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Episode 330 – Full Metal Punch (1)
Men's first match, a battle of the spearheads.
Daring and Skull Kim came on stage.
Jeong So-yoon and the commentators were speechless at the unfolding situation.
"Ah! Is it the effect of the women's division victory?! Sculkim is pushing hard! There's no room for Bold Player to gain any distance!" "Great! The flow is great! LD needs to keep chasing like this! Sculkim, you're looking exactly like a god of death right now! There's a saying that taxes and death are unavoidable, right?"
Genome raised his voice in excitement. In reality, Skullkim was wearing a skeleton costume and was pursuing him with relentless abandon.
"And Sculkim is also close with Ha So-yeon, isn't he? Every time Tri has hosted a competition, Ha So-yeon has participated! That means she has a wealth of experience competing against Lang Lang! Just look at her now! Her timing is incredible!"
The excitement over the women's division's victory wasn't just felt by viewers. Genome spoke quickly, her voice raised to a pitch.
“No, for a Sculkim player, such an experience could actually be toxic.”
But things didn't always go smoothly. The commentary immediately struck.
"Skull Kim was active last season, right? In other words, there was a hiatus. Looking at it now, he's not always successful in his escapes, is he? He's slow to react to certain Lang Lang skills! That's because of the balance patch!"
“Oh? Was there a big patch!?”
When Jeong So-yoon asked in surprise, Do-geun coughed and shook his head.
"Ahem, if Mr. Shoulder were the commentator, he'd probably say it was huge, but you and I aren't Mr. Shoulder. The balance patch changed the animation frames of some skills."
Metal Punch receives patches every season. However, these patches don't necessarily mean drastic changes, such as the addition or removal of skills.
"Actually, it's a minor difference for the average player, right? But once you reach Omega-level, it becomes quite noticeable. Furthermore, LD's timing for lag is extremely short, making it incredibly sensitive to frame rate fluctuations!"
The chat window was abuzz with that explanation.
-Oh? It changed?
-Yeah lol Looking at the patch notes, it seems like it's changed
-Why is this happening?
-Shit I had no idea until I heard the explanation lol
-There is no frame child for the T-shirts, Imari.
-But I practiced Skull Kim to some extent, so isn't it okay?
-Looking at it now, I haven't fully adapted yet;;;
-5 days was a bit short, huh?
As the commentators said, the first game was a close one.
Both fighters won the first round, advancing to the third. And soon, the decisive moment of the final round was upon us.
"Ah, we're in a lull right now! Both players need to be careful! We've already figured out both sides in the first two rounds! If you make a move here, it's over! You can't move easily!"
Jeong So-yoon heightened the tension by filling the audio. The commentators chimed in.
"They seem to have plenty of stamina right now, but they're both quite skilled! One aerial combo and they'll be gone in an instant!?"
"That's right. Every single blow counts! Both fighters may appear to be standing still, but there's a fierce battle brewing in their minds right now!"
The confrontation between the two continued for about three seconds as time ticked away. And it was Skullkim who made the first decision.
“Skull Kim! Take the lead!”
“Good! I’ve already established the momentum! I’ll pressure the opponent and force them to attack!”
His approach was met with a swift counterattack. Skullkim, as if he had been waiting, aimed for a distraction.
But things soon changed.
“No!? No, this is sooo …
“Audacious player!? What is this?!”
“Wow! I had this hidden away!”
Daring stopped his counterattack and immediately cast a horizontal movement. Skullkim turned around as soon as the movement ended, but Daring's body was already returning in front of him.
“This is Ha So-yeon’s step!”
"Daring player, you've been practicing this! The surprise attack will work!"
The tension that came with the clash between the two men was palpable. However, the boldness of the conversation was more rapid.
The skill that followed immediately sent Skull Kim flying into the air.
"Wow! That's amazing! The original Haja step was just a coincidence, right? But now it's intentional! The bold player pre-programmed the skill to reduce delays!"
"Do-kka-da," he said, gleefully. The air combo that followed quickly drained Skullkim's health.
"Ah! This is how Sculkim falls! Who would have thought that a step would come out here!? The secret weapon prepared by the bold player has hit the mark!"
Jeong So-yoon gave him her closing remarks. Just as she had said, the word "KO" appeared on the screen.
"KO! This is the first match, and Serengeti is leading the way! Serengeti team is leading the way!"
Her words brought sighs of regret from the Tri stadium, while cheers erupted for the first time in a long while from the Serengeti stadium.
“Oh, I couldn’t help it.”
Genome took the microphone to lighten the mood.
"Our Sculkim players are men of character, aren't they? I couldn't have predicted that a manly step would appear here! This is truly a difference in 'essence'!"
The result could not be overturned.
But he had a unique way with words.
