Chapter 118 : Enemies Gathering
Chapter 118: Enemies Gathering
“Yeah, that’s right.”
To Kim Seungyun, who asked back as if dumbfounded, Jo Daewoong calmly nodded in affirmation.
Seeing that, Kim Seungyun sent a look that meant ‘Are you really crazy?’, but there was no change in Jo Daewoong’s expression.
He just faced him with the look he showed when he’d firmly made up his mind.
Having experienced together from trainee to a second-division league pro team, Kim Seungyun knew that Jo Daewoong in that state couldn’t be stopped, so he let out a deep sigh.
“Why on earth do you want to snipe Hackphysical?”
“Because it’s a low-risk, high-return gamble.”
“…Low-risk, high-return?”
“Yeah.”
“What kind of nonsense is that, no. Try explaining once. I’ll at least listen.”
“So what I’m saying is—”
Currently, Hackphysical, Baek Woohyun, was running ranked games using a new build each match through the recommended build roulette.
A crazy attempt that would be unthinkable if it weren’t for Baek Woohyun, who handled builds he was using for the first time with almost perfect skill without assistance!
It was truly a dizzingly amazing feat, but one thing was certain—he had become weaker than when using his existing builds.
“That’s definitely true.”
Kim Seungyun also agreed with Jo Daewoong’s claim that ‘Hackphysical has become weaker.’
Until Jo Daewoong suddenly brought up the sniping talk, the two had been concentrating on watching the ‘Nuclear Tourism’ content.
Therefore, they knew very well that the absolute strength Baek Woohyun had shown in previous broadcasts was either absent or weak today.
“So now is the optimal opportunity to beat Hackphysical. Even if we lose, we can just move on saying it’s natural we’d lose since he’s Hackphysical.”
“So that’s low-risk?”
“Right. We can see a chance to win, and even if we lose, there’s almost nothing to lose.”
“Mm.”
Kim Seungyun could only let out a groan and couldn’t deny it.
It was indeed as Jo Daewoong said.
People speculated that Baek Woohyun’s strength at least in ‘Duel’ was at the level of a world-class pro player.
To the point where even if Kim Seungyun and Jo Daewoong, who were merely second-division league players, attacked him and lost, people would accept it saying ‘Well, that can happen.’
It meant that as long as they hid the fact they’d sniped well, even if they lost, they wouldn’t be cursed at for losing even to amateurs now.
“On the other hand, what if we win even just one round?”
Until now, Baek Woohyun had won everything in ‘Duel’ ranked games without losing a single round—though it was the same for all other PVP, anyway—.
The attention that would go to the first person to scratch him would be as massive as what was being poured into the ‘Nuclear Tourism’ content.
“And if we even completely break his win streak record?”
Gulp.
Kim Seungyun, who had been listening to Jo Daewoong’s explanation as if entranced without realizing it, swallowed dry saliva. Because the situation of beating Baek Woohyun was vividly drawn in his head.
Whether Baek Woohyun could or couldn’t break the win streak record was becoming an enormous hot topic in all ‘Reverse Planet’ communities.
If they could just stop him, they could take all that focused attention and enjoy a tremendous rise in recognition.
Even if the cause of Baek Woohyun’s defeat was because he used new builds each match, that wouldn’t change.
What mattered was ultimately the fact that they’d toppled the win streak myth.
Probably community users would praise them for thrillingly stabbing the back of someone who’d arrogantly let their guard down before the win streak record.
“How about it? Isn’t it sufficient to call it high-return?”
“Yeah. Acknowledged. It’s low-risk, high-return. To the point where you’d be a fool not to do it.”
“That means…”
“Let’s do it. Sniping.”
Kim Seungyun’s eyes blazed fiercely.
Flames of desire to devour Baek Woohyun and fly even higher were contained within them.
“I actually have a sub-account I only leveled up to Master, so I can use that.”
“I have one too.”
It was the moment current second-division league pro players and Challenger tier Kim Seungyun and Jo Daewoong decided to enter the fray, but… this didn’t cause much of a ripple.
Because these two weren’t the only ones who watched the ‘Nuclear Tourism’ content and decided to participate—in name, snipe.
