I dashed towards the figure. Every second counts in fast paced pvp, the sooner we get the middle orb, the faster we can help the other two. We can't let June distract us from getting the middle orb. I'll be the bait so it doesn't happen. There is no better bait than a support without anyone protecting them.
As I got closer, I saw June wearing a set akin to a street brawler. He's wearing only a black vest and pants insinuating his bulging muscles and perfect figure. His weapon of choice is a pair of caestus equipped in his left and right hands.
June stopped running to conserve stamina and walked towards me when he is at a semi-ranged distance.
I did the same.
"Oh? You're approaching me? Instead of running away, you're coming right to me?" he taunted.
He must be wondering as to why a support like me is opting for a 1v1 melee combat. It is all part of my plan to bait him though so he would not run away with the orb currently he has.
"I can't beat the shit out of you without getting closer," I replied nonchalantly.
"Oh ho! Then come as you like!"
When we both are near enough to each other at melee distance, I focused intently on the enemy in front of me. Time seemed to slow down as I take in every bit of information I can to predict his movements. I flawlessly entered what most people call the 'zone', a state of extreme focus, but to me, it's as natural as breathing.
He made his move.
His right foot left the ground while his left arm's muscles twitches ever so slightly. I saw his eyes lock on my head without hesitation. Based on his small movements, I predicted that he was going for a dash and launch a quick yet powerful straight punch at my head with a minuscule chance of it being a fake. I instinctually analyzed his motions based on my thousands of hours of experience in playing against players of far higher caliber than him.
He is underestimating me, opting for full forced aggressive strikes without any prompting jabs which leaves many openings to exploit. He probably thought that I have no means to inflict damage onto him this close because I'm a spellcaster.
I took advantage of his aggressiveness.
I calmly took a step forward.
He stomped his right foot on the ground in front of me and threw his long-reaching straight corkscrew punch at my head. As his attack was about to connect, I tilted my head ever so slightly while at the same time twisting my body in preparation for my counterattack. His punch barely flew past my face. My cheeks felt the air pressure of his punch, a testament to how strong and close it was to hit but it didn't quite connect just as he had hoped.
I launched the counterattack I prepared at almost the same time I dodged his attack. I saw his eyes widen in shock at the realization as I twirled my staff for the added momentum then whacked his unguarded head.
*Whack*
"Guhh!"
GigaChad
Hp: 81%
I expected more damage than that since I have plenty of dex stats even as a support. It was a critical strike to the head with my full force. The fact that I am not a DPS-oriented character shows. If I just had one of my old red weapons, a hit like that would've been fatal.
"Wha- you!" he became agitated.
I saw his facial expression shift into irritation as he prepared for another attack. He is at point-blank range now since he had just taken a step closer to me in his last attack. He sent a quick 1-2 punch combo at my head. I tilted my head slightly to my right to dodge his 1st jab then quickly bobbed down my head to dodge his second full-swing punch while simultaneously delivering an elbow blow to his stomach. That made him flinch and take a step back giving me the perfect distance to swing my staff at his head for another critical hit.
*Whack*
"Ghaa!"
GigaChad
Hp: 57%
He took a distance from me and eyed me warily. It seems he's being cautious now. He's starting to see me as a threat that can kill him in melee combat and not just a healer that can be dealt with easily. I can't let that happen though.
"Are you sure you should be wasting time? Elizabeth is almost finished taking the orb."
His initial plan was probably to eliminate me fast enough before Elizabeth backs me up and then have a 1v1 match with her.
"Tsskk!"
He panicked since he realized he would not stand a chance in a 2v1 fight given my skills. Desperate and unfocused minds make unwise decisions. In his case, he used his trump card, his weapon skill.
His fists started to glow, I knew instantly what his weapon skill does. Experiencing thousands of PVP matches back then makes it so that nothing can ever surprise you. He lunged at me as his caestus glowed bright yellow and then threw a barrage of strong punches.
"Ora! ora! ora! ora! ora! ora! ora! ora! ora! ora! ora! ora! ora! ora!" he shouted.
But it was still not fast enough, I've seen techniques that are harder to dodge far above his level of skill and utilization.
I dodged all of it.
"I-impossible!" He exclaimed.
