Reading Like a Book

A new minion wave arrived.

Until now, Vincent and DragonMaster always met up in the middle of the lane and cleared the swordsmen first. But, not this time.

Following Yuel's advice, Vincent advanced past the enemy frontline and aimed for the bowmen. That naturally took the enemy by surprise.

"Huh?" Zeph raised an eyebrow. [The hell you think you doing, scrub? Ya ain't passing through!] He stepped in between his minions and the approaching Viking, like a goalkeeper defending the goal. [You better turn back before I make ya.]

[So far, so good.] Vincent nodded to himself.

This development was within Chessmaster's predictions, and the advised response to this line of defense was... ignoring it! Totally and utterly ignoring it!

Vincent continued onward, passing right past the Berserker. Their shoulders almost touched on the way, but Vincent paid no heed to that. He didn't slow down in the slightest.

It was a bold display of disrespect. Vincent was essentially treating his opponent like air. And yet, nothing happened. Vincent reached the enemy bowmen without any trouble. The enemy didn't lift a finger in retaliation.

[You little...!] Zeph ranted internally. He SO wanted to crush that damn Viking to bits, to reap the scrub asunder!

But, he couldn't bring himself to move. Why? Because enemy minions existed. If Zeph lays as much as a finger on the Viking, all the minions will be on his case.

Normally, that wouldn't be enough reason to ignore such a ballsy invasion. However, in this case, there was another threat afloat, much scarier than all minions combined: Unstoppable Raid, Viking's ultimate. It summoned a gang of strong minions that shouldn't be trifled with. These fellas would reap Zeph to shreds if he gives them the chance.

Therefore, cocky invader or not, picking a fight with Blackhole was way too risky under these circumstances. That arrogant scrub probably knew that too, that's why he was overextending like it was nothing.

[But, that doesn't mean I just gonna let ya do whatever you want!] Zeph knew all too well how these things worked. If he shows a weakness here, his opponent will take it for granted and will start abusing this shit. The damn Viking will start advancing like this during every wave and Zeph will eat shit every time.

Therefore, it was mandatory to cut off this bullshit as early as possible. Zeph had to show that this situation wasn't a problem for him in the slightest.

[Think you can scare a Berserker? In that case, you have another thing coming then!] Zeph ignored the overextending Viking and went after the enemy bowmen. They'll just trade bowmen, that's all there was to it.

But, there was no hurry. Instead of unleashing Barbarian Slam on the bowmen, Zeph simply hacked away at them. He didn't want to spend his previous Rage meter on something small like this.

[He's preparing to go Berserk.] Vincent figured. This, too, was within Yuel's predictions.

DragonMaster was too prideful to let such a bold overextension slide, so the guy intended to fight back. It seemed like even the threat of Viking's ult won't keep the guy at bay for much longer, not after Vincent committed such an insulting overextension right in the guy's face.

However, taking on Vincent's ult would be no easy task for DragonMaster. How would one warrior combat an entire squad?

Well, there was one way. DragonMaster simply had to become stronger, [much] stronger. In other words, he had to go Berserk. That's why he didn't use any skills why clearing Vincent's minions.

Using skills like Barbarian Slam cost Rage, but Rage was also the thing the Berserker needed to go Berserk. Such was the duality of this class. The player had the option to either make tactical use of Berserker's skills or forfeit all reason and go full mashing mode with unstoppable strength.

Deciding which mode was best suited for which situation was what made the class tricky to wield. And, in this situation, DragonMaster decided it was best to go Berserk. He intended to meet Vincent's squad of warriors head-on using brute strength.

At least, that's what Yuel anticipated from DragonMaster. And, so far, his predictions have been on point.

[Brilliant! That's where an opening shall present itself!] Vincent successfully reached the enemy bowmen, but he turned his back on them. The little minions weren't his real targets. [Nay, my only target is DragonMaster himself!]

Vincent turned around and sprinted back to his side of the lane. He'll launch an attack before DragonMaster gets a chance to go Berserk!

"Come forth, my minions!" Vincent summoned the deadly brigade of viking warriors.

