Chapter 60 of Season 1 of The Genius Archer

21. Almond's Rampage (3)

Fengsna smiled and greeted him. It seemed that the initial skirmish would take place right from the armory. If Almond were to lose there, his journey to Diamond would be over. If he were to be eliminated even once below 50th place, the probability of success would significantly decrease.

"What the hell?! That damn guy!?"

Juhyeok slammed the table.

As mentioned, he was as excited as if he were watching a national soccer match between Korea and Japan. It was understandable, considering the stakes. After all, not only was Juhyeok's life on the line, but Sanghyun's as well. It was a desperate situation.

To be sniped by a vengeful Diamond 1 player in the final match of the placement? It was a moment when one could only say that even the heavens were indifferent.

"Ah..."

Juhyeok let out a short sigh.

"Start working from tomorrow."

His father's voice echoed in his ears. Juhyeok shook his head.

'No way.'

He didn't want to live by someone's orders even after turning thirty. Maybe it was different for a company, but for his family?

Absolutely not.

He would do anything to avoid it. However, the problem was that the current situation was entirely up to Sanghyun.

'What can I do now?'

Juhyeok pondered what he could do as a manager.

'...'

Despite his usually clear mind, he couldn't think of anything. In such critical moments, there was often nothing he could do.

Grinding his teeth.

'Think harder.'

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment. There was still time before the parachute opened, about five seconds.

During that time, something...

'Faith.'

A strange word flashed through his mind.

Faith in this situation? Was he supposed to cheerlead or something?

Does that make sense?

Even at its best, it was a full-scale battle between a Bronze user and a Diamond 1 user. Moreover, the Diamond 1 user was sniping.

Faith in such a situation?

Juhyeok's clear mind instinctively rejected such words. Perhaps this was also a trait inherited from his father.

'Father's... inheritance.'

As his thoughts reached this point, he felt what his father lacked.

My father doesn't trust me.

He always thought my judgment was far worse than his. So he always pointed in a direction he deemed better.

But humans have free will, and a son has always grown up in a better environment than his father.

Why can't you trust the result of your own efforts?

It's a fundamental issue.

Our generation calls this a "stereotype."

'Faith!'

Juhyeok's tightly closed eyes suddenly opened.

"Yeah, fuck. Almond won't lose!"

He shouted something that sounded insane by his standards.

Suddenly, he accessed a website.

In no time, he completed the registration and immediately headed to the free board.

'Almond won't lose. I believe it...!'

If he thought Almond could lose, there was nothing a manager could do.

After all, if Almond lost, there would be no other options.

But if he had faith that Almond would win, what then?

Then a path would appear.

He just needed to make Almond's victory more glorious!

Tap, tap, tap.

The sound of the keyboard echoed, revealing Juhyeok's excitement.

He wasn't thinking with his head now.

Thinking with his head would be crazy.

Maybe for a general community, but using the fan page of Balloon Gum? Especially against Fengsna?

If Almond lost, it would be an uncontrollable blow.

This was madness.

It was completely different from the previous match against the Stones. Fighting Fengsna was like a yellow belt versus a black belt in Taekwondo.

Juhyeok was raising the stakes in this fight, even without Almond's knowledge.

But as he said,

"Win at all costs."

Juhyeok didn't think Almond would lose.

He didn't believe it.

That Sanghyun would be pushed out of the top 90 in the final placement match.

He couldn't imagine it.

"Let's make this bigger! Die, Fengsna, you damn bastard!"

* * *

I also know.

- Wow, just in the final match lol

- The final placement match is indeed scientific~

- This is the final match of the placement.

- If it goes wrong here, you can't reach Diamond.

- The opponent is also targeting this.

- Hmm, Fengsna is such a bastard.

- Is he the producer's son? Why isn't he caught lol

- Oh, nice.

- So good lol

- Die, Almond!

- Is Diamond maybe, 'Almond, die'?

- The opponent is not easy.

