It’s not that kind of malicious broadcast

Chapter 12 – Happiness Ahead

Between the two attack lanes leading to the ground, there are three side paths, with a stronghold positioned at the midpoint of each side path. These three strongholds are commonly referred to as the Blue stronghold, the Central stronghold, and the Red stronghold according to the proximity to the respective team.

When one faction fully secures a stronghold, a small tower emerges, and powerful defenders are summoned at the entrance. Unlike other soldiers who rush towards the enemy camp, these defenders stay around the tower, possessing high attack and defense capabilities.

The tower itself lacks offensive abilities, functioning similarly to a turret in other games, playing a crucial role in the gameplay. Archers or wizards take positions on the safe upper levels of the tower, benefiting from increased accuracy and sight bonuses to rain down fire on the two attack lanes.

Therefore, capturing the nearest stronghold right at the beginning of the game and using it as a foothold to engage in a power struggle to secure the central stronghold is the fundamental structure of the game.

If the enemy captures the stronghold close to the allied base, a comeback becomes nearly impossible.

『DebtCrusher (Holy Knight): Rogue, is that your rogue armor?』

『DebtCrusher (Holy Knight): Ah, for real, always so picky.』

『EatNSteal (Rogue): Where are you going, warrior?』

『NoJoin (Warrior): Underground.』

『EatNSteal (Rogue): Okay, I’ll just quickly clear the traps and join you.』

『RollingThunderThunder (Priest): Please join us quickly.』

Due to the game revolving around strongholds, the importance of the underground attack lane tends to be less emphasized comparatively. However, in reality, if the underground route fails, the game fails as well.

The underground attack lane is akin to the jungle in L**gue of L*gends or the neutrals in W*rcraft, being a battlefield with neutral monsters spawning and a pathway leading to the ground attack lane.

Commonly known as the ‘ant hill’, there are a total of 10 paths leading from underground to the surface. Controlling the underground means that the enemy could attack from unexpected directions at any time during the stronghold battle.

『EatNSteal (Rogue): Take it slow on the tower push.』

『StrongSilent (Holy Knight): Follow the rogue’s orders… Last warning, seriously.』

Therefore, it is difficult to consider a 5:1 distribution of troops between the ground and underground as the best strategy. In fact, sending two players to the underground has become the norm from as early as season 4 in previous games.

『Dual-WieldWarrior (Warrior) has been taken down!』

『Rogue → Dual-WieldWarrior (Warrior)』

In fact, sending only one person underground equates to a 4-drone-level flyby or a high-risk strategy. While there is an increased chance of victory if one can swiftly devour the ground base while holding out underground, the situation becomes too chaotic when just one person disconnects, completely cutting off visibility underground.

Continuing the fight nervously, anticipating when the stealthy rogue might emerge from behind, is no easy task.

『Rogue: Guard the room with the chests』

『NoJoin (Gladiator): Got it』

Even if the rogue simply roams underground, trying to open chests, the situation arises where the five above ground are unable to properly engage the imagined rogues.

However, the reason why the second underground is being treated like a trolling target is because the defense strategy has not been properly executed yet.

Even if one tries to control the underground, it’s just a matter of killing a few more underground mobs, opening some chests, nothing more.

There’s no way to directly attack the enemy’s base.

Carelessly stepping back will only result in being flanked by defenders and getting killed by the mages and archers providing support from the main tower.

So even if the only underground player dies, it’s just an insignificant kill.

『RollingThunder (Priest): Please come and join us in the center』

『RollingThunder (Priest): Ah』

『RollingThunder (Priest): Really @$*! rogue』

『RollingThunder (Priest): I’m such a %*@! for not dodging』

Ignoring the rogue getting solo kills and capturing bases results in overwhelming gains. While the leveling of the player going underground may be slightly slower, the same applies to the leveling of the enemies dying in the base captured above ground.

But things are about to change from now on. Finally, because we’ve found the solution.

* * * *

=Blue Team has captured the central stronghold!=

『Ark(Mage): SSSS』

“Wow, when the 2nd underground came out for our team, I thought we were done for. Is this what happiness feels like?”

『Kaddeuk… paddeuk… kaddeuk… paddeuk… kaddeuk… paddeuk… kaddeuk… paddeuk… kaddeuk… paddeuk… kaddeuk… paddeuk…』

『Why do broadcasters always get lucky breaks? Why does Ark’s team get the 2nd underground when mine gets the 3rd? Why? Why?』

『Audience, it’s time to surrender now』

-User YY has donated 5,000 won!-

【Isn’t this basically abusing the donation system?】

“Even when it was our team going to the 2nd underground… It’s just… refrain from using abusive language. It’s a real blast, you know.”

