LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

Watching JDG's base explode on the screen amidst a dazzling array of light effects, Luo Xin excitedly jumped up from the carpet.

"Holy Gun Bro's Ornn was amazing! That gank was simply divine!" Rita put down her wine glass and let out a long sigh of relief.

Su Mo leaned back on the sofa, a faint smile on his lips: "I told you, as long as we stay calm, this round will be fine. Saint Gun Bro is good at handling pressure. If he can't roll a 9 on the 369 dice, he can only stare helplessly."

"It's mainly because you were sitting at home, casting your spells from afar!" Yu Shuang teased with a smile, then picked up a peeled grape and offered it to Su Mo's lips. "Here, Coach Su, this is a reward for you."

Su Mo opened his mouth and ate it without any qualms, and then bit Yu Shuang's finger, which made the beauty give a coquettish laugh.

At this warm and romantic moment, Su Mo's personal cell phone, which was on the coffee table, suddenly vibrated.

He picked it up and saw that the caller ID showed it was Abu.

"Hey? What's up, Bu Shen? You just won the game and you're already calling to tell me the good news?" Su Mo answered the phone and asked lazily.

On the other end of the phone, Abu's voice sounded unusually excited: "Brother Mozi! Good news is a given, but there's something even bigger!"

"What's going on? Does Riot think I'm too strong and are planning to nerf my items specifically?"

"It's not fists! It's Hunan TV! Hunan Satellite TV!" Abu's voice rose eight octaves. "Just now, a producer from Hunan TV contacted the club's top management directly, saying they want to talk to you!"

"Mango TV?" Su Mo was taken aback, raising an eyebrow slightly. "What do they want with me? To play games on 'Happy Camp'? Or to plant rice seedlings on 'Back to Field'?"

"Neither!" Abu took a deep breath. "They're currently preparing for the new season of 'Masked Singer,' and the show's director personally extended an invitation to you to participate as a crossover guest!"

"what?"

Before Su Mo could speak, Rita and Luo Xin, who had been listening intently to the gossip, exclaimed.

“The Masked Singer?! The one with the singing?!” Luo Xin’s eyes widened like saucers.

Su Mo gestured for the women to be quiet, then asked into the phone, "Are you sure you're not mistaken? I play esports, not work in the entertainment industry. Asking me to sing is just ruining things."

"Hey Mozi! These days, it's all about crossovers! It's all about the unexpected charm!" Abu said eagerly. "And you have no idea how popular you are right now! You're the only top star in the e-sports world, and the most popular male god on the entire internet. The production team said that as long as you're willing to go, your appearance fee will be on par with top-tier superstars! You don't even need to show your face, you just need to wear a mask and sing a couple of songs!"

Su Mo stroked his chin, lost in thought.

Sing?

To be honest, although he was a professional player, thanks to the benefits of being a time traveler, he had an excellent voice.

Besides, fighting and killing every day is quite boring. Going into the entertainment industry wouldn't be bad, would it?

"Alright, give me that director's contact information, I'll talk to them," Su Mo said casually.

"Alright! I'll push it right away! Brother Mozi, you have to seize this opportunity, it's a great chance to break out of your niche."

Before Su Mo could even put down his phone after hanging up, four stunningly beautiful faces crowded around him, their eight eyes gleaming with gossip.

"You're going to participate in 'Masked Singer'?" Rita grabbed Su Mo's arm and shook it. "Really?"

"Exactly!" Luo Xin said with a doubtful look. "Brother Mozi, you usually hum a few lines and it sounds pretty good, but when you go on stage, there are professional sound systems. Even a little bit off-key will be magnified! Don't let it turn into an 'e-sports death song,' that would be so embarrassing!"

Yu Shuang, on the other hand, was more rational and analyzed, "However, with Mo Zi's current looks and popularity, even if he sings just averagely, just standing there will guarantee high ratings. The production team probably saw that as a reason."

Xiaoyu said timidly from the side, "I think Brother Mozi has such a nice voice, he must sing really well too..."

Looking at the group of women who were full of doubts about his singing ability, Su Mo chuckled and suddenly cleared his throat.

Without any accompaniment, he looked into Rita's eyes and softly hummed a chorus from "Mercury":

"How much further must I go before I can enter your heart? How much longer must it take before I can get close to you..."

Deep, magnetic, and affectionate.

Although it was just an a cappella performance, her incredibly clear and resonant voice instantly captivated everyone's ears.

