Rifle Rampage and First Blood
“That flashbang trick play is still unforgettable! But how did you handle the aim searching and recoil control? I was shocked by the accuracy! Any tips unique to you, Siwoo-kun...”
What the hell is he saying...
Once Hinazugaya got started, words poured out of him like a torrent from a broken dam. But it was all in Japanese, not English, so Siwoo couldn't understand a single thing.
He knew a bit of Japanese, but the guy spoke way too fast, and his pronunciation was off compared to the voice actors in listening tests, making it hard to follow.
It would've been great if there were translators for both chat and voice—communication would be so much easier. Too bad the game didn't have that yet.
“Okay, thanks. Good game.”
Siwoo gave Hinazugaya's chatter the in-one-ear-out-the-other treatment and flashed a thumbs-up.
“Siwoo-kun...!”
That seemed to be enough. Hinazugaya's eyes sparkled, and he got all choked up. Easy to read, yet hard to figure out in some ways.
“Satōru, cut the chit-chat and get ready. It's starting soon.”
That's when a man spoke up. Another attacker from Sengoku Gaming. His nameplate read Kazuki Hiro.
He must be a Masters semifinalist attacker like Hinazugaya Satōru, so no slouch—a pro gamer not to be underestimated.
“We only scheduled this scrim because of you, so focus. And what's with being rude to the other player?”
The captain's band on one arm marked him as the team disciplinarian for Sengoku Gaming.
“Got it, got it. I'll focus.”
“Don't half-ass it.”
“Siwoo-kun, let's talk later!”
“Yeah, sure.”
Siwoo slipped away in the chaos. Finally free from Hinazugaya's swamp.
And then.
“Please take care of us.”
“Yes, likewise.”
Ho-jong hyung and Sengoku Gaming's captain exchanged greetings in English.
“Let's begin.”
The scrim kicked off.
The battlefield: Eternal Base.
Scattered complex structures everywhere provided plenty of cover spots, and high-ground features like antenna facilities and comms centers made positioning crucial.
As a sniper, strategies for ops and positioning would come to mind instantly, but as a rifle attacker, it was harder to get a feel. He'd have to explore a bit. Gravity effects needed watching too.
Mode: Point capture.
Hold the central plaza of Eternal Base for the full timer to win. That meant attacker showdowns would be key.
A power struggle, huh.
When raw power clashes were needed, rifle attackers were the meta pick. Unlike others, they could sustain fights.
Perfect matchup.
Siwoo rolled his wrists, loosening up.
Not a bad first scrim for rifle attacker—solid mode and map. Plus, Sengoku Gaming was strong, so proper validation.
Against weak teams, you never knew if it'd work on the big leagues.
“Siwoo, think you can liberator?”
Ho-jong hyung asked.
“I'll give it a shot. Practiced in ranked.”
“Alright, you take liberator this round.”
Liberator set. Loading ended, pick phase arrived.
“Grab two rifle attackers this time. Power fight matchup. Yong-taek, standard healer feels right—what do you think?”
“Sounds good. Sniper healer's iffy here.”
Ho-jong hyung nodded.
“Okay, standard healer it is. Chan-seong, what's your pick?”
“Shield for safety.”
“Supporter's shield then.”
Composition locked.
Kaiserst: [Shield Defender – Rifle Attacker – Rifle Attacker – Standard Healer – Shield Supporter]. Balanced brawl setup.
Sengoku Gaming: [Charge Defender – Rifle Attacker – Rifle Attacker – Sniper Healer – Smoke Supporter].
Siwoo tilted his head, puzzled.
Smoke?
Everything else made sense, but smoke supporter wasn't standard for Eternal Base point cap. No sniper on this side either.
And charge defender? With dual rifles, shield seemed safer. Odd choices all around.
“What's their comp going for?”
Siwoo asked Kim Ho-jong.
“Smoke to block angles, grab terrain advantage. Makes charge defender viable—no worries about flanks.”
“Ooh, saw it right away.”
Siwoo was impressed. Veteran pro who'd played in China—read the intent instantly from picks.
“...Actually, watched Sengoku vods. They lean on individual skill, use that strat a lot.”
Nope.
“Sneaky prep homework? Thought you were just that good.”
Soo-hyuk hyung chuckled.
“Prep's essential.”
“Age makes you shameless, huh.”
“...What's that got to do with it?”
Ho-jong hyung cleared his throat awkwardly.
“Anyway, focus up. Game's on.”
