The kills racked up in a deathmatch aren’t just a simple point score.
Even if the deceased can respawn, that’s a story for later.
The immediate issue is the gap in personnel.
If an ally bites the dust, we need to buy some time until they can rejoin.
The best and most frequently used method is definitely retreating.
Even if we achieve numerical superiority, thoughtless combat can lead to tragedy.
The enemy can’t just barge in recklessly either.
During the pursuit, positioning can break down, and unexpected ambushes can occur.
It’s crucial to secure new vision and expand our safe zone.
In other words, kills in a deathmatch mean territory expansion.
It allows our allies to utilize the space freely from a wider angle.
If we field a long-range ADC, it’s a benefit that can’t be ignored.
“Corsair is disengaging at 3 o’clock. Gawol, can you respond?”
“Already on the move.”
“I’ll leave it to you. Berserkers and Swordsmen at 5 o’clock. The Battle Priest has also moved to the front. Looks like they want to test raw strength.”
“Let’s take it. Eunchae and I are confident.”
“Eagle Eye cooldown is 7 seconds. I’ll use it as soon as we engage.”
“Protector Spirit is ready too!”
Amidst the Outlaw’s one-sided firepower,
the Corsair tried to escape once more with a wave jump.
It was an unavoidable decision.
To fight properly, the Gunslinger absolutely needs fire support.
However, the ACL’s setup doesn’t have any guard-specialized characters for chaotic performance.
There’s no way to protect the Gunslinger from Sigma’s Musketeer.
To make matters worse, they were cornered to the respawn area, making it impossible to create distance.
The Gunslinger is a class designed to use Musketeers more flexibly.
They have a variety of firearms and aren’t too weak in close combat either.
Thus, their performance in “long-range combat” is somewhat lacking.
There are two tasks to address.
One is to pressure the Outlaw, and the other is to keep Gawol at bay.
…But how?
ACL has come up with a desperate countermeasure.
[ACL Igor gains the effect of ‘Frenzy: Valhalla.’]
[Berserkers cannot recover health, and all their defenses are fixed at zero. Also, they take fixed damage equal to 0.8% of their health every second.]
[However, their attack power increases by 75% of their reduced defense. They gain a shield equal to 10% of the damage dealt…]
An explosive combat power at the cost of the Berserker’s life!
If winning this battle is impossible, we’ll inflict wounds on both sides and split the battlefield anew.
If it’s impossible to flee, then I’ll injure both sides and split the battlefield again.
Even if I give away kill points, I intended to reset the unfavorable situation once.
A rampaging Berserker charged at Luce.
The attack power was difficult to withstand even for a knight class.
Every bit of power packed into that battle axe was extraordinary, and the guard gauge started to dwindle in an instant.
Although an Outlaw’s supporting fire began for cover, it felt insufficient.
In the gap created like that, Donghae broke through.
To be precise, he was about to break through.
[Strength can uproot mountains, and spirit can cover the world—]
[You are under the effect of ‘Strength Uproot Mountain, Spirit Cover World.’]
[You will continuously take fixed damage until all your stamina is exhausted, and all stats…]
The act of burning stamina is not exclusive to the Berserker.
With the guard break, the Samurai and Paladin switched positions.
Camelian blocked the Berserker’s path.
The fiercely howling spear clashed with the axe blade.
In terms of strength and attack power, it was a mismatch. But that spear had enough range to compensate.
Moreover, the Samurai’s unique parrying triggered in succession, leading to a counterattack.
Camelian’s physique was acknowledged even by Gawol.
The Berserker’s attacks were fast and powerful but quite straightforward.
A Samurai at the peak of their skill could definitely handle it.
The moment the fiercely howling spear struck the axe blade,
Luce, with light around her shield, charged toward Donghae.
The two swords enforced each other’s will.
Eventually, as the intensity of the two teams’ battle heated up,
A kill log appeared that broke their spirit.
[‘Sigma Gawol’ has defeated ‘ACL JollyRoger.’]
In a side fight, you can never defeat Sigma.
No, even delaying it is difficult.
Re-establishing the formula of IKL, ACL’s first match crossed the river of no return.
[‘Sigma Camelian’ has defeated ‘ACL Igor.’]
[‘ACL Mamba’ has defeated ‘Sigma Camelian.’]
