Chapter 172: Ability Showdown (1)

Episode 172

The newbie showdown.

It was an event where the rookies’ treatment within the team could vary greatly depending on the outcome, as it was essentially a battle of pride among the team leaders.

But that was all.

There were still competitions ahead, both small and large, against other Triunfo members and all the hunters in the New Continent.

To win those competitions, they had to keep their unique abilities as their trump cards. The moment the enemy knew about their abilities, they would no longer be effective as hidden weapons.

So why did Juan reveal his unique ability?

‘Because this isn’t my real ability!’

In fact, Juan’s true unique ability was something else entirely.

The Sunlight skill he had just shown was just a small fragment compared to his real ability.

Although the nature of the abilities was similar, there was a huge difference in power and effectiveness.

‘Are you crazy? Why would I show my true ability in a simple team leader’s entertainment game?’

He had revealed the Sunlight fragment based on careful calculations.

He would show them a ‘fragment’ instead of the ‘real deal’, and then use the fact that he had revealed his ability to pressure the others into revealing theirs.

It was a win-win situation for Juan. He wouldn’t have to reveal his true ability, and he could force his potential rivals to reveal theirs.

‘I have to see Luca’s ability, at least! That arrogant bastard…’

Juan’s gaze was fixed on Luca, who had recalled to the ‘Healing Fountain’.

Luca, his greatest rival. There would be no greater reward than knowing his unique ability.

“Alright, everyone ready? Let’s head to the dragon pit!”

Juan shouted, his gaze still fixed on Luca.

“And anyone with spare Souls, buy ‘Mage’s Veil’ first! I’m sure you all know why!”

Everyone nodded in understanding.

—

※ Mage’s Veil

Defensive Trait

– Cost: 1,000 Souls

– Increases Magic Resistance by 50 and reduces damage from elemental attacks such as fire, ice, and lightning by 25%. Grants immunity to status ailments caused by elemental attacks.

—

It was originally a trait designed to counter the ‘Elemental Attack Traits’ available in the game shop.

But because of Alopsky, it had become a must-buy trait for the Blue Team.

– I bought it.

– Me too.

– I had exactly 1,000 Souls.

Everyone, including Luca, replied that they had bought it. Luca, who hadn’t answered, had also purchased ‘Mage’s Veil’, as confirmed by his status window.

“Alright, let’s go!”

Juan turned and started running, followed by the other team members.

Luca was running at the back.

He had been silent, but his face, hidden by the helmet, was filled with anxiety as he racked his brains.

‘What should I do…? Damn it, what should I do…’

He kept repeating the same words inwardly.

* * *

– Huh?

Meanwhile,

Hans from Team 5, who had recalled around the same time as the others, exclaimed in surprise.

– The enemy team is gathering at the dragon pit.

Kim Jinsung checked the minimap.

He saw multiple Blue Team members approaching the dragon pit, visible through the ward he had placed there beforehand.

“…They’re planning to turn the tables with a team fight.”

He immediately understood their intention.

They were planning to engage in a team fight and use Juan’s area-of-effect skill to win and turn the situation around if the Red Team tried to stop them from killing the dragon.

“But we can’t just give them the dragon.”

According to the PD, each dragon kill granted the team a permanent buff that was ‘powerful enough to change the game’.

If it were a solo fight, he wouldn’t care about buffs, but this was a team battle.

For the Red Team, which had many members weaker than Kim Jinsung, it was better to secure as many permanent buffs as possible.

“We’re going to the dragon pit too. Everyone has their health potions, right?”

– Yes.

They all answered in unison.

He had instructed them to buy one each in preparation for the area-of-effect skill, and it seemed like it would be helpful in the upcoming team fight.

“Just drink it right before the team fight starts. There’s definitely going to be a team fight, so be prepared.”

– Is it a bad idea to buy Mage’s Veil?

Kim Jinsung shook his head at Dante’s question.

“It’s a waste to buy Mage’s Veil just because of Juan’s skill. We don’t know what abilities the other Blue Team members have, so let’s wait and see before buying it.”

He then brought up something he had been thinking about.

“Speaking of which, the other Blue Team members might use their abilities in this team fight.”

– …!

“Now that Juan has used his, there’s no guarantee that the others won’t.”

He continued seriously,

“You’ll have to use your unique abilities then.”

– …!

“Otherwise, we can’t win the team fight.”

He continued persuading the Red Team members, whose eyes were widening in silence.

“I’ve done my best so far. I’ve even revealed my abilities. I’m willing to do anything to help our team win.

