Ignoring the Sniper
Before the game starts.
A blue barrier blocking the battlefield catches his eye.
It's a device to prevent early-game tricks.
"What do we do?"
Siwoo asks.
"Like always, have Jinseong go libero. They'll probably put Kim Woo-hyuk on it too. Hibana Museum revolves around the objectives."
Han Jiyeon replies.
Libero.
A role that emerges on object-heavy battlefields like Hibana Museum, usually taken by an attacker. Because of their mobility and combat advantage.
No way a supporter or healer with basically zero combat power or mobility could handle it.
"They're not gonna cut off the libero like last time and force a teamfight, right? Jinseong needs to be careful."
But what worries Siwoo is the enemy's strategy.
Didn't Rising, from the qualifiers, cut off Lee Jinseong grabbing objects and raid the main squad?
Han Jiyeon shakes her head.
"Low chance of that. It's a standard two-rifle comp, and Hibana Museum makes it awkward to push the main objective path."
Hibana Museum rarely sees the same setups as before. The battlefield structure blocks those exploits.
"Oh, right. It takes a while. So by then, we'll have positions locked down."
Siwoo nods. Team games are tricky like this. Strategies shift based on the map and mode.
"Alright, briefing time. Jinseong on libero, rest of us go Siwoo-centric like usual. Just focus on holding positions."
"Okay."
"Roger."
"Got it."
Game begins!
"Stay calm and grab positions first! Jinseong, peel to the side immediately! Avoid fights as much as possible!"
"Okay!"
"Siwoo, if something feels off or you get a good idea, call it out right away. We'll adjust!"
"Got it."
The friends move in perfect sync following Han Jiyeon's briefing. No chaos. Thanks to all the prep syncing up.
Tat-tat-tat-!
Siwoo dashes forward, body enhanced by Force Enhancement. Snipers have to claim high ground and key spots faster than anyone.
Thung.
Up on the glass tube, Siwoo presses his eye to the scope. To scout the enemy.
Great if he could pick one off at the start, but even Siwoo can't shoot through Hibana Museum's structures. Glass tubes maybe, but not pillars or walls.
"Enemy status?"
Han Jiyeon asks.
"Going standard main objective. Kim Woo-hyuk peeled as libero. No clue which side. Haven't seen him from the jump."
Madric is moving behind cover to dodge Siwoo's sniping.
"Gonna have to clash head-on eventually. How's your spot, Siwoo?"
"Not bad. Full view of the main objective from here."
"Good. We'll hold and fight support-fire style around you."
The game's direction is set. Now just kill to victory.
"......"
Siwoo's eyes narrow. Mind blank, focused solely on landing shots.
Sounds fade, surroundings blur. His pinpoint vision shows only enemy names and health bars. Siwoo steadies his breath, finger on the trigger.
'Peeking angles while moving.'
The so-called 'angle peeking'—an advanced 'peek' tactic for safe-area checks.
Why? Process of elimination. Clears points with minimal exposure when scouting multiple angles.
But they don't know.
That gaps have been showing since earlier.
Peeking doesn't spawn cover mid-move.
'Where's our team right now?'
Siwoo glances to check allies. Almost at main objective. Teamfight incoming soon.
'Get ready.'
Pulls up Force Enhancement on the bullet. His body glows blue, kicking up a small gust.
And moments later.
"Siwoo, teamfight incoming!"
Han Jiyeon's call rings out.
"Copy."
All prepped.
Breath held, trigger pulled.
Bang-!
Madric Defender HP Halved!
The instant Madric's defender HP drops by half—
"Woooaaah-!"
The crowd erupts.
The broadcast booth is on fire.
The caster spits while continuing.
Contention matches for main objectives aren't about who fights better. It's who endures early, preserves Force better.
With defender HP halved right off, forcing healer Force spend—Madric can't be happy.
Madric's players know it best.
Main squad clash wraps. Broadcast switches to liberos grabbing objects.
Object buffs don't swing low ranks much.
But top tiers? Game-changer.
The closer skills, the more one stat tips the scale.
Especially for these pros-in-making beyond top ranks. Everyone knows how huge buffs hit them.
Illogical, but viewers aren't outright negative.
Saseong—high schoolers—reaching round of 16 was already insane.
Min Damage Increase.
Raises damage floor, guaranteeing crits.
For snipers, every shot becomes one-hit potential.
The caster glances at chat and yells.
That moment.
Teamfight erupts.
Kwaang-!
Two defenders' shields clash head-on, shockwave booming. Neither yields.
Between them, Kim Woo-hyuk and Park Jin-woo unleash rifles. Muzzle flames spit bullets forward.
But.
Kim Woo-hyuk and Park Jin-woo's bullets don't target Siwoo.
Saseong's advantage crumbles completely.
"Ah, sorry!"
"They're pushing inside!"
"Block for now! We cut their support too!"
"Jongsu, backup?!"
"Can't! Hard to mark!"
Siwoo, calmly sniping, swallows hard.
'Sigh.'
Situation's dire.
Siwoo realizes his read was wrong.
Expected checks, held defensive— but they targeted main squad instead.
'They excluded me.'
Chills run down his spine.
Fine, face facts.
His friends suck compared to trainees.
That's reality.
But.
'That's your miscalculation.'
Not a reason to lose.
Competition: winners look good, not vice versa.
Click.
Siwoo grins, stands.
No checks? Force the issue.