Chapter 188

KU and ADT both fell into the losers’ bracket. In the losers’ bracket, ADT defeated KU 3:2, advancing to the losers’ bracket finals, awaiting the loser between DSG and REAL to play another match.

During an interview, when asked which team ADT felt they would face next, the jungler of ADT twitched at the corner of his mouth and said he felt REAL had a higher chance.

The forum captured his expression when answering the question, leaving everyone amused.

“Whether it’s REAL or DSG coming down, ADT is going to get smashed.”

“After watching, I really feel sorry for them.”

“Stop asking, both fans and players are almost in tears, spare them.”

The forum was filled with laughter and jokes, then quickly turned into heated debates again.

The focus of the playoffs was finally here!

In the regular season, DSG defeated REAL 2:1, which didn’t seem overwhelmingly strong. It appeared both teams’ strengths were very close.

In the bo5 playoffs, there was much less uncertainty. In bo3, it might not be enough time to adjust, and the game could end after 2:1. However, in bo5, even if it was 2:0, there were many comebacks from a 2:3 situation. Therefore, in the playoffs, the possibility of REAL defeating DSG was greatly increased.

This was a real clash of titans, the collision between the first and second places in the standings, whether DSG, which had dominated the entire game for three years, could be toppled from its pedestal.

When someone stands at the peak for too long, those who expect them to fall unknowingly become as numerous as their honors.

In the forum survey on who would win between DSG and REAL, DSG’s support rate was 67%, and REAL’s support rate was 33%.

In these three years, this was the highest proportion of support for DSG’s opponents or those favored to win. Surprisingly, one-third of the people believed REAL could defeat DSG, which was already shocking compared to ADT’s support rate in the spring season.

Industry insiders also came out with revelations, saying REAL was evenly matched with DSG in scrimmages, which immediately slapped the fans in the face with the pictures they posted. Judging from the training matches the fans found, REAL’s win rate in the training matches was simply atrocious.

Before the match even began, the forum was already in chaos.

After finishing the training match in the evening, deploying tactics with the coach, they finally disbanded at 11 p.m.

“The match is tomorrow, rest early tonight and get a good sleep to refresh yourselves.”

The coach clapped his hands to signal the end of the meeting.

The players got up one after another, with varying degrees of tension on their faces.

In the summer season, DSG had been struggling all along with updates in versions, fluctuations in form, and increasingly powerful opponents, facing unprecedented pressure.

“MY,” Tang Qi said to Mo Yin, “are you going out for a run tonight? Can I join you?”

“No run, just resting.”

Tang Qi’s expression looked somewhat discouraged. He actually wanted to exercise to clear his mind after physical fatigue.

Facing KU and facing REAL, Tang Qi felt completely different levels of pressure. For some reason, he always felt strong pressure from REAL, even though they had only won a small game against them. Normally, their win rate in training matches against REAL was also very high, but Tang Qi just felt uncertain and lacked the determination to win.

Mo Yin noticed the hesitation and worry on Tang Qi’s face. “Get some rest early,” he advised.

“Okay,” Tang Qi reluctantly replied.

Mo Yin added, “Winning or losing in the match doesn’t matter much to you.”

“…,” Tang Qi remained silent.

Qin Kunlun, who was eavesdropping nearby, burst into laughter. Tang Qi stiffened and turned around.

Qin Kunlun held back his laughter. “Just kidding, I wasn’t laughing at you.”

Guan Ming walked over, passing by Tang Qi. “Your salary doesn’t allow you to be under this much pressure.”

“…” Why were all his teammates like this?

Ding Wenquan came over and hugged Tang Qi. “Let’s go, go upstairs and rest.” He nodded at Mo Yin, with a look that said, ‘I’ll take care of this kid,’ and Mo Yin nodded back calmly, holding a tea cup as he left.

The main villain never comforts his teammates; if he feels pressure, he solves it himself.

Back upstairs in his room, Mo Yin took a shower and lay down. After a while, Ye Chi sent a WeChat message with just two words — “Come on”.

Mo Yin smirked and lazily replied with two words, “Come on”.

He knew tonight Ye Chi wouldn’t disturb him anymore. After locking his phone, he set it aside.

The match in the regular season had caused serious physical exhaustion for him. Although he appeared fine on the surface, it took almost a week of rest to recover to his usual physical level.

“In this Winners Bracket Finals of the playoffs, which team does the world line hope will win?

“The system” has fallen completely silent, and Mo Yin showed no intention to inquire.

Based on his assessment of previous world line operations, he believes DSG is likely to win tomorrow, and once REAL drops to the losers’ bracket and rises again, the protagonist group honed through challenges, will defeat the former king and claim the championship. This storyline aligns perfectly with the typical plot of a passionate manga.

