Episode 230: The Stage of Testing
If you ask players why they became Hunters League players, their reasons will probably vary.
Because I wanted to make a lot of money, because I wanted to become famous, because I thought it was my calling as an awakened person.
It will be very diverse.
But, there was one thing that all the players who had played as a hunter could agree on.
Although there are many reasons for starting out, one of the strongest reasons for continuing to play as a hunter is the enjoyment of the game itself.
Tactics that fit perfectly, avoiding the opponent’s attacks with a gap that is just a span away. Close combat in extreme situations, and the heat that comes from it. Explosive adrenaline.
After winning the game, the cheers of the crowd erupted. Enthusiasm.
Because each game itself is filled with danger, tension, excitement, and enthusiasm that the average person rarely experiences in their entire life.
It’s no wonder that once someone feels it, they can’t get out.
Especially if tightrope walking is part of your daily routine.
***
Even while waiting in the waiting room until the match starts, there wasn’t really anything special to do. All I could do was check the weapons I had and think about what mana equipment to bring.
The 7 people who will participate in today’s match, and the strategic direction according to the map, were all already decided yesterday.
‘Well… … It’s not common to worry about a match until the day of the match.’
Because usually in such cases it meant that they were crowded.
But that doesn’t mean we lost the game.
Tactics are tactics. And simulations are just simulations.
In a match where direct combat always takes place, there are variables that arise, and those variables can turn the match upside down in some way.
There were many cases where a team that always won in practice matches would suffer defeat in the regular season, so there was no need to place too much importance on such matters.
‘… … That’s true too. Rather, strangely, my mind feels at peace.’
PER’s team members making silly jokes. Lastly, technical coach Im Seong-tae checking the mana equipment. And lastly, the team members talking lightly as if trying to ease each other’s tension.
I calmed my mind as if the game that was about to unfold was someone else’s game.
Probably to win, this match will have to be hotter than ever.
“It’s almost time to start! Players, please prepare your settings and come out!”
I heard the staff calling the players.
It seemed as if I could hear my heart beating loudly in my ears.
***
Meanwhile, the broadcast had just begun and was giving various data and records. And the broadcasters, who were predicting the outcome of this match and relaying information, were telling interesting stories.
[Caster: There are many interesting points in this PER vs. LTD match. First of all, the rosters… … In both cases, both sides have brought out team member combinations that have rarely been picked before?]
[Commentator: Yes, that’s right. In the case of PER, the team weight class of LTD. Considering each player’s superior strength, they brought out a lot of players who are strong in one-on-one combat… … What’s more noteworthy is LTD than PER.]
– LTD roster of players: Kang Jun-hyeok, Oh Je-heon, Lee Ji-hoon, Lee Ga-ram, Ahyeon, Min-jeong, Lee Jun-seo.
[Caster: Lee Jun-seo is here! The other players are similar to their usual self, so I wondered what was different… …
The audience’s roar grew louder at the caster’s one word.
That’s understandable, he was downgraded to the second division for a while, but in terms of fame, he was a player who could compete with Kang Jun-hyeok, so it was natural.
[Caster: Lee Jun-seo’s ability to prevent the use of abilities within a certain radius is definitely special. He is also the player who showed the most impressive performance in the international league. There was a lot of talk when he was sent down to the second division, but it’s nice to see him again like this!]
[Commentator: Yes, that’s right. The reason he went down was not because of a decline in form, but for another reason. On the other hand, it seems to be a huge blow to PER. Lee Jun-seo’s ability is well-known for not being able to respond well, so if he suddenly shows up like this, it’s very difficult for the opponent.]
[Caster: If there is any good news, it is a good news. Interestingly enough, in Part 2, Lee Chang-hyun and PER have already faced Lee Jun-seo.]
[Commentator: By any chance, in Part 2 LTD… …]
[Caster: Yes, that’s right. However, back then, the team was relatively weak, so we lost despite Lee Jun-seo’s efforts, but now that Korea’s top-level hunters are joining us, I expect it to be a much more difficult match than last time.]
“Your analysis is pretty good. You’re also reading our team’s intentions correctly.”
Coach Kim, who was watching the broadcast in the waiting room, opened his mouth.
It was exactly as the commentary said.
Overall, the weight class is higher in LTD. This is a situation where you can easily win if you just block the variables.
It was obvious who would be the strongest force.
Lee Jun-seo, who can block the ‘opponent’s ability’. In fact, when fighting against PER in the 2nd league, he had a record of easily defeating excellent PER players, including Yoon Han-gyeol.
“But we don’t know if it will work out the way we think. Coach Kim knows that those guys are good at using variables like maps and relics, right? So we have to check out the battlefield… … .”
While Director Lee Jin-han of Part 1 LTD was saying those words, the map was already being released.
“That’s… … .”
[Caster: This map is one that many people may be unfamiliar with, the ‘Dimensional Maze’!]
As the caster spoke, an incredibly huge maze appeared on the screen.
It wasn’t just a two-dimensional maze surrounded by walls, but rather a very complex, three-dimensional maze with stairs going up and down, twisting up and down.
At first glance, it seemed like a staircase in surrealist art that goes up and down at the same time.
“It’s not a map that comes out often. But it comes out like that.”
This is what Lee Jin-han said after seeing the announced map.
The maps are said to be random, but in fact they reflect the information of the tower, so they do not all appear with the same probability. In such a situation, it is inevitable to be a little bewildered when a map that appears at a very low frequency appears.
