Chapter 98: Struggle (3)
by AfuhfuihgsStruggle (3)
[IKL Regular League – Match 102]
[Sigma eSports vs Q Prime]
[Score – 1:0]
[Battlefield: Bamboo Forest]
[Rule: Annihilation]
《 What on earth is going on, Sigma eSports! 》
《 For a very long time, there have been two beasts in the domestic league. Sigma. And Q Prime. As this two-power system solidified, there were constant criticisms that the domestic league had fallen into mannerism. 》
《 But today. I can say with certainty. This two-power structure has been broken in some way. Sigma’s solo run has begun, and Q Prime has taken a step back. 》
《 Traveler is putting up a good fight, but… ah, this won’t be easy. 》
Luche and Traveler clashed.
The gunlance spewed fire at close range, and brilliant radiance swept away the explosive flames.
Heavy weapons and shields collided several times, engaging in a weighty metallic dialogue.
Holy Knight versus Lance Knight.
In a one-on-one situation, it’s a matchup where the Lance Knight is predicted to have the advantage.
In reality, Traveler had a higher win rate in one-on-one engagements between the two players.
However, InBull’s pro league is a game centered on team-based engagements.
Looking at the team’s overall win rate rather than one-on-one, Luche’s side has the advantage.
The tendencies of the two teams were revealed from the class choices of their captains.
Knight-class classes are relatively free to change classes.
Nevertheless, Luche chose a Holy Knight who can support team members, while Traveler chose a Lance Knight with higher personal combat power.
《 Who would have thought the matchup between these two teams would be this one-sided. 》
《 Sigma’s skill level has suddenly skyrocketed. Camellia, Camellia is sweeping through the enemy lines! 》
《 This statement is quite cautious, but… previously, Camellia relied heavily on individual physical ability. She had been criticized for lacking in careful details. 》
《 But now it’s different. Camellia’s play has gained solidity. An unshakeable Camellia. I think fans will understand how terrifying this statement is. 》
Sigma’s Luche is a leader who supports her team members.
A supporter-type tank that elevates the skills of team members based on her own high baseline.
She was a shield protecting her teammates at the forefront.
Conversely, Traveler is a leader who leads his teammates from the front.
The brutal combat power unique to Lance Knights. Excellent judgment in grasping the structure of engagements.
He was a spear advancing with his own skills at the forefront.
“If Musa can’t block, at least you, Swallow, go around the back! Are you going to let the enemy ADC free-hit?”
“Then our ADC…”
“I’m not even asking you to deal damage well, just try not to die, please. Get behind me!”
Traveler shouted as if in desperation.
The tide of battle had already greatly tilted.
Nevertheless, Traveler’s lance continued its fierce attacks without stopping.
Recently, the balance between the two teams has greatly collapsed.
It’s true that Sigma players’ capabilities have greatly increased.
Whether they’re getting beaten up by someone somewhere, their engagement capabilities have greatly improved.
It feels like they’re growing based on some monster as a standard.
It wasn’t hard to guess whose influence it was.
Who else in this country could suddenly bring about such a change?
An amateur who has never shown her face in the pro league until now.
But there is one woman who can cause a huge storm just by appearing.
Coincidentally, it’s probably not a simple coincidence that Sigma’s growth started simultaneously with her rest period.
It seems everyone is keeping it a secret for now, but the time will come someday.
But that’s not what’s important.
“This is quite frustrating. This season… I really wanted to win.”
“I know. You worked hard.”
“No. We didn’t work as hard as Sigma.”
Traveler barely held back from grinding his teeth.
The opponent is Luche. An opponent worthy of respect.
It’s not professional to show all emotions in a place like this.
When Sigma grew, Q Prime couldn’t.
No. Is it right to say they couldn’t?
Traveler wondered if this team even had any desire for improvement.
It’s not a team where individuals are incapable.
If their capabilities were really lacking, they wouldn’t have been able to compete with Sigma until now.
However, the fact that they were ‘satisfied’ – Traveler hated it terribly.
Second place is also good. That’s true.
Being runner-up is by no means a failed career.
Among pro gamers, it’s common for some to never even reach the threshold of the finals until the moment they retire.
But who doesn’t know that?
It’s more frustrating because we could have won.
“We’ll see you in the playoffs. Then, we’ll come better prepared.”
“Yes.”
The blade of Camellia’s spear tears through an allied priest’s body.
Our assassin couldn’t kill the enemy ADC, and even Traveler couldn’t overcome both Luche and Camellia simultaneously.
As he fell on the battlefield left alone.
