A Swordsman’s Stream

Chapter 93

Sojun’s eyes gleamed with interest as he inquired about the intriguing situation.

『Heavenly Demon14: What happens if Gansu is occupied?』

He already knew the answer, but confirming it couldn’t hurt.

Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Hebei.

Capturing Hebei would mean victory, and today’s attack was focused on Shaanxi.

‘If this continues.’

On the 14th day, Shaanxi would become Demonic Cult territory, but if the Orthodox Faction took Gansu, Shaanxi would be isolated, unable to connect with the Demonic Cult lands.

It would become an inland island surrounded by land.

And the problem was.

『ThirdElder: By tomorrow, other Demonic Cult users won’t be able to support Shaanxi. Only those who attempted an attack on Shaanxi the previous day would be able to play in Shaanxi.』

Those who could defend isolated Shaanxi were limited to those who had at least attacked Shaanxi once the day before.

The connection would be severed, thus changing the conditions accordingly.

While attackers in Shaanxi wouldn’t necessarily be stuck there, it was evident that defending the location would become considerably difficult.

『ThirdElder: The Orthodox Faction is surely going to put rankers into Shanxi, which directly connects with Hebei. So I was thinking of going all-out tomorrow. But if we lose the connection here, both defending Shaanxi and attacking Shanxi will become troublesome.』
『ThirdElder: But trying not to cut the connection will alert the Orthodox and Unorthodox Factions to our intentions.』
『ThirdElder: However, if we can just defend Gansu today, the situation will be manageable. The problem is.』
『ThirdElder: It will be difficult. I regret the small number of forces sent to the Unorthodox Faction earlier. Had I known, I would’ve held them back.』

Currently, the Orthodox Faction had the upper hand in capability.

This was due to Sojun having already attacked.

With Tang So included, Demonic Cult had already sent out 15 members, while the Orthodox Faction had initially deployed three and saved those three for another attempt since the plan didn’t work.

‘Having high Reputation Points is indeed a disadvantage here.’

As a result, the Demonic Cult had over-invested in Shaanxi, making it difficult to defend Gansu.

Had the Orthodox Faction opted to defend Shaanxi instead of attacking Gansu, the forces would have been evenly matched.

The Orthodox Faction capitalized on this opportunity.

『ThirdElder: We might need to change our strategy.』

Changing strategy.

Sojun shifted his focus to the chat room instead of the personal chat.

-We need to make a quick decision.
-It’s impossible to defend Gansu. If we go there, we’ll attract even more opponents.
-Even with fewer people, we just need to win more!
-That might be possible if we had 60 Heavenly Demons.
-Should we pivot to attacking the Unorthodox Faction first? How likely is an attack success in regions like Shaanxi?
-How about forming a special attack squad?
-That might not work.

A special attack squad.

‘Are they suggesting that all remaining rankers make at least one attack on Shaanxi and keep pushing through?’

The ongoing conversation seemed to confirm this.

-Why it’s impossible. We need some support from regular users. It won’t work if we get surrounded.
-And during an all-out war, not only regular users but even some rankers are lacking. Some used up all their attempts yesterday.
-Occupying there for time also has no meaning. The overall time of war is tight.

Without capturing the main base, everything would be in vain.

Yet, revising the strategy entailed starting at a disadvantage.

Unlike other factions that took control of key regions step by step to gain a favorable position, the Demonic Cult had invested everything in this strategy and had already given up good regions, retaining only unfavorable ones.

Pivoting to focus on the Unorthodox Faction seemed to hold potential.

If today’s attack succeeded, and they could finish within a few days, there was no need to stubbornly pursue the Orthodox Faction.

Ultimately, the reason for concealing their real intention of targeting the main base was to prevent the remaining factions from making preparations while focusing on one faction.

‘Things change rapidly.’

A decision needed to be made now.

As quickly as possible.

‘Glad I observed today.’

Sojun thought, sending a chat to ThirdElder.

『Heavenly Demon14: Let’s leak our true intention to the Unorthodox Faction and use it to our advantage.』
『ThirdElder: Pardon?』

Initially, ThirdElder seemed confused by his statement, but after hearing a detailed explanation, ThirdElder showed a favorable response.

『ThirdElder: Hmm. It seems possible.』
『ThirdElder: Hold on a second.』

After a short pause, another message arrived.

『ThirdElder: After informing the Demonic Lord, he says we should try. Let’s do it!』

The Demonic Lord was distinctly not a manager but someone who styled himself as a descendant of the Jaegal family, exiled and joining the Demonic Cult.

