You've only been playing for half a year, and you've already reached the finals?

Chapter 258 Unwavering Demeanor
October 23, the second day of the quarterfinals.

Today marks the start of the major battles in the upper bracket, the very first pairings.

LCK's No. 1 seed DK will face off against Europe's No. 1 seed MAD.

This match had some suspense, but not many.

In the two years of S8 and S9, the European region came on strong, not only reaching the finals for two consecutive years, but also producing teams like G2 that almost completed their Golden Road.

S10 was a bit of a disappointment, with the number one seed G2 being easily eliminated by JDG in the quarterfinals, but at least they lost to the champion, so it's not shameful.

The European region still has some strength left.

If they perform at their best, they might actually be able to dethrone DK.

—These are all external evaluations of this match.

In Mingjing's opinion, MAD's chances of winning today are zero.

The final result was exactly as expected.

Looking at the MAD five-man team as a whole, it's hard to see which one of them could possibly go toe-to-toe with DK.

Although DK jungler Canyon has lost his absolute dominance in last year's jungle carry meta, his warrior jungle is still top-tier.

Showmaker, who is at the peak of his career, has filled the gap left by the decline in jungle strength, and he has been able to dominate MAD's mid laner Humanoid in lane, maintaining an absolute advantage in the mid and jungle.

In addition, Nuguri's consistent performance, widely recognized as the world's best, and Beryl's cunning roaming, DK's hidden core, were all contributing to the team's success.

Just like HLE yesterday, MAD barely made a ripple before suffering defeat after defeat.

He won all three games in a row.

DK ruthlessly swept aside the host team MAD, becoming the second team to enter the semifinals.

In the audience, countless European viewers were heartbroken, their impression of DK had reached its lowest point.

After MAD's elimination, EDG is now the only home team left in this year's World Championship.
The EDG players weren't surprised by the result; they simply went back into practice mode.

From a scrim perspective, this knockout stage matchup is still beneficial. Even if GEN and DK consider EDG as a hypothetical opponent and don't play against EDG, EDG can still easily schedule scrims with T1 and RNG.

After all, the primary goal for both teams right now is to overcome the challenge of DK; the EDG issue is not something they can consider for the time being.

The training match against the two teams will also allow Ming Jing to get a feel for the intensity of both teams and make a prediction of the outcome of their match.

However, judging from the scrimmages, T1 and RNG's performances were actually quite similar.

Both teams are undeniably strong, and they often put up a good fight against EDG.

In Mingjing's view, the two teams were completely at the same level.

If this is all the performance will have, then the upcoming quarterfinals might be a bit unpredictable, with anyone having a chance to win. It's more about form that matters.

But T1 is a team that has something to offer. You can see from the group stage that they have been exploring the boundaries of the game version, right up until now.

They must have hidden something over such a long period of time.

If we take this unknown factor into account, then it becomes harder to say.
October 24th, the third day of the quarterfinals.

In the lower bracket, GEN will face C9.

This match is probably the least suspenseful one, with the gap between the two teams possibly being even greater than that between EDG and HLE.

The team didn't generate much buzz, and the timing of the match was also unfavorable, causing the match's popularity to reach its lowest point since the quarterfinals.

But the result of the competition was somewhat unexpected.

In just the first game, the two sides fought fiercely. Perkz, who came to C9, locked in Yasuo, making the game extremely bloody. He first dragged the highly skilled GEN down to his own level through wave after wave of battles, and then tried to defeat his opponent with his rich experience.

GEN was initially caught off guard, with both sides struggling for twenty minutes without a clear winner. C9 even managed to secure Baron Nashor with a perfect mid-game team fight, gaining the upper hand in the game!
The camera then panned to the backstage areas on both sides, showing GEN's coaches looking completely bewildered, shrugging their shoulders, seemingly unaware of what the players were up to.

However, GEN's ability to adjust is still good. They quickly realized the problem and adjusted their rhythm, setting up their familiar tortoise formation again.

The match dragged on for 40 minutes. When they looked up again, GEN had reversed their economic disadvantage and were now leading by 4,000 gold. With the Baron buff, they pushed onto C9's high ground.

Ruler, with Lulu's six-god Aphelios, became the only big boss on the field. The C9 members were like moths to a flame, exhausting the lives of five people, and only barely managed to exchange for Aphelios's resurrection armor.

The final result was no longer in doubt. Although there was a slight twist, GEN still won the first game.

When the GEN players took the stage for the second game, they all looked serious, clearly indicating that an argument had broken out in the rest room during the break.

However, this argument was clearly positive. In the second game, GEN was noticeably calmer, focusing on their strengths regardless of C9's performance.
In the second game, C9 couldn't find any more opportunities. By the 20-minute mark, they were already 8,000 gold behind.

