LOL: Can’t I play other games professionally?

Chapter 534 Two-Level Reversal
A day passed in the blink of an eye.

Still in the Gwangju Women's University Gymnasium, the final semi-final of the World Championship kicked off amidst the clamor of a sea of ​​people.

As the last remaining representative of LCK, carrying the hopes of the entire community, the arena was naturally packed to capacity, with a large number of Koreans occupying and cheering early on.

GRF flags, twice as many as EDG's, were raised high in the arena, and the Korean media were clearly creating considerable buzz for the match.

Starting yesterday, many mainstream media outlets have been providing background information on this semi-final, essentially offering encouragement and expressing their anticipation.

Or perhaps they could hype up EDG to demonstrate just how difficult the match was, thus highlighting the glory of GRF's victory.

This demonstrates the influence of esports in South Korea. As the country that places the most emphasis on esports development in Asia, South Korea's loss of its dominance in League of Legends is a tremendous blow.

Therefore, everyone in South Korea is prepared to reclaim this number one spot today.

The preparations at the event clearly showed that, at least in terms of atmosphere, both the LCK officials and the Korean audience gave their best.

off the field.

Lin Ruo, who got off the bus and entered the venue, also felt the strong home atmosphere for the first time. Almost everything in sight was the shadow of GRF. The staff put a lot of effort into the venue's setup.

Even before he entered the arena, he could hear many Korean spectators outside chanting "Go GRF!" right in front of EDG.

Is this some kind of mind game? That's interesting.

Lin Ruo didn't have any mental issues, and neither did the others.

The people who really have mental health issues are the entire GRF team, who are currently being given high hopes.

GRF, backstage, was truly panicked by such a grand spectacle.

After all, this is a home game. If they fail to reach the finals and it turns into an LPL internal battle, then they will definitely be in trouble.

Do you want the Korean audience to pretend that this final never happened?

Ultimately, it comes down to the fact that the expectations placed on them by the South Korean audience and media were too high.

At least from GRF's current perspective, this expectation is indeed too high.

The match announcement made this semi-final a household name, spreading it to every corner of South Korea. The momentum was huge, and their mentality was about to explode.

Losing would undoubtedly mean making a fool of oneself in front of the entire nation of South Korea.

Especially when they entered the arena, many LCK fans were chanting "Crush EDG!", and Viper, the team's ADC, already felt the urge to breathe oxygen.

We're not even sure if we'll win today, and you guys are still expecting us to crush EDG...

We've played practice matches since the group stage started, and they're really hard to beat.

Although EDG seemed to have declined in form in last week's quarterfinals, can't those of us who are also on the same team really not know whether they have really declined or not?
Don't they know how strong EDG is? Of course they do.

At least in this match, it's impossible to win and advance to the finals without giving it your all; you have to go all out.

This is also true.

On Korean online forums, some fans are saying things like, "Save your strength and don't use all your tactics, so that IG can reap the benefits in the finals."

this:…

Don't even talk about whether you can win if you don't hold back; if you hold back, you're guaranteed to lose.

The entire GRF team was ready to die, but the previously high-spirited atmosphere had now created inexplicable psychological pressure for them.

The fans are too confident.

They also want to be confident, but that confidence cannot be based on a guaranteed win.

GRF's true confidence should be built on the foundation of giving their all and leaving no regrets.

Fighting to the death is our destiny.

...

"GRF has a lot of different lineups and strategies. They often like to pick new and unusual things. We'll adapt to the situation and not force any specific strategies. Just play normally."

The EDG backstage lounge.

As he was about to go on stage, Mingkai began his usual motivational speech.

He can't talk about the details of the game, so the best thing to do at this time is to encourage him.

Sitting on the sofa, Lin Ruo calmly picked up her thermos and took a sip: "It's just playing GRF. Just like I said before, we'll give Sword Emperor a big gift package and that's it."

"Go through all four levels, including Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4."

That's a bit of an exaggeration, but in Lin Ruo's opinion, targeting Sword Emperor was indeed the best way to deal with GRF, bar none.

of course.

If GRF really treats him unfairly, for example, by giving him too many obvious opportunities, then he can only play as a global jungler who ganks wherever he goes.

"Just do it and that's it."

Tianye had long been fed up with all sorts of news on Korean websites.

I wonder who gave the South Korean media the courage to create such a huge buzz.

Is it because of GRF's three-level jump that people believe they can achieve a fourth-level jump at the World Championship?

