Thank you to Hide for the ko-fi~
After winning against IB, DT continued their momentum, securing victories against JIO and WS with scores of 2-1 and 2-0, respectively. With a total of 15-1 points, they firmly hold the first-place position.
As the final match concluded, the playoff spots became clear. The current rankings of the top eight teams are: DT, ENG, YTF, KIG, IB, FO, JIO, and WS.
DT is in first place, and ENG is in second place. According to the playoff rules, the teams ranked 1st, 4th, 5th, and 8th will be in one bracket, while the teams ranked 2nd, 3rd, 6th, and 7th will be in the other bracket. This means DT and ENG will not meet before the finals. If both teams are lucky enough, the champion of this summer season is highly likely to be one of them.
As the first-place team, DT has plenty of time to prepare for their matches because they have to wait for the winner of the match between the fifth and eighth-place teams. The winner of that match will then play against the fourth-place team, and only the final victor will face DT in the semifinals. Calculating the time, they have at least half a month to prepare.
During this period, Coach Zhang straightforwardly gave them a three-day break. Once the three days were over, they regrouped and focused on preparing for the upcoming matches.
Shi Quan’s preparation methods were extremely rigorous. Not only was the training volume maximized, but the practice matches were also pushed to the limit. They played against ENG the most until both sides were utterly exhausted. When Shi Quan calculated the win rate, he found that the number was almost evenly matched, indicating that ENG’s progress was faster than they had anticipated.
This data… doesn’t look good.
Shi Quan stared at the numbers on the blackboard, deep in thought. Lu Shi called out to him from behind, “Coach Shi, what are you analyzing?”
“I’m calculating the win rates between DT and ENG. Both teams are improving, but the gap between them is closing rapidly. Although DT won against ENG in the regular season, the playoffs are different from the regular season. The best-of-five format tests the players’ on-the-spot experience, and DT is a completely new team. I’m really worried about them right now…”
Lu Shi was unconcerned: “Hey, it doesn’t matter if we lose. DT’s runner-up points are enough to get into the World Championship anyway. Isn’t that all Brother Mu asked for?”
Shi Quan frowned, his expression suddenly becoming serious. “Is that what you think?”
“Yeah, not just me. Everyone thinks that way,” Lu Shi said, pointing to the group of teammates chatting and laughing. Even in practice matches, they played as casually as they would in normal five-man games. “And thinking this way reduces their pressure, making it easier to perform well in matches, right?”
However, after hearing this, Shi Quan shook his head, seemingly a bit disappointed. He didn’t say anything, put down his notebook, and left.
Lu Shi realized that Shi Quan seemed to be in a bad mood and wondered if he had said something wrong.
For the next two days, Shi Quan remained in this state, rarely giving them guidance. This strange phenomenon gradually caught the players’ attention. “What’s up with Coach Shi?”
Lu Shi shook his head in confusion. “He suddenly said that the gap between ENG and DT is getting smaller. I just mentioned that the runner-up can also qualify for the World Championship, and he’s been like this ever since.”
At first, this comment didn’t seem problematic, but upon closer thought, Jiang Jin realized something was wrong. “Are you stupid? Who remembers the runner-up in esports? Coach Shi definitely wants us to win the championship.”
“And it’s not just Coach Shi who wants it; don’t we also want it? If we have the strength to win the championship, why think about being the runner-up?” Jiang Jin shared his view, and Xu Shengwei quickly nodded in agreement. “I also want to win the championship.”
Driven by a strong desire to win, Jiang Xu quickly added, “There’s an 80-point difference between the summer championship and the runner-up. That’s the gap between first and second place.”
At that moment, Lin Lan, who was lazily playing ranked matches behind them, also chimed in, “Of course, I want to be the champion. Is there a trophy for the runner-up? Lu Shi, think about it. You remember the champions of various events, but do you remember who the runners-up were? Esports is not like traditional sports. Losing is losing, and winning is winning. There’s no such thing as a runner-up.”
