Streamer Crazy About Slaughter - Chapter 458
***
[ㄷㄱㄷㄱㄷㄱ]
[Indeed]
[#######
#ver.com]
[What’s with the one in a hundred thousand odds? Hahaha]
[Is this a lottery? Hahaha]
[#####
mail.com]
[It’s a unique fan card, haha]
[Please let me win!!]
As the third match concluded, conversations about the game began to flow briefly. The chat room was filled with messages eagerly anticipating the next draw.
Watching the rapidly scrolling chat, Serin burst into laughter.
“Really everyone. You just need to type once, so please refrain from spamming. Inputting your email more than once does not increase your chances of winning.”
While trying to calm the heated chat, she couldn’t help but find it amusing.
‘Why are the viewers increasing when the match is over?’
At this moment, during the break after the match, the number of viewers had exceeded 100,000, which felt strange.
……
Clack.
As the roulette stopped, the draw was completed. She opened her mouth while sending the code to the email listed.
“Congratulations, Cheongdam Macchiato.”
*
ㅡㅡㅡㅡ
Cheongdam Macchiato: Really? Is it me? Wow. I can’t believe it…
Cheongdam Macchiato: Thank you so much, Lin. I will use the code well!
ㅡㅡㅡㅡ
*
As the chat of the winning viewer was highlighted separately, their reaction was delightful to see.
“I think we should do events like this more often. I didn’t expect everyone to be so happy.”
Strictly speaking, it wasn’t a gift I prepared but a gift from Ms. Eunha, but seeing the viewers’ joy made me feel proud.
‘Maybe I should do giveaways for chicken or pizza more often in the future.’
While the response might not be as significant as Eunha’s unique fan card, it seemed viewers enjoyed the draw itself.
After a brief moment of light banter, it was soon time to start the fourth match.
As the screen changed to the player selection screen, I reduced my speech and focused on the commentary.
ㅡCurrently, G1 is in a crisis at 2:1. They’re sticking with the red faction until the end, huh?
ㅡFrom TSJ’s perspective, they only need one more match to win, but G1 must find a way to at least push it to the fifth match, right?
ㅡExactly. G1 is a capable and strong team. Now that both teams have shown strategic plays once each, if G1 has anything prepared as they did for the first match, I think it’s very possible.
Unsurprisingly, TSJ once again picked Ms. Eunha as their first choice without any deviation.
I was already accepting it as a given, gazing at the name “Joan of Arc” written brilliantly.
ㅡTSJ has selected Joan of Arc. G1’s first pick is… Minha appears as the first choice.
ㅡThat’s a choice within the expected range. Now the second choice is… Ha Jun is selected again?
ㅡDoes G1 think they lost because of a mistake? It looks quite similar to the picks from the third match despite the order being different.
While listening to the commentary, I thought, ‘Could it be that G1 is trying to use the same combination as the third match?’
There’s a saying called ‘Utterly Wrong,’ which means that one is sticking to a strategy or combination in the next match that they used in a previous defeat.
Just as TSJ showcased the same combination after losing the first match in the second match, it seemed G1 was trying to make a similar choice by only selecting two players.
[Hahaha, no way]
[But surely, they won’t actually use utter wrong combinations?]
[Only TSJ can pull off utter wrong, hahaha]
[Isn’t it a little ambiguous for G1 to be using the third match options?]
[But I definitely think the grand magic won’t work this time.]
[TSJ will probably use a different combination.]
The chat reflected similar opinions.
The third match could definitely be seen as an unexpected variable.
Even the analysis desk declared that the grand magic strategy seen for the first time in a professional match emerged from the third match.
‘If they know it, there’s no way they’d fall for the same strategy again.’
In case of an extensive grand magic strategy, focusing on it would render it ineffective.
Perhaps it was the unique brilliance of Ms. Eunha’s Joan of Arc that made the strategy viable.
‘…So G1 is thinking that.’
If there’s no grand magic, they can win. Perhaps that’s what G1 is thinking.
Just as this thought crossed my mind, the commentator shouted.
ㅡHere comes TSJ! They are choosing Broken Blade!
