The giant’s hammer sliced through the air, rushing toward me.
With a heavy impact, it struck the tree. Shards of wood ricocheted off my collar and fell to the ground.
Without hesitation, the giant prepared a second attack aimed directly at me.
Dodging it wasn’t difficult.
Reaper likely didn’t expect me to stand there and take it.
Still, the use of such a large and brutish skill was probably intended to draw my focus for a brief moment.
‘I’ve lost their position. My angle of view is obstructed.’
Unfortunately for me, this time Reaper succeeded.
This opponent clearly had a remarkable ability to manipulate vision.
While evading the hammer, I tried to keep my eyes on Reaper, but the giant blocked my line of sight, and I ultimately surrendered the initiative.
Fortunately, I didn’t need to waste time locating Reaper.
No matter how much fog obscured the view, shadows couldn’t be hidden entirely.
I judged their position based on the shadows on the ground.
Quicker than expected. If I waited to regain full visibility before acting, it would be too late.
Instinctively, I swung my dagger to deflect the blade. Because it wasn’t a perfect defense, my hand was slightly injured.
But the situation didn’t seem dire.
No matter how skilled someone may be, it’s hard to recover while airborne.
I was able to regain my footing faster, and my body moved almost mechanically.
Gripping my dagger in the other hand, I slashed downward.
Reaper’s thigh was sliced, and a splash of red blood spurted out. Attempting for a follow-up, I aimed a second strike, but Reaper didn’t allow it.
The physical form that had seemed real just moments ago dissolved like smoke.
This was the toughest survival skill—when the mist dissipated.
[“If a certain amount of blood gathers in the fog, the ‘Blood Mist’ effect is activated.”]
[“All senses will be slightly reduced, and every 3 seconds, you’ll take 1% of your maximum health as damage.”]
The fog around me began to turn red.
Repeated warnings appeared on my health bar, signaling the ongoing damage.
This was it. The reason why those who faced Reaper couldn’t regain their composure.
An elevated level of alertness and an instinctive sense of danger.
It was difficult to stay calm with the red hues surrounding me and the constant sounds of being hit.
It was likely also due to diminished senses.
Since Reaper wasn’t visible, I had to keep fighting against my own imaginary enemy.
“Huff… huff…”
First, I needed to regulate my breathing.
There was no need for deep breaths. It was hard to stay so relaxed in the moment.
Still, maintaining a consistent rhythm was psychologically beneficial.
The important thing was not to rush.
Defeat is confirmed the moment one’s calmness gives way.
Wasn’t I more aware of that fact than anyone?
Fortunately, the next attack occurred within my line of sight.
Each of Reaper’s clawed arms targeted a different spot, as if asking me to choose.
The angle and intent of their approach were quite threatening, but responding unexpectedly to an opponent’s moves was part of the art of battle.
I blocked one side with my dagger while accepting some damage on the other.
The blade tore past my ribcage. Despite dodging as much as possible, it was a fairly deep cut.
It’s alright. It was manageable.
I can return much more for the injury just now.
I didn’t miss the arm that passed me, trapping it by jamming it under my armpit.
I’ve practiced this moment countless times.
Loosening the chain I was holding, I coiled it tightly around Reaper’s arm. Once wasn’t enough, so twice. With time to spare, I went for a third time.
With the fog form still on cooldown, this should make it hard for them to escape.
Clutching the blood-covered chain tightly, Reaper exhaled a breath tinged with admiration.
“Indeed, your weapon skills are something beyond the ordinary.”
“I’m good at things like that.”
A mist mage shares some characteristics with wizards.
In other words, when it comes to physical stats, I have a clear advantage.
Pulling the chain forcefully, Reaper’s body was dragged toward me.
Twisting my direction, I threw them against a Great Forest tree. I didn’t hold back on pouring in the active skills I had on cooldown.
Once the situation is stabilized, I clearly have more options.
[The effect ‘Ancient Demon’s Curse’ has been applied to the enemy.]
[All stats of the enemy have…]
Before I could fully unleash my combo, Reaper made their decision.
The claw aimed toward the arm caught in the chain.
If Reaper cuts off their own arm, they’ll receive a severance penalty but will be free from the restraint.
Reaper has concluded that there’s no victory in this state.
I agree.
I commend their judgment for reaching the optimal solution so quickly amidst a disadvantageous situation.
But there’s no way I’m letting go.
I pulled the chain tightly, closing the distance.
