ATIBTF Chapter 89

Posted by April Fox, ? Views, Released on November 2, 2024

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Every year, the WOC Professional League Global Finals is the largest event in the WOC community.

With just a few days left until the competition, various teams have been arriving one after another, and the streets of Los City are adorned with advertisements for the S7 finals, even the streetlights are decorated with promotional banners.

Last year’s finals were also held in M country, but not in Los City.

Although Jiang Min was with CC last year and did not participate in the global finals, he had previous experience competing in M country, so he was not unfamiliar with the place.

“Ah, back in this country again,” Hao Qianyi said, looking out the window. They had arrived in the evening, and he admired the city lit up with lights, feeling nostalgic.

“We weren’t even competing in Los City last year, why act so sentimental?” Wei Yabo took the opportunity to jab at Hao Qianyi.

“Still, it was in M country. The moment I set foot here, I remembered last year’s experience of getting smashed in the group stage,” Hao Qianyi shivered at the memory.

“This year won’t be the same,” Yan Junying, who was resting in the front row of the bus with his hat pulled down, suddenly spoke up, “If you guys can’t get out of the group stage, just wait for it.”

Everyone shivered at his words.

To avoid being ruthlessly punished by the devil coach later, they had to make it out of the group stage!

————

While waiting for their team leader to check them into the hotel arranged by the event organizers, the JW team encountered the PH team, who had just arrived as well, in the lobby.

After losing to JW in the first stage of the global ranking competition in the R country qualifier, PH’s performance in the subsequent second and third stage qualifier events seemed to be on a downward spiral, like an elevator going down.

If it weren’t for the points they had earned in the spring competition and the R country qualifier, they would have been in jeopardy of not making it to the world finals this year.

Hao Qianyi keenly noticed that PH seemed to have changed players.

“Hey? Where did their previous two supports go?” He was referring to PH’s positions 4 and 5. Although he wasn’t very familiar with them, he wasn’t face-blind and could tell at a glance.

“Oh, that,” Fan Dadi returned with the room key at some point. “I heard their two supports got into some trouble and were dismissed from the team.”

“What kind of trouble leads to dismissal right before a major tournament? Isn’t PH in big trouble now? Team synergy takes time to develop,” Wei Yabo remarked.

Fan Dadi shrugged, “What else could it be? It’s just that whole spinach thing. Apparently, during a few online matches, those two supports conspired with the opposing team and staff to throw a game, and DNA caught them. They just hadn’t made it public until now, which is why it seemed like they were always at odds, but nobody knew why.”

“Later, I guess the internal conflict became unbearable, and PH had no choice but to fire those two supports,” Fan Dadi continued.

Spinach seems to be an eternal topic in esports.

You could say it’s a gray area that many competitive sports, including esports, can’t escape.

The JW team fell silent.

They couldn’t concern themselves with the fate of other teams; they just needed to focus on themselves.

Staying true to their principles and avoiding the things they shouldn’t touch was the biggest contribution they could make to the industry.

“Well, DNA is pretty unlucky; being labeled a genius mid-laner and ending up with such teammates,” Hao Qianyi commented, watching DNA’s silhouette.

“Unlucky? Not really!” Fan Dadi quickly retorted, “I heard their new support is quite impressive, especially the 4 position—young but with great reactions and game sense. The 5 position is a veteran from Korea, very experienced… PH might not suffer as much in the world finals as everyone thinks.”

“Young players playing 4 position? That’s rare,” Yu Hao, who hadn’t spoken for a while, finally chimed in.

Typically, younger players choose the 1 or 2 positions, and there are very few who choose to play support.

AFK’s Ring is an exception; he’s regarded as a supporting genius in the industry.

Yu Hao is also an exception, having chosen the 4 position from the start, with hardly anyone else doing the same.

Most 4 and 5 position supports are veterans who have transitioned from other roles. When their reflexes can’t keep up with younger players, they have to rely on their brains and experience to support.

New blood often finds it hard to compete with seasoned players, so it’s quite rare to see newcomers in support roles. Everyone has gotten used to players transitioning from other positions to take on support.

They could see PH’s new support, a young guy with “Bow” written on his back, smiling and looking up at DNA, who was half a head taller than him, chatting animatedly.

It was clear from his expression that he was a total fanboy.

“Looks like he’s still a fan of DNA; I bet during the match, PH’s 4 will stick by the mid-laner,” Hao Qianyi remarked. Then he suddenly remembered something and looked at Yu Hao.

The other JW members also turned to Yu Hao.

“What are you all staring at me for?” Yu Hao asked, confused.

“…Nothing, nothing,” everyone quickly turned their heads away.

Wasn’t this just a version of the time when Sugar God first arrived at JW, but with Yu Hao?

Under Yan Junying’s guidance, Yu Hao had already calmed down a lot compared to before, but he still had a tendency to prioritize supporting the mid-lane instinctively.

