[Hayashi Ren has slain Nara Shikamaru.]
[Dominating!]
The system's voice echoed across the arena, and everyone was stunned.
What just happened?
Hayashi Ren had killed Nara Shikamaru?
That was insane! Shikamaru was known for his off-the-charts intelligence—a 200 IQ strategist. And Hayashi Ren had just taken him out?
"Shikamaru, what the hell happened?"
Ino's voice came through the red team's voice chat, demanding answers.
"Sorry,"
Shikamaru replied.
"I didn't factor in Hayashi Ren ambushing me… and I paid the price."
He felt a pang of guilt as he typed his explanation.
"It's okay,"
Sakura chimed in quickly, trying to defuse the tension.
"It was just an unlucky kill. Just be more careful next time."
Even as she typed it, she couldn't help but sigh with relief.
"Thank goodness… Someone else finally got killed by Ren. Now, if we lose this match, maybe I won't be the only one people blame."
But she had no idea how serious things had already become.
At this point, the kill score was 0–3 in favor of the blue team.
And all three kills were sitting in Hayashi Ren's pocket—no one else on his team had gotten a single one. On top of that, with the healing from Smite, his passive skill: Proto-Sage Physique, and the fact that Ren had just evolved his Smite into Deep Blue Smite, the level gap between him and the others was growing wider by the minute.
Basically, whoever he caught—died.
And it was worse because the game was still in closed beta, meaning no one could buy items yet. That made the situation even more lopsided. With how far ahead he was, the blue team might as well already be declared the winner.
"Your heartbeats are speeding up."
Hayashi Ren's voice sounded like death itself, his figure appearing on the top lane. Without hesitation, he launched a Shadow Leaf Dance, and with a boom, he kicked Kiba Inuzuka, who was laning against Shino, straight into the air.
"Secret Technique: Parasitic Destruction Insects!"
Shino saw the opening and instantly followed up with his first skill—sending a swarm of bugs toward the airborne Kiba to consume him.
"Damn it!"
Kiba yelled furiously,
"Two on one? Cowards! Fight me one-on-one if you've got the guts!"
"Keep your voice down."
Ren said coldly. He followed up with a Leaf Hurricane, landing a solid kick to Kiba, then another, and another—finishing him off completely.
[Hayashi Ren is on a rampage!]
The system's announcement rang again.
Kiba, still furious, could only glare at the screen as Ren calmly walked toward two low-HP minions, tossing over his shoulder:
"Pathetic."
He vanished from Kiba's death screen view, leaving behind only frustration and rage.
"Hayashi Ren! You dead weight!"
Kiba suddenly exploded in the public chat,
"You think you're hot stuff? You're just a scumbag who got lucky because of the MOBA system! You're nothing but a coward who needs teammates to win! What else can you even do?!"
"Kiba!"
Shikamaru quickly shouted in the team chat.
His heart was pounding, sweat dripping from his brow.
He'd noticed it earlier—when Hayashi Ren appeared in the top lane, he was already level 7. After killing Kiba and clearing just two minions, he immediately leveled up to 8.
There was no way someone like Kiba, who hadn't even reached level 6 yet, could ever stand a chance.
And now Kiba had the nerve to provoke Ren?
"So what?"
Ren replied in the public chat, ice cold.
It was clear what he meant—Kiba's about to be 0–3.
At that point, even Shino could solo him.
"Come at me one-on-one if you're not scared!"
Kiba yelled, ignoring Shikamaru's warning, and challenged Ren publicly.
"Gladly,"
Ren responded without hesitation.