With Team Fire's exhilarating victory in the semifinal, they now stood on the precipice of their ultimate goal—the final match. The elation of their win was tempered by the knowledge that their final hurdle was yet to come. Given some time to rest and recuperate, Kang-dae, Soo-jin, Hana, Jin-kyong, and Sang-hee headed off to relax and prepare mentally for the upcoming challenge. Joon-ho, however, chose to remain in the arena, his focus fixed on Aerial, the team widely regarded as the favourites to win the tournament.
Joon-ho settled into his seat as Aerial's semifinal match was about to commence. This was his chance to glean any insights or detect any weaknesses in Aerial's play. Their opponents were a formidable team called Titan's Fury, known for their aggressive strategies and relentless pressure. The chosen map for this round was "Lost City," a sprawling urban battlefield filled with narrow alleys, abandoned buildings, and treacherous rooftops. The game mode was "Control Points," the same game mode that Team Fire played in their semifinal.
As the match began, the commentators' voices filled the air, adding to the excitement. Soo-min and Dong-yul provided their expert analysis, their dynamic commentary heightening the tension in the room.
"Aerial is moving with precision, as expected," Soo-min noted. "They're positioning themselves perfectly to control the flow of the match."
"Titan's Fury is no slouch, but Aerial's coordination is on another level. Look at how the Marksman and the Mage are leading the charge," Dong-yul added.
Aerial's strategy was immediately apparent. Chin-hwa and In-su, with their impeccable macro and micro play, directed their team with surgical precision. Chin-hwa, playing as a Marksman, issued orders and provided strategic oversight with his passive abilities on the lookout, while In-su, with his Mage abilities, controlled the battlefield with powerful spells and crowd control. The three Assassins, lurking in the shadows, struck swiftly and decisively, eliminating key players from Titan's Fury before they could react.
The first control point was a fierce contest, but Aerial's superior coordination quickly tipped the scales in their favour. Chin-hwa's tactical commands ensured that their team always had the upper hand, while In-su's spells disrupted Titan's Fury's formations and forced them into unfavourable positions. The Assassins, true to their name, were like phantoms, picking off stragglers and disrupting any attempts at regrouping.
"Chin-hwa and In-su are showcasing their usual dominance," Soo-min commented. "Their synergy is unmatched, and it's clear why Aerial is considered the team to beat."
The first match was a demonstration of overwhelming dominance. Aerial captured and held each control point with relentless efficiency, racking up points at an alarming rate. Titan's Fury struggled to mount a coherent offence, constantly on the back foot as they tried to contend with Aerial's relentless assault.
Joon-ho watched intently, absorbing every detail. He noted how Aerial's strength lay not just in individual skill but in their seamless teamwork and strategic depth. Each player knew their role and executed it flawlessly, creating a cohesive unit that seemed almost unbeatable.
By the end of the first match, Aerial had secured a decisive victory. The score was lopsided, a testament to their superiority. Titan's Fury looked visibly shaken, aware of the monumental task ahead if they were to turn the tide in the subsequent matches.
As Joon-ho pondered the display of prowess he had just witnessed, he felt a mixture of admiration and apprehension. Team Fire had their work cut out for them. If they were to stand a chance in the final, they would need to exploit any small cracks in Aerial's armour. For now, it seemed like an insurmountable challenge, but Joon-ho was determined to find a way.
The rest period was soon over, and the second match of the semifinal was about to begin. Joon-ho steeled himself for another round of observations, hoping to uncover the key to Aerial's undoing. The final was drawing nearer, and with it, the ultimate test of Team Fire's mettle.
As the second match commenced, the tension in the Game Building was palpable. The new map, "Echo Valley," was an expansive, mountainous terrain with multiple vantage points and hidden paths. The game mode was "Survivor," a high-stakes 5v5 scenario where each team had to eliminate the other to win, with no respawns. The objective was to be the last team standing, making every move and decision critical. Or in reference, a used to be, the standard way, of how the World NexaRealm Championship operates.
Aerial took on the challenge with their trademark confidence. Their strategy was immediately apparent—they moved with a combination of brute force and tactical precision. Chin-hwa and In-su led the way, with Chin-hwa providing strategic commands and In-su using his Mage abilities to control the battlefield and support their teammates.