I saw his expression change into a mix of fear and admiration as I prepared for my attack.
The weakness of his weapon skill is that there is a second after the barrage that he will be in a fatigued state, a condition where he is unable to move. It might sound short but a second in a deadly melee can be the difference between life and death. I didn't waste a single second. I did a 360 sweep with my staff at his feet. He instantly fell flat on his back due to his fatigued state and I jumped as high as I could. With all my strength, coupled with all my body weight plus the gravity aiding me, I thrust the pointed end of my staff to his undefended head lying on the ground.
*Boom*
GigaChad
Hp: 0%
"......What a monste-".
He didn't get to finish his last words as he was immediately replaced by blue particles signaling his defeat. At the spot where his body was supposed to be, a glowing blue orb the size of a bowling ball appeared floating in the grave of its original owner. It was the orb located at the bottom part of the map that June took without any obstacle or threat. As I was about to take it Elizabeth arrived with her expression in complete shock and disbelief.
"What happened........" she looked at the orb dumbfounded.
I remained silent as I don't know how to reply.
"Don't, don't tell me you beat him?" she inquired
"I was lucky."
"Lucky!? You beat him in short of a minute without taking any damage USING A SUPPORT character!" she exclaimed.
Now that I think about it. If she put it that way, it does sound kind of suspicious. I completely forgot that my initial tactic was just to stall for time. I blame it on that guy. He showed too many openings that I just cannot just unconsciously ignore! What am I supposed to do with that!?
I just shrugged hiding my inner turmoil.
".........Fine I won't pry if you don't want to tell me. Let us just take the orb and then help Romel, I think he's in trouble."
"What about the other one?" Barry was it. I was never good with names.
"Beny? He's already taken out. Didn't you see the system notification?"
"Ohh, must've missed it earlier." I was too engrossed in the fight with my full attention on the enemy.
I took the orb so that Elizabeth won’t be too bothered by the stamina consumption increase of carrying 2 orbs and we prepared to leave the area. It will take a while to get to the top lane if we are to conserve stamina, which undoubtedly the correct way to go if we were to fight against a ranker. I just hope that we make it in time.
---------------------------
-Raynold's PoV-
"Did you see it!? Did you see it, Raynold!? Katherine just defeated the enemy player! We are close to winning!" Lenna celebrated as she watched the match.
"Uh huh......" I replied dumbfounded.
"I didn't think Katherine would be able to beat June though."
"Beat June? She didn't just 'beat him' she demolished him! She mentally and mechanically outplayed him! She fucking destroyed him!" I exclaimed loudly.
"Sheesh calm down you're exaggerating."
"I don't think you know how good of a play that is. The dodge for example was done with no wasted movement and chained perfectly to a counterattack. A counter that was aimed at the head resulting in the highest damage she possibly can. She also baited him to play offensively and forgo defense by the nature of being a healer. Most supports are naturally weak at melee since they're always at the backline and have low HP in exchange for mp. She took advantage of that common notion to punish his aggressive plays. The way she dodges too. Most players when they dodge, they either leap away to distance themselves from the attack or dodge with exaggerated movements to reassure their dodge, which in turn, makes it hard to do a counterattack. But she dodges at the last second, with minimal movements as possible, baiting June to believe his attacks would hit so that he becomes complacent and unprepared for her counterattacks. You’ve got to have numerous battle experiences to move like that. She either has insanely godly reflexes or she predicted all his moves or maybe even both! She moves as good as some amateur pro players I watch, or even better!" I ranted.
"Okay, okay stop I get it! Sheesh, You're such a nerd sometimes." Lenna admonished.
Hmphh! Casuals. They cannot appreciate a great play even when it is right in front of them. All that matters for them is the kills or the insanely flashy but unpractical moves like Meteor Strike or Thunderstorm. It is slightly disappointing that there's no one else with me here to appreciate that kind of outplay.
"But do you think they can win against that Chu guy?" Lenna asked
"Judging from how good they both are, I don't think they would lose to a single non-pro player 2v1."
"That's good to know!” Lenna said with a broad smile
"You seem happy." I inquired.
"Of course, if they win you know what that means, right?"
I smiled back as I thought about what would come next.
"Liz will treat us at the cafe!" She added
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