The Second Showdown

As the break timer hit zero, a resounding buzz echoed throughout the Game Building, signalling the end of the intermission. Players began filing back into their respective pods, adjusting headsets and settling into the familiar confines of their chairs. The energy in the room was palpable, the anticipation of the next round building like a wave ready to crash.

Eric's voice boomed through the livestream, pulling viewers back into the action.

"Welcome back, everyone! The break is officially over, and you know what that means—the second match in this best-of-five series is about to begin!"

Celine chimed in, her voice laced with excitement.

"If the first match was any indication, we're in for another explosive round. Korea came out swinging with Team 1's impressive showing, securing a team wipe and winning. But now it's time for Team 2 to step up and show us what they've got."

Eric leaned in slightly as if sharing a secret with the audience.

"And let's not forget, Afghanistan isn't going to take that loss lying down. They're known for their resilience and unpredictability. I wouldn't be surprised if they've got some tricks up their sleeves for this match."

The camera panned to the player pods, where Team 2—Joon-ho, Soo-jin, Jin-kyong, Min-jae, and Baek-hyeon—were making their final preparations. Their expressions were a mix of focus and determination, each aware of the weight of their country's expectations.

"Celine," Eric continued. "It's worth mentioning that this lineup isn't just about individual skill. Korea's strategy seems to be utilizing their full roster to give everyone a chance to shine. It's a bold move, especially on a stage like this, but so far, it's paying off."

Celine nodded, her tone thoughtful.

"It's definitely a statement. They're not just here to win; they're here to prove that their entire lineup can perform at the highest level. And with Afghanistan coming in hot after a tough loss, this match could shift the momentum in either direction."

The arena's screen lit up as the map selection began. A roulette of potential battlegrounds spun before landing on a rugged, mountainous terrain, peppered with towering cliffs and narrow pathways. The map's name flashed across the screen: Cliffside Confrontation.

"Oh, this is going to be good," Eric exclaimed. "Cliffside Confrontation is one of the most tactical maps in the rotation. With so many vertical elements and tight chokepoints, positioning is going to be key."

"And let's not forget the environmental hazards. One wrong step, and you're falling into the abyss. This map has claimed many a careless player in the past," Celine added.

With the players settled back into their comfortable seats, the crowd's murmurs shifted to hushed anticipation, watching the live roster reveal for Afghanistan. The camera zoomed in on the team's lineup display, and the audience gasped collectively as it revealed a surprising shift.

Eric's voice cut through the air with evident intrigue.

"Hold on a second, Celine. Do you see what I'm seeing? Afghanistan has completely reworked their lineup!"

Celine nodded, leaning forward in her seat.

"Absolutely, Eric. It seems they've swapped out Khalid, their Tank, and Amina, their Assassin. Instead, they've brought in two fresh Fighters. That gives them a composition of three Fighters, one Mage, and one Marksman. This is... highly unorthodox!"

The Afghan team's roster now displayed the following names: Omar as the lead Fighter, accompanied by two new faces—Yusuf and Rami, both designated as Fighters. Soraya remained their Mage, and Adil continued as the Marksman.

"They've completely abandoned the traditional Tank and Assassin roles, opting instead for an all-out aggressive setup. This is bold, to say the least," Eric was quick to point out the strategic shift.

Celine added, her voice tinged with admiration.

"It's more than bold—it's a testament to Afghanistan's unpredictable nature. With three Fighters on a map like Cliffside Confrontation, they're doubling down on hyper-aggression and close-quarters combat. This could either overwhelm Korea or backfire spectacularly."

The commentators analyzed further as the camera showed the Afghan players preparing for their match. Yusuf and Rami, the newly introduced Fighters, exchanged confident nods, their expressions radiating intensity.

"We've seen hyper-aggressive compositions before, but rarely on a stage like this. What's interesting is how this lineup plays directly into Afghanistan's strengths—adaptability and relentless pressure. It's almost as if they're daring Korea to match their aggression," Eric continued.

Celine nodded, clearly impressed.

"And let's not forget, Korea's Team 2 is fresh to the battlefield. Afghanistan is banking on the element of surprise, hoping that this lineup will throw Korea off balance before they can adapt."

The camera shifted to Korea's side, showing their players discussing strategies, their expressions unreadable but focused.

"But there's a risk," Eric countered. "Without a Tank to absorb damage or an Assassin to pick off key targets, Afghanistan is putting all their eggs in the damage-dealing basket. If Korea can weather the storm and counter effectively, this lineup could leave Afghanistan vulnerable."

