NOVEL WEB The opening match ended with Sigma’s victory.
In a way, it was to be expected.
At the moment Gawol shattered the heretic inquisitor in an instant, Q Prime’s victory plan went completely awry.
Luce and Hecate didn’t fall for any tricks either.
Honestly, it wasn’t that shocking of a result.
From the start, Sigma was favored to win this matchup.
Before the game started, the analysis desk had already predicted a 9:1 win for Sigma.
There was a possibility if they could leverage their combination’s strengths… but nobody dared to expect this level of domination.
“This… match is shocking.”
The content of the match seemed to say, “You and we are on entirely different levels.”
Even though Q Prime’s reputation hadn’t plummeted that much yet.
“Holy player, it is true that he’s been evaluated as past his prime in Europe. He was once a truly flashy player, but now he isn’t performing at that level anymore.”
“That said, no one would say Holy’s skill is lacking. He is undoubtedly a veteran who has taken down many formidable starters in Europe until recently.”
“But that Holy player! The vine that had captured so many aces was severed so easily!”
And even more so, Q Prime Holy.
His previous nickname was Acid Gaming Holy.
It wasn’t his first time facing top-tier assassins.
He’s actively played on the same team as Ripper and has faced Phantom in international matches.
In his prime, he confidently restrained Kelberos and Hero within the Place of the Dead.
He was never an easy opponent to take down.
A martial arts assassin. Even if the hemorrhage-specialized build was somewhat of a ‘surprise attack’… it certainly had striking power.
Ho-eun began to reflect slowly.
“In the early stages of the match, I had doubts about whether Gawol’s entry was too rash.”
“She did push Slug hard, but the team was forced into open battle. Gawol herself could have been in danger right after escaping the Place of the Dead.”
“But! She ended all doubts with an overwhelming performance.”
“I believe Gawol proved her value perfectly with this one match. IKL needed plays that could cut sharply and bring high returns.”
It was already well-known that Ho-eun had a particular affection for IKL.
His composed statements resonated with the fans.
Soon after, the second match began.
A 5-person deathmatch in the Place of the Dead.
Sigma maintained their existing roster while adding Camelian.
They concluded the opening round with another one-sided result.
[Author: Hecate’s Slave]
[Title: What on earth happened to our Hecate?]
(Attached Video: Hecate “See? I’m not that bad, right?”)
(Attached Video: Hecate “Hiiieek!”)
Since last season, Sparrow has been firmly defending and even making us laugh,
but lo and behold, Gawol who came to protect her just gasped at first sight;
just locking eyes brought on a buff!
Hey, you’re not getting beaten up by Gawol at the lodging, are you?
[Comments]
– I was wide-eyed watching her soloing the Assassin.
– How did she get hit by a legless kid? LOL
└ How could you say something so harsh?
└ For real, she definitely got hit if that’s the case.
– The kid’s head might be a bit off, but she did improve in the game.
[Author: Sigma Fan]
[Title: Have you seen our team’s V-log?]
Actually, it’s not out yet.
It just got teased, so let’s wait together.
[Comments]
– Oh
– I’m heading there now.
*
In an age where personal media has developed,
team V-logs have become an irreplaceable culture in e-sports.
Fans now have the chance to see their favorite pro gamers more closely.
The team has points to highlight the players’ human charm.
Sigma also had requests from fans, and there was no reason to refuse.
Especially since Sigma was a team that worked so hard it was award-winning.
Maybe that’s why their video uploads were quite proactive.
They maintained a stable frequency without erratic schedules.
So, it was nothing out of the ordinary.
Videos filmed while preparing for the Summer League could be uploaded.
Originally, it would have been content only enjoyed by Sigma’s fans.
It was the first team V-log video featuring Gawol.
And if it weren’t for the shock of the opening match.
– Open the doorrrrr
– Holding my breath until Gawol’s cute butt shows up
– FBI Open Up!
– Who on earth told these guys about the first reveal?
– My adult content is out!
– Alright, let’s go~
The commotion started before the video even began.
Sigma was already a popular team domestically, but today’s heat was on another level.
As people’s expectations soared, Sigma’s logo appeared, and soon a familiar face flashed on the screen.
She looked slightly less haggard than before.
And there she was, a woman so breathtakingly elegant and poised, it took your breath away.
“Hello. I’m Gawol from Sigma e-Sports. Today… I’m in charge of filming the V-log, so please take care of me.”
“Affiliation. This is Gawol. Today… I’m in charge of vlogging, so please take care of me!”
