After the second match ended, the current rankings were as follows.
Scoreboard
Yuruba Team - 30 points
Ponia Team - 25 points
Philip Team - 10 points
Chilchaek Team - 5 points
Our team, which had been in first place, dropped to second, and Yuruba Team, previously in second, rose to first. They had been selected as a championship favorite from the beginning and had shown outstanding results in scrims, so in a way, this was the expected outcome.
There was only one match left, and it would not be an exaggeration to say it was a direct battle for first place between our team and Yuruba Team.
The only difference now was who would end up ranked higher.
Of course, in a hypothetical scenario, if Yuruba Team finished last this round, our team placed third, and Philip Team took first, there could be a tie, which might change the situation slightly. But realistically, that was not going to happen.
So there was only one team we needed to target. As long as we could make that one team finish below us, that would be enough.
"Everyone, third place was still solid. Now I'll go over the strategy."
The atmosphere had sunk because of the third-place result. The coach forced some energy into his voice as he spoke. Perhaps he was thinking the same as I was, because he emphasized over and over that we only needed to focus on Yuruba Team.
"And whether this map has a Temple or not is important. Ponia, keep a close eye on that."
"Yes."
If it was a map with a Temple, I could put on another one-man show like before.
But just like Special Rules, the Temple was an element that appeared very rarely. And even if it did exist, finding it was even harder.
The fact that a Temple had appeared during the scrim last time had been incredibly lucky.
Still, since this was a jungle map with fewer items, the rankings would likely be decided by pure physical skill.
And when it came to mechanics, I would not lose to anyone.
With that, the game that would determine our final tournament ranking began.
The third round has started. Analyst Yoo Jinhyo, what do you think?
"I believe the most important team to watch is still Ponia Team. Just like in the first match, depending on how the key player, Pilgong, performs, the team rankings could shift significantly."
"And what about you, Margus?"
"As Analyst Yoo said, it seems the rankings of the other teams will depend on how many variables Ponia Team can create and how diverse they are."
"Oh. So Ponia Team's influence is really that significant right now. Let's head straight into the match."
As the commentators finished speaking, the main screen switched to the game. The teams that spawned in the jungle did not scatter like they had in the second match.
The same was true for Ponia Team.
"Since regrouping is much harder on a jungle map compared to a city map, it seems the other teams aren't taking the risk of splitting up."
"Even Ponia Team, who split up in both the first and second matches, is sticking together."
The flow of the game was clearly different. Early on, it was difficult to encounter opponents, and splitting up did not provide much reward, so it seemed teams preferred moving together in the jungle.
The game began, and for five minutes, nothing changed.
The jungle map is so boring.
Did we really have to play this map? Would've been more fun to just do another city or rural map.
Farming is hard, the map's messy, growth is slow, and fights aren't even fun.
Should I just go watch something else?
Not really feeling this.
The viewers complained in chat. There were always viewers like that, but this time even the camera director found it dull. The only thing somewhat worth watching was the commentators desperately trying to keep the broadcast alive.
Then, suddenly, a shift broke the stagnant atmosphere.
"Oh? Pilgong? He's splitting off from Ponia Team. And Ponia Team is picking up the tempo!"
Without warning, Pilgong separated from Ponia Team, and the team began increasing their pace. The other teams were unaware of this and continued moving more slowly.
Having raised the tempo, Pilgong moved at incredible speed, as if he intended to loot every single item on the map.
It seems there's no Temple on this map.
The reason we had moved together at the start was simple. If there had been a Temple, Ponia's guidance would have been necessary. But after five minutes of light farming and checking, we concluded there was no Temple on this map.
The moment Ponia reached that conclusion, I immediately began moving alone.
Since items were harder to find on this map, my splitting off would allow the others to grow stronger. As long as I scaled well on my own, that was enough.
So he's going solo again.
Honestly, after what we've seen, this might be the right move.
Wouldn't it be weird if he didn't go solo at this point?
Seems reasonable to me.
Hope he scales properly this time and gives us another one-man show.
As I started moving alone, the viewers reacted not with negativity, but with mild complaints that I was only doing it now. It seemed they had enjoyed my solo plays in the first and second matches.
Because of those messages, I couldn't help but smirk.
Huh?
Is he reading chat?
There's no reason to smile like that while running alone.
If you're reading chat, stick your tongue out.
He's reacting to chat during a tournament. What a legend.
While farming, I glanced at the chat and quickly stuck out my tongue before pulling it back in.
The chat exploded, but I stopped looking and focused on farming. As I continued looting, I got lucky and managed to find three Level Cores.
After consuming them, I learned Dagger Swap, Acrobat Dagger, and Bigeom-sul (Flying Sword Technique) in that order.
"At least I won't get taken down easily if I run into another team."
I muttered that, but then my expression stiffened and I stopped moving. There was an old saying that words can become reality, and it seemed our ancestors had been right.
The moment I said it, I sensed someone nearby.
I quietly held my breath and decided to first confirm which team it was. Since we needed to target Yuruba Team first, any other team could be either ally or enemy.
So identifying them was the priority.