"It's a gamble, but it's also exactly what we'd expect from Afghanistan. They're not here to play it safe; they're here to shake things up. And honestly? I love it. This match just became even more exciting!" Celine shrugged.

The commentators turned their attention back to the live feed, where the players began finalizing their setups. The tension in the arena grew as the clock ticked closer to the start of the second match.

Eric's voice rose, reflecting the building anticipation.

"One thing's for sure: this isn't going to be a repeat of the first match. With Afghanistan changing the game and Korea stepping in with their second team, we're about to witness an entirely different kind of battle. Get ready, everyone. The clash of strategies is about to unfold!"

"No Tank, no Assassin, just raw power and adaptability. If Afghanistan's unpredictable nature was their strength before, this new lineup is the ultimate statement. Will it be enough to reclaim their momentum? We're about to find out," Celine grinned.

As the countdown for the game mode selection began, a large holographic roulette wheel descended onto the centre of the screen, hovering above the digital representation of the Cliffside Confrontation map. The roulette displayed every available game mode, each highlighted with vibrant colours and distinct icons. The crowd roared with excitement, knowing the outcome could drastically shape the next match's dynamics.

Eric's voice cut through the buzz.

"And here we go, folks. The game mode roulette is spinning! Last time, we saw Capture the Hill, which heavily emphasized strategy, positioning, and sustained control. But this time? The wheel could throw something completely different into the mix."

"Absolutely, Eric. With Afghanistan's hyper-aggressive lineup, a mode like King Slayer or Domination could play right into their hands. Those modes favour relentless offensive pushes and quick eliminations over prolonged control," Celine chimed in.

The roulette wheel began spinning rapidly, the icons blurring into a rainbow of possibilities. The crowd leaned forward, holding their breath as the spinning slowed. One by one, the icons ticked past, the audible clicks syncing with the anticipation.

"And… it's slowing down!" Eric's excitement was palpable. "What's it going to be? This decision could define the entire momentum of the match!"

The wheel finally clicked to a stop, and the chosen game mode illuminated brightly: Elimination Blitz.

The arena erupted into cheers and gasps as the commentators reacted.

"Elimination Blitz! Oh my, Celine, you shouldn't have jinxed that!" Eric exclaimed.

Celine nodded her expression a mix of excitement and concern.

"Elimination Blitz is all about securing as many eliminations as possible within the time limit. It's a mode designed for chaos, speed, and aggression—exactly what Afghanistan's new lineup is built for."

"No objectives to capture, no zones to defend—just raw combat prowess. Like Team Deathmatch, but unlimited respawn. Afghanistan's three Fighters, combined with their Mage and Marksman, are primed for high mobility and close-range engagements. This mode gives them the perfect opportunity to capitalize on their strengths," Eric quickly added.

The camera cut to Afghanistan's team. They were visibly energized, their expressions sharpening with determination. Soraya, their Mage, gave a knowing smirk as if she had been waiting for this moment. Yusuf and Rami exchanged nods, already discussing strategies.

"This is Afghanistan's chance to make their comeback," Celine said, her voice laced with anticipation. "But let's not forget, Korea's Team 2 may be fresh to the stage, but they're not here to back down. Their lineup has a balanced mix of roles—perfect for adapting on the fly. If they can weather Afghanistan's aggression, they might still hold the upper hand."

The feed switched back to the roulette, now displaying the full description of Elimination Blitz. A timer counted down the preparation phase, giving each team five minutes to finalize their load-outs and strategies.

"This mode is going to test every player's reflexes, adaptability, and synergy. Korea might not have tailored their lineup for Elimination Blitz, but that doesn't mean they're out of the fight. They've proven to be incredibly resourceful in the first match," Eric leaned into his mic.

"True," Celine agreed, "but Afghanistan's unpredictability is their biggest weapon. They've already thrown the traditional playbook out the window with this hyper-aggressive composition. If Korea isn't careful, they could be overwhelmed before they have time to adjust."

As the countdown timer ticked closer to zero, the commentators began wrapping up.

"This is it," Eric declared. "The stage is set, the game mode is decided, and the players are ready. Korea's Team 2 and Afghanistan are about to clash in what promises to be a high-octane showdown in Elimination Blitz. Will Afghanistan's aggression turn the tide, or will Korea's composure and teamwork prevail? Stay tuned to find out."

Celine smiled at the camera.

"The break is over, the stakes are higher, and the action is about to begin. Don't go anywhere—this is going to be a match for the ages."

The timer hit zero, signalling the imminent start of the match, but for now, the chapter ended with the crowd roaring in excitement, their cheers echoing throughout the university grounds and beyond.