069. Kim Do-jun
If someone asked me what the most fun thing about the Hunters League was, I'd say it's the infinite variables that can flip the game no matter how weak or strong the teams are—the sheer unpredictability. And right now, a situation straight out of that description was unfolding before my eyes.
"Guh... kuhk..."
The massive upset happened without a sound. One of RIX's melee dealers, part of their airtight defensive formation, collapsed with a hole punched straight through his heart by a blade. No matter how powerful Yoo Hye-ju's Holy Ground was, regeneration meant nothing to a guy with a gaping wound in his heart, blood pouring out like a faucet.
"Wha... what the hell..."
"Stay focused! Don't break formation!"
RIX's rock-solid defense held firm even after losing one man, but the psychological shock was impossible to hide. They had no idea what hit them—just a sudden, unforeseen strike out of nowhere. PER was startled too, though not quite as badly.
"Chang-hyun. Did you see that?"
"...Yeah."
A blade had flashed out of empty space, stabbed the enemy, and vanished. No sign of the wielder, no traces at all. That was all I could say. Whatever it was, it favored our team, so I just told them to exploit the opening and shatter their defense while the timing was perfect. Both sides were rattled by the sudden event.
What the hell just happened?
I needed more info. So I activated Piercing Eye, a skill I'd been holding back to stay focused on the fight—and what I saw made me chuckle in disbelief.
Ah...
The moment Piercing Eye revealed the identity of the force ripping through their formation at random, I couldn't help but laugh.
Of course... that's how it is.
Until now, Kim Do-jun had always flaunted himself with those blindingly flashy swords. But in this match, he was hiding to make his presence known. It suited him perfectly.
***
Meanwhile, outside the arena, the head-on clash between RIX and PER was sparking massive reactions.
Yes, PER had no choice! It looks like it's turning into a straight-up frontal clash!
What do you think, commentator?
Ah... We knew they had no other options, but going head-on like this isn't good for PER. They've already lost teammates to RIX's ballistas, and frankly, a direct fight is exactly what RIX wants!
The commentator rattled off why RIX had the edge in a head-on brawl like a rap—mostly melee dealers, backed by the absurd efficiency of Holy Ground, plus PER's lack of full-frontal experience. In short: no way to turn it around.
But then, chaos hit RIX's formation.
Whoa...! What is this?!
RIX's melee dealer, buffed with overwhelming regeneration from Holy Ground, just dropped! What was that? Replay time!
The replay came from an external camera with a full view, making it crystal clear what was shaking RIX.
Kim Do-jun! What did you do?! From in-game POV, you couldn't see a thing—probably not even from RIX or PER players' views. What the hell is going on?
Ah... um. First, check Kim Do-jun's outfit. He's wearing mana gear Invisible Cloak. Sure, it has stealth, but movement usually gives it away... but...
The commentator trailed off, dumbfounded.
The sunglasses... They're messing with color perception just enough that they can't spot the Invisible Cloak user.
Even as the commentator spoke, Kim Do-jun—blades sharpened—was toying with RIX like an adult bullying kids.
Ah... Team RIX is totally trapped. Kim Do-jun's infiltrated the heart of their formation—they can't defend just watching the perimeter!
And PER's crew isn't slacking: Lee Chang-hyun, Yi Gil-han, Yoon Han-gyeol pushing hard now that RIX's attention is split.
One RIX player even figured out the sunglasses exploit and tried ditching them—but flash. Kim Do-jun's glowing sword punished him without fail.
***
He'd only turned on the stream for background noise while gaming... but Kim Jun-seo was left dumbfounded, a strange sense of release washing over him. Or maybe his chest just felt wide open. He'd tuned in to kill time, but this exceeded expectations.
Hunters League pulling tactics like this?
A 3rd Division match for boredom relief, usually light on strategy beyond brawls... yet it was gripping. Even 1st Division didn't have nonsense like this.
Thinking back, it started unique: flying swords with Mana Bombers like guided missiles—the commentator's "bomber tactics" weren't 1st Division level, but fresh.
And the cherry on top? That guy in the glowing sword and Invisible Cloak. Beyond surprising—utterly ridiculous, hilariously absurd.
Sure, lower league gimmick, but ridiculously fun.
In 1st or even 2nd Division, counters would've emerged fast. Higher leagues had tons of variables—maps, neutrals, gear—so players adapted quick. But 3rd Division's raw chaos? That screwball strategy hit different. Unlike any match he'd seen.
High-level number crunches in 1st or internationals were intense, but nothing like this. Hard to pin down... just rare as hell.
Savoring the afterglow, Kim Jun-seo snapped to: he wanted to share this, not hoard it. Grinning, he edited PER's Lee Chang-hyun highlights and proudly uploaded to the community.
Hunters League online community. No explosion of reactions—fans mostly stuck to 1st Division, ignoring 3rd. Kim Jun-seo knew that. He just hoped one more person would get the laugh he did.
...With that mindset, he had no clue this vid would ripple big.
***
After that, PER dominated. Fighting an invisible foe? Beyond most 3rd Division scrubs.
Kim Do-jun, realizing he owned the game, stabbed wildly with weird battle cries. RIX's insane regen couldn't cope—vitals hit meant no survival.
Their tanky melee shields might as well be meat walls. No way PER lost.
What could've been a hidden card wipeout turned into a clean PER win thanks to Kim Do-jun's unexpected MVP.
What a match—twists on twists, and PER vs. RIX ends in bloody victory for PER!
The caster's voice echoed triumphantly. Even in 3rd Division team league, undefeated felt great—though I'd braced for a loss.
More than that, this team I'd half-expected to carry solo surprised me. Kim Do-jun stepping up legit? Pride swelled.
...Then he glanced over, smirking creepily like a kid who aced a test.
I can read him like a book...
Probably gloating, Didja see what I did? Classic Kim Do-jun—demanding awe.
Ridiculous, but understandable. One hero moment and egos inflate.
I frowned pitifully, shaking my head. He ignored it, staring expectantly.
"Ha... fine. Good job. This match."
Only then did he shrug smugly, nodding.
"Knew it."
What the hell. Psycho? Guy's impossible to praise sincerely.