In the fifth game, the grand finale of the day, Vi was cast to py Top.

  That’s how things should’ve been from the start. Vi reasohis iable arra was only deyed by their captain’s uhy obsessions.

  Though, to be fair, Vi and Kai have been doing fihroughout most of the day. They did run into trouble here and there, but overall they came on top against TheLegend and TheMyth.

  However! Trouble struce the Devilish Trio, the harbingers of the Bermuda Triangle of Certain Doom, set foot oage! Their presence shifted the eimeli was no longer clear whether Stratus will grasp the victory in front of them.

  Fwless cooperation. Unbreakable trust. Pitch-perfect execution. Nobody could topple the Bermuda Triangle of Certain doom.

  The team's only hope was the godly duo of Chessmaster and Gunz. Only those two, with their forces bined, could put ao the enemy's reign of terror. The fate of humanity is resting upon your shoulders!

  Thankfully, Vi was relieved of his post in Bot. It meant he no longer had to test that powerful Bot duo.

  heless, he couldn’t rex. He Laner now and his oppo was her than DragonMaster, the expert Dragonborn pyer.

  Following Yuel's pn, the team has been banning Dragonborn for the past few games. That left DragonMaster weakened, uo pick his favorite css.

  But, was Dragonborn the only css DragonMaster knew how to pilot? Nay, far from it. The guy has also proven his mastery of Knight.

  However, Luke grabbed Knight this game, so Stratus ended up denying another one onMaster’s best csses. It most certainly made the guy mad, and that’s why he picked su aggressive css for the final game.

  Berserker, a Nordic champion infamous for his blood-chilling rage. A warrior who verted his pain intth. Such were the popur images associated with the Berserker css, and that's exactly how the css was implemented in Cssmaoo.

  Berserker had a Rage Meter that filled up upon dealing and receiving damage. Once filled enough, the Berserker would enter his Berserk mode. That’s when all hell will break loose.

  It's in my best io avoid that kind of sario. Vi o himself. I should be rather safe as a Viking, but there’s never knowing what disaster might strike.

  The main reason behind pig Viking this game was the safety the css promised. This bruiser was capable of blinking out of many dangerous situations and he could stall pursuers with CC.

  But, despite all that, it was always best to simply avoid dangerous situations in the first pce. Therefore, Viook this game easy.

  Using Takedown for farming demanded some caution. Vi picked up an enemy swordsman and flung the small man at the enemy bowmen, careful to not hit the Berserker.

  It’d be a disaster if I hit the Berserker by act. Vi gulped. Thankfully, he doesn’t stand in my way much.

  In general, this Berserker was rather tame. DragonMaster didn't aggress on Vi at all during the first couple of waves. Just like Vi, DragonMaster ying it safe and steady. He farmed in a way that didn't trigger any flicts.

  For example, his application of Barbarian Sm was very delicate. The Berserker lifted both arms behind his head, then smmed two big axes on the ground, geing a shockwave that hit all enemies around, except for Vi. It never reached Vi.

  With such a detly sized AoE attack, it was a no-braio hit Vi alongside his minions. A, DragonMaster decided against it. Instead of smming the axes at the ter of the formation, the guy assaulted the wave from the side in order to avoid hitting VI.

  It’s like a cold war. Vihought. We both want to un attack, but we don’t want to start a real war.

  And so, her side made any notable progress. Both pyers were sizing each other up without itting to any big pys.

  He must be the Berserker I’ve ever met. Vihought.

  Most Berserkers in Ranked rolepyed the css to the fullest. They always went all-in, pressuring Vi with relentless aggression. pared to them, DragonMaster was calm and collected, as expected from a petitive pyer.

  I’m thankful for the ck of aggression, but... Vi’s iurhis is almost too good to be true. If that’s how he intends to py, then why bother pig Berserker in the first pce?

  DragonMaster surely picked Berserker of his own volitio he ying tame. What was his agenda? Did he have some sort of master pn? Was it a 4D chess move that’ll turuation in his favor!?

  I have to watch carefully. Vi strained his eyes and analyzed every twitch his oppo made. There had to be some sort of mystery there. Vi had to quickly solve this case so he could set up his defenses.

  In truth, there wasn't much mystery to it. Zeph was just pying it safe for now.

  So, this guy isn’t gonna pull anything? Zeph wondered.

