I am Smart

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The long-awaited one-on-one clash between fighters and swordsmen.

In that place, both ranged and close combat skills appeared to show Jo Dae-woo’s absolute dominance.

… But.

―――

Bear Doll Family’s Moon Si-hyun has taken down KILLTHAT’s Jo Dae-woo!

―――

The outcome was completely different from their expectations.

A brief silence, then a flood of messages in the chat window.

“…… What? No, what just happened?”

“Why did it end up like this……?”

The caster and commentator, who had been fired up by Jo Dae-woo’s aggressive play, stared blankly at the screen, unable to comprehend the situation.

Then they turned to Kant with bewildered expressions.

“……”

Yet, Kant looked just as shocked. He was deep in thought, his mouth tightly shut.

Eventually, Moon Si-hyun quietly looked down at the fallen Jo Dae-woo.

As if nothing had happened, she sheathed her sword and walked towards her original target.

“…… I seriously don’t get it! To me, it looked like Jo Dae-woo had the upper hand! But the result……!”

“No way! Did Moon Si-hyun really beat Jo Dae-woo, sword against sword!?”

“It’s hard to believe, but it really happened!”

[Bear Doll Family’s Moon Si-hyun has reclaimed a large object!]

In the midst of this unexpected situation, dozens of messages erupted in the chat window per second.

―――

How the heck did that happen?

Wow, this is insane! LOL

This is a wall.

So why did Jo Dae-woo lose?

Moon Si-hyun was impressive too! They said she was a Garbage Fighter One-Champ!

This is completely unreasonable!

No way, she won by almost half HP difference…

When will they come out?

―――

People who didn’t fully grasp the situation were now waiting for one thing.

[REPLAY]

“Ah! A replay! The replay is up!”

The replay started showing the moment the two swordsmen exchanged slashes.

“Up to this point, it was really good. You could see the skill difference as Jo Dae-woo was a step ahead.”

“And this part?”

Next was the scene where Jo Dae-woo charged in, and the two entered a chaotic melee of clashing swords.

Now, the commentator and caster had their heads down, fully focused on the replay.

Sparks flew as their weapons clashed dozens of times, with Moon Si-hyun seeming to struggle just to defend herself.

Then suddenly, Jo Dae-woo went down.

“No, what the……?”

“……”

The commentator’s expression changed, as if he understood something.

However, the caster, with relatively less gaming knowledge, still looked puzzled.

“No, looking again, Jo Dae-woo seems to be in a better position? Why is this……”

All the caster could tell by watching again was that Moon Si-hyun’s HP was falling faster than Jo Dae-woo’s.

The video rewound.

The swordsmen were zoomed in on, playing back at 0.5 speed.

The three, along with the viewers, watched silently again.

With the decrease in speed, it slowed down, allowing them to analyze every single action.

The swords exchanged blows, sometimes grazing, dodging, slicing, and thrusting.

Moon Si-hyun stepped back as Jo Dae-woo pressed forward.

It became clear that the mindless brawl they expected was actually on a much higher level.

…… And only when Jo Dae-woo fell like a light switch was flipped did realization dawn.

“No.”

“Wow……”

“Huh.”

―――

Wow LOL

This is insane.

What kind of precise distance control was that?

I suddenly think about San-su’s assessment of Moon Si-hyun.

She’s really impressive.

This feels like I’m watching boxing.

But Jo Dae-woo did really well too;;;; how did he lose to this?

―――

Finally, everyone understood what had occurred between the two of them.

Jo Dae-woo kept pressing.

Yet among his numerous attacks, very few actually touched Moon Si-hyun’s skin.

And as he pressed harder, she countered with strikes, exploiting every little opening.

The commentating duo continuously reflected on what they saw.

“Honestly, it seems that Moon Si-hyun’s combat skills are just way too high compared to Jo Dae-woo.”

“…… Yes. She’s strong enough to turn the tide in unfavorable situations. There was indeed a rough 50% HP difference, but she hit Jo Dae-woo twice as much to make up for it.”

“But if she’s avoiding every possible hit, Jo Dae-woo is left with no answers. The reaction speed and distance sensing…… wow……”

Now that the two commentators understood everything.

Kant finally spoke as if he had been waiting for this moment.

“Heh. No, it’s not that Jo Dae-woo wasn’t capable.”

Kant smirked, crossing his arms.

“In a one-on-one showdown like this, Moon Si-hyun truly outshines.”

“But even if Moon Si-hyun has some experience as a swordsman, could she really be that effective?”