The living room fell silent instantly.

After humming the song, Su Mo raised an eyebrow: "How was it? Is this level good enough for me to go on stage?"

Luo Xin swallowed hard. "Brother Mozi, this is so good! I've got goosebumps!"

“Talent, you know?” Su Mo pointed to his throat and said in a Versailles-like manner, “When God opened the door to games for me, He also opened all the other windows.”

……

The next afternoon.

Su Mo did not go to the base, but instead arranged to meet the Hunan TV program crew at a private tea room in Shanghai.

The person who came was very sincere; she was the chief director of "Masked Singer," a middle-aged woman surnamed Zhang, who was capable and efficient.

"Mr. Su, I've heard so much about you." Director Zhang's eyes lit up as soon as he saw Su Mo.

Compared to photos, her composed demeanor and top-notch bone structure in real life are even more striking than many idols in the entertainment industry with heavily edited pictures.

"Director Zhang, you're too kind." Su Mo shook hands politely and took a seat.

“I’ll get straight to the point.” Director Zhang pulled out a proposal. “Our theme for this season is ‘crossover and subversion.’ Audiences these days are tired of the same old thing. They don’t need those professional singers who are all the same. They need surprises and contrasts.”

Director Zhang took a sip of tea and continued, "And you, Mr. Su, are currently the universally recognized e-sports god. If you could put on the mask, stand on the stage, and conquer the judging panel and the audience with your perfect singing voice, then when the moment of the unmasking..."

Director Zhang made an explosion gesture: "The traffic, the buzz, it's absolutely nuclear-level!"

Su Mo flipped through the proposal: "The idea is good. But I am a professional player after all, and I have matches to play. Will the recording time conflict?"

"You can rest assured about that!" Director Zhang quickly assured them. "We know that EDG is preparing for the playoffs, so we can fully accommodate your schedule! Moreover, you only need to record two episodes as a 'guest guest,' you don't need to be with the crew the whole time. The recording location is at the Kunshan Film and Television Base near Shanghai, it's a short drive away, and it definitely won't affect your training and matches."

At this point, Director Zhang lowered his voice and held up five fingers: "As for the appearance fee, we are willing to offer this amount. Two episodes, after tax."

Su Mo glanced at the number.

five million.

For recording just two episodes of a variety show, this is already the price of a top-tier celebrity.

Although he is not short of money, this represents the other party's sincerity and recognition of his worth.

“Mr. Su, besides the money, this is also a great opportunity to vindicate esports.” Director Zhang played his trump card. “Let the public see that today’s esports players are not only good at the game and good-looking, but also have exceptional talents. This will greatly improve the image of the entire industry.”

Su Mo nodded.

He closed the proposal, but did not agree immediately. Instead, he picked up his teacup, took a sip, and wore an inscrutable smile.

"I felt Director Zhang's sincerity."

Su Mo put down his teacup and said slowly, "However, as you know, although our team is doing well right now, we are also under a lot of public pressure. If I suddenly go on a variety show and don't perform well, it might have a negative impact."

Director Zhang's heart tightened: "So you mean..."

"Give me two days to think it over." Su Mo didn't give a definitive answer. "I need to discuss the match schedule with the coaching staff and also check my recent form. If my schedule allows, I'm open to going for a spin."

Although Director Zhang was somewhat disappointed that he couldn't sign the contract on the spot, he knew that these things couldn't be rushed.

Su Mo didn't directly refuse, which means there's hope!

“No problem! We’re ready to hear from you anytime!” Director Zhang stood up and shook hands again. “Mr. Su, I really look forward to seeing you on that stage. I have a feeling you’ll be the biggest dark horse this season.”

……

After seeing Director Zhang off, Su Mo didn't let the matter drag on for too long.

Two days later, persuaded by Rita, Luo Xin and others, and with the "money power" of a five million appearance fee, Su Mo officially signed the recording contract for "Masked Singer".

Of course, all of this was done in absolute secrecy.

Apart from EDG's top management and a few close "family members," the outside world knows nothing about this.

To maintain secrecy, Abu even released a smokescreen, claiming that Su Mo was currently undergoing intensive closed training in preparation for the playoffs.

Of course, not many people believe it.

……

Thursday, on a nanny van traveling from Shanghai to Kunshan.

The car curtains were drawn tightly shut, but the atmosphere inside was unusually lively.

