Chapter 58

The third Event Match of the Academy Challenge.

The match between Korea and Russia.

Originally, the purpose of this Challenge was to provide experience for talented Second and Third Division players.

But for some reason, player development became a secondary concern, and with so much attention focused on it, an atmosphere of winning at all costs had formed.

If the focus had truly been on development, they would have certainly used builds suited for it.

What help would it be to young players to win using an all-or-nothing build?

However, with their backs against the wall, Russia had no time to worry about things like player development.

‘We have to win.’

Ahead of the match against Korea, Svetlana entered the Arena, gritting her teeth.

Russia had originally entered this tournament intending to compete with Japan for the championship.

They hadn’t even considered China or Korea as rivals.

But when the lid was lifted, Japan turned out to be a monster beyond imagination, and Korea, which had been rated as the weakest, were cheaters who had included two First Division League-level players.

But what was the use of complaining?

In the end, only the result mattered.

Thus, Svetlana ordered the players, excluding Yekaterina, to tie up Korea’s players at all costs.

The plan was to bog down the players with a barrage of Debuff Skills, while she and Yekaterina would finish them off.

And so, the match against Korea began.

Russia’s game plan fell apart from the very start.

“Kim Seunga! She looks to be in great Condition today!”

“And what about Seo Dami?”

“Ah, while we were talking! Seo Dami is attempting a Breakthrough!”

The Garden of the Gods, a Domination Battle Battlefield.

As Seo Dami attacked to capture the Control Point, the Russian players rushed to stop her.

Slow Skills, Gravity Skills that enhance gravity, and so on.

Numerous Skills were fired at her, but Seo Dami dodged all of them by applying her Acceleration Skill.

It wasn’t just about maxing out her Acceleration to speed up her movements; sometimes she would deliberately turn the Skill off to slow down, letting the Skills pass in front of her.

<Hey… you?>

‘Yes? What is it?’

<Never mind. Focus on the match for now.>

‘Okay.’

Her movements were so fluid that the Spectators watching couldn’t help but marvel.

-So this is why the Second Division Viewers are always going on about General Seo~ General Seo, huh?

-Her plays are kind of phenomenal…?

-Isn’t she already World Class at this point?

While Seo Dami, who had broken through the enemy’s defensive line with high-level evasive maneuvers, captured the enemies’ attention, Kim Seunga, who had circled around to charge from the Flank, unleashed fierce shots that took down the Russian players one after another.

A clean Coordinated Play.

Moreover, this game wasn’t one where only the two of them were shining.

The other players, besides Kim Seunga and Seo Dami, were also doing their part.

Of course, landing a Heal Shot on such fast players was an impossible feat, but they had managed to do things like holding up a Shield and providing Suppressive Fire or feigning Support for an Attack.

Svetlana gritted her teeth and fought hard against the onslaught of attacks from Korea, but it was not enough to stop the enemy’s momentum.

Her sharp shots, which had once raised Russia’s fame throughout the world, were repeatedly blocked by the Slope Shield.

It was a deplorable situation.

If she tied up the two Attackers, someone else needed to come up with a solution, but the skills of Russia’s Second and Third Division players were not at that level.

Yekaterina was the only solution, but she was busy being repeatedly taken down, marked by Seo Dami.

In a showdown between players from the same Second Division, Korea had completely overwhelmed Russia.

“Keuk-.”

And so, Russia had to swallow their bitter tears and taste their second defeat following the practice match.

Considering they had also lost to Japan yesterday, it meant they hadn’t won a single match since coming to Jeju Island.

“Korea takes down Russia and secures their second win! They are the sole leader!”

Who in the world would have thought that Korea would be running in first place in an International Event Match?

Furthermore, their opponents were not pushovers, but China and Russia, each considered powerhouses in Asia and Europe.

The Spectators who had managed to get tickets to see the match in person were naturally in an uproar, and the equally excited Commentary Team quickly grabbed their microphones and went to get an interview.

The Battlefield was released, and the Korean team’s players remained on the stage.

“Congratulations on your victory!”

“Thank you.”

Kim Seunga, the Leader, was the first to receive the microphone.

“You’re causing an upset that no one could have predicted. How are you feeling?”

“That’s not true. I predicted it.”