Entrance of Sigma’s Player Lodge.
Han Da-eun, sitting on the stairs, waved her hand charmingly.
A pretty smile was resting on her slightly tilted head.
“Since I’m a newbie, I wanted to show how I’m adapting to the team. I also plan to capture a bit of our training.”
– Are newbies now beating up their seniors?
– New?bie
– The newbie who took out Holy in one minute, lol
– No, Hecate hasn’t been hit yet.
– It’s a vibe that’s hard to come out of unless you’ve taken a few hits, though.
As soon as the simple greeting ended, the scene transitioned.
When the screen came back, it was inside Sigma’s Player Lodge.
To be specific, the lobby on the 8th floor.
This was a familiar place for both players and now fans.
Da-eun sat on the sofa, took the camera, and briefly filmed her surroundings.
Subtitles appeared with the questions from the PD.
– Are you adapting well to lodge life?
“Yes. I usually adapt well anywhere. It’s much better than my old place, so I’m quite comfortable here.”
– How are your relationships with the other players?
“Luce and Camelian have been really supportive. I’ve practiced a lot with the other players too.”
– Hecate’s post saying ‘save me’ was a hot topic.
“Oh, I talked it out smoothly with her.”
Da-eun nodded.
“Speaking of which, shall we head to the practice room now? Hecate should be there too. We’re really working hard.”
*
In fact, Hecate’s survival skills had been a pointed issue for quite some time.
Especially during international wars, this problem became apparent.
The Shaman class was inherently at a disadvantage for survival, but even considering that, the death of a supporter is lethal for the game.
Hecate certainly had a part in losing to the Hashashin in Prelude.
I didn’t think that the problem was solely Hecate’s fault.
I know what the issue is. There’s a will to improve, and she’s put in ample effort.
However, the fact that it hasn’t been resolved means the approach is flawed.
“My conclusion is this: Maybe she just hasn’t really died properly yet?”
The reason Hecate dies easily can be summed up in one word.
Complacency. She doesn’t realize she’s in a situation where her safety isn’t guaranteed.
It’s better than being too scared to do anything, but it doesn’t change the fact that it’s still troublesome.
The reason is clear.
International experience isn’t something you can pile up easily, and against domestic assassins… this level was ‘enough.’
Now the solution has become simple.
Let’s remind them that they can kick the bucket anytime, anywhere, and in any way!
Once the game starts, there’s no such thing as a safe spot, and teammates’ protection is not guaranteed at all.
If we inject a bit of ‘humility’ into Hecate’s gameplay, we might secure at least a shred of stability.
—
During the vlog shoot.
I had just caught Hecate during her break and dove into some practice.
Not long ago, I was teaching her the sneaky moves of an assassin, but nowadays, we were training for close combat.
—
[Sturdy Branch]
[Category: Weapon (Dagger)]
[Item Grade: Common]
A particularly tough stick found rolling on the mountain path.
Despite being unrefined, it boasts perfect grip.
The blunt end is a bit of a downside.
—
[Item Effect: Attack Power +3]
—
I grabbed Hecate’s staff with one hand and pushed it aside.
Then, I delivered a hard kick to her ankle, knocking her down, and stomped on her abdomen to prevent her from rolling away.
I poked her forehead with the end of the branch.
—
There was a bit of blood splatter, but she wasn’t dead.
That’s why I was using a stick instead of a dagger.
Even after an attack that would typically be lethal, she could continue training right there.
—
My stats remained the same, so the impact would sting a bit.
But hey, shouldn’t a pro gamer be able to withstand this much?
I heard Hecate’s cohesion rate is 24.6%, so it shouldn’t hurt too much.
—
“Didn’t I tell you not to lose focus? You just died once.”
“I didn’t lose focus!”
“You can’t pour all your nerves into anticipating an attack from above. While the vital spots gather in your upper body, it’s your lower body that holds you up. Always keep your legs properly engaged.”
—
I’m not trying to torment her, so I reach out to help her up.
Once I see her regain her stance, I charge again.
Training resumed without wasting a second.
—
Just like that, about 30 minutes later.
While Hecate took a bathroom break, I wrapped up filming with the producer.
—
“So, is training always like this lately?”
“Not always. I only focus on helping during free training. I’m really happy to be of help.”
—
In the later edited video, there was an interview with Hecate.
—
“Gawol is… a good teammate. She’s got great stamina. Why does the newbie have better endurance than me? I guess playing the game on end with that stamina makes me feel like a total slacker? Am I just trash? But it feels so harsh to keep going together that I think I might die…”