For a new team, reaching the semifinals of the World Championship is a 100% success.

However, it's time to stop in front of EDG; going any further would be impolite.

Your legs will be broken, you know?

The group had been chatting for a short while when the referee announced their turn to play. The EDG players immediately went to the stage entrance to prepare for their turn.

On the commentary booth at the match venue.

The Haier Brothers remain as the face of LPL commentary in today's most crucial match.

The two also felt the explosive atmosphere at the scene, especially when the entire GRF team came on stage, the Gwangju Women's Gymnasium was instantly ignited.

The LCK fans at the scene practically turned up the volume hysterically, giving their home team the absolute support they deserved.

As a result, when the EDG players came up, the cheers at the scene suddenly decreased.

Lin Ruo could understand why the shouts at the front were so loud that the shouts at the back were too loud to continue.

I just don't know if he'll be able to recover after the match starts. If he can't shout anymore, that would be terrible.

"Wow, the atmosphere here today is really amazing!"

In the commentary box.

Miller, as usual, offered his praise.

Wawa, however, disagreed, saying, "Yeah, the pressure from the audience is really strong. It's no wonder it's LCK's home ground. But I believe EDG won't be affected at all."

Judging from how the entire EDG team sat on the bench, it didn't seem to have affected them at all; they were already chatting and laughing.

"Isn't Scout Korean? Why didn't the LCK fans give him a friendly look when he went on stage?"

Scout smiled helplessly upon hearing Lin Ruo's words: "Don't you know why?"

He's barely played any games in the LCK, so he definitely doesn't have any emotional attachment to it.

Of course, this also means that LCK viewers will not have any feelings for him.

As for GimGoon, needless to say.

Before joining EDG, Scout was at least Faker's substitute, so he had some reputation.

If GimGoon hadn't joined EDG this year, LCK fans probably wouldn't even know when LPL had such a Korean player.

The two South Korean players had already anticipated the atmosphere at the scene.

GimGoon has no intention of returning to the LCK to play. He is now an older player who has spent most of his life in the secondary league.

Having finally joined EDG, extending his professional career for another three years would be a success.

Scout might still have ideas, but having been a key player for EDG before, it's now difficult for him to leave and follow in Lin Ruo's footsteps.

no way.

Following Lin Ruo's instructions was indeed incredibly comfortable. I could also develop comfortably; such a gentle haven was always hard to let go of.

Who wouldn't want a jungler who can create a rhythm and provide the best possible laning space?

Right, Mingkai?

About five minutes into the performance, as all the equipment on site was set up, the director's announcement quickly reached the commentary booth.

Miller's expression brightened: "Alright everyone, the draft phase is about to begin. Let's get into today's semifinals."

The voice just fell.

The answer to EDG's ban is obvious.

"Due to the pre-match draw, EDG chose the blue side, while GRF chose the red side. EDG's first three bans were Tahm Kench, Irelia, and Akali."

"The banned champions are all commonly used by GRF. Tahm Kench is the champion that Lehends used the most in the World Championship, and Irelia and Akali are also the champions that GRF's mid laner Chovy likes to pick for lane duels."

“EDG also knows that the jungler position will definitely be constantly targeted in this version, and with Lin Ruo, there is no need to focus on targeting the jungler. Therefore, targeting GRF's other core mid laner is the best strategy.”

After a long conversation...

Miller finally stopped talking.

Only then did the doll next to him have a chance to interject: "Tamm, I think it's absolutely necessary to press it."

Only those who have studied GRF's matches know that picking Tahm Kench is definitely not about him just trying to survive in the bot lane.

Instead, GRF is very keen on using Tahm Kench to create a support system in the mid-game, which is when GRF is at its strongest in terms of teamwork.

Therefore, removing Tahm Kench was absolutely necessary.

"GRF's first three picks were Urgot, Trundle, and Camille."

The doll continued to follow up.

Urgot is a pick that the red team must eliminate in the first three picks; this champion is clearly too overpowered in the current top lane.

GRF chose to release Aatrox in order to lock down Urgot.

As for Troll Warlord and Camille, these are heroes that Lin Ruo prefers to use in the early game.

Camille, in particular, has seen her status as a jungler rise significantly.

In this World Championship, Lin Ruo and Ning are the only two players who love using Camille the most, and both of them have been able to deliver outstanding performances.

In particular, Ning picked Camille in both the quarterfinals and semifinals, and his early game rhythm was explosive, leaving his opponents with no chance to fight back.