It seems there’s no need to worry about tomorrow’s match.

However, it’s also possible that after the regular season, the world line, distorted by madness, pushes DSG into the losers’ bracket, allowing them to rise again only to be defeated once more. Perhaps the world line might prefer this villainous, heart-wrenching script.

Mo Yin is dissatisfied with either scenario.

Naturally, he will never accept failure.

Especially not this kind of prearranged failure where he becomes a stepping stone for others.

He may like them, but liking is one thing, and victory or defeat is another.

The more the world line tries to force him to accept failure, the more he will resist.

Even if the other person is the only one who moves his heart, he still won’t give in.

*

The highly anticipated Winners Bracket Finals finally begin.

Audiences lined up to receive their support items, signing on the walls of support on both sides. Half an hour before the start, the entire venue was packed with supporters, banners held high. Fans on both sides were distinct, and it seemed like a fight might break out early.

REAL’s fans were naturally outnumbered by DSG’s, but some fans of other teams who managed to get tickets joined the REAL fans, all holding signs in support of REAL, creating a somewhat evenly split atmosphere.

For this match, DSG’s former top laner, Zuo Ming, was invited as a guest commentator.

It’s well known that last season, Zuo Ming was kicked out of the team by Mo Yin before his contract expired, and DSG sold him off, bringing in Qin Kunlun as the new top laner. It’s said that DSG didn’t even consult Zuo Ming about this decision; they simply gave him two choices: leave quietly or wait on the bench.

Such cruelty from the team made Zuo Ming post a Weibo at the time—”I’m waiting to see you backfire.” It garnered over 1K+ comments from various spectators before being deleted. Later, Zuo Ming was traded to Qin Kunlun’s team, swapping top laners. During the transfer period, some insiders hinted that Zuo Ming’s expulsion from the team was at Mo Yin’s behest, and everyone suddenly understood the meaning behind Zuo Ming’s Weibo post.

For the Winners Bracket Finals between DSG and REAL, the league invited Zuo Ming as a guest commentator, clearly showing a desire to stir up trouble.

Before the game officially started, the commentators warmed up the stage.

“Scream, today is your former team’s match.”

The commentator teased.

Zuo Ming’s expression was distant. “Yes.”

“Today, we predict that both Miki and I believe it will be DSG 3-1 REAL,” as the commentator spoke, predictions appeared on the screen below, with a total of seven predictions. Six predicted DSG defeating REAL, mostly 3-1 or 3-2, with almost no predictions for a 3-0 victory. Among them, there was a jarringly realistic prediction of REAL 3-2 DSG, which was Zuo Ming’s prediction. “Only you predict REAL will win, Scream. How did you come to that conclusion?”

“A feeling.”

The barrage was now filled with “backfire” messages.

“Settle scores on stage today!”

“Today, I’m here screaming live. My eyes are on one person, so everyone wait.”

“When MY makes a mistake in the regular season, he must be slapping his thighs below. Why didn’t they let me go on stage and say this! (Laughs and cries)”

“No one will turn a blind eye today, safe and sound, double champion.”

The commentator also laughed on stage, “Oh, indeed, a feeling. REAL did win against DSG in the regular season, so there’s hope today.”

“REAL’s mid laner plays very team-oriented,” Zuo Ming said.

The barrage was again filled with “hint” messages.

Commentator: “Actually, MY played very team-oriented in the summer season, especially that Karma game. Scream, did you watch?”

Barrage: “Master of burning bridges.”

“I did,” Zuo Ming said, “In that game, REAL actually had a chance. If they drag it out slowly, Karma isn’t that strong.”

Barrage: “Stubborn mouth.”

The game hadn’t started yet, but the entire broadcast room and arena were already buzzing.

When the director prompted the players to take the stage through the microphone, the commentator quickly handed the stage over to the host.

“… Let’s welcome the REAL team!”

As the host passionately hyped up the crowd, at the end of the dark corridor, each light clicked on with the sound of opening, and members of team REAL were already waiting at the end, proceeding forward in sequence amidst the cheers of the audience on both sides as they walked onto the stage.

“Next, let’s welcome…”

The cheers escalated instantly.

“…team DSG—”

Ye Chi glanced towards the opposite corridor.

Just as they stepped onto the stage, the entire corridor transformed from darkness to brightness as lights cascaded down from top to bottom, and he already saw Mo Yin in the middle, amidst a tangle of dark hair.

With a fiercely intense drumbeat, DSG’s players walked towards the stage, the cameraman fixed at an angle, sweeping over Mo Yin’s cold profile, the barrage of comments instantly drowned out by exclamations of “handsome.”

