A Swordsman's Stream

Chapter 123

Players of “For Justice” delved into the study of martial arts techniques.

From forms, application methods, to counters against the opponent’s techniques, users explored deeply into any elements that could be examined, searching for ways to utilize them.

Since they focused on techniques that could sometimes even be useful outside the game or in real life, “For Justice” players had a reputation for being somewhat special.

However, in the end, the research they conducted was not much different from the research players of other games conducted.

『About the Patterns of Judgment Sword Kael』
『Why Kael Players Must Keep Playing Kael Even if They Struggle!』
『Experience is the Key to Mastering Judgment Sword.』

The essence of players researching skills and improving their mastery to become better at games did not change.

The only distinction lay in whether the mastered skills could be used in other games, which highlighted “For Justice”.

Kael players sought the vital point generation patterns of Kael.

Unlike actions that could be utilized just by holding a weapon, even in different contexts, this pattern shined only when Kael was chosen in The League.

Most games were like this.

Even with shooting skills, apart from the fundamental abilities, the crucial senses were often useless since they greatly varied, from the weapon to the type of bullet.

Yet, the question remained whether games were played to perform well in real fights.

『No One Masters From the Start. Even If Mocked, just Go For It!』
『If You Play Enough, You Will Truly Get the Hang of It and Become Faster LOL』
『I Found Studying Swordsmanship Quite Useful When the Opponent Tried to Block My Vital Attack.』

No, games were played for fun.

The reason for research?

Quite obviously, to win against opponents.

Sometimes, when an insane play occurred that felt unlikely to have been executed by oneself, it made the day exciting enough to lose all sleep.

『Kael Judgment Sword 16-second Cut』

==

I’m a Bronze Kael myself.

It was a fluke, but it was crazy, right?

(Video)

==

-That’s insane
-Agreed, this is expert level
-Blocks the opponent’s skill impeccably, then hits every vital point with incredible timing!
-Looks like someone in their zen state
└Feels like they truly entered a zen state
-This should be played even at a funeral
└We’ll be showing you the incredible play of the deceased, haha
└Pass it down to your children later. Keep it as a treasured heirloom
-I want to kill those Kael-noobs. Don’t you see it? They have 0 kills and 9 deaths in the video
└Haha, I just checked, hilarious
└Legendary 0 kills and 9 deaths LOL
└That’s why they’re Bronze Kael-noobs! (Nod)

People loved super plays.

Whether it was themselves, a professional, or a stranger showcasing it, they loved it regardless.

Even if the opponent in front of them performed it, as long as it was impressive, gamers admired it.

In such a world, the super play Kael players sought was to hit the vital points.

Breaking through the opponent’s interference and predicting where the next strike would land, making optimal decisions in each exchange to swiftly hit the vital points.

The ultimate ability was indeed impressive.

With such impact, was it any wonder that Kael-noobs preferred to call Kael Judgment Sword Kael over Agent of Light Kael?

But even before this rework, when it wasn’t necessary to break the points swiftly, it wasn’t as popular, clarifying what they were passionate about.

Speed.

A piece of news spread on Kael’s message board in The League.

『Hey, Kael-noobs. There’s news of a 4-second Judgment Sword.』

==

Is it true?

==

-Nonsense, right? LOL
-If you can hit the Judgment Sword in 4 seconds, is that even a hero? It’s just plain broken.
└If every vital point took 0.6 seconds each, is that possible?
└In terms of speed, it’s highly possible.
└That’s the case when you recklessly swing hoping to hit the vital points.
└If the 4-second Judgment Sword becomes a thing, Kael’s crit system will likely be nerfed.
-But isn’t it possible if it’s just luck? If a top player gets lucky about six times in a row, it could be achieved.
└I agree with this
└Some people randomly swing at practice dummies and sometimes hit 9 or 8 seconds, so that could be it.
└This seems most likely

Executing the skill really fast took about 8 seconds.

Hitting a 16-second Judgment Sword was considered a legendary play.

But 4 seconds?

It wasn’t something that could happen during a normal gameplay.

Therefore.

They thought it might be a matter of luck with a practice dummy standing unresponsive, hitting random vital points, waiting for fortune to smile six times.

Even in lotteries, someone wins, so who knows?

That’s what they believed.

However, the misconception was quickly corrected as a post appeared on the free board, causing quite a commotion on Kael’s board.

『It’s real?』
『Currently Broadcasting on Travel』
『What’s going on????』

The free board of The League was known for moving on to other topics as long as a post didn’t result in a fight or controversy, no matter how astounding it was.

Nonetheless, the 4-second Judgment Sword became a sensation on the free board as well, with numerous related posts surfacing.

Yet, the reactions weren’t as intense as on Kael’s board.

A sanctuary for Kael-noobs.

『What the heck!!!! Is there a pattern?!!!!』

==

Am I the only one drooling right now?

==

-It was against normal, beginner players… hmm…
└Is that important? The crucial part is proving a pattern exists. (Writer)
└Whether it’s against practice dummies or beginners, the fact that a pattern exists itself is proven. (Writer)
└LOL, I’m drooling as well
└If we memorize the pattern, even if not 4 seconds, the time will be significantly reduced LOL Can’t wait

They were excited.

Knowing the pattern would significantly reduce time more than any existing strategy guide or instructional video.

Wouldn’t a streamer be likely to share it?

However, there was a question preceding all discussions.

『So who is he? What’s his deal?』

==

Saw the comments on the free board, apparently, it’s his first game with Kael and The League?

How’s that even possible? Who is he?

Honestly, who is this guy?

==

-Don’t refer to him as ‘that guy’. He is a precious person who will unveil the pattern to us
└Would he even reveal it easily?
-He must have seen the video beforehand and identified the pattern. That’s just the kind of person he is.
└LOLOL, streamer-nim is consistent as always
└Guys, spill what you know. Who is he, a smurf?

