Season 3: Chapter 230. The Sea (1)
After the first game, the next map had been confirmed as an ocean map.
“For the second game?! This is...”
Ju-Hyeok looked distressed and for a good reason.
“The turtle ship hats haven't arrived yet!”
He had ordered special merchandise for naval battles, including turtle ship hats and turtle ship light sticks that emitted fire. However, these goods hadn’t arrived yet. The first game ended too quickly and the ocean map had been immediately decided, leaving no time for delivery.
BornToB sat beside him after helping with the sales today.
“When will they arrive?”
“Uh... Maybe by the third game? Will they still sell well then?”
A phone call confirmed that the items were in transit.
“By the way, it’s really different seeing it in person. The augmented reality is impressive,” Ju-Hyeok murmured as he looked down at the stadium.
The AR hologram graphics made it feel as if real seawater sloshed around the stadium, giving them the sensation of witnessing the Imjin War firsthand.
“BornToB, what do you think about this game?”
Ju-Hyeok asked for his opinion on the game’s outlook since BornToB knew Civil Empire much better than him.
BornToB had been munching on almond popcorn and quickly responded, “Ah... Oh! In my opinion...!”
His eyes darted around nervously.
“The turtle ships... might not even come out!”
“What?”
“Joseon's strategy seems to avoid dragging the game.”
Ju-Hyeok’s expression hardened. That wouldn’t do. He needed to sell the turtle ship merchandise by the third game.
***
Historically, Joseon’s ships focused on long-range bombardment rather than close combat. The structure of the Panokseon, a flat-bottomed ship, made it difficult to venture into distant seas. However, its flat bottom allowed it to rotate 360 degrees in place, enabling continuous firing from both the right and left sides. The ship's large size made it akin to a floating fortress. This was accurately depicted in Civil Empire.
“So, Joseon isn’t really compatible with swift ships?”
That was why OrangeKing felt puzzled by the choice of swift ships.
— Really?
— Did Joseon even have such ships?
— Isn’t that just a fishing boat?
— What’s going on?
The players felt equally baffled. Some didn’t even know swift ships existed because they were rarely chosen.
“Oh, I see. Joseon’s main strength is long-range artillery... swift ships. This is surprising.”
Joseon preferred long-range combat. This strategy extended beyond the game to modern South Korea.
“We are people who love shooting things from afar! We even kick ass in soccer!”
— The soccer analogy again...
— Kicking soccerballs like archers...
— LOL
“Yes, even our Defense Ministry invests heavily in artillery and firepower.”
“Even North Korea occasionally launches things over here! It’s in our DNA!”
— We even built nukes...
— Archers by nature...
— Is it genetic?
Despite the conversation, swift ships continued to be produced. Additionally, short bows were also being made.
[Short Bow - 39%]
“Now, short bows are being produced. This isn’t typical, is it?”
“That’s right. Usually, you’d increase the number of workers or fishing boats. Japan is doing that right now.”
Japan significantly increased the number of fishing boats and workers.
“In a map separated by the sea, the game is expected to last longer!”
On island maps, the game generally dragged on longer. Commanders increased the number of workers and grew their economies instead of making weapons. It took time to cross the sea for attacks and they could only bring a limited number of units.
“Let me explain Japan’s ship traits. Japan uses swift ships effectively.”
“Oh, yes. They quickly ram and board enemy ships for close combat.”
“Yes, they operate that way in the second era. In the third era, they mix in artillery. They prefer close combat over Joseon’s way.”
“But now, Joseon is producing swift ships first?”
“This likely means they intend to harass them.”
[Swift Ship - Complete]
One swift ship with space for ten passengers finished construction.
“Archers are boarding. Almond, Pang, and other top archers from Joseon...!”
Joseon chose this strategy for an early strike.
“This feels more like a Cookie strategy than a strategy from Best Yi Sun-Shin.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Best Yi Sun-Shin likes to fight but never makes economically disadvantageous moves.”
“Right! That’s why Japan surrendered in the last game!”
