[IKL Summer Playoffs Final - Match 2]
[Field: Seocheon Flower Garden]
[Rules: 4-player Free-for-All]
[Sigma eSports vs Eunha Gaming]

Each step I took crushed the flower stems beneath my feet.
Thud-thud. The sensation of soil and the distinct fragrance of flowers rose from my toes, sending a pleasant feeling upward.
The indescribable scent of flowers was also not unpleasant to inhale.

Seocheon Flower Garden was an aesthetically beautiful and flashy battlefield, but it wasn’t the best environment for an assassin.

An open environment for a 4-player free-for-all.
As the name "flower garden" implies, there weren’t many structures around.
There were only occasional rocks or trees about my height standing around like decorations.

With no significant hiding spots, it was natural that ambushes would be difficult without concealment.
There were no ceilings or hooks to use for aerial movement either.

If I had to point out something fortunate, it would be the elevation difference in the terrain.
It wasn’t hard to take control of sight lines.

Moreover, the enemy team had brought out two mage classes again.
If I didn’t position myself properly, it would be hard to withstand their firepower.
In situations like this, my best move was to roam around the map and look for objects.

‘If I find a lone enemy, I might be able to assassinate them.’

In a battlefield filled with objects, it’s rare for the whole team to stick together.
While I wouldn’t be caught alone given that I’m on the team, I wasn’t likely to run into three or four enemies at once.
The real judgment call would have to wait until I met the enemy.

I wandered through the flower garden until I found a bizarre-looking flower.
Its petals were like fish spines, and the flower's petals resembled human bones.
When I plucked the flower, it immediately disappeared, and a system message appeared.

[You have obtained the Bone Bloom.]
[If you collect all five flowers, you can revive the dead.]

There were a total of five objects in this flower garden.
Four different types of flowers: Bone Bloom, Flesh Bloom, Blood Bloom, and Hidden Bloom, scattered around the field.
Lastly, there was the “Reincarnation Flower,” dropped by the neutral boss monster, the Flower Observer.

The flowers on the field could be found eventually as I moved around.
The problem, however, was that taking down the neutral boss monster required at least two people.
This was because of the dense mist that dealt damage proportional to maximum health, requiring a supporter.

For our team, the optimal combination would be Camellia and Hekate.
So, I had already prepared a plan just in case.

‘I found them. Azure and Crimson. Did they split up into pairs over there?’

On a lower hill.
The two mages were moving while watching their surroundings.

Even though they consistently brought unusual compositions, their operations were highly orthodox.
This meant that beneath their free-form thinking, there was a strict foundation.
I heard that Azure usually makes the strategies; wouldn’t he do well as a coach in the future?

Anyway, after looking around a bit more, there were no ambushes.
If those two were here, it meant that the other side was likely deploying Tuhee and the Bard.
It would be better for me to group the mages rather than sending Luche, who’s weaker in matchups, into that mix.

I used the low hill as a cover and approached the two sisters.

[‘Contract of the White Moon’ effect activated.]
[All martial arts-related skills receive enhancement. All action speed…]
[All Shadow-type skills are unavailable.]
[Remaining duration: 19 minutes 59 seconds.]

Two crescent blades flew through the air, crossing each other.
Azure’s spear left a trail of blue, while Crimson’s left a red one.
Colors lingered in the empty air as if paintings were drawn.

At once, their offensive momentum was strong.
If I couldn’t kill them, reducing my damage would be the basic move.
I blocked their spear with my dagger, which rang with a clear, bright sound.

As expected, their spear was lighter and slower than a warrior’s.
With the stat bonus from the White Moon's effect, I held a slight advantage in strength.
I was faster too, but the problem lay in their control of space.

They wielded longer weapons than I did.
However, rushing in blindly would only leave me vulnerable to their red and blue-colored barrier.

‘Why do they have to find this combination?’

The Dream Painter (몽화사) class was a blend of mage and warrior.
The blue "Dreamstack" would accumulate, and through the red "Break Dream" (파몽), they inflicted damage.
What was important was that the Dreamstack could be shared between teammates.

If two players chose the Dream Painter class, like now,
The partner could consume the accumulated Dreamstack with their Break Dream for greater impact.
In short, it was more destructive with two than one.

