Undoubtedly, roles and environments stem from countless individuals and the invisible competition among them.

The Streamer Showdown.

Seven letters, two words, conveying a significance beyond mere arrangement. However, as an event, it’s inherently limited—simultaneously encapsulating both a collective purpose and individual intentions.

Dozens of streamers entered this competition with varied motives. Some aimed to shed old images, some wanted to showcase their skills and attract new viewers. Collectively, there were 24 different goals. They might align in some aspects, but none of them were identical.

However,

-I’m going into this match with the mindset that losing means death.

While they couldn’t merge intentions, one person’s determination and the resulting impact could overshadow others.

First, the team name changed. Harmony, the central figure of this showdown, quickly overtook Cartographer as the face of the team. Or perhaps, it wasn’t overtaking, but something inevitable. Either way, it was too late to debate.

Second, the team itself transformed. As the saying goes, a clear source leads to clear streams below—meaning the changes at the top shape those below. Harmony rapidly revamped the team, metaphorically overhauling its structure and engine within a week.

Finally, the opponents changed.

'…'

With change comes immense pressure.

In this context, Kim Manager and his team didn’t merely grow; they were forced to evolve. Their encounter with Harmony’s raw power instilled a collective urgency—a resolve not to be defeated in such a brutal way.

This became the catalyst for their growth.

Kim Manager, who had never fought so fiercely even during his active days, put all his energy into directing his team, struggling to minimize their losses in real time. His team reciprocated, understanding that in the face of a storm, no one remains idle.

However, one lingering regret remained.

"It would have been nice to get some scrim time."

"Indeed."

Perhaps if they’d had more time to prepare legally.

But that’s a distant thought. The Streamer Showdown itself was organized quickly, leaving little room for such opportunities. It was still possible to grumble about it, even if it was futile now.

Besides, Harmony wasn’t stagnant. Learning expands one’s horizons, and Harmony’s capacity likely brimmed with potential. Two rounds ago, Harmony had absorbed Kim Manager’s squad tactics and routed his forces at B, seizing control. The bright side was that, from the third round, it became a close match. Although they still lost.

Now, the fourth and possibly final round approached. They were on the edge of defeat, but the pieces were finally in place.

-[Alert: 30 seconds until the fourth round.]

"This round will be the turning point. Even if we’re going down, we’re leaving a mark."

"Think we can do it?"

"That’s a matter of perspective. If you start dwelling on ‘what ifs,’ there’s no end to it. Either we beat them all and make history, or we lose this round. The key is to stay focused on the goal—bring necessary efforts to life and disregard the rest."

A brief pause.

The sharp sound of metal echoed, filling everyone’s ears. There was no more need for preparation. Harmony’s latest moves had swept through allies and foes alike, leaving only a head-on clash.

They’d done all they could, and there would be no crushing defeat beyond recovery. That much, they would prevent.

With the heavy drone of rotors cutting through the frigid New York winter air, two Blackhawks landed in the heart of a desolate cityscape.

Just before the timer hit zero, Kim Manager spoke up.

"Let’s go. We’re going to do everything we can."

And so, the third round began, and the final struggle was underway.

And then—

-An incredible match! Unpredictable until the end! But ultimately, it was Harmony, Stone, Limit, and Hotteok from Team A who delivered the winning blow! With a total score of 4-2, the victory goes to Harmony’s team!

"Ah, so close. Really, it’s a shame…."

"I want to thank everyone. You all worked hard following my lead."

A final score of 4-2.

Although their scorecard didn’t bear a victory, they would probably receive more attention than the winners themselves.

The short tournament among streamers after the Asian qualifiers ended that way.

"After six matches and over four hours, finally, we’ve gathered all participants here today. Let’s give a big round of applause to everyone!"

The cheers and applause surged once more, louder than ever, as the viewer count soared to 400,000.

All 26 participants—the 24 streamers and the two hosts, Unreal and Russ—assembled on a stage that expanded to accommodate them, resembling a large talk show.

Microphones were placed in front of them. Regardless of the scale, everyone here shared a close connection with their viewers, and their expressions were a mixture of relief and excitement.

At the front, representing their respective teams, Harmony and Kim Manager faced the MCs.

As the applause died down, the interview began with the two leaders who had driven today’s matches.

"This is the first time the two of you have been so close since just a few hours ago, right?"

"Yes, indeed. We were just on the battlefield together not too long ago."

"Haha, not the best place for a friendly chat. It’s an honor to have you both here in a peaceful setting. Now, before anyone else asks, let’s jump straight to the questions. Just answer as you’re comfortable."

They nodded as the former casters-turned-MCs glanced over their holographic scripts.

The first question was directed at Harmony, who represented the winning side.

"To the streamer Harmony, the victor of today’s showdown—could you share your thoughts on this competition?"

"…It was more intense and rough than I’d imagined. Especially since Kim Manager’s team grew stronger with every match. From the third round onward, we had to confront our limits."

