I Have a Reason to Hate Streamers

Flames surged from all sides.

A sturdy but slow Dragonean stood in my way.

Using the violently spewing fire as a shield, the heavy spear was swung.

Dodging isn’t hard.

If I want to, I can also retaliate.

In the last attack, the left shoulder had been exposed, and after the next strike, the lower part would be open as well.

Normally, I would have started my assault focused on the shoulder and arm while shoving the spear away.

But there’s only one reason I couldn’t do that.

It was because of Haruka, who was lurking for an opportunity.

[‘Flame of Vengeance’ engraves the mark of ‘Oni’.]

[It lasts for 30 seconds, adding fire resistance…]

This is more tricky than I thought.

I had taken some damage, but in the end, something went wrong.

Those violet flames pouring out without a specific entity.

Of course, parrying doesn’t work against skills like that.

It’s because those kinds of skills require targeting the slow casting time and long after delay.

If I tried to pull that off in a one-on-one situation, it would show me a black screen right away.

The true value of numerical superiority is being able to use high-value skills interchangeably.

This isn’t something that can be solely avoided through individual skill.

[‘Salmu’ is enhanced by the power of Gwi-in Ryang-hon (Oni Spirit).]

‘Here it comes.’

Kunoichi’s techniques aren’t individually that threatening.

If it hits with a katana, it would be dangerous, but the skills themselves only focus on the act of ‘hitting’.

However, the return when all four stacks are hit shouldn’t be underestimated.

Salmu.

Three strikes of the sword hit at the desired place and timing.

A Kunoichi with Salmu activated is arguably the strongest class in this game.

Let alone, Haruka, who was known as a Kunoichi expert even in Japan.

Last time, I couldn’t defend perfectly against her.

This time will surely be the most dangerous moment in this game.

“It’s quite different from last time. It seems like you’ve been sharpening your blade over there too. But, isn’t this a bit strange?”

I let out a sigh as if lamenting.

I’ve hardly paid attention to the chat window, completely focused on the battle.

Still, knowing that someone will listen to me brings me some comfort.

Haruka was someone who had pushed me quite hard.

If I hadn’t met her so early, I would have probably climbed quite high in the arena.

I could understand her feelings of coming to find me out of stubbornness.

Well, Camelian felt the same way.

But I still felt a bit upset.

Analyzing the opponent is a professional gamer’s disposition.

From that perspective, reviewing past matches is no different.

“Why do you think I would just stand still? Isn’t that a bit of a convenience-based assumption? I… won because I’ve been working harder on my skills.”

A better match.

I pursue higher skill, just like anyone else.

Rather, in terms of that stubbornness and competitive spirit, there’s no one who wouldn’t lose to me.

There’s no way I would overlook what I couldn’t fully block.

Moving forward isn’t just your privilege.

I acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged. Last time, I was too laid-back.

During the second preliminaries, I couldn’t analyze my opponent beforehand, but I could have studied Kunoichi a bit more.

So this time, I prepared well.

The lead time for the skill Salmu.

The moment of effect expression and the actual timing of when the character moves.

The omen that occurs before it appears to the enemy. The time interval until it can actually attack.

The way ‘Haruka,’ the user who uses Kunoichi best, utilizes it.

I’ve stored all that in my head. I can do better than before.

I was sharpening my blade too.

It’s just that I didn’t feel the need to seek her out.

[Active: Shadow Chains]

[Summons unbreakable chains at a designated location.]

Summoning multiple chains creates obstacles.

To make intentions hard to grasp, in a complex and irregular manner.

Using the Dragonean, who is trying to keep me in check on every occasion, as cover.

In this game, getting hit by a teammate is allowed, after all.

Salmu’s mechanism isn’t teleportation but a dash caused by rapid speed.

The two are fundamentally different judgments. If not careful, it could return as a double-edged sword.

So, inevitably, right now.

I have no choice but to wait for the timing when the obstacle between me and Haruka disappears.

If you know when to use it, it’s a bit easier to prepare.

A Kunoichi imbued with fire became a violet flash.

“Kuh…!”

Kaang-! With a fierce sound, my body was pushed back.

Even though I blocked with both hands, my entire body was pushed back with that much force.

But I blocked it without any loss of health.

The skill that is said to be the hardest to block in this game. Against a pro gamer!

A chill of pleasure rose from my lower back to my shoulders.

This will definitely be saved in the chat replay, right?

It has to be. I’ll check everything.

– Can you hear me now? We should be much closer.

– I’m almost there.

– Just bear with it a little longer.

In the midst of all this, good news also arrived.

The arrival of my ally was much faster than expected.

It’s not the mobility possible for a swordsman. How did they do it?

It’s something I still can’t figure out upon thinking.

For now, let’s focus more on the battle at hand.

Dodging the Ssalmeokgisa’s Dragon Buster while moving to the side.

They probably intended to push me inward, but that was a mistake.

The flame I emitted became a smokescreen, creating a bit of time instead.

As Haruka’s new form disappears, a second Salmu comes in.

Normally, it would be faster than the lead time for Shadow Movement, but thanks to the recently created time, the timing matched just barely.

In an instant, my view switched. I jumped onto the back of Ssalmeokgisa and stabbed several times into their nape.

Because my wings were spread, I also fell off – but the damage wouldn’t be small.

Well, maybe it’s not something for me to say?

As soon as I steadied myself, the third Salmu came flying, causing my body to crash into a rock.

“Kuheh… I guess I was a bit greedy for the last one.”

I should have just focused on defense.

It was an obvious opening, and I got greedy.

Though my health took a substantial hit… well, in the end, it wasn’t such a bad exchange.

A magic circle was drawn around the Ssalmeokgisa’s body.

As the dragon form is about to roar at the center of the magic circle – a horizontal sword strike.

The dragon, which had just opened its mouth, was split in half, and the Dragonean’s body collapsed limply.

[‘ACL Donghae’ has defeated ‘Ssalmeokgisa’.]

Donghae, my ally, who frequently plays as a Bladewielder.

As long as one can endure the seemingly eternal preparation stance, it produces firepower hardly seen in melee classes.

If I just chipped away at a little bit of health, they could take down the Dragonean.

It had been hard to expect that the swordsman would arrive so soon.

Both probably couldn’t see me, as their focus had shifted towards me.

From behind, Donghae finished the Bladewielder stance and sheathed his sword again.

It wasn’t the most impressive sight, so I chuckled softly.

“That person is quite the tough cookie.”

It looked like he had just brazenly crossed ‘boiling lava,’ his well-dressed costume charred black.

Of course, his health bar was at its bottom without any serious combat.

But hey, he’s still alive, so that’s what counts.

Now it’s us two against one.

I threw myself towards the Kunoichi, who had just finished Salmu.

“Will we be carving you this time too?”

Haruka’s expression turned pale.

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