My body surged forward at an unstoppable speed.
Reaper swiftly redirected the claw to target me, as though calculating the counterattack already in their mind.
Fine. I’ve never dreamt of taking someone down without any risk.
While rushing forward, I swapped the weapons in my hands.
The hand gripping the dagger now held the chain to pull, while the other hand received the dagger.
“Ughh…”
The instant my abdomen was pierced by the claw’s blade.
A near-fatal injury that almost took my breath away, but I still had ample time before death.
Using the hand holding the chain, I coiled it around Reaper’s remaining arm.
I didn’t have the strength to restrain both Reaper’s hands using one arm.
To compensate, I aggressively threw my weight into the restraint.
With Reaper’s arm caught between my arm and chest, it was securely locked in place.
As if trying to increase the damage even further, the blade stirred within me, but I paid it no mind.
Reaper’s claws couldn’t move anymore, but I still had a free dagger.
While I carved into them, Reaper began to lose strength.
This was effectively an act of surrender.
The boy grinned.
“Even with that, losing in melee combat means being an unsuccessful mist mage.”
“Yeah? Next time, bring an assassin.”
“Sure. I will.”
*
Infinity Black’s official caster.
Ho-eun has anchored countless matches for years.
His voice has become so familiar to eSports fans.
Although calm and sleek broadcasting is his hallmark, there are times when he lets loose with intense emotion, like now.
“Gawol has grabbed on! Binding Reaper’s arm with the chain!”
“The mist mage’s ‘Flow Escape’ is out of the picture! Almost as if saying, you don’t have Fog Form! How will you escape from this?”
“And she’s making full use of the moment! No breaks, just pressing hard!”
Influenced by him, the analysts on either side are also slowly ramping up their energy.
Acid Gaming. And Reaper.
Those names have ruled as a nightmare in the Korean league.
The two major Korean teams are Luche’s Sigma eSports and Traveler’s Q Prime.
And last year, Luche fell to Cerberus, Traveler succumbed to Reaper, leaving bittersweet memories.
No. This wasn’t just a story of last year.
Korea has long been assessed as weak on the international stage.
Even before Infinity Black launched, that was the case.
Ho-eun has been passionate about the eSports scene since ancient times, and that enthusiasm remains unbroken.
“Attack from Gawol! Is it too rushed?”
“Oh… Reaper’s counter has effectively hit.”
“No! What is this? Gawol has completely subdued Reaper!”
“There’s no more health bar decreasing. This is absolute suppression! Now she just needs to close out the match!”
When he first entered the industry, Korea was unquestionably the mecca of eSports.
The era of glory has long passed, but there was definitely a time when that was true.
To Ho-eun, that period has yet to fade.
Gawol’s brief chat with Reaper.
And the massive blue glow of Victory that filled the screen.
A scene he had watched countless times, yet this time it felt like the signal of something new.
“A decisive hit to the unprotected neck… the match ends!”
“Gawol, a nameless amateur from Korea, directly overcame the nightmare of London and shadow of Europe, Reaper, taking the first victory!”
Passion-filled commentary more than usual, yet something was missing.
His chest was tight. He had more to say.
Unable to suppress his emotions any longer, Ho-eun grabbed the mic and shouted.
“For years, the fans have said it: Korea’s weak link is the assassin line. Every time we faced Reaper, how many criticisms did we hear? We don’t have assassins like Reaper or Phantom! There will never be anyone like them in our country! And we’ll keep getting held back by them!”
Among professional gamers, assassins are the hardest to develop.
Because the superhuman speed belongs to the character, not the player themselves.
Maintaining the assassin’s mobility while simultaneously controlling it precisely is not an easy task.
To further develop a keen sense for combat… it naturally requires immense talent and effort.
That’s why, in other countries, vast population numbers and capital feed into a youth training system.
Korea lacks both of these resources.
“How about this? The London nightmare, the shadow of Europe, Reaper, was cleanly defeated by an unknown Korean amateur!”
“That’s correct. There are no mountains that cannot be ascended, and no impossibilities. Isn’t the beauty of sports the unpredictable results?”
“An unexpected outcome has arisen, and the match content was of a high level too. While we’ll need to see more matches, there’s no doubt that Gawol’s potential is beyond our imagination.”
A hunch from Ho-eun whispered in his mind.
Once, he was a professional gamer. And someday, perhaps as a coach.
Something momentous was about to happen.
