The match had taken an unexpected turn. Team Fire, previously seen as underdogs, had managed to disrupt Aerial's well-known strategy. They took down Aerial's three Assassins, leaving only Chin-hwa and In-su on the field. With one artefact already secured, In-su and Chin-hwa pressed on, determined to recover from the setback.
Despite the pressure, In-su remained calm. He knew that hasty actions could spell disaster without his usual support. Holding the precious artefact, he moved with deliberate caution, his senses heightened to any sign of danger. The silence of the game world, usually a comfort, now felt oppressive and filled with unseen threats.
In-su knew that encountering any of Team Fire's five members alone would be a challenge he couldn't afford to take lightly. Every step was measured, every shadow scrutinized. His mind raced with the possibilities of ambushes and traps. As the third-best Mage in Korea, he was used to intense pressure, but this situation was testing his limits.
Meanwhile, Chin-hwa, aware of In-su's vulnerable position, communicated constantly through their comms.
"Take your time, In-su. We're not in a rush. Avoid unnecessary risks."
"I know," In-su replied, his voice steady but tinged with tension. "I'm moving slowly. Can't afford to draw attention."
The game world around him felt unusually silent, amplifying his anxiety. In-su's eyes darted around, scanning for any movement, any sign of Team Fire's presence. He knew that they would be on high alert, looking to exploit any opportunity to intercept him.
In the commentator's booth, Soo-min and Dong-yul were engrossed in the unfolding drama.
"In-su's in a tight spot," Soo-min noted. "Without his Assassin teammates to provide cover, he's got to be extra careful."
"This is where In-su's experience and skill come into play. He's one of the best Mages out there, but even he can't take on five opponents alone," Dong-yul agreed.
As In-su crept along, the weight of the artefact in his possession felt heavier with each passing moment. Every rustle of leaves, and every distant noise seemed magnified, making him hyper-aware of his surroundings. He knew Team Fire would be searching for him, knowing he had one of the seven crucial artefacts.
As In-su crept along, the weight of the car in his possession felt heavier with each passing moment. Every rustle of leaves, and every distant noise seemed magnified, making him hyper-aware of his surroundings. He knew Team Fire would be searching for him, knowing he had one of the seven crucial artefacts.
Meanwhile, Chin-hwa was struggling to find an artefact of his own. The seven artefacts were scattered across the vast expanse of Celestial Gardens, and Aerial needed five to secure victory. Despite his best efforts, Chin-hwa had come up empty-handed. The closest artefact to him had already been taken by Team Fire, leaving him frustrated and increasingly desperate.
Team Fire, adhering to their strategy, avoided confrontation with In-su and Chin-hwa. Instead, they spread out across the map, diligently searching for the artefacts. With a 5v2 advantage, their chances of finding the remaining artefacts were significantly higher. Their disciplined approach was paying off, and it wasn't long before the system's voice echoed through the game world:
[Three artefacts located. Alerting all players.]
"Chin-hwa, do you have an artefa?" In-su's heart sank. He quickly activated his comm.
There was a brief, tense pause before Chin-hwa's voice came through, sounding uncharacteristically defeated.
"No. I haven't found one yet. The closest one was already taken by Team Fire."
The weight of Chin-hwa's words hit In-su like a ton of bricks. Aerial was not just facing a setback; they were being systematically outplayed. Team Fire had managed to secure three artefacts, while Aerial had only one. With five artefacts needed to win, the odds were now heavily stacked against them.
In the commentators' booth, Soo-min and Dong-yul were equally stunned.
"This is unbelievable," Soo-min said, her voice filled with astonishment. "Team Fire has found three artefacts! Aerial is in serious trouble now."
"Aerial's usual dominance is nowhere to be seen. Team Fire has turned the tables on them completely," Dong-yul nodded, his expression mirroring the shock of the crowd.
The audience, too, was caught in a stunned silence. The sight of Aerial, the tournament favourites, struggling so visibly was a rare and unexpected turn of events. The silence in the Game Building was deafening, a testament to the gravity of the moment.
"We need to regroup, Chin-hwa. I tune our tactic. We can't afford to lose our focus now. We have to find the remaining artefacts," In-su took a deep breath, trying to steady his nerves.