『LOLOLOLLOLOLOLLOLOLOLLOLOLOLLOLOLOL 』

『Ah, that’s true』

『Info: When they say go to the ground, just do so. If you’re a rogue, that’s the way to go』

Ark was no longer holding back the excitement bubbling up inside, playing the game with a radiant expression of joy on their face.

Could it be because of the title, “World’s First Female Rogue Master Ark Interview & Master Promotion Match”?

Even though the manic energy from the excitement had subsided, there were still over 10,000 viewers watching the broadcast. The slight sense of self-reproach felt when inserting the word “abuse” into the broadcast title had long been forgotten.

Furthermore, the game atmosphere was excellent.

Although the warrior on the allied side had offered a kill to the rogue, they pushed through the central stronghold utilizing the 4:5 situation on the ground.

With a mage and an archer in full condition stationed on the upper floor of the central tower, the opposing team without an archer had close to zero chance of a comeback.

『Looks like it’s over』

『The central is too easily snatched, it’s over』

『9:1』

『How can they expect to turn things around with just the central LOLOLOL』

『Having to defend their own stronghold, red team has to retreat because they ran out of blood fighting 4:5』

『They practically need to give up on the central power struggle, how can they possibly overturn this?』Located on the top floor of the central tower, Ark positioned himself and dealt AoE damage to enemy soldiers, pushing the line aggressively.

By securing a position in the safe backline of the central tower and pushing the line, taking advantage of the numerical superiority of the troops, the frontline advanced through the gaps created, with archers sniping from behind in a continuous cycle.

『WhiteMachineGun (Archer): Heading to the triple intersection to secure position』

『RollingThunder (Priest) has been eliminated!』

『WhiteMachineGun (Archer) → RollingThunder (Priest)』

『WhiteMachineGun (Archer): Priest down』

『Ark (Mage): Nice job』

It’s a typical pattern where the game ends before the opponent can surrender in 10 minutes.

“Well, shall we prepare some questions in advance while we have time in the game? Let’s see… Firstly, was going to the second basement a strategic choice to showcase the rogue’s strengths?”

【LOLOLOLLOLOLOLLOLOLOLLOLOLOLLOLOLOL 】

【Wait, is Ark really pressing notes during the promotion match?】

【Seriously, Ark’s carelessness is her passive trait】

【If you get turned around, how will you handle it?】

【Nao’s First Law: Talk first, lose】

“Come on, using notes alone is not considered talking first. Plus, I’m playing according to the flow of the game. So, for the second question…”

– User ㅇㅇ has donated 5,000 won! –

【Why is the host so cute when she’s excited? Happiness level at 100% LOLOLOL 】

【ㄹㅇLOLOLOL 】

【It’s been a while since the host looked this happy LOLOLOLLOL 】

Ark felt a sense of amusement and satisfaction after winning the game smoothly, making him burst into laughter at the mere thought of continuing the interview.

It was expected to be an entertaining spectacle for the viewers, but Ark also wanted to repay a bit of what she had received all this time, being human after all.

Reflecting on it, she realized that the damage exchange had been somewhat one-sided until now.

‘… Considering her usual behavior, there’s a possibility she might not come back after losing.’That wasn’t too bad in itself.

Isn’t the Tok ID underwater?

Just by casually teasing in the chat, viewers would have gone crazy.

“Crying? Weeping? Oh, they’re crying~ Just sending three attacks in a row would… No, that’s not satisfying enough. Let’s send the questions I’ve organized on the notepad.”

Though she felt a twinge of guilt about having such burning emotions towards the person who rescued him from the Abyss, it quickly dissipated.

With so much that had happened, it was hard to simply consider the person as just someone who helped out.

“Well, after the broadcast, I should definitely send a gift. What should I send…?”

As she was contemplating various gifts in her mind,

『Huh?』

『??』

『Looks like a rogue just appeared on the minimap.』

In a corner of Ark’s vision, she saw a rogue portrait outlined in red.

“Huh?”

Not just that, right next to it was a magician portrait outlined in blue. Swiftly turning her head, she started casting CC to escape, but –

As a dagger hit her hand and damage was dealt, a message popped up, indicating that the casting had been cancelled. Finally, the rogue that appeared on the minimap entered her sight.

Wearing the heaviest armor, the Plate Armor, on her limbs, a leather armor on her torso, and charging with a helmet completely removed.

“What the- Oh! No!!!”

『Ark (Magician) has been defeated!』

『EatNSteal (Rogue) → Ark (Magician)』

Among the many screams that Ark let out that day, this was the second loudest.

TL’s Corner:

Solo Bolo.