  This was an unfamiliar oppo, so caution was neccessary. Zeph has had his fill of bitter experiences for today. He has uimated Chessmaster enough times today to learn an important lesson.

  So, how did the new guy pare to that pro-level bastard? No idea.

  "Hey, Jai," Zeph called out. "You got anything to say about this Bckhole guy? Is he any good?"

  "He's okay," Jaiden said. "He didn't seem like anything special, but he's not a scrub either."

  "So, you're saying I should be able to kick his ass ez."

  "I'm not sure. At least, I don't think he's a threat to you. He's nowhere he level of Chessmaster, if that's what you were worried about."

  “I ain’t worried about anything.” Zeph retorted. “Anyway, he sounds like a scrub. That's always good to know."

  Zeph got his reassurance. So, this scrub is nothing like Chessmaster. Sounds like I walk all over him.

  For the past two games, Zeph has been holding back. He lost terribly against Chessmaster during the first two games, so he has been on the defensive ever since.

  But, that ain't his pystyle. He liked starting slow and steady to get a good feel for his oppo, but after that - BANG! He wao go ham on the offense and tear his oppoo shreds!

  Unfortunately, he stantly had to stop himself from doing that today. It was simply impossible to test the ne against a pro-level pyer like Chessmaster. That guy was something else. Ead every one of his moves was oozing with calcuted precision. The bastard read Zeph like a book at every turn. It was an impossible matchup.

  As a result, Zeph was only ever permitted to switch to offeer the team has already seized trol of the game. In other words, he was just backup. He didn't achieve anything a his teammates do all the work. He was like filler, just a fifth spot oeam needed. It was me as heck.

  To make things worse, the enemy kept banning his Dragonborn. And, this game, they even took his Knight. What the fuck was their problem!? It’s like they had a grudge against him or some shit. Fuck.

  Damn, I wanna kick their asses so bad! That’s all Zeph could think about during the drafting phase. That's why, in the heat of the moment, he went for Berserker.

  A couple of mier, Zeph has already realized he was hasty. If he had to go up against Chessmaster this game, he'd be pying the most defensive Berserker the world has ever seen. That’d be a whole new level of me.

  Fortunately, he dodged that bullet. The enemy was niough to ge their formation, so now Zeph’s oppo was this Information Bckhole scrub. It was a godsend, but also irritating in its own way.

  They're pretty much looking down on me, aren’t they? Zeph clicked his tongue.

  Chessmaster went to Bot because that's where his team struggled the most. He left just like that, without paying Zeph any heed. Meaning, the ehought Zeph was an easy oppo no matter who faced him in ne.

  Think ya uimate me!? Zeph raged internally. In that case, you got ahing ing. I ain't no like Brud his gang.

  It was true that Zeph secured his current spot oeam by abandoning his former rades aing to Bruce's gang. However, even without that leverage, he was a favorite for being Taurus' Top Laner all along.

  Yeah, I had to kiss up to that damn godfather. Zeph thought. But, it's not like I did it to steal Top Lane from anybody. I was supposed to be here all along. It was just precaution, I didn’t want to be kicked out of the role I deserved.

  Uhe rest of Bruce's gang, Zeph’s skill actually represented what Taurus' seniors were capable of. The only reason he “underperformed” so badly this game was because he had Chessmaster as his ne oppo. That matchup was th.

  However, this Information Bckhole dude was a whole different story. This guy seemed like a pretty average pyer, so it was time. Zeph will finally get to show what he was worth!

  I better strike hard before the guy gets his ult. Zeph thought. Gotta take all the damage I grab, here and now.

  The wave sighe beginning of Zeph's offense.

  With that said, Zeph didn't start by attag Bckhole or anything dumb like that. He had to py this one smart.

  Instead of charging in with guns bzing, he inteo keep his pns under ers till the st moment. And then, BAM! He’ll assault Bckhole with everything he had. The guy will bee dead meat within seds! Best story ever.

  Unaware of any of this, Bckhole ducted his farming as usual, using Takedown to toss one of Zeph's swordsmen into his bowmen. There was no iion of hitting Zeph with that toss. Bckhole had every iion to maintain the peaceful status quood, good. Keep thinking we're pying nice here. Zeph grinned as he advanced into eerritory, one cautious step at a time.

  His target was bowmen in the rear. Going after these guys was always a risky maneuver because it meaending into eerritory. How will Bckhole respond to this?