Among amateurs and pros alike, there were countless people who thought this was their chance and entered to try catching Baek Woohyun once.
Those who aimed for everything from proving their skills, raising recognition, or even stopping the win streak record itself were flocking to snipe Baek Woohyun.
Since Baek Woohyun ran matches without discrimination as if saying ‘snipe me if you dare,’ it was extremely natural that he’d meet them.
Just like the opponent he met in the newly started match right now.
“Hmm.”
“……”
The newly appeared matched opponent saw masked Baek Woohyun, then grinned and nodded.
Though they didn’t blatantly shout “Got it!” like some idiot, it was clearly felt that they’d sniped Baek Woohyun and were happy about succeeding.
Unlike Baek Woohyun, who was indifferent as if it didn’t matter even though he’d noticed that fact, the studio side had become quite noisy.
-From that smirking face, looks like a sniper
-Fuck, reeks of sniping?
-That’s a famous amateur Challenger ㅇㅇ definitely a sniper
-I want to rip that stream sniper’s mouth corners so they keep smiling! Almost said that~
The viewers’ reaction to the stream sniper trying to interfere with breaking the win streak record was naturally very prickly.
Though they didn’t blatantly drop curse words, they poured out chats that were almost at that level.
Cha Seongcheol and Jeong Nayeon, who would normally moderately restrain that, were also just making sour expressions this time.
“Tsk. This is quite a troublesome situation.”
“I know. Of all times to meet a sniper.”
-ㅇㅈ The timing is too bad
-The stream sniper must be thinking they hit the jackpot?
-This happens when the roulette totally screws up lololol
-Absolutely protect the win streak recordddd
The reason Cha Seongcheol and Jeong Nayeon, as well as the viewers, were all talking about how the timing was bad and troublesome was very simple.
It was because the build that came out as the recommended build roulette result was too much trash. To the point where with a Challenger tier sniper, one might think ‘Could he possibly lose?’
It also meant the build power was weak enough that even they, who clearly knew Hackphysical Baek Woohyun’s strength, would think so.
“Of all the many builds, to meet a sniper when Phantom Swordsman build gets selected…”
Phantom Swordsman build.
This build starting with the Core Element [Light of Bewitchment] was evaluated as something that absolutely couldn’t be used even for variety content or snake oil sales.
It meant it was a trash build that had enough build power that one could prepare methods to use it entertainingly, or overpackage it to recommend it, but couldn’t even do that.
Those who’d used this build even once all said in unison they’d never use it again, so you can understand what it feels like.
‘RePlaNoob’ donated 1,000 won![Is the Phantom Swordsman build that bad?]
“Yes. It’s bad. Really bad.”
-So firm, like a firm pumpkin
-What’s surprising is that this is real;;
-As. Someone. Who. Used. It. I. Say. Absolutely. Don’t. Use. It.
-How serious must they be to use periods like that ㄷㄷ
Cha Seongcheol, who answered the donation firmly, continued his explanation calmly.
“Usually supernatural ability builds are made by appropriately distributing and investing build capacity—that is, Core Elements—into attack, defense, and movement.”
For example, let’s say you select a total of ten Core Elements when composing a supernatural ability build.
Then ordinary builds would appropriately distribute the ten Core Elements to attack, defense, movement, etc. according to their inclination to compose the supernatural ability build.
An offensively inclined build would invest five in attack, three in defense, and two in movement, while conversely a defensively inclined build would put weight on the defense side.
Of course, this was just an easy-to-understand example—properly made builds would weave Core Elements together more intricately.
“But the Phantom Swordsman build is different. Attack, defense, and movement are just for show, and the rest is all dumped into phantom-related Core Elements.”
Since they’d shaved down attack, defense, and movement entirely and poured everything into phantom-related abilities, the build couldn’t possibly run properly.
Moreover, phantoms were literally just phantoms—mere shadows without substance—so high-level attacks or defense were impossible.
At best, only the one movement skill that traversed phantoms received the evaluation of being the only useful thing in the build, but what could you do with just that one thing?
Phantom swag one-tool build.
