LOL: Can’t I play other games professionally?

Chapter 530 Fight freely, we can't win anyway.

It's the same familiar plot, without the slightest change or addition.

It was even much faster than the first time.

因为IG仅仅在比赛2分30秒，就在下路河道的混战中打出2比1领先，接下来5分钟左右的下路团，又是一波酣畅淋漓的4换1。

The head count spread out very quickly.

KT was completely unable to withstand IG's fierce early-game onslaught.

In the Rift Herald phase, KT had no choice but to fight, because their Urgot and Swain composition was a pure early-game lineup.

The result was that they fought, but they couldn't win at all.

In the 12th minute of the game, the sound of a team wipe echoed throughout the venue, and the score of 11-2 completely signaled KT's collapse in the second game.

The Korean commentators were no longer just dumbfounded; they were wondering where KT got their bots from, as every game ended in a mere ten minutes.

Is this still IG? Is this still KT?
That doesn't conform to scientific principles.

The South Korean audience at the scene did not expect that, less than an hour after they arrived, they seemed to see signs of the end.

You'd think you were watching some kind of bizarre competition if you didn't know better.

Even when IG was in the group stage, none of the European and American teams were crushed as cleanly as KT.

So is KT still our LCK second seed?
On Korean online forums, even before the second game was over, Korean netizens were already thinking about expelling KT from the LCK like GEN did.

Because they played so poorly, it was an absolute disgrace.

If you didn't know better, you'd think this was an LPL home game, how could they get beaten like this?

In the first game, he only got a handful of kills, and his team was easily defeated in team fights. In the second game, he still only got a handful of kills, and his team was easily defeated in team fights. The Korean audience at the scene was completely speechless.

"Is this still IG? Are they sure they're not shipping each other...?"

In the EDG lounge at the hotel, Mingkai was also stunned. If you covered up the team name, you would think that EDG was playing against RNG in the Summer Split finals.

No, no, they hate them even more than they hate RNG. They're trying to speedrun and get the refrigerator, aren't they?

"I don't remember KT being this bad, this is kind of funny." Scout was completely confused at this point.

Logically speaking, this really shouldn't be the case. How could KT be beaten like this?

Has IG evolved? Or has KT regressed into something inhuman...?

"Didn't you guys notice? KT tried to play early game against IG in both of these games, and that's why they collapsed."

Lin Ruo explained it in a very simple way.

In his view, this was the real reason for the explosion. KT was not worthy of playing against IG in the early game. They simply couldn't win, but KT thought they could.

Even after being brutally defeated in the first game, they still picked the same hero without hesitation in the second game and were subsequently crushed.

Some teams are simply not suited to playing in the early game, and KT is one of them.

KT's truly suitable early-game strategy is to focus on the top and jungle, rather than playing aggressively across the entire map in the early game.

Unfortunately, they picked Galio in the mid lane in the first game and Swain in the second game, showing no intention of dragging the game into the mid-to-late game.

The outcome of playing against the unconventional and reckless IG in the early game is obvious and clear.

So KT woke up in the third game, or more accurately, they became afraid, and thus chose to avoid fights to some extent, for example, leaving at least one carry in the mid lane.

This way, there's no need to fight tooth and nail every time for those few resources in the early game.

Tsar was KT's best choice, effectively countering IG's usual aggressive early-game composition.

In addition, Score picked Gragas in the crucial game, focusing on macro play, and at least in the first 15 minutes, he would never engage in any team fights with more than three people against IG.

But it seems that these things are beyond their control.

If IG still chooses Fiora for top lane, then it's indeed difficult for any large-scale team fights to occur in the early game, given the need to protect the top laner.

The problem is that this time, TheShy didn't pick Fiora to counter Irelia like he did last time.

Instead, they honestly picked Shen, focusing on a team composition of Xin Zhao, Lissandra, and Alistar to engage in a three-man skirmish, which significantly enhanced IG's ability to engage.

If you want to avoid fighting, then we'll just tower dive.

With Ning's incredible early-game tempo-driving ability in these three games, and with TheShy completely centering his team around him instead of having him use Xin Zhao to protect Fiora's farm, Ning was able to achieve this.

The fully unleashed Ning once again demonstrated what it means to completely dominate Score.

