LOL: Can’t I play other games professionally?

Chapter 507 Gold Medal, Raising the National Flag!

After winning the championship, the Chinese team had at least fifteen minutes to prepare before receiving the award. The team members also returned backstage to rest. However, this did not stop the audience from waving their red flags, making the stage and audience a single color.

The first-ever esports gold medal in Asian Games history is undoubtedly a new historical milestone.

Almost immediately after the match ended, the news of the victory spread across the internet throughout China via CCTV, the media present at the scene.

Mainstream media CCTV News was the first to release congratulatory messages for China's victory, and esports media, including those covering League of Legends, quickly followed suit.

Even Weibo automatically added congratulatory messages to the comments section of each contestant's post.

In an instant, Weibo, the largest trending platform in China, was bombarded with news of the Chinese e-sports team winning the Asian Games, dominating the top of the trending topics list.

The same excitement was felt in the locker room at the match venue in Jakarta.

Holy crap, we're going to win the gold medal!

Faced with such a momentous occasion, the Chinese team members were too excited to sit still. They eagerly awaited the organizers to prepare the podium so they could face the cameras and bring glory to their ancestors.

At the same time as their match, the third-place match next door between the Taiwan Provincial Team and Saudi Arabia, who were only participating, also quickly came to an end with a clean and decisive 3-0 victory.

Professional teams crushing non-professional teams.

Even so, the third-place match still ended about five minutes later than the championship match.

When the Taiwan team, who were also coming down to receive their awards, learned that the championship had ended much faster than theirs, with the Chinese team easily defeating the South Korean team 3-0, it was impossible for everyone not to be surprised.

After all, they could imagine that the Chinese team had a 99% chance of winning the final, but they would never have imagined that, well, you win, but the time you took was even shorter than when we played against non-professional teams.
Are you playing against a non-professional team?
Clearly, the Chinese team has once again exceeded their perceived limits, which is a bit too much.

Similarly, the South Korean team once again broke their own low point.

Back in the lounge, thinking about the final awards ceremony they had to attend later, the South Korean team members couldn't help but feel a sense of impending collapse.

To go up and accept an award after being beaten like that, what's the difference between that and killing someone out of their spirit?

In particular, the competition videos may not be released for a few days, but the award ceremony videos will definitely be spread by various media outlets as soon as they are presented, which will bring them good fortune in terms of public opinion on Korean websites.

Although they are already very fortunate, everyone knows what the Korean internet is really like.

Perhaps the only one who wasn't in such a bad or devastating situation was Scout, who spent most of his time on the bench. Not playing made him feel less recognized, and similarly, he faced less pressure from the Korean online community.

Korean netizens might even engage in post-match analysis, criticizing the Asian Games coaching team for not fielding the newly crowned world champion, Faker, instead of Faker, whose performance this year has been lackluster and who has struggled to lead his team to the World Championship.

Therefore, Scout is not worried about his public image at all.

Even if it were true, sorry, I'm not playing in the LCK, I'm playing in the LPL.

They've beaten LCK teams plenty of times themselves, so why would they worry about Korean online opinion? That's just nonsense.

Just keep a calm mindset. Scout can definitely do it, but it's hard to say about the other teammates, especially when you hear the cheers from the rest room next door.

Normally, news of soundproofing shouldn't reach them, but the real problem is that the staff on the other side are already excitedly shouting in the hallway.

Even some players from Taiwan Province were wandering around the Chinese team's rest room.

The entire South Korean team now had completely blank expressions.

Especially for the inexperienced Aiming, she simply couldn't withstand such immense pressure, and tears welled up in her eyes.

He, a newcomer, didn't get to rise to the top in one fell swoop. Instead, he's about to fall to the bottom in the LCK. Need I say more about the public opinion of Korean netizens after this match?

If we really have to pick someone who's even more heartbroken, Faker is undoubtedly the one. Compared to the average professional player, he's nearing the end of his career, and his performance has also declined this year.

Faker also wants to continue playing, but maintaining a stable performance isn't the most important thing; the real focus is on how to avoid military service.