  Do you wish to trade bowmen first? Vi wondered. I agree with that se. It makes farming easier for both of us.

  Getting rid of the high DPS units slowed down the ne’s progress. That made it easier to nd st-hits, and it also ehat no dangerous attackers remained on the er the csh. Vi’s Viking was slower than Berseker at clearing minions, so this development pyed in his favor.

  As such, in respoonMaster's advang, Vi also advanced into eerritory and targeted the bowmen.

  Predictable scrub. Zeph sneered. Ya probably thinking this works in your favor because I clear faster. But, this time, I gonhe slower one here.

  The reason for that was quite simple: Zeph didn't unleash his Barbarian Sm on the enemy wave this round. Why? Huehue, that's all part of the master pn!

  Instead of smming the minions, Zeph assaulted the bowmen with his dual axes. The more he attacked in succession, the faster his attacks became. It was a rait of Berserker's basic attacks.

  That feature wasn't eveioned anywhere in Berserker’s ability list. Many people specuted it might’ve been a bug, but CssSoft firmed it was w as intended. Sardless of whether it was an iional design decision or a bug that turned into a feature, this exploit remained in the game and Zeph knew all about it.

  Swing.

  Swing swing.

  Swing swing swing.

  Swingswingswing!

  The Berkserer was wilding! After delivering enough hits, his attack speed became lightning fast. He was swinging ‘em axes at the speed of a marksman’s shots! This shit as fuck!

  Of course, it was hard to keep this bo going in an actual battle. However, against minions, it was free real estate. The bowmen succumbed to the brutal assault, one by one.

  This dispy of swiftness was pletely different from how Zeph has been farming the il now. That fact caught the enemy’s attention.

  He's not using Barbarian Sm? Vi kept a close eye on his oppo's movements. It was the first time he was such a paradigm shift fronMaster, so Vi had to absorb as muew data as possible.

  What was the enemy's goal here? Did DragonMaster really go after the bowmen to maintain the peaceful status quo? Or, was there an ulterior motive to all of this? Only after Vi gathers enough evidence, he’ll be able to reach out to the truth.

  He went for the bowmen but he didn't use Barbarian Sm. Vi pieced the evideogether like a puzzle. Is there a special reason he didn’t want to use Sm on the bowmen? Or, perhaps, he went after the bowmen BECAUSE he had no iion of using the sm from the get-go? But, why?

  The Rage meter was one sideration. Instead of MP, the Berserker spent Rage on his skills. So, perhaps, DragonMaster avoided using Barbarian Sm to save up se.

  But, why would he want to save up Rage right now? That’s elementary. He was surely pnning to enter Berserk mode eventually. That empowered state ractically Berserker’s ultimate, even though it came in the form of a passive skill. Ohe Berserker accumuted enough Rage, he could ravage everybody in his path!

  Then, is this like the quiet before the storm? Vi shuddered. The truth has finally revealed itself to him! DragonMaster has been ag all nid friendly, but he was actually saving up Rage for aual assault!

  I must be vigint at all times. Vi o himself. There’s never knowing when the enemy will strike. I must observe him carefully and- oh!

  “Goodness gracious!” Vi excimed.

  While he was busy thinking about plicated matters, he failed to notice the situation in front of him. The Berserker’s gaze was locked onto Vi and one of the man’s arms was stretched backward. It was a casting animation for Hurl Axe!

  This is a disaster! Vi had to dodge, but his fingers failed to catch up to his thoughts. By the time he pressed the spacebar to roll, the axe was already in his face! It plunged into his chest and stuside.

  It was a simir skill to Viking’s Throw Axe, except far more devastating when used for offehe axe didn’t just hit Vi and got stu his chest, it also stunned him! That’s what happened when the skill was charged up for long enough. With just a little bit of patience, Hurl Axe transformed into this devastating led CC tool!

  And, that wasn’t the end of it. The simirity between Bserkser’s Hurl Axe and Viking’s Throw Axe didn’t end here. Both skills had a follow-up option...!

  In Berserker’s case, the follow-up ull Axe. The axe stig out of Vi’s chest had a long attached to it, leading all the back to the Berserker’s hand. And, what did the Berserker use that for? But of course, to pull enemies in!

  This is turning from bad to worse! Vi cried internally as the dragged him across the ne, all while he was stunned. He had no say oter, all.