"I see. Indeed, throughout the tournament, Kim Manager’s team demonstrated impressive squad coordination, as they promised before the start. Watching you both, I felt like I was witnessing the ultimate clash between strength and flexibility."

-Lol, Unreal can only use wuxia terms! -So, was today’s match a martial arts tournament? -Do modern martial arts now involve lead bullets, guns, and grenades?

Contrary to the viewers’ chaotic comments, their interview was earnest.

Harmony still felt the strain of constantly adapting to the ever-changing battlefield. It was like playing chess with her left hand while doing rock-paper-scissors with her right, mentally exhausting.

Naturally, Harmony felt a growing admiration for Yujin. During their early collaborations, Yujin spent over eight hours daily on main missions, issuing logical, consistent commands.

Though the maps and team sizes were different, the core was the same. In a sense, Harmony realized she was walking a path Yujin had already traveled and mastered.

The second question went to Kim Manager, who looked visibly worn out compared to the confident aura he had at the tournament’s start.

His fatigue made for a perfect conversation opener.

"Haha, don’t fall asleep on us now! We’re almost done!"

"Ah, my mind wandered off for a moment. So, what’s my question?"

"I’ll get right to it. Kim Manager, you and your team fought hard and won two matches. How do you feel?"

"─To put it simply, it was… more challenging than preparing for last year’s Domination Championship. It felt like trying to stop an avalanche with an umbrella. It’s hard to believe Harmony was just an average player a few months ago."

-Wow, that’s high praise. -Harmony is a god? Harmony is a god? Harmony is a god?

Harmony made a strange face, as if wondering if she was really that good, while the rest of the team nodded in agreement.

With a beep, Cartographer, sitting nearby, requested to speak. He grinned as he began.

"Honestly, I kind of saw this coming once I learned Harmony was close with Yujin. I took a few beatings from her myself."

"Haha! I see. Was that during the ranked season? I remember coming across that while researching for my channel."

"Yes, exactly. It was… enlightening. But I found some peace of mind."

Laughter erupted all around. Among the hundreds of thousands of viewers were Cartographer’s fans, who remembered the chaos from a few months ago in the AP ranks.

After Harmony and Kim Manager, the questioning moved to their teammates—though it felt more like a grilling session. Each team member was eager to share the hardships they’d faced.

"So we gathered for practice the day we became Team Harmony. The question was, ‘Is anyone here to win?’ Naturally, we all raised our hands. But then, someone snapped a photo."

"Haha, a photo?"

"Yeah. After that, it was brutal. In VR terms, I think we spent about eight hours daily in the shooting range. It felt like being back in a less isolated training camp."

Pictures popped up on the screen, showing four team members in training gear with cat ears and tiger stripes on their helmets. Limit, with her bright green hair, stood out even more.

No one missed the chance to comment.

"So, that green-haired lady…."

"Hey, who took that picture!?"

"Our lovely Limit. Isn’t she adorable?"

-LOL, the avatar choices are too much. -Those hair colors! Limit is hard to miss!

Watching others suffer was always entertaining.

The conversation turned to the unusual training each team underwent, with an impromptu contest to see who had it worse.

"When I heard we’d be getting feedback from pro gamers, I was thrilled. Then boot camp started. We trained for ten hours daily. I never thought I’d experience the life of a trainee like this."

"Oh, same here. What did you guys do? We just went round and round in the shooting range."

"Haha, yeah. For us, it was nonstop command drills. Exhausting."

As the complaints mounted, Harmony and Kim Manager sank lower in their chairs. Not that they were at fault, but commanders must bear the grumblings of those they lead. It felt almost like a public debriefing, with too many witnesses.

After more shared experiences, they wrapped things up.

"Honestly, it was fun. It felt like being thrown into a real boot camp. But I think I’ve improved a lot."

"Ugh…"

"Me too. Being surrounded by pro gamers, getting all that feedback was worth it."

"Ouch…"

"Haha, let’s stop here. I think the two of you might start coughing up blood if we keep going. You’d agree, teamwork is vital, right?"

They were too busy recovering from mental fatigue to respond. Meanwhile, as they shared handshakes and exchanged smiles with the audience, Unreal and Russ also turned to face the viewers.

"So, we’re wrapping up this Streamer Showdown, full of action and laughs. Thank you to everyone who waited and everyone who gave it their all."

"Fun times are short, waiting times long, but we hope to return for another tournament soon. Thank you all!"

The cheers were a mix of emotions.

Though most felt a tinge of disappointment, the show must go on, and the thousands gathered here would soon experience the year’s biggest events. More tournaments awaited them.

As the Streamer Showdown, one chapter of entertainment, came to a close, viewers began exiting, following streamers into after-parties or to wrap-up streams.

And then—

-[Harmony: Teacher~~~~!!!!]

-[Harmony: I’ve got a great hotel reserved. Wanna do a debrief stream together later? ????]

"…Uh."

"Saw that coming."

The fan-girling was real.

But Dice had no room to judge.