“But this strategy sacrifices a lot in terms of food and resources. Even if the harassment is successful, their gains are questionable.”
This decision differed from Best Yi Sun-Shin’s typical strategies. She often harassed the enemy in the second era, but never at such costs. OrangeKing felt confused.
— Is this just a second era rush?
— BornToB, where do you see this going?
— Just charging in the second era without thinking?
‘Is it just her style to harass the enemy in the second era?’
OrangeKing couldn’t tell if this was a playstyle or strategic decision. Best Yi Sun-Shin never missed a chance to harass the enemy in the second era.
‘There are players who memorize and execute strategies in solo ranks.’
Best Yi Sun-Shin lacked tournament experience and was known for solo rank play, which made OrangeKing suspicious.
‘In ranked matches where opponents are random, studying and countering strategies isn’t common.’
In ranked play, a strategy that worked seven out of ten times could be used repeatedly. What about tournaments?
‘It’ll get countered.’
Even a strategy that worked nine out of ten times would get countered after three times.
“Japan seems to be preparing defensively?”
As the caster noted, Japan wasn’t clueless. They knew Best Yi Sun-Shin never let the second era pass peacefully and somewhat prepared themselves. In the game, defense was easier early on than offense.
“Joseon’s swift ship has departed!”
The swift ship sliced through the water.
Swish...!
Although fast, Joseon’s ships weren’t particularly speedy. The further from shore they got, the slower they moved.
[Flat-bottomed Ship]
This was due to Joseon’s naval trait, the flat-bottomed ship.
[Turn twice as fast as other ships, but slows down the further it moves from shore. Up to 30% speed reduction.]
This was why OrangeKing found Joseon’s early harassment illogical.
“The swift ship will slow down as it moves. Japan has enough time to prepare if they notice.”
“But will they? Japan expects something in the second era, but they likely anticipate fire ships instead of swift ships!”
“Is there a significant difference?”
“Swift ships act as transport, so Japan needs to build defenses on land. However, Japan is... building ships?”
Japan knew something would happen in the second era. They prepared to counter it based on the exact timing of Joseon’s era upgrade. The problem lay in their counter strategy.
“The timing is perfect! But the issue is Joseon won’t engage in naval combat!”
— LOL
— Seriously?
— Digging their own grave
— This is funny
“Japan anticipates combat ships! They’re deploying Sekibune!”
Sekibune were Japan’s swift early warships equipped with rams for breaking enemy ships. Their other attack involved hand-thrown gunpowder bombs.
“Their ranged attacks are weak, but they ram and board enemy ships effectively in the early stages. They’re cheaper than Joseon’s fire ships!”
Despite limited means of attack, they were formidable due to their speed and ramming ability. Sekibune would ram into enemy ships and engage in close combat.
“The Sekibune is almost complete...”
[Sekibune - 88%]
Joseon’s swift ship already reached halfway across the map.
“Japan expects fire ships and plans to counter them cost-effectively with Sekibune. But Joseon is sneaking in for a land assault!”
The swift ship sailed along the map's edge, avoiding small islands to scout resources. Joseon intended to land covertly. This route reduced the chance of detection by Japan’s fishing boats. However, RTS games were always unpredictable.
“Japan’s fishing boats... Wait, is this a coincidence?”
Sometimes, the opponent’s insight also surpassed expectations.
***
Splash...!
The swift ship rocked with each wave but continued forward. It had slowed significantly far from the shore.
“I wish I could go fishing,” Pang idly muttered from the stern.
The ship had slowed and all they could see was the sea.
Almond shouted from the bow, “I see it!”
The island housing Japan’s base came into view. It still looked like a small rock, but gradually grew larger.
“Oh, we made it undetected.”
“People don’t usually pass through here.”
Other archers gathered and chatted. They had little to do but talk on the ship. Suddenly, Carrot expressed concern.
“Is our ship this fast?”
She noticed the island growing too quickly.
“Huh?”
“No, it’s getting close too quickly...”
‘Oh no.’
Carrot bit her lip. It wasn’t an island.
“It’s a ship.”
A Japanese ship was approaching.