<h4>Chapter 197: Challenger’s Hurdle (1)</h4>


    Although there was a short time to prepare for thepetition, Sang-Hyeon focused as much as possible to familiarize himself with the opponent''s movements. It wasn''t too difficult toprehend since he simply internalized the analysis that Takoyaki already created.


    <i>''Their dominant foot is the right foot... so when evading, push off with the right foot and move to the left...''</i>


    Sang-Hyeon had never seen this kind of analysis document made by Takoyaki before. He was impressed by the extent the pros went out of their way to practice.


    Since archery was apetition against yourself without an opponent, this type of training was impressive in an entirely different manner. They had to dive into their opponent''s weaknesses.


    <i>[Virtual Free Training]</i>


    Sang-Hyeon opened the training program provided by the capsule. In this program, he could move freely without the limitations of the game''s predefined rules.


    <i>[They say brainwaves, full dives, and virtual reality make things sound difficult, but this isn''t the real world. It''s ultimately an extension of video techniques.]</i>


    Sang-Hyeon began moving his body, recalling what Takoyaki said.


    <i>[So there is something called frames. When you move at ultra-high speed, it''s not actually moving at those speeds but rather momentarily disappearing between countless flickering frames.]</i>


    Sang-Hyeon swung his arm at maximum speed.


    <i>Whoosh! Whoosh!</i>


    Because it was a virtual world, Sang-Hyeon could elerate much faster than the typical speed of the human body.


    It wasn''t influenced by real physics. Instead, the output followed the movement of thoughts and then received adjustments from the physics engine.


    <i>Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!</i>


    Sang-Hyeon''s arm moved faster and faster, creating afterimages.


    Honestly, the movements were almost indistinguishable to the naked eye, but what if Sang-Hyeon maximized his concentration and his power?


    Sang-Hyeon focused all of his mentality on the desire to observe his movements.


    When the speed of his thoughts caught up with and surpassed the physical speed of the surroundings, everything started flowing in slow motion.


    <i>Whoosh... Whoooooooooooong...</i>


    Everything flowed slowly.


    "!"


    Then it became visible bit by bit.


    Sang-Hyeon''s armpletely disappeared during his movements.


    <i>''It''s… flickering?''</i>


    The frames of the footage couldn''t capture the speed at which the arm was currently moving.


    It was so subtle that Sang-Hyeon could only see it when watching at this slow pace. The frame was definitely visible.


    In other words, when moving at high speeds in the virtual world, the motion seemed to disappear momentarily.


    <i>''So that''s why they could easily avoid the bullets.''</i>


    In reality, the attacks that were impossible to dodge would flow smoothly in this virtual world.


    <i>[Top-tier yers use these frames to dodge the opponent''s attacks or deliver their attacks. Watch ckTea''s footage]</i>


    After grasping the theory, Sang-Hyeon watched ckTea''s footage again.


    As ckTea received momentary eleration with her right foot, her body moved as if abruptly cut off between her movements. It was like a scene from a cheap horror movie.


    The problem was that this frame rhythm was not shared among all yers, but was dynamically adjusted by the engine based on an individual''s situation.


    Takoyaki told Sang-Hyeon that if the frames were avable for everyone, it could overload and melt the brain, so the spacetime of a person moving slowly and quickly is different.


    Using this difference, top-tier yers used these skills to avoid attacks whilending their own.


    <i>''This is insane...''</i>


    Sang-Hyeon was honestly impressed. It was almost like a special theory of rtivity applied in reality, but exaggerated and manifested in games. It could actually be utilized inbat.


    <i>''This is what happens when people are obsessed with LIL.''</i>


    Sang-Hyeon finally understood why Takoyaki didn''t seem to move that fast, but could dodge attacks so well.


    Takoyaki used the frames, and Sang-Hyeon himself had been unconsciously using it.


    However, there was a clear difference between Sang-Hyeon and Takoyaki. Takoyaki knew exactly what he was doing and could use the frame skills he wanted.


    .


    Sang-Hyeon focused on Takoyaki''s footage once again.


    <i>''If I want tond an attack within those frames, do I need to move at a simr speed?''</i>


    Sang-Hyeon pondered how to attack with Ran''s attacks and Raina''s arrows targeting ckTea.


    He yed the next footage.


    <i>''This is it.''</i>


    The footage showed ckTea dodging by stepping to the left while delivering a strike, but the opponent anticipated their movements and pre-threw an attack in that direction.


    ckTea ended up taking the attack as if she had nned it.


