It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

Truly, it was an unreasonable standoff. In the depths of the underground. It was only the fifth time playing as a rogue, staring at the red knight ahead, thinking.

The opponent was a typical defensive knight. Holding a massive shield, ensuring just enough attack power not to be dismissed entirely. It was a slow build that couldn’t seize the initiative against anyone, but conversely, it was difficult to breach.

How on earth should one address that sturdy stance?

On the other hand, the allied knight wore just a light buckler and had invested significantly in offensive traits… an archetypal breakthrough knight. It wasn’t the image shown by Bio in the Worlds, but the Knight had chosen this trait, arguing that they’ve never faced the 2-Underground boss before. Since it was a DPS fight, an offensive build seemed better when pitted against the 2-Underground knight.

There wasn’t much to argue against it. It was a field where it was hard to find someone who knew what was going on. Nodding in agreement, thinking it would still be beneficial to gather information even if they lost a round.

Though it wasn’t like Bio himself wished to be caught by the opponent. Could they break through if they rushed in two versus one?

He wasn’t sure.

This wasn’t an unfamiliar situation. In the past, all sorts of thugs used to come to the underground, and encountering knights there was not uncommon. Even if they lacked mobility, they would just exchange stamina appropriately and withdraw.

But now was different. The structure of engagements in 1v1, 2v1, and 2v2 battles differed fundamentally. Moreover… somewhere behind, hidden, was ‘that rogue’ who still hadn’t shown himself.

That was what bothered him the most.

The opposing rogue was GetDevoured, who had also been on the enemy team in the previous round. Throughout the game, she took peculiar positions and, whenever a slight gap appeared, she would swoop in rapidly to secure kills.

『Guardi-dan (Holy Knight): Should we just break through?』

『Guardi-dan (Holy Knight): Seems like they are stalling』

A chat message in a frustrated tone appeared. Well, seeing a knight ahead, one would naturally want to charge immediately. As reckless boars often do.

However, even if he wanted to admonish them for their ignorance, there weren’t many alternatives at this point. The only option was to advance slowly while watching for the opponent’s ambush.

With a resigned thought, the rogue nodded—

“I’ll join the fight later.”

—Boom!

Not even a second passed before a sound of collision was heard.

The clash of knights. The first strike from the allied knight, draped in a blue veil, was easily blocked by the shield. Was it hard to avoid? Or was it intentional?

The rogue eased his complicated thoughts and moved to Bio’s right. Pressuring from the side without the shield was enough, and if necessary, he could circle to the rear. After all, those hiding behind shields were best beaten from behind.

– Voom!

A fierce horizontal slash tore through the air as if to reject any such movement. It was a powerful attack executed with perfect timing. Although it was not particularly hard to dodge, it forced one into a specific position.

As he stepped back, keeping an eye on the final trajectory, the sharp tip of the blade narrowly missed the rogue’s waist. At the same time, Bio also stepped backward, and the distance that needed to be closed in to take the back position widened again.

Was he trying to avoid being surrounded? Perhaps, the rogue was no longer nearby.

Facing an attacking knight, it was time to pay the price for swinging a sword into empty space. The allied knight’s sword came down toward Bio’s uncollected right hand. Swift and concise movement. If successful, it could turn the tide of the battle.

But was it really because Bio was a pro? His body twisted as if he had predicted the move.

– Clang!

The knight’s sword collided once again with Bio’s shield, now positioned practically side-on. The clear sound indicated a perfectly timed guard. Bio had successfully defended without expending much stamina.

Holding the line skillfully in a 2-on-1 situation was no ordinary feat.

‘Should I just go all out and land a hit? To think it didn’t even trigger her to come out despite such a critical moment… No, I can’t be certain.’

There was no surety in anything. In the previous game, GetDevoured had waited until a knife was stuck in a teammate’s body before appearing.

If they had run to the chests first, they would have had time to open at least one. Before the rogue’s location, who might have obtained some unknown item, was identified, recklessly expending stamina against a defensive knight was tantamount to suicide.

Moreover, the rogue who might be lurking in the shadows was no ordinary rogue. It was even questionable if it was the same character.

But then, was this standoff the right approach?

‘That damn silver-haired character really needs to be nerfed, what is this…’

The rogue’s mind was cluttered as he watched the Bio reestablish a solid defensive stance. Was the knight truly cornered, or was he trying to lure them into an attack for a counterassault?