  This is bad news. Nay, terrible news! A disaster! It’s an Armageddon in the making! Vi’s brain raced. Was he going to die here and cede First Blood to the enemy!? That wasn’t allowed to happen, no matter what!

  Even after being pulled, Vi was still locked in a stun. He was likely a paralyzed rabbit standing in front of a vicious wolf.

  DragonMaster lifted both arms into the air, ready to unleash Barbarian Sm on the defenseless prey. However, he didn’t bring his arms dht away. He waited for a little while, knowing his prey couldn’t escape anyway.

  The lohe Berserker eled Barbarian Sm, the stronger and bigger the AoE attack became. And, if charged for long enough, the sm will even stun!

  Is this a masterfully pun prison!? Vi realized only now. Even though the enemy’s attack has just begun, Vi was actually dang tonMaster’s tune all along. It all started from the moment he accepted the trade of bowmen.

  Wait, hold it. I believe this stun doesn’t actually ect. Vi overclocked his brain to draw out the numbers as quickly as possible.

  A fully charged Hurl Axe stunned for 1.2 seds. Then, for how long did Berserker o charge up Barbarian Sm in order for it to stun? If memory served, it should be around- BAM! Two axes crashed on Vi’s shoulders!

  While he was busy rag his brain against this math problem, the attack has already hit him. And, it stuoo! It was a shorter stun this time round, but it was enough to give DragonMaster the initiative.

  So, was it a guaranteed setup!? Or, was I just too slow? Which is it!? Vi couldn’t collect his thoughts during this hectic situation!

  There was no time to think about the finer details. Ohing was for sure: Vi absolutely had to get away from this mad attacker! The moment the stun lifts, he’ll have to blink out of here!

  While he reparing to make his escape, the enemy hacked away without mercy.

  "Heh, he really fell for it!" Zeph struck the stunned prey time and again.

  This eup he has just used was hel dodgeable. Somebody like Chessmaster would have outpyed it for sure. But, Bckhole apparnely had no idea. What a scrub! Get rekt!

  Swing.

  Swing swing.

  Swing swing swing!

  The Berserker's hacked faster and faster with each strike. The enemy's HP lummeting at a blinding speed.

  Unfortunately, this setup wasn't enough to kill in one go. The stun simply didn’t st long enough to guarantee a kill at this point in the game, especially not against a bruiser. As such, the enemy had an opportunity to respond.

  Pardon me for interrupting your party, but I must take my leave. Vi recovered from the stun and raised his axe.

  The pn was simple. He’ll toss the axe as far as humanly possible, then blink to it. That will get him out of the woods... if it works.

  "Ya ain't getting away, scrub!" Zeph saw the telegraphed throw from a mile away! Any Viking would go for Throw Axe in a pinch like this. Not today!

  Zeph sidestepped in the dire of the enemy's throw. This axe ain’t going anywhere!

  "Wha-!?" Vi excimed. This was bad! Extraordinarily bad! DragonMaster stood in the way of the axe’s trajectory! If Vihrew his axe now...!

  Unfortunately, his body couldn't keep up with his brain. He saw the events unfolding as if in slow motion but his body didn’t respond to any ands.

  And so, he released the axe from his hand. It was supposed to fly all the way to his tower, but it came to a halt less than a meter away. It only reached as far as the Berserker’s shoulder, not a timeter further.

  A marvelous body-block by the enemy! Vi excimed. However, this is no time to be impressed. I have to foot it!

  DragonMaster denied Vihe opportunity to blink out of this pinch, so now he had to do things the oner’s way. In other words, he’ll make a run for it! He rolled forward and sprioward the tower.

  As, he’s after me! Vi gulped. The Berserker was breathing down his neck, hag at him over and over during the chase.

  If Vi was at least Lv. 5, this would’ve been a great situation to jam in his ult. Unfortunately, the enemy must’ve uhis early attack with full awareness of that daruly, what a splendidly executed offense! Even though Vi was the one kicked around, he respected this magnifit py.

  Phew. That was a dangerous one. Vi breathed in relief as he finally reached the tower. He lost 50% HP in that exge. Over half his health bar departed into the afterlife.

  That was quite an unfortunate way to open the game. Will DragonMaster keep subjeg Vio such oppression for the rest of the game!?

  I have to e up with an ao this before I lose the ne...

  DarkestCymore