One Team
Excluding the RIX match—which could be called the most crucial game before the promotion playoffs—the last remaining match was today. It was against UQQ, a mid-table minnow in the third division.
Well... honestly, at this point, it's basically just a warm-up.
They didn't have any particularly unique tactics, so there was no need for in-depth opponent analysis. That said, this match was structured around close-range dealers to observe Yoon Han-gyeol's growth. Instead of the usual bomber strategy, Kim Do-jun, Yoon Han-gyeol, and Yi Gil-han formed a charging three-pronged front line, with the rest providing cover from behind.
This time, I'm mostly just planning to watch from the sidelines.
Of course, they'd have to stay on standby just in case something unexpected happened. Still, Yoon Han-gyeol had grown so strong that he was beyond third-division level. And to make sure eyes weren't solely on him, they'd thrown in natural aggro-magnet Kim Do-jun up front too—no major issues there.
PER vs UQQ. Let's get it started!!
With roaring cheers and the caster's booming voice, the teleportation began. Following Yi Yeon-ju's position briefing, the ranged support team grouped up with the three frontliners—Kim Do-jun, Yoon Han-gyeol, and Yi Gil-han—and advanced on the enemy formation.
The ranged support, including me, took up position on a high vantage point overlooking the map, ready to swoop in with air anchors and air beats at any moment while keeping an eye on the close dealers.
The moment they made contact, Kim Do-jun charged straight in.
He's probably thinking something like, 'Finally, people will see me shine for real!'
No way he could swing around a weapon that flashy otherwise. What a attention whore. And right on cue, as he clashed with the enemy close dealer, his weapon erupted in blinding light.
Hmm... but that guy. He'd gone full diva this time with sunglasses on top of the flashing sword. Had he handed them out to Yoon Han-gyeol and Yi Gil-han too? Sure enough.
The fight had barely started, and already a situation that drew a deep sigh was unfolding.
Kim Do-jun charging solo, his sword flashing like crazy every moment of combat—Yoon Han-gyeol and Yi Gil-han couldn't even get in to help. They were turning their backs, shielding their eyes from the glare.
Haa...
Yes. The trio of close dealers' coordination had gone straight to hell.
And I wasn't the only one thinking it—explosive laughter erupted beside me. Yi Yeon-ju was stifling a pfft at the sight of Yi Gil-han and Yoon Han-gyeol desperately pretending not to know Kim Do-jun.
"Hey, Chang-hyun. You sure it's okay to just let those idiots flail like that?"
Han Ji-su snorted, looking utterly unimpressed.
They were regretting skipping team practice for solo training. Should've at least synced up a bit...
So... his aggro doesn't discriminate between enemies and allies...
In focusing on nurturing Yoon Han-gyeol's skills, I'd overlooked that. Who knew a simple gadget option from the Moras forge would cause this much chaos...
Even in that mess, they were holding strong in a near 3v5. The two remaining enemies had probably pulled back as a special forces unit, but it wouldn't shift the momentum much.
Truth be told, defeat wasn't even on the table here. Maybe against RIX next, but not this. Steady individual training had elevated the team's overall caliber—even without our aces (Kim Do-jun, Yoon Han-gyeol, Han Ji-su, and me)—to solid mid-tier. Throw us in, and we were untouchable in the third division.
That kept the mood light for this match. They could've sniped from afar to thin the herd right away, but they were holding back to observe.
The two main dealers up front—Yoon Han-gyeol and Kim Do-jun—were thriving like fish in water, clearly enjoying it. Every enemy lunge met with a weapon flash at the perfect moment, capped by Kim Do-jun's swift sword landing critical hits. Potent combo.
...But classic Kim Do-jun. The spectacle didn't last.
One enemy, blinded by the light show, yelled out.
"Urgh... you bastard! Cheap trick! But you think we came unprepared?"
Even as he spat it, a sly grin spread—he knew what was coming next.
They all brought sunglasses too...
Ridiculous, but it made sense. Counters to tricks become the new standard. Kim Do-jun, not expecting the whole enemy team to pack shades, panicked and amped up the flashes to press them, but he was one against many.