"But that's okay! Who's next!? It's the epitome of chivalry, Eclipse! I'll show you what it takes to get your just revenge!"
At those words, the audience burst into laughter and the chat window also became lively.
-No lol Why are you making a fracture joke lol
-Aren't you going to steal this? Fracture kick!
-Black company special) Employees steal interns' performance
-???: Are you reporting this under my name?
-Black corporate style commentary ㅎㄷㄷ
-You punk! Give the commentary back to him!
* * *
The break given after the first game.
Skullkim, who had returned to the Try Team waiting room, bowed his head.
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"sorry…!"
His voice was filled with regret and remorse as he apologized.
“No, is there anything to be sorry about?”
When Lee Kyung-bok offered him comfort, Skull Kim let out a deep sigh.
"Oh, no. I was just being unnecessarily impatient in the last round… I should have just focused on letting things flow, as Purple said…"
As he had done for the female athletes, Lee Kyung-bok also gave advice to Sculkim.
“If I had stayed calm until the end, I wouldn’t have had the chance to use the bold step…”
“It’s really okay. But you did it up to 3 times, right?”
Lee Kyung-bok lightly patted his shoulder as he was blaming himself and smiled.
“I’m glad you did your part and didn’t go back empty-handed.”
“…Empty hands?”
For a moment, Skullkim blinked, wondering what it meant. But soon he understood the underlying meaning.
'You already assume victory.'
If your team wins at least one round, you get the prize money.
It was clear that Lee Kyung-bok did not think that Skull Kim's defeat had diminished his chances of winning.
"Recognizing your shortcomings is often the foundation for growth. Don't worry too much. I'll make sure to make up for any mistakes, so don't worry."
Thanks to Eclipse's comfort following that confident attitude, Skullkim was able to escape his guilt.
“Oh, I understand. I’ll cheer you on!”
He nodded, then suddenly raised his head as if he had forgotten.
“Ah! If you happen to use the ban/pick card now, I’ll explain about your alt-character to you, Daring!”
“No, it’s okay.”
Lee Kyung-bok smiled at him and waved his hand.
“I won’t use the ban pick card.”
“I’ll use the ban pick card on Shoulder.”
“Shoulder-nim?”
“Yes, how did that happen…”
Lee Kyung-bok explained how and why he used his card.
“Huh? Are you going to write it like that!?”
“I feel it again, but I think it’s a truly admirable distribution.”
I was amazed when I first heard Skull Kim, and I was impressed when I heard Eclipse before.
“No, I don’t respect it. It was just a choice I made for fun.”
“Wow… Still, it’s definitely a choice that the audience and viewers will enjoy.”
“I will definitely win, if only for Purple’s plan.”
Before he knew it, break time was drawing to a close. Eclipse prepared to compete with a determined resolve.
* * *
Time for the second match of the men's division.
Jeong So-yoon tilted her head and opened her mouth.
"Okay, we've finished selecting our characters. This time, Eclipse is playing, but we haven't received a ban/pick card yet?"
“The answer to this too is simple.”
“Oh, is that so?”
The genome was the first to answer that question.
"Just think of Decibel! Eclipse's advancement to the mid-tier is a given! That's why there's no need for ban/pick cards right now! How close was the first match? Even Bold is probably exhausted right now!"
"Oh, that's exactly right! I guess it might be more efficient to use ban/pick cards in mid-game matches."
“My judgment is a little different.”
Jeong So-yoon, who had been agreeing, expressed her opposition.
"Rather, it might be a judgment that Eclipse's victory is unlikely. If Eclipse loses here, Purple's odds are 3-1, right? Considering his stamina management, I wonder if he might use it himself."
Viewers expressed their unease with both sides' opinions.
-Ekkeul Kyung has considerable physical strength, but his experience is a factor.
-Really lol Omega level is not easy
-No ㅋㅋ Don't be a metalhead and cheer properly ㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-Arrest the three concubines immediately!
-You did a good job of talking in the first game!
-Ah haha I don't know and Godple will take care of everything!
In the chat window that was becoming confusing, Jeong So-yoon quickly continued.
"Alright, we're all set! The dark horse of the women's division, Decibel, showed off her dazzling performance. Now, let's see what the dark horse of the men's division, Eclipse, will do!"
With her words, the two players appeared on stage. Eclipse took a deep breath and looked at her opponent.
‘What I was lacking…’
Recognizing our shortcomings is the foundation for growth. What I said to Skull Kim was also said to myself.
He reflected on what he had realized while preparing for the competition.
“Ah… I guess so. I think it would be better to use it in a match against Kim Kim Kim rather than against the tired Daedam.”
“No, that’s not it either.”
Lee Kyung-bok smiled awkwardly at Skull Kim's subsequent speculation.
