Chick 281

by Cristae

281

Hunter TV Live Support

ON: Broadcasting

Hey, f***ing Orchestra, give us back Chaerin Jeong
Why is a kindergartner a starter while Chaerin is on the bench? Is this even a country?
Sports betting: Totonono bit.totonono.kr
Disband Orchestra now
The important thing is an unbreakable will [[ As long as the chosen Gru doesn’t waver, isn’t that enough? Gru, fighting! Gru, fighting! Gru, fighting?
Please break Gejurim’s spirit~~!!
I’ve been a hardcore fan since Orchestra started, but even I’m starting to give up…
Seriously, this is too much. Even if it’s Orchestra, how can you put a kindergartner out there for a national event?
Didn’t you expect this from Orchestra? lol
F***, this is getting on my nerves
The important thing is an unbreakable will [[ As long as the chosen Gru doesn’t waver, isn’t that enough? Gru, fighting! Gru, fighting! Gru, fighting?
Stop the Gru-fan spam
Obvious troll bait, don’t feed them
Gidan fighting ❤❤❤
The German team is really good
Wow, check out that smooth movement
SS
Dodged an attack right there
SS
Germany’s already killed one boss, you know
Why are people underestimating Germany when they’re a top team??
Because it’s Orchestra, lol
That’s already two kills
Ugh, today’s playing is a mess (vomit) (vomit) What does the Korean team think they’re doing, splitting up like this!!! Regroup you idiots!!
Chaerin, get ready
Still, putting the drone in is just over the line
If Chaerin runs in now, can she catch up?
The important thing is an unbreakable will [[ As long as the chosen Gru doesn’t waver, isn’t that enough? Gru, fighting! Gru, fighting! Gru, fighting?
Guys, I think I’m losing my mind
On Joorim is so damn incompetent
Gidan and Selhi, these guys need a beating, but they were left to mess around and now look at this
Dude, it’s the 21st century, what beating
Huh??
?
Cameraman, please show the Korean team~ All we see is Germany, seriously
Shet, hang in there!! ❤❤
Huh?
??
What’s going on
Huh???
What is it?
Uh…
?
?

“Hyung, are you sure this is right?”

Lee Taemin, standing alone at the starting point, spoke into his earpiece with bewilderment.

[Sergey: Why?]

[Gidan: Taemin, this is it!]

Sergey’s curt reply was followed by Gidan’s playful tone.

When Taemin looked to the side, he saw On Gru popping a snack into her mouth like a hamster and guzzling down a Pororo drink.

[On Gru: Oppa, what’s wrong?]

Gru, who had set up a camping chair and table at the base, munching snacks and fiddling with a tablet, looked up at Taemin and blinked innocently.

…Why does no one see this as a problem?

Suppressing his mounting frustration, Lee Taemin spoke.

“So we’re splitting up into three and stacking team buffs, right?”

[Sergey: Yeah. So move already. You want to lose?]

At Sergey’s reply, Lee Taemin heaved a deep sigh and started walking into the forest.

Behind the running boy, the ‘Mephisto Series mk.3’ chick drone fluttered after him.

It passed Taemin and advanced deeper into the woods.

Glancing over at it, Taemin lowered his voice.

“The German team’s probably moving together, you know?”

[Gidan: That’s why we shouldn’t move together! Right, Joorim hyung?]

[On Joorim: Weren’t you two doing whatever you wanted anyway.]

[Gidan: Yep!]

[Sergey: Gidan and I will finish off the boss first and come to you. Just keep growing for now.]

[Gidan: I’ll come help, Taemin, wait for us~]

Taemin bit his lip lightly.

Their confidence in going straight for the phase one boss without stacking team buffs was clear.

Fine, those two will probably pull it off. They’re amazing S-ranks, after all. But I’m not!

He’d assumed from practice that there was at least some kind of strategy.

‘…But was there really none at all?!’

At this point, wasn’t it just a battle of individual skill?

Growl

Just then, a muddy ghoul monster rose from beneath the earth, and Lee Taemin drew his twin blades.

With a swift motion, the twin blades sliced the ghoul into three pieces.

[‘Team Korea’ hit rate increases by +1.]

[‘Team Korea’ attack power increases by +1.]

[‘Team Korea’ dodge rate increases by +1.]

Along with the team buffs Taemin gained, more kept coming in as Gidan and Sergey defeated enemies.

Technically, the pace was brisk, but…

‘It’s not enough.’

Once the first phase ended, even Gidan and Sergey would realize how far behind they were compared to the German team.

