The assassin's entry techniques have more weaknesses than expected. Even the shortest delay, Shadow Movement, has its limitations. Since you can only designate certain shadows, if you watch the Incantation Throw, you can predict the movement points.

For classes that often struggle with assassins, this kind of awareness becomes basic knowledge. In fact, many times, players have prepared casts in advance at predicted points, turning the tables and catching the assassin off guard.

At this level of competition, it’s impossible for a simple Incantation Throw to work. I used a clone to draw attention and took advantage of the obscured line of sight. At the same time, I used my own body as bait, pretending to charge at Azure.

Right now, it was a 2v1 situation, but normally, mages are vulnerable to being killed by assassins. On their own, they can’t beat me, so they have to rely on each other for defense. From the mage's perspective, they need to protect their allies in order to guarantee their own survival. In other words, they have to protect two bodies, not just one.

So, if one of them is in danger, it becomes hard to watch their feet.

[Effect: “Critical Strike: Optic Nerve” successfully triggered.]
[Effect: “Enhanced Hemorrhagic Poison” applied.]

What I wanted to target was the neck, but the defense there was too strong. The mage’s casting speed slows when their neck is struck. Even if I had to lose a little more health, I had to desperately protect it.

If I want to gain something from my opponent, I also have to give something up. As I had wished, I decided not to target the neck.

Instead, to disrupt their precision, I targeted the right eye. To interrupt their magic recovery, I stabbed their internal organs and aimed for the heart to increase the damage. The last one might have been a bit shallow. Azure’s interference was strong, and I had to retreat.

I wish I could have gone for the frost mage first. If it was a fire mage’s attack, I could sacrifice health and push through to death. But with two mages in front of me, if I froze, it would be the end for me.

[Effect: “Critical Strike: Internal Organs” successfully triggered.]
[Effect: “Enhanced Hemorrhagic Poison” applied.]
[Effect: “Enhanced Hemorrhagic Poison” changed to “Unstoppable Hemorrhage.”]

Maybe it was because I touched her sister? Azure’s attacks became even fiercer.

But it was emotional. No matter how injured the character was, my real body was fine. That’s why I should have made a cold, calculated choice to slowly wear them down.

‘I must kill one here.’

I parried the incoming ice spear with my dagger. The rising thorns were avoided, and I hid.

At this position, Azure couldn’t get a clear shot at me.

Then it was time to focus on Crimson again. I stuck my knife into the ice spikes in advance. I threw a rope dagger, and the fireball crossed paths with it.

The fireball was a pure attack skill, without any slow or crowd control effects. They must have been really desperate to act this quickly.

At this point, I decided to just take the hit and secure a definite advantage.

“Ugh...!”

[Effect: “Venomous Fang” activated.]
[For 10 seconds, the thrown weapon will not leave the enemy’s body.]

A sharp burning sensation wrapped around my body. At the same time, a sensation transmitted to my fingertips. As soon as the rope dagger lodged, I pulled it with all my might, closing the distance.

I used a clone, which had just come off cooldown, to create a momentary distraction. I used Shadow Skill in the back and prepared for my next attack, aiming for Crimson’s head with a spinning kick.

No matter how much of a mage they are, at least some close combat skills are essential. Of course, the staff blocked my calf, but I was a human who had honed close combat skills my whole life. If I was going to buy time, I had to think ahead for the next exchange.

I slightly lowered my leg and grabbed the staff with my knee. Using their weapon as leverage, I spun halfway and landed a knee strike to their cheekbone.

‘Isn’t this a bit unsatisfying?’

I grabbed their hair with one hand and pulled them in. I intended to use them as a human shield, but Azure managed to alter the trajectory of her attack just enough to miss narrowly. The sisterly fight failed. But I had successfully shaken them psychologically.

In any case, Crimson was now in my grasp. With Azure’s attack deflected, I bought myself some time.

Professional gamers are still human. Even though we know it’s just a game, the sights we see can stir our emotions. Still, I had to make a decision. I would kill your little sister here.

There was no time to move. While stabbing Crimson’s body with my dagger, Azure cast her magic.

Ice erupted from all directions, leaving several large wounds on my body.

