The fireball, blazing with intense heat, travelled in a straight line towards the beacon. The entire arena was silent, all eyes fixed on its path. As it neared the beacon, time seemed to slow down even further, every second stretching into an eternity. Then, with a deafening roar, the fireball struck the beacon dead centre.
The game screen went blank and dark. For a moment, there was an eerie silence. Then, the system's voice echoed through the arena.
[Aerial wins the round! With two rounds secured, Aerial wins the final!]
The crowd erupted into wild cheers. Supporters of Team Aerial, especially the fangirls, screamed and waved their banners with excitement. The arena was filled with the sound of celebration, the energy palpable.
On the battlefield, Aerial's team members—In-su, Chin-hwa, and the three Assassins—huddled together, celebrating their hard-earned victory. In-su, despite his exhaustion and injuries, managed a triumphant smile. Chin-hwa, holding onto his teammates with one arm, laughed in relief and joy. The three Assassins, their faces hidden behind masks, gave each other high-fives and pats on the back, their excitement evident in their body language.
On the other side, Team Fire stood with their heads down, feeling the sting of defeat. Kang-dae clenched his fists, frustration evident in his posture. Hana, breathing heavily from the intense battle, wiped a tear from her eye. Jin-kyong looked towards the blank screen, her sniper rifle still in hand, feeling the weight of the missed opportunity.
"We could have won," Kang-dae muttered, his voice heavy with regret. "If only we hadn't left the beacon unguarded…"
"We gave it our all. We fought hard. We made it to the final, and that's something to be proud of," Hana placed a hand on his shoulder, her voice steady despite her disappointment.
Soo-jin and Sang-hee joined the huddle, offering words of encouragement.
"We never thought we'd come this far," Soo-jin said, his voice filled with pride. "Second place is still a huge accomplishment."
"We've proven ourselves. Next time, we'll come back stronger," Sang-hee nodded, her usual playful demeanour replaced with a sincere smile.
The team members huddled together, drawing strength from each other. They knew they had given their best and had grown as a team throughout the tournament. Even in defeat, they found a sense of pride and accomplishment.
"What an incredible match! Aerial's comeback was nothing short of spectacular," in the commentator's booth, Dong-yul's voice carried over the noise of the crowd.
"Both teams showed immense skill and determination. Team Fire may have lost, but they fought valiantly and have a lot to be proud of," Soo-min nodded in agreement.
"This has been one of the most thrilling finals we've ever seen. Congratulations to Aerial for their well-deserved victory, and kudos to Team Fire for an unforgettable performance," Dong-yul added.
As the crowd continued to cheer, both teams left the battlefield with their heads held high. Aerial, basking in their victory, knew they had earned their title as champions. Team Fire, though defeated, walked away with a sense of pride and the resolve to come back stronger in the next tournament. The arena slowly emptied, but the memories of this epic final would linger in the minds of everyone who witnessed it.
As the teams prepared to leave the battlefield, a spontaneous moment of mutual respect and camaraderie unfolded. Both Team Fire and Team Aerial gathered in the centre of the arena, exchanging regards and praises for each other's performances.
"You guys really gave us a run for our money," In-su, Aerial's In-Game Leader (IGL), remarked, looking directly at Kang-dae. "We thought we'd have an easy path to the final, but you proved us wrong."
Chin-hwa nodded in agreement, though his usual confidence was tinged with genuine respect.
"Yeah, it's been a while since we've had to work this hard."
"We're just happy we made it this far. It was an honour to compete against you," Kang-dae, ever the humble leader, responded.
"Kang-dae, right? What rank are you in Korea?" In-su, intrigued, asked.
Kang-dae, with a slight shrug, replied.
"I'm ranked 142. Not among the top, but we've been working hard."
"142? You should hold your head high, Kang-dae. Your IGL performance was one of the best I've ever seen. You kept us at bay, and that's no small feat. You're better than most, regardless of rank," In-su's eyes widened in surprise.
Kang-dae smiled, appreciating the compliment.
"I had some outside help, actually." He glanced towards the crowd, where Joon-ho, Kyu, and Hyun-ae stood cheering them on. "My friend there, Joon-ho, has been our strategist and mentor. Pretty much like a coach. We wouldn't be here without his guidance."
Meanwhile, Chin-hwa, naturally boastful and competitive, couldn't resist a playful jab at Jin-kyong.
"You know, your shot at me was pure luck. Don't let it get to your head."
"If you say so. But luck or not, it worked, didn't it?" Jin-kyong smirked, her eyes gleaming with determination.
