Streamer Crazy About Slaughter - Chapter 459

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How heavy can the weight of a single match feel?

Most people would instantly think of the most important match, regardless of the sport, with that one phrase. Hence, it would evoke thoughts of the finals.

The most outstanding players and teams. The finals is the only event that determines the champion.

Then, how significant is the weight of the match that could decide the most important champion?

A team that loses just one match would end up as the runner-up. What must it feel like for the team pushed to the brink?

While the difference between the champion and the runner-up is just a single letter, the meaning behind the two words is profoundly different.

Nevertheless, finishing as a runner-up can also be seen as a significant achievement.

In a league where multiple teams, or dozens of teams, coexist, finishing as a runner-up, in second place, is undoubtedly impressive.

It signifies being at the very top. It means being above so many other teams.

But what if it happens repeatedly?

What if it has been the case for several years?

Can the team and players that kept finishing as runner-up truly accept that they have proven themselves with that?

Perhaps there are some who could accept it that way.

Receiving consolation from family and friends, or the players and officials who finished as runner-up might tell themselves that it’s enough. If they find self-satisfaction in that, perhaps… it could be true.

But.

Deep in their hearts, can they truly be satisfied with that?

Sincerely.

Truly.

Can they accept and comprehend it that way?

The answer to that, no matter how an outsider might think or try to understand, could only be known by the players who experienced it directly.

How deep the emotions built up are.

Even if the view from the outside seems grand.

The spotlight that shines on the victor. The attention and honor that comes with victory, and the prize money that differs greatly.

Just before victory. The agony of those who have stood still before it is felt differently.

A razor-thin margin. A fate decided by a momentary mistake or the skills built up over time.

Only they know how harsh it is for them.

…

There is no time to spare.

Bang!

A burst of dazzling light erupts as their weapons collide.

While continuing to swing the great sword, Kang Hyuk felt his heart grow increasingly anxious.

‘We can’t let the time drag on.’

He had to quickly finish off the red-haired lady knight in front of him to support Ha Jun.

Ha Jun was holding on against Joan of Arc better than ever.

But why couldn’t I… execute my role properly and burden the others?

Even though they lost in the third match, there wasn’t anyone besides Ha Jun that could hold out against Joan of Arc like that.

Setting aside the fact that they matched up well against each other and that Ha Jun is a gunner class using a shotgun against a knight, he was performing better than ever.

So right now.

I must rise to that occasion too.

As the team leader. I had to fulfill my role.

Ha Jun was now carrying the weight of not being able to use the strategy from the second match.

I cannot afford to drag this out.

Swinging the great sword as my body demanded, my mind was captured in chaos.

‘Somehow. I must end this.’

This confrontation of strength must lead to my victory over time.

But letting this drag on would mean nothing.

By then, Ha Jun would not be able to last.

Whoosh!

The lance wrapped in red light stabbed fiercely.

‘Don’t clash if I can help it.’

The moment I thought that, my body reacted quite differently than before.

—Explosive Strike – Consecutive Strike.

Letting go of one hand from the great sword, I swiftly rotated my body.

As I swung the great sword held in one hand with a wide arc.

Boom!

A distant sensation rushed through my waist as I narrowly avoided a direct hit from the lance. Ignoring it, I continue spinning.

With the hand I had let go of, I swung the great sword as if to slice through the entire space.

Swish!

Along with the overwhelming trajectory of flames that cleaved the air, my opponent tried to block me with a large shield.

But I didn’t care at all.

The great sword exists to crush the very defense of an opponent.

Boom!

At the moment it struck the large shield directly, my opponent was flung away like a broken thread, starting to tumble poorly across the ground.

The moment I took that in with my gaze, I lifted my foot and stomped the ground hard.

—Earthquake.

Boom!

As the ground beneath me trembled violently, I leapt forward as if in pursuit.

Using the technique for a massive leap erased any delay. My stamina, visible in my peripheral vision, was now nearly empty as I could barely keep going.

‘It doesn’t matter.’

To finish off my opponent, just one strong blow would be enough.

—!

And in that moment, I felt a strange sensation as if my character couldn’t follow my will, and I had already raised my hands.

As I raised the greatly deformed shield while facing the lady knight lifting her lance for a counter, I forcefully drove the great sword down.

Thud! Crash!

A sound that pierced skin beyond our armors echoed ominously as the outcome was sealed.

…

The Red Cat, turning to light and vanishing, left behind a broken body. But the Berserker engulfed in ferocious flames appeared on screen to reveal the result.

—Red Cat retires!!

—Kang Hyuk… truly shows an unbelievable overwhelming offensive.

—…This certainly highlights why only Kang Hyuk uses a great sword in the pro scene.

Listening to the consecutive commentary, Serin couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration.

“…I’m a bit surprised.”

Though the screen continuously focused on Ms. Eunha, it didn’t mean favoring her.