Kant paused for a moment before speaking again.

“…… Skills like sword pressure and range-based attacks rely heavily on mastery, but the technique itself is incredibly straightforward. Mastery is important, of course, but innate abilities like eye coordination, reflexes, and distance judgment are crucial. Jo Dae-woo is without a doubt skilled in that area. However, in that aspect, he simply…… doesn’t match up to Moon Si-hyun.”

*

Minutes passed following that incident.

Due to significant advantages gained from the skirmishes, Bear Doll Family secured many objects first, followed by KILLTHAT’s rise.

Afterward, everyone gathered in the Sky Realm, and several 6 to 6 clashes occurred.

[We can’t get cut down now. The enemy has no coins, but we only have one Watchtower left.]

[Right. Let’s just play safe this time. If anyone dies now, we’re in trouble. Let’s just survive to gain an advantage.]

[Ha…… There’s not much left.]

Moon Si-hyun heard the voices of San-deng, Cactus, and Satori.

―――

Hako Virtual Minor Gallery

―――

But the Bear Doll Family’s play in the Sky Realm was really impressive![1]

The second set was really good for the Sky Realm as well[1].

Bear Doll Family held out well this time compared to the previous set[4].

This time, it was someone else who messed everything up LOL[6].

―――

Unlike the previous match, Bear Doll Family’s Sky Realm defense.

And even after taking a hit once, they maintained their composure, gaining Moon Si-hyun consecutive advantages.

However, the game remained tense.

The number of Watchtowers they needed to destroy to reach the enemy’s core Stone Tower was one for them, and none for the opponents, so there wasn’t much difference.

…… The reason was.

[Huh? Oh crap!!]

―――

[KILLTHAT Trende has taken down Bear Doll Family’s Cactus!]

―――

Hako Virtual Minor Gallery

―――

Ah, Cactus, damn it.[2]

How many times can you go down?[4]

Damn it, Cactus LOL[4]

This is a huge blow.[3]

Damn it, Priest JOAT.[6]

Ah crap, stop dying, you cactus sap.[2]

Scary story: Cactus is the third most expensive item in Bear Doll Family.[0]

I really want to pluck out all those thorns.[3]

But what happens if the Fighter gets banned and the Priest steps in?[2]

Wow, everyone did great this time and especially in the Sky Realm, but if this guy causes us to lose, LOL[3].

―――

[Right now would not be a good time to charge in.]

[Sorry. I messed up. Ah……]

“It’s okay. Just focus on staying calm. Dying is fine, but your mental state can’t waver.”

Moon Si-hyun’s unshaken voice reached them despite the situation.

[Okay…… okay…… Oh no. I have to give everything now.]

With Cactus’s death, the Bear Doll Family had to part with their last Watchtower.

Now it was a standoff with only the core Stone Towers remaining on both sides, meaning a single skirmish could end the game.

[Once the Cactus respawns, we can push forward.]

[Oh right. Since the enemy has just used their turn, we can push out.]

[Don’t focus on the objects; we have no choice but to fight right now. The objects are just a pretext. They’re not important.]

[For now, I’ll circle around?]

The Warrior San-deng said, moving to the side wall.

Formation completed.

[Going in! Going in!]

San-deng shouted. Thus, the final clash began.

Magic and divine power, and cold weapons flooded the scene.

Moon Si-hyun also prepared to charge in response.

At that moment.

– Clash!

– Clang!!

A swordsman blocked her path. Their swords collided.

It wasn’t a bad situation for Moon Si-hyun. If it were a one-on-one—

[Si-hyun! Can’t hold it there! The spearman’s coming! Be careful!!]

With those words, a spearman charged in, breaking the ground.

In front was the swordsman, and behind was the spearman.

She was in a predicament.

Moon Si-hyun made a decisive choice.

Just before the spearman’s charge reached her, she kicked the swordsman away and sheathed her sword.

And then, she focused on the swordsman.

Suddenly, a crimson aura surged around her blade.

The ultimate move of a swordsman targeting another swordsman: Sword Pressure Mayhem.

“……”

However, the red energy vanished in an instant.

Moon Si-hyun narrowed her brows.

It was a mistake.

The enemy swordsman vanished from sight along with the red aura.

Countering an ultimate move with another ultimate move, also known as a ‘matched ultimate.’

With normal reaction speed, a swordfighter’s ultimate can’t simply counter another swordfighter’s ultimate.

