Leaving Light

Nimin sighed heavily. Turns out doing something so intense was very tiring without practice! He had to rely on old fleeting memories and his years of experience to maintain playing at that level. If a Pro player was to see his playing, they would certainly notice this fact.

Moreover. . . Nimin controlled Critical Shot to look at the handguns. Pressing the inputs for Quick Swap he watched as the strange glitch caused them to vanish. Something had changed with Quick Swap, originally it just sped up the swapping animation. This was almost an entirely new Unique Skill, and was the only reason he was able to continue playing so intensely.

"This. . . doesn't count as glitch abusing right?"

The Skill Quick Swap was useful for about 2 classes, and that was the only classes that had multiple weapons. Gunner, and Footsoldier. Other classes wouldn't hesitate to reroll the Skill, or start a new account. Since you can only get a Unique Skill once reaching the max level, you were unable to choose the class that had it. Taking into consideration the massive Unique Skill pool, and the 16 total classes, the chances of an account being both a Gunner and having the Quick Swap skill was slim.

This wasn't even considering the accounts that rerolled afterwards. Or the ones that were abandoned. After all Critical Shot was one of such accounts. After the Unique Skill was voted to be permanently removed. . . there's a chance its features were deleted as well since there wasn't any continuing players using the Unique Skill. So while its features remained, the Skill lost its animations.

No that wasn't right, if it was deleted then shouldn't the Unique Skill be gone as well? Maybe the developers changed it a bit in preparation for it to be voted back in? Or. . . was it that mysterious being's doing?

Critical Shot held the assault rifle and returned to the stage. The other party members were unable to say anything, their minds blank. They all knew how to play the game, but doing what Critical Shot had just accomplished. . . that was impossible!

They were snapped out of their daze when Critical Shot typed a message.

Critical Shot: Oh, my time is out. I'll have to log out here!

Quick! Friend the expert!! Someone like this can't vanish without at least attempting to friend them! Strange Smile quickly spoke, "Time? We could use your help with some future dungeons!"

Critical Shot: Just friend me then. I really can't stay on.

He offered! The rest of the party moved their cursors faster than ever before. Nimin was startled to see several appear almost instantly. A small chuckle escaped his lips as he accepted them all. Sending a final message he didn't wait for a response before logging off.

Critical Shot: With the Hidden Event done the dungeon should be easy now.

What he spoke of was true! Completing a Hidden Event often gave different kinds of rewards. Usually a boost to the drops at the end, but also buffs to make the rest of the dungeon easy! After the Puppet Master was defeated the rest of the mannequins would be given a heavy speed debuff. This should be enough for the party to finish the dungeon without Nimin's help.

Swiftly logging out Nimin finished cleaning up the mess. Pulling his Account stick free he felt its strange shape on his fingers. He was pleased, this was exactly what he needed. Standing out in the new server with a flashy and confident style. Now he needed to maintain this image no matter the circumstance so a professional team would scout him.

The sooner the better, he needed to return to the professional stage within 2 years!!

Right now there was a different issue. He no longer had a computer to run the game. Although his new living space was settled, he still lacked the hardware. A complex game like Fractured Worlds required decent specs to run well. This would be an expensive problem to solve, but to a long term Professional Player like Nimin, this much was easily handled. He just needed to do some part searching.

Nimin was capable of putting together a PC, it was something he dabbled in before he became a Professional Player. Knowledge in computers was necessary to properly develop your skills anyway. The small setting changes to fine tune a setup was key to performing at your peak. A science that was only studied by Pro players. One that Nimin participated in greatly.

There was a lot of shopping he had to do anyway. It was about time he focused on such endeavors. Nimin checked out of the internet cafe and moved down the streets. There was a strange lack of activity despite it being midday. Turning a corner Nimin found a potential explanation. A large group were surrounding a series of televisions.

"With recent news the player Nimin Hyarrow, the controller of Second Shot and the Magician of Piercing Light, has abruptly announced his retirement. We're joined by the Emperor of Piercing Light: Ty Siol."

"Thank you for having me."

"Ty, I'm sure this is shocking news to not only fans of Piercing Light, but also the team itself?"

"It was a. . . startling decision. However we at Piercing Light fully respect Nimin's choice. It's of no secret that Nimin has been aging these past years. While we did believe he had another year or two before declining, we understand the sentiment he had."

"Do you believe this recent loss for champion could be a key factor leading to his retirement?"

"It may very well have been the tipping point. Despite Piercing Lights past two victories, Nimin joined the team around the same point as the Sword Saint. Although I really shouldn't say this, his time appearing in the scene was a poor one. We're living in Sard's time."

"So the great Sword Saint has caused the last of the old generation's retirement."

"To say that is incorrect. I understand his frustration. Despite all the effort he's put in, the Sword Saint has cut us down from the Championship more than once. Ever since then Piercing Light hasn't taken victory."

"Has Nimin spoken anything about this decision?"

"Nimin has vanished from his living quarters since last night. We are currently unaware of his location or if he's well. Nimin, if by chance you're watching this. . . we at Piercing Light will always remember you. Our fearless Magician, and a general of time. If at any point you need something to do, although we can't guarantee you your old position, the headquarters of Piercing Light will always have open arms."

"Our time is running short, so let's finish this with one last question. What will happen with Piercing Light?"

"We will be taking the time to figure out how to reorganize our team structure, and will be looking into a new permanent member of the team. Fans of Piercing Light, do not worry. We will return next season!"

Nimin blocked the rest of the voice from the television. Walking past he kept his head down. His retirement was fueled by melancholy, he didn't believe Ty's words. It wasn't the loss of Champion that caused his retirement. That much he was certain of. Maybe it was his unwillingness? The fact that he could no longer stand at such a grand stage?

Piercing Light. A team that scouted him in the game. The idea of challenging skilled opponents sounded interesting. He was trained, brought up together with a series of new faces. Undoubtedly he was the oldest there, thus he was given the important Magician spot on the team. Piercing Light had put their hopes on this new team, to take the lead on Fractured Worlds.

Nimin remembered that competition. They barreled through the old generals. Rapidly rising in fame and position. Just as the titles of Champions was in their grasp, they were brutally cut down by team Heavenly Sword.

Having gained a spectacular rookie, they too were rising upwards. A young boy named Sard. The silent type, and one capable of performing with dangerous accuracy. Wielding the simplistic and—at the time unpopular—sword variant Footsoldier Class. Wielding the class with such incredible skills had caused the loss of Piercing Light.

Ever since then Piercing Light hadn't won another Championship. Like fated rivals team Heavenly Sword has always caused their loss. Although Heavenly Sword hadn't always won, they never failed to stop Piercing Light. It was frustrating to come just short.

Nimin remember spending countless tiring nights to improve himself. It wasn't enough however.

His team improved at an astonishing rate. Fueled by the anger of losing to the same team again and again. It was thanks to this improvement that Piercing Light remained such a prominent team in the professional scene.

These constant losses really wore him down. He couldn't feel the same infuriation to losing after a while. Only bitterness.

Biting his lower lip Nimin looked up to the sky and thought, "How tiring."