I Have a Reason to Hate Streamers

Chapter 140

IKL Summer Round 1 - Match 38

Map: Abandoned Fortress

Rules: 5-Player Deathmatch (10 Kills)

Sigma eSports vs ACL

The Abandoned Fortress was, at its core, a narrow battleground. Most Infinity Black maps featured side paths or intersections, or if not, a vast open space—meant to prevent any single strategy or composition from dominating.

In this setup, if all five players stayed together, they’d become easy prey for long-range dealers like snipers. But relying solely on long-range dealers would hinder effective team fights. The design encouraged mixing classes to build synergy.

However, regardless of design, every map had its inherent strengths and weaknesses.

The Abandoned Fortress was known for its close-quarters combat and a fixed deathmatch rule. Respawns were fast, leading to chaotic clashes. Classes with bulkier builds or adept at quick adaptations held a distinct advantage here.

[Effect of Rite: Spirit of the Soaring Bird applied.]

[All movement speed increased...]

I darted forward, weaving through the breeze. Pushing off rocks and sprinting along the mossy walls of the fortress, I spotted a pillar and threw a rope hook toward it.

I didn’t slow down—keeping momentum was essential to reach the enemy before they could react. The moment the rope caught hold, I propelled myself forward with a powerful leap.

The advantage of aerial movement was silence; the drawback, however, was that shadows became more visible. So, I adjusted my angle to keep my shadow from revealing my position, making my approach neither too low nor easily detectable.

[Effect of Whisper of the Black Moon applied.]

[Attack power, movement speed, and counter-judgment effects increased. Certain skills enhanced...]

My primary target was the heavily armored battle priest.

This enemy had sacrificed some support abilities in exchange for heavy durability, capable of acting as a sub-tank if needed. If I couldn’t deal significant damage in the initial strike, killing him would be difficult.

I wrapped my legs around his waist from behind, pinning one of his shoulders to prevent him from swinging his mace, while my other arm tore into the back of his neck, shredding the chainmail between armor joints with my dagger.

Though I managed to slice across his eye through his helmet’s slit... that was as far as I’d get. His teammates wouldn’t simply watch their support die.

The gunslinger’s barrel was aimed squarely at my forehead. As a top-tier pro, his aim was enhanced—there was no chance he’d miss.

So I had to release my hold. Unlike other assassins, my left leg was a weak point. Offering any limb in such an uncertain situation was out of the question.@@@@

I dropped to the ground and reassessed my position. Bullets grazed my cheek and forearm as I moved.

[Passive: Emotion Suppression]

[Partial immunity to “Fear” debuff applied. Physical defense reduced by 15.]

[Effect Source: Berserker’s Fury (ACL Igor)]

Two enemies were watching me—at my 9 o’clock was the gunslinger, and at my 5 o’clock, the berserker. The corsair might join, but I’d cross that bridge when I came to it.

Dodging bullets without momentum was nearly impossible. I used the battle priest’s body as cover, evading his retaliatory mace swings while deflecting the berserker’s thrown axe.

Support classes generally focused on upper body defense to avoid instant death. They tended to be near their allies, rarely in a mounting situation. Hekate had struggled with breaking that habit.

‘But this time’s different. I’m confident in securing my own safety.’

The seasoned pirate quickly reached a conclusion.

The sacrifice had to be him. Strategically, ACL’s strength lay in the berserker and sword master’s powerful attacks. As long as those two were protected, the frontline would hold.

Their teamwork was excellent, and factoring in the battle priest’s respawn, he could buy them enough time.

“Jolly Roger’s Wave Riding, targeting Ga-wol.”

“He’s using a high-tier mobility skill. This is a do-or-die move.”

Wave Riding was a utility skill that allowed the corsair to control the battlefield, even covering the entire map in the cramped Abandoned Fortress. His cutlass swung straight at Ga-wol.

It struck true.

With no resistance. As if he’d merely sliced through air.

He hadn’t expected to land a fatal blow immediately, but as his blade connected with Ga-wol’s waist, a sense of unease crept in. And that fear quickly turned into reality.

“Ha.”

A look of helplessness washed over the corsair’s face as he let out a disheartened sigh.

When had it happened? There was no need to wonder.

In such a fleeting moment, Ga-wol had even adjusted his trajectory to execute his decoy perfectly. There was no other explanation; he had read the corsair’s move entirely.

The corsair’s head turned to the side. At the edge of his vision, he saw the silver-haired assassin ready for a final strike.

Leaping high, Ga-wol descended in a crimson arc. The skill—Silent Executioner, the move that had earned Phantom his nickname as North America’s nightmare—lived up to its reputation.

The blood-red lightning crashed down, shattering the sword master’s barrier, and a kill log popped up mercilessly.

[‘Sigma Ga-wol’ has defeated ‘ACL Donghae’]

The tide had turned in an instant. Jolly Roger gritted his teeth, but the situation only worsened.

Two were dead, and one had been deceived. While the berserker held an advantage over the paladin, a 2-on-3 scenario had persisted too long. At the very least, they should’ve kept the musketeer distracted.

Though Igor fought ferociously in true berserker fashion, the pro league demanded calculated coolness, not recklessness.

[‘Sigma Outlaw’ has defeated ‘ACL Igor’]

Sigma’s wall was higher than they had imagined.