Xiao Shengjing hummed in agreement, expressing his approval.
Lin Lan’s words snapped Lu Shi out of his daze. He slapped his forehead, finally realizing his mistake. “Oh no. I told Coach Shi that you all thought the same way I did. No wonder he suddenly got disappointed.”
A team with the strength to win the championship, yet everyone was thinking about being the runner-up—what coach wouldn’t be frustrated hearing that?
Lu Shi was immediately beaten up by everyone. After the beating, they dragged him to apologize to Shi Quan. Hearing their intention, Shi Quan smiled and said he hadn’t taken it to heart.
But then, he quickly sighed softly, “It’s still a bit hard for you to understand the spirit of competition right now.”
This sentence, though quietly spoken, struck Lin Lan like a bolt of lightning. He glanced back at Shi Quan, feeling something new slowly taking root in his mind.
After the practice, Lin Lan was still thinking about it. Coincidentally, Shi Quan was also packing up to leave. Lin Lan immediately took off his headset and quietly followed him.
At first, Shi Quan didn’t notice him. When he turned around and saw a hooded figure, he was almost scared out of his wits. Lin Lan quickly removed his hood and revealed himself, “Coach Shi, it’s me.”
Shi Quan: “Aren’t you supposed to be training? Why are you following me?”
Lin Lan looked a bit awkward, wanting to ask but feeling a bit embarrassed. “Coach Shi, what do you mean by the spirit of competition? I want to know.”
“You followed me just for this?” Shi Quan initially didn’t want to explain it right then, but since Lin Lan asked, he didn’t hold back. “The spirit of competition is something born from competition but surpasses it. Yes, we compete to win, but what lies behind winning? Fairness, openness, mental strength, teamwork, respect for opponents, and challenging oneself—these are the core elements of competition.”
Shi Quan: “But Lin Lan, you all are still too young and focused only on winning and losing. There are things far more important than just winning and losing.”
Shi Quan: “Firstly, you don’t respect your opponents enough. ENG’s progress is evident to everyone, but none of you pay attention to it. ENG is improving, while you remain stagnant. This gap will only widen over time. The result of not respecting your opponents is that you’ll be flustered during the finals and left with regrets for the next year.”
Shi Quan: “Secondly, you’re not challenging yourselves. None of you five have this awareness, including you. You all are only thinking about playing it safe, but what about aiming higher? What about breaking through?”
This question left Lin Lan bewildered. He had never thought about these levels of issues. To him, a match was simply about winning.
Lin Lan: “But Coach Shi, what’s the point of a match if you can’t win?”
Shi Quan shook his head, feeling that Lin Lan hadn’t grasped the concept. He said earnestly, “Do you remember the finals four years ago? The Korean team won the championship by exploiting pauses and bugs, yet no region respected them. Instead, the losing team was considered honorable despite their defeat. Why? Because the Korean team violated the basic spirit of competition, which is fairness and transparency.”
“Similarly, if you don’t push your limits, you’ll be happy the first time you win a championship. But what if you win multiple times? If you win three identical championships with the same level of performance and strength, will you still find those repetitive trophies meaningful? When your passion dies out, the spirit of competition will also be destroyed.”
Shi Quan: “The meaning of competition isn’t just about winning; it has far deeper significance…”
Lin Lan’s mind suddenly buzzed, and he understood something that had eluded him for five years.
In his previous world, he had won the S Series World Championship three times. That supreme trophy, which others revered, had long lost its significance for him. He even lost all passion for esports in the end…
Ultimately, was it because he hadn’t pursued something higher?
“I didn’t originally want to tell you all this. It’s something that requires a certain level of experience to fully understand. You’re all still young, and it can be difficult to grasp,” Shi Quan said in his usual soothing tone, not wanting to make him uncomfortable. “It’s okay if you don’t get it now; it won’t impact your performance much. Now, go back.”
Lin Lan responded with an “Mm,” feeling a surge of renewed passion within him. He watched Shi Quan’s departing figure, unable to calm down in the quiet night.