Though that detail wasn’t important.

The Demonic Lord was one of the key figures creating a grand strategy with ThirdElder.

Therefore,

『Heavenly Demon14: Well, go ahead and contact the Unorthodox Faction.』

His opinion was adopted(?).

* * *

Red markings appeared and vanished repeatedly across numerous regions, yet some remained consistently present.

The region captured by Sojun from the Orthodox Faction the previous day.

And the location where many Orthodox rankers were deployed today.

Many rankers were stationed currently in Gansu.

‘About 40 from the Orthodox Faction?’

Initially, only 10 were deployed by the Orthodox, but when the Demonic Cult tried defending, more Orthodox came in.

In response, when the Demonic Cult added more members, the Orthodox Faction allocated all their remaining forces to this region.

‘The Demonic Cult is short by about 10.’

By the next day, it seemed almost certain Gansu would be taken over, thus concluding the 13th day.

The next day.

Sojun prepared for his stream and logged onto the community.

By now, it had become a rather natural routine.

It’s beneficial for someone whose job thrives on attention to be well-informed.

Plus, it’s just plain fun.

『Summary of the 13th Day of Battlefield.』
『What happens when your retreat is cut off?』
『Orthodox Faction’s Counterattack!』
『Since they couldn’t stop the Heavenly Demon, the Orthodox Faction cut off the supply route, haha.』
『Demonic Cult followers, worry not. Today the Heavenly Demon will handle everything. Just follow.』
『So the Demonic Cult finally revealed their true colors.』
『The Heavenly Demon14 seems to have been a subtle disadvantage.』
『It’s a pity the streamer didn’t stream longer yesterday to see their surprise, haha.』

Though he didn’t stream much yesterday, discussions about him were still visible even after a single day.

Ark’s words came to his mind.

These users were enamored by expert players.

Gamers naturally appreciated skilled players, but the atmosphere within For Justice seemed uniquely intense.

Sojun clicked on a post that piqued his interest.

『So the Demonic Cult finally revealed their true colors.』

==

Look at those Demonic Cult bastards desperately defending Gansu to keep the chain from breaking.

Doesn’t that mean they were targeting the main base, haha?

The Heavenly Demon 〈– That sneaky bastard pretends not to align with the Demonic Cult but secretly follows their orders.

==

The statement held truth.

The desperate attempt to defend Gansu meant the connection was vital, indicating they were targeting the main base.

The path was created by Sojun, and as he had often projected a non-cooperative facade, calling him sly might only carry a negative tone but was still accurate.

However, looking at the comments brought a smile to Sojun’s face.

Were they all Demonic Cult people?

-Oh dear. It’s actually the Demonic Cult following the Heavenly Demon’s orders. And please correct it to smart, not sly.
-This brat is rude to the Heavenly Demon. Who is he, anyway?
-The streamer simply cut down those who stood in his way, and the Demonic Cult crafted strategies in response.

Perhaps not.

He clicked on the next post.

『The Orthodox Faction must have breathed a sigh of relief.』

==

Had they not broken the connection yesterday, today an all-out war would have happened right in front of Hebei, where the main base is.

This is problematic even if they win.

Because if the Orthodox and Demonic factions engage in an all-out war, the Unorthodox Faction will gradually claim other regions.

Though the Demonic Cult has been struggling, and it might not be noticeable, the Battlefield is a three-way battle.

In a three-way battle, if two factions fight with full force, the third wins by default!

So basically, the Demonic Cult was crazy. What could they gain by targeting the main base of the enemy?

Are they holding a grudge against the Orthodox Faction or something?

==

The author had a good grasp of the situation, and the first comment on this post simply said,

-Yes.

Those three letters seemed to convey much, including some form of melancholy or resentment.

Now, it was time to start the stream.

Sojun entered the capsule.

Opening his eyes after closing them showed a different world.

He quickly accessed his private channel to adjust the streaming settings.

The title was.

『All that matters is Demonic Cult’s ultimate victory』

Perhaps some wanted to hear his comments at this turning point, but he chose the same title as yesterday.

『The stream is starting.』

* * *

“Ah. You’re asking to hug because you’re scared to be stranded with me in Shaanxi? Thank you for the donation, but you’re banned.”

