NexaRealm: Best in the World

The big screen flickered to life, displaying the pre-match analysis as the commentators dove straight into discussing Afghanistan's roster. Eric leaned forward, his voice brimming with energy.

"Well, Celine, let's talk about Afghanistan's lineup—unchanging, yet unpredictable, plus undeniably solid. Leading the team is their captain, Khalid, filling the Tank role. This guy's a fortress on the battlefield. Known for his impeccable timing on engage and unshakable defensive plays, he's the backbone of the team. If Afghanistan wins today, you can bet Khalid will be a big reason why."

Celine nodded, her tone calm yet engaging.

"Absolutely, Eric. And alongside him is Amina, the Assassin. She's quick, ruthless, and has this uncanny ability to find gaps in the enemy's defence. Many call her the shadow of Afghanistan for a reason—silent but deadly."

The screen shifted to display player profiles, with Khalid's stoic expression and Amina's fierce gaze capturing attention.

"Then we've got Adil as the Marksman, a sharpshooter known for his precision under pressure. His ability to hold his ground in team fights is critical. Following him is Soraya, the Mage, a versatile player who can adapt her spellcasting to fit any strategy. And finally, there's Omar, the Fighter, who brings raw aggression to the table. His plays are often risky, but when they pay off, they're spectacular," Eric continued.

Celine chuckled softly.

"It's a tried-and-true lineup. They've been playing together for years, which gives them synergy that Korea might struggle to match. But the flip side is their unpredictability. They often switch strategies, which could make them vulnerable if Korea capitalizes on it when Afghanistan is disrupted."

Eric leaned back, his expression thoughtful.

"Speaking of Korea, they've kept us in the dark. With a roster of 15 players, it's anyone's guess who they'll field today. This could work to their advantage—or backfire if they don't have the cohesion Afghanistan boasts. What do you think, Celine?"

She paused, glancing at the list of names on the Korean roster.

"It's a gamble, Eric, but one worth taking. With such a large pool, they can adapt to any situation, which is crucial with the new multi-mode format. But until we see their chosen five, it's hard to say how they'll stack up against Afghanistan's cohesive unit."

The camera panned back to the arena stage, where the Korean lineup had yet to be revealed. The anticipation in the hall was palpable as all eyes focused on the massive screen, waiting to see which five would step forward to represent Korea in this opening match.

As the camera shifted to the arena's entrance, the silhouettes of five players emerged, and the hall erupted into cheers. Korea's representatives stepped onto the stage, their uniforms crisp and their expressions a mix of determination and focus. Eric and Celine scrambled to identify them, flipping through their notes to cross-reference the players with the roster of fifteen.

"Alright, here we go!" Eric exclaimed, pointing at his monitor. "Leading the charge is Tae-young, the Assassin. According to our notes, he's currently Korea's top-ranked Assassin. Fast, aggressive, and deadly, Tae-young is someone Afghanistan will need to keep an eye on."

Celine nodded, her gaze narrowing on the next player stepping forward.

"And right behind him is Hana, the Fighter. Korea's second-best in her role, known for her resilience and precise execution in close combat. She might not be the top Fighter in the country, but she's one to watch in this match."

Eric flipped to another page, his voice rising with excitement.

"Next, we've got Chin-hwa, the Marksman. Also ranked second in Korea, he's a solid pick. His calm under pressure and accuracy make him a perfect fit for a match like this. Pairing him with Tae-young should create some interesting synergy."

The screen highlighted In-su as he took his position. Celine leaned in, tapping her pen against her notes.

"Here's an intriguing choice: In-su, the Mage. He's ranked third in Korea, which is a little unexpected given the stakes. But perhaps Korea is trying to test out new dynamics or save their absolute best for later rounds."

Finally, the spotlight settled on Kyu, the Support. Eric hesitated, glancing at his notes before giving a slight shrug.

"And now we have Kyu… Well, this is a mystery. There's almost no information on him. He's unranked, untested, and practically an enigma. But hey, sometimes that's exactly what you need—someone unpredictable who can throw off your opponents."

"If there's one takeaway here, it's that Korea hasn't just thrown together random players. Tae-young, Hana, and Chin-hwa are among the best in their roles, while In-su's inclusion suggests they're exploring versatility. And Kyu? He's the wildcard. It's bold, Eric. Really bold," Celine smiled.

