LOL: I just turned 18, let me fight back and be reborn

Chapter 344 Not winning the championship is a failure! "Why does it feel like he's lying again?"

"So this is ah."

Ye Bo looked at the match schedule on the screen.

Only then did he realize why the Asian Games result in Lao Deng's diary was "bronze medal".

Despite some changes in the timeline and participants, it all seemed like a destined intersection, and the two sides eventually collided.

The KR team players who were watching the draw on site showed obvious shock when they saw the result.

Meanwhile, the CN team members inside the base all jumped up.

"What the hell!?"

"Now I believe you, we really didn't make that signature!"

"KR must be speechless, there's no better signing than this."

Ye Bo plopped down in his gaming chair and leisurely spun around: "That's good too, finishing early means less pressure~"

Although everyone was surprised, it was clear that most of them were still excited.

After all, they knew this battle was inevitable from the moment they stepped onto the field, and the difference between fighting sooner or later was not significant.

"Now we've got a sure win against the Korean team in the semifinals, it's like we're playing in the finals early!" Xun seemed to be standing on tiptoe, barely able to wait.

"That's not necessarily true. Who knows, maybe Coach Tabe will take them down~" Flandre joked with a smile. "Seriously, they should at least be able to figure out some of their tactics, right?"

"Who's on Xiangxiang's side again?" Liu Qingsong asked curiously.

"I know! White3Zz!!"

Everyone looked at the roster for the Xiangxiang region, but unfortunately, apart from top laner YSKM, his substitute Solokill, and coach Tabe, there were no familiar IDs.

It's true that the Xiangxiang region has always been known for producing top laners. Not only are there the two top laners who are qualified to play in the LPL, but AJ, one of the very few players who made a name for himself, was also a top laner.

Ye Bo took out his phone and browsed online forums, finding that netizens were having a lively discussion.

【Wait!? Does this mean someone might be competing for the bronze medal?】

[It doesn't matter, every year the runner-up gets a severe dressing-down. Not winning the championship is a capital offense in esports!]

Looking at it this way, it seems like my brother deliberately didn't get selected. After all, winning this competition is "meaningless," but losing would make him a sinner forever condemned in history.

[You know what, really, just look at the opponents they drew in the quarterfinals, it was the right decision that Left Hand and JKL didn't come to Bao!]

[What a hardship! Why the Vietnam War? — To conquer Vietnam? Zhuo and Yu Zhi! — This is the test, the proof! — Watch me! I'll dominate Asia!]

[Anyway, Taiwan is definitely all smiles; they even made it to the finals!]

Many netizens in the comments section are asking those with larger penises to repost battle reports from foreign websites.

Sure enough, a hero appeared below the post, directly reposting the best content from the external website.

The classic Taiwanese PTT forum is back, and in 2023, you can still see the black background and white text layout from the 1990s, which is incredibly recognizable.

What a fair lottery!! We can already open the champagne!

I really like a saying from mainland China: "It's easy to get a visa." Why is it considered easy?

[Hopefully, the CN team can help us uncover KR's trump card first. That way, if we win the championship, we can give the CN team one-third of the credit!]

[What are you talking about? This year we have FOFO + Kasa + Doggo + Snake + Coach WarHorse, it's practically a dream team! Even without this draft, we could still beat CN and KR!]

Indeed, we can already start researching our opponents in the finals. This time, we'll show everyone who truly deserves the glory of an all-Chinese team!

The netizens on the Wanwan Forum displayed a festive attitude, as if it were Chinese New Year.

Previously, almost everyone assumed that the Asian Games would be dominated by the CN and KR regions, and that winning a bronze medal would be a great honor for the remaining dozen or so countries and regions.

The result is like a silver medal falling from the sky and hitting you on the head!
Just as Ye Bo was about to scroll down further, his attention was drawn to the sound coming from the live stream.

On the screen is the KR team, who have just finished the group stage, being interviewed.

Lee Sang-hyeok and Zeus were interviewed at the scene.

"First of all, congratulations to the Korean team for advancing to the knockout stage! We have invited two players from the T1 team to be interviewed!"

That's what the South Korean reporter said during the on-site interview.

The reason these two were chosen was simply because the other three players all played in the LPL, and these two were the only "pure" Korean players in the team.
"As you've all seen, the draw results are as follows. What are your thoughts on the quarterfinal opponents in the upper bracket tomorrow, and the semifinal opponents in the next step?"

"Faker, you go first!"

Lee Sang-hyeok, who always has a strong sense of "idol image" in front of the camera, still maintained a serious face and spoke in a tone that seemed indifferent.

"The draw doesn't mean anything to us. Since we're participating in the competition, we're naturally prepared to defeat all our opponents; it's just a matter of the order in which we do so."

"For us, not winning the gold medal is a failure."

