Chapter 100: The Duel of the Kings

"He is a coward!"

Daiki is furious. He is on Day Four of his siege, and he has drunk so many energy drinks he is visibly vibrating.

"I have beaten every one of his generals! I have stolen their ancient flag and I am wearing it as a cape! And he STILL will not log on!"

"Maybe he is busy?" Rika offers, meekly. "Running the country?"

"This is a game, Rika! There is no running countries! Only glorious combat!" Toujo declares, eating a sandwich. He is now Daiki's official Siege Snack Coordinator.

"He's ignoring me," Daiki snarls, slumping in his chair. He looks defeated.

"He knows I am Deception. He knows he cannot win. So he is just going to let his guild burn. It is a coward's move. I am disappointed."

"So that is it?" I ask. I am balancing a fork book and a book about cellos on my head. My neck hurts.

"I do not know what else to do," Daiki mutters. "I cannot force the Emperor of Japan to play a video game."

"Yes you can," I say.

Daiki looks up at me.

"What is the one thing you hate more than losing?"

Daiki thinks about it. "Hackers."

"No. Well, yes. But also... being bored. You did not just challenge me at the arcade to get my number. You did it because your 74-win streak was boring you."

He just stares at me.

"This Emperor... he is a Level 99. He has the best gear. His guild has run the server for years. He is not a coward," I say, the books wobbling on my head. "He's bored."

Daiki's eyes light up.

"So stop being a villain..." I say.

Daiki is already typing.

He shuts down his stream. This is private.

He sends a global message. One that costs a fortune in in-game currency. One that everyone on the server will see.

"Deception: To Kage-sama of The Ancient Dragons. This war is boring me. Your knights are weak. Your tactics are predictable. I am no longer interested in your castle. It's a dump."

"Aoi-chan! That is so rude!" Rika whispers.

"I am not done," Daiki smirks.

"Deception: Therefore, I am retiring. It is clear there is no one left on this server worth my time. Deception is logging off... forever. Congratulations on your victory by default. You must be very proud."

He sits back. He crosses his arms. And we wait.

The server is in chaos. The global chat is a waterfall of panic.

"Deception is quitting?"

"He called out Kage-sama!"

"Kage-sama won by being a coward!"

Ten seconds pass. Thirty. A full minute.

"It did not work," Toujo whispers.

And then... it happens.

A new global message. From a name no one has seen in years.

A golden, shining name.

"Kage-sama: You are an arrogant child, Deception."

Daiki's hands are on his keyboard.

"Kage-sama: You call my tactics predictable? You call my war boring? Then let us make it interesting."

A new notification flashes on Daiki's screen.

[Kage-sama] has challenged [Deception] to a formal 1-on-1 Duel. [Location]: The Imperial Arena [Time]: Midnight. Tonight. [Wager]: The Northern Castle... vs... The Jerk Brigade.

If Daiki loses, his guild is disbanded.

"Kage-sama: You want my throne, boy? Log on and try to take it."

Daiki is silent. He is not smirking. He is not a King.

He is a gamer who has just met his match.

He types one response.

"Deception: You are on."