Chapter 71: The Five-Second Focus and the Path to Victory

The Elimpics had 64 teams in total.

Naturally, more applicants than this number registered every year, but not everyone could be accepted.

Thus, the organizers of the Elimpics established clear criteria for team selection.

The teams were ranked by their average viewer count, and the top 64 were chosen.

No matter how much Elimpics emphasized fairness and skill as its catchphrases, it was ultimately a broadcast—entertainment.

It had no choice but to cater to the audience’s preferences.

That may sound harsh, but honestly, even 64 teams were an overwhelming number.

With six players per team, a total of 384 participants joined the tournament, and these were all streamers.

Selecting the top 384 streamers in Korea would already mean pulling in those with an average viewership of just 400.

Now, finding 384 streamers interested enough in Eternal World to join the tournament?

You’d be dealing with streamers who barely hit double-digit viewership numbers.

Unless someone’s average viewer count was in single digits, it was almost guaranteed they’d make the cut for the 64 teams.

This is why Elimpics could boldly claim fairness and skill as its motto.

For smaller streamers, it was like rain in a drought—a golden opportunity.

Anyway.

The Elimpics tournament spanned two weeks, which was exceptionally long.

This included group stages, the first-place decider, the round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and the finals.

In reality, it felt even longer because the pre-tournament practice period wasn’t included in those two weeks.

I stood face-to-face with Chae Narin, sword in hand.

Her character, ‘Cheon Seoa,’ was a classic melee DPS.

Melee DPS and ranged DPS each had their challenges, but in general, melee was considered more difficult.

Dodging bullets shot from close range was, naturally, harder than dodging those fired from a distance.

It might seem odd that Iron was playing as a melee DPS, but it couldn’t be helped.

This was the best strategy for us.

I swung my flaming sword toward Chae Narin.

The melee combat system in Eternal World didn’t allow infinite parrying, meaning fights became an extreme test of evasion skills.

It came down to three things:

• How well you used movement and defensive skills.
• How effectively you weaved in basic attacks and offensive skills.
• How accurately you timed successful parries.

These three factors were the essence of melee combat, and excelling in them required fast reaction speeds.

Someone living in milliseconds would naturally perceive, react, and handle situations differently from someone operating in seconds.

Frankly speaking, the combat prowess of someone who reacts only after seeing versus someone who anticipates and reacts couldn’t possibly be the same.

The flaming sword grazed Chae Narin’s shoulder as she twisted her upper body at just the right moment.

Immediately, her staff lashed out in a counterattack.

But I had already read the motion. I sidestepped, dodging her attack, and repositioned to a spot close to me but far from her.

Then, I swung my sword with force.

Clang!

Her staff deflected my sword.

A parry.

Even though I occasionally mixed in feints to cancel my attacks, her timing was spot-on.

This meant Chae Narin had reached a level where she could ‘react’ after seeing rather than simply anticipate.

Iron 2, ranked #1 Challenger.

Even Bbangbbang herself confirmed it: “Unparalleled reaction speed, even on the world stage.”

Supposedly, her reflexes rivaled those of Han Yurim in Super Developer Mode.

It was absurd—physically impossible even.

But that’s the story of ordinary people.

If I, a Super Developer, had discovered this raw talent, then naturally, this level of performance was to be expected.

Parrying carried significant risks if it failed, but the reward for succeeding was equally substantial.

It provided frame advantage for the next attack, making it standard for the parried player to take a moment to regroup.

However—

I stepped forward.

Forfeiting the initiative due to a minor disadvantage wasn’t worth it.

It was better to take the risk and engage in a psychological battle.

I swung my sword lightly toward Narin’s right flank.

This was a simple probing attack.

If it were the Narin from a moment ago, she would’ve dodged effortlessly and counterattacked.

Naturally, I was prepared for that.

Slice.

I stopped my thoughts and looked at Narin.

Contrary to my expectations, she awkwardly stood there, having allowed the attack to land.

I dismissed the [WIN] notification floating above my head and checked the time.

Six seconds.

“You’ve improved.”

“…Thank you.”

This was a good start.

There was still a long way to go, but with consistent efforts like this, good results would follow.

“Paepae, what are they doing?”

“Don’t ask me.”

I frowned at the unwelcome commentary.

What else could it be? It’s training.

Haven’t you seen people being trained before?

“Take a short break.”

“…Understood.”

As I cleared the training area in Admin Mode, a sandy beach replaced it.

This was the VR map I had created last time.

Since I had added various features when I made it, there was no need to switch between different programs.

The VR map alone allowed for a wide range of training options.

“When did you make this? Give us a copy. It looks very useful.”

“I don’t mind sharing, but I have one question.”

“What is it? Just ask.”

“Why is Bbangbbang here?”

The Elimpics didn’t require a coach or manager.

While many teams hired coaches for practice, we didn’t plan to.

Thus, there shouldn’t have been anyone else connected to the VR room aside from me, Paepae, Moss, Bunnyrun, Chae Narin, and Choco Full Bread.

Yet, at some point, Bbangbbang had joined us as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Who are you?