But that was only for a moment. The important thing wasn’t the frequency of appearance. So it was important to consider whether the environment of the map was favorable or unfavorable to LTD’s tactics.
[Commentator: ‘Dimensional Maze’… … This map may be unfamiliar to many fans. Just think of it simply. It’s a complicated maze with everything from up and down to left and right, up and down to both sides! It’s known that there are no neutral monsters, special abnormalities, or relics in the tower, as it’s a simple passageway.]
Yeah, that’s right.
In Lee Jin-han’s head, a simulation of the game based on this map was new and running quickly.
Current LTD roster, and PER roster. Combat and tactics according to the characteristics of this map… …
It wasn’t difficult since I had all the information.
[Caster: So how do you think this match will go? Please give us your prediction.]
[Narrator: It’s complicatedly intertwined, and each of them starts separately…
‘There will be simultaneous, individual battles or small-scale engagements.’
[Commentator: It looks like there will be multiple simultaneous battles or small-scale engagements.]
Lee Jin-han smiled faintly while watching the broadcast screen.
***
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The game was much more chaotic than I expected from the start.
This season, Lee Jun-seo, who has never appeared in a 1st division LTD match, will appear, and the map ‘Dimensional Maze’ will appear.
In that chaotic situation, before the players could find their composure or think of a solution, the game had already started.
So, this kind of chaos was bound to happen.
“Wow. It looks like the gravity here is different in each passageway? Right now, Yeonju Lee is walking while attached to the ceiling, not the floor I’m standing on. Hey, Yeonju Lee, can’t you see me?”
“Huh? I see. What is it? Should I go over there? … … Huh? Something’s blocked? What is it… … .”
“So where do I go to join you? Tell me the location.”
“I think it would be okay to come around point [237,23,957]. Here, I’m stuck to the… ceiling? But Han Ji-soo is there too.”
“But this… … I can’t break it to make a path, and it’s a maze, so I don’t know how to get to that location… … ?”
The earphones are very noisy with team voice.
Well, it wasn’t a map that appeared often, so it wasn’t strange for team members to not know about it. It wasn’t strange. However, it was time to start organizing things.
“Everyone, stop. This match will be a one-on-one battle.”
“Huh? Is that okay? At least I have to meet with you and Jaejun to be able to deal with Kang Junhyeok, right?”
Certainly, like the last practice match, it would be best to work with Ryu Jae-jun to play against him… … From what I know, this is a map where it’s impossible to find your way around or join up with your teammates as you wish, unless you have some kind of special ability.
A maze that is not simply two-dimensional, but intricately intertwined in three dimensions.
Even if you find your way there, there’s no guarantee that there won’t be enemies along the way.
Then in the end, the only way is for each person to survive.
It seemed as if memories of fighting on a map that looked similar to the previous space station were coming back vividly. Although the opponents back then were much weaker than now, the tactics to be employed on the map were quite similar.
“Do you remember Hunter Survival? Think of it as surviving alone like that. Move carefully, and try to join up with your teammates as much as possible. Avoid combat if you can, but if you think you can win, it’s okay to fight. You don’t have to aim for joining up. Just aim for the last one standing.”
If you just say this much, your team members will probably all understand what you’re talking about.
Those with excellent interpersonal skills will fight and subdue their opponents.
And if you lack that ability, you will run away.
“okay.”
The team voice became quiet after the team members’ answers.
“Phew… … .”
First, I stabilized the team members, gave them instructions, and gave them orders.
Next it was my turn.
I paused in the maze for a moment, and between the lines, all kinds of simulations ran through my head.
Which team has the advantage? Individual vs. Individual? Small-scale skirmishes? Is there any chance that Kang Jun-hyeok’s [Mana Expansion] will destroy the maze and open up a path? What are the chances that our team members will survive?
The more I thought about it, the more it became clear that it wasn’t as special as I thought.
A map where individual and small-scale combat takes place. In the end, it means that the direction of the fight will be determined by the individual’s strength and ability, rather than teamwork or tactics.
A map that was the most difficult to join in history. What this meant was that it was easier for the side with the stronger force to defeat the opponents one by one.
Just like a series of sausages, you can open your mouth and subdue your opponents one by one. There is no room for cooperation.
There are players who can [spread mana], and LTD, who has basically accumulated training from teammates and built up their weight class, has an overwhelming advantage.
I tried to smile, but just thinking about it made my back break out in a cold sweat.
***
Meanwhile, in the PER waiting room, where the match was being watched, there was a special guest who was also watching the match.
“Mr. Lehman, you came all the way to the stadium in Korea without even contacting us… … .”
Kim Sung-jun was sweating profusely, and Lee Jong-gyu and Lim Sung-tae looked flustered and stiff. Lehmann was the only one who looked comfortable.
In particular, the more the commentators preach the disadvantages of PER, the more so.
But instead, Lehmann laughed at that timid appearance.
“Are you uncomfortable because the commentators keep pointing out that this match is unfavorable?”
“Ah… … No, that’s not it… … .”
“But that’s the thing. The thing about Yubulli. It’s not as easy to see as you might think.”
Clearly, the coaches were more experts in the Hunters League than Lehmann and were more aware of the current danger, but no one argued.
Maybe it was because he was a person who had achieved great things in a different field, but he had a strong sense of weight.
“What is visible on the outside is always just the tip of the iceberg. Otherwise, would I, a small business owner at the level of a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall store, have ended up like this?”
“No premise. No progress. No theory. No logic. Can overcome the accumulated results.”
Lehmann smiled brightly.
fantasy,
