As the scoreboard blinked, marking Korea's one elimination to Afghanistan's two, the tension on Team 2's comms was palpable. Joon-ho's voice, usually casual and confident, carried a sharp edge as he addressed his team.
"Alright, everyone, listen up," he said, his tone measured but firm. "We're down by one, and playing their game is going to get us picked apart. We can't beat them in raw aggression—they've set this map up perfectly for that. So, let's think smart. Min-jae, Baek-hyeon, Soo-jin, Jin-kyong—we regroup and take this terrain back piece by piece."
Min-jae's voice came through the headset, steady and calm.
"You're thinking we bait them into overextending, aren't you?"
"Exactly," Joon-ho confirmed. "They're confident right now—probably too confident. They'll think we're panicking, especially with this terrain boxing us in. But we use that against them. Min-jae, you're the anchor. Keep them guessing about where you're setting up shields. Baek-hyeon, we need constant zoning. Make them think twice about chasing us."
"I can keep the fire raining," Baek-hyeon said, his tone light despite the situation. "But I'll need cover to stay alive."
"That's where Jin-kyong comes in," Joon-ho continued. "You've got the range advantage against their Fighters. Keep them at bay, and don't let Adil—or Soraya, for that matter—get a clear shot."
"And me?" Soo-jin asked, her voice brimming with determination.
Joon-ho paused for a moment, his mind racing through possibilities. "You're our wild card. Stick close to me, but I want you ready to flank when I give the signal. If we can draw them into a narrow spot, your burst damage can turn the tide."
"Understood," Soo-jin replied firmly.
As the team regrouped near a secluded ridge, Joon-ho took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the terrain. The rugged cliffs loomed like silent sentinels, their jagged edges cutting into the sky. Narrow pathways crisscrossed the map, each one a potential death trap or an opportunity, depending on how they played it.
"They'll push hard for the central zone," Joon-ho said, his voice quieter now as he thought aloud. "That's where they're strongest. But if we can bait them toward the western cliffside, we've got a chance. It's a tighter space—perfect for Baek-hyeon's AoE and Soo-jin's close combat."
"Sounds like a gamble," Jin-kyong noted, adjusting her position to cover their flank.
"It is," Joon-ho admitted. "But playing it safe isn't an option. We need two eliminations to take the lead, and we're not going to get them by hiding."
The comms fell silent for a moment, the weight of the plan settling over the team. Then Min-jae spoke up, his voice carrying a hint of a smile.
"Well, no one said making miracles was easy. Let's do it."
Joon-ho grinned despite himself.
"Alright, let's move."
As the team manoeuvred toward the western cliffside, Joon-ho's strategy began to unfold. Min-jae placed shields at strategic choke points, creating safe zones where the team could retreat if needed. Baek-hyeon peppered the area with arcane fire, creating a dangerous zone of denial that forced Afghanistan to think twice about advancing.
"It's working," Jin-kyong reported. "They're hesitating. Yusuf and Rami are sticking to the high ground, but Omar's pushing forward."
"Let him," Joon-ho said. "This is where we turn it around. Soo-jin, get ready to flank. Baek-hyeon, keep the pressure on Omar. Min-jae, Jin-kyong, stay with me—we'll bait Yusuf and Rami down."
As Omar charged into the fray, Baek-hyeon unleashed a barrage of spells, forcing the Afghan Fighter to retreat momentarily. But it was just enough of a distraction for Soo-jin to make her move.
"Now!" Joon-ho called out.
Soo-jin burst from her hiding spot, her strikes landing with precision as Omar caught off guard, and tried to defend himself. Min-jae quickly followed up with a stunning blow, sealing the elimination.
"Omar is down!" Eric announced as the scoreboard updated.
[Omar Khelafi: Eliminated!]
[Afghanistan - 2, Korea - 2.]
The crowd erupted into cheers as the momentum shifted.
"And just like that, Korea evens the score!" Celine exclaimed. "This is what we love to see—adaptation, teamwork, and strategy at its finest!"
But the fight wasn't over. Yusuf and Rami descended from the high ground, their aggression redoubled as they sought to reclaim their dominance.
"Stay focused," Joon-ho urged, his mind already racing with the next move. "This is far from over."
The rugged battlefield of Cliffside Confrontation erupted into chaos as both Korea and Afghanistan doubled down on their efforts to claim the lead. Joon-ho's mind worked at a breakneck pace, analyzing the movements of his opponents and calculating the next steps.
"We've evened the score," Joon-ho said through the comms, his voice calm but urgent. "But this is the hardest part. They're going to come at us even harder now."
Afghanistan wasted no time regrouping after Omar's elimination. Yusuf barked orders, rallying the team.
"Stick to the high ground, Rami! Soraya, focus on zoning. Adil, you're with me—we'll take the fight to them."
