Clutch Reversal
The main squad is being pushed back, and their attacker Lee Jinseong has been cut off. Raw firepower isn't working in this standoff.
It was a do-or-die crisis. In Overlant, where the best defense is a good offense, the attacker's role was that crucial.
Especially right before the main objective activated in a contention match—the win rate had plummeted exponentially.
But Siwoo wasn't worried. He wasn't anxious. He didn't freak out over what the future might hold.
He knew from the ranked games he'd played so far, short as his experience was. His time syncing with friends told him as much.
An attacker wins by quietly doing their job.
Of course, that job wasn't some minor ripple—it was massive. But it had to be done. That was the only way to victory.
And Siwoo had absolute confidence he could do it better than anyone.
Lee Siwoo grapples up the wall to reposition!
Perfect Force Enhancement control! He's rocketing back to the main squad!
Siwoo zipped across the glass exhibits of the Hibana Museum like a movie hero, chaining Grapple Hooks. With pinpoint Force Enhancement control boosting his acceleration, his speed looked nearly impossible to handle.
But for Siwoo mid-flight, it was effortless. It wasn't calculated play. He was going purely on sensation.
Lee Siwoo rejoins the main squad!
But Saseong's squad has already been swept! Lee Jinseong is respawning, Park Jongsu is pinned down! Only Han Jiyeon is left standing—but barely!
He'd rushed back as fast as possible, but the situation was dire. Only Han Jiyeon and Park Jongsu remained, their health bars teetering on empty. One wrong move and they'd be gone.
I have to do it.
In that crisis, Siwoo made his call.
Lee Siwoo drops from the glass exhibit?! Isn't this risky?
All focus fire could lock onto him! What judgment is this, Lee Siwoo?!
The casters questioned Siwoo's decision, and even the viewers doubted it.
They had reason to. Saseong's main squad was already wiped, and Madric's was intact.
But Siwoo didn't hesitate for a second. He shouted,
"Jiyeon! Speed buff me!"
"O-okay!"
Han Jiyeon thrust her hand out desperately. Faint force leaked from her fingertips, reaching Siwoo.
Crackle—!
Blue light enveloped Siwoo's body.
A maxed-out speed buff channeling every last drop of her force.
Siwoo felt his body lighten and an uncontrollable power surge through him. His speed hit Overlant's absolute limit.
"Sorry, can't control it! It's maxed!"
And right after—
Tat-tat-tat-bang—!
"Ah, I'm dead..."
Han Jiyeon's health hit zero.
Madric's focus fire locks on!
Kim Woo-hyuk and Park Jin-woo's scopes zeroed in on Siwoo. Through the lenses, his avatar was crystal clear. If they both pulled the trigger now, Saseong's last hope vanished.
In that split second—
"It's fine. I'll handle the rest."
Crackle—!
"...!!"
Lee Siwoo vanished from the attackers' scopes. All that remained was rippling blue electricity like vines. Park Jin-woo and Kim Woo-hyuk's eyes widened in unison.
Did he max the speed buff and move? No way.
Kim Woo-hyuk whipped his head around. His gaze followed the blue current's trail. At its end stood Siwoo, scope already aligned.
Damn it!
In that instant, a flood of thoughts raced through Kim Woo-hyuk's mind.
Can I react in time? Cut him down. If we drag this out here, it hurts us!
He hadn't dreamed Siwoo could control that speed. But luckily, his reaction wasn't slow. Siwoo's weapon, the Operator, took time to stabilize.
He could counter!
"Jin-woo!"
"Got it!"
Park Jin-woo's barrel swung. Both rifles locked on Siwoo. One trigger pull and it was over. Madric takes set 2.
But—
Bang—!
"...!!"
Kim Woo-hyuk's entire head exploded.
What the—?
His first thought was pure confusion. Impossible for the Operator to fire that fast right after moving. It didn't make sense. How?
Questions could wait. The game came first.
Kim Woo-hyuk shook off the shock and smirked.
We're still winning.
Even if he was down, Park Jin-woo remained. He couldn't one-shot, but a lethal hit was doable. No healer on Saseong meant no variables.
Bang—!
Gunfire echoed through the entire Hibana Museum. Not the light chatter of rifles—heavy, brain-rattling thunder.