Both teams faced off.

The music intensified.

Fans from both sides shouted their team names.

In the dazzling crossfire of lights on stage, the host walked to the center between both teams.

“…who will secure a spot in today’s finals? Let the games begin!”

The camera cut back to the commentary desk.

Beside two smiling commentators was a noticeably frosty Zou Ming.

Since leaving DSG, Zou Ming hadn’t seen his old teammates from DSG again, except on the battlefield. He didn’t feel much about Guan Ming and Ding Wenquan. The team tradition of DSG was such that relationships between teammates weren’t close, but Mo Yin, Zou Ming would never forget.

“Did you really ask the team to kick me out?!”

“Yes.”

The other looked perfectly nonchalant.

Zou Ming’s lips trembled. “Do you think you’re being too much?”

The other remained unmoved. “Do you think you’re just not good enough?”

“In DSG, the strong make the decisions, Zou Ming. This is competitive gaming. You should recognize yourself earlier and leave the team. It’s better for everyone.”

A year together, a championship won together, but he hadn’t received even a shred of respect from the other. From his eyes, Zou Ming only saw a naked appraisal.

“You don’t deserve to be my teammate anymore. So, get lost.”

As a professional player, Zou Ming acknowledged Mo Yin’s skills, but as a teammate fighting side by side, he couldn’t accept it at all.

A monster who had no team spirit, only selfishly eyeing victories.

Zou Ming wasn’t afraid of being accused of targeting today on stage, because it was true, he was here to target.

Since Mo Yin couldn’t tolerate anyone’s downturns and mistakes, shouldn’t he also demand the same standards for himself?

Guan Ming glanced toward the commentary desk.

Indeed, it was Zou Ming coming to commentate.

He looked at Mo Yin again.

Mo Yin looked calm as usual, taking a sip of water after adjusting his headset.

Guan Ming withdrew his gaze. No matter how much pressure there was, Mo Yin could probably handle it.

There were too many people hoping they would lose today’s match.

Both on stage and off.

Guan Ming took a deep breath.

Tang Qi nervously coughed upon hearing the intake of breath. Qin Kunlun lowered his mic, “Don’t cough into the mic, support.”

“Sorry.” Tang Qi apologized hastily.

“Never mind him,” Ding Wenquan said, “he was talking in his sleep nervously last night.”

“Huh??”

Tang Qi questioned himself, “What did I say?”

“You said, ‘Da Lang, no.'”

Tang Qi: “……”

Qin Kunlun laughed uproariously.

Even the coach couldn’t help but laugh, “Stop making things up.”

Qin Kunlun held back his laughter, straightened his chest, and suddenly said, “My predecessor is on the commentary podium, it looks like I have to perform well today and not be caught off guard by him.”

When Guan Ming heard this topic mentioned, he smiled slightly, “Good luck.”

Mo Yin leaned back, relaxing his posture, and casually asked, “Is there a female commentator today?”

“No.”

“Oh, Qin Kunlun, are you gay?”

Qin Kunlun sprayed out directly, fumbling to wipe the keyboard with paper while saying, “What the hell?!”

“Didn’t you say your predecessor was on the commentary podium?”

“……”

Guan Ming and Ding Wenquan exchanged glances. Okay, just as they thought, Mo Yin didn’t take anyone seriously at all.

The drafting phase officially began, with DSG in the blue side banning very quickly, and picking players equally fast, directly snatching the Emperor. REAL responded, also picking the combination of Enchantress and Vi for the jungle.

The commentator praised REAL’s drafting, “The combination of Enchantress and Wei’s lockdown after level 6, Sand Emperor needs to be careful in the top lane. Scream, what do you think?”

“There should be a good chance to get kills,” Zuo Ming replied.

The commentator successfully segued and continued analyzing the compositions.

After both teams finalized their compositions, the commentators discussed their strengths and weaknesses. Both main commentators believed DSG had a slight edge in composition, and they asked for Zuo Ming’s opinion. Zuo Ming said, “I think it’s about even, both teams have their chances. As long as the Tsar doesn’t misplay like he did against Crescent Moon, DSG’s composition can still win.”

Faced with a large number of DSG fans, the supporting quotes and criticisms of Zuo Ming were flooded out, and the barrage was filled with “targeting” and “backlash”.

The players on stage couldn’t hear what the commentators were saying or know about the online sentiment.

The DSG players were waiting seriously for the game to start.

Mo Yin suddenly spoke up, “Top laner, get ready to meet your predecessor.” Qin Kunlun coughed again. Just as he was about to explain, Mo Yin’s indifferent voice came through the headset, “…Let’s finish this 3:0 quickly.”