At this moment, Score was just a pure old Deng in his eyes, the kind of old Deng who had no flexibility. When Ning Wang came up with all sorts of bizarre arrest ideas, nothing could withstand them.

KT's claim of wanting to delay is pure wishful thinking.

Especially when four big guys came to the bottom lane to dive the tower at the 7-minute mark, KT had no idea what the best course of action was.

Should we fight?

It looks like things are about to collapse again.

So KT chose to back down, saying, "I'll give you the first tower, okay?"

We've given it, but there will be even more to give later.

Once IG gained a slight lead in the early game, they became increasingly arrogant, especially after the first tower in the bottom lane fell, which freed up IG, who were prone to vision problems.

When IG doesn't need to worry about their vision being counter-ganked, it's like the end of the world for KT.

Their initial concessions nurtured an even more cannibalistic demon.

"Damn it, here we go again. IG crushed KT in another team fight. KT managed to drag it out until the 18-minute mark, but they still couldn't hold on. Now they're in an unavoidable disadvantage again."

In the commentary booth, the commentator who originally intended to focus on the key points of this match felt extremely humiliated.

It's a disgrace, a complete disgrace.

The first three games were all completely collapsed in less than 20 minutes.

This is something they don't want to give LCK fans even the slightest chance to shout.

"too fast."

Lin Ruo was also a little surprised. This time, due to the change in IG's strategy in the third game, KT did not have the opportunity to drag the game to the fifth game.

Yes, no.

Duke did not play in the fourth game because in the third game, IG united and pushed down the base crystal of LCK's second seed KT in 27 minutes.

"It's over. Congratulations to IG, 3-0! They have completely dominated KT, who were undefeated in the group stage, creating the first major upset of this year's World Championship."

At the end of the match, the LPL commentators were roaring with excitement, the LCK commentators were filled with regret and confusion, and the English commentators were expressing disbelief.

The only truly deafening silence came from the Korean fans present.

They now realize that KT and GEN are no different; they don't give them a chance to shout during the match.

Even the Korean fans, who had maintained their confidence before today's match, couldn't hold back any longer.

[Damn, we haven't even played EDG yet, and now another super strong team has suddenly emerged in the LPL?] [The World Championship isn't even halfway through this year, and there's only one Korean team left. Yes, you heard right, and this is our home turf in Korea.]

[This is utterly shameful. But speaking of which, isn't it said that home games provide a buff? If not, what happened to LPL's home games last year...?]

Even with home advantage, it can't save a complete novice.

[This is outrageous! KT, who could put up a tough fight against GRF, got completely crushed by IG. I don't dare watch GRF's next match anymore.]

[I hope they're all out of the top eight...]

It's the same familiar comparison. Based on KT's experience of fighting GRF to a standstill in the Summer Split finals, it's surprising that they were suddenly swept by IG. This has left Korean netizens somewhat bewildered.

Regardless of their opinions, a stark reality has been laid bare before them.

There are no Korean teams left in the lower bracket.

In other words, the final is destined to feature only one South Korean team.

Considering that GRF will face EDG in the upper bracket, it is very likely that there will be no Korean teams in this year's finals.

If something like this were to happen on home soil in South Korea, it would obviously be an unprecedented and devastating blow to the LCK.

Korean netizens wouldn't even dare to imagine it, unlike LPL netizens who have already come to terms with it.

They never expected that IG would give them such a big surprise today.

This means that the LPL's journey in this year's World Championship has only just begun to reach its climax in the quarterfinals.

[Holy crap, IG beat KT! That means LPL teams from the lower bracket are in the finals! If they can beat KT, why would IG be afraid of these weak European and American teams?]

[Don't you know FNC beat RNG? How can they be considered trash? What, IG beat KT, right? Then FNC definitely counts as trash.]

All I know is that there won't be any Korean teams in this year's World Championship finals.

[Wait a minute, GRF is still around.]

GRF is still around, but don't forget they're in the same bracket as EDG. Do you think there won't be a Korean team in this year's finals? I don't think anyone doubts my Lin, right?

[Oh, so GRF and EDG are in the same half of the bracket. That's good then. GRF making it to the semifinals is a success, since EDG is a team that no one can beat.]