“Pardon? You predicted it?”

Kim Seunga said.

She said that Seo Dami’s Form was so good during the practice matches that she had a good feeling about this tournament.

“Dami. She’s a friend who wouldn’t be out of place even if you put her in the First Division right now.”

If she had her way, she’d want to snatch her for her own team as soon as the Event was over.

After the Legendary Challenge, Kim Seunga once again publicly expressed her intention to recruit Seo Dami.

Among the Spectators who came to watch in person, there were naturally many Artemis Team fans, and they all nodded their heads, adding comments like, “Of course, if it’s Seo Dami, she’s a worthy successor to our Seunga.”

-No way! Why would General Seo go to Artemis!

-We’ll never let her go!

-We can’t lose our Dami!!!

Only a few Super Sylph fans cried out in surprise, but the majority of the Spectators reacted as if Kim Seunga’s opinion was quite reasonable.

Foreign media outlets were already periodically putting out articles about teams showing interest in recruiting Seo Dami.

The general mood was that it would be better for Seo Dami to remain on a domestic team rather than go to an overseas team.

“When you have two First Division-level players, of course you have to predict a win, right?”

As Kim Seunga answered with a grin, the Spectators laughed loudly.

“Now, we can’t not ask Seo Dami a question today. It’s a bit early, but if you beat Japan, you’ll be able to graduate from this League in first place.”

Japan.

The undisputed top UA powerhouse in Asia.

If they could defeat Japan and win, it would hold great meaning for Korea, even if it was just an Event Match.

“Because the matches between China and Japan, and China and Russia, are still left, the showdown with Japan will be in three days. Seo Dami, what is your prediction for the result?”

At the Caster’s question, Seo Dami held her tongue for a moment.

It was a process of coordinating whether she would answer herself or borrow the power of the master of Mic Work.

<Hmm. Then shall we give it a try?>

Expressing confidence through interview skills was a basic requirement for a popular star.

And if Japan was watching the Broadcast right now, it might be okay to get them a little riled up.

The probability was low, but if they could agitate the opposing team in any way, they could lead the game to their advantage.

“Why are you asking something so obvious? Of course, Korea will… dog? them.”

-?????

-Da… Dami?

-Is she making another slip of the tongue after so long?

-Creating a cringey moment in real time;;

-She’s just going for it.

-No matter how you look at it, how can Korea beat Japan in UA!

Even as she relayed the words, Seo Dami had a “is this right?” look on her face, and the Commentator also forgot his words for a moment and his eyes went wide.

Seo Dami’s comment was stronger than expected.

“Uh… Are you predicting a landslide victory? Against Japan?”

“Kato Mikane is good, I’ll admit. But well, that’s about it? I think she’s a bit overhyped compared to her name value.”

Even Kim Seunga, standing next to her, was so surprised she had a “what is she saying right now” look on her face.

“Kato Mikane’s Performance was certainly amazing in the match against Russia. Didn’t she show a super play, 1 versus 5, all by herself?”

“Yes.”

“Are you confident you can win in a head-on fight?”

“Of course. Kato Mikane probably won’t even be able to sleep after the match that day because she’ll be so frustrated.”

I’ll get rid of all that hype with Jeju’s Samdasoo water.

At Seo Dami’s declaration, the Broadcast Team, their eyes darting around, hastily concluded the interview.

It was to protect the player.

But it was a little too late.

Her interview spread in real-time to all UA communities.

It was so shocking that Seo Dami’s interview was translated and spread not only domestically but also overseas.

-Is this the fighting spirit of a Prospect?

-She probably just went all out in the interview since she’s going to lose anyway.

-I don’t think it’s bad.

-I’ve wanted to see someone speak out so refreshingly like this sometimes.

-They’ll lose the match though ㅇㅇ;;

They’ll lose the match anyway.

Opinions that a confident interview wasn’t bad.

Opinions like why provoke them when you can’t even win.

Various opinions were posted on the Community.

But they didn’t know.

That Han Youngin’s ploy through this interview had actually hit its mark.

While Seo Dami was being interviewed.

In Japan, Kato Mikane, who had been calming her mind and body while watching today’s match, shot her eyes wide open.

What player in the world would dare to call her overhyped?

