046. Bombardment
"You sure this is okay?"
"Tactics aren't something you hold back on. And it's not like showing it off once will let them counter it easily."
"Yeah, but still..."
Yoon Han-gyeol looked a bit disappointed. Since they were facing the 8th-place team, he probably figured they could win easily just on basic skills.
But if we win like that... it'd probably turn into me carrying the game with my performance rather than the team members shining individually.
What they needed now wasn't my spotlight. I'd already had standout power even after promoting to Division 3 in my past life anyway. The ones who needed to step up were the rest of the team. And to turn PER into a Division 1—no, a world-class—team, the team members' roles would be crucial.
Of course, that doesn't mean I can slack on my own growth...
"You know your role's the biggest one in this match, right?"
"Got it. I'll focus."
"Alright, then. Let's head to the arena."
The roar of the crowd echoed in his ears like thunder. This was his first official step in the Hunters League after regressing—even if it was just Division 3. He wanted to leave a striking mark with that debut.
And sure enough, even in a 10th-place vs. 8th-place matchup, plenty of people were tuning in with expectations.
Unfortunately, the reactions were mostly negative.
Well... can't say we've proven ourselves yet.
Even looking back at his pre-regression past, it was the same. Even winning Division 1—no, the world league—got dismissed as luck at first. Sure, it faded with more wins... but one slip-up, and the reevaluations started all over.
"Let's go. Time to prove it."
All he could do was give his all every moment. And win.
No holding back cards or anything.
In the Hunters League, the lower-ranked team picks the map. Postseason or ties go random for fairness, but generally, it's a handicap to give underdogs a shot.
And since we're lower-ranked, we get map pick too.
From the first match, it meant a setup perfect for their so-called bomber combo.
Sounds invincible on paper, but certain maps amplified it perfectly.
He picked the standard Urban Area A. Common high-rise cityscape, just like civilians imagine.
Mundane enough to hide tactics.
But advantages didn't stop there. The vast map favored Lee Yeon-ju's position tracking for easy team-ups.
And the tangled urban sprawl? Perfect for hiding. Made spotting deliberate sneaks hell.
In other words, ideal for remote-firing Yoon Han-gyeol's swords from blind spots to drop bombs.
Listing pros like that, he locked in key focuses.
Then respawn hit.
"Lee Yeon-ju, Han Ji-su, Han-gyeol—you three link up and kick off the tactic we talked about. Rest of you, pair as planned: pick 'em off isolated if you can, or just survive otherwise."
"Roger."
"Got it."
Team voices crackled over earpiece comms.
"Waiting at the far-left office, 23rd floor of Chilseong Electronics at east edge."
Lee Yeon-ju securing a safe spot first.
"Enemy positions: [244, 165, 266][152, 125, 25][24, 161, 66][5, 165, 53]. Watch these coords."
Vast map's a boon...
Her skill even dodged random skirmishes.
"They're prioritizing merges over scouting us—probably wary of snipes."
"Roger."
As expected. They'd scouted his games since the trash talk. Division 3 sniping was plenty threatening; higher leagues, maybe not.
But enemy merges bought them time too.
"Merge point locked: [145,255,5]."
Her ping mapped on holograms. PER had the other three encircling already, minus the bomber trio.
"Primary: Bomb their formation and buildings. Snipers take escapees. Chargers hit anyone dodging shots with the full setup."
"Got it."
"Bombers ready?"
"Obviously. Say the word, big one's inbound."
"Then let's start."
Park Jun-young was TGD's starter.
Director said be careful with this foe...
Even calling the young parachute a threat. Park didn't buy it.
Noob trash like that didn't need tactics. Classic overconfident fresh awakening.
Anyway, following director: Merge first, bunker low-snipe spots, fortify.
Then step up for formation clashes or skirmishes.
Easy.
Devastating Footsteps: B
Movement unleashes powerful waves that shake the ground.
Just lure close clueless, gap with this, charge. Done.
Confidence rock-solid. Every team dodged TGD mass melees because of it.
Shatters formations, earthquake-balance loss. Terrifying.
Force formation fight—or skirmish—and deny his snipe spots? Easy win.
And he hasn't sniped anyone during our merge.
Victory sealed. Unless he picked off one or two with aim, but team vs. winless PER? No contest.
That thought interrupted.
"Ceiling shaking up top?"
"Ceiling? He sniping?"
He'd seen records of mana shots half-collapsing buildings.
"Mana shields up top!"
Indoor to block snipes, predicted building drop like last time. Counters prepped.
Ku-ku-kuung...
Spot-on. Building crumbled.
"No sweat. That shot drained most of his mana. Can't spam big ones."
"Makes sense... still insane power."
"Focus. He'll show soon—or poke first. Attack incoming."
Next prediction solid too.
...Problem: Next attack wasn't Ether bullet "shot." It was mass Mana Bomber drops. Unimaginable.
"Incoming! Yoon Han-gyeol's Seven Flying Swords, looks like."
"Testing range first? Cocky bastards..."
No rush. TGD phalanx ironclad; their range useless.
PER needed close to hurt.
Strike post-appear...!
Plus unknown Lee Chang-hyun snipe spots.
Wait optimal.
Then...
Swords diving TGD front curved slyly upward, targeting above.
"Sword—no mana shield needed. Could be bait for his snipe angle. Weapons on weapons!"
TGD melee leaped, clashing Yoon's remote sword bare blades.
Or tried.
Couldn't.
Moment blades met—attached Mana Bomber dropped. Exploded.
Kwa-kwa-kwang!
"Wha... what?! What happened?!"
Phalanx tough; remote sword weaker than swung.
Shoulda been fine.
"The sword... sword exploded..."
TGD's Kim Seo-hyun has died.
"Kugh..."
Couldn't process.
But mocking, second sword flew.
Shield it? Exposes to snipe. Clash direct? Might boom again.
Psychological rock-paper. Park realized instantly: Neither worked.
"Ranged! Shoot it down!"
Melee fail? Range it... Explode midair away from formation. Fine.
But.
"...!!"
Unbelievable before eyes.
TGD ranged poked—swords dodged like living things. Every shot.
TGD clueless on Yoon's free control: Ghost story.
Watched inbound helpless...
Inevitable doom.
Damn...!
"Maneuver! Air Beats out—evade! Watch snipes!"
Quick boosts scattered them.
But then.
Three Seven Flying Swords from standby buildings + the "dodged" one rose, diving evading TGD members.
"This is insane..."