. He threw them away and made them disappear as if they were useless.

"Wow! ForeverAlone! That was something! Have you finally overcome Miho?!"

"Wait... those photoshoots… Aren't those 19+?"

"Oh! Um... Just a moment please..."

The casters quietly discussed with the staff for a moment.

"Ah-ha. From what I've heard, ForeverAlone had his 19th birthday last week!

— LOL

— Wow.

— Buying those 19+ photoshoots as soon as you're legal... Your life is a legend...

— Hahaha, you crazy bitch hahaha

— This is the true LIL.

"Wow, it would be dangerous if he really overcame Miho, right? Then I don't have anything to make fun of during the game anymore!" OrangeKing seemed genuinely disappointed.

— LOL

— You're so mean!

— The OrangeKING

"So, does that mean we can finally listen to proper analysis? No, I mean, will we see ForeverAlone's true skills this time?"

"Really? Ahaha! Exactly! We all want to see the true ForeverAlone with his skills! Let's see if he can show off against Miho!"

— ??? What was that?

— LOL, one point for OrangeKing!

"Stop it, OrangeKing."

Everyone felt excited right from the start, but this was just the beginning.

***

The ban phase ended and the champion selection phase began.

Shaaa!

Streams of water shot out from every direction. A girl with flowing blue hair landed behind Miho with water splashing around her.

[Calm Wave - Aqua]

— Whooaaaaa!

— Miho! Miho! Miho!

— Sis, please take me!

— MIHOOOO!!!!

The cheers from the audience were no less than when Aqua first appeared. In fact, the excitement in the air was even greater because they already experienced Miho's Pool Party Aqua.

"Wow! Miho, you're picking Aqua again!"

"It's like she's saying ForeverAlone is still a baby!"

"She's choosing the Pool Party skin?!"

Miho chose the Pool Party skin as the casters and the audience expected.

— It’s like she’s using her Ultimate Skill, lol!

— Did they just say she was choosing the Pool Party skin? LOL.

— She’s definitely the ultimate player out of them all.

Once again, a wave of cheers erupted.

ForeverAlone gulped down his dry throat.

'It's better than last time.'

He looked straight at Miho. Things were clearly different from before. His expression hardly faltered.

"Wow, ForeverAlone. I don't sense much hesitation from you anymore!"

"Well, he seemed to have trained properly!"

The other champion picks passed by.

However, the casters sensed that something was off at this point.

"Ah? Wait a sec. StrawberryShooter is picking the Pool Party skin too?!"

The Pool Party Poison Dart Rabbit appeared. The Poison Dart Rabbit wore a cute duck tube around its waist and held a water-shooting whistle.

"And Takoyaki too!"

Following that, Takoyaki transformed into the Pool Party Hammer Warrior. He held a squeaky hammer instead of a toy hammer and a rescue tube instead of a shield. He also wore a red life jacket, a hat, and sunglasses. He looked like a beach lifeguard, for sure.

— Whoa, what's this? Haha!

— Is he trying to mock ForeverAlone?

— This is driving me crazy, hahaha.

Even Bubblegum transformed into the Pool Party Iron Ball. The champion originally turned into an iron ball and rolled around. Now, he was a giant transparent beach ball. Besides looking like a beach ball, he simply looked like a middle-aged man at a resort. His chubby belly became exposed, which made him slightly embarrassed.

"HAHAHAHA!!" Bubblegum laughed even more to hide his embarrassment.

— OMG, he's so cute!

— What is this? Lol.

— Is everyone matching the Pool Party theme?

— Wait, does that mean Almond is also going to...?!

— TMI: Almond already received a mission, 'Try the Pool Party Ran.'

Only ForeverAlone and Almond’s champion picks were left.

"Oh my god! Balloon Stars! Could this be a real provocation aimed at ForeverAlone?"

"Yes, you're right! Who would’ve ever thought every Balloon Stars member would wear the Pool Party skin this time?!"

"It’s ForeverAlone's turn to pick!"

"ForeverAlone! Who will you pick?"

"Miho confidently picked Aqua earlier, right? Then ForeverAlone should pick someone to go against her. Given ForeverAlone’s range of champion usage..."