- 'Diamond 1...'

That's the tier Fengsna is estimated to be at.

Almond's goal is a Diamond 4, but Fengsna is three tiers higher.

- He'll come down soon!

- Will he fight as soon as he lands? lol

- Wow, it's been a while since it was this exciting lol

Flap.

The parachute opens.

'Soon to land.'

Think about it.

The opponent probably came with a full understanding of my pattern, which is why he could jump precisely to the armory.

It's not like he has a celebrity complex.

This is a broadcast with 4,000 viewers at this time.

It's probably in the top ten domestic battle royale broadcasts right now.

And he's shown the same strategy for three consecutive matches.

Is there a more predictable and appetizing prey?

It's the instinct of all veterans to want to stomp on a rising rookie.

Especially for someone like Fengsna, who usually plays this way, he would be even more true to this instinct.

'Did he come prepared with a plan?'

The opponent must have thought of a tactic and decided to snipe.

This is a game where Almond has a lot to lose, but Fengsna also has a lot at stake.

He must have come prepared.

'Go for a ground fight.'

He couldn't give the opponent time to use tactics.

Whoosh.

Almond leaned his body and moved closer to Fengsna.

The ground was just ahead.

"!"

Fengsna's eyes widened, seemingly not expecting this.

The two parachutes started to tangle.

- This looks like something from a textbook. A kite fight, maybe? lol

- Wow, an aerial battle?!

- A normal setup? No way! I'm Almond!

Chuckle.

Fengsna, who was initially flustered, soon smirked.

"Why? It doesn't seem like it will be easy, does it?"

His voice cut through the wind, so close.

It was a simple provocation, targeting Almond's pride. But Almond already knew that when it came to pride, the other side was much more sensitive.

"Why? Do you think you can't make it to Diamond?"

"What? This...!"

Boom!

Almond and Fengsna tangled and rolled on the ground.

Thud! Thud! Boom...!

They had already landed, too focused on each other to notice.

Flick.

Almond was the first to get up.

- Wow! lol

- Crush him to death!!

- Ground and pound, go go

Shouting in the chat, a ground and pound could secure the win. But Almond had no experience in hand-to-hand combat. Moreover, even if he won with hand-to-hand, the game would already be at a disadvantage due to the time consumed.

'I need to find a weapon first.'

Almond quickly ran to the armory. Fengsna also got up and followed.

Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap.

They were so focused on running it felt like a relay race.

'There it is.'

Almond's eyes sparkled first.

A shiny weapon was on the ground far ahead.

"Haa. Haa."

Fengsna's breathing was heard right behind him, chasing closely.

"Whoosh!"

Almond took a deep breath and launched himself.

Swoosh.

He slid on the ground and grabbed a hunting jungle knife, a rare-grade weapon.

Fengsna was already running towards another knife.

'No way.'

Almond immediately turned and threw the knife behind him.

Whoosh!

The jungle knife, thrown almost without looking, flew towards Fengsna with a terrifying sound.

If it missed, it would put Almond at a disadvantage.

"!"

Swoosh.

Fengsna dodged by leaning to the right. Almond lost the knife.

But that wasn't all. The next part was even more surprising.

Clang...!

Fengsna caught the flying knife with his bare hands, in an unstable position like limbo.

- Hmm...

- So intense, the skill.

- ?!?

- Wow, Diamond 1 is different.

- Crazy lol

- X, he caught the handle accurately!?

- Wow... I suspected it after the assassination grenade, but he's a pro.

Crack...!

Despite the incredible force, he caught the knife, putting strain on his shoulder and waist.

Chuckle.

Fengsna laughed. After all, it was just a game.

No injury status appeared.

The opponent had no weapon. He had the upper hand.

"Die, you bastard!"

Whoosh!!

The knife, thrown with a spin, flew back at Almond like lightning.

Whirrr!!

Unlike Almond's, the knife was spinning at high speed.

- He threw