Sniper-Ridden Climb (7)

Flames rose from all directions.

Blocking me head-on was the slow but sturdy Dragonian.

Using the roughly spewed flames as a shield, a heavy spear was swung.

It’s not difficult to avoid.

A counterattack is possible if I want to.

In the last attack, the left shoulder was revealed as a weak point, and after the next attack, the lower body will be open.

Originally, I would have started attacking focusing on the shoulder and arm while pushing away the spear shaft.

There’s only one reason I can’t do that.

It’s because of Haruka’s presence, waiting for an opportunity.

[‘Flame of Grudge’ engraves the mark of ‘Gui(鬼)’]

[Maintained for 30 seconds, fire resistance additionally…]

This is trickier than I thought.

I thought I was taking some damage, but it was more than that.

In the end, things have gone awry.

Purple flames pouring down without a specific form.

Naturally, parrying doesn’t work on skills in that form.

It’s a skill that needs to be exploited during its slow casting time and long post-delay.

If you did something like that in a one-on-one situation, you could immediately see a black screen.

The true value of numerical superiority is being able to use high-value techniques alternately.

It wasn’t the kind that could be completely avoided by individual skill alone.

[‘Satsumo’ is enhanced by the power of Kijin Ryou Kon (鬼人蜽魂).]

‘Here it comes.’

Kunoichi’s techniques aren’t that threatening individually.

Of course, it would be dangerous if cut by the katana, but the skills themselves are only meaningful in ‘hitting’.

Instead, the return when all 4 stacks are hit cannot be ignored.

Satsumo.

Three sword strikes inflicted where and when she wants.

A Kunoichi with Satsumo activated is arguably the strongest class in this game.

Moreover, Haruka was famous as a Kunoichi master even in Japan.

Last time, even I couldn’t defend perfectly.

Surely, this will be the most dangerous moment in this game.

“It’s quite different from last time. I guess you’ve been sharpening your blade diligently too. But you know, isn’t it a bit strange?”

A complaint came out as if lamenting.

Even now, I could barely pay attention to the chat as I was focusing on the battle.

Still, knowing that there were people listening to my words remained unchanged, so I felt quite at ease.

Haruka is someone who pushed me quite fiercely.

If she hadn’t met me too early, she might have climbed quite high in the Arena.

I could understand the feeling of seeking me out with resentment.

Well, Camellia was the same.

But I’m a bit disappointed too.

Analyzing the opponent is a quality of a pro gamer.

From that perspective, reviewing the last game is the same.

“Why do you think I’ll just stand still? Isn’t that too convenient thinking? I… won because I worked harder to improve my skills.”

A better match.

Pursuing higher skills is no different for me.

Rather, when it comes to that kind of resentment and competitive spirit, I’m second to none.

There’s no way I would have just passed by what I couldn’t block perfectly.

Moving forward isn’t your privilege alone.

I’ll admit what needs to be admitted. I was careless last time.

Although I couldn’t analyze the opponents in advance during the 2nd preliminaries, there was room to study the Kunoichi class a bit more.

So this time, I did.

The pre-delay of the Satsumo skill.

The timing of effect expression and when the character actually moves in terms of judgment.

The signs that occur before appearing to the enemy. The time interval until the attack actually becomes possible.

The usage method of ‘Haruka’, who is said to use Kunoichi the best.

I put it all in my head. I can do better than last time too.

I’ve sharpened my blade just the same.

I just didn’t feel the need to go looking for it.

[Active: Shadow Chain]

[Summons indestructible chains at a designated location.]

I create obstacles by calling multiple chains.

Complex and irregular to make it difficult to grasp the intention.

Using the Dragonian who tries to check me at every turn as one of the covers.

This game allows friendly fire.

The mechanism of Satsumo is not teleportation but a rush with sudden speed.

The two are clearly different judgments. If not careful, it could become a double-edged sword.

So, inevitably now.

I have no choice but to aim for the timing when the obstacles between me and Haruka disappear.

It’s a bit easier to prepare when you know when it’ll be used.

The fire-bearing Kunoichi became a purple flash.

“Kheut…!”

Kaang-! With a fierce sound, my body retreated backward.

The force was enough to push my whole body back even though I blocked with both hands.

But I blocked it without any health loss.

The skill said to be the hardest to block in this game. Against a pro gamer!

A thrilling sensation rose from my back and shoulders.

This will remain in the chat replay too, right?