Most of the time, she was the one who was the target of the fiercest exchanges, and it was only natural for her to be shown prominently.

And a moment ago. The back-and-forth between the Red Cat and Kang Hyuk had an overwhelming quality that compelled attention.

‘Overwhelming spirit.’

I couldn’t help but feel Kang Hyuk’s emotions transcending the screen.

No, it was an expression of will so intense it could almost be called venom.

Even if Another World claimed there was no pain, it didn’t mean it erased fear.

When sharp blades and threatening weapons rushed towards them, humans instinctively couldn’t help but evade.

Yet Kang Hyuk showcased daring moves as if to charge head-on.

As if being aware that fear is felt not because of its physical presence, but due to the impending danger.

It was an action that was akin to overcoming instinct itself.

“Eunha.”

At that moment, I muttered blankly as I saw Kang Hyuk leaping towards Joan of Arc.

And overhead, more black spears and sniping continued unabated.

Though Minha was standing at a slight advantage after passing the Broken Blade and interacting six times to offer support, it was clear that the spear throwers and the Broken Blade were not forces to be ignored.

[No, really, again]

[That’s fierce, really]

[You again, Red Cat?]

[Seeing Kang Hyuk attack makes it seem beyond fierce, right?]

[I feel scared just watching the match.]

[Honestly, it feels like seeing a Berserker beyond PTSD.]

[This… is Kang Hyuk?]

[Is Joan of Arc going to have to face 2:1 again?]

[It’s terrifying to challenge a player using a great sword head-on.]

The rapidly scrolling chat included criticism of the retired Red Cat player or outright discontent, but this time many were genuinely surprised by Kang Hyuk’s performance.

I felt the same way.

It wasn’t that Red Cat wasn’t capable… it was Kang Hyuk’s audacity that far exceeded expectations.

—Give flesh to take bone.

While it could simply be seen that way, the outcome materialized that way.

The phrase, yielding flesh to gain bone, felt somewhat misleading.

Red Cat aimed for a bone, poised to pierce Kang Hyuk’s heart with a lance at the last moment. It could have led to a mutual destruction.

But it was merely that Kang Hyuk escaped by what could be called a miracle of balance.

“In this situation, I’m starting to think it might be difficult for Ms. Eunha…”

Even as I spoke, the outcome of the fourth match seemed already tilted.

As soon as Kang Hyuk joined, Ha Jun shifted roles, finishing off his firing sequence and maintaining distance for support and control.

It was impressive enough just to have held against Ms. Eunha, but the process had not been smooth at all.

One arm holding a shotgun was missing, and with the other hand, Ha Jun with the revolver was about to finish off Ms. Eunha.

That was when Kang Hyuk intruded.

…

Boom!

Even as he deflected a massive strike, a thunderous sound rang in my ears.

The cold visage of the lady knight, with hair as dark as night, immediately contorted in displeasure.

Bang!

At the gunshot, Eunha had to quickly back away and twist her head.

At that very moment, the b*llet from the revolver barely grazed by, putting her in a tight spot.

‘It was just a moment.’

Truly, just once more.

In that instant he was aiming to finish off Ha Jun, Kang Hyuk suddenly intruded.

His body stained with bl**d seemed to slowly heal, indicating that he wasn’t in perfect condition.

Facing a 2:1 scenario was never easy.

With a whoosh!

As the trajectory of his great sword spewed forth a great flame, I also swung my sword.

—Michael’s Admiration.

A sacredly pure white trajectory crashing into the massive flames.

Crackle!

The divine light colliding fiercely against the blazing flames roared fiercely.

But since the weight of the powers they each possessed was different, I ended up being pushed back.

Slither.

Being pushed back as if dragging against the ground, I couldn’t simply redirect my attack.

If it were a 1:1 scenario, I could have aimed for a counterattack while taking the offensive, but now, I had to be conscious of at any moment the revolver might fire.

And in that moment.

Bang!

With another gunshot ringing out, I tried to evade as I let my sword slide down.

“…!”

Suddenly the blade I had been clashing with shot forward.

Blankly recognizing the occurrence, I noticed how slow Kang Hyuk was retrieving his sword, realizing my stance faltered.

Thud!

With the b*llet piercing through my right shoulder, I urgently kicked off the ground, launching into the air.

—Step of Radiance.

As my right hand grew unwieldy, I swiftly reached for my sword with my left, without a moment to spare.

Boom!

With a deafening sound as if the earth were shaking, I could see Kang Hyuk jumping high.

That was certainly a jump using Earthquake.

As I took in his signature finishing blow with my eyes, I sensed that if I couldn’t withstand this, it would all be over.

‘I can’t end it like this.’

At that moment.

Unbeknownst to me, my lips began to move.

“Sin of Sarakael.”

…

As Joan of Arc landed on the ground using the Step of Radiance, suddenly a massive pitch-black darkness engulfed her entire body.