That was the most moderate evaluation given to the Phantom Swordsman build.
It was also a build that would have been buried with no one using it if someone hadn’t repeatedly recommended it in build recommendation posts, causing it to become a minor hot topic.
“Now do you understand why people say the Phantom Swordsman build is bad?”
-Perfectly understood ty ty
-Why does such a build even exist?
-Info) This build is so weak you have to hold a separate weapon, which is why it’s called Phantom Swordsman build
-Lmao it really is total trash build lololol
[Time remaining until first round start – 10 seconds]
“……”
While Cha Seongcheol passionately spoke in the studio, Baek Woohyun, as always, observed the enemy player during the time given before battle started.
The enemy player receiving his gaze conspicuously raised blue flames in both hands. Smirking with an unpleasant face was a bonus.
Knowing that Baek Woohyun had to use the notoriously trash Phantom Swordsman build, it was behavior where the intention to provoke was blatantly felt.
‘Blue flames? Will-o’-the-wisp build, or Blue Flame Demon build perhaps.’
Of course, Baek Woohyun didn’t care at all what the enemy player did. Even if they’d blatantly spewed curses rather than such subtle provocation, it would have been the same.
Because the enemy player reflected in his eyes was already as good as a corpse. There was no reason to pay attention one by one to words and actions spouted by someone who would die by his hand.
Thus, he just coldly read the enemy player’s every move with sunken eyes.
[3 seconds]
[2 seconds]
[1 second]
[First round, start!]
“[Wildfire Play]!”
When the first round finally started, the enemy player immediately cast a skill.
They threw the blue flames that bloomed from both hands far away, then began spinning them spectacularly like the folk custom that became the skill’s name.
Whoong whoong whoong—!
The rotation was so intense and fierce that a vivid blue band made of flames was created around the enemy player.
If their location hadn’t been an empty sandy beach, that band of flames would have swept everything around.
“[Wildfire Play]!”
Not stopping there, the enemy player cast [Wildfire Play] once more, creating a second band that crossed the first in an X shape.
This was possible because [Wildfire Play] was a stacking-type skill where usage stacked up to two times, unlike ordinary supernatural ability skills.
The enemy player, now protected by two blue bands, raised their mouth corners seeing Baek Woohyun, who still hadn’t moved a single step.
‘As expected, even Hackphysical has no answer for Phantom Swordsman build!’
Then this match was the golden opportunity to break Baek Woohyun’s win streak record.
Blue ghostfire blazed in the eyes of the enemy player who glimpsed a chance of victory.
“[Will-o’-the-Wisp: Wave]!”
Hworeureureuk!
A resolute shout. Simultaneously, a wave of flames rising from the two blue bands rushed toward Baek Woohyun.
It was a massive wave as if shouting it wouldn’t even give him a gap to dodge. What differed from an ordinary wave was that it was made of will-o’-the-wisps rather than seawater.
If they’d made [Wildfire Play] consumed in a different way, this level of power wouldn’t have come out, but Baek Woohyun had just watched.
Even that was the same until [Will-o’-the-Wisp: Wave] was right before covering him!
“Uh, wait, if you do this—”
“He should escape with [Phantom Movement], right?!”
-What?? Did he just give up??
-Looks like he’s trying to dodge right before getting hit
-He always likes dodging by a hair’s breadth
-Huh? Huh? Huhhh? Wait?
“……”
Hworeureureuk!
However, the thoughts of Cha Seongcheol, Jeong Nayeon, and the viewers who thought he’d dodge at the last moment went astray.
Baek Woohyun just stood still doing nothing until the very end, and [Will-o’-the-Wisp: Wave] mercilessly swept past him.
Since he’d been hit without even using a defensive skill, it was hard to hold hope that he’d somehow survived after the wave of flames passed.
Especially since Phantom Swordsman build wasn’t a build with strong durability.
“…I win this easily?”
The enemy player even blinked in bewilderment at how absurd it was.
At that moment when those watching and even the fighting opponent were flustered by the futile ending—
Shhwik!
—Baek Woohyun, appearing by pulling aside empty air like a curtain, swung his sword.