    <i>''She can''t control herself.''</i>


    While the momentary eleration had the advantage of elongating the frames, there was also a risk that one''s cognitive abilities would be unable to keep up with it.


    <i>''That''s why we need to know attack habits in advance.''</i>


    This game went beyond being about reaction speeds and uracy. It also added the element of reading the opponent''s next moves.


    <i>''This is the realm of Challengers...''</i>


    Almond recalled the battle between Miho and SweetRadish.


    Almond was utterly helpless against SweetRadish''s monstrous growth. Miho couldn''t defeat him either.


    It was like asking why junior high schoolers couldn''t beat professional martial artists. It wasn''t Miho''s fault for losing the battle.


    <i>''I need to be the martial artist.''</i>


    Sang-Hyeon felt the weight of the mission entrusted to him once again. He analyzed ckTea''s footage again and again.


    ***


    "Today, we''ll be facing a team called Red Carpets."


    As always, Tako prepared for the scrim with a short briefing on the opponent''s team.


    "Their names are RedCar, ckTea, and Pets. The opponent we should pay the most attention to is ckTea."


    <i>Tap.</i>


    As Tako tapped on the screen, an image of a woman with vibrant red hair appeared. Her short hairstyle suited her well and her gaze seemed captivating and provocative. Even at first nce, it seemed like she was saying she was a professional top-tier yer.


    "You guys all know her, right? She doesn''t have any professional experience and has only been active as an amateur. Because she''s a female Challenger, she gained tremendous attention and continues to be a sessful streamer. She''s also the girlfriend of the master ADC GreenTea, whom we met before."


    In addition, Takoyaki briefly reviewed ckTea''s ystyle, champions, and other details.


    It was repetitive information for Almond, who had reviewed the material multiple times just a moment ago.


    However, the teammates who saw the footage for the first time were shocked.


    "Wow..."


    "She''s really good."


    "So this is what they mean by fighting on a frame..."


    "Do you see this, Sang-Hyeon? It was impressive that I managed to deliver one of my attacks to SweetRadish."


    <i>— OMG~</i>


    <i>— This is what ADC looks like!</i>


    <i>— ckTea is so good</i>


    <i>— Her boyfriend must feel inferior, LOL</i>


    <i>— Wow, it''s sexy to watch a girl ying LIL at this level</i>


    <i>— Ugh, IDK. Miho''s dance montages are much better than this</i>


    <i>— Challengers really move differently. What the heck is it?</i>


    <i>— Miss ckTea! Please destroy the Almond! Miss ckTea! Please destroy the Almond! Miss ckTea! Please destroy the Almond!</i>


    <i>— Please kill the Almond who took Raina away from me... That was all I could think of from the start…</i>


    There were some weirdments, but viewers were in awe of ckTea''s y.


    Considering Takoyaki''s usual sarcasticments on the chat, this level of praise was quite significant.


    <i>''She is really good.''</i>


    Tako didn''t want to demoralize his teammates with ckTea''s unreachable game skills. Still, at the same time, he didn''t want to ignore the significant difference in power between professionals and amateurs.


    Takoyaki specifically looked straight at Almond and said, "No matter how good the challenger is, the gap between professionals and amateurs is immense, especially in team games."


    Takoyaki emphasized once again that it was a team game.


    "Even among professionals, there were plenty of yers who didn''t have the same physical skills as ckTea. This is a team game. If we understand that, there is a possibility. After all, the whole team isn''t made up of ckTea."


    A Silver yer filled the most crucial position in mid, a Bronze yer in the top, and a tinum yer in the jungle. The bottomne had the Diamond and Challenger yers. Their team was focused on their bottomne.


    Takoyaki crossed his arms and scrutinized the team''s roster again.


    <i>''Well... instead of spreading their power, it might be better to go all-in like that from the start...''</i>


    The intention of Red Carpets was very clear. A team like this may not win the championship, but they would easily secure a spot within the top five.


    <i>''But our team isn''t in the top 5 yet.''</i>


    Takoyaki checked the most recently updated power ranking chart.


    <i>7th) Balloon Stars</i>


    Their ranking had risen significantlypared to the start, but it wasn''t within the yoff spot (top 5) yet.


    Takoyaki wanted to aim for the best and win first ce.


    <i>Tap.</i>


    He ced his hand on Almond''s shoulder.


    "Don''t be nervous. We got this."


    Almond nodded.


    "You''re much better," Takoyaki added to boost Almond''s confidence.


    It was the methodmonly used by coaches when facing a strong opponent. If overwhelmed by the opponent''s existence, you wouldn’t be able to do anything.