The sword stretching slightly over the shield, was it a preparation for an engagement, or a desperate hedge? The tip of the blade was rhythmically swaying-

‘No, that’s… a taunting gesture to come in.’

It was not something a pro gamer would do. Or rather, was it something only a pro gamer—burdened by chat—would dare to do?

Was this bravado?

The looming presence of an unseen rogue clouded his judgment.

Perhaps opting to open chests while avoiding confrontations would be better. The abandoned allied knight could cope with a 2-on-1 situation just like their opponent, couldn’t they?

The rogue’s eyes caught sight of a small buckler on the ally knight’s left arm. It was a symbol of weak defense.

‘Right. It won’t work because of that. Why the heck did they decide to attack as a 2-handed offensive knight…’

However, unfortunately, there was not much time given to blame colleagues.

『Red Team has slain the Lich!』

『Red Team minions are joined by Skeleton Soldiers!』

『Sadinya (Mage): ???』

『Sadinya (Mage): What the hell, damn it』

『Sadinya (Mage): Underground, what are you doing @$*!』

With the message that the only epic monster in the map had been slain, the two Underground agents became the targets of political debate side by side.

* * * *

『Wow, you can become Solich LOL』

『Was this a Souls-like?』

『How is this even possible…?』

『Lantern is seriously an OP item』

『Are all items from the Rogue Box this broken?』

The chat window, which I glanced at briefly, was buzzing with item talk. OP… Well, it didn’t seem that OP. The lantern’s effect only gave a buff to monster attacks, and ultimately, it’s the player who has to dodge and strike.

Especially the final five-hit evasion and counter, it was executed with such finesse that I, too, couldn’t replicate it with a mouse and keyboard.

Why isn’t anyone talking about me?

… I suppose I shouldn’t brag about my own performance. There’s nothing worse than boasting about your own achievements. This is something others should point out.

Honestly, if you’re a good farmer, you should also acknowledge these things in a timely manner-

『GP Bio (Holy Knight): As expected, teacher GetDevoured』

『GP Bio (Holy Knight): I had faith in you!』

『GP Bio (Holy Knight): Your Solich decision was truly amazing』

-Haha.

“Indeed, Bio-nim. You’re so… so good at this. That’s what being cool really means. Knowing how to win people’s hearts.”

As expected of a World Series champion. With this kind of farmer talent, they must be among the best in the world. It has been barely a month since they started seriously farming, and they’re already at this level… It was enough to bring tears to my eyes.

– “Stop it.”

– “My horn hurts too much…”

– “I hate Bio. You won, you have lots of female fans, and you make money while I only have GetDevoured. Why?”

– “Crunch, snap, crack, crunch, snap, crack, crunch, snap, crack.”

– “I’m going to write on the GP site.”

– “GP, seriously? You think the league is easy because you won? Don’t you practice?”

Without realizing it, I clapped lightly, feeling touched. The chat window, however, was somewhat… hmm.

“Alright. Calm down. You guys can also… maybe. I’m not sure… really. But since Bio is a pro, you shouldn’t compare yourselves to him. He is good, though. Yeah.”

When I asked Bio to hold on alone for three minutes, he said something like, ‘Buying time is good and all, but I guess it’s okay if I just knock them down?’ It startled me a bit.

Even upon reconsidering it, it was still a bit unsettling. Does he say things like that all the time?

… Yeah, I definitely shouldn’t do duos. I’m not resilient to such comments.

『ㅇㅇ has donated 1,000 KRW!』

【Why is this damn kid trembling so much? Seriously, it’s like he’s grinding unicorn horns into powder.】

However, I couldn’t blame the generous supporter. I just took a sip of green tea and calmed my mind.

“Ah. Ahh. Ahhh- um. I don’t know… Am I trembling a lot? I’m probably inadvertently doing it because VR is tiring. After this game, maybe I will take a break… perhaps for about two days and recover my voice.”

It didn’t work out well, though.

“Guys, please keep your swearing to three lines at most. I can see just fine even if it’s that short.”

If only I had taken the potion of forgiveness, I would have felt more at peace.

It was a pity.

* * * *

Time left until the end of Season 1: 21 hours.

‘GetDevoured’s’ highest ranking: 72nd.

And the number of viewers: 37,200.

At this insane pace, the fluid viewer base on KoK began to gather en masse at CravingWarmAmericano’s broadcast.