A seasoned swordsman’s strategic gamble. And due to its rarity, Moon Si-hyun fell victim to a lapse in skill.

The enemy swordsman disappeared from sight. A spear thrust approached from behind swiftly.

Sword Pressure Mayhem targets a designated opponent upon use.

The swordsman’s overall specs get buffed, becoming temporarily undetectable, and automatically attacks proportional to her attack speed.

With each attack, she moves in an instant, and in that fleeting moment, the undetectable state ends.

“……”

If Moon Si-hyun dies here, the Stone Tower will collapse.

“…… Huh.”

She exhaled involuntarily.

All of Moon Si-hyun’s senses honed in on her body.

The swordsman blinked in all directions, the spear struck at her.

And behind her—

– Whoosh!

– Clang!!

In an instant, Moon Si-hyun spun around and clashed blades.

The enemy swordsman’s pupils widened.

Yet this was not the end.

Moon Si-hyun’s gaze darted around with blinding speed.

The sword and spear’s rapid strikes continued.

If she couldn’t dodge, she would deflect. If she couldn’t deflect, she twisted her body to minimize damage.

Thus, near-godly movements persisted.

Moon Si-hyun survived until the swordsman’s ultimate came to an end.

That was an absurd twist in a 1v2.

However, the moment the swordsman’s ultimate ended, four other enemies were already charging at her.

Cold weapon firepower focused on Moon Si-hyun.

She desperately dodged once more.

What should be hit got hit, while the ones she could dodge were successfully avoided.

But soon enough, …

… she was dead.

With blood flowing profusely, Moon Si-hyun realized.

At that moment.

Shadows blocked the enemies’ path.

The Priest’s heal, the Shaman’s buff, the Wizard’s snares, the Warrior’s prods.

Various defensive skills were unleashed.

…… But.

From the side, an unexpected sword pressure came flying.

―――

KILLTHAT Jo Dae-woo has taken down Bear Doll Family’s Moon Si-hyun!

―――

“……”

For a moment, Moon Si-hyun’s gaze dimmed.

At that moment.

[F*ck!! Revive!!!]

The gray vision instantly enveloped in vibrant light.

The Priest’s ultimate: Revive.

The Priest broke through the line to protect her and rushed forward, taking fire as she desperately cast her ultimate.

―――

Wow[0]

Amazing[2]

LOL[1]

The great Cleric clutch LOL[1]

Wow, LOL LOL[3]

The great Cleric LOL[1]

What a delightful rebellion succeeded LOL[3]

Holy crap[1]

―――

Bear Doll Family’s Cactus has been taken down by KILLTHAT Jo Dae-woo!

―――

The Priest fell almost instantly as she stepped forward to defend her team.

However, that alone completed her role.

Moon Si-hyun rushed in to cover the enemies focused on her, as San-deng charged in, while the Shaman, Wizard, and Thief unleashed their firepower from behind.

As a result, the enemy’s tank, spearman, and warrior fell.

The remaining four, including the swordsman, retreated in desperation.

[Go! Go! Go! Go!]

[Run! Just run like hell!!]

And what lay before them was the Stone Tower.

With nowhere to fall back to, the enemies faced the stone tower separating them and their adversaries.

Moon Si-hyun and the other five dashed towards it with unwavering resolve.

Eventually, their attacks hit the Stone Tower while the enemy fire struck them.

[F*ck, destroy it! Smash it! Just ignore everything and smash it!!]

[Just destroy it!! Just die and smashes it!!]

Everyone shouted as they fell one by one.

[Please……!]

The voice of the Squirrel, who fell first.

The last one remaining was Moon Si-hyun, now standing at the Stone Tower, on the opposite side of the enemies.

Just as all attacks and skills were about to pour upon her.

Moon Si-hyun took one last swing of her sword.

A massive crack formed on the Stone Tower.

Everyone’s controls froze.

That signified only one result.

A result they all hoped for, yet felt hesitant to say.

In their unified line of sight, a turquoise stone tablet appeared.

[Victory!]

[[……]]

All stood before it in a daze, no one saying a word until finally.

[…… Ah……! Seriously, you all did great…… sniff……]

[Ah, it was really good!]

[Did we win? Did we really win?]

[That was awesome! Huh……]

[Ah, seriously. Wow……]

The Squirrel, Cactus, Satori, Harris, and San-deng.

Followed by a drastically panting Moon Si-hyun, as she heard those voices.

“Heh……!”

She finally felt the victory.

And that was.

The underdog.

The delightful rebellion’s success.