Chapter 48
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 48
Chapter Title: A Strong Contender for the Win!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Kangyul was taken aback the moment he stepped into the tournament venue.
The massive audience seating area was packed with people.
Most of them were probably the players' families, but even so, it was an impressive crowd.
"That's a lot of people."
"Yes. I never imagined it would be this full."
Even Jang Deokcheol looked surprised.
In front of the audience seats stood four rows of computers, five on each side.
Matches for eight teams ran simultaneously, covering the round of 32 down to the round of 16.
Tomorrow, they'd jump straight into the quarterfinals through the grand finals.
'With four matches at a time, the round of 32 should wrap up by midday, and the round of 16 by afternoon.'
The Midas A clan members were all setting up their computers.
They adjusted the sensitivity and settings to their preferences.
Keyboards and mice had to be from Midas Corporation, the sponsor's gear only.
"I'll head down and check on the team. Want to come?"
"No, I'll stay up here in the seats."
Jang Deokcheol's gaze was fixed on his wife, sitting alone up front.
"Got it. I'll pass on the cheers for Seongtae."
As Kangyul walked toward the team, some people recognized him first.
"Hey, isn't that kid Kangyul?"
"Who's he?"
"The YouTuber! The mukbang kid."
"Oh yeah! He's even cuter in person!"
With his subscriber count climbing, more people were starting to spot Kangyul.
He ducked his head and hurried along amid the murmurs.
"Ahem. How's everything looking?"
"Perfect!"
Im Honggyu beamed brightly.
It was a far cry from Jang Seongtae, who was tense after getting caught by his dad.
"What, did Kim Min-a promise you a date if she wins?"
"H-How did you know?"
Kangyul shook his head at Im Honggyu's flustered reaction.
'The team's baby is all mopey, and here this guy's buzzing over a date.'
Jang Seongtae scanned the audience seats and startled when he spotted his dad with his mom.
But Jang Deokcheol wasn't as sharp with her as before.
"Seongtae, Mr. Jang said to cheer you on. He says go ahead and game hard."
"R-Really? Dad said that?"
Jang Deokcheol usually blew up at the mere mention of games, even at the dinner table.
Jang Seongtae looked up at him in disbelief.
Right on cue, Jang Deokcheol waved at his son.
Realizing it was permission, Jang Seongtae broke into a huge grin.
"See? Now give it everything you've got and win."
"Yeah! Got it!"
"We're about to kick off the Midas Cup Sudden Attack Supreme Tournament round of 32! Players, get ready, and staff, please clear to the audience area!"
Kangyul backed off at the announcer's call.
He took a seat with a clear view of his team's computers.
'They'll win this easy.'
The matches were best of five rounds for first half and second half, except the finals—all five-map series, three wins needed.
Maps were as announced: Third Supply Depot, Dragon Road, Provence, Crossport, Desert 2.
'They've practiced these maps inside out, so no issues.'
"All players, log into the Sudden Attack tournament server!"
Positions were the same as qualifiers without Kangyul: Jang Seongtae on sniper, everyone else rifle.
"Alright, everyone stay sharp. We just need to beat two teams today!"
Kim Min-a sat at the leader spot, calling shots.
"Yes! Let's go! We got this no matter what!"
Im Honggyu had the highest energy.
Behind the prepping players, the broadcast crew appeared.
Pro gaming casters.
And one face stood out as very familiar.
Eyebrows shaved to a third, bald as a cue ball—Ironhead.
'Ironhead's on the cast too?'
He wasn't originally slated for mains.
But his qualifier hype landed him the spot.
"Let's fire up the Midas Cup Sudden Attack Supreme Tournament! But first, let's hear your roaring cheers! Got it?"
The emcee masterfully riled the crowd.
"On three, shout together! One, two, three!"
"Wooooaaahhh—"
The cheers erupted, and the emcee swung his cue cards.
"Let the first Midas Cup Sudden Attack Supreme Tournament begin!"
The giant central screen switched instantly to the casters and players.
MBC GAME's production blew AfreecaTV away.
'Here we go!'
Midas A's first map: Crossport.
A bomb defusal map, not the most popular.
Midas A drew red team.
'Easy win.'
Kangyul was so sure because of grenades.
Most players were clueless on throws—straight ahead or over walls at best.
But Midas A had Kangyul, Sudden Attack pro, schooling them on every trick.
'Crossport especially—you nail one bomb throw, and it's yours.'
Balcony bomb, basement bomb, A entrance bomb, A plant slope bomb, double bomb, rice pass bomb—six techniques alone.
And results showed immediately.
"First round, plant on A slope. Seongtae and Jaeyoung, hold B zone."
"Got it!"
"Leave it to me!"
Kim Min-a paused at the A path.
"A entrance bomb first."
She lobbed a grenade through the slight gap atop the bridge.
KABOOM!
The grenade sailed through, dropping the enemy who never saw her.
One down sudden-like, enemies panicked.
"Nice! One kill. Push in!"
Mid-path clear, Im Honggyu charged shotgun-first.
Bang!
Bang!
His shots slammed enemy torsos relentlessly.
Tutututu support fire routed them.
Kim Min-a strolled in after.
"Planting A."
* * *
Caster Kim Yongjin forced some volume.
Mains, but round of 32—dull matches aplenty.
'Need Zynix, Top Point, or Withers for real fun.'
These eight teams? Nobodies.
Ironhead's lisping mug next to him was funnier.
'Huh?'
The PD behind camera flashed his sketchbook.
"Weird clan winning with bombs! Midas A!"
Screen snapped to Midas A vs Sudden Weekly.
Kim Yongjin rifled his notes on Midas A.
Ironhead beat him to it.
"Whoa! Meerkat?!"
"Meerkat? You know her?"
"Yeah, she cast qualifiers with me. The one who buzzed my brows like this."
"Oh, really?"
Clan reg used her real name Kim Min-a, so broadcasters were clueless till now.
"Word is, this clan's bomb throws are wild! Half their kills are grenades?"
"For real?! Bomb incoming now!"
Screen: Kim Min-a mid-basement bomb.
Invisible corner bounce to snipe hidden foes.
"Basement bomb!"
[Grenade Throw!]
The grenade ricocheted off the corner, rolling sideways.
Three enemies climbing basement right then.
KABOOM!
"Whoa!! Three at once! What is this? Near god-tier bombs!"
"They must've trained nothing but throws!"
Their bloody bomb mastery shone on stream, but no sweat.
Taped broadcast—tourney'd end before airtime.
'Nice one, team!'
The venue zeroed in on Midas A's rampage.
Bombs were weird, but one overwhelming player sealed it.
Bang!
Bang!
New round, blue team—Jang Seongtae flew.
B zone sniper heaven, but solo-blocking four? Ace mode.
"Whoa, that kid! Looks young, but insane."
"13 kills, zero deaths? What?!"
All gawked at his screen.
He zipped to heads like magnets.
"Saw that?! Epic!"
Jang Seongtae raged harder than usual.
Sorry, Sudden Weekly—but Midas A rocketed to top contender status.