Rami, perched on a narrow ledge overlooking the western cliffs, fired a relentless volley of arrows at Korea's team. His sharp aim forced Joon-ho and his squad to constantly move, dodging the lethal projectiles. Meanwhile, Soraya began casting wide-reaching spells, her magic lighting up the terrain and pushing Korea further into a defensive posture.
"Adil's moving to flank," Min-jae warned, spotting the Marksman weaving through the rocky outcrops.
"I see him," Joon-ho replied. "Baek-hyeon, force him out. Jin-kyong, cover his escape routes."
As Baek-hyeon unleashed a torrent of flame-like magic toward Adil's position, Jin-kyong anticipated the Marksman's movements, landing a perfectly timed shot that clipped him as he tried to retreat.
"Adil's on the ropes!" Celine called out from the commentator's box.
"But Yusuf is closing in!" Eric added.
While Afghanistan pressed forward with aggression, Joon-ho's team turned the tables with calculated coordination.
"Soo-jin, go wide," Joon-ho ordered. "Force Rami to reposition. Baek-hyeon, keep laying down suppression fire. Min-jae and I will focus on Yusuf. Jin-kyong, you're on overwatch."
Soo-jin dashed through the narrow pathways, using the terrain to her advantage as she approached Rami. Her sudden appearance startled the Afghan Archer, forcing him to abandon his perch. As he scrambled to a safer position, Jin-kyong seized the opportunity, landing a headshot that left him critically injured.
"Rami's low!" Jin-kyong reported.
"Finish him!" Joon-ho yelled.
With a battle cry, Soo-jin lunged forward, her blade flashing in the sunlight. Rami's attempts to fend her off were in vain as she delivered a decisive strike, securing Korea's third elimination.
The scoreboard updated:
[Rami Abdul: Eliminated!]
[Korea - 3, Afghanistan - 2]
The crowd erupted in cheers, but Afghanistan wasn't done yet. Yusuf, now fully enraged, charged into Korea's ranks with a ferocity that caught Min-jae off guard. His heavy swings sent shockwaves through the ground, forcing Joon-ho and Min-jae to retreat.
"He's trying to isolate us!" Min-jae shouted.
"Stick together!" Joon-ho ordered.
Soraya, seeing an opening, unleashed a devastating AoE spell that forced Korea to scatter. In the chaos, Adil reemerged, taking advantage of the distraction to land a precision shot that took out Baek-hyeon.
"Baek-hyeon is down!" Eric announced. "Afghanistan is not backing down!"
The scoreboard now read: Korea - 3, Afghanistan - 3. With time ticking down, every move mattered.
"We need one more elimination," Joon-ho said, his voice steady despite the pressure. "Min-jae, take point. Soo-jin, Jin-kyong, stay close. We end this together."
As the team moved to regroup, they spotted Yusuf overextending in his aggression. Min-jae seized the opportunity, launching a shield bash that staggered the Fighter. Joon-ho followed up with a flurry of strikes, creating an opening for Soo-jin to deal the finishing blow.
"Yusuf is down! Korea takes the lead!" Celine exclaimed.
The scoreboard updated:
[Yusuf Haslan: Eliminated!]
[Korea - 4, Afghanistan - 3.]
"Fall back and defend!" Joon-ho ordered. "We're not giving them another chance."
The battlefield fell into a brief, uneasy silence as both teams retreated to regroup. Korea, with their slim lead of 4-3, sought a moment of respite to recalibrate their strategy. The rugged terrain of Cliffside Confrontation provided no solace, with its narrow paths and cliffs offering little room for error.
"Good work," Joon-ho said through the comms, his voice steady despite the tension. "We've got the lead, but it's not over. They'll come back harder. Let's keep our heads in the game."
The team huddled together in a small alcove nestled between jagged rocks. Min-jae took a knee, catching his breath, while Soo-jin kept her eyes on the distant paths, watching for any signs of movement. Jin-kyong reloaded her weapon, her fingers moving with mechanical precision.
"They're going to play desperate now," Min-jae remarked.
"That makes them dangerous," Soo-jin added, her voice sharp and focused.
Meanwhile, Afghanistan regrouped on a high plateau overlooking the battlefield. Yusuf, visibly frustrated, slammed his fist into the ground.
"We can't let them take this match! If we lose here, we're as good as done!"
"Calm down," Soraya said firmly, her voice cutting through the tension. "We're still in this. If we play smart, we can turn it around."
Adil nodded, adjusting his aim.
"We just need one good push. One coordinated attack."
"Both teams are taking a moment to strategize," Eric noted, his voice filled with anticipation. "Korea's in the lead, but Afghanistan is not out of the fight yet."
"That's right," Celine agreed. "With the score sitting at 4-3, one more elimination could secure Korea's victory for this round, putting them at match point. But let's not forget Afghanistan's unpredictable playstyle—they've proven they can adapt under pressure."
The tension was palpable as the clock continued to tick down. Both teams prepared for the next clash, their strategies evolving with every second. While Korea had the upper hand, the outcome of the match was anything but certain.