"Watch how Aerial is setting up their defence and offence simultaneously," Soo-min remarked. "They're using the terrain to their advantage, creating choke points and ambush zones."
"Titan's Fury needs to disrupt Aerial's formation if they want any chance of surviving this round and competing," Dong-yul added.
As Aerial pushed forward, their dominance was once again on full display. Titan's Fury made several valiant attempts to disrupt their advance, but Aerial's coordination and quick thinking always seemed to be one step ahead. However, amid their fluid movements, Joon-ho noticed something.
During a critical engagement near a narrow pass, one of Aerial's Assassins made a slight misstep, exposing a flank that Titan's Fury quickly exploited. For a brief moment, it looked like Titan's Fury might break Aerial's formation. But with remarkable speed, Chin-hwa and In-su adjusted their tactics, covering the vulnerability and restoring their defensive line.
Joon-ho's eyes widened. That fleeting moment of vulnerability had not gone unnoticed. Despite Aerial's swift recovery, it was a chink in their otherwise impenetrable armour. He quickly scribbled down notes, knowing that this could be the key Team Fire needed.
"Did you see that?" Soo-min exclaimed. "Titan's Fury nearly had them there. A rare misstep by Aerial, but they recovered quickly."
"That's what makes Aerial so formidable. Even when they slip, their ability to adapt and correct their mistakes is unparalleled," Dong-yul responded.
Aerial continued their push, eliminating the remaining members of Titan's Fury with ruthless efficiency. The final confrontation saw In-su unleashing a devastating spell that wiped out the last defenders, securing the second victory for Aerial.
The crowd erupted in applause, awed by the display of skill and strategy. Joon-ho, however, remained deep in thought. He had seen what he needed to see—a potential weakness in Aerial's seemingly flawless play.
As Aerial celebrated their win and prepared to join the final, Joon-ho felt a renewed sense of determination. Team Fire had a chance, however slim it might be. They had to exploit that brief moment of vulnerability and turn it into a weakness they could use to their advantage.
Joon-ho understood completely what had just happened. The slip-up was the key. While Chin-hwa, the second-best Marksman in Korea, and In-su, the third-best Mage in Korea, were in a league of their own, the remaining three Assassins on Aerial's team were rather normal. Their skills appeared more formidable thanks to the overwhelming presence of Chin-hwa and In-su. On their own, the Assassins were nothing extraordinary.
Reflecting on the match, Joon-ho realized that the slip-up by one of the Assassins was a significant breakthrough that Titan's Fury almost managed to exploit. This insight gave him a clear strategy for Team Fire: refuse confrontation with Chin-hwa and In-su and focus exclusively on targeting the Assassins while staying objective.
As he relayed his observations to Kang-dae and the rest of Team Fire, they listened with rapt attention.
"Our key to victory is avoiding direct conflict with Chin-hwa and In-su," Joon-ho explained. "We need to isolate and eliminate their Assassins. They rely heavily on their star players, but without the support of their Assassins, Chin-hwa and In-su's impact will be significantly diminished."
"We stick to the plan, focus on the objectives, and take out their Assassins one by one. We can't afford to get drawn into fights with their best players. If we play it smart, we can force them into a defensive position and capitalize on their weaknesses," Kang-dae nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
The rest of Team Fire, Soo-jin, Hana, Jin-kyong, and Sang-hee, absorbed the strategy, knowing that their success hinged on precise execution and unwavering focus. They had more than enough time to rest and mentally prepare for the final match, but they also had the advantage of knowing Aerial's potential Achilles' heel.
In the warm-up room, Kang-dae and the others reviewed their strategy once more. Joon-ho's insights had provided them with a crucial edge. They would need to stay disciplined, focus on the objectives, and execute their plan flawlessly. The thought of Aerial's dominance was daunting, but the slip-up they witnessed offered a glimmer of hope.
As the time for the final match approached, Joon-ho took a deep breath. He knew that they had prepared as best as they could. The rest was up to execution and staying true to their strategy. With a sense of calm determination, he joined his friends in the stands, ready to support Team Fire as they faced their ultimate test.