Former Hero Streamer – Chapter 123

The entire castle shook with the dying roar of the massive dragon, its heavy body crashing to the cold ground.

Eunha was checking the timing as she looked at the fallen dragon. How many minutes had passed now?

“Already 4 minutes.”

Her beautiful features crinkled slightly as if facing an uncomfortable truth. Even though she had said she’d catch it as quickly as possible, was this the best they could do?

Of course, reflecting on their experiences until now, it was certainly a relatively successful attempt in a short time.

Yet, the reason for her inner anxiety was simple.

“If sister gets 4 minutes…”

It would be quite a dangerous situation. She had heard that they were attempting a one-point breakthrough in mid.

The first assault had long been pushed back, and the second attempt was equally shaky.

Eunha’s gaze involuntarily moved toward Chan-hyuk, as if asking what the plan was.

After all, leading the team and giving orders was the captain’s job.

“For now, let’s patch up any further holes and push with the points we’ve gained. Let’s return.”

“Right, everyone, let’s run.”

It was fortunate that the objective was within their maze; if it had spawned in the opposing camp, it would have been far worse.

As the STK team members rushed to return, exhausted but determined, their steps came to a halt right in front of the exit.

Before them stood…

“Sister?”

“……”

Friede was standing alone, blocking the way.

—

[Friede has come to the battlefield!!!!!!]

[The main force of STK is confident they can handle this alone ㄷㄷㄷ]

[But is that even possible? If it was just the lotus, that would be one thing, but they have the Warden and others too, right?]

[No idea!]

[Guess we’ll find out this time??]

[If we can stall, that’s a huge win. No, even if they break through, just buying time is a sweet deal.]

[Blocking four with one is just fantastic value.]

[Doesn’t seem likely though, lol.]

[If she charges like that and gets wiped out, it’ll be hilarious.]

The chat was flooded with cheers and questions regarding Friede’s reckless action, as the Streamer Team was pushing through the first base and steadily advancing to the second.

Their intention was clear: to disregard operations through the objective and break through the mid-highway.

In reality, STK was overwhelmed by the sudden large-scale offensive and pushed back ineffectively.

Especially, Friede’s ability to draw all the aggro up front and take out the central duo was an impressive feat.

Still, was this really the right choice?

[“I’ll block the entrance to the opposing maze. Just keep pushing.”]

[“Huh? Alone, Friede?”]

[“The path is narrow, and it suits my Holy Sword well. I can manage.”]

[“But with the Warden and the lotus around… Got it. I’ll keep pushing with the rest.”]

[“Teacher, that confidence blows my mind.”]

[“Ah, Gun-de, stop spouting nonsense and let’s go. You handle the back for Friede.”]

Right on cue, their voice chat echoed through the audience.

As I heard that dialogue, I finally grasped what sister was planning.

Still…

“Will she be alright?”

Dai-young’s voice was filled with concern as she watched closely.

It was natural to feel that way, considering she was recklessly facing the enemy’s main force alone.

Though it was true that Se-hee had overwhelming strength in the game, that was only within the confines of the game system.

Naturally, elements like cheat codes from novels or comics were nowhere to be found in real life.

The abilities granted by her experience as a hero and her naturally exceptional physique being used for her avatar were undeniable, but could she truly overcome such a gap?

“No support from behind either.”

Everyone was probably busy in the center. If they could block four players, the Streamer Team’s power would dramatically shift.

Still, Dai-young felt uneasy at the thought that this was too reckless a strategy.

What if she showed off and fell instead?

“Hey, if it’s sister, she can win, right?”

“Well, we’ll have to see. It’s a game, not reality.”

Dai-young responded calmly to Ah-jin’s question but leaned deeper into her chair, feeling an overwhelming tension.

Both the lotus and the Warden were there.

Could sister really toy with them as she intended? At least, could she hold her own against those rumored to be stronger than Friede in soul warfare experience?

“How will you get through this, sister?”

In the face of such a critical situation, Dai-young didn’t take her eyes off the screen.

At some point, even her hand reaching for popcorn had stopped as she continued to follow Friede’s movements.

—

*Cling!*

A wave of light was swallowed by the sword, making the blade radiate a bright glow.

As if guiding me through the dark maze.