"How about this mask? 'Robocop'! It suits your identity as a monster operator!" Luo Xin said excitedly, pointing to a design drawing on her tablet.

"That's so cringeworthy." Rita curled her lip in disdain and swiped the screen. "I think this 'Dark Rose' is pretty good. The black dress paired with the rose-patterned mask is mysterious and elegant, which suits Mozi's current temperament very well."

Yu Shuang added with a smile, "I think Director Zhang's suggestion of 'The Unknown' is also good; it's understated, luxurious, and meaningful."

Su Mo leaned back in his chair and said, "No need for anything too fancy, the simpler the better. We're going to sing, not walk the runway."

Ultimately, with Su Mo's approval, the mask was named "Night Walker".

The design is a silver-black mask covering the upper half of the face, with sharp lines and a futuristic feel, revealing only Su Mo's angular jawline and thin lips.

His outfit consisted of a well-tailored black trench coat over a white shirt, which accentuated his tall and slender figure while exuding a cool, ascetic vibe.

……

Upon arrival at the recording site, security measures were upgraded to the highest level.

Wearing a baseball cap, mask, and sunglasses, Su Mo was completely disguised like a secret agent and was escorted directly into the private lounge by staff through a secret passage.

Rita and Luo Xin disguised themselves as Su Mo's "accompanying makeup artist" and "life assistant" this time. Although they were wearing masks, their slender figures still attracted the attention of many staff members backstage.

"This is so exciting!" Luo Xin whispered in the lounge. "It feels like we're doing something thief's job."

"That's called maintaining an air of mystery." Su Mo had already changed into his performance costume and put on the [Night Walker] mask.

It has to be said that the moment Su Mo put on this outfit, his entire demeanor changed.

Shedding the carefree attitude of a young esports player, he gained a deeper and sharper demeanor, standing there like a villainous boss straight out of a comic book. "Knock knock."

There was a knock on the door, and Director Zhang's voice came through: "Teacher Dark Night Walker, are you ready? We need to record a voice-changing interview first, as the contestant's entrance video."

Su Mo gestured to the girls to be quiet, then opened the door.

The camera is set up and the audio equipment is tested.

To prevent his voice from revealing his identity, Su Mo's microphone was connected to a voice changer, producing a processed, slightly metallic, deep male voice.

The director sat opposite and began asking questions:
"Hello, Night Walker, are you a professional singer?"

Su Mo adjusted his posture, looked at the camera through the eye holes of the mask, and shook his head: "No."

"Is your profession related to voice? For example, acting, or voice acting?"

“There’s no direct connection.” Su Mo thought for a moment, his processed voice sounding particularly mysterious. “However, my job does require a lot of hand work, and… I also have a lot of viewers.”

The director's eyes lit up, and he continued to ask, "A lot of viewers? Are you the anchor?"

Su Mo's lips, hidden behind his mask, curled up slightly: "Well, you could say that."

"Then why did you come to participate in 'Masked Singer'?"

Su Mo was silent for two seconds before slowly saying, "In my field, I have already reached a very high position. But I don't want to be defined. I want people to know that, besides my hands, my voice can also conquer the world."

After the interview was recorded, the director was extremely excited.

That's such a cool answer!
Although nothing was revealed, this level of sophistication is off the charts!
……

The recording officially began at 8 p.m.

The studio was brightly lit, and the judges were already in place.

This season's judging panel boasts a star-studded lineup, including seasoned veterans like Da Zhangwei and Ella, as well as music critics known for their sharp tongues.

According to the rules, each episode will feature six masked singers competing against each other in pairs. The loser will be unmasked, and the winner will advance to the next round.

Su Mo was scheduled to perform in the second group.

At this time, on the stage.

The two singers in the first group have just finished their performances, and the judging panel is having a heated discussion.

Backstage, Su Mo stood in the waiting area and took a deep breath.

Although he has played in countless high-profile matches, this is the first time he has stood on stage without a mouse and keyboard, but with a microphone.

"Are you nervous?" Rita, acting as his assistant, whispered in his ear and thoughtfully straightened his collar.

"Nervous?" Su Mo chuckled. "Not at all."

……

"Next, let's welcome the next masked singer—[Night Walker]!"

The host's voice sounded.

The stage lights suddenly dimmed, leaving only a spotlight shining on the aisle entrance.

Su Mo strode confidently onto the stage.

The moment he appeared under the spotlight, the audience let out a low gasp.