[Effect: “Flickering Flesh” activated.]
[Only usable when health is below 30%.]
[During its duration, all slow effects are ignored, and physical penetration increases by 8%.]

[‘Sigma Ga-wol’ has eliminated ‘Eunha Crimson’.]

I wasn’t dead yet. One mage remained.

With Shadow Movement coming off cooldown, I used it and began to engage again.

Luche’s gunlance shot out flames. After unleashing a barrage of firepower, she quickly switched to offense, raising her massive tower shield as she advanced.

The battle was, of course, overwhelmingly in our favor.

It was essentially a fight where we had the numbers advantage. The sniper shot without even moving, while Luche used the brute strength of the lancer class to its fullest. It was clear that even making it this far showed the opponent’s desperation.

[Effect: “Brilliant Flag” applied.]
[Within range, all allies’ defense increases, and the amount of shields they receive...]
[Caster: Eunha Artisan]

A mounted man clashed with Luche’s spear. Even with the speed gained from charging, the impact wasn’t enough.

Even a simple one-on-one with a lancer is no easy fight. Especially now that they were receiving support from the priestess and sniper.

Artisan yanked on the reins and made a smooth turn, with Nabileira’s offensive taking the empty spot.

The knight and Nabileira are classes known for their strong defense and mobility. Just like the top teams shaking up the IKL this summer season, their teamwork was flawless. But even so, their limits were clear.

[Honestly, Nabileira must feel wronged right now. I mean, how is the lancer this fast?]
[Lancers are usually a class chosen with priests, right? But Sigma’s strategy today was to ‘break through the enemy lineup.’]
[If the mages were in the main force, it would have been hard to hold up even with a paladin and priestess combination! The plan to push through with sheer size and attack power worked out in the end.]
[The priestess has the most offensive skillset among pure supporters in Inbl. You can’t compare it to when they’re with a priest!]

Only a minute had passed since Ga-wol eliminated Crimson, but the incident happened.

Luche’s long-standing strength as a pro player was her deep understanding of the meta. She had also accumulated an immense amount of learning, to the point where even most coaches would be impressed. Memorizing the basic delay times of enemy skills was nothing special to her.

Even with mixed techniques that cancel delays, the moment the enemy got greedy...

Her shield, empowered with magic, struck Nabileira’s chin.

Nabileira’s eyes widened—she sensed what was about to happen.

A resigned groan escaped her lips.

“Ah…”

But there was no mercy.

The sniper’s bullet pierced Nabileira’s chest. It wasn’t enough to kill her instantly, but that was no problem.

Nabileira, who had lost her footing, was struck by the edge of the shield.

The force alone was a threatening attack. But the final blow came next.

Luche’s gunlance fired at her heart.

[‘Sigma Luche’ has eliminated ‘Eunha Nabileira’.]

Having barely held on, the balance was now lost, and Eunha’s main force could no longer function effectively. With the death of the last bard, the game came to an end.

[‘Sigma Camellia’ has eliminated ‘Eunha Fiesta’.]
[‘Sigma Ga-wol’ has eliminated ‘Eunha Azure’.]

After eliminating Azure, I was in no condition to move either. From repeated hemorrhages, if I moved, I would die quickly. If I stayed still, I would die slowly.

I was trying to create some doubt in the enemy by sitting still… but not long after, the game ended.

[How on earth is Ga-wol doing this?]
[Not even a 1v1. Now it’s a 2v1. How can we stop her?! I’m sure they’re getting frustrated!]
[What kind of players are Azure and Crimson? They’re outstanding players even on the international stage...]

There’s a delay of about 3 to 5 minutes between the live broadcast and the actual game. It seemed like I had just eliminated Azure. Hearing the excited voices, even I couldn’t help but feel a bit flushed.

Well, it's not that I hated it.

After exiting the connection, I made my way back to the waiting room. As I stepped outside, I was bound to run into the players I had just fought.

And when my eyes met Azure’s…

I subtly lowered my head in respect. Though it was just a game, I knew my actions had been ruthless.

The fact that I felt this way… does that mean I’ve grown since then?

Azure seemed to understand, nodding her head in acknowledgment.