Either that or there are certain, let's call it enchantments, that might make injuries permanent, or at least longer lasting than just taking a quick potion.

I don't know if I want to make it completely permanent, maybe just enough to leave a noticeable scar or something. But then a sub plot would vanish...

I mean, personally the thing I always found wanting about the anime was that duels with players were kinda meaningless, except for the killing part. But if players could injure other players, maybe even damage parts, not talking about legs, arms, hands, fingers or gauging out eyes and stuff, the threat of nasty players would be even more real, if you get my thought process here. I mean, I can of course just edit the post and make everything not happen at all, if you want, for authenticity's sake.