045. Caught Between Enemies – The Bomber Combo
Yoon Han-gyeol floated multiple Seven Flying Swords while equipped with Mana Bombers, then used Han Ji-su's gravity manipulation to drop only the Mana Bombers right on the opponent's position.
But there was one more piece needed for the combo.
'Pinpointing the enemy position is key. Long-range bombing from stealth won't land lethal hits without it.'
Position Detection: B-
That was where Yi Yeon-ju came in. The ability that had felt pointless on its own was about to prove its worth.
"You need enough proficiency in Position Detection: B- to brief their exact positions in detail. Think you can handle it?"
"……Yeah. Shouldn't be too hard…… I think."
Yi Yeon-ju answered, her dark circles heavy under her eyes. She was usually quiet, hard to read, and tough to get close to—a real enigma. But she was a crucial key in my tactics. She had to pull her weight.
So I grabbed both her hands tight and locked eyes.
"You're the core of this play. If you crack, the bombs are worthless. I can count on you, right?"
She blinked wide at the bold grip, turning her head away, but nodded.
"……Yes."
Then why are your ears turning red? Unfathomable girl.
No one else needed deep dives. Kim Do-jun? I'd given him proper attention before. Yi Gil-han and the rest? Stats were priority—basic stamina drills to build them up. They weren't tactical starters yet. Long-term strategy training could come later; this was enough now. New teammates would join soon, expanding options. No rush to lock in directions.
'I'll be calling the shots from center stage anyway.'
Training days rolled on. Yoon Han-gyeol, Han Ji-su, and Yi Yeon-ju drilled the combo—swords up, pinpoint Mana Bomber drops. Everyone else hit basics. Time blurred by.
'Opening match closing in……'
Results? Solid enough. Team's weak spot? Not enough bodies. Needed fourteen minimum for internal scrims. Off-season meant no practice partners like last ESP. But prep continued: opening video shoots, pre-interviews.
'Media day post-season, I went full war declaration. Keep it tame this time.'
Others disagreed. TGD, our game-two opener, especially.
LTD vs. RIX (game one) wrapped respectful. PER vs. TGD? Not even close.
"Yes, Director Yoo Ki-han. TGD faces rebuilt PER in the opener. Prep going smooth?"
"Yoo Ki-han here. Prep's flawless—players buzzing with confidence. First match amps it up."
"Especially the opener, you mean……"
Yoo Ki-han grinned at me.
"Director's role? Tactics, harmony, command. Needs tenure, know-how, conflict smarts. PER? Bluntly... parachute? Nah, sandcastle. Harsh in front of them?"
Outright provocation. No smooth exit now. Brushing it off shamed the team.
"Haha…… Fair take. PER's got angles—zero wins last season screamed for bold moves……"
Caster smoothed desperately. Too late—line crossed.
"Sure, I'm young. But win, and Director Yoo's just some old-timer."
Witty. Poised. Subtext: 'Fogey like you directing? Pointless.'
Yoo soured instantly. Your words fine, mine insult?
"LTD might tense us, but TGD? Eighth last season. Eighth, tenth—same diff."
Yoo twisted, punch-ready.
Caster jumped in: "Ha…… haha, PER's rebuild as fiery as their trash talk. Juicy top-team rivalry."
Yoo flushed purple. Awkward end, no follow-up.
Post-interview clusters swapped intel—my name surfaced.
"Chang-hyun? No coaching history mouthing off? Legal?"
"Parachute punk talks like that? Kim, right? Absurd."
Whining for nods—pitiful. Directors split: some agreed, some shrugged. LTD's Lee Hyung-geun glared daggers—media day beef, probably. Pre-start enemies galore in third division.
LTD: massive org, teams across first, second, third. Escalator system—slot potentials, nurture, promote.
First-division LTD Director Lee Jin-han scouted opener for gems from third-division LTD (last season's champ) vs. RIX (runner-up).
Match heating up.
"LTD...! Splits formation, encircles drops. RIX player...! Telekinesis hex shield stacks mana shield—SHATTERS!!"
"One-body sync. LTD's edge. Third-division LTD: flawless, seamless organic flow!"
'One-body organic...'
Lee Jin-han ignored LTD. Basic—higher leagues crush it on weight class.
Sought outliers for wild tactics, stats be damned.
'First div LTD struggling... Unique spark for special plays...'
No LTD fits. Bland skills, bland sync. Third-div kings, not his type.
Needed fresh spark.
'Sigh……'
Post-match, third LTD Director Lee Hyung-geun waved cheerily.
"Saw it? Zero gaps."
"Tight... but not higher-league material."
"Unique types?"
"Unique and team-fit."
"Rare finds... heh."
Lee Hyung-geun deflated. Nurturing winners defined success—but failing.
Talent mostly innate.
"Next third match, swing by. Reserves heavy lineup."
"Mm... sure."
Rising—lights out. Game two underway.
'Chatted too long...'
'Stay for next.'
Lee Hyung-geun dropped: "Media day—bottom-feeders war-declared us?"
"Bottom?"
"Skip third news? Big buzz."
"Stuff happened..."
"Lee Chang-hyun, fresh awakener—proxy owner, director, player. That's them."
"Kid not even adult?"
Ridiculous. Boredom. Hooked.
"Parachute?"
"Rumors wild. Hunter Assoc program win, off-season perfect game."
Lee Jin-han blinked. Teen triple-threat? Wins?
"That's him playing now."
"... World gone mad."
"Legal."
"Legal ain't sane."
Intrigue blazed. Rookie champ creativity... directing? Fresh jolt maybe.
Watched. Unbelievable unfolded.
"What the hell......"