So handsome!
Although his face is not visible, his model-like proportions, cool and mysterious aura, and the black and silver outfit make him practically a walking embodiment of masculinity.

"Wow!" Ella from the judging panel exclaimed, "That physique, those legs! He's definitely a handsome guy! And the way he walks, he's so confident!"

Da Zhangwei also peeked out and said, "Doesn't look like a singer. Singers rarely have such straight lines. It looks like someone who has trained in dance or... a model?"

Su Mo walked to the center of the stage and stood there, bowing slightly.

Without further ado, he nodded to the band teacher.

The prelude sounded.

It's a song that everyone knows, but it's extremely difficult to sing well—Eason Chan's "Elimination".

However, the song has been rearranged, with the intro featuring a deep, somber cello melody, creating a more sorrowful and oppressive atmosphere.

Su Mo raised the microphone.

"I tried, and tried again and again, to be a good person, but it still didn't seem to be enough..."

The moment the first line of lyrics is sung.

The whole place was quiet.

That wasn't Su Mo's normal voice, nor was it a voice that had been altered using a voice changer.

Instead, it is a voice with a very grainy texture, slightly husky yet deeply affectionate.

It's what's known as a smoky voice, but not entirely; it's interspersed with extremely stable breath control.

This captivating voice instantly grabbed everyone's attention.

Ella gasped in surprise, turning to Da Zhangwei: "That voice... it's so unique! It sounds a bit like Eason Chan, but even colder!"

"That transition in the middle! Did you hear it?" The professional music critic sat up straight. "It's so smooth! This is definitely not amateurish; the fundamentals are very solid!"

On stage, Su Mo was completely immersed in the mood of the song.

He didn't treat this as a performance, but as a ranking match, a solo match he had to win.

Every note, every line of lyrics, and the emotional progression are all within his precise calculations.

"I can only say I lost; perhaps you were afraid."

During the chorus, Su Mo's emotions suddenly erupted.

He portrayed the heart-wrenching helplessness and the bitterness of losing in the game of love to the fullest.

Especially in the final high note, Su Mo did not use falsetto, but instead used his extremely powerful true voice to hit the top, with extremely strong penetrating power, directly hitting the top of the head!

Our memories are without wrinkles, yet you used your departure to burn a period—

The song is over.

Su Mo remained in the microphone-holding posture, standing quietly in the center of the stage.

The scene was silent for a full two seconds.

Then, thunderous applause and screams erupted!
"It sounds great!!"

"too strong!!"

"Night Walker! Night Walker!"

Rita and Luo Xin backstage were extremely excited.

"I knew it! Brother Mozi is the best!" Luo Xin's face flushed with excitement. "His singing skills are good enough for him to debut as a singer!"

On stage, the host walked up, exclaiming in amazement, "That was amazing! Absolutely amazing! Dark Night Walker, are you sure you're not a professional singer?"

Su Mo answered again using the voice changer: "No."

The judging panel segment.

Da Zhangwei asked impatiently, "Not a professional singer? That's impossible! This kind of breath control, this kind of resonance, if you haven't practiced for ten or eight years, I'll eat the microphone! Are you one of those... hidden masters among the people? Like a vocal coach?"

Su Mo: "Not a teacher."

Ella then asked, "Are you an actor? Your emotional delivery was so strong just now, it was like you were acting."

Su Mo: "I don't act, but I... I perform often. I perform in front of tens of millions of people."

"Tens of millions of people?!"

This number startled the judging panel.

"A livestreaming influencer?" The music critic frowned. "But influencers rarely have this kind of singing ability. Did you come from a talent show?"

Su Mo: "I've never participated in a talent show. My stage is much crueler than talent shows. If you lose, you go home."

The panel of judges looked at each other, completely baffled.

Neither a singer nor an actor, yet with tens of millions of viewers, and a very brutal stage?
"Could it be... an athlete?" some speculated.

Su Mo neither denied nor admitted it, but simply said, "My hands are more valuable than my voice."

"hand?"

Everyone instinctively looked at Su Mo's hand holding the microphone.

Tall and slender, with well-defined joints, fair-skinned and strong.

They are indeed a very beautiful pair of hands.

"pianist?"

"magician?"

The judging panel made a series of guesses, and the more they guessed, the more outrageous they became, even guessing that the person was a surgeon.

Ultimately, because Su Mo had very few clues... (End of Chapter)