A Sad Match

The viewer count had surpassed 4000 already.

The gazes looking at me.

In front of me was Soldier, a World Series champion.

Everything was perfect.

And I didn’t want to make this match entertainment like before.

‘Even if I lose, I’ll do my best… No, I’ll win!’

The dormant gamer’s spirit blazes up.

So this time I didn’t limit the pick to Teemo.

However, I told him to choose from 3 options.

[… That’s a bit unfair, isn’t it?]

‘No! What do you expect from someone who just reached Master? He’s not just a Challenger, but a World Series champion!’

The cards I proposed to Soldier were Tryndamere, Shen, and Singed.

This is the big picture I had in mind!

Soldier silently chose Tryndamere.

And I chose Teemo.

-ㅋ When will Teemo ever end between these two?

-A connection tied by Teemo. It never ends.

-If they ever start dating, let’s call them the Teemo couple.

-For real, Teemo is the laughter bell.

Oh foolish Bronze-Silvers who still see Teemo as an entertainment pick.

Look at the indicators after the recent patch.

Then you’ll see why I picked Teemo.

Teemo who received buffs to the projectile speed and duration of Q skill Blinding Dart, his core skill.

After that, he proudly rose to top tier 1 hero in the top lane.

It’s a reality that exists perfectly as statistical data, not with few games played.

The era has finally come where Teemo is called an OP hero.

Moreover, how are the three heroes I proposed to Soldier?

Shen? Singed? They’re traditional Teemo prey.

Not to mention after the buff.

Tryndamere was the only one that could somewhat face Teemo, but the problem is that point is after mid-game when 2 or more core items are built.

In the early laning phase, Tryndamere had no choice but to be beaten by Teemo all day except for level 1.

Teemo’s Q skill Blinding Dart, which makes auto attacks miss, was a counter itself to Tryndamere, a hero based on auto attack damage.

Moreover, the 1:1 match was taking place in mid with a short lane length.

It was much more advantageous than the top lane setup because you could enter the tower safety with just a little escape.

[It wasn’t a bit, but very unfair.]

‘Ah, shut up! Still, with Tryndamere vs Teemo setup, it’s not impossible.’

Considering the clear skill difference, it wasn’t a match where I could confidently predict my victory.

“Then I’ll start.”

“Okay.”

-Is something big coming? Is something big coming? Is something big coming?

-For real, the game ends if Teemo just buys Chain Vest and Warden’s Mail. Tryn’s damage won’t go through at all ㅋ

-But it’s Soldier, couldn’t he find a way to fight back somehow?

We each choose runes and spells and start the game.

I was on the red side, meaning the top, and Soldier was on the bottom.

‘He mixed Resolve with Attack Speed focused runes. Spells are Ignite and Flash…’

It was a typical Tryndamere rune setup, and for spells, Ghost is sometimes taken, but it seemed he chose Flash because this match was in mid with a short lane length.

On the other hand, I had a Kongkong build focusing on early laning.

Recently runes centered on Precision have become mainstream, but that’s for facing tanks or more suited for sustained damage, not for me planning to hit and run against Tryndamere.

‘I need Manaflow Band to secure mana to place mushrooms after level 6.’

Only 1 recall is allowed in a 1:1 match.

So securing a method of mana supply is also a very important strategy.

For spells, I also took Ignite and Flash.

After finishing all preparations, I faced Soldier in the mid lane.

“Going first.”

“What?”

-Ahahaha! Ahahaha! Ahahahaha!

The most infamous laugh of Teemo in League of Legends.

It’s called one of the top 3 along with Lulu and bell-ringing Alistar skins.

-Ah… So annoying ㅋ

-I really want to tear him apart. For real;;

-How can a laugh be so irritating ㅋ

The minions have spawned.

I learned Q skill at level 1 for Kongkong harass.

Soldier probably learned E skill Spinning Slash.

Spinning Slash is a skill that charges forward while spinning, as the name suggests.

A skill that gives an advantage against Teemo at level 1.

But that was it.

I use Q skill when Soldier approaches to last hit CS, while maintaining distance without chasing recklessly.

The Kongkong damage is added, but Soldier’s Doran’s Shield choice anticipating harass causes less damage than expected.

I also manage the lane while securing CS without overdoing it, so it doesn’t push too much.

If I create a lane that pushes towards the opponent’s side, the chase distance becomes longer, and Tryndamere’s symbolic lucky critical attacks might burst consecutively, leading to a futile defeat.

Reaching level 2 while minimizing risks.

From now on was Teemo’s time.

After putting a point in passive skill E that adds poison damage bonus to auto attacks, I start damage trades more confidently.

Actually, it’s a one-sided hitting structure while I watch carefully… but Soldier patiently endured and chose to pull the lane as much as possible.

‘Oh no…’

I tried to manage the lane too, but the tier difference and the difference in position between laner and jungler were big.