And then, I spotted a group charging towards me from afar.

As they saw me bracing at the door, they simultaneously halted, and I couldn’t help but chuckle.

I had been worried about being overtaken by the party behind, but expecting such a dramatic response was a bit too much.

Seeing them so startled made my surprise entrance feel worthwhile.

When they came into view, I raised the Holy Sword without a word.

It was the same act as before, gathering light into the sword.

Like a lighthouse illuminating the world shrouded in darkness, the only gleam of the Holy Light Sword concentrated within this castle.

*Cling!*

The wave of light gathered intensified, and only then did the two figures realize my intentions and began their charge.

Two Rangers wielding curved swords, clad in leather armor.

And a knight heavily armored, equipped with a thick shield and spear.

Eunha and the remaining Warden were poised in the back, ready and waiting.

No, rather than simply waiting, their eyes were scanning for the next turn.

But…

“Too late.”

*Cling!*

As the wave of light gathered once more, the Holy Sword, now brimming with magic, lost its shape.

It had transformed from a mere sword into a massive crystallization of light, which I lifted high.

The ultimate strike of the Holy Sword, fully charged.

In this confined entryway, I unleashed the immense fury of light toward those charging forward.

Holy Light Sword—Sunlight’s Torrent

*Boom!*

The massive blade of light swept through the entire passageway.

Walls and floors crumbled, and where the wave of light passed, countless stones and dust were sent flying.

The death notices popped up in the status window.

My plan to execute a wide-area attack with the fully charged sword had succeeded perfectly.

After all, it was a narrow alley.

In a restricted space where the number of attackers was limited, I could play defensively like STK with my shield.

But conversely, this also meant I could block the entrance with my fully charged Holy Sword at will.

There would be no way to withstand the Holy Light Sword in a one-way path with nowhere to dodge.

“The best scenario would’ve been to just hold my ground.”

Unfortunately, I had to consume my ultimate move on a decent sacrificial piece.

But with the resurrection timing in mind, this was definitely better than just stalling like this.

It had to be the right call.

So, what about the remaining two?

“Of course…”

At that moment, through the swirling dust, I saw the two figures charging in.

Their quick steps, drastically different from other users.

“Fast decision-making.”

Had they already grasped my ploy?

As Eunha’s self sword, the Lanthert, aimed for my neck, I sidestepped and deflected it.

If I attempted to parry here, I could take them down in one go, but…

“No openings.”

As if they could sense my intentions, the Warden’s drawn sword sliced through the air, coming at me diagonally.

For now, my priority was to withstand their successive assaults.

I deflected the self sword with my blade while twisting my body to counter the incoming strike from the sabre.

“Whoa!”

At that moment, Eunha, who was crouched down, sprang up as her self sword lunged toward my chest like a thrusting spear.

“Oh, what a hassle.”

If I blocked one side, the other would apply pressure, and there was simply no opportunity to take them down. The synergy between Eunha and the Warden was undeniably fierce.

I had never seen such smooth and elegant combo assaults in games; it was like I was watching some otherworldly talent.

Though I’d never come across something like this in ranked games… were we both in the same challenger tier?

I grumbled inwardly, yet the situation was hardly favorable.

Continually, I was being pushed back step by step while they advanced.

If this continued, I’d soon be pushed out of the maze, and those two would disregard me and head straight back to their main base.

That would leave our team unable to cope.

In a brief interval, I felt the overwhelming skill gap between STK’s teamwork and individual performance compared to the Streamer Team.

“I’ll take them all down here.”

Eunha, the Warden, everyone…!

*Clang!*

The clear metallic sound resonated through the maze’s corridors as I took a back step.

In that brief moment, our distances briefly widened, and they too readied their stances for another attack…

Suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.

Why was I so desperate?

What was with the serious atmosphere before the event?

If someone were to ask me that, I’d want to say just this one thing.

Winning feels good.

“Phew—”

A deep breath, coiled in anxiety, escaped from within me and streamed out into the cold air outside the dark castle.

Stripped of everything else, all senses awakened at once.

Every movement of the two became a tangible sensation against my skin.

In this mere virtual reality, in this game, my heart settled deeper and more calmly than ever.

I stood poised with my Holy Sword, crouching low.

The dice had been cast.