That's why he takes the Asian Games so seriously. Now he can't avoid military service. Even if his performance is just average, Faker has even considered going to serve in the military in two years.

The League of Legends event at this Asian Games is just a demonstration event, and who can guarantee that it will be included in the next Asian Games? Moreover, even putting aside the next Games, whether he can maintain his form by then is a huge question.

Kkoma watched with great distress as the player he considered the best since last year's World Championship finals was seen with tears welling up in his eyes once again.

This Asian Games loss was truly devastating, which has worsened everyone's morale. If they had just won one game and held their own, things wouldn't be like this now.

But the truth is, they can't win a single game, they can't even gain an early advantage, and now all they can do is accept it and offer comfort.

"We're about to attend an awards ceremony, so please try to relax and don't look too upset in front of the cameras," Kkoma reassured everyone.

Before the staff could finish speaking, they came to the dressing room to inform the backstage staff to prepare to go on stage. The group could only try to hide the bitterness on their faces and slowly went out to prepare to return to the stage that had caused them so much pain.

At this moment, all the props on the stage were ready, and the enthusiastic Chinese audience was still waving the national flag excitedly. The media cameras were also getting increasingly eager.

The host began in a powerful and clear voice, introducing the team in order: "First up is the bronze medal winner of the League of Legends exhibition match, Chinese TaiPei."

Although the provincial team teammates who came out upon hearing the commotion were disappointed, their expressions showed no signs of disappointment.

Their real downturn came after their match against South Korea. Everyone was heartbroken by their disappointing defeat in the decisive game. Although they knew they wouldn't be a match for China in the finals, they had a real chance of winning the silver medal.

But doing your best is enough.

Having pushed the South Korean team to the decisive game, the provincial team accepted the situation calmly, both in terms of public opinion on the island and the team's own mentality.

They've given it their all to get here, so they deserve this bronze medal. And since it's an award ceremony, they should show the appropriate emotions.

As the provincial team members stepped onto the main stage, they greeted the applause and the audience. They knew that most of the audience members were from inland China, and the unwavering support from the audience made the entire provincial team even more excited.

At this moment, they also felt pride and honor as a single nation.

Once the provincial team members were ready to stand on the bronze medal podium, the host paused briefly before continuing, his voice still strong and resonant:

"Next up is the silver medalist in the League of Legends exhibition match, the Republic of Korea." Upon hearing the announcer's words, the entire Korean team seemed somewhat dazed, almost numb, unable to accept it. They then tried to make their expressions less stiff.

Then, led by Faker, the Korean team members quickly walked to the center of the stage and greeted the audience.

The greeting was given casually, and there wasn't much cheering from the crowd.

Chinese fans always have extraordinary enthusiasm, but this enthusiasm can never be given to someone who doesn't appreciate it. When the South Korean team came up and was so indifferent that they didn't even bother to look at them properly.

The only applause from Chinese fans was destined to be reserved for Scout, the LPL player on the team.

"You can tell they're really upset, but it wasn't a close match, so there's no need to be so upset about losing so badly."

Backstage, Xiao Hu, who was about to go on stage, couldn't help but mutter something. What he really meant was, "Haven't we been losing for the past two years? Logically, we should be used to it by now. Why does it look like this is the first time we've lost?"

Lin Ruo, who was standing next to them, naturally understood what they meant and laughed, "It's probably because Xiao Hu was there. They thought they could win, so they were even more upset when they lost because they had high hopes."

Upon hearing this, Xiaoming immediately agreed: "I think that makes sense, after all, Xiaohu used to get beaten by Faker every day."

Xiao Hu wanted to argue, but he didn't seem to have a reason, so he gave an awkward laugh while inwardly cursing Xiao Ming for being such an ungrateful bastard.

Lin Ge can say whatever he wants because he's a father figure, but Xiao Ming, you're just a lousy substitute, where do you get the right to be so arrogant?

Unable to understand, Xiao Hu pressed down on Xiao Ming's thin body.

"Who gave you the courage to say that about me? Fish Leong wasn't even performing live."