Eric nodded in agreement.

"Absolutely, Celine. And let's not forget, with everything about Korea's roster being so new, no one—not even us—can predict what tactics they'll bring to the table. This is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing matches of the night."

The camera zoomed out, capturing both teams standing on the stage, the players adjusting their equipment and exchanging focused glances. The match was minutes away, and the air was thick with anticipation. This was the moment Korea's fresh-faced team would step into the global spotlight for the first time, and everyone was eager to see if they'd rise to the challenge.

As the players settled into their seats, adorned their Realm devices and entered the game, the surroundings of their in-game avatars transformed. The once-familiar stadium dissolved, giving way to a monochromatic expanse—a vast training room painted in stark black and white, with grids of squares lining the floors and walls. The room exuded a sleek, futuristic design, pulsating faintly as though alive.

The system's voice, calm and slightly mechanical, resonated through the environment.

[NexaRealm System online. Initializing match settings. Welcome to the World Championship.]

A momentary pause followed, and then the system continued.

[Commencing map selection. Randomizing...]

The monochromatic grids rippled and distorted, the training room folding into itself like origami. Colors bled into the black and white, reshaping the void into a lush and verdant jungle, lit by shafts of golden sunlight piercing through dense foliage. A wide river snaked through the centre, flanked by towering cliffs and dotted with rope bridges. The sound of rustling leaves, chirping birds, and distant waterfalls added an immersive touch.

[Selected Map: Emerald Divide.]

Eric's voice boomed over the broadcast.

"Wow! Look at that, folks—Emerald Divide! A map is known for its verticality and strategic choke points. This is going to be a tough battleground for both teams, with plenty of opportunities for ambushes and outplays!"

"And let's not forget, Emerald Divide's central river often becomes the focal point. Controlling the bridges or the hidden caves under the cliffs could decide the match," Celine added.

The system chimed in again:

[Commencing game mode selection. Randomizing...]

The tension mounted as the players waited for the next announcement. The environment stilled for a heartbeat before the system resumed:

[Selected Game Mode: King of the Hill. Objective: Secure and maintain control of the central hill area to earn points. The first team to 200 points wins. Time limit: 20 minutes.]

The grid at the centre of the map shimmered, marking the designated hill—a flat, elevated plateau with partial cover provided by scattered rocks and ancient, moss-covered ruins. It was the kind of terrain that demanded both strategy and brute force to dominate.

Celine leaned forward, her excitement evident.

"King of the Hill! This mode is all about coordinated pushes and defending against relentless waves of attackers. With Emerald Divide's natural barriers and open sightlines, this is going to be intense!"

"It's a great pick for an opening match. Both teams will have to bring their A-game right out of the gate," Eric nodded.

Inside the game, the players found themselves materializing at their respective starting zones. Korea's team stood at one end of the map, their avatars clad in sleek, modern armour that radiated a faint blue glow. Across the divide, Afghanistan's players appeared, their gear exuding an earthy, rugged design, resonating with deep tones of brown and green.

The system's final prompt echoed through the space:

[Teams, prepare for battle. The match will commence in 60 seconds.]

Both teams moved to finalize their strategies. Korea's players huddled briefly, Tae-young giving out rapid instructions. On the other end, Khalid, Afghanistan's Tank and captain, raised his arm, rallying his team with a confident shout.

In the viewing area, Eric and Celine built up the excitement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, the stage is set, the map is chosen, and the players are ready!" Eric exclaimed.

"This is it. Korea's debut match on the world stage versus the experienced lineup of Afghanistan. The NexaRealm Championship has officially begun!" Celine grinned.

The countdown ticked to its final seconds, and the anticipation grew electric. The first clash was moments away.

As the final seconds of the countdown echoed across the map, both teams took their positions with an unshakable resolve. Korea's players fanned out in a formation that hinted at adaptability, Tae-young and Hana leading the charge while Kyu held a supporting position at the rear. On the other side, Afghanistan's team moved with precision, Khalid marching at the forefront with his shield raised, Amina flanking the edges like a shadow waiting to strike. The glowing numbers in the air dissolved into nothingness, and a booming announcement filled the arena:

[Match Start.]

The stillness of the jungle erupted into motion, the players charging toward the centre as the hill lit up in brilliant gold, signalling the beginning of the fight for dominance.