ㅡLooks like a pretty decent choice! Considering the previous match, the Red Cat was a good matchup against G1’s Ha Jun.
ㅡNow, only the last player selection remains. TSJ… here they pick Red Cat as the final player!
ㅡ…I’m a bit puzzled by this choice. It seems this puts additional pressure on Joan of Arc…
With comments about the composition, only G1’s last choice remains.
I couldn’t help but feel curious.
Would they really go for an utterly wrong combination, or would they implement another tricky strategy similar to the first match?
“Could the final choice be Kang Hyuk?”
Just as I spoke, doubting it myself.
ㅡG1’s last choice is… Kang Hyuk!
ㅡG1 has chosen the exact same combination as the third match!
ㅡIn a situation where they are backpedaled at 2:1, this is an incredibly bold decision…
As expected, G1 indeed chose the same combination as in the third match.
While listening to the commentary discussing the overall team compositions, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Everyone, isn’t this composition a bit like we’re stuck with utter wrong?”
After losing the first match, TSJ displayed the same players in the second.
Likewise, G1 also chose the same players from the third match after losing.
If they lose this match, it will be akin to employing the extreme of utter wrong at a point where everything could end.
Was it faith in the players, or a strategic choice from the team?
[Wow, they really are doing this]
[Honestly, it’s completely orthodox for TSJ]
[Hahaha, a neat 3:1 feels likely]
[Is this an utter wrong combination from both sides?]
[Expected 3:1]
[What are you talking about? TSJ broke the utter wrong by winning the second match.]
While glancing at the chat, I found it a bit hard to understand.
True, TSJ breaking the utter wrong was equivalent to winning in the second match.
That was like a proven victory.
However… that meant G1, too, seemed to wish to prove themselves in this crucial fourth match.
Their strategy and choices; they aimed to prove that their players did not make mistakes.
ㅡLet’s start the fourth match!!
With the caster’s unusually loud voice ringing out, as the screen focused on the arena, I hesitated for a moment.
Even though I had decided to cheer for Ms. Eunha and TSJ, seeing the judgment and players of G1 made me want to support them a little too.
I had scrimmed with them, shared words, and there was no hard feelings left in our last cheerful scrim.
But.
They bore the mark of “perennial second place.”
A team burdened with the stigma of only becoming runners-up, unable to win, overshadowed by the absolute force of TSJ.
From the astonishing strategy prepared for the first match to the current lineup, I could only imagine how much practice they had undergone.
[Go TSJ!]
[Go Joan of Arc!!!]
[Let’s take a clean 3:1]
[The championship belongs to TSJ anyway!]
[Let’s go for a six consecutive championships record!]
The chat was overwhelmingly filled with messages supporting TSJ.
It was a natural reaction, and I, too, felt compelled to say “Go TSJ” for some reason as I watched it.
“…I hope both sides have a good match.”
In the end, I said something different.
I just hoped the two teams would show an unforgettable match.
***
ㅡ1.
As the countdown finished and the transparent screen disappeared, Eunha, as always, kicked off the ground to expand the front line.
Then, she spoke words different from the previous matches.
“Stay calm. Let’s finish the last game steadily.”
“Okay, sis.”
Conscious of Seol Ah’s reply, which revealed her excitement, she kicked off the ground.
Strangely, it felt like this was the first match.
Although one player from the opposing team was different, it still felt oddly similar.
As the distance slowly closed, Ha Jun, a gunner class using shotguns and revolvers, and Kang Hyuk, a berserker class wielding a great sword, advanced just like in the third match.
As I turned my gaze beyond them, a massive blaze erupted simultaneously from the g*n barrels.
The direction was completely different from the third match.
The target was not Seol Ah, nor was it even me.
Black bullets pierced the air in completely different directions.
Boom!
A small explosion echoed from behind.
‘The response is different.’
Was there a manual for the player, or did they have a change of heart after the third match?
I could not tell. But one thing was certain: every match was different.
From that alone, I could feel how much they must have prepared.
Maybe that’s why I could see the expressions of the opposing player slowly closing in on the distance.
They were incredibly calm.
Even taking that in, I had no particular thoughts.