In a one-on-one duel, even players from the World Championship winning team were reluctant to face Kato Mikane.

But for a mere Second Division League player from a peripheral league to belittle her.

This was more than enough to send Kato Mikane’s blood pressure soaring.

“Keoheok…!”

Coughing up a mouthful of blood, Kato Mikane trembled as she turned off the TV.

What kind of arrogant brat was that?

This was an unbearable humiliation, beyond the honor of her team and country.

‘How dare she, how dare she ignore me?’

I will definitely get my revenge.

Gritting her teeth and focusing, Kato Mikane began to exude a menacing aura.

‘Didn’t you go too far?’

Back in the Practice Room after the interview.

Seo Dami, sitting on the Bench to review today’s match, complained to Han Youngin.

Even from her perspective, Kato Mikane was a monster.

So if she gave such a strong interview, how would she handle the aftermath when they lost?

‘Can we really win?’

<That depends on you.>

Han Youngin said that if there wasn’t even a tiny speck of a chance of winning, he wouldn’t have made her do such an interview.

<You. When you were using Acceleration to break through earlier, didn’t you feel something was off?>

‘Something off? In the Garden of the Gods?’

Looking back, she couldn’t remember anything strange.

She felt like the game was going well, but she couldn’t call that strange.

<No. Dami. You played ‘incredibly’ well today. It was a play that surpassed your usual self.>

‘Really?’

Rare, high praise that was hard to hear from Han Youngin’s mouth.

Seo Dami smiled brightly, pleased.

Who would be unhappy to hear that they had delivered a 120-point performance out of 100?

But Seo Dami didn’t know.

That Han Youngin, who had been so generous with his praise, actually had a somewhat complicated heart.

<To think Dami’s Talent was this great…>

The Acceleration variation play Seo Dami had shown in the match against Russia just a moment ago had, for a fleeting moment, surpassed his own prime.

Of course, in terms of absolute speed, he was faster.

But that came from the Physical difference between a man and a woman; looking at pure Skill completion and ability, Seo Dami’s was higher.

He, who had played in the League his entire Pro Gamer career with the Acceleration Skill as his bread and butter, knew this best.

<Seeing the student truly surpass the master makes me feel complicated as a teacher.>

‘Pardon? What did you say?’

<It’s nothing. Anyway, it’s not like we have zero chance of winning.>

Right now, Seo Dami was a baby bird trying to break out of its shell.

She had only managed to poke her beak through, but once she completely shed the shell, no one could predict what kind of player she would become.

Han Youngin had caught a glimpse of that potential in the match just now.

<Dami. What are you thinking about when you use your Skills these days? Your completion seems to have improved a lot.>

‘Ah. I used Kato Mikane as a reference.’

<Kato?>

‘Yes. She’s the world’s strongest in one-on-ones. It would be a loss not to watch and learn, right?’

That was a given, but the play of a player who had reached that level was not something that could be copied simply by watching.

Whether Seo Dami originally had such a special Talent.

Or whether her Talent had blossomed while spending time with him, it was definitely good news for the Korean team.

<Hmm. Then maybe it would be good to look at more Replays of games Kato Mikane played.>

‘That’s good too, but I feel like I get a sudden flash of inspiration when I watch in person.’

<In person, you say.>

As it happened, the next day was the match between China and Japan.

It was the perfect schedule to know the enemy and absorb their techniques.

The next day.

The fourth match of the Event Match.

The showdown between Japan and China.

Although China had lost to Korea, they were determined to regain their honor by beating Japan.

Hadn’t they already beaten them once in a practice match?

The majority of Chinese fans, who had won the ticketing war for the Grand Stadium, cheered as if the stadium were their home ground.

However, less than five minutes after the match began, China realized something was wrong.

‘Even for Kato Mikane, this is…!’

China’s iron Shield. Liu Xuan.

Her Shield, which had made distinguished contributions even at the World Championship, was pushed back as Kato Mikane’s pistol squeezed through.

Kato Mikane, who had always shown light movements with a relaxed smile.

But today was different.

Her steps were full of power, and her face was filled with a rage that anyone could see.

It was a truly destructive blow.

Kato Mikane, all fired up from Seo Dami’s interview, slapped the cheek of an innocent China.