Traveler quietly closed his eyes.
There’s no need to check, it’s obvious.
Today, e-sports journalists will write sentences about Traveler’s valiant fight (奮戰).
It’s a way to nicely wrap up the words that they ultimately couldn’t win.
But nothing will change.
Ah, I can’t take this anymore.
I want to win too.
* * *
Originally, I had no intention of appearing on broadcasts for a while.
I thought I’d be busy practicing with pros, whether in Sigma’s 2nd or 1st division.
That was until Luche came to see me after examining my play logs.
“Da-eun? I’m pretty sure I told you not to overdo it.”
“It wasn’t… overdoing it. I usually… do this much.”
“Do you know why InBull has a 4-hour death penalty?”
“……”
“In the past, we needed a safety device to prevent death from repeating too much. It’s a trace of those times.”
I got scolded a lot.
What would I do if a real problem occurred from overdoing it like that?
The warning that it could have the opposite effect sent chills down my spine.
The forced march like the first day probably won’t be allowed again.
I was told to rest well for about a day, and coincidentally, I received an appearance offer from Elderin.
Luche said I just needed to keep the specific contract details secret.
No, rather, she said to be as active as possible if I can.
The more my influence grows, the more cautious the game company will be, she said.
I was even allowed to mention some clues.
So, this too was a continuation of the fight.
Moving by car, it didn’t take long to reach Elderin’s studio.
“Welcome! Is it hot outside? Wasn’t it hard coming here?”
“It was fine. It was a bit hot though.”
“Mm-hmm. The weather got hot quickly. I don’t know how it’s like this. Want a glass of water?”
“Ah, yes. Please.”
It was gradually becoming summer.
Soon, the playoffs will be held in the pro league, and the spring season champion will be decided.
This championship will probably go to Sigma.
Drinking cool water made me feel refreshed.
Elderin seemed to be adjusting the settings before the broadcast, and I was watching while getting my hair brushed by a staff member.
“So what are we doing today?”
“Well. Originally, I was going to have some casual chat and then play games, but since Da-eun came today, I’m thinking of doing a mukbang.”
“If it’s a mukbang, isn’t that still just chatting?”
“Yes. I’ve set a few topics too. Pro league talk and love sto…”
“Let’s go with pro league talk.”
Good. I blocked it well before something dangerous came up.
My reaction speed isn’t dead yet.
By the way, casual chat. I’m not sure what I should do for people to like it.
Last time… I think I showed my armpit.
I still couldn’t understand why this was good.
“I’ll tell you in advance, this time I’m going to ignore all requests to show anything, even if you ask. It won’t work even if you ask, unni.”
“…I didn’t ask last time either, did I? I rather tried to stop you.”
“Ah.”
That was an accident caused by alcohol.
At that time, I needed something to numb my fear, and coincidentally, alcohol being in sight was the culprit.
Originally, when alcohol enters the human brain, it tends to make irrational judgments.
So I’m not at fault at all.
It’s the fault of the people who tricked drunk me into doing bad things.
The staff’s preparations were finished and I sat in the chair.
I don’t want to show my left leg to the camera.
After adjusting the angle well, I fanned myself as the air conditioning was a bit lacking.
“Oh right. I stocked some ice cream in the freezer. Want one?”
“Oh, I’ll have one.”
“What flavor?”
“Do you have vanilla?”
“I’ll bring it for you.”
What I received was a snow-white candy bar.
When I actually put it in my mouth, it was too cold to bite, but also hard to suck.
It was frozen to the point where it would stick to my tongue if I touched it.
Well, it’ll melt a bit if I wait.
“I’m about to start the broadcast, should we wait until you finish eating?”
“Hm? No. It’s fine to start now.”
“Alright.”
The number of viewers rapidly increased as soon as the broadcast started.
While Elderin was delivering the opening ment with a bright smile, I was watching the chat window.
It was fun to watch as there were occasional mentions of me.
As time passed, the frozen ice bar melted a bit.
To check its condition, I lightly touched it with my tongue.
It seems about ready to eat now.
I licked it a few times to prevent the melted part from dripping.
After tasting the vanilla flavored ice bar, I brought it to my lips.
It’s still a bit too hard to bite, but it’s soft enough to keep in my mouth.
The human body temperature is about 36.5 degrees Celsius.
As I flicked my tongue at the ice in my mouth – it melts quickly.
The moment I bit into the ice bar that had changed to just the right consistency to eat,
Elderin was staring at me with a blank expression.
“Hm? What’s wrong?”
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“?”
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