Unstoppable Sniper: First Set Secured
The game is still underway.
But the situation feels deeply uncomfortable for Madric.
It's safe to say the match is already Saseong's for the taking. With time running out and Madric unable to mount any counterattack.
No matter how Madric tries to find an opening and squeeze through, the sniper's shots shut them down effortlessly.
Switching to another approach? Not an option either. Their lineup is specialized for breakthroughs from the start.
Then, amid the chaos—
Bang—!
Siwoo pulls the trigger once more. And the result hits Madric like a nightmare.
A barrage of Force Enhancement shots takes out their assault defender.
Kim Woo-hyuk bites his lip.
'Damn it.'
Things couldn't get worse. Their opening gambit fizzled out, and now the whole game is tangled.
This gap isn't just from lineup differences. Even a defense-specialized comp has openings eventually.
So what caused this?
'Lee Siwoo.'
The sniper.
Popping heads with impossible shots—how do you even counter that?
Constant movement? Same result. The slightest gap, and your head's gone.
'Is set one over here?'
Before the match, he'd been confident they could counter perfectly.
That's why they picked this assault comp—to take out Siwoo and win.
But not even the first step worked.
'Gotta change plans.'
Kim Woo-hyuk speaks up.
"Guys, for set one, we try this all-in. If it fails, just concede. Can't break this."
"OK."
"Told ya. Better for set two."
"That sniper's insane."
Madric's other members don't object. Woo-hyuk's the main caller, but they feel it too.
This comp just won't cut it.
With their decision made, Madric charges the point with the assault defender leading—no looking back.
Bang—! Bang—!
Siwoo responds with a storm of Force Enhancement shots, trigger flying.
The blue glow of Force Enhancement envelops his body without end.
The result: Madric's ace attacker duo wiped. Perfect headshots both.
With their core duo—Kim Woo-hyuk and Park Jin-woo—gone, the outcome was sealed.
"Ah...!"
"Damn it!"
"No way...!"
The rest fall without resistance, black-and-white screens greeting them. No need for Siwoo to snipe; numbers overwhelm.
And with that, set one ends.
Right after the game ends.
"Nice!!"
"Madric crushed! Boom boom boom!!"
"Whoa, that was a total shutout win!"
Saseong's capsule booth erupts in cheers. Siwoo's friends hug and jump in place.
"How was that game?"
Siwoo grins and asks, playing humble with one line. The reaction explodes.
"No need to ask! Perfection itself."
"For real, Siwoo, I'm moved."
"Hook Shot legend, no cap!"
Their satisfaction pierces the sky.
High-fives, laughter, faces reliving the replay in excitement.
Siwoo watches, lips curling up.
"Condition was peak today."
A playful toss-off, but laced with self-assurance.
'Fun.'
Heart pounding. Fingertips alive, the play's thrill still coursing through him.
His control turns into team cheers, friends' laughs, hot air. The link feels vivid.
His play moves people, draws roars.
That's the rush—not just winning, but scenes etching into memories.
In that moment, Siwoo clearly knows why he's on this stage, why he craves more.
Still buzzing, he glances across at Madric's booth.
Their players all wear dark expressions, lost on where to even start fixing things.
"What d'you think Madric's next strat'll be?"
Park Jongsu asks.
"Dunno, probably not the same. They know it won't work."
Han Jiyeon replies, stroking her chin.
"Still, they'll mark Siwoo, so not a huge shift."
Their moves are obvious.
Other members are average at best, so take out Siwoo to win.
"Whatcha gonna do?"
"Mirror match to lock Siwoo?"
"Head explodes instantly? Even Lee Jung-hyuk got wrecked."
"No options fr."
"Standard comp's the play?"
"We win that easy."
Friends chuckle.
Even they think nothing stops Siwoo without a 1v1 tie-up.
But is that possible?
Not even famed Lee Jung-hyuk managed.
"OK, chit-chat over—rest done? Prep for next set. Quarters are next!"
Clap!
Han Jiyeon claps.
"Aye-aye!"
"Quarters bound! Saseong to quarters!"
"iSIU train departing!"
Siwoo and crew, quarters certain, head back to capsules.
Hundreds pack Overlant Championship Park.
Series Cup's free entry means anyone can spectate live.
"Saseong! Saseong!"
"Underdog rebellion!!"
Scouts from teams to hardcore E-sports fans who catch every tourney.
The heat they generate rivals league matches, despite being an event.
Then, as this tourney's star, Lee Siwoo emerges from his booth—
"Wooooah—!"
"Siwoo! Siwoo!"
"SIUUUUU!!"
The crowd roars as one.
Arms waving, chanting his name.
Inevitable.
They came for a casual watch, met a lone superstar. For fans, Siwoo's rise is a fresh page in Overlant E-sports history.
Chat's no different.
All eyes on Siwoo.
Opinions split, fights brew, but attention on a regular high schooler? Positive overall.
Caster continues.
Hook Shot.
Flashy, practical—many attempted it.
But low success. Firing mid-air without stable aim? High difficulty.
Yet Siwoo wields it like basic sniper fare.
The absurdity leaves viewers stunned.
Prep for set two done.
Broadcast switches to selection.
Mode: Contention.
Hold main objective to win.
Battlefield: 'Hibana Museum'.
Museum interior, objectives scattered everywhere.
Saseong's comp: [Shield Defender – Rifle Attacker – Sniper – Pure Healer – Shield Supporter]. Optimized for protection.
Trusts their attacker too.
Madric's: [Shield Defender – Rifle Attacker – Rifle Attacker – Sniper Healer – Smoke Supporter]. Textbook standard.
Snipe snipers, fight fair fights.
Selections complete.