    <i>— ????</i>


    <i>— ?? what?</i>


    <i>— The confidence buff is too strong.</i>


    <i>— Wow, Takoyaki knows how to motivate people!</i>


    <i>— They destroyed the others easily. If they use their full power, then they can destroy ckTea. LOL.</i>


    Viewers reacted with different assumptions, but Almond remained quiet.


    "Yes."


    He wasn’t sure if he really was better, but after familiarizing himself with the analysis videos provided by Takoyaki, Almond felt like it was doable.


    <i>[Red Carpets has requested a practice game!]</i>


    The scene changed instantly, and the screen showed the battlefield lobby. Rugged rocky mountains adorned thendscape.


    Five opponent yers stood in a row on the other side of a flowing river.


    <i>[Champion Select]</i>


    The champion ban phase began.


    Red Carpet didn''t use any bans against Almond. The opposing team seemed to have big trust in ckTea.


    "This is what we expected. We''ll also make our moves with the midne ban."


    Takoyaki skipped banning any champions for the bottomne as well.


    As a result, Almond, Takoyaki, ckTea, and Lemon were against each other with no restrictions.


    Almond and ckTea locked eyes as they stood across from each other. ckTea smiled confidently as if she had a lot of self-assurance.


    <i>[The Pure Sniper - Ran]</i>


    The opponent picked Ran. It seemed like they had analyzed that Ran was Almond''s main pick.


    Or... judging from ckTea''s smirks, it could mean something else.


    <i>''Is she trying to tell me to face her head-on?''</i>


    At that moment, a donation came in.


    <i>[RubySword has submitted a mission!]</i>


    <i>[Kill the Challenger!]</i>


    <i>[500,000 won!]</i>


    <i>— Wow!</i>


    <i>— RubySword with a big donation after a while?!</i>


    <i>— Of course, it''s the CEO.</i>


    <i>— Huh? If he donates 500,000 won, doesn''t that mean Almond dies?</i>


    "Wow, thank you RubySword. I will definitely try to aplish the mission."


    Killing the challenger. Almond recalled the previous encounter with SteamedChicken.


    <i>''It won''t be easy.''</i>


    Almond remembered how difficult it was to kill him.


    "Almond, pick! Pick!"


    "Oh yeah, okay. I''ll pick."


    Time was running out.


    <i>Thud.</i>


    A familiar voice reached Almond.


    <i>[Of course, I''m the best, right?]</i>


    Her long golden hair swayed as the girl took off her blue hood.


    <i>[Raina: The Cold-Blooded Evil Archer]</i>


    <i>— WOOOOW! Raina! Raina! Raina!</i>


    <i>— Raina senpai!!!!</i>


    <i>— OMG, I''m dying!</i>


    <i>— Raina came for 500,000 won!</i>


    <i>— Raina! Don''t be fooled! That jerk called you because of the money.</i>


    <i>— You''re dead today, Red Carpets!</i>


    <i>— Ugh, are you saying only a couple can face another one?</i>


    <i>— Raina... I bet she doesn''t know that Ran was taken away... I''m so frustrated...</i>


    Since Raina was Almond''s most iconic pick, the viewer''s reactions were also very positive.


    The donations were endlesslying in despite Almond turning off the donation alerts during the stream.


    Despite that, Almond remained calm. It wasn''t the usual streamer Almond.


    Almond continued to stare at ckTea, who was still smiling from the other end.


    Almond was one of the professional yers now instead of a streamer. Since his defeat against High Protein, he had been motivated by that loss.


    <i>[Game will start in 10 seconds!]</i>


    Even ckTea, who saw Almond''s serious attitude, seemed tense.


    <i>''What was that?''</i>


    ckTea shook her head to loosen up her tensed body.


    <i>''His expression makes it seem like he''ll really beat me today.''</i>


    A Gold tier yer trying to beat a Challenger tier? Even when Almond miraculously defeated a Master yer, ckTea was already a Challenger yer.


    <i>''Masters can''t evene close to defeating me.''</i>


    The skill gap was toorge topare.


    However, Almond was genuinely determined to win this game. Usually, people found alternative ways to win the game when facing stronger opponents.


    Since then, Almond left asting impression on ckTea.


    "Hey, Lemon. Don''t you find him interesting?"


    "Almond? He''s so hot, isn''t he?"


    "It''s not that. I think he''s interesting..."


    "<i>Sigh.</i> What should I do, ckTea? I''m already getting nervous thinking about shooting toads at Almond!"


    "Oh... <i>um...</i> Okay."


    <i>[Game is about to begin!]</i>