068. Opportunity in Crisis
Of course, in the Hunters League, the variables from each hunter's [skills] were endless. But most of them alone couldn't drastically alter the battlefield's flow.
Because the opponents weren't idiots—they studied past matches and came prepared with countermeasures for those skills.
Even so, skills that completely overturned the battlefield occasionally appeared. Those were typically ones that demonstrated extreme efficiency only in very specific situations.
Skills that rarely showed up but granted an overwhelming edge when conditions aligned perfectly. Since they were so infrequent, opponents never prepared counters for them, and because they were deployed only in those perfect setups, their effects seemed almost cheat-like in that fleeting moment.
'Who would've thought it'd hit us in this match of all times…….'
Yoon Han-gyeol's Ego Swords let out explosive booms as they slammed mana bombers into RIX's formation.
That's why the three melee dealers seemed to be waiting for my signal, but I couldn't give them the answer they wanted.
"……It's blocked. Change of plans."
Thanks to Piercing Eye, I could clearly see Team RIX beyond the dust cloud, completely unscathed.
'Golden Hourglass: S…….'
It froze everything within a certain radius around the user for a split second, rendering it immutable and fixed. In other words, they couldn't move, but they became invincible for that brief moment.
RIX had probably lured our all-out bombing from the start, planning to counter it with this skill. They hadn't even wanted the variable of collapsing buildings, which was why they'd openly positioned themselves outside.
The PER team members, sensing the anomaly, asked cautiously.
"What now if the bombing's blocked? You said all-out war was the only option anyway, right?"
"No, we should avoid a head-on clash for now. Pull back and create distance."
No sooner had the words left my mouth than RIX's counterattack from their tight formation hit. Buildings shook from the missile-like impact.
At the center of RIX's defensive phalanx was a massive stationary ranged dealer's weapon—a gigantic crossbow reminiscent of a medieval siege ballista.
'This match is mountain after mountain.'
The overwhelming defensive formation paired with heavy, immobile firepower from within. I'd known about it, but after our first bombing failed, the combo's terror hit home again. Even in 3rd Division, it was a tightly woven teamfight tactic.
"Disperse and maximize distance from RIX's phalanx!"
Even as I shouted, my battle-hardened mind raced without pause. What were their strengths and weaknesses? How to counter?
The answer came quickly. But it was merely optimal for the current situation—not the "guaranteed victory" I'd usually aim for.
Not surprising, given the awful matchup. If it were an opponent my firepower could pierce despite their skill level, I could've powered through with a one-man show even in 3rd Division.
But this time, the phalanx was rock-solid, and even precise shots couldn't rampage solo thanks to the Holy Ground skill.
It was proof that matchups held massive sway in the Hunters League, regardless of raw skill.
Well, aside from that, this would be valuable experience for PER's team members. Up to now, 3rd Division matches had gone almost exactly as I'd briefed and planned. But as team skill rose, things rarely went to plan.
'Not that I plan to lose helplessly this time.'
"Maximize mobility to buy time with counter-sniping. Melee dealers, draw the ballista's aggro and dodge with your speed if possible. Everyone, keep shifting positions constantly—no clumping, act independently."
As soon as I finished, PER members scattered one by one. It was an unfamiliar formation, so some confusion was inevitable, but it was unavoidable. I was just making the best call available.
Guarding the center of Team RIX's defensive formation, Yoo Hye-ju was certain of victory the moment the five Ego Swords came flying in with mana bombers attached at the match's start.
'Everything's going to plan.'
Analysis pegged PER's max mana bomber output at five. Blocking this all-out assault meant they couldn't muster anything strong enough to breach this defense.
Afterward, shield-focused phalanx would staunchly block melee dealers, cover vitals against Lee Chang-hyun's sniping, and heal other hits with Holy Ground. A perfect counter-formation for RIX.
Kaboom!
The mana bombers on the Ego Swords detonated right in front of Yoo Hye-ju's eyes, in the gap the shields couldn't cover.
But as planned, a RIX member's Golden Hourglass skill was flawless—they nullified the enemy's strongest concentrated firepower without a scratch.
