The entry skills of an Assassin are quite vulnerable, contrary to expectations.
Even the shortest-delay skill, Shadow Step, is no exception.
Since there are limitations to the shadows you can target, if you focus on observing thrown daggers, you can predict the movement point.
It’s almost a basic requirement for classes that frequently deal with Assassins.
In fact, it was a common occurrence to pre-cast spells at expected locations and counterattack, effectively turning the tables.
At this level of competition, it’s impossible for simple dagger throwing to be effective.
I used a decoy to draw attention first, then utilized the blocked line of sight.
Simultaneously, my own body became bait as I charged in feigning an attack on Azure.
Originally, Mages are at a disadvantage against Assassins, but it wasn’t evident due to the 2 vs 1 situation.
Alone, they couldn’t defeat me, so they needed to mutually cover each other’s defenses.
From the Mage’s perspective, they could only ensure their own survival by also protecting their ally—essentially needing to safeguard two bodies instead of one.
This leaves gaps that I can exploit.
[A successful activation of ‘Vital Point Attack: Optic Nerve’ has occurred.]
[An ‘Enhanced Hemotoxin’ effect has been applied.]
Ideally, the target should be the neck, but that area is well-guarded.
A Mage with a damaged neck will slow down in casting speed,
and will desperately try to protect it even at the cost of losing more health.
To gain something from your opponent, I too must make sacrifices.
Deciding not to attack the neck as wished,
I instead aimed for the right eye to disrupt precise aim,
pierced the internal organs to hinder magic recovery, and even targeted the heart to increase damage dealt.
Though the last strike was rather shallow due to Azure’s interference, forcing me to pull back.
It would have been ideal to target the Ice Sorceress first.
With a Fire Sorceress, I could have given up some health and pushed to secure the kill.
But with two Mages ahead, if I froze, this side would be finished.
[A successful activation of ‘Vital Point Attack: Internal Organs’ has occurred.]
[An ‘Enhanced Hemotoxin’ effect has been applied once more.]
[The ‘Enhanced Hemotoxin’ effect has transformed into ‘Unstoppable Bleeding’.]
Is it because I messed with her sibling?
Azure’s attacks have become markedly sharper.
However, they’re emotional.
No matter how much the character is hurt, one’s real body remains unharmed in reality.
Therefore, I should have chosen the option to ruthlessly whittle her down.
‘Here, I must ensure the death of at least one.’
I parry the incoming Ice Spears with my daggers.
I dodge the rising thorns and take cover.
From here, Azure cannot accurately determine my position.
Then, it’s time to attack Crimson again.
I pre-place a knife in the icicles.
My rope daggers and fireballs crossed paths.
The fireball is a pure attack skill with no slow or crowd control effects.
She must have been quite in a rush, huh?
To this extent, I should just take the hit and secure a clear advantage.
“Guh…!”
[The ‘Viper’s Fang’ effect has been received.]
[For 10 seconds, the projectile weapon will not dislodge from the enemy’s body.]
A searing pain engulfs my body.
At the same time, the feeling at my fingertips.
Upon embedding the rope dagger, I pulled hard, closing the distance.
I performed an instant feint with a cooled-down decoy.
I prepared for the next attack using Shadow skills while aiming for Crimson’s head with a back kick.
Regardless of the class, Mages still require minimal close-combat capability.
Naturally, her staff blocked my shin, but I am someone who has meticulously honed my close combat skills all my life.
To buy some time, she should have focused desperately on the next offense.
I slightly dropped my leg, using the staff to trap it at the calf.
Using her weapon as a pivot, I made half a spin and delivered a knee strike to her cheekbone.
“Isn’t it too disappointing to end it just like this?”
I grab her hair with one hand and pull.
I had intended to use her as a human shield, but Azure altered the trajectory of the attack, narrowly missing.
The attempt at sibling-on-sibling conflict failed, but I successfully unsettled her resolve.
Nevertheless, Crimson is within my grasp.
Since I have managed to fend off one of Azure’s attacks, it gives me time again.
Pro gamers are human in the end.
Even if they know it’s just a game, the visuals can stir emotions.
Nevertheless, make the decision. Here, I will definitely kill your younger sister.
There was no time to move.
While I was wildly slashing Crimson with daggers, Azure eventually cast a spell.
Several rising icicles inflicted multiple large wounds on my body.
[A ‘Fleeting Malevolence’ effect has been received.]
[This can only be used when current HP is below 30%.]
[During the effect duration, all debuffs are ignored, and physical penetration increases by 8%.]
[‘Sigma Gawol’ has defeated ‘Enuha Crimson’.]
I’m still not dead.
One Mage remains.
Exhausting the newly regained Shadow Step, I re-entered combat.
—
Luci’s Lance of Fire unleashed flames.
After delivering a burst of firepower, a swift switch to defense.
