Before the shock of the opening match had fully subsided,
a storm of change swept violently through the IKL.
It was, to some extent, a foreseeable development.
ACL had aggressively pursued power enhancement and this season, they had confidently risen as legitimate contenders.
The steady growth of their ace players over the years, compounded by roster changes increasing their overall potential.
While success was anticipated, the results exceeded expectations.
This momentum carried through once more today.
A flash of a sword strike split the world horizontally.
The wind parted sharply and faded, even the sound was severed, leaving silence in its wake.
In an instant, the battlefield became eerily quiet. A man who had been fighting with fierce determination came to an abrupt halt.
The rift in the world coalesced into a line.
The moment that line touched the man’s body, turning crimson.
The formidable physique crumbled, and with it, the game turned decisively.
“Player Dong-hae’s slash! A clean sword strike splits the fighter into two!”
“Indeed, who wouldn’t dream of this perfect move with a slash like that? The swordsman’s fantasy realized. Igor finishes off the last druid — Axe down! GG!”
“ACL defeats Wild Spirits and secures their third consecutive victory!”
“In this league season, their performance has been nothing short of remarkable… Undeniably, ACL is strong.”
Amid the shifting dynamics of the league, the teams making waves were undeniably ACL and Galaxy Gaming.
Each showcasing unmatched prowess in chaotic battles while maintaining precise teamwork, firmly establishing their presence.
The current consensus within the IKL hierarchy is three strong teams, three moderate ones, and four weaker squads.
Yet there remained an unsolved question.
Galaxy Gaming’s recent rise to the top after defeating Q Prime had been acknowledged.
Similarly, ACL had demonstrated their abilities with a series of decisive victories over mid-tier teams.
But were they truly on par with Sigma?
Experts and fans both agreed that Sigma held the upper hand in terms of strength.
Though the early-season dominance may not be as overwhelming now,
partially due to Sigma’s recent string of matches against weaker teams, it was undeniable that the performances from these two teams had surpassed expectations.
In esports, underdog uprisings can happen at any time.
Perhaps the thought in everyone’s mind is, “Could it… Could it really be?”
“Our broadcasting team will wrap it up here, and we’ll be back with you at the same time tomorrow.”
“To wrap up today’s match, we’ll be transitioning to analysis with the experts’ table and player interviews.”
“Thank you for today’s match commentary, delivered by Caster Ho-eun and analysts Hwang-yul and Hae-hwa.”
As the commentators concluded their remarks, the analysis desk replayed crucial scenes.
The swift attack-defense transitions characteristic of the swordsman were apparent; indeed, the game showcased high lethality.
While the major moments had passed, one sequence that fans eagerly awaited remained.
Soon, a charming announcer appeared on screen.
“Today’s victorious interview is with a player who’s recently displayed the true potential of the swordsman’s slash — let’s welcome ACL’s Dong-hae to the stage. Dong-hae, hello!”
“Hello.”
“Today’s game was intense. Where did you feel the decisive turning point was? We’d love to hear your thoughts.”
“Ah, well… Given our team’s strengths in chaotic combat conditions, we found ourselves in an advantageous situation. Moreover, the swordsman is a class with a very high ceiling…”
Naturally, the first interview centered around the details of today’s game.
Insights revealed by the player who experienced the match offered a level of precision that an outside analyst could not.
Dong-hae was well-known for his deep affection toward the swordsman class, making his interviews especially insightful.
“Thank you for your answer. It’s an inquiry we couldn’t omit — the next ACL game is set against Sigma eSports. This is a match many fans are anticipating.”
With Q Prime having fallen into the mid-tier ranks, this became the first direct confrontation between top-tier teams in the current Summer League.
A battle loaded with implications for both sides.
Sigma sought supremacy, while ACL desired to dismantle what seemed an impenetrable fortress and carve their name into history.
No matter the result, this match was poised to carry significant meaning for the Summer League.
Moreover, the outcome of these top-tier matchups heavily impacts the league standings.
In the bigger picture, it represented a critical step towards World Championship qualification.
“Given that Sigma is currently evaluated as the top powerhouse, your preparation seems thorough. We’re curious, where will you focus your efforts?”
