Analyzing the opponent before a match is a basic requirement for any professional gamer.
Especially when the enemy is predicted to be stronger.
The weaker you are in comparison, the more crucial it is to exploit their weaknesses thoroughly and block their strengths.
This was the situation Galaxy Gaming found itself in ahead of their match against Sigma eSports.
It wasn’t long ago that even ACL, a formidable adversary, had suffered a crushing defeat.
Tension filled not only the team members but also the coaches and director.
“Everyone here? I assume everyone has seen the match, but let’s review a few key highlights before we start.”
Early in the morning, the entire team had gathered in the briefing room.
On the main screen, the first set battle of the ruined sanctuary between Sigma and ACL played.
Since the start of the Summer League, one notion had solidified within the IKL:
No one could beat Gawol in a one-on-one fight.
This concluded that in side skirmishes, Sigma’s dominance couldn’t be challenged, and creating variables was nearly impossible.
Once the game tilts, it becomes difficult to turn around.
Various strategies had been attempted thus far.
Ignoring Gawol entirely and focusing on the main team battle, using Inquisitors to separate her from the team — but none had succeeded.
As a result, Sigma eSports continued their undefeated streak, not even giving up a single set.
“Ah, it’s unbearable to watch this.”
“This is pure nightmare fuel.”
The ruined sanctuary battle had become symbolic of such struggles.
A chaotic melee combination, lacking long-range support or defensive classes, had been driven to the brink.
It was a nightmare for pro gamers, continuously battered until the very end.
Galaxy Gaming’s director paused the footage.
Rewinding to the early game when a crucial crack had appeared— the scene where the battle-priest was mercilessly executed.
“What do you make of this moment?”
“It’s horrifying. If the support dies, it’s game over. The Gunslinger’s response wasn’t slow, look— he tried to cover, but it wasn’t enough.”
The Gunslinger in question, Mamba, was known for his consistent performances.
However, facing an opponent who never exposed themselves left him powerless.
“The angles for entry and hiding places seem tricky too. I remember they checked thoroughly and still couldn’t find him. He was only a step or two away but out of range.”
“We can’t assign an escort to the support just because of one assassin. You never know when or who will attack.”
“Our rookie will have quite the challenge ahead. What should we do?”
“Ah… It reminds me of the Reaper incident. I thought I was about to develop PTSD. How does someone pop out of nowhere like that?”
The feedback buzzed across the room.
Galaxy Gaming’s players actively discussed their thoughts.
The director smiled lightly at corners.
It wasn’t 100% what he anticipated, but none of the comments were wrong.
A matter of perspective. Correction wasn’t needed, so respect and suggestions were provided instead.
“Let’s check another clip?”
The monitor displayed a different footage.
The battle between Sigma and Q Prime.
Here, Gawol clung to a Monster Hunter only to be dragged away into the Sanctity of Condemnation.
“What do you think?”
“Well… it was shocking, she wasn’t supposed to be that weak.”
“Looking at it from a team perspective, Gawol made a hasty move. Sigma’s combination isn’t great at breaking through…”
The most vocal female player, Azure, nodded her head.
Galaxy Gaming was known for its precise battles and teamwork, much of which stemmed from Azure, the team captain.
IKL’s highly regarded ranged dealer and the team’s main commander set a standard.
Just as people associate Luche with Paladin, Azure became synonymous with Ice Sorceress.
Even after the hero transfer which placed her below Sigma… domestically, she had reigned supreme for a long time.
Precisely until her younger sister, Crimson, took a break in the off-season.
Conversely, with Crimson’s return,
Galaxy Gaming had begun spreading their wings.
Director and Azure understood each other well.
“Should we focus on eliminating Gawol first?”
“I wish it were that simple. Individual prowess and team play are different things. Based on the two games shown, targeting only Gawol would have been manageable.”
“The teams before us weren’t fools. It would require resource overcommitment which is risky. It’s as complicated as handling Luche too.”
Azure countered the director’s suggestion.
It wasn’t mere nitpicking.
Azure was a player who thoroughly followed the director’s instructions once she saw them as logical.
Gawol isn’t untouchable.
With two or three players focusing, they could take her down.
The issue lies in Sigma’s main team led by Luche during that time.