Dodged that, but let it slide this time. Avatars loaded.
“Siwoo, liberator and brief us. We'll sync for the brawl.”
“Got it.”
“Okay.”
The blue barrier blocking the path vanished. Game on.
Zzzzt—Boom!
Siwoo Force Enhanced and leaped. Heavy air resistance whipped his hair back, but there was a freeing floatiness too.
Tat-tat-tat!
He sprinted nonstop toward objectives. Rifle attacker lesson: as liberator, no delays to obj zones.
Controls initiative big time.
Like that ranked with Hinazugaya—minimized route failed, lost first move, position leaked.
Faster.
Zzzzt!
Siwoo pumped more Force into movement. Rifles minimized enhanced ammo anyway—no waste.
Whoosh!
Wind slammed him. Vision tunneled, scenery stretched.
Thump!
Over the last obstacle—obj spread appeared. Siwoo landed, crouched low.
Late? Early?
Timer check: 34 seconds in.
Not bad.
Standard liberator obj arrival: 28 seconds.
6 over, but solid for first try today. Insights stacking, growth chaining.
“Chan-seong, no shield—hide.”
“Roger.”
“Hold till Siwoo arrives.”
“Okay, conserving Force max.”
Briefs indicated both teams tug-of-warring, waiting liberators. Time to focus here.
Where's the enemy?
Siwoo crouched silent, weaving cover slow, senses maxed for presence.
Still snagged obj shards. No forgetting liberator duty for tunnel vision.
Crunch.
There—a faint footstep. Siwoo tuned everything to hearing, eyes shut.
One. No backup.
No support duo for chaos strat.
Whereabouts?
Not far from sound. Siwoo held breath, listened again.
Crunch...
Closer. Siwoo shouldered Ban-dal, peeked cover.
Found him.
Enemy sighted. Early arrival kept Siwoo's spot hidden. Prime ambush.
Not Hinazugaya.
Kazuki Hiro. His partner.
Let's see how good you are.
Siwoo grinned, rolled out. Side-strafing shots. Full tension, balanced, trigger pull.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
“...!!”
Bullets stormed. Enemy reacted lightning, back-flipped.
Splat-splat!
Missed full six. Three to head/chest.
Reactions way sharper.
Asia top-tier pro alright—instant sound-to-dodge. But initiative seized.
Hold it till end.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!
Siwoo pre-fired Kazuki's cover. Pre-fire: FPS staple, spraying spots pre-sight. Simple, high-hit national rule tech.
Hiss.
Muzzle smoked white. Emptied clip pinned him. Phase one success.
Clack.
Siwoo's hands blurred. Mag drop, reload seamless.
Reshouldered, scoped, slow advance. Risky, but reaction confidence high.
Creep.
No enemy response. Knows the approach from noise? Unclear intent.
Then.
Whirr!
“...!!!”
Flashbang arced high. Pin pulled—cooked. Siwoo shielded eyes instant.
Boom!
Riiiing!!
Ears rang hard. Vision flashed white. Quick react limited blind to 1 second.
Clack!
Vision back, Siwoo aimed. No enemy.
What?
Then.
Roll-roll...
Two pinless frags incoming.
Blocked escapes!
Left, right sealed. What now? Brain froze—first time. But too early to quit. Solution exists.
Front's open?
Split-second, Force activate. Enhanced body exploded forward. Vaulted cover.
Kaboom!!
Frags blew. Shrapnel peppered. HP dipped, edges red-flashed. Minimized—not lethal.
Mid-vault, looked down, fired.
Rat-tat-tat-tat!!
...Gone?
No enemy.
Trapped. Ambush.
Crunch.
Sound—right. Siwoo spun, aimed. Kazuki Hiro appeared. Finger moved.
Focus!
Senses peaked. Sound vanished, world blurred. Eyes locked: Kazuki only.
No aim—recoil duel risky, his quicker.
Force-enhanced charge straight. Then, Kazuki's Phantom barked.
Brat-tat-tat-tat!
Precision control—straight-line burst like taps. Full body swiss cheese incoming.
But instant.
Siwoo's ankle pivoted smooth.
Whirl!
Body spun side. Bullets grazed point-blank.
Swoosh!
“Sonna bakana...!!”
Kazuki's eyes bulged. No time fixate.
Centrifugal force zeroed, Siwoo dove spin direction.
And—
Fired.
Rat-tat-tat-tat! Splat-splat-splat!
Seven rounds drilled Kazuki's head and chest.
Whew, close call.