-Lolol
-Cut on the 100,000 won donation hug request!
-Lately, many seem to be willing to pay to get banned
-Where do you think you’re placing your hands lol?
-Mark it as a donation scam in the controversy tab lolol

As always, he obviously didn’t actually ban them.

Surely, such a thing wouldn’t be marked in controversy, right?

『’Hey’ has donated 10,000 won!』
『So, what’s your plan for today?』

Finally, the donation he had been waiting for appeared.

A question about his upcoming plans.

The reason he anticipated such a question was simple.

‘Because of the regular users able to play in Shaanxi.’

Regular users were unpredictable variables, impossible to calculate, and thus had to be considered constants.

However, if well-coordinated, they could become a significant force.

Every moment changed the regional situation, requiring them to be effectively utilized.

It wasn’t about popularity or communication. It was about command.

But what if the goal was so simple that commanding wasn’t needed?

The first objective was exactly that.

“Hmm, are you curious about what I’ll do? Could you be a spy?”

Sojun suggested this jokingly.

-Capture the spy!
-Lolol probably an Orthodox Faction member here to troll us

Trolling.

In gaming, it’s going to your opponent, squatting up and down in front of them to provoke anger.

In other words, it’s taunting.

『’No’ has donated 10,000 won!』
『I just want to follow what you’re doing in Shaanxi.』

The donor seemed to appear aggrieved.

But Sojun knew that the person behind this donation was ThirdElder.

“Oh really? So why do you want to follow?”

Sojun acted as though he didn’t know and asked further.

The viewers responded for him.

-Lolol yeah, I followed too.
-I want to be part of the Demonic Cult!
-Cause letting go isn’t really an option if you’re part of the Demonic Cult

『’Lamer’ has donated 10,000 won!』
『Getting stuck in Shaanxi while attacking together was the highlight of my 25-year life!』

Sojun checked the donation’s user ID. It wasn’t ThirdElder, but a regular viewer?

-Indeed lol
-Indeed lol
-Indeed lol
-Does it feel like soldiers risking everything with their leader!!!

“Oh, is that so? I’ll start a bit late today, then wait.”

Notices from the Demonic Cult users agreeing filled the chat.

Orthodox users asked if he was scared.

After some banter back and forth, with a few more reminders, the time came.

“It’s 7 o’clock. Let’s view the results first.”

The results from the previous day began to reflect on the map.

Gansu was occupied by the Orthodox Faction. No surprises there.

However, due to the fierce resistance from the Demonic Cult, the Orthodox Faction expended a lot of forces, and the Unorthodox Faction seized the opportunity to claim other regions, expanding their green territory.

Tiny miniatures representing each faction emerged over the regions, battling it out.

Once the battle results were displayed, the region turned the color representing the victorious faction.

“The Unorthodox Faction distributed their acquisitions quite well.”

This is why direct confrontations shouldn’t occur.

The battle between the Demonic Cult and Orthodox Faction yesterday amounted to a quasi-all-out war, and only the Unorthodox Faction truly benefited.

“Oh? The Orthodox Faction is making their move immediately.”

Red dots, representing attacks, appeared on the reconfigured map.

In Shaanxi, where he was located.

It obviously couldn’t be the Demonic Cult, so it had to be the Orthodox Faction.

Yet.

『Achillesgun』
『Duties of Orthodox』
『7777』
『Instant Ramen is Delicious』

.

.

.

Surprisingly, their numbers totaled 14.

Sojun narrowed his eyes.

The intention was clear.

“They sure intend on reclaiming Shaanxi.”

Deploying the same number as him simultaneously had a clear purpose.

Perhaps, it was a message: ‘We’re spending enough here, so don’t bother defending Shaanxi and aim for gains elsewhere.’

Like saying, ‘Since defending is impossible anyway, you’re not really trapped without a choice and can simply walk away.’

In essence, “It’s a bit of a concession and provocation.”

A provocation to quit and leave Shaanxi.

Sojun chuckled.

He didn’t know who came up with this, but, ‘I suppose they’ll regret it.’

-Streamer, aren’t they too cocky? Shall we attack them?
-Just give the order, boss! We’ll defend!
-Does that mean regular users like us can be ignored?
-Not really… they can ignore us, can’t they?
-That’s true.
-Why not just leave Shaanxi?

He hadn’t expected it to start this way, but.

“Let’s take it easy, folks. Offense is the option for the weaker ones.”

Sojun chose not to take any immediate action.

He calmly disregarded chats questioning why he hadn’t launched an attack exactly at 7 o’clock like before.