Carefully climbing up a tree, I waited for the presence to come closer.
"Looks like everything's already been looted."
"Seems that way."
There were five of them moving together, and their leader was Philip. Philip Team needed to push our team down to third. And like us, they also needed Yuruba Team to finish last.
That meant they were not a team we needed to fight head-on.
With that in mind, I climbed down from the tree, intending to leave.
Crack!
Up until that moment.
The branch I stepped on snapped as I descended, revealing my position.
"It's a sound!"
Philip Team immediately rushed toward my location. I ran as well, trying to create distance between us.
"Of all places, I had to step on a branch there?"
I cursed my luck as I kept running, but it didn't seem like they intended to let me go. They must have realized I was alone and had no intention of giving up the chase.
In a game like Kill Ground, you could check your teammates' positions, so in situations like this, you could lure enemies toward allies. But in Battle Hill, you couldn't even see your teammates' locations.
So handling this alone was the correct choice.
I guess I'll have to fight and reduce their numbers.
If they suffered some losses, they would stop chasing.
I stopped running and discreetly shifted my dagger to the side.
I planned to talk briefly, and if things went south, immediately use Dagger Swap to launch a surprise attack.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three consecutive attacks. Three of them lunged at once, but I used their movements against them, redirecting their weapons into each other and deflecting the attacks. The rest of their team quickly surrounded me.
It was a good thing I had prepared an escape route beforehand.
"Team Leader Philip. Is there really a need for us to fight?"
I addressed Philip, who had arrived slightly later. At my question, he narrowed his eyes, as if trying to recall which team I belonged to.
"You're from Ponia Team, correct?"
"That's right. We also need to target Yuruba Team first. Is there really a reason for us to fight each other?"
"Hmm."
Philip seemed to consider it. I prepared to activate Dagger Swap at any moment, just in case.
As I waited for his answer, I suddenly sensed movement behind me.
What is he doing?
It seemed like someone was trying to hide their presence, but the faint sound of footsteps only drew attention.
Moving behind me was Ryamen, Philip Team's SR. He had harbored a strange hostility toward me for a while.
What is he doing?
Just as I focused on him, Ryamen suddenly drew his sword and swung it at me.
"Die!"
A sudden ambush. Of course, since I had been wary, it wasn't truly a surprise.
I immediately used Dagger Swap to break out of the encirclement and slashed at Ryamen with Bigeom-sul (Flying Sword Technique). He didn't die, but his health dropped significantly.
"Tch."
Clicking my tongue, I gripped my dagger and attempted another flurry of strikes.
Clang!
But another member intervened and blocked my attack.
"What is this supposed to mean?"
"That's bold of you. You're the ones who ambushed first."
I said it, slightly incredulous. If this hadn't been a broadcast, I might have said something harsher.
Your team ambushed first and you're asking what this is?
He literally shouted die at the top of his lungs.
Maybe the leader ordered it, so he's acting even more shameless.
Honestly, would anyone ambush while their leader is in the middle of talking?
For real.
As the viewers suggested, it was likely the leader had given the order. In that case, there was only one option left.
The thirty-six stratagems - run away.
Without looking back, I started sprinting. Since this was a jungle map, if Pierrot truly committed to escaping, they wouldn't find me. While running, I threw my dagger in one direction and ran the opposite way.
They moved toward the dagger's location, wary of my Dagger Swap, but I deliberately threw it and then used Bigeom-sul (Flying Sword Technique) to curve it back into my hand.
I repeated the same trick several times against those chasing me, and eventually succeeded in shaking them off.
"Wow… they're seriously persistent…"
After finally losing Philip Team, I could only let out a sigh. Even though they had split up at some point, they had chased me relentlessly, and my health had dropped significantly.
Fifteen minutes into the game. The safe zone had shrunk considerably, yet there had still been no kills.
That was how difficult it was to encounter anyone on this jungle map.
"I guess I'll finish up my farming…"
Muttering to myself, I entered a nearby cave. The time spent escaping had cut into my growth time. Clicking my tongue, I searched the cave and found a single item.
But I seriously questioned whether this item should even be allowed in a tournament.
"Did the organizers really not block this?"
I didn't expect this to appear.
It's my first time actually seeing one.
So this is what it looks like?
You're going to use it, right? It'd be weird not to.
We're seeing this in a tournament, wow.
In my hand was a single sheet of parchment. Though calling it just parchment felt questionable.
"Why do I have a Special Rule Activation Item in my hands…"
It was an item incredibly difficult to encounter in normal gameplay. But this was a tournament, and if I activated it, there was no telling what kind of variable it would introduce.
That was why I hesitated. Using this now would create an enormous variable.
Could my teammates and I handle that…
My hesitation did not last long. Everyone here was serious about the game. Even if a Special Rule activated, they would each manage on their own.
It might have been blind faith, but I chose to believe that and used the Special Rule Addition Ticket.
Special Rule Addition Ticket has been used.
Confirmed that the number of surviving players is 20 or fewer.
A Special Rule will be added.
Added Special Rule - Ma-wang-seong (Demon King's Castle).