And as Lee Taemin, who was maintaining himself as an A-rank rookie only thanks to the power output of his SSS-rank magic stone earring, he knew he couldn’t measure up.

Suddenly, the crushing helplessness of being so much weaker than Gidan and Sergey pressed down on him.

‘If only Chaerin Jeong joined us…’

Then there would be four damage dealers, but that would be better than running with a drone right now.

The drone didn’t receive team buffs, meaning Team Korea was basically set to fall further behind as time passed.

If his and the drone’s underperformance continued, Gru would inevitably be swapped out for Chaerin Jeong.

[‘Team Germany’ has defeated phase one’s ‘Priest Riela (Left)’.]

“Ah…”

Checking his digital watch, which displayed the minimap and the opposition’s status, Taemin let out a sigh of regret.

[Gidan: Wow, Germany means business.]

[Sergey: They have four people, remember.]

[Gidan: So you think we’re going to lose?]

[Sergey: Not at all.]

“Not at all?”

Just as Taemin echoed Sergey’s breezy reply in disbelief—

[‘Team Germany’ has defeated phase one’s ‘Sad Crown (Left)’.]

“Already?”

While Taemin clenched his teeth at the sinking feeling in his chest, Gidan just grinned slyly.

[Gidan: Taemin, don’t worry. Dany hyung has no intention of losing.]

Do these guys even realize we’re falling behind?

Anxious, Taemin swung his twin blades even faster.

Clop-clop-clop.

Suddenly, the sound of hooves made Taemin raise his head.

At that moment, the chick drone ‘Mephisto mk.3’ fluttered into view in front of him.

Whoosh—!

“Huh?”

Right behind the drone—meaning right before Taemin’s eyes—an arrow of light took aim.

From between the armored plates of a knight riding a horse and drawing a bow, blue ether steamed out, radiating immense pressure.

‘Ether Knight?’

This was the final boss of phase one.

Usually, you’d defeat Priest Riela and Sad Crown, collect all their team buffs, and only then face this—the toughest boss of phase one.

‘Why is it here?’

This wasn’t where the Ether Knight was supposed to spawn.

If that’s the case…

The drone must have drawn its attention and led it here!

It was clear the drone’s antics had attracted the Ether Knight, causing it to brandish its bow and give chase.

Wooosh—!

Ether gathered at the tip of the arrow.

Just as Taemin finished processing the situation, the drone suddenly soared upward, intent on saving itself.

“Huh?”

His voice came out dazed.

‘It’s just going to drop the aggro onto me and bail?’

At that instant, the ether fully gathered at the arrowhead.

‘He’s going to shoot!’

Taemin crossed his twin blades to defend.

Swoooosh—!

The Ether Knight’s arrow flew at incredible speed.

Taemin squeezed his eyes shut just as—

The chick drone’s eyes flashed. Semi-transparent feathers fluttered down onto Taemin’s head.

[Attack power increases by 150%.]

[Defense increases by 300%.]

[Accuracy increases by 100%.]

A flood of buffs activated at once.

Pop!

The ether-imbued arrow struck the surface of his twin blades, then fizzled away, the light snuffed like a punctured balloon.

Thanks to the drone’s buff, Taemin’s defense was high enough to nullify the Ether Knight’s attack.

Stunned, Taemin gaped.

“Holy sh*t, what is this?!”

[On Joorim: Watch your language.]

[Gidan: No bad words allowed!]

“Ah! Sorry! Sorry, Gru!”

[On Gru: Hm?]

Seeing Gru’s puzzled reply, not knowing why he was apologizing, Joorim added, ‘Taemin used a word you shouldn’t learn.’

[On Joorim: That’s something you shouldn’t pick up. Understand?]

[On Gru: Okaaay.]

Gulp. Taemin swallowed.

He could feel searing energy enveloping his entire body.

Just then—

[Sergey: Riela down.]

[‘Team Korea’ has defeated phase one’s ‘Priest Riela (Right)’.]

[Gidan: Whoa.]

[Sergey: Told you we’re not losing.]

Sergey’s soft chuckle came through.

Gidan’s response lost all playfulness, resolve burning through in his voice.

[Gidan: Crown down.]

[‘Team Korea’ has defeated phase one’s ‘Sad Crown (Right)’.]

Having dispatched both bosses with ease, the two immediately changed direction.

Dots that had been split across the minimap now converged toward Taemin at the center.

[Gidan: Taemin, we’re on our way. Hang tight.]

[Sergey: Coming.]

At their words, Taemin gripped his twin blades tighter. His body trembled.

“No. You don’t have to come.”