The Iron Wall of Division 2
Honestly, for Ryu Jae-jun, the one thought that crossed his mind after wrapping up his single season in Division 3 was simple.
'Even if I perform well, that's just one out of seven doing their job. So it's hard to secure victory or make it mean much...'
That was why, when he finished Division 3 and moved up to Division 2, he couldn't help but unconsciously think they should join a team where everyone was strong overall.
No matter how much he downplayed it as just passing through Division 2.
Losing didn't feel good, after all.
Still, ending up with PER in Division 2 was purely because he'd been swept up by that guy, Lee Chang-hyun, and joined PER...
'Are those the same weaklings from back then?'
The practice match against TAK during the Stove League, when he'd first synced up(?) with them.
Then the first official practice game against HXG after joining the team.
And now, most recently, the final practice match against HXG that capped off two weeks of scrims.
Day by day, he could see their growth with his own eyes—the speed was that staggering.
It was so rapid that Ryu Jae-jun almost wanted to deny it.
As if the long years of effort he'd put in from childhood, learning from Lee Geun-taek and Jo Jun-ho, were turning to bubbles.
It even felt terribly inefficient.
'No wonder that old man picked him as successor...'
The old man must have known this guy had the ability to accelerate his teammates' growth.
Thinking back, even in Division 3, he'd turned a winless team into near-undefeated.
It wasn't something he used much mid-game, but if you had to pick the most cheat-like ability, this one ranked right up there.
'Of course, it's only cheat-like because he uses it...'
No ordinary person could accurately read each player's traits, skills, habits, and physicals to deliver an image of their best performance.
It hit him anew just how incredible the guy was.
Maybe that's why he'd synced so perfectly with him in that last practice against TAK—because he grasped everyone else so well and knew their peak forms.
Back when they'd first clashed in Division 3, he'd chalked it up to his own carelessness.
When the guy became the whirlwind's centerpiece next, he'd thought, Well, he can hold his own a bit.
Now...
'Lucky he's on our team.'
He was starting to wonder just how far this guy could take the team.
Jo Yeon-hwa had mentioned that since the Hunters League began, no Division 2 team had ever promoted to Division 1.
Maybe this guy could make it happen. Hell, maybe even take them higher.
A vague thought like that flickered in his mind.
"Hey, Ryu Jae-jun. You taking forever to change into your uniform or what?"
Well, on the surface, he seemed no different from any other average guy.
"Yeah. You're way faster than when you dress up all fancy for home games, so quit whining."
A small retort drew laughter from the PER team members.
Soon, everyone changed into their uniforms and settled into the player lounge, chatting idly while watching the screens. The opening match hype was finally heating up.
[Caster]: Thank you all for waiting! The Spring Season of Division 2 league... begins now!
[PSG (Last Season 1st) vs TAK (Last Season 3rd)]
[Caster]: First up, PSG—the team that lit last season on fire! PSG is hot not just in Division 2, but their Division 1 squad too, right? They say if Division 1 has Baek Sun-woo and Kang Jun-hyuk, Division 2 has Han Ji-hoo.
[Commentator]: Exactly. Just look at the data on screen—last season, they dominated Division 2 stats. A perfect hexagon player who doesn't lag behind anyone in any area. The rest of PSG's lineup is just as solid.
[Caster]: And TAK?
[Commentator]: TAK's known in Division 2 as the weirdos—always experimenting. Their 3rd place last season came from bold, experimental plays that got rave reviews and attention. Facing PSG today, they might bring something fun.
'Hmm...'
Even in his past life, he'd only been in Division 2 for one season, and he hadn't cared much, so this was all new info.
It hadn't mattered then... but this season, he was leading a team, not soloing. Better pay attention, especially to PSG.
[Caster]: Got it. Oh, map selection's happening now.
Then random map selection kicked off. That would decide the battlefield—and TAK's tactic type.
The map that came up...