The first day of LPL celebrations has passed.

With the first day's China-Korea battle concluded, the second day continued with an all-European showdown: FNC vs G2 in the lower bracket, marking the first time these two historically dominant European teams had faced off at the World Championship.

After witnessing IG, the second-place team in their group, defeat KT, Perkz also had the idea that G2, as the second-place team in their group, could also take down FNC, the first-place team.

Considering that the two teams have always been fierce rivals in the European region, and that FNC personally sent G2 to the gauntlet in this year's summer split, this quarterfinal match, with its deep-seated grudges, is sure to be full of highlights.

This also attracted the most viewers watching the live stream from the European region.

This match did not disappoint European viewers. The two teams battled fiercely for four games, with almost every game being a close contest with kills going back and forth.

It seems that European and American teams always maintain this rhythm when they compete.

We start attacking from the front, then you give one pass, I give one pass.

You wipe us out, then we'll wipe you out.

FNC, already one of the most disciplined teams in Europe, couldn't avoid this outcome when facing G2.

Fortunately, FNC managed to defeat G2 3-1, securing the second spot in the semifinals, thanks to their superior strategy compared to the chaotic battle.

Ah P still fell in the quarterfinals. This time he didn't cry, but falling to his city rival meant he couldn't laugh even a little bit.

...

Day 3 of the quarterfinals.

Returning to the top half of the bracket, the matchup between GRF and RNG has become the most anticipated event, bar none.

Because of IG's previous outstanding performance, Korean netizens are worried that GRF will repeat the same mistake and lose to RNG, directly eliminating their LCK region from the competition.

Meanwhile, LPL fans are also worried that RNG, who are not in good form, might be swept by GRF. Losing is not a big deal, after all, the opponent is the LCK champion. Just don't let them get into top form.

However, it's inevitable that one side will overthink things.

In the current meta of top, mid, and jungle, RNG has indeed encountered significant difficulties in terms of gameplay and strategy.

Especially when GRF is on the blue side, RNG has to pick either Aatrox or Urgot, leaving Letme with no other options besides tanks.

This results in RNG always being the one being suppressed in the mid-game single-lane operations.

In the past, the so-called equality of all beings was replaced by GRF's fixed pressure system in the bot lane. Letme could only be ganked from start to finish by Tazan, who had a great deal of autonomy.

Uzi tried to carry the game, but the situation was no longer what it was before the Summer Split, when mid and top laners were just utility players and a carry in the bot lane was all it took to make the game work.

When the opponent's top, mid, and jungle players are comfortable, Uzi will never have a completely comfortable environment, whether in team fights or in lane, even though RNG is already quite tenacious.

However, their limited hero pool and tactics prevented them from advancing to the next round.

In the end, GRF secured a 3-1 victory over RNG, earning the third spot in the semifinals, in accordance with international custom.

The Korean fans at the scene could finally cheer, and the viewers on Korean online forums breathed a sigh of relief.

GRF did not disappoint them, successfully eliminating an LPL team and preserving the last glimmer of hope for LCK to win the championship.

"Congratulations to GRF, the only LCK team to advance to the semifinals. Keep going!"

The LCK commentators were unusually excited, but their voices unconsciously lowered when they thought about the top four teams likely facing EDG.

After all, it's not like we should let VIT keep EDG out of the so-called top four.

...

The short day passed quickly.

10 month 18 day.

The showdown between EDG and VIT quickly began at the Busan venue, marking the start of the qualification round.

For VIT, they were clearly the more relaxed side, after all, making it from the group stage to the quarterfinals in their first appearance at the World Championship was something that Doublelift could never do in his entire life.

How can they not be considered successful?

Facing the current world number one EDG, naturally, playing to their full potential and leaving no regrets would be considered a success.

As for advancing...

VIT even communicated with G2 on the day the group stage ended, trying to find a way to deal with EDG, and the answer they got was very realistic.

G2: Just play freely against EDG, don't feel any pressure.

VIT: Got it. Keep a calm mindset. As long as you stay calm and prepare actively, you are fully capable of winning.

G2: Wrong, we can't beat them at all, so don't feel any pressure, it's unnecessary.

VIT: ...

(End of this chapter)