...No way?
Kim Woo-hyuk's third-person black-and-white view turned to Park Jin-woo. His head was gone.
Lee Siwoo downs Kim Woo-hyuk and Park Jin-woo at once! What the hell?! How?!
Max speed buff, and he controlled it perfectly! Then sliced both in a flash! Insane braking skills from Lee Siwoo!
...My god.
Kim Woo-hyuk's mind went blank, like it was filled with thick fog.
Is that even possible...?
Controlling max-limit speed was baffling enough, but Siwoo's braking was beyond comprehension.
Unlike other attackers, snipers couldn't fight while moving. Bullets scatter with motion. That's why they hold high ground.
Minimize movement to kill from advantageous spots.
In short, a sniper's avatar speed must hit zero to aim true. That was Kim Woo-hyuk's theory.
But Siwoo's braking made speed look optional. He toyed with max acceleration like a basketballer dribbling.
What the...
Kim Woo-hyuk was speechless. Then again, this was the guy who ate Hook Shots for breakfast. Braking like that wasn't that weird.
He's a disaster.
As Academy League 3rd place and Hanhaseong trainee attacker, he could say it with authority.
Lee Siwoo was pro esports' disaster.
No major achievements yet, but his presence was undeniable. A shining prospect among geniuses worldwide.
A disaster...
Top pros might handle him. But to Kim Woo-hyuk, those were the billion-won earners at the pinnacle...
Lee Siwoo wipes Madric's attacker duo in seconds! Saseong counterattack incoming?!
Madric down a man, only defender and healer left! Total reversal!
The board flipped, and chat exploded.
Catharsis and dopamine flooded out—how could it not?
Madric's defender down too! Park Jongsu pushing forward! Nonstop sniping! How do they block this?!
Lee Siwoo's free dealing! Supporter Kim Jeongin keeps the buffs flowing! He's unchained—no one's checking him!
Madric grabs red, blue, and move speed buffs—useless! Team with attacker vs without? No contest!
Bang—!
Headshot again! Lee Siwoo perfectly pops Madric defender's head!
Finally, Saseong took down Madric's last player.
Ace! Saseong takes flawless first-teamfight victory in contention!
Lee Jinseong and Han Jiyeon rejoin? Momentum locked in!
Main objective activated! Saseong turns the locked pipe to open the door!
Just secure the objective and base it—game over!
The game raced toward its end.
The first clash in contention decides everything.
The team grabbing the main objective dictates the flow after.
No need to attack. Just defend.
Madric has no shot! Chase Saseong now!
But Madric wasn't totally done. Just at a massive disadvantage—not defeated yet.
But—
Tough! Lee Siwoo and Kim Jeongin holding the retreat path! Piercing a planted sniper? Nightmare!
Yeah! Bold sniper position—splitting angles is impossible! Face him and die!
Even the retreat path was Siwoo's handiwork.
Hibana Museum's structures play a role! Tons of cover! But detouring shortest path? No time! Madric, what now?!
The game was slipping away.
They chased hard.
But display cases blocked every path.
The one open route? Siwoo's sniper waiting.
Damn it—!
Kim Woo-hyuk bit his lip. Lose like this? To amateurs?
...Sure, one was a monster.
But defeat was unacceptable. Kim Woo-hyuk clung to sanity and yelled,
"Split half-half! Jin-woo, you lead main squad the long way! I'll take shortest!"
"Okay!"
Madric splits forces?! Trying to peel Siwoo's eyes!
Smart! Shortest path chase is off the table!
Kim Woo-hyuk sprinted.
If he baited Siwoo's focus, main squad could catch Saseong.
But the moment he peeked the chokepoint—
Bang—!
Headshot!
Got him!
Siwoo reacts to that split-second peek!
"No way..."
Kim Woo-hyuk was speechless. A quick peek to check the enemy—and Siwoo reacted to that?
...Crazy bastard.
He squeezed his eyes shut. Main squad couldn't move now. Siwoo blocked that path too.
"We lost."
"This is ridiculous..."
"Ha..."
Madric accepted defeat with sighs. No path to victory.
Saseong bases the main objective!
It's over! Too far to catch!
And—
GG!
Saseong defeats Madric, advances to quarters! GG!