After muttering to myself for a while, I bought a bottle of soju from the convenience store.
This was also a luxury I started indulging in because my financial situation had improved.
Sitting on a bench with a cool breeze, I took a sip─ but it tasted awful.
“Ugh. Ughk?”
The reunion with soju after a few years was terrible.
Did soju always taste this strange?
Even back then, it wasn’t something I drank for the taste, but the feeling was too different, leaving me rather confused.
The distinct chemical taste of alcohol was hard to bear.
If only it had been sweeter…
Ah, this is why women drink fruit soju.
I had an uncomfortable sense of realization.
I hadn’t expected to feel changes in my body even in a place like this.
Still, since I bought the alcohol, I wasn’t going to waste it.
[Author: anonymous(259.25)]
[Title: Can Gawol beat Reaper?]
[Author: TalkingPigeon]
[Title: If I defeat Reaper tomorrow, I’ll make mint chocolate rice]
[Author: CleverShoot]
[Title: Mint chocolate fried rice? I’ll add pine needles]
While browsing the community while drinking, I noticed occasional mentions of me.
It seemed they didn’t expect me to win.
I thought defeating Rime would have changed things, but I still couldn’t match Reaper’s reputation.
Of course, European teams have been showing strength against Korean teams.
Given their accumulated history, it was understandable.
Amidst this, all kinds of ridiculous pledges were being posted.
I captured the posts and took another gulp of alcohol.
You’ll regret it when I make you eat all these promises.
[Author: anonymous(438.58)]
[Title: Sparrow has been defeated, what about Gawol?]
[Author: anonymous(420.324)]
[Title: Korea can never win international matches]
“Hmph. I can win. Is there anyone in this world who couldn’t be beaten?”
Am I too weak for alcohol?
My emotions surged as the buzz hit quickly.
Before I knew it, the soju bottle was already empty.
Looking back, my friend was truly a monster.
The first opponent who made me feel truly overwhelmed. I had no idea how to beat them.
After feeling despair, I soon began striving to find a way.
“Keep running around from afar, charge like a mad dog, overtrain trying to build muscle and get reprimanded…”
I’ve tried everything.
Every time, all of my weaknesses were exposed and I faced defeat.
But then, I would patch up my flaws and come back with a new approach.
Physical attributes like reaction speed, dynamic vision, strength, endurance, agility?
Naturally, I had to keep up. Without any one of these, I wouldn’t even be in the game.
Since the opponent wasn’t human-like, I had to be human to the fullest extent.
Next, I had to observe what I hadn’t seen before.
No matter how strong the opponent, they cannot hide everything.
The back muscles move before the arm extends, and you must check the attack position before feinting.
It all boiled down to who gained more clues.
From simple strength battles to endurance, psychological, and melee combat… as I engaged in battles across all fields, areas where I could keep up emerged.
Therefore, what I do best isn’t just relying on physical prowess.
Rather, it’s the opposite. My player days were about defeating opponents who excelled in all areas.
Finding and exploiting an opponent’s weaknesses, as seen in Reaper’s play, is exactly the direction I’ve pursued since my player days.
“Phew…”
Today, for some reason, I was in a peculiarly good mood.
It was definitely due to the alcohol.
Consequently, I did something I wouldn’t usually do.
I logged into an ID I had created but never used, and directly clicked the “write” button.
[Author: Gawol]
[Title: Hello, this is Gawol.]
[Likes: 1,695]
(Attached image: Infinity Black account integration)
Many of you have made pledges about my victory.
Unfortunately, there seem to be more people betting on my defeat.
I’m glad to see that you’re all keenly watching.
Of course, I’ve screen-captured all the pledges.
I’ve also come here today to make a pledge.
If I lose to Reaper tomorrow, I’ll do whatever the person who commented first requests.
Of course, anything illegal or harmful to others is out of the question.
[Comment]
– Reveal your face (Likes: 565)
└ Let’s see what you look like.
Today, the losers’ group matches were scheduled before those featuring me as part of the winners’ group.
In group E, an enraged Rime defeated Fury with their fury.
One player was eliminated, and the other received a new chance.
When the last match of the losers’ group concluded, it was finally my turn.
The commentators immediately heightened their tension upon seeing my name.
