A Swordsman's Stream

Chapter 132

6:30 PM was quitting time for most, including the team running LoS.

However, deputy Manager Lee Youngju and Deputy Manager Kim Juhwan, instead of heading home, laden with snacks from the supply room, headed elsewhere.

The conference room.

On the table rested the popcorn and beverages they had prepared, and they added the snacks to the mix.

For the record, they had permission.

“Let’s see who’s right.”

Lee Youngju was confident.

“Sure, sure, you’ll see that I’m right.”

“Come on.”

Youngju grabbed the popcorn box in front of her and placed it on her lap, plunging her hand inside.

Crunch.

She grabbed a handful and ate it deliciously, urging him to start quickly.

Deputy Manager Kim launched the Travel app on the large monitor in front of them.

“I always feel like we’re in a movie theater. It’s really nice.”

Youngju often watched like this in LoS as well.

Although the chair was mildly uncomfortable, and she wished she could put her feet up on the table, they’D likely get a scolding if caught.

Feeling this regret, she sunk into her chair, making herself comfortable.

“Streamers are gathering now. How many viewers are there?”

Point.

It’s a famous company on the Travel platform.

Even semi-major companies grew alongside Yunho Ha, a semi-large company, and its core members.

Their influence was bound to be significant.

“Sojun-nim has 22,000 viewers. Yunho-nim, 45,000. Rumi-nim, 17,000. These three are the biggest, at least. In total, adding the rest, it’s about 150,000 viewers.”

LoS generally pulled in an average of 300,000 viewers.

“150,000 is half, yeah? That’s quite a lot for a point. Though not everyone is a point streamer.”

The 300,000 figure referred to those watching through the official account.

In LoS, there were no regulations prohibiting streams during competitions, so the actual number of LoS viewers likely hit around a million.

Entering The League’s category implied every viewer was catching the tournament.

Anyway.

Youngju continued.

“With this many people watching Sojun-nim’s skills, they’ll all acknowledge our decision to place him in a.”

150,000 was more than sufficient.

Good for pre-publicity of the tournament.

“You talk as if it’s a done deal? The opponent is a challenger, you know. Haven’t you heard of Spoon-nim?”

Although Spoon’s viewership was 4,000, Spoon was renowned as a skilled challenger AD carry streamer.

With sheer talent for showmanship, he could have reached the level of a mid-tier streamer with consistent viewership.

“Yes, I know. So, if Spoon-nim is that skilled, then even if Sojun-nim wins with a shift in position, you’ll acknowledge a, right?”

“I’ll agree if it’s a tie.”

“Good.”

Crunch.

Youngju stuffed more popcorn into her mouth.

The popcorn and the seat were not for an internal war.

It was for the eventuality where Deputy Manager Kim realized he was wrong and she was right.

As the streamers finished their introductions, the internal match began.

Likewise, deputy Manager Kim was munching on his popcorn to witness Youngju being proven wrong.

“Huh? They’re leaving Kael open? Did Spoon-nim not hear the plans?”

When Sojun picked Kael, things became unpredictable.

One round wouldn’t matter, but what if things weren’t properly discussed?

“Yunho-nim must have handled it well. With years of experience.”

Fortunately, that was correct.

When it was Sojun’s turn, he chose not to select Kael.

Instead.

“Eric?”

“a choice without the sword. Honestly, if it were Kael, I think I could’ve won.”

If Spoon insisted on comparing, things might get a little annoying. Even if Kael was his only weapon, a win was a win.

“But Eric… This is clear. B!”

“Oh, come on.”

“B!”

“Why are you acting so childish!”

“Hahaha! B!”

Eric’s performance wasn’t good, and differed drastically from the heroes portrayed so far.

Deputy Manager Kim was confident, and Youngju was hopeful.

Then action erupted at mid-lane.

Sojun’s first basic attack struck the opponent.

Deputy Manager Kim began his analysis.

“His awareness of range is pretty exceptional.”

“Feeling nervous?”

“What nonsense.”

A bit later, Spoon dashed in, prompting chains to be fired at the location.

『Thud!』

“Huh?”

“Huh?”

“Could he win?”

“As if.”

And then, there was exquisite positional play.

“Huh?”

“It’s abundantly clear who’s dominating here, isn’t it? Still saying B?”

“Just wait a bit.”

Spoon’s bullets vanished mere moments before hitting Sojun.

“Still?”

“Uh-huh.”

Spoon initiated a fight.

That’s when it started.

Deputy Manager Kim then fell silent.

『Chain of Destruction』

Spoon took a hit from the hidden skill.