"What the-!?" Zeph realized it too late. By the time he turned around to assess the situation, the enemy has already surrounded him! "Shit, you bastard!"

Zeph was played for a fool. The enemy reacted way too quickly to this development as if the guy has been waiting for Zeph to overextend like this.

[Was it all a bait!?] Zeph grimaced. It gave him unpleasant flashbacks, almost as if he was fighting Chessmaster all over again. It was this crippling, disgusting feeling of the enemy reading every move he made.

[Chessmaster is here.] Zeph shuddered. Maybe he was being paranoid, but every cell in his body was warning him.

Information Blackhole was no big deal on his own, but now he turned into a puppet. And, the puppeteer pulling his strings was a real piece of work.

[Damn, I thought I'll finally get a break here. So naive of me.] Zeph sighed.

Even without being here in the flesh, Chessmaster's presence was still strongly felt in Top. If Zeph wasn't careful, he'll end up eating shit.

[Ya got me good with this play. But, I ain't gonna die to this!] Zeph had to make a critical high-level decision here. It was a do-or-die situation.

With an entire brigade of savage warriors charging at him, he had no chance of coming on top in this situation. He didn't even intend to entertain such amateuristic thoughts, for this was a clear-cut example of a losing situation.

[The real question is, how to best get out of this shit?] Zeph gulped.

Berserker didn't have any good escape tools in his base kit. Zeph could only rely on Relaxing Exhale which exhausted his Rage to grant various buffs, the first of which buffed Movement Speed. And, by sacrificing even more Rage, it was even possible to gain a decent defense buff.

Zeph had 65% Rage to spare, so he could exhale so hard it'd blow all his lungs out. But, would all of that be enough to survive an onslaught from Viking's gang?

[I feel like it depends on how well I slip past these shitheads.] Zeph reasoned.

Even if he successfully wiggles his way through that army, how much HP will he have left? Not much, probably. Therefore, breaking through these guys was hella risky. There was no guarantee Zeph will survive that shit.

[So, what if I go Berserk instead of exhaling?] Logically, that should be considered suicide. However, it might actually be a viable option in this situation.

While in Berserk mode, the Berserker lost access to his entire kit. However, in exchange, his Dodge Roll transformed into Savage Leap. It was a leap ability designed for chasing prey, but it was also a decent escape tool. It might be more effective for creating distance between himself and the incoming viking brigade.

[But, I'm not at 80% Rage yet. Also, it takes time to transform.] Zeph frowned.

He needed another 15% Rage for Berserk mode to kick in. In other words, he had to either hit enemies or get hit by them, as that's what charged up the Rage meter.

And, even provided he could do all that, it took a couple of seconds to enter Berserk mode from the moment he hits 80% Rage. During that time, all these bastards will run over him!

[Damn, I guess exhale it is.] Zeph rooted himself in place and dramatically inhaled air into his lungs, then exhaled so hard he discharged a wave of energy. He paid 30% Rage in exchange for healing, Movement Speed, CC immunity, and protections.

[Go, go, go!!!] Zeph ran straight at the enemy forces, fully intent on breaking through their formation.

The vikings clobbered him as he passed through their ranks, but he didn't care. Zeph just had to get outta here as fast as humanly possible! He ain't gonna die to this shit!

WHISH. Something hit his back. It was a familiar sound effect, that of a heavy object being hurled. But, he didn't have the time to think too hard about it.

[Full speed ahead!] Zeph sprinted while disregarding his countless foes.

The viking warriors couldn't keep up with his buffed speed. They were rather fast compared to normal minions, but they were no match for a Berserker buffed by Relaxing Exhale. The scrubs hit him once or twice at most, then they fell far behind him.

[I'm getting outta here, dang it!] Finally, Zeph was about to reach his Turret. Just a few more meters and he'll be back to safety!

His CC immunity has already worn off, but it was no problem. There ain't nobody to CC him here anyway- WHISH. A blinking sound.

It sounded so close, almost as if somebody appeared right behind him. But, no way that could happen, right? Haha, yeah... No way...