“Next… it’s the match everyone’s been waiting for. Since yesterday, this match has rapidly gained attention between Reaper and Gawol.”
“Though already a thrilling match, it’s also drawing much external attention. I’m also curious to see how it will unfold.”
The commentators seemed to have read my post.
Though their faces flushed momentarily, they quickly composed themselves.
Something felt strange; I couldn’t afford to be distracted while facing Reaper.
As I gradually calmed myself, the commentators’ voices faded away.
I did a final check to ensure I hadn’t overlooked anything, preparing for the upcoming battle.
[Infinity Arena Main Tournament Group E – Match 8]
[Battlefield: Fairywood Great Forest]
[vs Acid Gaming Ripper (Fog Mage)]
The battlefield where I fought Camellia during the 2nd preliminaries.
With many branches, it provides easy concealment and aerial maneuvering, and also accelerates mana recovery.
Among the assassin class, I hold the advantage in reconnaissance battles.
Though it’s an overcome-able difference, I don’t believe Reaper would enter an unfavorable fight if he knows better.
If I could start by nullifying one of his strengths, it would be advantageous.
Sure enough, the center of the Great Forest was shrouded in thick fog.
Instead of fully hiding himself, he was luring me into the fog.
But I have a different answer.
Since I’ve analyzed you thoroughly, did you do the same with me?
I decided to test him with a simple question.
[“Black Moon’s Melody” effect has been applied.]
[For 30 seconds, all actions using the Chain Scythe will have positive effects.]
[Damage dealt using the Chain Scythe increases by 16%…]
Though this is the second time in the arena, I haven’t put the Chain Scythe to waste.
It’s been a good card, so I’ve been practicing constantly.
Though you avoided the dangerous scouting battle, I don’t plan to enter this dangerous fog.
Avoid all hazards if you can.
I’ll just swing wildly then.
The assassin’s rare area-of-effect attacks bombarded like a bombardment.
Black chains lashed out endlessly, striking the ground, turning the floor into an eerie green swamp.
My Chain Scythe sliced through the fog, violently seeking Reaper’s position.
[The enemy has been affected by “Ancient Demon’s Curse”.]
[All stats are decreased by 8%, movement speed decreases by 20% lasting 4 seconds.]
[The enemy takes damage equivalent to 2% of their maximum health per second.]
Got you.
As the system message flashed, a tingling sensation ran through my fingertips.
The chain reacted as if it had tasted the enemy’s blood.
Of course, it was bound to end this way.
An attack thrown so haphazardly and fast that even I couldn’t confirm all of it.
Given I also benefit from mana recovery acceleration, it’s impossible to avoid everything.
I immediately adjusted the skill’s position toward where the chain had reacted.
Slightly forward of the expected position. He’d likely try to close the distance immediately.
As the chain returned toward me, it started retracting.
The Chain Scythe I use is different from reality, utilizing the blade at the end of the chain.
Although it boasts an overwhelming range, there are no perfect weapons.
It becomes harder to counter when the situation turns into close combat.
Precisely this kind of situation.
“Quick, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Not too slow on my part though.”
From the edge of the fog, Reaper’s figure appeared faster than my chain.
The fleeting figure was already charging toward me.
He aimed for my neck down to my heart. The terrifying claw blades flew mercilessly toward me.
There was no need to dodge.
With the hand not gripping the chain, I lightly flicked the dagger.
Casually extending it forward – the two weapons stopped just barely missing each other.
Reaper’s figure disappeared into the fog like it had never been there, leaving only shadow chains stuck in his place.
The vanished fog mage reappeared above me, extending his claws once more.
I leaned back to dodge the attack and waited for just a half-beat longer before parrying.
KA-ANG! With a clear ringing sound, I retracted the chain which then aimed for Reaper’s head.
The chain missed, but the opponent’s attack range was also depleted.
Reaper retreated obediently, maintaining a suitable distance.
A smile was on Reaper’s revealed face.
Seeing that, I couldn’t help but smile back.
Of course, we didn’t forget that we were trying to take each other’s life.
“Funny?”
The fog gathered into the form of a giant, swinging a hammer toward me.
Tree shadows turned into thorns, aiming for Reaper’s body.