Both the audience at the scene and those watching the live stream erupted in screams.

In fact, KR players must undergo "interview skills training" within the club, which undoubtedly demonstrates the advantages of its developed domestic entertainment industry.

This is why LCK players' interviews always seem to be full of memorable quotes, and you rarely hear them say anything particularly outrageous.

However, Zeus next to him seemed a little "abnormal" at this moment.

His cheeks flushed instantly with excitement when he saw the lottery results, as if he were experiencing some kind of inexplicable excitement.

"I'm very happy with this draw, and I'm really looking forward to playing against the YEV5 CN team!"

"I really look forward to meeting them in the semifinals!"

He was so excited that he changed his words three times in a row, which drew laughter from the audience and the live chat.

What's with Zeus's inexplicable sense of destiny? How did he end up as Ye Shifu's arch-rival in the top lane?!

Indeed, Fei-ge is still standing right there; you're not even his nemesis.

[Haha, Tadpole said Dafei and Master Ye are arch-rivals, just like RNG saying they're arch-rivals with SKT. They call someone an arch-rival if they've never won against them!]

Putting everything else aside, the difference between "No championship means failure" and "Reaching the top four is a success" is stark!

[Dafei's bragging again~~~]

[Faker: Whatever, I'm not playing anyway, so it's not my problem if we lose~]

Both sides appeared to be very confident about the upcoming group stage final.

However, contrary to the outside world's perception that the quarterfinals could be "treated casually," the situation is different.

Late that night.

The lights on the first and second floors of the e-sports building in the Asian Games Village seemed to stay on until very late.
"Zou Shude has once again been defeated in a one-on-one match!"

"In this quarterfinal match, Choi Woo-je, the top laner for the Korean team, truly shone throughout the entire match! This is already his sixth solo ranking match in this BO3 series!"

"In two consecutive games, the team's tactical resources were heavily invested in him, and he lived up to expectations by delivering a perfect performance! The huge gap in the top lane has become a weakness that Xiangxiang's team simply cannot fill!"

YSKM, who was extremely confident from the very beginning of creating his ID and whose name means "You should know me," was completely fearless like a newborn calf when facing Zeus.

Having debuted for only a year, he has delivered a dark horse performance with IG this year, showing a youthful storm-like level of skill. Even when facing aggressive top laners like TheShy and Bin, he has shown remarkable performances, including some impressive solo kills!

This is why this young player, who had just debuted, was able to secure a coveted spot on the Asian Games roster and even become the team captain.

But no one could have predicted that Xiangxiang, the team's proudest player in the top lane, would become the team's biggest weak point!
At the same time, this seems to reveal KR's current playstyle and their understanding of the new version.
Tabe, sitting in the audience, sighed.

Although he had actually "guessed" that the Korean team might use the "sharp knife" strategy of protecting the top lane and breaking through, he had also formulated corresponding countermeasures.

Unfortunately, the skill gap between the two players remains a significant factor.

Chovy in the mid lane always manages to control the lane, while Deft and Beryl in the bot lane are always adept at anticipating flank attacks and substitutions. This is no longer just a tactical difference.
"Zeus seems to have gotten a lot stronger in the last six months," Flandre couldn't help but exclaim from the audience.

"Great! This exposes their tactics, no big deal!" Xun still seemed confident: "Just wait and see, I'll take you to the finals!"

Ye Bo didn't participate in the banter; he seemed to be deep in thought.

Tabe felt that he had guessed the opponent's tactics, but it was just a matter of the difference in strength between his side and the opponent.

But as Ye Bo watched Beryl stagger off the stage, clutching her stomach, he inexplicably had a vague feeling.
The CN team members, dressed in brand-new red flag team uniforms, straightened their clothes and lined up to descend into the passage.

The sound of small red flags being waved instantly filled the stands, as all the local supporters cheered for their national team with all their might.

Ye Bo, carrying something on his shoulder, headed to another ascent passage, temporarily separating himself from his teammates.

"Next, please welcome the Chinese Mainland Team! Captain, please take the stage!"

The CCTV host's clear and resonant voice echoed throughout the venue.

In each event of the Asian Games, an athlete will represent the national team, carrying the national flag onto the stage to receive the attention of all the guests.

This is the standard format for international competitions and a moment of honor for every athlete.

Ye Bo, naturally representing the Chinese team in the League of Legends event, climbed the steps one by one, carrying the five-star red flag to the center of the stage.

His expression at that moment was filled with reverence and pride.

This honor is also a heavy responsibility.

The CN team did not receive any "practical" rewards like exemption from military service.

But since he is wearing this national flag.

Ye Bo was determined to make sure that the national flag could be raised on the flagpole at the final competition and fly over the city of Hangzhou.

The Vietnamese team, who were on the other side of the stage, also came to the front of the stage to complete the ceremony face to face.

