Aerial was now at a severe disadvantage, reduced to just two players against Team Fire's three. But they were far from giving up. Chin-hwa, the second-best Marksman in Korea, was not one to back down easily. Utilizing the fake shadows conjured by In-su, Chin-hwa slipped between the illusions, making himself almost undetectable amidst the chaos.
The illusions, crafted with In-su's dwindling mana, mimicked Chin-hwa's movements perfectly. Team Fire reacted as they should, shooting down the incoming fake bodies, hoping to strike the real one. Each shadow vanished with a single hit, but the confusion they created was enough to buy Chin-hwa the precious seconds he needed.
Jin-kyong's sniper shots rang out, each one disintegrating a shadow. Hana and Kang-dae were on high alert, slashing and blocking the deceptive figures. Hana, her instincts razor-sharp, was about to cut down another approaching shadow when it happened—she didn't realize it was the real Chin-hwa.
In a burst of speed, Chin-hwa darted past her, his agility unmatched. He pushed through the back line, weaving through the fray with remarkable precision, and in a blink, he was at the beacon. His guns went into burst mode, the bullets raining down on the shield. The shield's integrity plummeted rapidly, the defensive barrier cracking under the relentless assault.
"The Marksman made it to the beacon!" Dong-yul exclaimed, the excitement in his voice palpable. "He's breaking through the shield!"
The shield, already weakened from the earlier attacks, couldn't withstand the onslaught. It shattered, leaving the beacon vulnerable. Just as Chin-hwa was about to fire more shots, Kang-dae leapt into action. With a mighty swing of his shield, he drove Chin-hwa back, positioning himself as the last line of defence between the marksman and the beacon.
"You're not getting past me," Kang-dae growled, his stance unyielding.
Chin-hwa, undeterred, aimed his guns at Kang-dae, ready to force his way through. The arena's tension was at its peak, the crowd holding its collective breath.
Soo-min's voice cut through the anticipation.
"This is it, folks! The Marksman has to get through Team Fire's Tank if Aerial wants any chance at victory!"
In-su drained and barely able to stand, watched from a distance. His illusions had done their part, but now it was up to Chin-hwa to make the final push. He gathered his remaining strength, casting one last, weak illusion to try and tip the scales.
Kang-dae braced himself as the illusory figures reappeared, but his focus was unwavering. He swung his shield in a wide arc, dispersing the illusions while keeping his eyes on Chin-hwa. Hana, recovering from her momentary lapse, rejoined the fray, her blades ready to assist Kang-dae.
With Jin-kyong's mark locked on Chin-hwa, she fired a shot. However, Chin-hwa was quick to react. With incredible acrobatic ability, he evaded the shot and slipped away from Kang-dae. Hana's swing of her sword awaited Chin-hwa, yet once more, he proved to be the better player, dodging the swing. But it was not without sacrifice. He lost his left hand, unable to turn his body in time to avoid the blade completely. Despite the loss, Chin-hwa remained in the game, the system deeming him still able to fight.
Determined to stay alive and not let himself be hunted down, Chin-hwa decided to run. Hana pursued him, her eyes blazing with resolve. Meanwhile, Kang-dae rushed back to the beacon, ready to defend it, and Jin-kyong remained in her sniper nest, scanning the battlefield for any signs of movement.
With a fierce determination, Chin-hwa fired a volley of shots, but Kang-dae's shield absorbed the impact. Hana moved in, her attacks synchronized with Kang-dae's defences, forcing Chin-hwa to split his attention. The coordination between the Tank and the Fighter was impeccable, each move calculated to protect the beacon.
"The Mage is out of mana, and the Marksman is cornered!" Dong-yul's voice was almost drowned out by the crowd's roaring excitement.
Chin-hwa, now missing an arm, knew his chances were slim. He needed to regroup and find a way to outmanoeuvre his opponents. He dashed through the battlefield, his agile movements keeping him just ahead of Hana's relentless pursuit. Each step was calculated, his remaining arm firing shots to deter Hana from closing in.
"He's not giving up without a fight!" Soo-min exclaimed. "Chin-hwa may be down an arm, but he's still a formidable opponent!"
Hana pushed forward, her blade flashing as she closed the distance. "You can't run forever, Chin-hwa!" she shouted, her voice filled with determination.