They had prepared this much, and of course, they were strong contenders for the finals.
Every time I faced them in the finals, I was forced to acknowledge their team.
A team that was always improving. This final felt stronger than ever before.
I steadied my thoughts and spoke firmly.
“Let’s go.”
As soon as I said that as if pulling the trigger, I saw Seol Ah, glowing red, immediately raise her lance.
The opponent was Kang Hyuk.
I took over from Ha Jun, who was at a disadvantage in terms of matchup.
ㅡA Step of Holy Radiance.
As I jumped towards the cowboy-like gunner as in the previous match, the signature gunpowder sound echoed.
Bang! Bang!
Just like it was a puppeteer act, the situation unfolded exactly as it did in the third match.
I leaped out of the shotgun’s range, and swung my sword at the incoming bullets.
Clang!
As the dazzling effects burst out, an anomaly appeared this time that was different from the third match.
The opponent didn’t fire their shotgun again.
With a thud.
Jumping to the ground, I immediately leaped towards the opponent to close the distance.
The opponent seemed to be preparing to unleash a technique, as the g*n barrel began to gleam.
Just then, they unleashed a furious stream of fire, like a monstrous beast, as I began to develop a different technique.
ㅡRaphael’s Favor.
Swiftly…
The sword in my hand transformed into light and vanished, granting my hand freedom.
The act of a knight discarding their sword; ironically, paladins could move at the fastest speed when they let go of their weapon.
Pew pew pew pew pew pew pew!
Confronting Ha Jun, who unleashed a mad barrage with Infinite Blow, I exhibited a completely different response than in match one.
As if adorning the space, I swiftly darted around, moving through the area quickly.
My vision expanded and contracted rapidly, leaving behind traces of pure white flames.
Kaboom!
Even as the ground erupted under the endless gunfire, I felt no immediate threat.
This time, there was no need to rush to finish the match.
As Minha’s sniping wasn’t solely directed at Seol Ah in this match, there was no reason for me to hurry.
I simply avoided the gunfire and slowly closed the distance.
I just needed to tighten the grip.
Whoosh!
With a gentle sound, a black spear sliced through the air, captivating my momentary gaze.
Recognizing it only increased my composure.
With the opponent’s g*n spewing fire, I absorbed their movements in my sight while my heart remained calm.
As a sudden thought, Ms. Serin came to my mind.
‘Surely, Ms. Serin is watching me now.’
A smile crept onto my face as I slowly raised my hand.
Two seconds until Raphael’s Favor concludes.
After the blade reappeared in my hand as light, suddenly the opponent halted their fire and widened the distance.
‘Why?’
A question arose in my mind.
Wasn’t the primary objective to bind me?
Thud!
I stomped to the ground.
In the rapidly decreasing distance between us, I instinctively recognized that the opponent’s gaze was fixed directly on me.
‘Something is up.’
Boom! Bang!
Just as the thought crossed my mind, I quickly spun my body.
Recognizing the bullets fired from different directions as if they were synchronized, my body responded reflexively.
With my sword, I drew horizontal lines of light, twisting my head to the limit.
“…!”
Black bullets grazed my eyes.
Clang!
Just barely avoiding the sniper shot and deflecting the revolver b*llet brought a sigh of relief, but I had no time to breathe.
Thud!
I had no choice but to quickly increase the gap.
The direction the shotgun’s muzzle was aimed at.
It was in the exact spot where I would have jumped and been shot.
As I moved my body, I realized gratefully that they had not fired in a controlled manner.
And now, the opponent’s eyes were. They were finally shining a deep blue.
‘…Did they just now use b*llet time?’
I had assumed the first shot and Infinite Blow were launched with b*llet time, but it was not so.
At this moment, the opponent was aiming at me with extreme precision.
“How unfortunate.”
Muttering softly while looking at the opponent as they raised their revolver, I gripped my sword tightly.
Clack.
Now was certainly not the time to relax, and especially not while thinking of Ms. Serin.
Rather, thinking of Ms. Serin, I had to focus more on the match.
Boom!
With the gunshots ringing out again, the holy knight began to move cautiously, imbued with sacred light.