Chapter 84: MSI Finals (1)

“Greetings from the MSI Finals! Caster Kim Dong-jin!”

“Commentator Yoo Seung-hwan here!”

“Today is the grand finals!”

“Can the LCK reclaim its lost honor, the international trophy? We can already feel the anticipation.”

[We absolutely have to win today!]

[Honestly, VXG’s raw skill is overwhelmingly superior, so…]

[Lol, are you Chinese trolls? We lost before, so what? ARK will definitely win!]

“By the way, that performance was amazing.”

“I agree. Singer Ray! Even though the stage lighting was dimmed and we couldn’t see her face, her talent is undeniable.”

“And even though Japan has a different age-counting system, I heard Ray is a first-year high school student, the same age as Para.”

“Oh, is that so? I noticed Ray and Para seemed close on social media. Is that why?”

[Oh…]

[High school girls (one with 100 million views, the other in the finals of an international tournament).]

[High school girls achieving this much, and I’m…?]

[It’s okay, I’m built different.]

“Let’s check out the predictions for today’s match!”

“Starting with the analyst predictions!”

[Ooh!]

[Analysts predict VXG, but viewers predict ARK.]

[Honestly, viewer predictions are just based on popularity lol]

[But VXG has a lot of fans because of their recent performance.]

[Analyst predictions are pretty much 50/50.]

[Predicting Para will have her hair in a ponytail today. She always does that to be comfortable in important matches.]

[It’s the finals; she’ll probably dress up lol]

“Analyst predictions are 4:6 in favor of VXG, and viewer predictions are 6:4 for ARK.”

“Pretty much a 50/50 split!”

“That’s right. Let’s go over today’s rosters!”

ARK
Caster, Lesser, Para, Plea, KAI

VXG
Spread, Plumber, HUN, Aqua, LIN

“Caster, Lesser, Para, Plea, KAI for ARK. Spread, Plumber, HUN, Aqua, LIN for VXG!”

“Ten players familiar to LCK viewers.”

“The five VXG players, the LCK’s nightmare, and the five ARK players, the LCK’s storm. We’re excited to see what unfolds.”

“ARK prefers a playstyle where Caster provides stability in the top lane and Plea delivers massive damage in the late game, while Lesser and KAI control the pace of the game.”

“VXG, on the other hand, utilizes Spread’s carry picks in the top lane and strong picks for their bot lane to dominate the early and mid game. Combined with their strong mid-jungle synergy, they’re a formidable team.”

“But ARK has a player who is undeniably one of the best mid laners in the world right now!”

“That’s right, Para. A true monster rookie.”

[Para is a renowned carry machine.]

[Honestly, if they want to win, Para has to carry.]

[Is something big coming? Is something big coming? Is something big coming?]

“Let’s watch the teaser!”

---

[RG, the LCK’s dark horse, defeated numerous strong teams to reach the finals but ultimately fell to VXG!]

[YK? A formidable team indeed, but the emperors of the LPL wouldn’t allow them to proceed!]

Four LPL trophies, one MSI trophy, and one Worlds trophy.

Spread, Plumber, Hoon, Aqua, LIN. These five players achieved this in three years with VXG.

The final piece missing from their puzzle was…

…the Grand Slam.

The most prestigious title, awarded to a team that wins two domestic splits, MSI, and Worlds in a single year. An achievement no team had accomplished.

These five players gathered again this year to pursue that goal.

[PG, on their home turf, blocked the LPL kings and once again prevented their Grand Slam!]

[Even in an all-LPL semifinals, who would have predicted VXG’s journey would end in Shanghai?!]

“I’m confident we’ll win this tournament. Because I’m the best top laner.”

Spread was the first to speak. The screen showed his dazzling highlight reel from MSI.

[Showing us why he picked Camille! No other champion could initiate like that!]

[The LPL’s ultimate weapon, Jax, single-handedly crushing the enemy team!]

Next were Aqua and LIN.

“We know our bot lane has a different style compared to other LPL teams.”

“Usually, the LPL is known for powerful carry ADCs and supportive supports.”

“But we’ll prove ourselves, just like we always have.”

[Aqua and LIN destroying the bottom tower before the 12-minute mark!]

[These two are truly the gods of lane matchups!]

“And behind that powerful bot lane, there’s always me.”

[Plumber! Whenever a fight breaks out in the bot lane, he’s always there!]

[A truly intelligent player, who understands how to control the game as a jungler!]

And finally…

“Para? She’s a skilled player, but I’ll win this time.”

[Hoon! Avenging his loss from last year’s MSI, securing a spot in the finals!]

[A textbook mid laner!]

[Hoon, declaring that the LPL no longer needs imports!]

“Para, let’s have a carry-versus-carry matchup this time.”

…

For the four members of ARK besides Para…

…every day was a new challenge and experience.

Winning the promotion tournament, defeating YK, the kings of the LCK, achieving first place in the LCK regular season.

And now, winning the LCK and reaching the MSI finals.

They had to prove themselves every step of the way, and today was no different.

“Spread? He’s a player I admire and have cheered for.”

What top laner wouldn’t admire Spread, the symbol of carry potential?

But…

[Caster’s Aatrox just won’t die!]

[Every play demonstrates the two years he spent honing his skills in CK!]

“Today, just for today, I will be the best top laner in the world.”

For one day, just one day, surpassing his idol wasn’t impossible.

“Some people think our team is just Para and four other average players.”

[Lesser, although often overshadowed by Para, is an explosive player!]

“After today’s finals, nobody will think that way.”

[Nobody is left standing after Lillia sweeps through the battlefield!]

[Lesser, Lesser, Lesser! This player’s name is Lesser of ARK!]

“We…? I think we started playing together in middle school.”

“We didn’t go to the same school, but we met in solo queue, duo’d a few times, and clicked, so we kept playing together.”

[Nine players have fallen, and the last one standing is Plea!]

[KAI makes a grand entrance, captivating the enemies and dominating the teamfight!]

“Then, luckily, we all passed ARK’s tryouts together and came this far.”

“Now that we’re here, why not aim for the championship?”

And finally, Para.

[Absolutely incredible! She’s playing as if she has ten turns instead of one!]

[The pressure of Para’s name consumes PG’s genius and creativity!]

[VXG has always beaten the LCK? They only beat the LCK before Para arrived!]

“I won’t say much.”

[Para’s play saves ARK from the brink of defeat!]

[She’s dodging everything and landing every skill shot! What is this? Are we even playing the same game?]

“I’ll show you who the best mid laner is.”

---

“Players, get ready to enter!”

Following the staff’s instructions, we stood at the entrance to the stage.

Outside, I could hear English and Korean commentary along with the roar of the crowd, probably from the teaser video playing.

“Top, Jungle, Mid, then Bot Duo will enter in that order.”

As soon as the staff finished speaking, the casters announced the names of both teams’ top laners.

I didn’t understand the Japanese commentary, but I recognized the nicknames.

Then, my turn came.

As the Japanese casters announced my and Hoon’s nicknames, I walked onto the stage.

‘So many people.’

Over 10,000 spectators cheered and applauded, the sound almost deafening.

I found my seat and waited for my teammates.

Once the coach entered and everyone was seated, our microphones were turned on.

“Mic check, mic check. Can everyone hear me?”

“There are no second chances.”

“Ban Ashe for sure.”

“I’m good with anything.”

To my teammates, I said,

“Play with no regrets, and let’s win this.”

And so, the finals began.