What kind of confidence is this?
Is challenging a pro gamer to a one-on-one match bold or just plain arrogant?
From the very first meeting up to now, this person has been downright unpredictable.
Starting with her overly Camilla-like appearance to her bizarre skills and knowledge.
Even if she got permission, being so audacious as to point out flaws to a pro she just met is something else.
When one of the team members was watching Kayak’s stream, I had no thoughts at all.
But now, it’s impossible not to be curious. Is there really someone like this?
Min Hyung subtly turned his head to glance at the woman beside him.
With a tiny head and shiny silver hair. And blue eyes.
Min Hyung was already ready, so he had the leisure to take in her appearance.
She had a serious expression, yet the corners of her mouth were strangely raised as if she found the situation amusing in some way.
Min Hyung felt a bit puzzled. Was she not nervous at all? This was a match against a pro gamer…
As a pro gamer, it’s obvious to say, but Min Hyung had a high sense of pride in his gaming skills.
Didn’t he even receive the MVP award in the last season?
She also likely had that natural competitive spirit like Min Hyung. Regardless of winning or losing, enjoying the game and facing a strong opponent must be what she loves.
She was indeed a strikingly attractive person. A rising famous streamer; it made sense to think so. Her character was just too unique and distinctive.
Of course, the initial spark of interest came from her looks, but now he was more curious about what she does. He was curious about what was inside her, as much as outside.
As he watched Kayak putting on and taking off her headphones, moving the mouse around to set her equipment,
“?”
When she suddenly turned in his direction, Min Hyung instinctively turned his head away.
Wow, she was just incredibly beautiful. If he zoned out for a second, he would be staring blankly.
He didn’t really know why he looked away. He didn’t mean to, but it felt like he was caught sneaking a peek, making him turn away quickly like a thief.
As he sat there for a moment, he heard a voice from Kayak filled with laughter.
“Um, Min Hyung player?”
“Yes.”
“It would be boring just playing the game, so how about we make a bet?”
“A bet?”
Wasn’t it agreed that whoever wins gets to decide on the build?
But now a bet? What kind of bet are we talking about?
A bet, you say? What kind of bet is that?
“What are we betting on… exactly?”
“Oh, it’s nothing major—just like a wish ticket. A light request that we can fulfill for each other, as long as it doesn’t become a burden.”
Was this how witches from the ancient medieval times acted?
Kaya’s face, when he said that, wore a meaningful smile as if he was plotting something, making Min Hyung feel uneasy.
A wish ticket, a wish ticket.
To be frank, Min Hyung had no reason to accept such a proposal. He wasn’t the type to enjoy betting and, quite frankly, he had no particular request for Kaya.
But somehow, he felt that if he rejected the request, it would make him look like a weakling, as though Kaya’s playful bet was making him cower.
Min Hyung’s thoughts were influenced by the murmurs of his teammates around him. After hearing their conversation, the nearby players commented, “Wait, he’s not going to accept this?” and similar remarks.
“Wow, a wish ticket. If it were me, I would have taken it right away.”
“Scared? Scared? Choi Min Hyung is really a weak man.”
“Guys, let’s be quiet.”
The voices quieted under Captain Jun Hyuk’s command, but it was enough to shake Min Hyung’s resolve.
It wasn’t that Min Hyung was an easy target; he genuinely felt these comments had merit.
‘If I don’t accept, what does it matter…?’
Even considering defeat before the game had even started was ludicrous.
Choi Min Hyung, how was his record for the entrance test?
The entrance test was fought one-on-one. Despite going up against both first and second-string candidates at the time, he had an impressive record of 9 wins and 1 loss.
That one loss was to the captain of a team often regarded as the best of the era, Jun Hyuk.
In one-on-one skill, he ranked among the top in Fusion Gaming. When considering that he was recognized as the best in one-on-one skills by the number one team in the country, it was clear he was a formidable opponent in the professional scene.
‘A pro shouldn’t even think about losing to an amateur…’
Min Hyung suddenly felt embarrassed.
What was he so afraid of? His opponent couldn’t hide their excitement for the upcoming match, taking on a professional gamer.
At this point, he decided to accept Kaya’s proposal. Whatever she was scheming didn’t matter—he’d win anyway, he thought.
“Alright, let’s go with the wish ticket bet.”
Kaya’s face lit up with delight.
*
The game began.
The hero Min Hyung picked was Lennok, someone every pro should be able to handle. Kaya, as usual, picked Camilla.
Camilla’s equipment was ridiculously simple. With no shield, just a two-handed sword, and a metal shoulder guard on her left shoulder, her only questionable defensive gear was a pair of stockings.
“Ugh.
If I allow a proper attack even once, just like Min Hyung said, it would be instant death. Or I’d be on the brink of death, fleeing the battlefield.
