Taking Down Ryu Jin-seok
Small stars dotted the pitch-black canvas of the sky like ink spots on paper, while a blue barrier stretched across the front, blocking the way.
This was the distinctive near-futuristic backdrop of Eternal Base.
One thing to watch out for in this beautiful setting was the gravitational effects, since Eternal Base was set on a cosmic stage. Movements were slower than on other battlefields, and recoil had a bigger impact.
But it was inevitably perfect for snipers. Recoil affected shots more, sure, but the sluggish movement made them easier to land. Dodging and defending were harder too.
That's why even an assassin attacker couldn't gain the upper hand here—snipers had the edge in Eternal Base.
'Not a bad battlefield.'
Siwoo shook out his body with light jogs in place. A thrill started in his chest and spread through his limbs, leaving his whole body tingling.
This was the tremble born of tension and uncertainty. But since it felt more exhilarating than negative, people called it anticipation.
⊳ They'll force engagements centered on Ryu Jin-seok no matter what. We've got Siwoo, so don't rush in—chip away at them slowly.
A1, that circus troupe, had Ryu Jin-seok as their vanguard. His partner Lee Min-young felt more like a backline coordinator. Naturally, Ryu Jin-seok was the core of A1.
⊳ Ryu Jin-seok will probably move with the supporter. Lee Min-young will guard the main squad. Just don't get hit. Chan-seong, mark the defender tight. Got it?
"Got it."
⊳ Siwoo, don't think 2v1 this time—call Soo-hyuk for backup. This team's different from the ones we've faced.
"Got it."
⊳ Ho-jong and Yong-taek, watch the main squad close. Check formations—if one side's pushing, shift there and fight.
"Got it."
⊳ Alright, briefing over. Kids, relax and play your game. Fighting!
"Yep!"
The voice comms cut off.
"Hoo…."
Siwoo took a deep breath, suppressing his pounding heart. Excitement was fine, but from here on, total focus was key. No room for even a single mistake.
5…
4…
3…
2…
…1.
The game has begun!
"Okay, let's go!"
"Let's go!"
"Remember, check our ranges properly!"
Crackle—!
The players roared in unison, activating their Force Enhancement. They kicked off the ground and charged out of the base.
This formation was 4-1.
With Park Chan-seong at the core, Kim Yong-taek, Siwoo, and Lee Soo-hyuk formed the main squad, while Kim Ho-jong took the flank as libero.
Kim Ho-jong would grab objectives and harass from the side, joining the fray when engagements broke out.
'Me…'
He needed to claim the high ground.
Siwoo aimed his wrist at the wall.
Whoosh—!
The grapple hook shot from his wrist and embedded in the wall. He kicked off lightly and leaped—the hook pulled him skyward.
Thud!
Siwoo landed atop the antenna, Eternal Base's main high ground.
A massive antenna offering geographic advantage. He could duck behind it or climb up for wider angles.
'Ryu Jin-seok will definitely target me.'
Predicting A1's formation was easy. They'd split 2-2-1 and swarm.
Ryu Jin-seok with the supporter, Lee Min-young as libero against Ho-jong, main squad guarded by defender and healer.
'In that case…'
The right flank.
Not the left where the libero grabbed objectives, but the cluttered area with minor structures.
'That's the only spot.'
The sole route for Ryu Jin-seok to infiltrate.
"They're coming!"
Chan-seong hyung shouted. Siwoo whipped his scope forward urgently. A1 players were opening the engagement.
"Side flank—met their attacker! Starting the fight!"
Ho-jong hyung called out too.
A1 is expanding the front line! Engagement on the libero flank too, and now the main squads are clashing!
Simultaneous multi-front clashes! A1's specialty! This turns into isolated fights—pure individual skill showdown!
Boom—!
Rat-tat-tat-tat—!
Explosions rocked the main squad area as the fight ignited, and gunfire echoed nonstop from Ho-jong hyung's direction too.
Communication would be tough now. Engagements were split.
'That's why they call 'em the circus troupe.'
A team that sows chaos. Kicking off fights before objectives? Ballsy.
Click.
Siwoo shouldered his sniper rifle, the Operator, and dropped to one knee. The battlefield was messy, but a sniper had work to do.
'No clean angles.'
But A1's formation was tighter than expected.
The healer crouched to dodge sightlines, weaving between structures nonstop. The defender, shielded by Force, pressed steadily.
Sniper angles were iffy.
Hardly any line on the healer's head, and the defender was Force Shielded.
'Movement perfectly countering snipes.'
Worth of A1. Leagues above past teams.
'But that doesn't mean I can't hit 'em.'