It must remain. I’ll check it all.

– I wonder if you can hear now. You should be closer.

– I’m almost there.

– Please endure a bit more.

Amidst this, one piece of good news arrived.

The ally’s arrival is much faster than expected.

This isn’t mobility possible for a Swordsman. How on earth did he do it?

It’s still incomprehensible even if I think about it.

For now, let’s focus more on the battle in front of me.

I move to the side while avoiding RiceEatingKnight’s Dragon Buster.

He probably thought to push me inward, but he was wrong.

The exhaled flames became a smoke screen, giving me a bit of time instead.

The second Satsumo comes in as Haruka’s figure disappears.

Originally a skill faster than the pre-delay of shadow movement, but thanks to the time just created, the timing barely matched.

The view changes in an instant. I mount on RiceEatingKnight’s back and stab his nape a few times.

I was thrown off due to his wings spreading – but the damage wouldn’t have been small.

Well, am I in a position to say that?

As soon as I recovered my posture, the third Satsumo flew in and my body was slammed into a rock.

“Kheuh… I guess I was a bit greedy at the end after all.”

I could have just focused on defense.

The opening was so clear that I got greedy.

My health flew away not insignificantly, but… well, it wasn’t a bad exchange in the end.

A magic circle is drawn around RiceEatingKnight’s body.

Just as the dragon figure in the center of the magic circle was about to roar – a horizontal sword strike.

The dragon that just opened its mouth was split in half, and the Dragonian’s body collapsed with a thud.

[‘ACL Donghae’ has killed ‘RiceEatingKnight’.]

The build that our ally Donghae likes to use is Iaido Swordsman.

If you can endure the eternal-like preparation stance, it produces firepower rarely seen in melee classes.

Enough to kill a Dragonian if I just shave off a bit of health.

It was a time difficult to predict that the Swordsman would have arrived already.

Both of them probably didn’t see it because their attention was on me.

Donghae, who finished his draw cut from behind, sheathed his sword again.

I giggled because it wasn’t such a cool sight.

“That person is quite a weirdo too.”

His carefully styled costume was burnt black as if he just crossed the ‘Seething Lava’.

Of course, his health bar was at the bottom even though he hadn’t engaged in any particular battle.

But well. It’s fine as long as he didn’t die.

Now we’re two. They’re one.

I threw my body towards the Kunoichi who finished Satsumo.

“Will you dodge this time too?”

Haruka’s expression turned pale.

* * *

[Title: Training Method of the Minotaur of Time and Mind]

[‘Sulbbang’ is broadcasting.]

The warrior holding a heavy greatsword looked up at the sky with a dumb face.

Beautiful white clouds were embroidered in the blue sky, but they didn’t enter his eyes.

Rather than that, something a bit prettier… no.

It was because he was seeing something inappropriate.

「Santaandsnowman donated 50,000 won」

「(Attached video: Haruka bound in chains)」

「Try to calm her down a bit」

A sight that couldn’t be seen during the 2nd preliminaries because it was from a spectator’s view.

This time, Gawol was showing it even by changing to her own perspective.

– Hmm. This time it’s a fox, huh?

The camera only showed the struggling Kunoichi.

A mischievous smile naturally appeared.

Sulbbang barely pulled away his constantly moving eyes.

“…How am I supposed to stop that. But there’s a lot of talk about Gawol today. Did something happen to her?”

– There’s nowhere to burn topics because she’s not streaming

– She was coming every day recently but suddenly she’s not

– There’s no notice posted either

– Don’t you know anything?

“You should ask Elderin noona about that… Ah, she’s not streaming now. Then should I just try calling her? It’s good timing as I’m getting a bit tired of hunting.”

Well, it was a good pretext.

Gawol’s popularity was growing steadily, so even Sulbbang didn’t hesitate to ride on it.

Since the topic came up, it might be good to hitch a ride once.

She helped a lot in the beginning.

It’s time to get some benefits now.

[Calling ‘Gawol’… 00:00]

Not long after making the call.

Gawol answered the phone.

“Hey. I’m streaming right now, is it okay to talk?”

Revealing that you’re streaming is a kind of courtesy.

Let’s not have any awkward situations for each other.

“Streaming? Mmm, it’s fine. Haah… Ha. Haeuk.”

“…?”

“Haaaaaah. Heu. Hueueu… Anyway, why?”

What the.

You said streaming is fine, but why is your breathing like that?