Season 2: Chapter 104. Instruction Manual for Almond (3)
Letgo filed a report with trembling rage. However...
Ding.
Responses usually took more than a day, but one came back almost instantly as if their system had been set to automatically respond.
[The user in question is innocent.]
"... What? Without even checking?!"
Letgo found the response unbelievable. It could only mean one thing when a response came back like this. The player being reported had already proved their innocence in a past case.
"This... this skill?"
That meant the archery skills of the black-haired archer he just faced were genuine.
"Bullshit. These money-hungry bastards..."
The frustrated Letgo changed his profile picture to the national leader of China.
***
While Letgo was dumbfounded, BornToB felt jubilant.
"Wow!"
Was it because they won? No. He had won before even though he was B rank for life.
'The strategy worked!'
The strategy actually worked properly, meaning they could win the next game and the game after that.
'Will I really reach A rank?'
He could finally reach A rank.
BornToB felt overwhelmed with emotion and started babbling, "Wow, this is really happening! Almond, you're the best! I had no idea what to do next!"
He made an innocent remark out of excitement, but Almond and the viewers felt quite shocked.
'He didn't know what to do next...?'
— What's he saying?
— That’s shocking.
— Was he only going to depend on this strategy?
— I knew it.
The viewers realized the true nature of Kimchi Warrior’s eighty percent win rate strategy.
— So it was all about getting Almond out?
— This... strategy? This... strategy? This... strategy?
— Yeah, just win and it's done.
— What is this? LOL
In truth, the strategy Kimchi Warrior prepared was less of a strategy and more of a “How to Use Almond” guide that didn’t require any skill from the commander. It was a brutally simple strategy that simply involved getting Almond (the archer) out as quickly as possible and charging toward the enemy. This was the most efficient strategy while playing as a duo with Almond.
— But if that's all there is to it, BornToB doesn't even need to be there, right?
— Kimchi Warrior, this is ridiculous, LOL.
— Acting all high and mighty and not teaching him anything. There was nothing to teach, LOL.
— Kimchi Loser.
Kimchi Warrior hadn’t taught Almond any strategies because there was nothing to teach. All Almond had to do was rush out, shoot, and kill. What more was there to hint at?
At this point, the viewers split into two factions.
— But will this continue to work?
— Can this strategy alone maintain an 80% win rate?
— It would’ve been close just now if the defensive tower was well-placed.
Those who thought this strategy couldn't continue and...
— We won. That's all that matters, kids.
— Wait until the next game to judge.
— It's just one game so far.
The viewers grew divided and some advised others to judge later. In truth, Almond didn’t have much of a choice despite their divided opinions. He already decided to join the national competition. Kimchi Warrior would ultimately make the judgment as the coach, so Almond didn’t even consider the debates about whether or not Kimchi Warrior could be trusted.
'However...'
Almond glanced at the chat and noticed many messages that seemed different from his usual viewers. He immediately realized something with his considerable experience as a streamer.
'I felt it during the game too. Did they come from some other community?'
These viewers seemed to be from a different community. They argued that the strategy used in the recent game was very risky and that Kimchi Warrior or BornToB was making a big mistake.
'There's some truth to it.'
These viewers weren't wrong. The last game did have many precarious moments. As they said, if the enemy commander had changed the location of the defensive towers, it would have been much more troublesome.
'I'll know once I get feedback.'
Almond put these concerns aside. What could he, who only played as a commander once during a tutorial, possibly figure out? It was better to consult directly with the person involved.
"We agreed to get some feedback after a game. I'll go to This World."
— Thumbs up!
— Yes
— Okay
It would be interesting to hear what Kimchi Warrior thought.
***
Meanwhile, posts supporting Almond increased in the Embul community.
[You should have at least three strategies even if you’re B rank LOL]
[I scribbled down a better archer rush strategy]
[Almond LOL, he's entertaining]
[I've seen all his videos, he's the real deal]
[If you don't know Almond, are you even from this planet?]
The criticisms targeted the commander’s lack of strategy more and some even claimed to have solutions. Viewers who watched Almond's stream for the first time started liking him for his cheerful personality.
Of course, many were still reserving their judgment.
[These idiots are making a fuss over one game]
[I'm a legend in the game too when I watch it]
[Lol, doesn't matter what you say, he's not going because he's not S+ LOL]
[Yeah, because he's unranked LOL]
Supporters and critics of Almond appeared. The ratio fluctuated, but one thing remained constant. Almond's viewership kept increasing.
"Hmm."
Kimchi Warrior scanned the community with a thoughtful look.
"Not bad."
In fact, he expected much worse backlash when news spread in the community that a B rank was joining the national team. This was relatively smooth sailing in comparison. Some even hoped that Almond would reach S+ and quickly join the team.
A user named Faeling had written that post. This user had been active on Embul for quite a long time.
— Recognition from an OG, wow.
— Is Faeling for real?
— Faeling is actually a girl, just a fan of Almond's looks, SG
└ I’ve seen him irl. He’s a 40 year old guy...
└ LOL
As the comments showed, gaining recognition from Faeling was a big deal.
'It's encouraging.'
Kimchi Warrior felt genuinely grateful that he wrote such a post. Just then...
Ding.
[Almond has logged into This World.]
Swoosh!
Almond's avatar appeared in This World.
"Ah, you must have come to get feedback."
"Yes.” Almond greeted him and immediately inquired about his curiosity, "The viewers seemed anxious about the strategy..."
Kimchi Warrior slightly winced, but soon spoke earnestly, "Ahem. That's the best we have. Uh... I'll explain it myself."
"Do you want me to share the chat window with you?" Almond offered.
"Yes, that would be great."