Siwoo slowly heightened his senses. Sound faded, vision tunneled and sharpened to a point.
Targeting the defender wasn't bad—eased Chan-seong's load. But Force Shield meant minimal gain.
And team-wise? Meh. Just lightens pressure, no big return.
'Cut the healer, A1's lines collapse.'
A1 pulled multi-fronts thanks to the healer's synergy. Covering both clashes.
'There.'
Pattern analyzed in a flash. Finger to trigger.
Crackle—!
Blue light enveloped him, Operator's muzzle glowing. Bullet Force Enhanced.
Predict their move.
And—
Bang—!
Lee Siwoo hits Lee Hyun-jun!
But he survives! Force Shield!
But A1's healer lived. Pure healer Force Shield right as Siwoo fired.
'Damn.'
Siwoo furrowed his brow. Hit landed, but no payoff.
'Sunk cost now.'
Aimed to cut healer over easing Chan-seong, but failed both.
Thud, thud, thud!
Then, disaster piled on—sounds from the right flank. Two signatures: Ryu Jin-seok and A1's supporter.
"…."
Siwoo checked the minimap for Soo-hyuk. Backup unlikely. Main squad fight exploding.
If he came, main would crumble. Soo-hyuk was covering Chan-seong's gaps.
Ho-jong hyung? No voice—flank still engaged.
'Handle solo.'
Click.
Siwoo racked the Operator. Empty casing ejected, clinking on the floor.
'2v1's doable now.'
Ryu Jin-seok and A1 supporter outclassed anyone so far.
But impossible for super plays?
'Nah.'
Siwoo smirked lightly.
Quick scan.
'Usable structures.'
On the base building—no real cover. But nearby bases for grapple plays.
'Come on.'
Shouldered Operator, waiting.
And.
A1's detachment hits the rear!
Ryu Jin-seok scaled the wall.
"Hey, Siwoo!"
Whoosh—!
Ryu swung his arm. Three shurikens flew. Siwoo's pupils dilated. Trajectories: head, chest, legs.
Instantly, Force Enhanced his body. Crackle! Blue glow, thighs bulging. Kicked off, launching up.
Fwip-fwip!
Shurikens hit afterimages. But Ryu, as if expecting, drew his dagger.
Lee Siwoo vs. Ryu Jin-seok!
Gravity aiding his upward leap, Siwoo shouldered Operator, eye to scope, trigger pull.
Bang, whoosh—!
Bullet missed. Ryu flicked dagger, deflecting it.
Thump!
Ryu rolled. His body glowed blue. Gale Slash with acceleration.
Whoosh!
Siwoo's grapple fired—at the floor. Pulled him into swift leap. Mixed with Force accel.
That instant, Ryu kicked off. Dagger and Force flash streaked straight. Siwoo fired Operator mid-air.
Bang!
Gravity-pushed, Siwoo and Ryu crossed. Gale Slash dagger missed by a paper's width. They passed.
Lee Siwoo dodges Gale Slash!
Precision control!
But Ryu differed from other attackers. No panic. As if planned, straight to next move.
Thud, thud, thud!
Ryu leaped in Z-zigzag. Force accel—aim tracking tough.
'Then hit close-range.'
Whoosh!
Siwoo grappled floor for massive leap. Body shot forward.
Lee Siwoo—what?! Advancing forward!
Siwoo's senses peaked. Target moment: step before Ryu swings dagger. Quick chamber.
Click, ting!
Racked bolt, casing dropped. Gliding air, eye to scope.
That instant—
'What?'
Ryu baffled. Expected retreat, not advance.
'What's the intent?'
Tried reading, blank.
'Caught in it!'
Whoosh!
Ryu hurled shurikens desperately. Dead-on head shot. Siwoo couldn't dodge.
But.
Siwoo glared. Force-enhanced shurikens would cripple, not kill. Time for resolve.
Fwack!
Lee Siwoo critically injured!
All three hit. HP bar dropped, vision red-tinged. Ignore.
Ryu prepped. Blade sliced air, charging.
That moment.
Siwoo's body glowed blue. Operator muzzle sparked, aimed at Ryu's head.
Pull trigger.
Bang!
"…!!"
Bullet nailed Ryu's head. Vision grayscale.
Control lost, Ryu's avatar slumped, crashing down.
Hiss.
Thrust slid Siwoo smoothly. Racked Operator.
Ting….
Casing fell.
Grinning, mashed in-ear.
"Got Ryu Jin-seok."
Lee Siwoo!! Wins 1v1 vs. Ryu Jin-seok!
Perfect control! Amazing!!