The downside was that the Dream Painter itself was quite weak.
As a mage, their range was too short, and as a warrior, they lacked close-combat strength.
Since both players were using the same class, the synergy would collapse if things went wrong.
But Azure and Crimson were known for their excellent synergy as a duo.
They must have trained hard for this final match.
Especially now, when they were about to execute a 2:1 ambush, they were showing more than just player skill.

[‘Dreamstack’ effect activated.]
[Each stack reduces physical defense by 1% and movement speed by 1%.]

Azure’s spear grazed my thigh.
In exchange, I scratched her forearm, but the counterattack from Crimson was razor-sharp.
The red spear narrowly missed my chest.

That trade wasn’t too bad, but it still felt unfair.

There was little gain, but much to lose.
That exchange was a mere difference of a single sheet of paper.
It wasn’t worth risking my life for such a small gain.

Those two didn't exchange a single word, executing flawless attacks.
When the older sister attacked high, the younger one attacked low. When the younger one jabbed right, the older one slashed left.
The two became both shield and spear for each other.

Yeah, “like one body.”
No matter how well-coordinated they were, they were never truly one.
If forced, discord would arise.

Now was the moment.
I took a forced step forward, losing some health.
I stabbed Azure's wrist, then twisted the blade halfway.

[‘Break Dream’ effect activated.]
[You lose the ‘Dreamstack’ effect. You take damage proportional to the lost Dreamstack.]

The damage was more than I expected.
Perhaps the effects of the recent patch?
If I tried the same thing again, I wouldn't make it out alive.

A feeling of exhaustion, like life itself was draining from my body.
The two colors swirled inside me before turning to gray and fading.
In exchange, my dagger had left a sufficient wound.

Anyone wielding a cold weapon must always be cautious with their hands.
In swordplay, the wrist, neck, and waist are treated as fatal spots.
Once you lose control over the weapon, it’s as good as death.

In Inbl (internal battle), if the wrist or arm is cut, the strength decreases.
In other words, it makes handling the weapon difficult.

[‘Critical Targeting: Earner Aterri’ effect successfully triggered.]
[The enemy's strength is reduced by 8%.]
[You inflicted ‘Blood Poison: Hemotoxin’…]

I grabbed the thrusting spear and pulled it towards me.
In close combat, losing your size is a disadvantage beyond imagination.
While an assassin like me can compensate for that with speed, the Dream Painter class has no such escape.

It’s only natural.
Dreamstack and Break Dream, along with various illusion-based spells, come at the cost of sacrificing other factors.

Azure’s arm was dripping blood.
She had lost considerable strength, and in such a state, it was hard to maintain control of her weapon.
I blocked Crimson's spear with mine, which had a blue hue.

From top to bottom. I pressed my spear down, covering hers like a shield.

I wouldn’t last long.
Overcoming the strength of both of them with my own was impossible.
But that didn’t matter. I didn’t need to win. I just needed to disrupt their attack.

What I needed was time.
After stabbing my dagger into her side, I fiercely kicked toward her solar plexus.
I leapt back, dodging Crimson's spear again.

Not yet.
I set my dagger's blade, parrying the follow-up attack.
Using the momentum, I retreated and shot a sneak attack at Crimson’s shoulder.

We had distanced ourselves again.
Azure aimed her bloodied spear at me.

“You, during the break, Nabillera was complaining a lot. Every word she said turned my stomach.”
“Well, superstars can make people crazy, right? I guess I’m a little greedy for popularity.”
“Ah… I get it now. After experiencing it, I understand. Anyway, she was grumbling at you.”
“What did she say? If it was swearing, you don’t have to repeat it. Just pass on the compliments.”
“She said thanks. Suddenly, she seems to get it now.”

The conversation ended there.
With Azure’s words, the blue magical energy vibrated fiercely.

The Dream Painter class was a mix of mage and warrior.
And the mage aspect was definitely the more dominant one.
The Dream Painter drew dreams. The battlefield was covered in paint, and now it was time to draw dreams on reality.

A blue lotus flower bloomed in the Seocheon Flower Garden.