But still, I’m determined to push through. Haven’t I said multiple times that without this equipment, there’s no reason to use this build? This one-on-one match and duel started to prove that claim right from the very beginning.
Before Camilla, who looks somewhat feeble in her outfit, stands the dark-clad Gravekeeper.
Min Hyung suddenly reminisced about the past. When was that? It was when he came to take the entrance test for Fusion Gaming, full of excitement.
Back then, he was also picking Lennok for a one-on-one match. And it happened back-to-back.
The differences were plenty. For starters, his opponent was Camilla, not a professional gamer but an ordinary person.
On top of that, maybe because he’s had some experience, he wasn’t as nervous as back then.
But perhaps it was the realization that his opponent seemed comparatively flawless that brought back those memories.
Kayak stood there, firmly gripping her two-handed sword, maintaining her stance while simply facing straightforward.
It looked like a high-skilled player was indulging a newbie, causing a small chuckle to escape Min Hyung’s lips.
“Ha.”
The game had already begun. Regardless of the opponent’s intentions, there was no reason to hesitate.
Min Hyung raised Lennok’s heavy sword.
BAM-!
It sounded less like blades clashing and more like a blunt force impact.
Lennok’s hefty sword-wielding effect signaled the start of the battle.
Min Hyung was acknowledged as an aggressive type among the pros. True to that assessment, after the initial heavy strike, Min Hyung’s Lennok continued to press the attack.
Attack, attack, and attack again.
Continuously forcing forward with Lennok’s feet. His movements were surprisingly light for someone wielding a heavy sword.
He pushed relentlessly as if to say he wouldn’t let go of the initiative. Camilla was barely managing to deflect Lennok’s heavy sword and kicks.
“Wow, Min Hyung is showing no mercy!”
“Look at those footwork. Totally intense gaming.”
“Because the stakes are high… Ahem.”
Min Hyung ignored the mischievous comments coming from behind.
To be precise, he couldn’t afford to care about those things.
‘Wait… is she blocking everything without fail?’
Kayak’s responses were beyond his imagination.
On screen, Camilla waved her slender arms skillfully, deflecting all of the heavy sword attacks.
It was parrying. A skill that nullifies attacks only activated by inputting the correct keys at exactly the right timing.
Hearing the light sounds of blades clashing, Min Hyung let out a hollow laugh.
‘Is she doing something even pros wouldn’t dare…?’
She was executing it flawlessly, without a hitch. It was a precarious balancing act. If the timing or key input went awry, it could backfire immediately.”
Eun-ga. It’s a precarious tightrope walk. If the timing or key input is off, it will backfire immediately.
The duels of top-tier users are a kind of turn-based game.
Now that Min Hyung’s relentless combo has ended, it’s Kayak’s turn.
A thrust like a skirmish. Kayak deftly exploited the brief opening after a wide swing.
But Min Hyung was a professional gamer who had experienced such situations ad nauseam. He was fully aware of when his vulnerabilities appeared.
He intentionally displayed these gaps as a psychological strategy. In that fleeting moment, he planned to counterattack if she didn’t strike at the predetermined timing.
Kayak wasn’t fooled this time either. It seemed she comprehended all the traps Min Hyung had set as she slowly stepped back, maintaining a steady offense.
However, as time passed, the side that was becoming disadvantaged was Kayak. It was due to the fundamental differences in heroes, builds, and armament.
‘Can she really overcome this?’
If it turns into a war of attrition, Lennok naturally gains an advantage. For Camilla to bridge that gap, she had to adopt defensive traits.
Kayak claimed she could resolve this situation without any defensive traits. How would she manage that? It was something Min Hyung couldn’t imagine at all, yet he was extremely curious.
At this point, the players watching the match sensed Min Hyung’s victory. They thought there seemed to be no way to turn the tables.
Only one person, the team captain Jun Hyuk, watched quietly with shining eyes.
‘It’s over.’
Min Hyung, as the one playing the game, felt the momentum had shifted. He took his time, carefully cooking up his cornered opponent.
Camilla was driven into a narrow jungle area. There was no way left to retreat.
Just as Min Hyung confidently swung his heavy sword, a sudden—
Boom—
‘What?’
Camilla suddenly launched herself off the ground with a high kick.
Amusingly, the bold use of her skill yielded unexpected results. By the slimmest of margins, Camilla’s body narrowly avoided the side of the sword.
At the same time, her kick solidly struck Lennok in the face.
Only possible due to the incredibly cramped jungle. In a wider space, such a bizarre counter would never have been allowed.
Lennok, caught off guard in an acrobatic stance, briefly fell into a stun state, giving Camilla the chance to rush in and quickly swing her sword before pulling back.
A flawless trade of damage. Now, the advantage in health lay with Camilla.
“Ha.”
A small chuckle escaped from behind after witnessing that scene. It was a sound from the top player, Jun Hyuk, known for his usual lack of laughter.
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