If EDG were playing, this game would only last five minutes at most.

Even so, GEN remained extremely stable, slowly dragging the game out for 30 minutes before finally ending it.

With a 2-0 lead, GEN is just one step away from advancing.

The third game was still a slow and insidious affair, with C9's mid-laner, Perkz, becoming increasingly frustrated by the snail-paced rhythm. He tried to accelerate the pace and engage in fights multiple times, but each attempt seemed to sink without making a ripple.

The three games lasted a total of 115 minutes. GEN defeated C9 three times and became the second Korean team to advance to the semifinals!
Seeing this, countless South Korean viewers felt somewhat relieved.

Although HLE faltered, the other teams are still doing well.

Now it's all about T1 tomorrow!
That very night, EDG and RNG arranged another practice match.

At this crucial moment, EDG certainly wouldn't play against T1; they would side with their own team.

After the practice match, the two teams even had a video call to discuss tomorrow's game.

“If this is all the strength T1 is showing, I think you guys will definitely be fine,” Maokai said. “But they’re definitely hiding something, so be careful!”

"Don't worry," Xiaohu nodded. "We understand."

Xiaohu has experience playing against T1, after all, he has been taught a lesson by Faker since his debut, and he is one of the most obedient players.

He certainly understood that T1 would transform into a completely new team every time they reached the knockout stage, showcasing an extraordinary understanding of the current meta.

People used to think that Korean teams were two different levels of intensity in BO5 and BO1, but after playing more games, they realized that it wasn't the Korean teams that had this characteristic, but rather Faker's SKT.

But of course, Little Tiger wasn't afraid.

He felt that the opportunity to defeat Faker was just around the corner.

The night passed, and it was October 25th, the last day of the quarterfinals.

RNG vs. T1.

This battle can definitely be called the most suspenseful and crucial battle in the quarterfinals. After all, RNG and T1 have some grudges and rivalries. They have faced each other many times in the World Championship, but RNG has never won.

Whether things will change this time remains to be seen, and the results will tell.

Since there were no scrims today, the EDG players decided to come to the venue to watch the game. Mingjing watched as both teams took the stage, and then the draft phase began, with the lineup for the first game quickly being determined.

RNG (Blue Side): Top lane Lucian, Jungle Lee Sin, Mid lane LeBlanc, Bot lane Aphelios and Nautilus
Red side T1: Top lane Jayce, Jungle Poppy, Mid lane Ryze, Bot lane Miss Fortune and Leona. In this game, T1's last pick of jungle Poppy surprised everyone.

In just the first game of the quarterfinals, T1 began to demonstrate their understanding of the game by picking a jungler that had never been seen before!
That's right, it's unheard of.

The moment the T1 roster was finalized, Maokai received the data from the analyst team.

"Poppy has only appeared once this entire year in both the Chinese and Korean regions, and that was picked by BRO's support player, Delight."

“Going back further, we have to go back to Season 10, where he only appeared once in the top lane.”

As for Poppy playing jungle, this is the first time.

"That makes sense," Ming Jing said, narrowing his eyes as he looked at the choice. "This is definitely a good choice!"

The players on RNG's side are all types that Poppy counters.

Lucian, Lee Sin, LeBlanc, Nautilus, and even Aphelios will need to be countered because the current Aphelios relies heavily on the Wind Force for mobility.

"But Poppy doesn't seem to have much fighting power," JieJie said, scratching his head. "Can she even beat Lee Sin in the early game?"

Poppy and Lee Sin are like comparing apples and oranges, since the two heroes don't play the same role and rarely face each other. As a jungler, JieJie really doesn't know what kind of research data Poppy has.

But some people know the truth.

“Then you’re wrong.” Ming Jing shook his head. “The Blind Monk can’t beat Poppy.”

“Yes.” Flandre chimed in, “Poppy’s stats are actually pretty high.”

Because of version changes, Flandre had practiced Lee Sin for a period of time before, so he had a relatively intuitive understanding of the numerical levels of the two heroes.

Even though Lee Sin is considered to have relatively high stats among top lane champions, he is still quite a bit weaker compared to Poppy.

"Is that so?" Jie Jie frowned slightly, reassessing the match before him.

And that was indeed the case. Oner clearly knew Poppy's stats, and he didn't even have the intention of farming peacefully. He started invading right from the start!
When Wei first saw Poppy invade, he wanted to try his hand at some maneuvers, since his teammates in the top and mid lanes had lanes available. If he could hold Poppy off, he might be able to counter-attack with the help of the support.