The three Assassins, who had found a formidable opponent in Hana, were quick to praise her.
"You're the second-best Fighter in Korea for a reason, Hana," one of them said. "We almost didn't keep up with you."
"We remember you from the integrated course. You were a standout even among us Assassins. Your skills are top-notch," another Assassin added.
"Thank you. It was an honour to fight against such skilled opponents. You pushed me to my limits," Hana, always gracious, bowed her head slightly.
As the teams exchanged these heartfelt words, the atmosphere in the arena shifted from the tension of competition to the warmth of mutual respect. The spectators, witnessing this display of sportsmanship, cheered even louder, their admiration for both teams growing stronger.
"Amidst all the tension and competitiveness, there is a resolving ending at the end right, Soo-min? Not just the competition, but the respect and camaraderie between players," Dong-yul, still at the commentator's booth, spoke into his microphone.
"This is the tradition that we love to see, Dong-yul. Both teams have shown incredible skill and sportsmanship today. It's been an honour to witness this match," Soo-min nodded, her voice filled with pride.
As the teams finally began to disperse, they carried with them not just the memories of an intense battle, but also the bonds forged through mutual respect and admiration. Team Aerial, basking in their victory, knew they had faced a worthy opponent. Team Fire, despite their defeat, walked away with their heads held high, proud of how far they had come and ready to rise to new challenges in the future.
As the Weekly Tournament came to a close, the energy in the arena slowly began to dissipate. The cheers of the crowd faded into excited chatter as people began to file out, still buzzing from the electrifying match they had witnessed. The tournament had ended, but its impact would linger in the minds of everyone present.
For the students of NexaCorp Korea University, the end of the tournament marked the close of the study week. The brief respite from their academic responsibilities had been filled with intense competition and memorable moments. As they returned to their routines, the anticipation of the next semester began to take hold.
Kang-dae, Hana, Jin-kyong, Soo-jin, and Sang-hee walked together out of the arena, their spirits lifted despite the defeat. They had proven themselves against one of the strongest teams in Korea, and the camaraderie they felt with each other had only strengthened through the trials they faced.
"That was one heck of a match," Soo-jin said, breaking the comfortable silence. "We may not have won, but we showed everyone what we're capable of."
"Next time, we'll be even better. We've learned a lot from this experience," Jin-kyong nodded, her competitive spirit undiminished.
"And we've got the best support team anyone could ask for. Joon-ho, Kyu, Hyun-ae—they've been incredible," Hana, always the motivator, added.
"Let's keep pushing forward. The next semester is going to be tough, but we've got our eyes set on the bigger goal," Kang-dae smiled, appreciating the acknowledgement of their friends' support.
The students knew that the road ahead would be challenging. Balancing their academic responsibilities with their training and competitions required discipline and dedication. But the dream of becoming the Korean representative on the world stage was a powerful motivator. It wasn't just about personal glory; it was about representing their university and their country, and proving that they belonged among the best.
Meanwhile, In-su and his team were equally reflective as they celebrated their victory. They knew that the competition would only get tougher from here on out. As the third-best Mage in Korea, In-su was acutely aware of the expectations placed upon him and his team.
"Team Fire was no joke. They pushed us to our limits," Chin-hwa, despite his usual bravado, felt a newfound respect for their opponents.
"We need to keep improving. This was just one tournament. The world stage is our ultimate goal, and we can't afford to be complacent," In-su nodded, his gaze thoughtful.
The three Assassins, though often silent and mysterious, shared a mutual understanding. Their skills had been tested, and they were eager to refine their strategies and techniques further.
As the study week drew to a close, the students of NexaCorp Korea University began to prepare for the new semester. The campus buzzed with activity as students returned to their classes, lectures, and study groups. The competitive spirit that had been on full display during the tournament continued to permeate the air, motivating everyone to strive for excellence in all their endeavours.
For both Team Fire and Aerial, the tournament had been a pivotal experience. It not only tested their skills but also forged stronger bonds among teammates and reinforced their determination to succeed. The journey ahead was long, but they were ready to face it with unwavering resolve.
As the university settled back into its routine, the students kept their dreams alive. The road to becoming the Korean representative on the world stage was a challenging one, filled with obstacles and fierce competition. But for these young competitors, it was a path worth pursuing with all their heart and soul. They knew that with each match, each study session, and each moment of training, they were getting closer to their ultimate goal.
The Weekly Tournament had ended, but the journey was far from over. The students of NexaCorp Korea University were ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead, driven by their passion for esports and their desire to make their mark on the world stage.