NoveLight ™
[Title: Ancient Kingdom Siege Livestream]
['Yurang' is broadcasting.]
The much-anticipated siege battle was finally underway.
This battlefield wasn’t supposed to be this intense, but the overpopulation compared to the castle's scale turned it into a living hell.
“Wow, both sides have insane firepower! As soon as the support shield is stripped, the spearman just melts away. For now, the Crusaders seem to have a slight upper hand.”
Overall, the attackers were gaining a slight advantage.
Soolbbang’s guild was always going to be at a disadvantage, given the difference in overall size and strength.
Even so, the fact that they were holding their ground at all was notable.
And, of course, the sheer number of guilds joining the defenders was a testament to Gawol’s influence.
“Everyone’s looking for Gawol, aren’t they? Let’s check in on her.”
Right now, Gawol was the hottest topic in the game.
It wasn’t clear if this was the case globally, but at least in Korea, that was the truth.
For someone like Yurang, who had one foot in the professional gaming scene, it was impossible not to know who Gawol was.
‘Simply put… she’s a living controversy.’
Yurang reflected on the situation.
It seemed like Gawol herself wasn’t fully aware of her impact, but every time she appeared, professional teams and scouts were on edge.
In the past, Gawol was nothing more than a thorn in the side of streamers.
She was a disaster waiting to happen, especially for anyone who focused on PvP.
She was just another sniper, a troublesome type that exists in every game.
In Infinity Black, that person just happened to be Gawol.
But things changed dramatically when Gawol suddenly won the Arena championship.
No one in the world saw that coming.
Yurang, did Sigma share any info?
No, nothing.
Yurang, anything from Q Prime about Gawol?
Nope, no rumors.
Really? We’re trying to find any info on Gawol.
I’m telling you, I don’t know.
Every team wants an S-tier assassin.
It takes enormous resources to raise such talent, and no team would let go of them easily.
Yet, here was this remarkable talent, growing on her own and emerging out of nowhere.
When Gawol defeated Reaper, scouts from various teams started getting grilled.
People began asking, “How could you not have made her an offer by now?”
There were still excuses at the time.
“She’s surrounded by too much bad press,” or, “Team games and one-on-one fights are different.”
Some teams even claimed to have already offered her a trainee position, but Gawol had refused.
But when Gawol took a set win from Cerberus, and ultimately claimed victory in the swordsmanship tournament, all those excuses became just that—excuses.
The tactical knowledge and strategies of a team can be taught.
But battle instincts can’t be developed unless the player already possesses the right talent.
And with someone of her skill level, any team would benefit immediately—no, she’d be a game-changer.
In other words:
An S-tier talent, highly sought after by any team, was floating around unclaimed.
If Sigma or Q Prime managed to sign her, it would all but guarantee a domestic league victory.
On the other hand, if an overseas team got her first, it would spell disaster for the domestic league.
At least, if she remained out of sight, teams could ignore the problem.
But first, she appeared with Soolbbang. Then with Elderen.
Lately, she’d even been posting on the community, flaunting her presence.
It was no wonder every team was on edge, worried that she’d announce an official signing at any moment.
On top of that, there were even rumors about Traveler being transferred overseas.
If that happened, Korea would face an even darker era in esports.
So, naturally, some voices were already calling for Gawol to join the national teams.
And what was Gawol herself doing amid all this?
“Well… her moves are clean. That grappler seems to have insanely high stats, but Gawol just narrowly avoided that punch.”
The wounded assassin rolled on the ground alongside the massive grappler.
There had clearly been an intense fight.
Corpses littered the area, sniper bullet holes scarred the terrain, and the fading spirits of a necromancer’s summons lingered in the air—evidence of a fierce battle.
Gawol dodged the grappler’s punch, using his arm as a support to climb up his body.
Her skill with chains was remarkable, tying him up in a flash.
Her ability to subdue an opponent with far superior stats… that was the Gawol Yurang knew well.
But… there was something a little unsavory about the scene.
“Phew, that was close. Last time you said we’d fight one-on-one, but now you’ve brought so many friends. What’s up with that?”
“Actually, Gawol, you were the one who—”
“Shut up. Grapplers are all the same.”
“That doesn’t even make any—”
“Shh. Just stay quiet while I’m still being polite.”
She buried his face in her abdomen, tightening her legs around his neck.
She crossed her arms to manipulate the chains.
Perhaps it was the sheer difference in their physical builds, but each time the grappler struggled, Gawol’s body swayed violently.
Her already torn clothes dragged through the dirt, and her silver hair fluttered around in the chaos.
“I’d appreciate it if you stopped struggling. Ugh, gross, don’t get anything on my stomach.”
Though she complained, a faint smile lingered on her face.
Her hands tightened firmly around the chains.
Who knows how long she choked the grappler before finally letting go and standing up.
Her abdomen, where the grappler’s face had been, was slightly damp.
Disgusted, Gawol tried to brush off her clothes but gave up.
She simply chugged a healing potion instead.
Her outfit was tattered, and her body was covered in wounds.
Blood was smeared across her pale skin, triggering a primal instinct in onlookers.
Even Yurang, watching in spectator mode, couldn’t help but speak with discomfort.
“Uh… should we check in on another area?”
An hour had passed, and the main force was starting to falter.
In Infinity Black, siege battles last three hours.
With the remaining time, the outlook wasn’t looking good.
The communications were full of bad news.
Even with the advantages of defending a fortress, the difference in experience between the two sides was clear.
Though Cross was a shadow of its former self, it had once been a top-tier guild.
The difference in quality between them and Soolbbang, who had been bouncing from battle to battle as mercenaries, was evident.
The only reason they were holding out this long was thanks to Cross’s many enemies joining the fray.
“I’ll go. I’m not sure how much of a difference I can make on my own, but I’ll try to shake things up.”
Soolbbang’s gratitude felt strangely embarrassing.
Thank you? I’m just doing what I’m paid for.
Even as I thought that, a smile tugged at my lips.
In past wars, I had to run myself ragged.
If they had regular troops, we had to make the most of asymmetric warfare.
Since there were few who could beat me in a one-on-one fight, I had to play the role of the battlefield firefighter.
I circled the area, destroying cannons, cutting down lone wanderers, and eliminating supply officers.
I even wiped out scouting parties lurking around the walls.
Basically, I killed any enemy I saw.
As I neared the east gate, Soolbbang’s voice suddenly grew urgent.
Impatient, much?
Even I can’t get there that fast.
The distance from the forest on the outskirts of the siege zone to the east gate was still quite far, even taking the shortest route.
I had to pass through a narrow canyon along the way, a risky path, but one I had no choice but to take.
Camellia’s image flashed in my mind, sending a chill down my spine.
The Crusaders’ focus on the east gate, and her appearance at this moment…?
I found myself in the narrow canyon.
There was only one path ahead, with no way to circle back.
And then… I saw it.
“I’ve found her. She’s here, Camellia.”
A woman clad in white silk and light armor.
When I first saw her, she seemed aloof and majestic.
But after watching her again, her obsessive eyes were unmistakable.
And now, I had a pretty good idea who her obsession was focused on.
From the end of the canyon, a familiar silhouette appeared.
The sunlight shifted, casting shadows away, and her gaze landed squarely on me.
There was no need for words.
Just like the first time we met, dialogue wasn’t necessary.