A broad hand landed on his head, ruffling his hair. “What’s wrong? You seem out of it.”
“Captain,” Lin Lan looked up at him, his eyes shining with something new, “I just figured out some things!”
Xiao Shengjing: “What things?”
Lin Lan thought for a moment about how to explain it to him. Finally, he felt a bit frustrated, “Forget it, you’re too young and inexperienced. Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand.”
Xiao Shengjing’s fingers paused slightly, feeling challenged. He reached out and forcefully pulled Lin Lan into his embrace, his eyes dangerously warning him, “If you dare call me young again, I’ll have to teach you a lesson.”
Lin Lan: “And how will you teach me?”
The moment Lin Lan blurted this out, he regretted it, but Xiao Shengjing didn’t give him any time to take it back. He lifted Lin Lan’s chin, encircling him in his arms, and kissed him deeply.
This kind of kiss completely cut off Lin Lan’s breath, and within a minute, he couldn’t take it anymore. Gasping for air, he struggled, but Xiao Shengjing didn’t resist. He followed Lin Lan’s movements, pressing him against the wall and continuing to kiss him until he was completely submissive before letting go.
On the surface, Lin Lan seemed to have given in.
In reality, the moment he was released, he thought about running away.
Xiao Shengjing swiftly grabbed him again, pulling him back and looking at him with amusement as Lin Lan glared at him like an angry kitten. “You’re sleeping in the same room with me tonight. Where do you think you can run off to?”
Lin Lan grumbled indignantly, “I’m returning to my room tonight.”
Xiao Shengjing laughed and kissed the corner of his unhappy mouth, coaxing him, “What about the new game? Aren’t you going to play it?”
This was a new game Lin Lan had personally chosen. Due to being out of stock, he’d waited almost a month for it to arrive. If he moved back, he wouldn’t be able to play it.
Lin Lan pursed his lips, “Then… I’ll play it first and move back afterward.”
His voice grew less confident with each word. He shrank down, leaving only his flushed face visible, his expression still stubborn and defiant.
Xiao Shengjing couldn’t help but laugh. He pulled Lin Lan up with a firm grip, his heart filled with affection, his voice incredibly soft, “Why are you so hesitant to play a game your husband bought for you? It was bought for you, so play it as much as you want. When you finish it, I’ll buy you a new one…”
Lin Lan bristled again at the word “husband”, “Xiao Shengjing, have you no shame! Who’s your husband?”
The result of angering Lin Lan was that Xiao Shengjing had to spend a long time calming him down. Not only did he have to send a 520 yuan red envelope, but he also had to buy a new version of the game for him.
Even then, Lin Lan scratched him, leaving a red mark on his neck that looked a bit suggestive. Worried about maintaining his dignity, Xiao Shengjing had to keep his collar up for the next couple of days.
Even so, Lu Shi noticed something.
He nudged Lin Lan’s shoulder, smiling knowingly. “Why does the captain keep his collar up every day? Got something to hide?”
Lin Lan responded, “What could he possibly have to hide?”
“You know, that kind of thing. Hey, Lin Lan, didn’t I teach you some tricks to handle the captain? Looks like they’ve been working since the captain’s been so compliant with you lately.”
Lin Lan had long forgotten those random tricks. He felt he couldn’t handle the captain at all, given the overwhelming height advantage that made him feel like a little chick in comparison.
Now, his mind was entirely focused on self-improvement, and he’d been studying some very advanced techniques recently.
For instance, Syndra’s seven-ball push, Diana’s extreme RQR combo, Azir’s spiral R, Zed’s triple Q instant cast, and other such ultimate moves that exist but are nearly impossible to execute perfectly.
He enjoyed experimenting with these new techniques because their novelty meant they exploited blind spots in opponents’ knowledge. Such maneuvers could often confuse opponents to the greatest extent.
Lin Lan didn’t host a single live stream during this training period. It had been almost a month since he was last subjected to online harassment.