[‘Sigma Outlaw’…]
*
[Author: SigmaLover]
[Title: Match 38 Gawol Highlights]
(Attached Video: Battle Priest Execution)
(Attached Video: Jolly Roger Clone Fishing)
(Attached Video: Donghae Ambush)
…
(Attached Video: Solo Defeat of Jolly Roger)
Wait, with the Bi-Jo-Ryeong buff,
I can’t even shake off the Corsair with wave riding.
So we’ve been the only ones unable to use this great Assassin?
[Comments]
– Why do you just wander in and out like it’s your living room? LOL
– Seriously, thanks for joining our team!
[Poster: ㅇㅇ(810.125)]
[Title: Gawol is still making a fuss, you little bastards]
(Attached photo: Jolly Roger, with a dejected expression)
(Attached photo: An angry frog chasing with a sword meme)
No way, come on!
[Comments]
– You’re actually believing that?
– The rookie fell for it again!
[Poster: ㅇㅇ(514.21)]
[Title: This person needs immediate reevaluation. GOAT]
(Attached photo: Holy, a thumbs-up photo from their prime)
This person has lasted much longer!
[Comments]
– LOL
– A European League champion, mind you!
– For real, is the strongest inquisitor of Europe a joke?
*
After each match, there’s a ten-minute break.
Time to hit the restroom or quench your thirst.
Donghae splashed cold water on his face.
“Phew…”
The chill made his mind a bit clearer.
Pro matches drain your concentration like crazy.
Matches like this, especially tough ones, can be brutal, and if you’ve faced a crushing defeat, don’t even get me started.
It was a brutal loss.
He boasted about pulling out the swordsman, but he lost in his strongest battlefield.
And if you think the match content was hopeful… well, it wasn’t.
He wasn’t caught up in an opponent’s gamble nor staged a comeback.
It was purely a loss in skill and weight class.
With that, even if he had ten mouths, he wouldn’t know what to say.
By now, I bet everyone is talking trash out there.
He shouldn’t even think about lurking around the community for a while.
“Well, I knew this,”
Who wouldn’t know it was a tough fight?
He seemed to have known this outcome deep down.
Sigma was a strong team back in the spring, so it’s no surprise now.
Donghae looked at himself in the mirror.
His eyes were still full of determination… fortunately, he hadn’t given up yet.
The wall was much higher than he expected.
But a professional gamer who just sits and sulks in front of a tall wall will never climb high.
Thankfully, in that regard, Donghae was somewhat qualified.
Recently, he had a new goal.
He wanted to face Gawol’s sword.
That sword, which seemed to dismiss system adjustments as mere nuisances, was on a whole different level.
If only for a moment. Directly.
“Really… Recently, Sigma’s potential is beyond words.”
“Well, there have been various stories, right? Sigma might not be as outstanding as expected just before the league. It could turn out to be manageable!”
“I think that talk came up more because ACL’s performance exceeded expectations.”
“But just moments ago in the first set, they got splashed with cold water, didn’t they? How sweet was that dream, ACL!”
“Of course, the match isn’t over yet. ACL won’t just sit back and take it.”
The break between matches has ended.
The camera once again focuses on the arena, and the voices of the commentators begin to be heard.
The player waiting room briefly flashes by.
It seems ACL is exchanging complicated opinions.
In contrast, Sigma appears to be relaxed.
While the coaching staff is animatedly discussing, Han Da-eun is casually eating ice cream.
A hint of her tongue seems to move behind the vanilla soft serve.
“Hahaha. That’s such a Gawol moment, isn’t it?”
“She’s undoubtedly making her debut in this league, but she already exudes the calm of a veteran. It’s a match that even 1-2 year players might feel nervous about.”
“She looks so comfortable as if she has already experienced player life. Is that why she can infiltrate enemy territory?”
“Yes. Assassins need courage, too. It’s what they call the courage to be hated.”
A bit of white cream smudges her cheek while eating ice cream.
Camelian glances over and flinches.
The camera captures her pulling out a tissue to wipe it off herself.
After the scene changes, the players are seen entering the connection device.
The second set will start soon.
“Now, let’s confirm the battlefield and rules.”
The commentators’ monitor can check information slightly faster than the audience.
Ho-eun’s lips nearly smile but barely hold back.
It was the power of accumulated experience over a long time.
However, some people didn’t need to hold back.
From the audience, an extremely honest reaction erupted.
“Waaaahhhh!”
“The rule that Gawol’s fans have been waiting for has finally come out!”
“The battlefield is The Cradle of the Fallen. The rule is a 4-person winner’s continuous match!”
“The current one-on-one champion will face the challenger!”
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.
