Victory or Defeat?
One of the fun things about the Hunters League was the huge gap between what players felt in the heat of the match and what spectators, who saw everything, experienced. And this game was especially like that.
Unlike the players, who couldn't fully grasp the tangle of strategies unfolding, the audience had a bird's-eye view of it all.
Not long after, Kim Do-jun—who had been waiting in the rear wearing a white sackcloth like PER's other teammates—transformed into Lee Chang-hyun.
Most players seemed oblivious to the switch, but viewers watching via external observers were flabbergasted.
Mana gear that perfectly mimicked a teammate? Even with the diversity of special-type mana equipment, limitations made it rare.
Still, everyone wondered how it'd be used. Mimicry alone meant nothing.
Right then, the clash between PER and PSG began.
The commentator trailed off, unable to know everything. But the reason became clear seconds later, no explanation needed.
As the dust settled and Lee Chang-hyun and Kim Do-jun swapped back, the moment Han Ji-hu's sword clashed with Kim Do-jun's—
Kieeeek—.
A deafening screech exploded outward.
That wasn't all. Lee Chang-hyun, now in the rear, provided sniper support, forcing PSG into a chaotic retreat.
Leman watched the screen contentedly, but the burly black man shook his head.
"PER is full of surprises, no doubt. But... once that tactic gets countered, they're in trouble."
"Mood's good though. What's the issue?"
"Coldly speaking, PER's tactics shine when opponents don't expect them or in resource drains. Now it's a straight power clash—6v6. Strength decides it."
"Hm... maybe."
Leman stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Tsk tsk... power clash."
Perhaps recalling Lee Chang-hyun tackling that massive skull in the Hunters League party minigame. Leman muttered offhandedly,
"Maybe it'll be fine."
Implying the power gap between PSG and PER might not be as wide as rumored.
Sometimes matches like this happen. No matter the strategy, if the opponent is skilled and heavier weight class, your prep falls flat.
'If it were any other team, it'd be over by now. PSG lives up to the hype.'
Started with full-frontal smoke, then swap me and Kim Do-jun. Hit with ear-shattering noise when they had no immunity. Pinpoint shots at vitals amid the chaos.
Complex sequence, but damn effective strat.
'Covering it all with shields and Air Beats like that...'
First Division league level coverage and rear support.
But one thing was clear: no time to admire.
"Chang-hyun, didn't you say full-frontal's bad for us? We've burned too much already."
"Yeah. But dragging it out hurts us more. Can't stall like before."
"Worse than you said last time?"
"...Yeah. More doppelgangers spawn over time."
That was the terror of Palace of Illusions. Original "real" people still roaming inside, plus new spawns. Holding out gets harder.
And this map had a special gimmick called Chaos that gave those doppelgangers wings.
'Match probably won't drag that far, but...'
PSG—high base stats, strong basics—would thrive then.
Better to clash quick: fewer variables, higher win chance.
They'd avoid grouping now due to the noise sword, but earplugs meant no headphones.
'Exploit that gap...'
Opportunity there.
"Hey, they're heading our way?"
"Nah, mana signatures say not all. Just a few."
"Earplugs in. No noise sword visible, then headphones on."
"Split and conquer? First team in checks for the sword guy and signals."
That was the end of PSG's team comms.
'Finally moving...'
Just what Han Ji-hu wanted. They split into two groups.
Han Ji-hu and Oh Si-hwan hit the side without the weird sword first, wipe 'em, then PSG holds while the rest cleans up and joins.
Win with numbers without facing the noise sword head-on.
'So simple...'
Annoying pests, but that noise was killer. Made for a dragged-out pain.
If earplugs fully blocked it, they'd all wear 'em from the start. Even Lee Gyu-jin, plugged during clash, barely covered and still shuddered.
Smart to hold off.
Soon, contact from the other PSG squad:
"Hey, sword guy's here. We'll hold, clean yours first then join. Worth a shot though. If doable, we take him. Headphones off now."
'Match simplified.'
Han Ji-hu repels incoming PER, joins team, sweeps all. Done.
But what appeared was unexpected.
The other side reported a sword guy... but,
'Why's one here too?'
Across stood Lee Chang-hyun with a teammate.
'Han Ji-hu and Oh Si-hwan, huh.'
Good for Lee Chang-hyun. Better him than unreliable Kim Do-jun on tough foes.
Setup: 2v2 / 4v4. His side: him, Yoon Han-gyeol. PSG: Han Ji-hu, Oh Si-hwan.
"Boss battle, kinda."
Lee Chang-hyun grinned.
PSG didn't like it.
"Boss battle? Amazing a punk with that cheap blade calls himself a hunter."
Han Ji-hu sneered hard.
'Sigh... but that was Kim Do-jun, not me.'
Couldn't say it now. Frustrating.
"No more chit-chat. Han-gyeol."
Last words.
Oh Si-hwan with spear, Han Ji-hu teleport-slashing vitals. Lee Chang-hyun and Yoon Han-gyeol charged.
But fun part:
'Both wearing earplugs.'
Wary of the screech sword? Perfect.
Shk!
Han Ji-hu couldn't block, just dodged repeatedly.
But not one-sided. Whoosh!
Low-mana teleports from blind spots.
'Ryu Jae-jun probably ate this doppelganger power.'
Sudden throat stab from behind? Silent death.
Anyone on PER likely.
'Except me.'
Piercing Eye. Not just weapons/abilities. Like this:
Whoosh! Shk!
Before Han Ji-hu fully teleported behind, Lee Chang-hyun thrust toward it.
"Kgh..."
Mana residue. Flow precursors. Even teleports had 'em as hunter skills.
"How..."
Plus, ignoring noise meant no sword blocks.
No teleport ambushes. No clashes.
'From Kim Do-jun's switch working, and facing me now—you started at a massive disadvantage.'
Switch succeeded, undetected. Predictable.
Mind game. No-win dilemma. Mana drained? Elite power.
Han Ji-hu, unable to dodge/block, stabbed in vitals.
"Urgh... y-you... bast... ard..."
Helpless end to his match.
Meanwhile, Oh Si-hwan vs. Yoon Han-gyeol: even, loose.
They watched Lee Chang-hyun's fight, tossing barbs.
"Whew~ Always bragging solo strength, drops first. How's he show his face?"
"Chang-hyun..."
Yoon Han-gyeol beaming, Oh Si-hwan mocking Han Ji-hu.
'This guy's facing 2v1 now... and grinning?'
Uneasy vibe.
Then realized, focused on fight:
'No call from the other team.'
Maybe the crisis was them, not him.