Without his flashbang cheat, he was out of options. And whether to call it fortunate or wise...
"Tch... tactical retreat!"
...Outmatched Kim Do-jun started running, throwing up a mana shield behind him. How could he look that pathetic while fleeing?
Win or lose aside, it was a bit embarrassing. But the retreat worked.
Suddenly, only Yoon Han-gyeol and Yi Gil-han were left in the close-quarters brawl.
"That... useless asshole...!"
Yi Gil-han was on the verge of his old hothead mode, baffled. Yoon Han-gyeol wasn't saying it, but he looked just as done—his ego sword control was starting to waver.
Kim Do-jun wasn't just aggro optimized; he shook enemy and ally morale without bias. Talent, if you could call it that.
But that aside, mental fragility affecting his sword tips meant Yoon Han-gyeol still had work to do.
Might be good to throw Kim Do-jun into Han-gyeol's training menu...
Mental management would be a lifelong pro hunter skill.
In the end, despite the chaos, they cruised to victory.
Kim Do-jun's solo retreat cleared the flashing obstacle, letting Yoon Han-gyeol and Yi Gil-han sync up beautifully and repel the foes. Not only that—Yoon Han-gyeol's Seven Flying Swords' unpredictability overwhelmed the other third-division close dealers. They couldn't block it easily.
Honestly, it wasn't even proper swordsmanship. Real technique had forms to read and counter, but this demanded pure reflexes.
Without adaptation, even first-division or overseas pros could eat a lethal surprise strike. Plenty of power there.
Yi Gil-han’s stabilizing too.
The biggest worries had been him and Yi Yeon-ju. They didn't have the potential to go all the way, but needed to fill team roles for now. Unlike Han Ji-su, Yoon Han-gyeol, or Kim Do-jun—whom I'd scouted personally—their talents were modest.
But against expectations, Yi Gil-han had absorbed my lessons well, now solidly backing the close dealers. While Yoon Han-gyeol's three swords dueled separately, his charge skill pried open massive gaps—straight to victory.
Means he finally knows exactly what to do to lead the team to win.
Positive growth. Could fetch a decent transfer fee elsewhere now. Couldn't help smiling.
RIX loomed, but promotion playoffs were locked—they'd cruise steady after that.
The mood in RIX's meeting room hung heavy.
Coach Kim Jong-woon had figured PER stuck to bombers—easy pickings with basics. But recent showings shattered that.
Lee Chang-hyun's overwhelming close multi-man combat. Yoon Han-gyeol's inexplicably sharper swordplay. Kim Do-jun's quirky innovations...
The team was firing on all cylinders, tactics more varied than ever.
One gimmick? Counterable. Two or three? Nightmare.
First plan fails? Onto the second, third. Multiple win conditions meant true strength, not luck.
RIX's heads throbbed. PER taking first in third division left one promo spot. Unlike PER's stable LTD win, RIX tied on points with LTD meant a rematch risk.
Last time worked 'cause it was a debut tactic against LTD...
They'd shown too much now—no guarantees. Tough fight ahead either way.
Needed a PER counter. But silence gripped the room—gloom, tension.
Until Yoo Hye-ju spoke up.
"Why's everyone so scared?"
She fumed. She'd been PER-obsessed before... hated this vibe against them.
"That Lee Chang-hyun punk's nothing special. Spray all the bullets he wants—if he misses vitals, my Holy Ground heals it in seconds up top. And Yoon Han-gyeol? Improved a bit, sure, but stick to our style and we crush him."
She had a point. Her signing was paying off big. Holy Ground's transcendent healing was straight broken—no research needed.
Yeah, couldn't mope like this as coach. They lose on style, mobility, offense? Crush with heaviness.
No rule says fight on their strengths.
"...Right. Hye-ju's spot on. But we can't underestimate their firepower."
With that, they dove back into tactics with coaches and players—united, precise analysis.
And... they found it.
"This could work...!"
Yoo Hye-ju grinned brightly, impish. All those past losses... payback time.