Jiang Min was feeling quite confused.

…What were they talking about?

Fan Dadi shook the room key in his hand. “Alright, hurry up and take the room key to your room to rest. You need to adjust to the time difference since the competition is only a few days away.”

The others agreed.

Yu Hao took a room key from Fan Dadi.

“Hey, you better pay attention; there’s still a competition,” Fan Dadi warned in Yu Hao’s ear.

He knew Yu Hao would be sharing a room with Jiang Min, and under Yu Hao’s “intimidation,” he had given them a room with a double bed.

Considering their current relationship, as the team leader, he had to be more cautious.

Yu Hao raised an eyebrow. “What are you thinking? I know the competition is important.”

With that, he snatched the room key from Fan Dadi’s hand and pulled Jiang Min to head upstairs.

The others, having already accepted the hopelessness of sharing a room with Sugar God, paired up casually and followed Yu Hao and Jiang Min upstairs.

———–

Jiang Min froze as soon as he entered the room.

…There’s only one bed?

He hadn’t felt anything before, but now that he was in a relationship with Yu Hao, this was a bit…

The more he thought about it, the more his face burned.

“What are you thinking about?” Yu Hao noticed the tips of his ears turning red.

“Uh, nothing,” Jiang Min hurriedly covered.

“It’s not the right time yet,” Yu Hao said, putting down his luggage and turning to him. “Although I want to, the current situation doesn’t allow it.”

Jiang Min stared at him blankly.

“The competition is about to start; let’s focus on the games first,” Yu Hao continued. “As for that matter…”

Yu Hao didn’t specify, but both he and Jiang Min knew exactly what he was referring to.

“How about we consider it a reward?” Yu Hao suggested. “If we win the championship, you can reward me that night, okay?”

T-to treat that kind of thing as a reward? That was quite a thought.

Jiang Min’s face turned even redder.

Although they both knew that regardless of whether they won the championship or not, that kind of thing would eventually happen, having a promise like winning added a sense of ceremony to it.

“…Okay,” Jiang Min nodded in agreement.

“Alright, then let’s hurry and take a shower and sleep. We need to adjust to the time difference. Tomorrow, we should do some adaptive training,” Yu Hao said gently, looking at Jiang Min.

“…Mm.”

“Sugar?”

“What?”

Yu Hao suddenly leaned in, gave Jiang Min a kiss, and then embraced him.

“Because you’re here, I’m not afraid,” Yu Hao said.

Jiang Min thought for a moment and realized what Yu Hao was worried about.

JW had been eliminated in the group stage last year, failing to even reach the top eight. If they couldn’t break through the group stage again this year, who knew how much criticism they would face and how much psychological impact it would have on the players. It was easy to imagine the weight on Yu Hao’s shoulders.

Yu Hao was just a teenager under twenty; he often found himself sleepless at night, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about the World Championship.

But, he was here.

With Jiang Min by his side, he would help Yu Hao lead the team to go as far as possible in the World Championship.

So, there was no need to be afraid.

Jiang Min hugged Yu Hao back. “Mm, I’m here.”

True love isn’t about one person begging the other; it’s about two strong individuals supporting each other, a belief that Jiang Min had always held.

And Yu Hao’s actions confirmed this.

He had found the right person.

———-

In early September, the summer heat hadn’t dissipated, and Los City’s warmth typically lingered for a long time.

Despite the hot weather, it did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of the people in M Country or the fans who traveled from around the world to watch the games.

On the day of the WOC professional league global finals, the sports center in downtown Los was buzzing with excitement, with crowds pouring in, and many activities taking place at the entrance.

Various teams were handing out support merchandise, there were cosplayers dressed as characters from the game inviting people to take photos, and many online friends were meeting up—it was a lively scene.

Inside the venue, each team was preparing for the opening show.

Each World Championship features sixteen teams entering the global finals, divided into four groups to compete. Each group would advance two teams, creating the top eight, which would then face off in knockout rounds to determine the champion.

The draw ceremony had already taken place at the hotel and was broadcast live.

JW was fortunate to be placed in Group C, which had no strong opponents; their rivals were from Southeast Asia and the U.S., but none were top-tier teams.

AFK, however, was less fortunate, landing in the death group, Group A.

They had to compete against strong European teams like BUG and ING, as well as the American strong team LSG.

The other two groups had teams of relatively equal strength.

The opening show was quite grand, and when the atmosphere reached its peak, the teams made their entrance.

Just like in domestic leagues, the participating teams were introduced one after another.

In addition to the local audience from M Country, there were many foreign spectators, particularly noticeable were those waving the prominent flag of Z Country.

Standing on stage and looking at the flags waving in the audience, the JW team finally felt a sense of reality.

This time, they represented not only the JW team but also the entire WPL region from Z Country and even the whole nation.

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