"Pfft, that all?"
"Told ya. No need to tense up."
"Says the guy who flinched and covered his face when the swords flew at us."
RIX members chuckled at the teasing, the mood light and jovial. They knew this moment had swung things heavily in their favor.
"Cut the chatter. Switch to offense—fire now!"
"Aye aye~ Here it goes~"
RIX hadn't idled during PER's bombing either. They'd pinpointed the swords' origins. Thus, they could immediately launch the ballista at PER's predicted position.
Kaboom!
The roar followed instantly, buildings crumbling with intensity rivaling the mana bombers.
"Ah…… close. No hits?"
"Dude, shooting blind or what?"
Disappointing, but irrelevant. PER had no viable attacks left but a frontal charge—which was suicidal anyway. It'd be one-sided now.
'I'll grind you into the dirt.'
Yoo Hye-ju clenched her fist, vowing to vent the humiliation from the Hunter Auditions against Lee Chang-hyun.
But things didn't go as smoothly as thought.
"Why keep missing? Actually shooting blind?"
"Nah, they're faster than expected…… No patterns from the briefing analysis."
"Focus, no chit-chat!"
'They switched formations?'
PER wasn't known for varied tactics—had they adapted already? No, unlikely. It required team synergy, not just Lee Chang-hyun.
……Probably an on-the-fly tactical shift and reformation.
Realizing that, Yoo Hye-ju couldn't help but smirk.
'Not bad improvisation. But…….'
Kaboom!
A sudden ballista bolt pierced an unnamed PER player clean through.
Improvisation was improvisation for a reason. Switching to an unpracticed formation would expose gaps. And with RIX dictating aggression, it wouldn't change.
In response, PER seemed to go all-in, reverting to the melee dealer three-prong from their UQQ match and charging.
'Idiots. That's exactly what we want. Skewering time.'
Victory felt within grasp. But the moment she thought so, something unbelievable happened right before her eyes.
'What the…….'
PER's dispersal and counter after the failed first bombing wasn't smooth.
'As expected…… Vitals completely shielded against sniping.'
With Holy Ground's potent healing, only heavy hitters like mana bombers could inflict real damage. Otherwise, PER would just accumulate losses without scratching RIX.
Sure enough, soon a teammate got impaled by a ballista bolt.
'……Switch to assault formation for a desperate gamble……?'
No. That'd be a massacre. RIX's frontline was mostly melee dealers with insane sustain from Holy Ground…….
Perfect deadlock.
If PER's melee outmatched RIX's, maybe—but pointless hypotheticals.
As futile thoughts raced by, a teammate's voice crackled through the earpiece.
"At this rate, we'll get wiped without doing shit. Better frontal clash now to take at least one more down?"
Hm. Staying passive offered no path anyway. No clear counters available.
"J-just trust me once. I'll carry this time."
The mood had soured in this dire spot—Kim Do-jun's playful grin lightened it.
'Worst case, we wipe once for experience. Fine by me.'
I halted counter-sniping, converting my sniper rifle via Magic Engineering Weapon Conversion into dual close-range pistols.
"Yi Yeon-ju, keep rear positioning for support. Everyone else, charge RIX's formation. It'll play like last time's melee three-prong, just with me added."
"Got it."
Affirmations followed, and scattered PER members regrouped. Everyone donned sunglasses, wary of Kim Do-jun's flashy sword.
Absurd sight in a 1st-vs-2nd place showdown—sunglasses against glare. But we stayed dead serious. As the ballista fired, I yelled into the earpiece.
"Go."
Yi Gil-han rocketed forward with Destructive Charge to shatter their formation, Yoon Han-gyeol's scorched Ego Swords in tow.
I pierced the gap they'd made, pondering rear entry angles.
'…….'
Where was Kim Do-jun? No way he'd bail mid-match…… I swear I saw him just now?
In that puzzled instant, an anomaly struck RIX's ironclad defense.
"Uh…… uh……."
One of RIX's frontline melee dealers, shield raised, collapsed.