But Poppy was quite ruthless. She first used the blue buff to unleash a QA combo, and when her Q skill was ready, she used her E to pin him against the wall, followed by another QA combo. After that combo, Lee Sin was reduced to low health!

Wei's expression immediately changed.

How can we fight this?

He had no choice but to run away by touching his eye with W.

But Oner reacted with lightning speed, immediately using his W [Unwavering Demeanor] to intercept Lee Sin's dash!

With her unwavering composure and the acceleration from her Phase Rush, Poppy quickly caught up and unleashed another QA combo!

Wei had no choice but to use Flash to escape.

Fortunately, he wasn't far from the second tower, and he managed to escape with his life.

However, the jungle inevitably fell as a result.

RNG's top and mid laners were both able to secure lanes, and Wei had a great chance to make a move thanks to his teammates' lane control. However, due to this sudden jungle invasion, all his plans fell apart!
On the contrary, after Oner seized control of the jungle, they began to take the initiative and start their own rhythm.

After clearing out RNG's top jungle, Poppy once again ganked the top lane!

Oner didn't intend to use W to interrupt Lucian's E this time. Instead, he circled around and rushed out, using W to block Lucian's retreat.

Taking this opportunity, Canna Jayce smashed his hammer right into Jayce's face!

Xiaohu really didn't have a solution. With his health, he could have survived until his W skill ended before running away, but that would have left him with very little health, making it impossible for him to lane.

There was no other way but for him to use Flash to escape!
But T1's momentum is far from over.

Oner disappeared back into the darkness, but didn't leave. Instead, he circled around and entered RNG's top jungle area, seemingly intending to tower dive.

RNG had anticipated this, as they could see Wei's Lee Sin guarding the tower, clearly indicating they were intentionally protecting him!
But T1's top and jungle ignored the Lee Sin and immediately started a tower dive!
Poppy's strength is fully displayed when she dives the tower.

In the environment below the tower, it would be incredibly easy for Bobby to knock her unconscious.

Poppy's E skill stuns and deals double damage, and with the support's Q skill hitting the second part, Poppy's stats are perfectly showcased. Her damage alone takes away half of Lucian's health!
The remaining half is naturally left to top laner Jayce.

Jayce used his cannon to cut through the hammer, and finished off with his E [Thunder Strike], easily killing Xiaohu under the tower!
After killing them, Poppy used the acceleration from Phase Rush to rush out of the tower at high speed!
Wei wanted to finish off Poppy, who was low on health, and followed up with his second Q, but Poppy only used her W to shatter his hopes.

"It's over." Ming Jing's heart sank, realizing that this round was probably over.

RNG's lineup cannot accept a disadvantage in the top lane.

Because GALA's Aphelios is a champion who can't hold the line, if Xiaohu can't get back on his feet, RNG won't have the resources to operate effectively in the mid-game.

The final result was exactly as expected.

During the laning phase, although RNG was at a disadvantage, they were able to maintain their lead and prevent it from escalating further thanks to the protection of their tower and the coordination of their jungler.

At ten minutes, RNG was only down by a thousand gold.

But once the situation entered the mid-stage, everything immediately changed.

GALA couldn't get a lane in the mid lane, and Xiaohu in the side lane was also getting hammered by Jayce.

Oner and Keria, the jungler and support duo, seized the opportunity to roam around, constantly making plays while maintaining vision throughout the entire map.

This dominance in vision allowed T1 to gank more freely, and the snowball effect continued to grow!
Within twenty minutes, the economic gap had widened to seven thousand.

Twenty-five minutes later, the game ended with a clean sweep.

After losing the match, the RNG players immediately sensed something was wrong. They lowered their heads and quickly returned to the backstage area, clearly indicating that there was a lot to discuss about this match.

Meanwhile, the EDG members also began to discuss the matter.

"Poppy's words... make sense," Maokai said. "She's having a lot of fun playing in the current version."

“Indeed.” JieJie nodded, recognizing Poppy’s potential as a jungler.

In the current version of junglers, it's basically Jarvan IV, Xin Zhao, and Lee Sin that are picked. Poppy is actually quite comfortable to pick regardless of which champion she faces.

Moreover, the key point is that Poppy is a good fit for their fast-paced style of play.

Under Mingjing's leadership, EDG now really likes to push past the side lane towers.

The problem is that hard supports aren't very popular in this version, often forcing players to choose heroes like Yuumi or Nami, which limits their tower diving ability.

Bobby thrives even more in this environment.

The E skill provides reliable crowd control when tower diving, fulfilling the team's most needed requirement.

"It's time to get started, Zhao Lijie," Maokai said seriously.

"Mhm." Jie Jie nodded, indicating that he understood.

(End of this chapter)