I Have a Reason to Hate Streamers-Chapter 211

The key to winning in a winner-takes-all match is ultimately the matchup. You must ensure victory with a build and class that can overpower the opponent you face. If you gain the upper hand in the matchup, you can close the gap in terms of skill.

Thus, when placing the ace in a winner-takes-all match, it’s preferred to put them out either first or last. If players face each other at the start, they fight without any information, and the player who comes out later has a significant advantage. Theoretically, the team that has the momentum at the start will naturally take the win.

On the other hand, placing the ace last preserves their energy as much as possible. Ga-wol has the power to take on opponents even after two or three fights, so from Sigma’s perspective, putting him last was a reasonable choice.

As the discussion continued, AT’s opinion shifted toward the belief that Ga-wol would enter last.

Sigma eSports is a team with a strong tendency toward stability. For a long time, Luche, Hekate, and Outlaw had avoided extreme risks.

Even Luche’s current skill level made her perfectly suited for the front line. She would pressure the opponent with an early offensive, and if that failed, Ga-wol, the strongest in one-on-one combat, would turn the tide. From a team perspective, it seemed most reasonable to put the most strength into Ga-wol.

"Then, will Scadi go first? As a frost mage, she could gradually wear down the paladin." "Sounds good. If we can preserve her health, we can force losses on the next opponent as well." "Sigma doesn’t have any cards with extreme matchups. Anyway, Ga-wol will be going out as a swordmaster."

But one person thought differently.

"I still disagree. Ga-wol should go first." "Are you sure? What’s your reason?" "Because we’ve concluded it this way. I’m sure she’s smart enough to twist the situation in our favor. With her skill and confidence, she can definitely make an impact, even if she goes first." "That... doesn't sound completely unreasonable."

A brief silence followed.

Soon, the 3rd set of the finals arrived. Every team member had indirectly or directly faced Ga-wol. Even while preparing for the match, they had closely observed Ga-wol, so by now, everyone knew exactly what kind of person he was.

Han Da-eun predicted the opponent’s decisions and moved accordingly. She showed particular strength in psychological warfare and was skilled at deceiving the enemy. Given her confident nature, it wouldn’t be surprising if she took the lead.

In the end, they returned to square one. The decision weighed heavily on them, but they weren’t granted infinite time. Someone glanced at the clock and clicked their tongue.

"We’re running out of time. We need to decide now."

[World Championship - Final] [Battlefield: The Place Where Storm Sleeps] [Rules: 4-player winner-takes-all] [AT vs Sigma eSports]

In the dark night, heavy rain began to pour. The rain flowed over the wreckage of a ship, sparkling like jewels under the moonlight. Was it jealousy of the beauty that caused it? A stormy wave covered the wreckage.

When I opened my eyes on the battlefield, I was in the midst of a sinking ship.

The salty air of the sea rose sharply. The cool raindrops. The fabric of my clothes clung to my body as it got wet. The battlefield I knew greeted me just as I remembered.

Without hesitation, I moved forward. My steps squelched as they hit puddles, but there was no sound. The assassin’s rule is to leave no trace or sound.

[Passive: Quiet] [Noise from all actions is reduced by 65%.] [Target: Sigma Ga-wol]

The third set that would be the turning point of the match. At the most perfect opportunity, my choice was directed toward the assassin.

This was for a completely different reason compared to the fourth set before. Back then, I was still tormented by my past, and I struggled to even hold my sword. That’s why I was stopped by my teammates in that crucial moment.

Now it’s different. I was no longer burdened by pressure, nor haunted by hallucinations. Choosing the assassin was entirely my decision.

The swordmaster was a relic of my brightest days. In contrast, the assassin was a symbol of my darkest and most painful days. Born in a damp, dark room, my dagger skills were imbued with sticky obsession and malice.

These two classes were born out of my brightest and darkest times. So, which one did I prefer?

"Of course, both. My past few years were not meaningless, were they?"

Looking back, those memories weren’t exactly joyful, but they were never meaningless. Every moment of the past was part of my life. Even the painful and difficult times had no reason to be discarded.

It was all the path I walked. Whether it was the swordmaster or the assassin, it was the result of my time and effort.

Even the me who was jealous of the streamers is me. And even the me competing on the world’s greatest stage is still me.

Just because I played as a swordmaster a few times... doesn't mean I should act as if my past as an assassin has disappeared.

Acid Gaming, where Reaper and Traveler were, was a team built around a solid lancer. Hero from W Titans was an opponent that was difficult to handle due to his combat power and weight as an assassin.

But for AT, there was no such issue.

The current Kelberos wasn’t using shields or dark knights anymore. If he was willing to throw everything away to beat me, I had stood here after overcoming everything to achieve my dreams.

[You are under the effect of "Whisper of the Black Moon."] [You gain beneficial effects on all attack power, movement speed, and counterattack judgment.] [Some skills are enhanced...]

My body melted into the night, running silently. I hooked onto the bow of the ship and, using centrifugal force, hovered over the sea.

Just in time, dark clouds covered the moonlight.

An attack with no shadow or sound. I even held my breath for a moment, so even Kelberos couldn’t find me first. As always, the first ambush was the assassin’s privilege.

The magical energy covering my dagger traced a red arc.