Desperate Carry in the Face of Defeat
Mekatera City, with both the Main Object and Force Pack activated.
The Operator is more crucial than ever, and positioning defenders at key spots while merging at the right moments is vital.
But Saseong High School's main force has already been wiped out, handing over both the Main Object and Force Pack to the enemy.
A situation that could only be called the worst.
In that dire spot, Lee Siwoo fights valiantly on his own.
It wasn't just the situation.
The environment itself was the worst too.
Mekatera City's ruined buildings are great spots for a sniper to shine—but only when allies are drawing attention up front.
A sniper's core is surprise, and the weapon itself specializes in stealth and assassination.
Alone, there's not much you can do.
And to make matters worse, it's a contention match, so the enemies aren't sitting still. They keep shifting positions and running off with the Main Object.
With the Force Pack resource in play too, getting pushed back is inevitable.
"Damn..."
Click.
Siwoo hunkers down by the window of the ruined building and racks the bolt. Atakin's attacker duo is still kicking.
The activated Main Object was already being carried off by the enemy's smoke supporter long ago.
The only hope here is geographic advantage, but Mekatera City's so-called "prime spots" are all blocked by smoke supporters. No luck there.
'Is set 1 done for?'
No matter Siwoo's monstrous mechanics that crush trainees or his insane aim, resolving this situation solo was impossible.
In Overlant, where numbers are absolute, this was a many-vs-one. Force, the key resource, was limited, and the mode was vulnerable to snipers to boot.
"Sorry, Siwoo! We're back!"
"But... we're way too late..."
"We all died right after activation..."
His friends' voices are subdued. Rightfully so. Siwoo had done his job and then some, but they hadn't contributed a thing.
"Don't apologize. We haven't lost yet."
Siwoo comforts them to boost morale.
"Let's figure out how to beat them from here. I'll buy time for now, so chase after them."
With that, Siwoo leans out the window. He braces his sniper rifle on the sill and peers through the scope.
The enemy supporter with the Main Object has vanished into an alley. Atakin's attackers are guarding the area.
But sniping them is tough. The shield defender is protecting them perfectly.
Even trying to reposition, all the decent high ground is shrouded in smoke. A truly frustrating bind.
Still, he gives it everything.
Bang!
A Force Enhancement round fires off. The spinning bullet slices through the air and slams into the defender's shield.
Crack!
It chips away at durability, but nothing game-changing. So he fires again. Click! Siwoo racks the bolt immediately.
Bang!
Another round follows in quick succession.
But even with ammo left, Force was gone. Regular rounds can't pierce a defender's shield. That meant defeat.
Finally, Atakin's smoke supporter, Heo Jeong-chan, carries the Main Object into the base.
And so set 1 ends.
Saseong's capsule booth.
Siwoo and his friends have logged out of their capsules and are taking a short break.
No feedback exchanges in the meantime.
Feedback would be pointless.
If it were operations or engagements where they fell short, sure—but this was a straight-up individual skill gap loss.
"Sorry, I should've paid more attention."
Siwoo lets out a small sigh and speaks up.
"Nah, if you apologize, what does that make us? Honestly, this is on me as the defender for not holding up."
"No way? I messed up worse. Got nothing on Gun Kata, attacker gap."
"Hey, by that logic, I didn't lose either. If I'd shielded properly, Jongsu wouldn't have gone down."
Finally, his friends chuckle and toss jokes. But the awkward air lingers. This kind of loss was new to them.
Even in practice 5-stacks, they never got crushed like this. Back then, opponents didn't know Siwoo's skill.
"Guys, let's not just dwell on regrets."
Han Jiyeon, who'd been listening quietly, speaks up.
(Note: In esports lingo, "don't just regret" means we're probably gonna lose anyway, so just give it your all.)
No one here misunderstands it. They've watched pro matches and off-the-record talks.
"Okay, Siwoo dragged us this far—time to show some grit."
"Just one big play when it counts. Stay calm, we got this."
"Got this? We got outclassed straight up."
"Hey! Jeongin, no negativity? Gonna keep being a downer?"
The heavy mood lightens a bit. As always, thanks to Lee Jinseong and Kim Jeongin's banter.
Hoo.
Siwoo exhales softly.
His heart pounds, palms sweaty. The monitor shows a cold reality—a game they should've lost.
Should've lost?
Honestly? Yeah, no choice.
The skill gap between players was massive, operations completely outmatched.
By all logic, the match was over.
But does that mean accepting defeat?
'No.'
Siwoo's eyes gleam steadily.
Even if loss seems certain, that's why the carry role exists—to flip the script.
For Han Jiyeon, who put him here.
For his friends who fought beside him to the end.
For everyone who believed in him.
Siwoo clenches his fist.
Not afraid of losing—afraid of running.
So he reaches one conclusion:
Even in this disadvantage, create a chance somehow, advance to quarters with his friends.
Set 2 begins.
The map is Solras Base.
So-called "national dish"—versatile for any attacker, anyone can shine regardless of role.
Mode: base capture.
Overlant's most basic.
Operations and fights simplify naturally.
Siwoo has confidence here.
This map and mode—he can turn it around.
But...
The game tilts overwhelmingly.
Toward Atakin.
Viewers have already accepted defeat.
Underdog tales that stir hearts don't last long.
Not out of virtue—they win, they stop being underdogs.
Just a "page in a fairy tale."
The game ends.
People turn on Siwoo the moment defeat hits. Inevitable. Envy and jealousy run deeper.
"Ha..."
Siwoo logs out, closes his eyes, exhales deeply.
Honestly, this game wasn't a "should've lost." They closed gaps in clashes, counterattacked.
But friends missed those openings. Didn't exploit them. Skill gap, sure—but mentality too.
It's hopeless anyway.
We can't beat them.
That doubt creeps in, second-guessing judgment.
Siwoo pities his friends.
Team games aren't about blaming others.
Not losing because of lesser skill or the tourney—but setting limits and not trying. That's the regret.
"Sorry, Siwoo."
"You carried this hard and we still lost—we're the sinners."
"Damn, so frustrating. How'd we even reach quarters..."
Of course, Park Jongsu, Lee Jinseong, Han Jiyeon, and Kim Jeongin regret it too.
Siwoo force-fed them victory, and they dropped it.
"C'mon, no apologies. I didn't do enough either."
Siwoo smiles awkwardly, shakes his head.
"Dude, say that and what're we?"
"Blame us, please..."
"Damn, even greatSIU's this forgiving?"
Thankfully, the mood isn't awful. Jokes fly, giggles ensue.
"Hic... sob...!"
But one person's different.
Han Jiyeon, always the rock.