— Kimchi Warrior LOL
— Uttering nonsense in 1 second
— 4 drones is the best!?
— Shh!
— Let's see LOL
Ridicule already filled the chat toward Kimchi Warrior.
"Heh," Kimchi Warrior chuckled, having seemingly anticipated such insults. "Everyone, I prepared the most efficient strategy possible within the capabilities of a B rank commander."
Kimchi Warrior smoothly continued, "Anything more complex than this wouldn't yield as much efficiency even with practice. But this fast archer rush? Even BornToB is making troops as fast as an A+ rank now."
— Really?
— It is fast
— Was that it? LOL
"Yes, it's pretty fast now. No other strategy would’ve been this quick. And it's also the best for Almond. If the situation is too complex, he’ll struggle to make decisions and won’t be able to fully exert his strength. We’re making that almost nonexistent in the early game."
— Walnut (nickname for Almond) fully analyzed LOL
— Why underestimate our walnut? LOL
— LOL
"This is not underestimating Walnut. Anyone with little gaming experience would struggle in a chaotic battlefield where cavalry is running around and ambush troops are appearing here and there. That's why I prepared this strategy. Trust it and give it a try."
— Okay!
— Let's go~
— Kimchi speaks well
— LOL, no one's refuting now
— Nut group, he's kind~
Kimchi Warrior felt the sentiment had improved considerably and turned his attention back to Almond. It was time to give him feedback.
"Now, Almond. I have just one thing as feedback this time."
"Yes," Almond replied.
Kimchi Warrior projected the minimap as a hologram and drew out a route.
"When entering the enemy base, always go through the forest and look for workers first. You encountered soldiers last time, right? That's unnecessary. Normally."
"Ah..."
"As you move through the forest, you'll first encounter workers chopping wood. Start by killing them. That way, they can't produce archers or build towers. They'll all need wood."
This was an unexpectedly good tip for Almond.
"Oh... that's right. Thank you."
"Other than that, you did everything well. Let's see the next game and I’ll give you feedback again."
Almond’s trust in Kimchi Warrior grew after the straightforward feedback session. He was eager to play again and apply those tips in the game.
"Let's move on to the next game right away."
Unlike before, they quickly found a match this time.
[Game Start!]
***
After the game started, BornToB naturally stuck to the same strategy.
'Five on gold, three on wood, and two on food... Proceed directly to the second era...'
BornToB allocated the workers like a machine and upgraded to the second era, the Feudal Age, as soon as he collected enough gold. Then, he began building an archery range without a single tower as soon as he collected enough wood.
Everything went exactly the same as the previous round, down to every detail.
For BornToB, this was the result of all his efforts. However, the veteran community viewed it as a sly and stupid spoon-fed strategy.
For example, the comment section turned into a battleground when such a post appeared.
— The national team is teaching 4 drones...
— Will they win with this strategy? LOL
— I bet my hand they'll get thrashed.
└ No one's taking your hand~ LOL
└ LOL, true.
└ The commander this time is different.
└ Someone searched for the commander even though they didn't watch Almond LOL
Many felt pessimistic about the strategy and others slowly started to support Almond.
— Why are you paying so much attention to the national team? Because Almond is leveling up right now?
— At least we've got something interesting to watch. You guys are the ones who ruined the game.
— Didn't Faeling even approve of it? Why make such a fuss?
The sentiments gradually balanced out into half-half.
Then─
"It's done...!"
BornToB summoned Almond.
[04:53]
It happened at the same time as the last game at four minutes and fifty-three seconds. At that moment, the community posts noticeably slowed down.
'Four minutes and fifty-three seconds.'
Almond had been summoned at precisely the same time and viewers marveled at the exact timing.
— Is he a machine? LOL
— How does it not differ even by a second? LOL
— Almond pops out in less time than it takes to boil noodles!?
— But the enemy commander this time seems competent.
"Let's rush right away."
Summoning Almond took the same amount of time as the previous round, but how long the archer rush took would change. He no longer aimlessly hesitated and wasted time.
Zip.
[Attack]
Almond immediately charged according to the commander’s ping. BornToB didn’t hesitate either and only placed command pings without any other remarks. Much had improved even though it was only their second round.
“The distance is closer this time.”
The enemy appeared closer than in the last game.
In less than thirty seconds, Almond arrived at the enemy base.
'Kimchi Warrior said to go through the forest.'
Swoosh.
As Almond entered the forest path, other archers who just spawned began to follow him.
"Hey, bro. Let's go together."
"I'm here too! Three's a good number to start with!"
They naturally recognized him as their leader. Together, four archers forged their way through the forest path.
A little ahead, they heard the sound of axes.
Thunk! Thwack!
'There. They’re really there.'
Just as Kimchi Warrior said, they would encounter workers chopping wood. Almond hid in the bushes and waited in case enemy archers were nearby.
'None.'
Unlike the previous round, this enemy commander seemed completely unprepared.
However, they had a lot of workers. This commander intended to advance not only to the second era, but also to the third era very quickly.
'This might be easier.'
With that thought, Almond drew back his bowstring.
Creak...
His companions who followed asked, "Are we shooting from here?"
"So soon?"
Almond’s arrow answered their questions.
Swoosh!
The arrow flew through the bushes and trees, precisely striking a worker's head. It penetrated so accurately and forcefully that it sounded like tofu being pierced.
Thunk!
The worker collapsed with a single shot. The allies who were just beginning to string their bows murmured in surprise.
"!?"
"... Wow."
"Whoa. What's that?"
It wasn't just Almond’s archery skills that surprised them.
Baaam!
A trumpet resounded and a message appeared.
[The enemy commander has surrendered!]