Beast
Objectively speaking, my mechanics were still not on par with the top-tier players.
The most famous Assassin player apparently never lost track of projectiles even while maneuvering at high speeds.
For me, attempting such a feat right now was utterly impossible.
Well, mechanics weren't something you could only acquire through innate talent.
With enough repetition and practice, your body starts to move on instinct, and all unnecessary movements are shaved away.
While talent might dictate the ultimate ceiling of your growth, improvement itself was always possible.
If I kept honing my skills, I would eventually find out where my own limit lay.
In any case, deflecting every single incoming projectile head-on was something even the greatest player in history couldn't do.
I wasn't some dual-wielding swordsman from a light novel.
I wasn't the player with the fastest reaction time in this game, nor could I swing my arms fast enough to deflect bullets.
Charging straight through that hellish barrage of fire was beyond reckless—it was just plain stupid.
So, the starting point was to distinguish between what I could do and what I couldn't.
Once I got that straight, a path would surely open up.
With my current defense, the limit of what I could do was helping my teammates initiate.
'Our tank is initiating from my left. In that case, should I spread our wings wide?'
A map drew itself in my head.
Even the positions of allies and enemies out of my line of sight were mapped out.
Without overthinking it, a rough picture emerged.
When I first started scouting, the direction I had headed was the far right of our team.
Seeing our main tank on the left meant my position was still on the right wing.
The enemy team's choice was a concentrated breakthrough.
However, our team had opted to spread out.
Our formation was bound to be wider than theirs.
As the battle began, that wide front line would have gradually closed in.
In the end, it would naturally form a shape that enveloped the enemy.
It felt a bit distorted because I had run away to survive, but... all I had to do was stretch it back out.
Toward the enemy camp, but pulling slightly outward, I stretched the front line wide.
As if nudging my decision along, a buff from our supporter came in.
Movement speed is increased by 12% for 8 seconds. Attacking an enemy deals 10% additional damage, after which the effect is removed.
Caster: SnowWitch Syndrome (Bard)
In this Fairy Wood Forest, teams often ran Mages.
Mages were characterized by high firepower, high mana consumption, and area-of-effect attacks that were highly effective in environments with plenty of cover.
Structurally, this battlefield was practically home turf for Mages.
Thus, the damage dealers on both sides had chosen Mages for this match.
In a battle between Mages, the side that huddled closely together was at a disadvantage.
If we maintained this spacing, our team would gradually gain the upper hand.
Furthermore, human field of vision has its limits.
It was impossible to look right and left at the same time.
Since our other teammates would be applying pressure from the left wing, the enemy's firepower and attention were bound to be split.
Let's keep it simple.
Right now, I only needed to focus on whether the enemy was looking at me or not.
When they were looking at me, I would focus entirely on dodging.
The moment their fire faltered, I would charge and close the distance.
I wasn't omnipotent.
And neither were they.
On the screen, Yu Nabi could be seen catching glimpses of the action.
She wasn't actively unleashing her martial prowess.
Yet, her presence was clearly influencing the game.
"Wow, Nabi's positioning is incredibly awkward for them to deal with."
"From that position, high-firepower spells either lack the range or are too difficult to land."
"They're trying to poke her, but in the Fairy Wood Forest, that level of damage is just a tickle."
"She's constantly testing the waters, threatening to dive in. ACL can't just leave her be."
"If she manages to dive in while healthy, all the Mages are dead. It'll be uncontrollable."
The basis of team play macro is trading cards with the opponent one by one.
But those trades aren't always equal.
ACL couldn't afford to ignore Yu Nabi.
The Berserker's current position was simply too annoying and threatening to overlook.
But stopping that Berserker required committing resources.
...But who on earth could they send?
The tank holding the front line?
The Temple Knight clashing with the Duelist on the left?
Whomever they moved, it would immediately carry a massive risk.
"Yu Nabi has shifted the entire landscape of the battlefield with a single movement."
"Now, like it or not, ACL has to push their tank outward to establish a preemptive defense."
"They need to push the front line forward to cover Yu Nabi's angle, otherwise their flank is completely exposed."
"But now that the shield has stepped forward? SnowWitch is a team that never fears a fight."