Chin-hwa glanced over his shoulder, sweat dripping down his face. He knew he needed a new plan. As he neared a cluster of rocks, he dove behind them, using the terrain to his advantage. Hana skidded to a halt, her eyes scanning the area.
"Stay focused, Hana," Kang-dae's voice came through the comms. "Don't let him get the upper hand."
Hana nodded, her grip on her sword tightening. She moved cautiously, her eyes darting from one potential hiding spot to another. She knew Chin-hwa was cunning, and she couldn't afford to make a mistake.
Meanwhile, In-su, drained and out of mana, watched from a distance. His illusions had done their part, but now he could only rely on Chin-hwa's skills. He called out over the comms.
"Chin-hwa, we need to regroup. I'll provide cover from a distance."
Chin-hwa acknowledged with a quick nod. He took a deep breath, preparing for his next move. He knew he couldn't afford to stay hidden for long. With a sudden burst of speed, he emerged from behind the rocks, firing a rapid series of shots toward Hana.
Hana deflected the shots with her sword, her movements fluid and precise. She closed in on Chin-hwa, her blade swinging with deadly accuracy. Chin-hwa dodged and weaved, his agility keeping him just out of reach.
"He's too fast!" Hana muttered, frustration evident in her voice.
"We'll corner him together. Stay close," Kang-dae, felt safe to leave the beacon and joined Hana in the pursuit.
The Fighter and the Tank moved in unison, their combined efforts creating a formidable force. Chin-hwa, despite his best efforts, found himself running out of options. He backed away, his eyes darting for any possible escape route.
"In-su, I need cover now!" Chin-hwa shouted into his comms.
In-su, mustering the last of his strength, cast a weak illusion to create a brief distraction. It wasn't much, but it bought Chin-hwa a few precious seconds. He used the momentary confusion to slip past Hana and Kang-dae, dashing to the edge of the battlefield.
Jin-kyong, from her sniper nest, saw the opportunity. She lined up her shot, her breath steady as she aimed.
"I've got him in my sights," she whispered to herself. She pulled the trigger, the shot ringing out.
The bullet struck true, hitting Chin-hwa in the leg. He stumbled, his momentum faltering. Hana and Kang-dae seized the opportunity, closing in on him.
"He's finished!" Dong-yul shouted, the crowd's cheers reaching a crescendo.
Chin-hwa, bloodied and battered, knew his time was up. He raised his remaining arm in a final act of defiance, but it was too late. Hana's blade struck, and the system declared.
[Team Fire: Enemy Elimination!]
The arena erupted in applause, the spectators on their feet.
With Kang-dae and Hana away from the beacon, the beacon became vulnerable. Jin-kyong, stationed in her sniper nest, kept a vigilant eye on it. But amidst the chaos of the battle, she was too late to notice In-su slipping through the fray.
"The Mage od Aerial is making his move!" Dong-yul's voice crackled with excitement. "Can Aerial still turn this around?"
The spectators, sensing the shift, erupted into cheers and gasps. Aerial's hope flickered back to life. Soo-min leaned forward, gripping the edge of the commentator's desk.
"This could be it! Aerial's last man is going for the beacon!"
Jin-kyong quickly adjusted her aim, her heart pounding. She fired a shot, but In-su, with the last of his strength, purposefully dived. The shot aimed at his head missed and struck his back instead. It was a calculated risk, and it paid off.
With a grimace of pain, In-su summoned a fireball, channelling the last of his mana into the spell. The fireball launched from his hands, hurtling towards the beacon. The entire arena seemed to hold its breath as time slowed, the fireball's trajectory clear and deadly.
"All it takes is one last hit for Aerial to win!" Soo-min's voice was filled with tension. "And Team Fire needs to stop it no matter what!"
Kang-dae and Hana, realizing the danger, sprinted towards the beacon with everything they had. Jin-kyong, eyes wide with determination, fired another shot, but the fireball was already too close. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, the atmosphere electric with anticipation.
The fireball continued its path, each moment stretching into eternity. The fate of the match hung in the balance, with both teams and the spectators watching intently. It was the ultimate test of skill, strategy, and resolve.
Would the fireball strike the beacon, securing Aerial's victory? Or would Team Fire find a way to intercept it in these final, crucial seconds? The outcome remained uncertain, the tension palpable, as the battle reached its climax.