“Still?”

『Chain of Destruction』

He was hit by a skill that flew from behind Sojun.

“Still?”

『Chain of Destruction』

Finally, Spoon, having fled, died at the spot he moved to.

『First Blood!』

“Still?”

Deputy Manager Kim could no longer speak.

* * *

『Wow, First Blood! That’s insane! How is he Taewoo’s friend?』
『No way! How’D he do that? a solo kill!』
『Jungler-nim. You didn’t help him, right?』
『No, I didn’t.』
『Thanks for the congratulations, everyone.』

After Sojun secured a solo kill without any help from his team members, cheers erupted.

He had won a 1v1 pure lane battle against a challenger.

There were still many who didn’t truly know Sojun.

And streamers, being human, weren’t an exception.

It wasn’t odd for them to be worried about mid-lane.

What if Yunho Ha’s recruit messed up here and got flamed?

Even if Ha spoke highly of Sojun’s skills, the opponent was a challenger. Yet, the results contradicted concerns.

-I told you, didn’t I? The guy’s a challenger himself
-Isn’t this his first game? He used that so damn well
-What’s Eric’s playstyle?
-I don’t know either!
-As a heads up, Eric’s pick rate is at the lowest. Hence, few know him……

-Out of the 20,000 people watching, not a single one?

That was astonishing if true.

Sojun struggled when researching Eric the previous day due to scarce guides.

Incidentally, Eric wasn’t seen as a ‘troll’ character. To be deemed so, even a poor player would have had to take interest, at least.

“Let me explain. Eric can only apply full damage with one chain at a time. If he fires two in the same direction and the enemy is hit, one will deal only a tenth.”

A ‘time frame’ meant in 0.5 seconds.

Within that time, if chains are shot at the same place, they don’t yield significant effects.

“Think of the damage Eric can deal with one site-effective surprise attack.”

Since the skill’s damage was hard-hitting, ambushes almost guaranteed a hit.

“And if he hits himself with his skill, the damage doubles.”

Existing Eric players utterly disliked this aspect.

-My bad. Hearing that sounds trashy
-Didn’t know he hits himself, lolololol
-Was curious about playing Eric, but now all interest’s dead

Sojun returned to lane to gain experience.

In an AOS, experience is granted by nearby dying minions, killing enemies, or taking out jungle monsters.

In League, leveling up makes you stronger, with every fifth level granting significant skill enhancement.

At level 6, the ultimate is learned.

Sojun had already hit level 5.

“For the record, Eric can use three magic circles starting at level 5.”

Damage goes up and the count increases.

‘Hmm.’

Sojun approached his minions, glancing at the side.

In the bushes beside mid-lane, the enemy jungle was hiding, targeting Sojun.

Softie, their jungle, had earlier placed a ward (an object that reveals the surroundings) to allow Sojun and the team to be aware of the enemy’s position.

『The enemy jungle is at mid. Sojun-nim, I’ll be there soon, so hang tight.』

Dogam, a diamond-tier streamer.

If he appeared in LoS, he’D receive a B rating.

Had Dogam lacked the necessary skills, Spoon would not have summoned him, as his presence would be a hindrance.

However, Spoon called on Dogam after being solo killed.

-He’s waiting for a gank
-As soon as they arrive, looking to pounce
-Yeah, that’s a ward
-Softie’s ward placement for Sojun comes into play here haha
-He should really just not go out there

Here, Sojun, sensing the jungle presence, merely needed to stay near the tower, avoiding extending too far.

The jungle would suffer major losses if they remained tethered to mid without results.

Or he could bait, waiting for Softie to arrive.

Such was the importance of warding.

Knowledge of enemy positioning allowed for easier countering.

Yet Sojun feigned ignorance, stepping forward.

“I’m going to push the lane.”

In simpler terms.

He awaited the enemies to make the move towards him.

Right on cue, Spoon arrived at the lane.

And Dogam began his advance.

* * *

The instant Dogam arrived, led by Spoon who had started the skirmish, he darted forward to assist.

‘Don’t give him time to think,’ they said?

Timing was sped up to ensure Sojun was caught unprepared, countering any possible planning.

Magic circles sprinkled around Sojun one by one.

Above, to the side, and behind.

Bang, bang!

As Sojun deflected Spoon’s second attack, he swiftly turned around.

At that moment.

Crunch.

A chain struck down precisely where it hovered over his head, aligning with Dogam’s position.

‘How? Wasn’t he not looking back?’

Thwack!

Though taken aback, do-Gam proceeded as instructed.

