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Season 3: Chapter 60: Black Death (3)

Compared to last year, the Civil Empire preliminaries indeed had many more viewers. However, not all of them sincerely predicted a victory. They merely hoped for a win, but didn’t expect it.

Even on the very day of the Civil Empire preliminaries, the sentiment on the community forum Embul was extremely pessimistic regarding the chances of winning.

[In the first match, what’s with France...]

[Even if it was against Vietnam, it would have been an even match, damn...]

[They lost all their scrimmages. Should I even watch this?]

[It's been a while since I watched. Is France as strong as before?]

[Just watch without expectations...]

[Newcomers really cheering with the thought of winning are so cute lol]

Embul, a community frequented by actual Civil Empire players, rated the odds of winning low. The more they knew about the game, the less likely it seemed that Korea could win.

[Honestly, if you diss someone for losing to France, you’re not even human, lol]

[If you lose to France lol, could you even beat Spain or Rome?]

[Wouldn’t it be rather manageable against Rome?]

[How could a knight civilization ever beat a bow civilization?]

Knights were typically strong against ranged attacks like bows. The civilization matchup was an inherent problem.

Then, things began to shift little by little as the match started.

[Maybe the French are old enough to handle]

[Oh. What’s this? lol lol lol]

[Damn, got baited?? France is really washed up]

France displayed a lot of strategic missteps.

[No way, we’re winning this?? lol]

[If we win this, it’s really jackpot]

[Yep~ Even if we win, next up are Rome and Spain~ lol lol lol lol]

[Ignoring matchups and just looking at power, France is really manageable.]

[I told you these guys are washed up?! Damn, Korea is going to win!]

Gradually, hopeful posts began appearing. Although they spoke roughly, these very people had long wished for Korea’s victory. They had been active for a long time in the scarcely populated Embul community.

[Breaking News” Almond and Pang have entered enemy territory]

[Yep~ France is getting trashed less than 10 minutes into the game~ lol]

[Lost all scrimmages, they said!? Lost all scrimmages, they said!?]

[Honorary Frenchmen are dying like dogs! lol]

When Almond and Pang infiltrated the enemy lines, those with a high understanding of the game felt extremely excited. They fully understood how significant it was for two archers to harass the enemy workers early.

Every little thing was critical, especially in an international competition filled to the brim with two hundred physically imposing soldiers.

[Oh shit, is this really happening??]

[South Korea!!]

[Please please please]

At that moment, everyone united with one heart and one mind.

If even one archer managed to harass the gold mines, the production of royal knights would be significantly delayed. If so, Korea would have the capacity to advance to the third era first.

However—

[Ah but the defensive tower ᅳᅳ]

[What about the defensive tower?]

[Damn, a defensive tower is in the way...]

A defensive tower blocked the enemy lines.

[Pressed for royal knights?]

[Look at France's judgment!]

[Who said they were washed up? Their judgment is alive and well]

France started producing royal knights by investing in gold mines at the expense of other resources.

From this point on, opinions became divided.

[Huh? They're ordering an attack on the defensive tower????]

[Are they crazy?]

[Suicide squad lol]

[But still, just go around it, even if you get hit by the tower, you could kill at least five workers]

Some thought the idea of attacking the defensive tower was too reckless.

[Haven’t you seen what Almond can do? This is doable]

[Fact: Solo queue towers and national competition towers have different controls. The commander does it all himself]

[If you don’t do this, there’s no point, might as well try even if it kills you]

Even if it was reckless, only this path would yield benefits.

All of these viewers had sufficient strategic knowledge of Civil Empire, so all their arguments had some merits. It would be the same in real warfare. Some generals would advise against a certain decision while others would encourage it. Ultimately, the chief commander made the decision and bore the responsibility.

‘If everything goes as practiced, everyone will cheer. If not...’

Cookie, always busy with his hands, watched the situation unfold with a stern face.

‘It’s my responsibility.’

He observed the battlefield as Almond and Pang gradually approached the defensive tower. They wouldn't be able to see each other yet.

***

The think tank team also gathered nervously in front of the monitors.

Kimchi Warrior (Kim-Chi Seung), who had personally scouted Almond, looked extremely anxious.

Pang's pupils dilated. The enemy he saw was...

'One!'

Cliick.

He raised a finger to signal Almond.

Almond nodded and moved to line up beside Pang.

Indeed, there was only one enemy.

"There's only one, so it's the torso."

Almond regulated his breathing even more slowly, almost as if he was about to fall asleep. Then, he took in only a slight bit of air.

Creeeek...

He already drew his bow string automatically, the motion occurring during the rhythm of his breathing.

Woooom...

[Focus]

The focus trait of Joseon's archer faction meant that the bow's tension increased the longer they aimed. The range, projectile speed, and damage of the shot all increased.

'This won’t work here.'

However, Almond aimed at the ground instead of the tower. The bowstring was already set. Even pulling with the focus trait to its limit, a short bow couldn’t shoot further than the defensive tower's range. They had to get closer to shoot.

"When attacking a tower, use the focus trait first. Then, shoot as you sprint into range."

They had been repeatedly told this during practice. Indeed, they had practiced this countless times.

"Run on three."

Now Almond was in the lead. It had always been this way when attacking towers.

Pang nodded. He pulled his bowstring to the limit too and raised his focus trait to its peak.

"Twenty paces. Let's run twenty paces," Pang roughly measured the distance and spoke.

Almond nodded. He had a good sense of the distance.

"One."

Almond stared intently at the defensive tower. They would need to react if any variables occurred. So far, everything remained the same.

"Two."

Slowly, a worker inside the tower looked their way. The enemy commander probably spotted them now, but that wasn’t a concern. After all, the enemy archer was still an AI with a predetermined movement pattern.

Still, no other variables occurred.

'Here we go.'

Almond exhaled the breath he had been holding and shouted, "Three!"

Thump!

The two of them dashed like arrows. Their heartbeats echoed urgently. Their rough breaths as they tore across the field could be heard.

From above, it looked like two wild beasts splitting the field as they ran.

"Twenty paces!"

They could pass the intended spot if they ran too much.

Pang shouted once more, "Twenty paces!"

Almond reaffirmed their position.

'I see it.'

Whiz!

The enemy immediately fired an arrow. As expected, the enemy commander was controlling the archer directly and quickly responded.

'Left.'

Almond dodged to the right, letting the attack slide by.

Thud!

The defensive tower's arrow buried itself in the field. It had missed.

Now, it was their chance while the enemy archer was reloading.

Click.

Almond's bow aimed at the enemy.

Keeeiing...

[Focus]

The focus trait reached its maximum. Beyond the tightly drawn bowstring, the enemies' heads could be seen.

Then—

‘Huh? The enemies...?'

Two enemies could be seen. When had another one been deployed? How would this change the plan?

They could either stick to the practice and aim for the head or go for the torso as discussed. If they went for the torso, which one would they decide to shoot?

His bow's aim wobbled.

"Shit, the head! I'll take the right!" Pang screamed.

Almond considered it once more.

'Head. Left.'

In an instant, he finished aiming. Then, his right hand gently released the bowstring.

Fwaaang...

The bowstring trembled at its peak tension.

Shwiiish...

Now the arrow, empowered by that force, split the air as it flew. Next to it, Pang's arrow flew as well.