Separating that battlefield from Gawol became a challenge even according to Azure’s standards.
Luche was no easy opponent by any measure.
“Wouldn’t defense only be a viable option? There are a few maps we can use. Since Sigma aims for a balanced composition…”
Through repeated discussions, the framework of their strategy began shaping.
Gawol’s speed and boldness are contrasted with Sigma’s main team, which has no strong breakthrough abilities.
Engaging in an extended delay tactic seems viable.
“Given our team’s good performance from our ranged dealers, once we handle Gawol, the main team should fall accordingly.”
It’s not about tying down Gawol while focusing on the main team.
Rather, by restraining the main team, they could leverage their resources against Gawol to deliver a decisive blow.
Galaxy Gaming was sharpening their edge.
—
My mouth was dry, my cheeks felt warm, and my stomach churned restlessly.
My body radiated warmth, accompanied by an excited sound.
“Hnnn. Hmm…!”
Amidst a darkened consciousness, a touch grazed my stomach.
The gentle strokes eventually descended, slowly reaching my lower abdomen.
A teasing kind of stimulation made its presence known.
Not too strong.
So faint that one might miss it unless paying close attention.
Yet, this mild pleasure, akin to a weak current, was already clouding my senses.
‘If only you’d press a little harder… Don’t tease me so much, it no longer hurts… Press more…’
Gradually, my submerged awareness was resurfacing.
Strangely, my body wouldn’t move properly.
Had I been drunk? But this sensation felt different.
It’s more like my limbs weren’t under my control.
Even my vision seemed to sway uncontrollably.
When my legs instinctively curled, I woke abruptly.
“What…?”
Opening my eyes, I was in my room.
Ah, it was just a dream.
Of course, I was alone, the room enveloped in calm, soft darkness.
The reason for my body’s immobilization? It turned out I had tangled myself in the blanket during sleep.
Checking the time on my phone, it was 2:05 AM.
I hadn’t been asleep for long.
As I sighed, a faint feeling of unpleasant dampness lingered.
“Didn’t my period end already?”
A pang of uneasiness crept in.
This wasn’t my usual one-room; it was a shared dormitory where teammates slept nearby.
Leaving traces of blood here would spell disaster.
Fortunately, after checking with my phone’s flashlight, there were no dreaded red stains.
Still, it wasn’t completely relieving.
It had only been a little while since my period ended.
It wasn’t blood, but there was a strange stickiness.
This was, perhaps…
“Didn’t I do laundry yesterday?”
Regrettably, once it’s done, it’s done.
This kind of incident has been happening more often as my physical strength improved.
Clearly, it’s a sign of better health, but it’s hard to be purely grateful about it.
The underwear was wrapped carefully to avoid any smell.
I changed clothes skillfully and completed the cleanup.
Taking advantage of being somewhat awake, I went to the lobby to retrieve a drink.
No caffeine this time since I needed sleep.
I sipped a warm soy milk.
As I drank halfway through, a sound stirred.
“Hey, didn’t you go to bed already?”
“I woke up. How about you?”
“I did too. That soy milk looks good; I should get one too.”
Hecate, a.k.a. Yeowon.
The peculiar girl who subtly feared me but approached with bold confidence, declared our closeness upon learning we were the same age.
Hecate naturally sat next to me with her own soy milk.
“Are you nervous about tomorrow’s match?”
“Not really. I’ve never been someone to get nervous easily. I remained calm even in the arena.”
“I’m envious. I was in turmoil during the Spring season.”
“I didn’t notice that.”
“That’s because you were there. Actually, I used to be really timid and scared.”
Her steady gaze met mine.
She responded with a sheepish smile.
“Things have improved recently. Remember how hard we trained before the opening match? You know, there were times I resented you because it was so hard?”
“No issues. It might’ve seemed a little excessive, but I don’t regret it.”
“It’s fine. Eventually, I became more serene. We trained hard enough that I don’t regret it, and you kept reminding me to have confidence. It’s embarrassing since I debuted before you… but I was inspired by you.”
Yeowon lightly tapped the glass bottle against mine.
Not alcohol, but it served as a symbolic toast.
Her radiant smile was quite pleasing.
“So, good luck with tomorrow’s match. Let’s both do well.”
“Yeah, let’s win for sure.”
