Finally, the three Assassins of Aerial respawned, materializing back at their base. There, they were greeted by In-su, who had just returned to secure the only artefact they had managed to seize so far. The Assassins conveyed their apologies for the earlier missteps, their expressions a mix of frustration and determination.
"Focus on the match. We can still turn this around," In-su, maintaining his calm demeanour, simply said.
He had already formulated a different plan, one that required him to coordinate closely with the Assassins. After a brief exchange, they nodded in understanding, ready to follow his lead. With renewed resolve, they set out to find the missing artefacts and, if necessary, engage Team Fire head-on.
Meanwhile, at their base, Team Fire regrouped after their successful artefact hunt. Each group returned one by one, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement and determination. They now led with three artefacts to Aerial's only needed two more to secure victory.
"We've done well so far," Kang-dae said, his eyes scanning his teammates. "But we can't get complacent. We stick to our plan—focus on taking out the Assassins first."
Everyone nodded in agreement. Their original tactic had proven effective, and with the Assassins temporarily neutralized, they had been able to collect artefacts without much resistance. Now, it was time to push their advantage.
Soo-jin and Sang-hee, the Fighter-Mage duo, prepared to head out once more. Kang-dae and Jin-kyong, the Tank and Marksman combo, did the same. Hana, their solo Fighter, readied herself for another scouting mission. They knew the Assassins would be back in play, but with their numbers and strategic edge, they felt confident.
"We move carefully," Kang-dae advised. "Stay in pairs and watch each other's backs. We can't afford any surprises."
With their plan set, Team Fire ventured out from their base. They moved with purpose, their eyes peeled for any sign of Aerial's players. The goal was clear: neutralize the Assassins, secure the remaining artefacts, and win the match.
As they spread out, yet stayed quite close to support one another, the tension was palpable inside Celestial Gardens. They knew Aerial wouldn't go down easily, and the real battle was just beginning. The stage was set for an intense showdown, with both teams vying for control and the upper hand in this crucial final match.
In the shadows, In-su and the Assassins moved with equal determination. The plan In-su had devised remained a mystery, but they were ready to execute it, hoping to catch Team Fire off guard and turn the tide in their favour.
The game was far from over, and both teams knew that every move from here on out would be critical. The final stretch of the match was underway, and the outcome hung in the balance.
Suddenly, the system's voice echoed through the Celestial Gardens.
[One artefact located. Alerting all players.]
The announcement sent a ripple of tension through both teams. It was none other than Chin-hwa who had found the artefact, continuing his relentless search while everyone else had returned to their bases. With this revelation, only two more artefacts remained in the outskirts of the Celestial Gardens. Team Fire knew they had to secure these before Aerial did. If they couldn't gather all five to win outright, having a total of four artefacts could still decide the match in their favour.
The realization hit them hard: confronting Chin-hwa or In-su directly was not an option. Instead, they needed to quicken their pace to find and eliminate the Assassins of Aerial as soon as possible. Fortunately for Team Fire, it didn't take long to spot one of them. Where there was one Assassin, the other two were likely nearby. Team Fire quickly devised a plan, splitting up slightly to target all three Assassins simultaneously, hoping to replicate their previous success.
As the confrontation began, Team Fire managed to swiftly take out the first Assassin.
[Team Fire: Enemy Eliminated!]
However, the second Assassin made an unexpected move. Instead of escaping, In-su suddenly emerged from the bushes and launched a surprise attack. His magic spell caught Team Fire off guard, and he immediately targeted Jin-kyong. Focused on getting a clear aim at the fleeing Assassin, Jin-kyong became vulnerable. In-su seized the opportunity and unleashed a pinpoint lightning strike, eliminating her on the spot.
[Aerial: Enemy Eliminated!]
Chaos erupted among Team Fire. The tides had turned against them, and they found themselves in disarray. The sudden appearance of In-su and his devastating attack threw their plans into disarray. The team, now down one member, decided to retreat almost immediately. The decision was tactical—better to draw Aerial into a chase and split them up rather than face a confrontation.
In-su, alongside the two remaining Assassins, pursued Team Fire relentlessly. Despite Team Fire having the numerical advantage with four players to Aerial's three, they knew that another head-on fight could spell disaster. The goal now was to lead Aerial into a trap, forcing them to separate and become vulnerable.