His fans were deeply concerned about his well-being and often flocked to Lu Shi’s livestream to inquire. Lu Shi occasionally responded to their questions, and gradually, Lu Shi’s fan base grew, making him quite a successful streamer who earned a considerable income every month.
At times like this, Lu Shi would jokingly tease Lin Lan, “Lin Lan, you’re truly my lucky star! Just tell me what you want to eat, and Big Brother will buy it for you.”
Lin Lan would only disdainfully push him away, saying, “Stop bothering me. I’m training.”
While they were immersed in their intense training, the playoffs were also underway. Ultimately, IB defeated WS but lost to KIG in the quarter-finals, achieving only sixth place.
This was the worst result IB had ever achieved since its establishment, and fans were furious. They vented their frustrations online, their anger turning everything red.
Because sixth place only earned them 10 points, adding to the 40 points from the spring season, they only had 50 points in total. Meanwhile, DT, ENG, YTF, and KIG all had more points than them.
Only three teams can qualify for the World Championship. Even if IB manages to qualify for the Promotion Tournament, fans don’t believe they can defeat YTF and KIG consecutively in the tournament.
In other words, IB won’t make it to the World Championship this year.
This may be the first time since its establishment that IB has failed to qualify for the World Championship. They have set a new record of shame in this Summer Split.
A huge disappointment hangs over IB’s fans. The resentment accumulated over a season has erupted online in a massive outburst. The entire esports community is engulfed in this storm, with the momentum suggesting that IB’s entire roster should apologize with their lives.
However, Lin Lan has no sympathy for them. Relying on fan support for popularity without corresponding strength is bound to backfire.
Look at ENG; despite their defeat in the spring season, their fans remain loyal, don’t they? This shows that in esports, a combination of strength and popularity is essential for healthy development.
With the playoffs reaching this stage, it’s finally DT’s turn to take the stage.
Their semifinal match is scheduled for the day before ENG’s. After their match, they’ll have to wait for ENG’s result to determine the final two teams for the finals.
Before this semifinal began, DT fans were extremely nervous.
Although DT is currently in first place, their only loss in the regular season was against KIG.
At that time, nobody thought DT would lose, and fans watched the match cheerfully. However, as the game progressed unfavorably, reaching a point of no return, fans realized that DT couldn’t beat KIG.
Back then, KIG used three new lineups in a row, catching DT off guard. Despite DT’s attempts to regain momentum through individual skill, they only managed to barely win one game.
Now that the two teams meet again in the playoffs, DT fans are on edge.
They can never forget the day when they thought DT would eventually turn the tide, only for KIG to repeatedly use extreme strategies to drag DT into hell…
[SOS. DT won’t crash, right?]
[Hard to say. Didn’t they lose in the regular season?]
[I personally think KIG’s style is somewhat of a counter to DT.]
[This version is too flexible and versatile, which favors KIG.]
[OMG! DT won’t lose again, will they…]
Although DT’s strength is undeniable, if they lose in the semifinals, there’s a possibility they won’t secure a spot in the World Championship. Just the thought of it suffocates DT fans.
Help! What’s the use of being strong in the regular season?
If they can’t go to the World Championship, no one will acknowledge them…
Besides the nervous fans, the five members of DT are also very nervous.
After losing to KIG in the regular season, they faced epic criticism from Coach Shi. Lin Lan can still remember a bit of it now.
Coach Shi probably said something like this that day: “Are you five a team or just scattered sand? Huh? Each of you is playing your own game, completely ignoring whether your teammates are in the right position, right? Xu Shengwei, why did you jump forward in that wave? Are you trying to get killed? Jiang Jin, you keep making eyes, making gestures, even when it’s unnecessary, are you afraid the opponent won’t kill you? And you, Jiang Xu, why don’t you stick with the team when you have an advantage? Are you trying to ascend to heaven? The most annoying one is Lin Lan. I’ve told you before that your playstyle isn’t team-oriented enough. Look at your teammates’ positions. How are you looking at them, huh? Do you think everyone is you? Who the hell can keep up at that corner? The advantage is all wasted! Except for the captain, none of you give me peace of mind! I almost got a heart attack watching in the lounge!”