“It’s not an easy opponent, but we don’t see them as unbeatable. We intend to accentuate our strengths for this game.”
“Thank you for that. Is there anything else you’d like to share?”
“To player Gawol: perhaps it’s time for her to display her swordsman’s prowess in front of me.”
“Certainly! It was great to see that bold attitude. That was Dong-hae of ACL!”
[Author: ㅇㅇ(961.94)]
[Title: So, where does ACL’s power stand right now?]
Is there a real chance of victory against Sigma?
I’ve seen a lot who genuinely believe ACL can win.
Is it Igor and Roger leading the way?
Or is Dong-hae becoming that good?
I honestly don’t know.
[Comments]
– Comparing this season to the last, it’s night and day.
– Their new mercenaries have incredible synergy with Dong-hai.
– They’ve found their final puzzle piece.
[Author: ㅇㅇ(741.121)]
[Title: Honestly, all the fuss about Gawol is overblown.]
The shock from the opening match was annoying.
Q Prime was only a renowned team when they had Traveler.
They’re just another mid-tier team these days.
How long are you going to glorify one tournament win?
Sure, I admit she’s skilled in one-on-one — she’s defeated Cerberus and Hero.
This is team play though.
What exactly has she proven?
Wake up.
You guys barely made it past the round of 16.
You’re not world-class yet.
[Comments]
– So, is ACL world-class?
– Career over exaggeration is still less of a stretch than someone from live streaming fame.
– Still, did you get hit by Gawol?
– That might actually be possible.
– Whoa.
[Author: 흰스사이파란줄무늬]
[Title: Summer League, a Compilation of Gawol Moments. (Uh-Huh)]
(Image Attachment: Gawol, photo emphasizing buttocks)
(Image Attachment: Gawol, photo emphasizing chest)
(Image Attachment: Gawol, several other images)
Let’s stop bickering about stupid things and appreciate the allure.
[Comments]
– Appreciated.
– She’s mother material.
[Author: 검스는20데니아]
[Title: Reason Sigma will win tomorrow’s match]
[Votes: 148]
(Image Attachment: Image of Da-eun’s underarm)
Gawol carries this certain debuff aura even before the game starts.
This debuff is so potent that it immobilizes men.
Because men are, by nature, animals who must shrink when part of themselves rise.
With ACL’s male-dominant lineup, it seems hard for them to overcome Sigma.
[Comments]
– Fight cleanly, you female brat.
Ultimately, time flows, no matter what. The highly anticipated match was finally here.
“Finally, we have arrived. This is predicted as the closest contest of the entire week.”
“Sigma eSports versus ACL. A showdown between two teams with current undefeated streaks of three.”
“One of these streaks will have to end today.”
“Perhaps Galaxy Gaming is watching with glee. These strong teams battling early helps them maintain their standings.”
The awaiting players were shown on screen.
Formally recognized or not, the attractive players often found themselves in front of the camera.
The better the player, the more popular, the more attention they garnered.
Sigma, with Luche and Gawol, was practically a mainstay for the camera director.
Gawol gracefully waved to the viewers, offering a signature greeting.
“A short while ago during the prediction analysis, we saw a 6:4 result favoring Sigma.”
“But ACL must feel unfairly judged. ‘We’re playing really well this season. Why are people underestimating us?’ It’s only natural that these sentiments arise.”
“It looks like swords have been sharpened. Igor, back at the Arenas, was eliminated during the second preliminaries stage when he met Luche. This is his chance for vengeance.”
“Now, the moment the two teams clash is nearing. We will disclose the battlefield and rules.”
The viewers’ screen displayed an ancient ruin.
Even though the place was crumbling, the circular defensive walls remained, somewhat intact.
The unmaintained buildings and relatively flat grounds suggested a battlefield slightly cramped for ten players.
The format? Five-person Deathmatch.
But the kill target was meager — only ten kills allocated.
“A rare set of circumstances indeed.”
“ACL may find this to their liking. Small and flat but with plenty of obstacles, the Deathmatch naturally encourages chaotic battles.”
“However, Sigma has their counterarguments. With such a relatively low maximum kill count in a deathmatch format, this values each life highly. The game seems suited for a player like Gawol excelling in critical kills.”
As the anticipation built, the game was set to begin.