As they darted through the Celestial Gardens, Team Fire communicated quickly and efficiently, trying to outmanoeuvre their pursuers. They needed to regroup and come up with a new strategy, one that would allow them to capitalize on their remaining strengths and secure the final artefacts. The hunt was on, and the outcome was still anyone's game.
In the shadows of the garden, the players moved like phantoms, the silent tension of the match heightening with every step. The next few minutes would be crucial, determining not only the outcome of the game but also the legacy each team would leave behind in this intense and unforgettable tournament.
The commentators, Dong-yul and Soo-min, sprang into action, their voices crackling with excitement and surprise.
"Incredible! Just when we thought Team Fire had the upper hand, Aerial's Mage pulls off a brilliant manoeuvre!" Dong-yul exclaimed. "That surprise attack on Team Fire's Marksman was executed perfectly. You have to admire his quick thinking and precision."
Soo-min nodded, her eyes wide with amazement. "Absolutely, Dong-yul. In-su's ability to adapt under pressure is what sets him apart. Team Fire was doing so well, but now they're on the back foot, trying to regroup. This is the kind of high-level play we expected from Aerial."
The crowd, which had been buzzing with anticipation, fell into a hushed silence as they watched the events unfold. The shock of seeing Team Fire retreat under the relentless pursuit of Aerial was palpable. Fans of Team Fire looked worried, while supporters of Aerial cheered for the sudden turn of events. The atmosphere was electric, filled with tension and anticipation.
On the battlefield, Team Fire was in disarray. Their plan to avoid confrontation with In-su and Chin-hwa had been disrupted, and they needed to rethink their strategy quickly. They communicated frantically, trying to devise a new plan on the fly. Kang-dae, now acting as the de facto leader in Jin-kyong's absence, called for the team to regroup at a strategic point in the Celestial Gardens.
"Aerial Mage's attack has put the pressure on Team Fire," Dong-yul continued. "They need to come up with something fast if they want to stay in this game. With only two artefacts left, every decision counts."
"His calm demeanour under pressure is remarkable," Soo-min added. "He knows exactly how to exploit weaknesses and turn the tide in his favour. It's no wonder he's ranked third-best Mage in Korea."
As Team Fire regrouped, they knew they had to change their approach. Their initial tactic of avoiding confrontation with In-su and Chin-hwa had been compromised, and they needed to find a way to turn the tables back in their favour. They quickly discussed their options, deciding to use their knowledge of the Celestial Gardens' layout to set up ambushes and traps.
Meanwhile, In-su and the two remaining Assassins moved with purpose, scanning the area for any signs of Team Fire. In-su was determined to keep the pressure on, knowing that any hesitation could give Team Fire the opportunity they needed to strike back. Chin-hwa, still searching for another artefact, communicated with In-su and the Assassins, coordinating their movements to maximize their chances of finding the remaining artefacts.
"His leadership is shining through," Soo-min remarked. "Even with their backs against the wall, Aerial is maintaining their composure and sticking to their strategy."
"And let's not forget about Aerial's Marksman," Dong-yul added. "His relentless search for artefacts is putting even more pressure on Team Fire. They need to find those last two artefacts before Aerial does, or this match could slip away from them."
The audience was on the edge of their seats, captivated by the unfolding drama. The dynamic between the teams had shifted dramatically, and the outcome was far from certain. Every move, every decision, could tip the balance one way or the other.
Team Fire, now fully regrouped, decided to split into two pairs and a solo scout. Kang-dae and Sang-hee would search one area, while Soo-jin and Hana would cover another. Soo-jin, using her agility and speed, took on the role of the scout, moving ahead to spot any potential threats or opportunities.
"Aerial's tactic change has forced Team Fire to adapt quickly," Dong-yul observed. "They're splitting up again, but this time with more caution. It's a risky move, but it might just pay off."
"Team Fire's adaptability will be put to the test. They have the advantage in numbers, but Aerial's coordination and experience can't be underestimated. This is going to be a nail-biting finish," Soo-min agreed.
As the two teams continued their cat-and-mouse game in the Celestial Gardens, the tension in the arena reached a fever pitch. The crowd watched in anticipation, knowing that the next few minutes would determine the victor of this thrilling match.