About who Sojun was.

It wasn’t as though no one knew.

In fact, quite a few did.

With “For Justice” in its resting phase, there was plenty of time to explore.

『Do you know about the unmatched play? Do you know about the Dominator?』
『Do you know about the Essence from Assassin’s Dawn?』
『Do you know about Absorption Technique?』
『Do you know about the Heavenly Demon Divine Art of For Justice?』

Comments about Sojun started pouring in.

『Lololol』
『So many are coming in hh』
『After reading everything, I’m even more curious. What is he really?』

-To be honest, we’re curious too
-Just an ordinary college student

Sojun’s past activities were revealed along with his iTube link.

A track record that left no room for doubt and cemented the belief that it wasn’t fraud or manipulation, but truly genuine!

Now, with only one problem remaining for them.

『Do you think the streamer will reveal it?』

==

If only he knows, it’s a massive exploit, but if everyone knows, it’s guaranteed Kael will get nerfed.

And wouldn’t it be more than just a nerf? The game company might even change the entire pattern or completely rework the character.

Isn’t it better to keep the advantage to oneself? Assuming the game allows even that.

==

-Sounds logical
-As a 10-year viewer of Streamer-nim, we’ll be told but likely won’t understand it
└10 years LOL
-So, what to do?

The conclusion converged into one.

『Let’s just pray for now』

==

Seems right.

==

-Let’s show our determination
-Kael-noobs, let’s take action
-Oh, and in the meantime, he’s currently casting Double Ultimate!
└Double Ultimate?? Insane

* * *

Sojun’s eyes met the sight of two enemies approaching him.

No longer able to stand idle to the death of his teammate in the mid lane, the jungler and support arrived from below.

Incidentally, the opposition in mid remained a cold, lifeless body.

“Though it may be somewhat late timing.”

Novice junglers typically don’t aid other lanes but focus on clearing monsters in their jungle, advancing their growth.

Given how frequently the team mid had perished, coming mid was not unexpected.

The support’s approach was what surprised Sojun more.

The two immediately launched themselves at Sojun.

They likely assumed he would retreat.

However, Sojun advanced rapidly toward them, closing the distance instead.

The jungler, Primal Predator.

A champion capable of shifting between animal and human forms during combat.

The support, a Soul Snatcher with a distinctive grab CC skill, drags opponents in upon a successful hit.

『Javelin Toss』

Primal Predator’s long-ranged spear neared Sojun’s eyes.

Sojun activated an invulnerability skill.

He had previously stocked up stacks.

“His skill is blown! Grab him!”

Just as the Soul Snatcher attempted to deploy a restraining skill on Sojun.

At a close range, Sojun’s eyes caught sight of shimmering lines.

‘Prioritize Snatcher.’

Ching! Ching! Ching!

In what took less than two seconds.

During a mere reflexive basic attack from the support, Sojun charged his skills.

“What, what is this…….”

The expression on the player’s face, who controlled Soul Snatcher, showed shock and disbelief.

He heard it distinctly.

The sound of three ruptured vital points.

Ching! Ching! Ching!

Even amid confusion, Sojun’s sword continued its relentless motion.

Behind, the Primal Predator transitioned from human form to a beast shape, lunging toward Sojun.

『Assault』

The support also threw a grab skill at Sojun for support.

『Blessing of Light』

Both skills were nullified.

Sojun shifted his body and targeted the jungler who had assaulted him.

Above the support’s head, a two-mark indication had long appeared.

As Sojun’s sword moved gracefully, aiming for a strike, the jungler altered from a leopard form to a human form.

The vital points altered accordingly, likely strategized.

‘You understand quite well.’

Nonetheless, tracing the newly emerged vital points and striking them wasn’t a difficult task.

Ching!

The vital point was shattered.

From then on, Sojun was heavily favored.

Despite the jungler’s adept gameplay understanding, constantly transforming and blocking to guard critical areas, having missed the initial attack meant Sojun alone knew the upcoming vital point locations, making it essentially over.

Three more rupture sounds reverberated.

-Blessing of Light’s cooldown appears imminent lol totally Op
-Ultimate skills have cooldowns, so it seems similar
-They’re gonna nerf it ㅠㅠ
-There’s really nothing to nerf. It’ll only target Streamer-nim
-But can it trigger the Double Ultimate?

Reentering invincible mode, Sojun’s sword seamlessly moved to conclude it.

An icon with a two-mark emerged over the jungler’s head.

-Kya
-That is truly Op
-A Double Ultimate, even though regarded as bullying, is really hard to witness
-A streamer known for bullying newbies lol

The Double Ultimate’s duration was 30 seconds.

To witness a Double Ultimate, one must keep a marked target alive while marking another within 30 seconds.

The difficulty was so high that it seldom occurred unless a challenger faced bronze level opponents.

Remarkably, a challenger once encountered a bronze in a private match and succeeded in triggering it for the first time in-game, achieving the Double Ultimate.

When Sojun planted his sword into the ground, vibrations spread.

“Wait, why is this happening?”

“End it!”

The jungler glanced skyward and shouted, but alas, their champions lacked an invincibility skill.

『Judgment Sword』

Between two fissures that formed in the sky, a colossal sword came plummeting down.

Kwoooom!

『Double Kill!』

-At least Master level achievement
-I believe he can devour challengers too
-But didn’t the Kael-noobs say they’d come and beg? Where are they?
-Wouldn’t it be hilarious if someday he manages the first Triple or Quad Ultimate?
-Four ultimates would be horror-inducing
-If the game avoids targeting patches, we might be lucky to witness it hh

After some dialogue among the opposing team, a surrender vote arose, concluding the game in victory.