‘No matter how absurd, focus on your task,’ recalling Spoon’s advice.

Dogam’s hero was the spirit of the desert, Sand Mummy.

『Sand Shackles』

Shhh.

Focusing his sandy essence, he conjured it into a spear, launching it towards Sojun’s feet.

Simultaneously, Spoon attacked.

Thump!

From a side circle, the second chain plunged into him.

Up to this point, two seconds had passed.

‘When did he manage that?’

With the third circle behind Spoon, do-Gam caught a brief respite.

Opting not to evade the sandy spear, Sojun counteracted Spoon’s second strike.

The spear shattered against Sojun’s feet, dispersing into sand.

However, instead of scattering, the sand adhered tightly around Sojun’s legs, anchoring firmly to the ground.

A skill restricting movement for three seconds.

“You’re caught!”

Dogam and Spoon bombarded Sojun with attacks from front and back, as the third magic circle behind Spoon activated.

『Chain of Destruction』

With chains scraping the earth, Spoon sidled away as he fired bullets at Sojun.

‘That’s spot-on!’

Simultaneously, do-Gam gathered sand to strike.

But then.

Swish!

“Huh?”

The third chain bypassed Spoon, skimming past Sojun, heading straight for Dogam.

‘Was he always the target?’

Perhaps chance?

There was a possibility he might barely survive this.

Thump!

That’s when Dogam noticed Sojun with his back turned, suddenly spinning to aim a mana globe in his direction.

“Damn it!”

Bang!

『The Sword God has slain Dogam!』

* * *

‘Damn it.’

The addition of another magic circle hadn’t led Sojun to struggle even slightly with control.

But now, this was absurd.

In every direction, magic circles emerged at one-second intervals, firing chains.

‘The spawn pattern’s indecipherably intricate.’

Could he perceive all this?

Of course, recognizing this would lead him to such tactics.

Spoon ducked his head.

He tried to attack again, but the next chain was precisely aimed at where his head had been.

He dodged by rolling to the side.

Spiked chains lodged into the ground threateningly.

And then.

Swish!

Without a moment’s pause, the next chain struck where he had dodged to.

Typically, when fighting with Eric, the Chain of Destruction wasn’t this relentless.

Most Eric users would face opponents, firing chains in a single forward direction, ensuring opponents only needed to watch the front.

Once able to wield three magic circles, instead of aiming in different directions at once to land at least one hit, continuous firing was unheard of.

But now, Sojun stuck close, conjuring magic circles within a 2-meter radius.

Bang, bang!

Deflecting two strikes.

Firing without pause at one-second intervals.

Spoon was overwhelmed trying to dodge the chains coming from all sides.

Even mindlessly spawned spells didn’t seem as difficult to avoid; yet none here lacked foresight.

This was sheer terror.

Just dodging when he could encapsulate led to confusion; how could he plan such fights continuously?

How to predict his movements?

『Chain of Destruction』

Swish!

Chains emerged from somewhere, forcing Spoon to resort to a skill for escape.

Fleeing out of Sojun’s magic circle range, now intending to only observe from the front.

『Quick Shot』

Swish!

A chain skated through the air where Spoon used to be.

He avoided it.

Yet, the chain didn’t aim for him. Instead, it struck a minion.

The minion, with little health, perished.

Then Spoon checked above Sojun’s head to note that he had reached level 6.

Ultimate ability.

『Unleash』

This skill extended the magic circle generation range to 10 meters for three seconds, increasing the number to 20 circles.

Beyond his sliding view, a magic circle surfaced, at the maximum range.

Looking forward, he realized it wasn’t the sole creation.

Around Spoon and Sojun, 20 magic circles formed a dome, enveloping the area.

‘This can’t be dodged.’

There was no confidence in evading it.

When another Eric player pulled such a move with his ultimate, a default response was ridiculing them as fools.

Why not align them in a line? Such inefficient energy consumption wasn’t logical when only one hit held significant meaning.

Yet, Spoon now felt impending doom in the three-second timer.

He surrendered, accepting potential death at the selections.

Having Sojun anticipate so much, he gave up on movement, delivering himself to certain demise.

‘Seriously, with that spread, he’D likely hit himself, right?’

Then.

Thump!

After three seconds, 20 magic circles simultaneously fired chains, ravaging the perimeter.

Avoiding precisely the space Sojun was positioned at.

* * *

『Double Kill!』

Immediately after.

In an office space in Seoul, seldom more cheerful voices were heard.

“Even now? Really? Yes?”

Floods of spontaneous reactions appeared on the League’s community boards.