"Understood. I'll keep searching. We can't let Team Fire win this easily," Chin-hwa, though shaken, responded with determination.
Despite their dire situation, In-su and Chin-hwa pressed on, their resolve unbroken. They knew that every second counted and that they had to make the most of the time they had left. But with Team Fire's disciplined approach and strategic advantage, Aerial's path to victory was looking increasingly uncertain.
Team Fire, meanwhile, continued their methodical search, each member scanning their assigned area for any sign of the remaining artefacts. They knew that avoiding In-su and Chin-hwa was crucial, but they also understood that their window of opportunity was limited. The final stretch of the match was underway, and the stakes had never been higher.
In a sense of what happened on the other side, after eliminating the three Assassins from Aerial, Team Fire quickly split into three groups. Each with a specific mission: to find and return with an artifact. This strategic move was designed to maximize their chances of securing the artefacts while minimizing the risk of confronting In-su and Chin-hwa.
Soo-jin and Sang-hee formed the first group, a powerful Fighter-Mage combo. Their synergy was well-practised, with Sang-hee's magical prowess complementing Soo-jin's brute strength. They moved with precision through the dense foliage, eyes scanning every nook and cranny for the telltale glow of an artefact.
Kang-dae and Jin-kyong made up the second group, combining the defensive capabilities of a Tank with the ranged precision of a Marksman. Kang-dae's imposing presence provided a shield for Jin-kyong, who kept a sharp eye on their surroundings, her bow at the ready to fend off any threats. They traversed the rocky terrain, communicating in hushed tones to avoid detection.
The third group consisted of Hana, a versatile Fighter who could also switch to an Assassin role when needed. Her reputation as the second-best Fighter in Korea gave her the confidence to operate solo. Hana moved stealthily through the shadows, her senses alert to any potential danger. She knew the risks of encountering In-su or Chin-hwa alone, but her skills and agility gave her a fighting chance.
The team's cautious yet efficient approach paid off. Soo-jin and Sang-hee were the first to locate an artefact. It was hidden under a stone altar in a secluded part of the forest. Sang-hee's keen magical senses had detected its faint energy signature, and together, they carefully retrieved it.
Meanwhile, Kang-dae and Jin-kyong navigated through a series of ancient ruins. Their teamwork was impeccable, with Kang-dae using his shield to protect them from falling debris while Jin-kyong scouted ahead. They discovered an artefact nestled in the hollow of a crumbling statue, and Jin-kyong skillfully extracted it.
Hana, on the other hand, found her artefact in a serene garden, hidden beneath a patch of vibrant flowers. Her solo mission required utmost caution, and she took her time, ensuring she was not being watched or followed. Once she secured the artefact, she began her careful journey back to their base.
Chin-hwa, still searching for an artefact, felt the pressure mounting. The realization that Team Fire had already found three artefacts was a blow to their morale.
In-su's voice came through on the comm. "Chin-hwa, status update?"
"Still looking. No luck yet," Chin-hwa replied, frustration evident in his tone.
"Stay focused. We can't afford any mistakes," In-su said, his calm demeanour a stark contrast to the growing tension.
Back at the commentators' booth, Soo-min and Dong-yul were narrating the unfolding drama.
"Team Fire is on a roll!" Soo-min exclaimed. "They've secured three artefacts already. This is an unprecedented turn of events."
"Aerial is feeling the pressure. With only one artefact in their possession and Team Fire having three, they need to act fast," Dong-yul nodded.
The crowd, too, was buzzing with anticipation. The sight of Aerial, the tournament favourites, being outplayed was a shock to everyone. The tension in the Game Building was palpable, a mix of excitement and anxiety as the final match reached a critical juncture.
As Team Fire regrouped and prepared to defend their newly acquired artefacts, they knew that the final stretch would be the hardest. In-su and Chin-hwa were still formidable opponents, and the respawned Assassins would soon be back in play. But with their careful planning and strategic advantage, Team Fire felt a surge of confidence. They were ready for whatever came next.
With the advantage and playing field leaning for them, Joon-ho, along with Hyun-ae and Kyu, can rest at ease. The tense foreshadowing of seeing their friend's loss immediately will bring second-hand embarrassment to them as well. But with how the reality unfolding, it seem that winning was not far off.