Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 346: Battelground [7]

While the Lucas was nursing his wounds from his training session from Yato...There was many things going on the online world—> Virtual world.

The clip of Lucas's short duel against Nero had unexpectedly gone viral.

All around the planet, countless people watched it with a wide range of reactions. Some found it funny, some fascinating, while others simply scrolled past it as they watched their feeds.

Even those who did not have any interest in the duels found it striking, though.

The image of an unknown fighter in a dark mask effortlessly defeating a well-known duelist in one swift, brutal strike was compelling. It sparked debates and discussions across various forums and social media platforms.

—Did you see that? Who is this Darkheart guy?

—Is he cheating? No way someone can be that strong out of nowhere.

—That was insane! I've never seen anything like it.

As the buzz grew, the clip reached the eyes of some influential figures in the virtual dueling community.

Top-tier duelists, professional arena organizers, and even AI researchers began to take note of the mysterious fighter known as Darkheart.

In one of the largest and most prestigious virtual arenas, the Arcadium, whispers of Lucas's skill began to circulate.

The Arcadium was known for hosting the most elite duels, where only the best of the best could compete. Its patrons were always on the lookout for fresh talent and potential game-changers.

What's more, even though Sunny had not even known that their fight was being broadcasted, he accidentally looked directly at the invisible camera right after cruelly putting the tip of his odachi through the opponent's eye.

The image of the fearsome black mask staring emotionlessly directly at them, sent shivers down the spines of people watching the clip.

It was chilling, arresting, and strangely hypnotic.

Many of them had the same question after watching the clip on repeat several times…

Was there even a human there, behind the scary mask?

People from various walks of life started sharing their theories online.

Some speculated that Darkheart was an advanced AI, an experiment gone rogue. Others believed he was a seasoned fighter using a new identity to test his skills.

A few even suggested supernatural origins, weaving wild tales of dark spirits and ancient warriors.

The clip became a phenomenon, drawing attention from mainstream media and prompting interviews with experts and analysts.

Talk shows discussed it, and influencers dissected every frame, trying to decode Darkheart's technique and origins.

How could a completely unknown novice defeat an established and well-regarded duelist, someone as famous as Nero… in just one strike? The exact moment when Lucas delivered the deadly blow was analyzed, disassembled, and put under the microscope.

Was it skill or pure luck? Was it intentional or accidental? Did Nero make a mistake, or was his mysterious adversary just that much better?

The answer was rather confusing: no one had the slightest idea.

Obviously, once people became curious, they didn't stop on just that one viral clip.

Rather swiftly, every fight and every word that Lucas had uttered during his infuriating visit to the [Battleground ] were found and published for everyone to see.

...Once people saw the contents of those recordings, the whole duelist circle was violently shaken. One shock was followed by another, and then by yet another.

The dueling community buzzed with excitement, disbelief, and anticipation.

Lucas, now widely known as Darkheart, had unwittingly become the most talked-about fighter in the virtual world.In a darkened room, lit only by the glow of multiple screens, a figure watched the viral clip of Lucas's duel against Nero on repeat.

This was Marcus, a top-tier duelist and one of the organizers of the Arcadium. He leaned back in his chair, his eyes narrowing as he studied every movement, every detail of the fight.

"Who are you, Darkheart?" Marcus muttered to himself.

"And where have you been hiding?"

He wasn't the only one intrigued. Across the globe, influential figures in the virtual dueling scene were making moves. Invitations were being prepared, plans being hatched to lure this enigmatic fighter into their ranks.

Many people today were rather focus on Lucas dule rather then any others.

People continued to dig, coming to a bewildering conclusion: the man who called himself Darkheart had never entered Battelground before that day. His profile showed only two pieces of information:

"Victories: 33."

"Defeats: 0."

And:

"Status: Offline."

After that, many theories appeared postulating that Darkheart was, in fact, a [A] ranker who had visited the Battelground to have fun.

There were whispers of excitement and speculation in the virtual dueling community as the mystery of Darkheart deepened. Who was this enigmatic figure with a flawless record and a chilling fighting style?

As the buzz grew, invitations began to flood in from various arenas and organizations, each eager to have Darkheart showcase his skills on their stage.

Prominent duelists, arena organizers, and even AI researchers were intrigued by the prospect of facing off against or studying this new phenomenon.

Meanwhile, Lucas, nursing his wounds from the grueling training session with Yato, was unaware of the growing storm in the virtual world.

As Lucas nursed his wounds from the grueling training session with Yato, he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Despite his exhaustion, his mind kept returning to the events of the day—the frustrating battles in the Battleground, the strange reactions of the spectators, and the unexpected viral fame that had seemingly sprung out of nowhere.

He scrolled through his social media feeds absentmindedly, noticing a flood of notifications and messages. Curiosity piqued, he opened one of the messages and his eyes widened in surprise as he read about the viral clip of his duel against Nero.

"Darkheart," he murmured to himself, a hint of bewilderment in his voice. The name seemed to have taken on a life of its own, spreading like wildfire across the virtual world.

As he delved deeper into the messages and articles, Lucas realized the extent of the phenomenon he had unwittingly become a part of. His identity, once shrouded in anonymity, was now the subject of intense speculation and scrutiny.

But amidst the chaos and excitement, there was also a sense of unease. Lucas couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched, that there were forces at play beyond his control.

He glanced at his AI bracelet, contemplating the flood of invitations and requests that had begun pouring in from various arenas and organizations. Each one seemed eager to have Darkheart showcase his skills on their stage, but Lucas wasn't sure if he was ready to step back into the spotlight just yet.

Deep down, he knew that he had stumbled upon something much bigger than himself—a mystery that begged to be unraveled. And as much as he tried to push it aside, the allure of the unknown tugged at him, drawing him deeper into the enigma of Darkheart.

With a sigh, Lucas made a decision. He would embrace his newfound fame, but on his own terms. He would continue to train and hone his skills, seeking out worthy opponents and striving to unlock the secrets of his own potential.

For now, the virtual world awaited him, buzzing with anticipation and speculation. And as Darkheart, he would rise to meet the challenge, ready to face whatever the future held.