'I was only obsessed with the sword.'
The reason he initially chose the character Tsujimoto was simply because he was a character who used a 'sword'.
So, among the Tsujimoto skills, he focused on practicing skills that involved using swords.
'But Metal Punch isn't that kind of game.'
But that was a misjudgment. While swordsmanship alone proved effective against beginners, it felt like a barrier when confronted by experienced players.
Because Metal Punch is, after all, a ‘fighting’ game.
'Tsujimoto doesn't fight only with a sword.'
Eclipse retrace their mistakes to achieve victory. Tsujimoto's skills were more focused on "sword fighting," using fists and legs rather than swords.
With all those skills, he had to gain the upper hand through psychological warfare and numerical battles, but he found himself with a limited hand.
'What I need to sharpen is not the sword, but the character itself.'
So, while preparing for the competition, he studied character, not swordsmanship. The result was a single realization.
'For Tsujimoto, a sword is nothing more than a tool.'
It was a familiar sound that woke Eclipse from her deep concentration.
He exhaled and drew his sword at the sound of the fight declaration ringing in his ears.
"Huh? What's going on!? Eclipse! What's the mistake!?"
"You're holding the sword with your 'left hand' right now? I thought Eclipse was right-handed?!"
At that sight, Jeong So-yoon and Doelka were surprised and raised their voices.
"Oh! Sir Eclipse! Did you change your swordsmanship for the competition!? A master swordsman can do it! A master is not picky about his tools!"
"Oh, if this happens, the skill will be applied in reverse order! It's bound to be confusing for the bold players!"
Genome didn't know the details, but he immediately deduced the meaning. As Jeong So-yoon spoke with anticipation, the two players made their moves.
The commentators had no choice but to raise their voices again in the ensuing clash.
“Oh!? Eclipse player’s style has completely changed!”
"That's right! As far as I know, you mainly used the unstoppable swordsmanship. You used the unstoppable swordsmanship to keep your opponents at bay and inflict damage with your swordsmanship skills, but now it's a slugfest!"
"Hey, should I say you haven't sharpened your sword yet!? Eclipse, you're using your sword fighting skills skillfully! It's clear that your special training has been focused on this, not swordsmanship!"
Genome spoke enthusiastically about his changed appearance.
"Does that mean you can't use a sword? That's not true! Right now, I'm piercing my opponent's guard during a swordsmanship combo! It's as if I'm naturally left-handed, my skills are exceptional!"
"Ah, what a bold player! But he doesn't go down easily. He seems a little flustered at first, but he quickly catches up! He dodges sword attacks and seizes opportunities to counterattack!"
Even though it might be possible, he threw out a commentary that seemed like encouragement.
"Ah! I'm stuck! I'm going to execute a Tsujimoto block with my left hand!"
Among them, Jeong So-yoon relayed the situation neutrally. Lang Lang, struck by the blade, became rigid.
Eclipse was not about to miss that opportunity.
“Ohhh! Eclipse’s wheel kick is on fire! He kicks Bold Player with both feet!”
Tsujimoto, who rolled his body as if he were doing a forward roll, hit the ground with a Japanese sword and used the rebound to raise the sword.
"Ah! If it's like this, I'm literally helpless!? Is Eclipse player also good at aerial combos?!"
"You're so skilled! You're so skilled! Why wouldn't you be? Our Eclipse players aren't the type to practice sloppily!"
As the air combo continued, the stamina of the bold man steadily decreased, and the genie suddenly stood up and raised his voice.
"These nimble movements and sword fighting skills! Absolutely breathtaking! What's on stage now isn't the 'Knight' Eclipse you all know!"
“Oh, that’s right! It’s like you’ve become the very embodiment of the ‘thief’ Tsujimoto!”
At Jeong So-yoon's comment, Genome raised the corners of his mouth and shook his head.
"Just Tsujimoto? No way! How could that be possible!? Tsujimoto, the original thief, can't wield a sword this well!"
Genome's mind flashed.
Because a word that could accurately describe this situation came to mind.
“What you are seeing now is an upgraded version of the swordsmanship of the ‘Knight’ Eclipse, fused with the sword fighting skills of the ‘Rogue’ Tsujimoto!”
He raised his voice with all his might.
“It’s the fusion of ‘Ki’sa and ‘Enemy’! It’s the ‘Miracle’ Eclipse player!”
The viewers in the chat window had no choice but to agree with him.
-WA! Miracle!
-MuchinㅋㅋㅋTt Choi-ipㅋㅋㅋㅋ
-The Reds beat Omega, isn't that a miracle?
-Eikle can do it!
-Iraq! Iraq! Iraq!
-T-Choi's quick reflexes are amazing lol
-It just sticks to your mouth?
Genome did a good job explaining it.