“You invited me.”

“You asked, so I did, but thinking about it now, I’m not sure why you’re here.”

“I’m Rumen. Last year’s World Championship runner-up. I’m here to help.”

“You’re not the champion, though. Also, aren’t you worried about fans criticizing you for slacking off mid-season?”

And now that we’d started streaming, the scrutiny would only increase.

<[BbangbbangLovesNuna] donated 1,000 won>

• It’s fine; it’s the Summer Season break.

A donation message popped up.

Sure, I knew it was the break period, but still…

“Whatever happens to me, I don’t care.”

A professional proves themselves with results.

Right now, Bbangbbang was on a winning streak, leading the league at first place.

But if their performance slipped, causing their rank to drop or missing the championship entirely?

At that point, their participation as a coach in this Elimpic event would undoubtedly be dragged into the spotlight.

Excuses like, “It’s my choice how I spend my rest period,” wouldn’t cut it. That was just the nature of the relationship between pros and their fans.

Do well, and you’re a lazy genius who doesn’t even need to practice. Mess up, and no matter how hard you try, you’re just a clumsy fool.

In short, for Bbangbbang to avoid backlash, they had to win the championship.

But whether this Do-Supporter DNA-imbued Bbangbbang could pull it off was up for debate.

Hang in there, Bbangbbang. We’ll always cheer you on.

“Why does that somehow sound unpleasant? Is it possible this VR room has some hidden function to convey emotions?”

“Chae Narin, let’s get back to training.”

Once again, I exchanged blows with Chae Narin.

Training wrapped up quickly.

“This time it was 5 seconds. It’s back to the usual.”

“…I’ll keep practicing.”

“Yurimhwa doesn’t improve that way. You need to control your mental imagery and draw out the sword within yourself—”

“Honestly, I’ve been dying to ask, but what are you two even doing?”

Bbangbbang’s voice cut me off, full of curiosity.

Sigh. As expected of a Do-Supporter, the questions never stopped.

“We’re training.”

“I mean, I get that, but what is this?”

Bbangbbang rolled their eyes, searching for the right words, then finally spoke.

“Why is Chae Narin sparring with you, only to suddenly get obliterated by some counterattack and die so anticlimactically?”

“You really don’t know?”

“Wait, am I the only one who doesn’t get it? That can’t be true, right?”

“Of course, you’re the only one. Everyone else in the world already knows.”

No sooner had I finished speaking than a ding rang out. A donation came in.

<User: donated 1,000 KRW>
-We don’t know either, you crazy chick LMAO-
-All she did was start streaming and vaguely explain that she’s trying to figure out Yurimhwa’s control method. How are we supposed to know?

The chat exploded with complaints.

It seemed my explanation had been insufficient.

With no other choice, I called in an expert.

“MalangMabk, I’ll leave it to you.”

“Why me?”

“If I explain it repeatedly, the viewers will get bored.”

“Who says?”

“The viewers.”

“…The viewers?”

Moss tilted their head in confusion but proceeded to kindly explain everything to Bbangbbang and the audience.

Bbangbbang, looking bewildered, turned to me.

“So your focus lasts only 5 seconds?”

“To be precise, the state of hyperfocus lasts for 5 seconds.”

“How are you supposed to win games like that?”

“By increasing Yurimhwa’s duration.”

“And that’s possible?”

“Of course.”

And in case it wasn’t, I had a trump card (Concerta) prepared. There was no timeline where we would lose.

“Well, I don’t get it, but I kind of get it. You’ll handle it, right?”

“We’re handling it very well.”

“By the way, who’s that over there?”

“Who? Pulbbang?”

“Is this some kind of special training? Tying their hands and making them play?”

“Pulbbang’s hands and feet are completely free right now.”

“Don’t lie.”

Bbangbbang muttered in a tone of disbelief.

But no matter how much they lamented, reality wouldn’t change.

Only actions could reshape the world.

“Unfortunately, this is the reality.”

“And you think you’ll win the championship with this team?”

“Contrary to appearances, our team’s odds of winning are incredibly high. Practically scam-level.”

“Aaah!”

Turning my head toward the sound, I saw ChocoPulbbang sprawled on the ground.

Tripping over one’s own feet while controlling a VR device—what a rare sight.

Bbangbbang asked again, “Are you seriously saying the odds are high?”

“Well… they just dropped by about 10%. But it’s still fine. Even so, it’s still remarkably high.”

“…Yurim-unnie, now that I think about it, I left a pot on the stove.”

“Then go turn it off. Quickly.”

I firmly directed Chae Narin to the kitchen.

Fortunately, it was a state-of-the-art heating appliance that automatically shut off in case of overheating, so no fire broke out.

Bbangbbang pressed further.

“Seriously, are the odds that high?”

“If we put in the effort, anything’s possible. So, Bbangbbang, you too—keep up the good work.”

“Huh? Why me?”

“You said you’d help.”

It just so happened we were short on people to assist Pulbbang.

Since both of them had ‘Bbang’ in their names, it seemed only fitting that Bbangbbang would step up.

Good luck.