That was the first time Coach Shi exploded like that in front of them, scaring them all into silence. That fierce demeanor is deeply ingrained in their minds, unforgettable no matter how hard they try.
Lin Lan was scolded by Coach Shi so harshly that he couldn’t even retort.
Firstly, he had to admit that DT had won too much recently, which had indeed dulled him a bit. In the midst of winning, he forgot about the old problems Coach Shi had pointed out to him.
Secondly, they had indeed underestimated KIG a bit.
This team had been rather inconspicuous in the Spring Split. Who could have imagined their rapid improvement in the Summer Split?
Fortunately, after being scolded by Coach Shi like that, they all took it to heart and dared not make the same mistakes in the subsequent matches.
At that time, Jiang Jin had whispered to him, “Coach Shi scolds people too harshly. I even have nightmares after being scolded. But I think what he said makes sense. In a team, everyone should play their role, but they shouldn’t act individually. Even if individual skills are outstanding, if they don’t contribute positively to the team, it’s just a deduction. Only when everything complements each other is the team at its best…”
Playing their roles, but not acting individually.
This statement gave Lin Lan a lot to think about. Afterward, he studied KIG’s gameplay and realized that although these five players didn’t have outstanding individual abilities, they could cooperate to produce results greater than the sum of their parts. This cognitive gap was precisely the key reason DT lost that match.
If there’s another chance…
Lin Lan’s grip on the mouse tightened, his expression serious as he rose to tidy up his equipment.
He couldn’t possibly fall in the same place twice.
The commentators on stage were enthusiastically introducing the players on both sides. As they entered and took their seats, the match proceeded smoothly amidst the fervent atmosphere.
In his headphones, Shi Quan’s voice came solemnly, “Facing KIG again. Don’t forget what I reminded you of before the match. Pay attention to team coordination, don’t be aggressive, especially you, Lin Lan. Keep an eye on your teammates’ positions. If they can’t keep up, don’t engage in team fights. And if anyone dares to mess up in this match again, I and Coach Zhang will scold them to death!”
He emphasized the word “death” heavily, clearly still feeling the anger from the last loss.
Everyone shivered to varying degrees. With just Shi Quan alone, they could all feel the pressure, let alone adding Coach Zhang into the mix.
Both sides entered the drafting phase, with DT on the blue side, giving them priority in hero selection.
So, without hesitation, KIG banned three powerful heroes of the current patch: Akali, Katarina, and Ryze.
All three of these heroes are Lin Lan’s favorite. So when they were banned, it was clear from his expression that he wasn’t pleased, as if he was saying something.
Viewers speculated in the barrage: [Is he saying he wants to play Akali?]
[Lin Lan: Please don’t make me play Galio. Thanks.]
[Haha. Is Linlan going to play Galio again? Help…]
[To be honest, Galio is really strong this season. Lin Lan’s chances of winning with him are very high.]
However, DT didn’t pick Galio. Instead, they prioritized picking Lucian for the bot lane.
This champion can be played in both mid and bot lanes. If played in the bot lane, KIG would have to pick up Nami to avoid DT forming the Lucian + Nami explosive combination.
But instead of picking Nami, KIG went for the Sivir + Yuumi bot lane combo.
As soon as this combo was picked, Lin Lan’s eyes narrowed. This combination is incredibly strong in lane and doesn’t lack damage in team fights later on, making it really troublesome to deal with.
The most important thing is, with this pick, Lin Lan won’t be able to play Galio.
Isn’t KIG’s strategy a bit too forward-thinking?
![You’re Causing Chaos Again [e-sports]](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1sMqC2JNjIep8Ov.jpg "You’re Causing Chaos Again [e-sports]")