Lifting the massive Tower Shield, they charged forward.
The situation was naturally overwhelmingly favorable.
Primarily because the numbers were already on our side.
The Sniper continued to fire without moving,
and Luci efficiently exploited the brute strength inherent to Lance Knights.
The fact that the opposition has managed to hold out this long is a testament to their fierce determination.
[‘Radiant Standard’ effect in operation.]
[All allies within range enhance their defense, and the received shield amount…]
[Castor: Eunha Artisan.]
A mounted Rider clashed lances with Luci.
Even with the gained momentum from the charge, the impact wasn’t sufficient.
Even in a simple one-on-one, Lance Knights are not easy opponents.
Especially now, with constant support from the Priestess and Sniper.
The Artisan made a sharp turn without hesitation, and Nahyir’s Tuhui skill filled the gap.
Both Rider and Tuhui are classes with excellent defense and mobility.
Living up to their reputation as a strong IKL team that shook the summer season, their teamwork left no room for improvement.
But the limit was clear.
“Honestly, Nahyir must be feeling unfair right now. Isn’t a Lance Knight usually paired with a Priest?”
“The strategy for Sigma today was ‘break through the enemy lines.’”
“If there were Mages with the main group, even a Paladin and Priestess combination would’ve struggled!”
“Priestesses, among pure supporters, have one of the most aggressive skillsets in Invul. You cannot treat them the same as Priests!”
Just a minute after Gawol defeated Crimson, a critical incident occurred.
Luci’s advantage as a veteran professional was high-level understanding of meta.
And an educational volume that could make average coaches and supervisors tired.
Memorizing the basic delay times of enemy skills was no surprise.
Even if there are random tricks to cancel delay times, it remains the same.
The moment the opponent showed a hint of greed,
the magic-infused shield struck Nahyir’s jaw.
The Tuhui player’s eyes widened – sensing the imminent future.
An anguished sound escaped their lips.
“Ah…”
But there was no mercy.
The Sniper’s bullet pierced Nahyir’s chest.
Though the damage wasn’t enough for an instant kill, it didn’t matter.
The Tuhui player, losing their entire balance, hit the edge of the shield.
A threatening attack simply by sheer mass. Yet, the finishing blow awaited.
Luci’s Lance charged towards the heart.
[‘Sigma Luci’ has defeated ‘Eunha Nahyir’.]
The situation was barely manageable on the edge.
Once the balance was lost, Galaxy’s main group could no longer function properly,
and with the final Bard’s death, the game concluded.
[‘Sigma Camellia’ has defeated ‘Eunha Fiesta’.]
[‘Sigma Gawol’ has defeated ‘Eunha Azure’.]
—
After defeating Azure, I couldn’t move anymore.
Repeated bleeding had left me in a condition where moving would lead to a quick death, and staying still would mean a slow one.
Attempting to instill fear in the opponent, I simply sat there—only a short while later, the game ended.
“Hey, what exactly is Gawol supposed to do?”
“One-on-one isn’t possible. Two-on-one isn’t possible either. How exactly are they supposed to stop it? The frustration would naturally arise from their position!”
“What kind of players are Azure and Crimson? They’re top-tier players even by overseas standards…”
There’s usually a 3 to 5-minute delay between the broadcast and actual gameplay.
Seems I’ve just defeated Azure judging by the heightened commentary.
Even listening to their animated voices, I couldn’t help but feel flustered, even though it’s me.
Not that I’m complaining, though.
On the way from the gaming station back to the waiting room,
I would inevitably face the players I had just finished battling with.
When my eyes met Azure’s,
I nodded slightly as a gesture of respect.
Even though it was in-game, the fact that my attacks were rough was undeniable.
This willingness to show respect might mean…
that I’ve grown somewhat from before?
Azure understood and nodded back.
—
After killing Azure, I could no longer move due to repeated blood loss.
Whether I moved or stayed still, death was near.
I decided to sit, trying to intimidate the opponent, but the game ended soon after.
“Seriously, what exactly is Gawol supposed to do?”
“One-on-one is impossible. Two-on-one isn’t possible either… how in the world are they supposed to stop this? You’d naturally get frustrated in their shoes!”
“What kind of players are Azure and Crimson? They’re exceptionally talented even by international standards…”
There was around a 3-to-5-minute delay between live gameplay and broadcast commentary.
Judging by the raised voices, it seems the commentary was just reaching the point where I had killed Azure, making me somewhat flustered despite myself.
Not that I minded though.
On my way from the gaming pod back to the lounge,
I knew I’d encounter the players I had fought just moments ago.
When our eyes met with Azure,
I bowed my head slightly in respect.
While it was only in the game, the aggressive techniques I used were undeniable.
The fact that I even had this inclination to acknowledge it…
perhaps it showed that I had grown somewhat from before?
Azure nodded back in apparent understanding.