"Whoa, it's that map we scrimmed against TAK on last time. Hunters League has so many maps."
"Hmm~ Guess TAK has the edge then."
What a coincidence.
Might be fun to watch.
"Could be, but we don't know PSG's full strength, so we'll see. Anyway..."
"Anyway?"
"Just my take, but... maybe TAK pulls the same tactic they used on us?"
"..."
Drastically speeding up join speed for numerical superiority, then picking them off one by one.
TAK's play last time was pretty impressive.
'The question is how smoothly it works in a real match...'
Plus, this time, TAK's main starters would play—the ones who sat out the scrim.
Probably way more polished than practice.
As they chatted about the match's fate, prep wrapped up, and the game started.
[Caster]: Hunters League Division 2... Opening match... begins!!!
This map was the same one PER and TAK had scrimmed on before.
A vast plain overgrown with reeds. A few scattered rock hills like tabletops. Nothing too standout.
Hard to expect big variables from the map.
[Field of Decisive Battle]
[Commentator]: This is the Field of Decisive Battle—think of it literally.
[Caster]: Field of Decisive Battle? What's that mean?
[Commentator]: As the name suggests, fewer gimmicks, more direct large-scale fights. Simple structure, wide open—teams clump up, big teamfights happen.
As commentator and caster explained the map and predicted flow, the game progressed fast.
Because TAK pulled the exact super-fast join strat they'd used against PER.
[Commentator]: Ahh...! That's why team-scale tactics shine here. TAK came prepared!
Overwhelming join speed, then charge after forming up. Identical to against PER.
TAK slammed in while only half of PSG had joined.
The predicted PSG stomp flipped instantly. Right now, anyone would bet on TAK's numbers advantage.
'And that numerical edge...'
Forces overwhelming diversity in skills and types.
Sure enough, right after the thought—the same as against PER. The ground under PSG crumbled.
[Commentator]: Ah...! PSG's rattled by the gank. Mess up the response here, and it's over!!
As PSG struggled in the collapsing terrain, TAK unleashed their prepared skill.
Destruction Ray
Boom boom boom—!
Dust flew, collapse sounds echoed.
'TAK's sharp as ever... but does this end PSG?'
3rd upsetting 1st wasn't weird, but given rankings, he figured a couple would react and dodge.
[Caster]: PSG...! Sinking into crisis right from the opener? 3v7 is grim even for them!!
Dust still settling, everyone assumed PSG's four ate it.
Rustle—.
A sound from the dust.
Then, in a blink—something shot toward TAK.
Shhwick.
Crisp sound of projectiles slicing air.
[Commentator]: Ahh...! PSG counter! Someone dodged the gank.
Dust cleared, revealing PSG under TAK's barrage.
'Hmm...'
All four stood unscathed, pristine.
Opposite of the PER scrim.
Couldn't see clearly through dust, but no visible damage.
'Even in Division 2, last season's overwhelming champ means sharp individual skills and snap judgment...'
Total reverse of PER vs TAK scrim—couldn't help a wry smile.
But.
'TAK's not the same as scrim TAK.'
Scrim was test run with subs. Real team with mains synced up would differ.
And sure enough, TAK's assault wasn't over.
PSG emerging unscathed? No flinch—next attack flew.
Rock shards and dirt from Destruction Ray and collapse turned shuriken-like, blasting PSG all at once.
'Like Jo Yeon-hwa's ability...?'
Chaining heavy attacks like this? Hell for defenders.
The ray? Dodged or blocked somehow.
But this was omnidirectional, no gaps.
Yet...
Pick. Pfft pfft.
PSG, backs to each other, blocked effortlessly.
The seamless projectile swarm.
One spun a spear, another blurred with ultra-fast sword.
The other two same.
'They blocked every single one...?'
Indeed—the caliber of a championship Division 2 squad.
Even against overgeared, perfected TAK with no big strat, PSG was holding firm.