But this is a team game. I can’t defeat the Blue Team, which includes strong players like Juan, Luca, and Gian, alone.

You must have realized that after seeing Juan’s ability earlier.”

– …

“Imagine if Luca and Gian also reveal their unique abilities.”

The Red Team members imagined the situation Kim Jinsung had described.

Without even thinking deeply about it, the result would be a devastating defeat for the Red Team.

“I understand that you’re afraid to reveal your abilities because of what might happen when you encounter other enemies in the New Continent.

But think about it. You’re already members of Triunfo, the strongest group in the New Continent.

Even if your abilities are revealed, you have a strong safety net. Don’t you agree?”

– …

“Think carefully. Will you reveal your abilities and help me lead the Red Team to victory, gaining immense recognition within Triunfo?

Or will you hide them until the end, lose to the Blue Team, and remain overshadowed by other promising prospects like Juan?”

He concluded his long explanation.

“And no one knows if we’ll ever get another opportunity like this newbie showdown, with over 10,000 viewers.

Do your best in the present. That’s all I want to say.”

– …

“Now, let’s move to the dragon pit. I’ll explain the detailed plan on the way.”

He finished speaking and started running towards the dragon pit, followed by the others.

Their expressions were hidden by their helmets, but they were all the same.

They were all lost in thought, their faces contorted in contemplation.

* * *

[…Ah, the Red Team members are also gathering at the dragon pit. It seems like a big team fight is about to break out there.]

[It seems likely.]

The chat speed in the official internet broadcast started increasing as the commentators spoke.

A 5 vs 5 team fight.

It was the most exciting scene in any AOS game.

Of course, Alopsky’s consecutive feats and Juan’s surprising ability reveal, which had led to two double kills, had been entertaining, but they were nothing compared to the upcoming 5 vs 5 battle.

[A lot is at stake in this team fight, right?]

[That’s right. If the Red Team wins, they’ll be able to widen the gap even further.

But if the Blue Team wins, they can turn the tables in an instant and even take the lead!]

[Most importantly, it seems like the Blue Team’s priority is to kill Alopsky and stop his growth.]

[That’s right. They have to kill Alopsky in this team fight. He’s growing too fast!]

Alopsky, who had secured 7 kills, was the only one who had purchased ‘Slayer of Souls’, a so-called ‘core trait’.

Of course, it wasn’t a trait that was particularly powerful in the early game. It was a trait that grew stronger as the user got more kills.

What if Alopsky won this team fight and stacked Souls on his ‘Slayer’ trait?

The Blue Team might not be able to stop him then.

[On the other hand, the fact that only Alopsky is fed could be a disadvantage for the Red Team in this situation. The other Red Team members’ growth is not that different from the Blue Team’s.]

[Exactly. In other words, if Alopsky dies and his growth is stunted, the advantage the Red Team has will disappear completely.]

It was a typical situation where only one member of the team was fed. That was the Red Team.

At this point, the Red Team had to prevent Alopsky from dying, even if it meant sacrificing all the other members.

It was no exaggeration to say that Alopsky was walking a tightrope for the Red Team.

[What do you think the team fight composition will be like?]

[Well… Considering the area-of-effect skill Juan showed us earlier, it seems like the Blue Team has the advantage. Being able to heal all allies is a huge advantage in a large-scale team fight.]

[And the Blue Team members’ individual abilities are also superior on average.]

[On the other hand, the Red Team will have to rely on Alopsky. They have no chance unless he, who has all the kills, creates a variable.]

[But what can Alopsky do alone in a 5 vs 5 team fight?]

[Well… It seems like Alopsky is answering your question with his actions.]

Daniel said, and Thomas immediately checked the monitor with the minimap.

His eyes widened.

[…Ah, Alopsky has moved to the top lane! He’s pushing the top lane alone while everyone else is at the dragon pit!]

* * *

– Juan! Alopsky is…!

“I know! I see him!”

Juan snapped at Chano, the Team 10 member, interrupting his report.

He gritted his teeth as he watched Alopsky, who had appeared in the top lane alone and was clearing the mini-monsters.

“That bastard…! Taking advantage of the fact that he’s the only one with Teleport…!”

The ‘Teleport’ skill was still on cooldown for all the Blue Team members.

Alopsky was making the most of that situation.

He could just teleport back to the dragon pit when the team fight was about to start.

‘There’s still 20 seconds left…!’

20 seconds was enough time for Alopsky to clear the lane and even attack the tower.

Indeed, Alopsky had just cleared all the mini-monsters and reached the Red Team’s top tower.