The young man carrying the flag then excitedly walked off the stage, seemingly oblivious to the somewhat unnatural expression on the face of the chubby, dark-faced leader.

"Chief Instructor Li, just wait for our good news from the audience!"

"With you leading the team this year, we're absolutely confident we can win at least one game!"

Levi, the captain and jungler of the Vietnamese team, previously served as the jungler for JDG in S9. He is also the second Vietnamese player to reach the Challenger rank in the Korean server and the second "Vietnamese player" to be exported from Vietnam to the LPL.

His mentor and guide was none other than the first Vietnamese player, and now the head coach of the Vietnamese team—Sofm!

Don't underestimate Sofm just because he's only a second-tier player in the LPL. Last year when he was with WBG, he was constantly humiliated by being hung on the top of Dave's Garden City.

But Sofm is practically a legend on the very first page of Vietnam's esports history!

That was revered as a "god" by all Vietnamese LOL enthusiasts!

Its status in the Vietnamese e-sports field is at least on par with Ye Bo and Li Xianghe, or even higher!

After all, he didn't even have any competitors.

But at this moment, Sofm simply patted his beloved student on the shoulder, only revealing a melancholy expression when the other turned his back.

Clearly, Sofm didn't hold out much hope.

If the CN team could make a few changes, such as replacing some of the TES players from last year's World Championship, the GAM players who just beat them last year might actually have an extra boost in confidence.

But the IDs of these people today, especially the one in the mid lane, really made Sofm feel hopeless.

Sofm's own characteristic as a player was that he "didn't play by the rules".

—But when he faced Ye Bo, who had just debuted, last year, he knew very well that when it came to “not following the rules,” he was simply no match for the other person!
He had no idea what unexpected thing the other party would bring out today, and he was even a little apprehensive.

Sofm could only silently pray, "If we don't get completely overwhelmed, that's a success."

but.

Things seem to be going wrong.

It wasn't unexpected; it was entirely within expectations!

The old version 13.9 had already been thoroughly explored, and everyone's understanding should be the same—but many teams have previously demonstrated their completely new understanding with practical examples.

The reason is that the change in "perception of future versions" has improved everyone's understanding of the old version.

Right after the 13.10 patch changed the "Mid Lane Minion Speed", it was as if people only realized how much they had lost it and suddenly discovered how overpowered the old mid lane roaming playstyle was!

In previous versions, playing hard carries or utility heroes was almost considered "going against the meta"!
Furthermore, it was only after losing Dark Claw that I realized some heroes are completely different with and without it; and after the changes to marksman items, I realized that MSI wasn't just about playing a few core heroes.
The most obvious change is like the peak version of {mid laner Quesanti} that was once incredibly popular at MSI. Because of his mediocre early-game wave clear, poor mobility, and lack of roaming ability, he was almost abandoned by all teams.

However, the CN team not only still prioritized picking Quesanti for the mid lane, but also made very conventional choices for the other positions.

Just as if.

It's like they're completely replicating their MSI playstyle!
This cannot be said to be wrong, after all, these are all "correct answers" that have been verified.
It's rather strange that they appeared on the CN team, a team that was expected to surprise everyone.

This was true not only in the first game, but also in the second game.

If it weren't for the fact that the Asian Games also adopted the global ban/pick system, no one would doubt that the CN team would have chosen the exact same lineup for two games.

All the details suggest that they don't seem to be "hiding things," but rather they are simply using old things.

pity.

The situation was similar to that match against the South Korean team.

For two teams with a huge gap in strength, the difference in tactics can no longer have a significant impact. The difference between the two sides in terms of operation and tactical execution alone is enough to kill the game.

"CN team wins their first match! They defeat Vietnam 2-0 and advance to the semi-finals!"

"Every member of the CN team performed perfectly, especially Ye Bo in the mid lane, whose performance in the match between Quesanti and Annie was simply impeccable!"

"It's clear that the CN team is still using the mid-lane-centric playstyle that we're most familiar with, which is also the playstyle that all viewers and fans trust the most."

"The results of the semifinals in the upper bracket are in. Let's look forward to the semifinal showdown between KR and CN tomorrow! To determine the only team to advance to the gold medal!"

The comments section was filled with messages like, "The big one is coming!"

The KR team members watching from below the stage seemed to breathe a sigh of relief after watching the match.

Chovy's tone even became much more relaxed, her words brimming with confidence: "Looks like they're still playing the old tricks."

"Don't worry, Sang-hyeok ...

Lee Sang-hyeok remained silent.

Of all the people, only Beryl, who knew the other person best, sat alone in a corner, biting her nails and frowning.

He looked at Ye Bo on the screen, who was smiling innocently at the camera as he was being interviewed, and muttered to himself.

"I have a feeling he's lying again."

(End of this chapter)