"FUUUUUUUU!" Zeph roared as two arms wrapped themselves around him from behind. It was Viking's Takedown! [Damn, I knew I recognized that sound! He stuck his damn axe in me! REEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE]

The Viking flung Zeph backwards, right into the fray. Zeph crashed into the ground. A gang of thugs surrounded him while he was recovering. [Fuck this game...]

Zeph rolled away from the danger as soon as he stood up. The thugs bashed him a couple of times, but his injuries were still far from lethal. He was still holding onto 30% HP.

[Okay, no problem.] Zeph reassured himself.[ Just keep calm and fuckin' get this done. I can still make it! Just gotta run like my life depends on it.]

Zeph blitzed straight ahead but the Viking stood in his path. The guy swung his big axe at Zeph, but that didn't matter. Instead of slowing down to juke that shit, Zeph continued running.

The Viking's entire kit was on cooldown now, which meant no more tricks. As long as Zeph safely makes it to the Turret, everything gonna be fine from there.

"Phew." Zeph exhaled in relief. "Damn, this was rough." He was finally back at his tower, back to safety. He somehow survived that onslaught with 20% HP. [That's what ya call real skill! That fucker unloaded his entire kit on me, but I'm still alive!]

"Vincent, you should dive," Yuel advised. "Keep pressuring him."

"Is that really necessary?" Vincent asked. "I don't believe I'll be able to kill him."

"Just do it."

"Very well." Vincent ventured into the tower's territory and assaulted the nonchalant Berserker.

"What the-!?" Zeph jumped. [You still haven't had enough!? You flippin'...!]

Only 15% HP left. Could Zeph pull the greatest comeback of all times and kill that overextending bastard here? The tower was ready to help him in this endeavor, but he was like three hits away from dying.

[Nah, no way I can do it.] Zeph shook his head. [The rest of his gang is coming here too.]

Zeph had to keep running forward, all the way to the Golem if necessary. It was a lame option, but it's the best he had. Surely, the Viking won't dare to chase all the way to the Golem. At least, not unless he had a death wish.

Zeph just had to get far enough away, then the Viking will surely give up the pursuit.

[I should be able to outrun him, right?] Zeph felt sweat forming on his forehead. With his Movement Speed buff expired, Berserker and Viking were about the same in terms of speed. This might become a close one.

But, as soon as he thought that...

"RWAAAAAA!" the Berserker roared across the area and started hitting himself.

All the veins on his body popped, giving his skin a reddish color. All his muscles burst out, almost doubling in size. It was Berserk mode! That last hit from the Viking pushed the Rage Meter past 80%, so the Berserker went berserk!

[Finally some good freakin' luck.] Zeph smiled wryly.

In Berserk mode, it'll be hella easy to escape. Not only he gained a slightly increased Movement Speed, but he also obtained Savage Leap in exchange for Dodge Roll.

"So long, sucker!" Zeph leaped far away. From this distance, there was no way for the Viking to catch up anymore. The damn chase was over.

"I've lost the target," Vincent reported.

"Yeah, no point chasing anymore," Yuel agreed. "You triggered his Berserk, that's all I wanted."

"Oh, I see now!" Vincent exclaimed. "You wanted me to keep attacking so I trigger his berserk mode! Brilliant planning!"

"It's a basic tech. He was one hit away from 80% Rage, so it was best to hit him and trigger it," Yuel explained. "If anything, I messed up here. I didn't expect this play to be [this] effective. If I had known, I would have asked Luke to be on standby for ganking. You could've killed him together."

"Kukuku." Vincent cackled. "It appears you have underestimated my powers!"

[Rather, I overestimated the enemy.] Yuel thought. [I expected DragonMaster to deal better with that situation, but it's all good. Vincent gets to push hard now, and he prepared the ground for their next fight. I'm sure DragonMaster won't let things end this way. He'll seek revenge, and that's when we'll get him.]

Just as Yuel speculated, the enemy wasn't very happy about this development.

"Damn, that bastard!" Zeph ranted. [Just you wait. Just wait, you fucker! You don't have your ult anymore, so ya ain't scary! Next time we meet, you're dead! Dead, you hear me!?]

And so, Zeph promised to walk down the path of revenge. But, little did he know the enemy carefully prepared that path for him...