Amidst the lively atmosphere, all the South Korean athletes took their places on the silver medal stands. The host on stage called out, finally announcing the most important lineup:

"Finally, let's welcome the gold medal-winning team in the League of Legends competition at this Asian Games, The People's Republic of China!"

The voice just fell.

The long-awaited thunderous cheers erupted, creating an unprecedented climax both inside and outside the venue.

The six members of the Chinese team walked onto the stage in an orderly fashion, excitedly raising their hands to greet the audience with the warmest welcome, and then proceeded to the back of the center of the podium.

At this moment, the South Korean team and the provincial team were already standing on the podiums on both sides, and the provincial team members very politely applauded the champion.

Seeing this, the South Korean team exchanged glances and reluctantly began to applaud, a gesture of respect usually expected towards champions after winning at the Asian Games or even the Olympics.

Even if they don't want to, they have to go along with it a little.

Then, we watched as the six members of the Chinese team stood arm in arm on the podium, their beaming smiles completely melting away all other emotions inside and outside the stadium.

This made the provincial team laugh happily, while the South Korean team felt even more uncomfortable.

This kind of award ceremony is simply humiliating for them. The runner-up comes up to watch the champion receive the award. Is that really meaningful?

Regardless of whether it's interesting or not, they have to compose themselves and persevere until the end.

Following the host's introduction, Kenneth Fok, President of the Asian Electronic Sports Federation, will next take the stage as a special guest to present awards to the athletes. This entrepreneur from Hong Kong, China, will be presenting awards to the athletes.

Amidst thunderous applause, Kenneth Fok, dressed in a sharp suit, strode onto the center of the stage with a group of hostesses carrying medals. He then proceeded to the award presentation area to give the bronze medal to the Chinese Taipei team.

After a series of handshakes, Kenneth Fok came to the Chinese team and said, "Congratulations on winning glory for the country in the first Asian Games for eSports."

"Happy together."

Lin Ruo, who shook hands with him, responded with a smile, saying that as the current chairman of the e-sports federation, the Chinese team's victory would definitely have a significant impact on Huo Qigang's development in the field of e-sports.

So why can't it be called double happiness?

Upon hearing this, Kenneth Fok smiled even more broadly, personally taking the heavy gold medal and hanging it around the neck of the bowing Lin Ruo. He also shook hands warmly with the current gaming god in the e-sports field once again.

Lin Ruo, who remained very calm, took a bite of the gold medal as usual. This time it was indeed pure gold, and it tasted pretty good. It was indeed very nice.

"You're really amazing, kid. I wonder what surprises you'll come up with next. Esports will be all about you from now on." After praising him briefly, Kenneth Fok went to the South Korean team.

After the awards ceremony ended, the final procedure began, and everyone's attention in the award hall involuntarily turned to the other side.

In the commentary booth, Wang Duoduo, who had been extremely excited throughout, suddenly became serious.

Because the next event is the flag-raising ceremony, as Chinese people, they must maintain a solemn and respectful demeanor, as this is a matter of sacred inviolability for their faith.

The powerful and resonant melody of "The March of the Volunteers" filled the venue before the music even started, and everyone, including the Chinese team members and the audience, joined in singing along.

As the magnificent and resounding national anthem played, the five-star red flag slowly rose in the center, bursting forth with unprecedented dazzling brilliance.

The red flag will eventually fly over Jakarta.

This is the significance of their victory: they not only realized their personal value but also added great glory to the motherland they represented.

"We are the champions! Congratulations again to the Chinese esports team for winning the League of Legends demonstration event at the Jakarta Asian Games!"

Wang Duoduo, in the commentary booth, tirelessly shouted the words "We are the champions," a sentiment he had never expressed before.

Facing the camera, Wang Duoduo, preparing for the end, uttered a more profound statement: "Dear viewers, let's meet again when esports takes another step forward!"

These words are both a beautiful wish and a weighty expectation.

Now that esports has made it to the Asian Games, will it one day reach an even higher stage like the Olympic Games?

We'll have to wait and see.

(End of this chapter)