Chapter 73: Planning
2102 Words
On the next day.
Kaede’s team still doesn’t have any battle. Because they are already semi-finalists. But still, the whole team dives into the Fantasy world online for planning. The name of the semi-finalist is already listed. Kaede’s next match is already set.
With the 24 guilds who participated only 6 guilds are left to compete.
Semifinalist:
1. Demon king guild
2. Special combatant force guild
3. Stellarknight guild
4. Witchcraft guild
5. Springan guild
6. Fuyuno guild
The name of the guild next to each other will battle for the semi-finals. Meaning, Demon king Guild will battle the Special combatant force guild.
Sitting around in the living room on their guild house. Kaede noticed that the bracket is unusual.
“Something is wrong in the bracket system.”
“Now that I look on it… Seems like three guilds will advance to finals. That means one thing, the final battle was a three-way fight between three teams… Fuyuno’s guild advanced far that states that they are strong.”
Clover said.
That Fuyuno sure is tough… It's not luck that made her win her match. She relies on, runs, and plans. A formidable opponent to have. I guess, the only time was meeting in this tournament was the finals.
Yuki thought and then think of Fuyuno’s amazing mechanical ability and fast reflexes. Yuki knew that she is strong, but Fuyuno is much stronger. A mix of feelings of fright and excitement surges to Yuki’s blood.
“Tomorrow will be beak for all teams. The semi-finals will begin on 29th and the grand finals will be on the 30th of August. That’s good for us which means we have more things to do like choosing the right equipment for our opponent. Speaking of the opponent, Special combatant force was the guild of the two gunners we fought in battle island event.”
“I remember, I remember…”
Kaede still remembers vividly how they holed her body in the battle island event. After defeating Melida, Yua suddenly appeared and attacked her with a mini machine gun P90.
Special combatant force is the guild built by Himari and Yua. The guild is a lot stronger because they recruited Assault the top six players and two other high-level players on their team. Their team build wasn’t like the common fantasy trope. There is no mage, healer, swordsman, and assassin. Their build is more like a military squad. All equipped with military suit and armor. Instead of swords and wands. They are equipped with guns and rifles.
Despite having a different build. This guild still has use of Skills available in the game. For example, Extreme speed was used by Himari and Yua before. Using their tactic Hit and Run, Camping and choosing a perfect hiding spot. Bullet skills are available. Like lightning bullets, flame bullets, homing bullets, and more. Type advantage never existed.
“They're all gun users does that mean they all need to go in far distance before attacking?”
Ronie asked.
Saya shook her head left and right and answered her question.
“That’s untrue, even in close range you can shoot someone with a gun. They have a mini rifle with them. It's good for close combat battles. Marksman guns and sniper guns are specially made to attack opponents from long distances. That’s the main reason snipers and long-range marksmen always hide to a high location with great field vision.”
“I quite understand it now… Ayane is always going to the high place to have a sense of vision. Not only for her teammate but also for her to strike down opponents.”
“I also doing the same strategy…”
“Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”
Ronie apologizes to Saya. Saya remain grumpy for a moment and took a snack and have a huge bite on it.
“Yua and Himari are not the only ones we should watch out… Assault is also there. She is a total psycho and has high reflexes like an assassin. She’s versatile and can use any type of weapon as long as it can defeat her enemies.”
Clover warned everyone.
“I also heard about her. Her overconfidence results in her fall in the battle event.” Saya said, but still, the worried Clover remains.
“There is nothing to be sad about, Clover. They are strong, the same as us. We’re also strong. Support skills Clover has will be made changes in our style…”
Kaede suggested. She pulls the interest of everyone to her and she continues.
“For example switch, the skill of Clover and cover move skill of Ronie can be used for a direct ambush attack. I also added hopper skills to my skill list. Hopper can increase my mobility.”
“Ambush attack using switch… I get it now, Using Yuki’s agility to come closer to the opponent. When Yuki got closer in attacking range. Immediately switching her to Kaede will lead to an instant kill. The same can be implied in Ronie’s cover move. Ronie will defend and also use her repulse to counter-attack… If things get worse and Kaede needs to retreat. She can use Hopper skill and blast herself away from the opponent.”
Clover explained.
Kaede nodded in agreement.
It's a simple tactic of skill but it's super effective especially to Kaede who can give critical hits to anyone with her huge STR.
“I still have a few trump cards on my sleeves to use. I was planning on using my new armor and sword in the semi-finals.”
“Kaede’s new armor… What kind of insane secret does it have?”
“I planned for it to be secret, but today is different. I need to show my cards. My new armor has a transforming skill, damage absorption, and sharpening skill. It's from the materials we got from Skull Reaper centipede. The skill can make me transform into a monster and become indestructible for a few minutes.”
“Indestructible Kaede? That’s insane… Kaede can just thrash everyone if that’s the case. Damage absorption is also great because Kaede doesn’t have much HP.”
“Well, I’m still suffering from AGI.”
“That problem is already solved. You can ride your familiar.”
“That’s right I almost forgot.”