"What are his options?"

"Aqua's strong resilience makes it tough for assassin champions in the early phase. Mages have a short range, so a good poking champion with long range could work... Ah, ForeverAlone is picking right now."

[Explosion Madness - Terry]

This champion had a long range and threw bombs at the opponent. ForeverAlone chose Explosion Madness - Terry.

"Wow, ForeverAlone, you must be confident with this champion!"

"Explosion Madness does have a long range. We also need to take into consideration the distance the bomb rolls after being thrown to the opponent, which is quite substantial."

"Yes, you're right. The range is definitely longer than Aqua's."

"By the way, who will Almond pick? He’ll probably also go for the Pool Party skin without a doubt. Among the champions that Almond has played so far, there's one with the Pool Party skin..."

"Probably only Ran, right?"

"Ah, right! It's Ran!"

"It wasn't intended, but Almond basically already told the opponent that he was going to pick Ran! Haha."

"Then what was the point in picking last?"

“They made a mistake because they wanted to follow the same theme. Or they could be confident enough to act according to the opponent’s expectations!”

— Wow, Pool Party Ran!

— Will Almond keep his promise?

— Hahahaha, OMG!!

Thud.

A blond boy stepped forward behind Almond. As the casters predicted, Almond chose Ran.

[The Pure Sniper - Ran]

Now, it was time to pick the champion’s skin. Normally, Almond didn't change skins that often. This time, his hands moved to click something.

A momentary silence spread throughout the audience.

Gulp.

Countless fans with almond hats dryly gulped.

Swooooosh...

Water poured over Almond, and his now blonde hair got thoroughly wet.

A moment later, Almond appeared with the skin applied.

— WOWWWWW!!!!!!

— OMGGG!!!!!!

Almond wore solid-colored swim shorts and an unbuttoned aloha shirt.

— Almond! Please twerk for me!

— You're the best!!!!

— I'm crying...

The shirt revealed Almond's solid abs, and even the other teammates felt embarrassed. His muscles weren't as big as StrawberryShooter’s, who was a bodybuilder.

— Holy shit, did he buy that out of his own pocket?

— That's Almond's body?

— Almond, I asked you not to work out... Was that too difficult of a request for you?

— He's got everything...

— He bought it with cash. For sure. It's selling in This World!

— He's HOT.

— Ran has a body like a snail, but Almond is killing it.

— I'm 33, but I'm going to call Almond my brother from now on.

Almond seemed a little embarrassed by the unexpectedly huge reaction, so he put on the sunglasses hanging around his neck.

However, the fans started cheering even louder.

— WOWWWW!!!

— Almond! Almond! Almond!

"Wow, it's my first time seeing such intense energy!"

"Ladies and gentlemen! Your eyes must be delighted for today's game!"

"This is the beach, even though the weather is nothing like it!"

"This is our club!"

OrangeKing excitedly pumped his shoulders.

"Alright, let the game begin!"

***

'Holy... did they really all wear the Pool Party skin to target me?'

ForeverAlone felt irritated by Balloon Stars on his way from the base to the mid-lane. Wearing the Pool Party skin as a team seemed like a direct provocation at him.

'Ugh. This is so fucked up. I'm going to win for sure.'

ForeverAlone intensely focused so Miho's appearance wouldn’t fluster him. They would soon meet in the mid-lane.

'Whether it's a Pool Party or whatever, I can easily blow Aqua away with Explosion Madness Terry.'

It was a bit of a stretch to say Explosion Madness countered Aqua, but Terry definitely had an advantage over her.

Explosion Madness would struggle a bit in a three vs. three situation, but the laning phase suited him much better because of Aqua’s range.

"Inhale, exhale. Inhale, exhale."

ForeverAlone arrived at the mid-lane turret and took deep breaths to steady himself. He had to prevent his heart from racing at the sight of Miho.

"...?"

ForeverAlone immediately felt that something was wrong.

"Why... why are you...?"

Why was that guy coming from there?

Almond, wearing an aloha shirt, had been waiting for ForeverAlone.