Chapter 50
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Kangyul Joins the Battle
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Kangyul peeled off a flat device attached to the back of the computer.
It was plugged into a USB port, but its exterior was identical to the port itself, making it nearly impossible to spot at a glance.
"W-What's that?"
"What else? A USB loaded with illegal software. Check the other computers too."
When the event staff arrived and inspected the machines, every single one had the same USB plugged in.
"What's that thing?"
"Isn't it a USB? Why's it jammed in there?"
The murmurs from the crowd grew louder by the second.
The Notorious clan members hung their heads in shame.
"Mind coming with us for a bit?"
The staff escorted the Notorious clan members to the waiting room.
'No wonder it felt off. So that's what it was.'
Kangyul let out a deep sigh and returned to his seat.
If they hadn't caught it, not only would Midas A have lost, but the whole tournament might've lost its spark.
The announcer, having heard about the incident, addressed the audience from the stands.
"Here's some breaking news. The Notorious clan has been disqualified for using illegal programs. As a result, their opponents, Midas A clan, advance to the quarterfinals!"
The Midas A clan members all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"They straight-up used cheats in the tournament? What balls."
"No wonder we kept dying every time we ran into them."
The rest of the matches proceeded without any further hitches.
The next day, Kangyul stopped by the studio first thing and checked the bracket.
Big names like Genix, Top Point, and Withers clan dotted the lineup.
'First match against Top Point?'
It was an all-male clan.
Entry required a K/D ratio over 80%—extremely strict and professional.
Just having their tag made friend requests and gifts pour in; they were that famous.
"Hmm. Tough start."
Looked like they needed to rethink their strategy.
"Top Point? They're a solid clan, right?"
"Yeah. Caught a bit of their play yesterday—great teamwork and tons of prep work."
They'd even scouted Midas A's gameplay today, prepping for the tournament.
"Sticking to yesterday's plan seems risky."
Kim Min-a was on the same page as Kangyul.
Best move: Drop Jang Seongtae to rifle and put Kangyul on sniper.
But that meant benching someone.
'Benching Im Honggyu wouldn't be bad. Yesterday, he lacked kills on wide-range maps like Crossfire.'
On the flip side, he was the one spamming Yeopo Musou on 3 Supply Warehouse. Tough call.
That's when Yi Jaeyoung, who'd been quietly eyeing the team, spoke up.
"I'll sit this one out."
"You, Jaeyoung hyung?"
"Yeah. Having you on sniper boosts the team way more. Right?"
Kangyul nodded.
It sucked, but it was true.
They were about to finalize the lineup with Kangyul in when a wrench hit: Ttuttuttut came down with a cold.
"...Sorry. Pushed too hard prepping for the tournament..."
Masked up, but his sunken eyes screamed poor condition.
Ttuttuttut bowed his head in apology.
No one could chew him out—they knew how hard he'd grinded.
'He'll regret it most.'
And so, Midas A's lineup swapped: Ttuttuttut out, Kangyul in.
Quarterfinals ran two matches at a time.
Breaks in between let fans soak in more footage of the advancing teams.
The internet was ablaze with tournament buzz.
The bracket had leaked online, sparking winner predictions everywhere.
Few picked Midas A—Kangyul's clan.
Just a handful who'd visited the venue or heard whispers.
IMO Midas A is a top contender here too. They were insane at the venue.
Yeah, no. No-name trash.
Watch their match footage later.
Yeah, pass.
Heard from a friend, but honestly, beating Genix or the others? Nah.
Forget Once? They got wrecked in a clan war and apologized lololol
Idiot. That wasn't their main roster.
'Once, huh.'
If both Genix and Kangyul's clan won, they'd clash in the finals.
'That'd make for a hell of a finale.'
Time up. Kangyul and the clan headed to the stage.
Kangyul was today's leader.
"Im Honggyu, stick with me today. Everyone else, rally around Seongtae."
"Got it!"
With Ttuttuttut out and Kangyul leading, the opponents buzzed with chatter.
Probably discussing the new guy, Kangyul.
'I'll throw them off, but rifle-wielding Jang Seongtae will terrify them more.'
"Wow, even bigger crowd than yesterday! Welcome back!"
The announcer took the stage, kicking off the quarters for real.
"Before we dive in, a quick heads-up! Yesterday was taped broadcast via MBC Game and Midas Studio agreement. But tons wanted live, so from quarters on, catch it live on AfreecaTV and YouTube too!"
This was Kangyul's push, fully adopted.
Internet was furious over no live stream—complaints everywhere.
Hype vids on YouTube exploded in views.
"So stands folks, hop on AfreecaTV and YouTube streams—likes, recs, subs, bells! ...Wait, nah? Tournament accounts, no need for bells. Haha. Let's play!"
Waaaaaa—
"Top Point, win!"
"Kangyul, fighting!"
"Meerkat's so prettyyy!"
Cheers echoing, the game kicked off.
First map vs. Top Point: 3 Supply Warehouse.
'Perfect!'
Kangyul's team started red.
3 Supply favored red over blue slightly.
"We'll crush their spirit early. Scout sniper, then everyone but me rush A. Honggyu, you good to breach?"
"No problem!"
Kangyul's call went out live to the broadcast team.
Caster Kim Yongjin blinked at the order.
"Bold call. Straight to A from the jump?"
"Top Point... oof, three to B. Sniping the sniper, I bet!"
Whoa! Midas clan. They're good lol
Good? 3/5 are kids. Two streamers even... gonna lose?
But their strat landed perfect. Top Point bunches B right then lololol
Yesterday's Midas A? Top Point's plan made sense: Check the monster sniper Jang Seongtae and play slow.
"Sniper in B. Another rifle spotted. A's max two. Breach!"
Figure one in ladder room: A had one.
Im Honggyu bolted down the hall, no time for a flash.
'Two means long one, short one.'
He'd faced tons—knew their spots cold.
Muzzle pre-aimed at short before entry.
Bang!
Enemy clipped him first, but no first-shot head: He lived.
Bang!
Enemy ate shotgun, dropped.
"Short down! One in long!"
"Copy! Pile in!"
Last guy snowballed from ledge, but Kim Min-a followed and fragged him.
"Ooooh! Im Honggyu delivers! Shotty god!!"
"Midas A takes A clean, plants! Wait—what's this?!"
Honggyu crouched; Min-a stepped on him to plant bomb.
"Second-floor plant. They gotta duck one to defuse. Sneaky as hell."
Thugs lol
Thugs? That's brains.
You got no brain? Simping for bald no-names lol
Panicked Top Point rushed A too late—couldn't break the hold.
First round: Midas A stomp.