“Biscuit has high agility especially when she is on spirit enhance mode.”
“You seriously forget about that… Kaede sure became a lot stronger. Instead, of my magic staff. I’m using two grimoires to gain access to different boosts. Yuki is a pure assassin build, Saya is still on her arrows and bows for support and assault. Ronie will focus on defensive tactics. Lastly, Kaede is still our secret weapon.”
After Clover’s words, everyone agreed to their formation.
“Before we continue… Let's watch the reply of Special combatant force battle yesterday.”
Saya said. She opened her menu and a huge window panel appeared floating in the air. Yesterday, Kaede and Yuki is busy with their homework their unable to see it. Studying opponents is a good thing for planning. After this, they will have a better understanding of their opponent.
…
The battle was quick. Just like how they move in Battle Island event. Yua and Himari’s teamwork is solid. Assault is another one to watch out for. Her playstyle is all-out aggressive. She has the same unpredictability. The other was surprisingly male. One uses a sniper gun and the other equipment with a sword and gun. The man equipped with a sword and gun was the top 9 player in the game named Setsuna.
While Yuki is watching she remembered the sniper on Special combatant force. The sniper shot its bullet and passed through the wall. It holes the opponent's head and gains a point from it. Yuki watches closely to check.
“That’s him!”
Her voice rises quickly, resulting in everyone around her being startled in shock.
“What’s the deal, Yuki?”
“That’s him…” she pointed out. Everyone is confused because they don’t have any idea who was it.
“That’s Rito our previous neighbor.”
“Rito? Ummm… His face doesn’t make any sense to me. I don’t even remember him.”
Kaede said.
When she said this she is not fooling around. Indeed, she doesn’t remember Rito. They are truly playing together before, but like how mostly forgot their nursery school classmates. Kaede pretty much forgets about him as a whole.
In their early days, Rito and Kaede don’t play together. Yuki is the one playing with him because Yuki is an outdoor type of person. Kaede just seat in shade looking at the kids playing. It's fun to play but to Kaede. Watching them while she sits like a princess is more fun. Her only reason was sweating is bad.
Rito took a glance at Kaede before. Kaede looks back and smiles. Making him think that she knows her. In reality, smile at him because she just wants to appear nice. Just like how clerks in grocery stores treat their customers. Clerks don’t remember their customers. Because why would they do such a thing.
Kaede does know That Rito plays with Yuki because he likes Kaede and wants to become close to her. Many years have passed and Rito goes to Fukuoka due to his parent's work. He still thinks Kaede is his friend. For Kaede, he's nothing but a stranger. A friend of a friend.
Sometimes Kaede’s innocence is harsh.
She’s not fond in lying either, that’s why…”
“He doesn’t ring any bell. But he's certainly the stalker before.”
“Master is correct.”
Ronie made Kaede’s statement more concrete.
“I see… I see… It's good that he is our, next opponent. I can put dirt on his face while on the battlefield. Just he waits for it.” Yuki has blazing fire eyes on her. She resents anyone who wanted Kaede away from her.
“Hmmm… Springtime goes with Kaede I guess…”
Clover muttered.
“Springtime?” Kaede's innocence strikes.
“Its love… He's in love with you. I think we might throw the game for you, Kaede.”
“That’s an advantage for us. Kaede should bribe him with a date. If he's willing to throw the game for us.”
Saya suggested.
“Nope.”
Kaede put her index fingers together and make a cross sign.
But to Kaede, it was no go. Playing fair and square is more fun and rewarding.
“In the semi-finals. Only one map will be used. It was huge. It's called district 4. Battlefield map District 4. It is all of the board streets and they’re lined with huge buildings. The map itself was small but has tall buildings, its vertical expansive map. The building was open with wide spaces within. Indoor battles are more likely than outdoor battles.”
Explained, Clover.
“To put it simple range weapons like the gun has an advantage in streets, melee players have an advantage indoors.”
“There is board street to consider, but the main feature is the shopping mall. I predict that most of the battle will happen here. Snipers target opponents on the streets.”
“So most people will cover in the mall.”
“It's hard to snipe from the building. So they need to take a risk and come get closer.”
“Does that mean this is an anti-sniper map?”
“Exactly.”
“But that Rito, where watching just shot the bullet that passed through walls.”
“That’s true, but that takes a lot of skills. Sniping is very hard especially if you can’t see your target. Maybe it was detection skill or something he's using there… He probably can’t shoot that precisely this time. But don’t get careless thought.”
“Hmmm…”
Kaede got serious about it for a moment. She was thinkings that maybe she can use the same tactic she’s used before. She will destroy the entire building and wipe it out. But now it's difficult. Unlike before, the shopping center is tall and has 8 floors on it. The shopping center is the only main battle area. She can’t destroy Saya and Yuki’s hiding spots.
Yuki specialized in assassination this time. She will need lots of structures to lurk in shadows.
The destruction plan is out of the question right now.
Kaede made a deep breath. Her head is smoking.
“I guess, I’ll go with my white knight armor this time.”
Kaede muttered.
- Writer