The commentator broadcasting the official league was a former pro.
And not just any player, but an S-class veteran who had proven his mettle as a main shotcaller.
Though his mechanical skills might have declined, his game sense remained sharp, allowing him to grasp the flow of the match instantly.
The snowball was rolling.
It was a tiny snowball packed together by Yu Nabi's movement.
As it grew larger and larger, it began to reshape the entire battlefield.
"SnowWitch is happily hammering away at the tank!"
"But tanks aren't invincible. This is too dangerous. They're outnumbered right now!"
"If the Duelist joins in, ACL has no chance. In the end, the Assassin has to force a move."
"Look at that! They have no choice but to initiate like this."
"But they didn't move because they saw an opportunity. They threw themselves in because they had no other choice!"
The hidden Assassin targeted SnowWitch's Mages.
It was a clean ambush executed under difficult circumstances.
However, a fully prepared SnowWitch was not so easily caught off guard.
The moment the Assassin was revealed, the blade of a rapier closed in.
"Would SnowWitch really fall for that?"
"All they have to do is fold their left wing and mark the Assassin."
"Now the Duelist is going to chase the Assassin to the ends of the earth. Assassins aren't as strong as they used to be, you know?"
"They've been getting buffed bit by bit since Ga-wol's temporary retirement, but they're still lacking."
"With the Duelist's mobility, they might not catch the Assassin immediately, but they won't lose track of them either."
An Assassin is most terrifying when they cannot be seen.
In other words, a visible Assassin was nothing to fear.
An Assassin being chased by an allied bruiser wasn't even worth worrying about.
Both sides had traded a card.
Yet, the situation was clearly in SnowWitch's favor.
By nature, the Berserker was a class specialized in close-quarters brawling.
It was a hard counter to the tank-heavy, so-called 'sweaty' compositions.
In particular, Yu Nabi's ability to shred tanks was peerless.
The broadcast camera captured the silver-haired girl.
Her expression was one of absolute focus. With unblinking eyes, she swung her axe repeatedly.
Completely disregarding defense as if daring them to try and kill her, she pressed on.
Amidst the rain of magic, the chilling sound of clashing metal echoed again and again.
"Uh-oh. The situation for the main force is looking very grim right now!"
"Nabi is charging in like a madwoman! But her damage output is insane!"
"How's that? You've only heard rumors, right? This is the taste of the original. Are you awake now?"
"Ah, they can't hold. They can't endure this. ACL needs to retreat immediately. Even if it puts them at a disadvantage, they need to regroup."
"But does that Berserker have any intention of letting them go? Ah! She's biting down and refusing to let go!"
The outcome of the head-on clash did not deviate from expectations.
ACL retreated. SnowWitch pursued, eager to secure even a single kill.
Yu Nabi, in particular, dove in recklessly as if she had chosen this place as her grave.
Blood splattered.
Sometimes it was the blood of the enemy, and sometimes it was Yu Nabi's own.
As fiercely as she assaulted the enemy, she took just as much damage in return.
"She needs to calm down a bit."
"It's true that SnowWitch is in a very favorable position, but they haven't actually killed the enemy's ranged damage dealers yet."
"The poke is still coming in. If she's not careful, she'll get sucked in and die, Nabi!"
"Her health is dropping rapidly. It's reaching critical levels... but she has absolutely no intention of backing off!"
"I'm sure the viewers can feel it now. Ah, so that's why they call her a beast!"
The beast tore into them.
Like a wild predator surrendered to madness.
With a blood-drenched body, she sank her fangs deep into the enemy's throat.
SnowWitch Nabi has defeated ACL Open.
The enemy was slain.
But Yu Nabi had overextended far too much.
Every eye on the field, ally and enemy alike, locked onto her.
'We can't be the only ones taking a loss here.'
'Just die already!'
'If you can just make it back alive, we win.'
'Please, just survive!'
Amidst these conflicting desires, everyone played their hearts out.
The outcome followed its predetermined course.
This was the talent that made Hero rate Yu Nabi so highly.
Whenever Yu Nabi took a risky gamble, she was guaranteed to succeed.
Because, to begin with, it was never a gamble.
Yu Nabi returned alive.