In the current version, Camille paired with Galio for mid-lane engages are still too unstoppable.

Removing a Camille champion also reduces the effectiveness of a playstyle.

"The Sword Demon has been released, so EDG definitely has to take him. If they don't, they'll give him to GRF."

Following Miller's decision, after the ban phase ended, EDG, on the blue side, quickly locked in Aatrox as their first pick.

Meanwhile, GRF's selection process for the first and second floors was also very fast.

A bull's head and a barrel of wine.

A super stable team composition that combines initiation and front-line tanking.

Whoever gets chosen looks very at ease.

Only Lin Ruo felt that this choice was actually quite ordinary, because once Gragas was picked, it would most likely mean that there was no initiative in the jungle.

Is even Tazan, the jungle carry god, going to play it safe and farm passively?
Although this version isn't a jungle carry version, there's no need to follow Score's example and pick his signature Gragas.

There's also a bull's head.

Their ability to initiate team fights is indeed strong, but it also means that they will likely have to give up control of the bottom lane.

The reason is simple.

I'll pick Braum to counter him. As long as the ADC picks on both sides aren't too different, the bot lane will have lane priority.

Therefore, EDG naturally cannot let this opportunity pass them by.

The second and third floors later took very clear countermeasures against GRF's lineup.

That's Xin Zhao plus Bron.

One team dominates the jungle, while the other dominates the bottom lane.

Miller gradually broke into a smile: "The picks were spot on. I think EDG should always keep the tempo in their own hands."

"GRF is a team that loves to coordinate in the mid-game, so we must put enough pressure on them in the early game and not let them get through it."

With Xin Zhao and Bronze, at least the initiative is guaranteed.

GRF realized this and then proactively placed Xayah for Viper on the bottom lane from the third floor.

It can push lanes, has a long range, and is also an ADC with self-protection capabilities.

Once Xayah is picked, and given that GRF is a team that emphasizes the mid, top, and jungle, Lin Ruo can be fairly certain that a three-core lineup is inevitable.

GRF can't just focus on protecting their bot lane.

Both sides quickly entered the second round of bans.

EDG continued with their usual strategy, while GRF eliminated Galio, Lissandra, and Ryze in one fell swoop, refusing to provide their jungler Lin Ruo with significant mid-lane advantages.

Galio and Lissandra can synergize with Xin Zhao to engage, while Ryze can carry Xin Zhao around. Regardless of which one you release, it's actually not easy to manage their synergy.

But this way.

If EDG really wants to play aggressively in the early game, they obviously have champions like LeBlanc who can suppress the enemy, and when paired with Xin Zhao, they are just as formidable.

So at this point, Miller in the commentary booth thought GRF was pressing the buttons a bit too hard.

It's impossible to finish pressing all the buttons; it means you're forcing yourself to do it out of wishful thinking.

Now we move on to the second round of selection.

Ignoring everything else, GRF immediately picked Viktor, the ultimate mage, on the fourth floor.

"So brave? Picking Viktor is like giving up all the initiative. If EDG picks LeBlanc, you'll be completely crushed."

Wawa doesn't quite understand what GRF means, but it's not like she couldn't guess that EDG might pick LeBlanc.

If you choose Viktor, then EDG will lock down LeBlanc.

And sure enough, that happened.

iboy on the fourth floor instantly locked LeBlanc for Scout, preparing to dominate Viktor in the mid lane.

Then, the fifth floor team paired up with Lucian, pushing the pressure to the maximum level.

"Wow, EDG's lineup is terrifyingly strong in the early game."

On the LCK commentary booth, the "Roaring Emperor" swallowed hard.

As expected of EDG, who excels at early-game play, their lineup choices are always so impactful.

In contrast.

GRF has a Xayah and a Viktor, how long are they going to drag this out?

If they really go for a pure late-game strategy, Roaring Emperor can't help but think that GRF's pick was a failure. Without early-game resistance, it's difficult to drag the game into the late game.

But then I thought about it again.

The Roaring Emperor then thought that GRF might be plotting something else.

On the EDG players' bench.

Regarding GRF's seemingly very conservative lineup, Lin Ruo guessed the most likely possibility: "The enemy Viktor might not go mid, but top."

"Go up?"

Mingkai, standing behind him, suddenly realized what was going on.

Who would use Viktor against LeBlanc? But if Viktor were to go top, wouldn't that be a complete reversal against Aatrox?
(End of this chapter)