The lane was gradually pushing towards Soldier’s side before I knew it.

The distance from the allied tower was slowly increasing.

This wasn’t good.

If it’s like this, I should rather push the lane more strongly and shove the minions towards the enemy tower.

That way, the lane would reset and I could take an advantageous distance again.

But the opponent was Soldier… he was reading my thoughts exactly.

“Going in.”

“…!”

A low voice.

And Soldier’s movement charging just before the tower boundary.

An ‘Ugh!’ sound came out involuntarily at the timing.

The distance between me and Soldier, who was moving forward, narrowed in an instant.

And Soldier’s W skill is activated as soon as I turn my back.

A skill named Mocking Shout that steals attack power and movement speed from opponents with their backs turned.

This is really bad.

I don’t even think about kiting and immediately retreat using W skill that increases movement speed.

Tryndamere soon completely sticks to me and swings down his great sword.

I immediately use Q skill to nullify the auto attack.

Then Soldier, quick-witted, cancels the auto attack and focuses more on sticking to me.

The blind state was lifted as I was passing half the lane.

“Ah! Stop! It hurts too much!”

Thud, thud, crack-!

2 normal auto attacks and the last attack was a critical hit.

About one-third of my health was shaved off in an instant.

At that moment, Soldier seemed to be asking.

Not using Flash? This is a kill opportunity.

In the end, unable to resist the instinctive danger, I used Flash to escape into the tower.

-ㅋ A BJ feeling the impact from the game in reality.

-Kya! This is it. The critical attack is refreshing. Really smashing the head.

-You got properly punished for cheekily harassing from range with Teemo, right? Flash is down, right? Next is a kill opportunity, right?

Since my chosen item was Doran’s Ring, health recovery wasn’t good, and although I had 2 potions, Flash was down too, so I decided to recall safely.

The fortunate thing was that I had about a 10 CS lead due to early harass.

I returned after buying basic boots and 2 additional potions with a little over 400 gold.

Meanwhile, Soldier had also pushed the lane and recalled.

‘The original plan was to buy Chain Vest on first recall, but what should I do now?’

It became quite disadvantageous.

Now there’s only one method left.

Amazing mushroom design… or if not that, I have to rely on luck.

Either expect Soldier to dive relying on Tryndamere’s ultimate that makes him invincible for a certain time.

‘That can’t be. A skilled player like Soldier wouldn’t misjudge a dive…’

But 2 minutes later.

The situation I only thought about unfolded before my eyes.

---

Teemo and Tryndamere.

Both are level 6.

A situation where they can use their ultimates, Noxious Trap and Undying Rage.

The health situation was slightly disadvantageous for me.

I was forced into damage trades twice by Soldier’s amazing timing attacks, and I could only rely on potions, but Soldier was maintaining a slight lead in sustainability with Tryndamere’s Q skill that has healing ability.

Eventually, the lane was slowly pushing based on that disadvantage.

That’s right.

What’s commonly called a dive opportunity was set up.

‘But it won’t be easy. I’m Teemo!’

Invisible toxic mushrooms are planted around the tower.

Moreover, I had Q skill which could be called Tryndamere’s absolute counter.

How many times has a Tryndamere trying to hunt down a low health Teemo by diving had their auto attacks sealed by Q skill and been sightseeing in reverse?

Thinking the odds were slim like this, I created this lane situation with the intention of inducing a dive, and even helped in reverse.

Thus, a perfectly created stage.

I could feel the tension of the rapidly increasing viewers as well as myself.

-This is a dive opportunity, right? Wow… I didn’t know a match with Teemo could be this thrilling.

-For real, Soldier is crazy. No, how does he close the distance so easily? Isn’t he completely reading Hani’s psychology? There’s no answer when he accurately digs in and closes the distance at the timing she tries to harass.

-This is the class of a World Series champion ㄷㄷ;;

The minions start hitting the tower.

My health situation with only half remaining.

And Flash hasn’t come back yet.

It’s a level where I can be taken down with Ignite, Spinning Slash, and about 4 auto attacks.

If the god of luck descends and consecutive critical hits land, it might be possible with about 2 hits.

So it’s a match!

I started fiercely auto attacking as soon as Soldier entered the tower.

And I stood behind the secretly planted mushroom in the center.

Come on, step on it. It’s a delicious poisonous mushroom, I said step on it!

Whirrr-!

“…!”

At that moment, a lens spinning around Tryndamere.

The locations of the hidden mushrooms started to be revealed thoroughly.

“Damn it!”

-ㅋ Hani’s preciously hidden small cute mushrooms get exposed.

-Ack! My mushrooms are being erased. Protect the mushrooms!

Tryndamere approaching while avoiding the path where mushrooms are planted.

I knew and Soldier knew.

Using Spinning Slash first here is the most amateur move.

You have to induce tower aggro with auto attacks first, then use skills to burst damage.

So, the moment of truth is 3, 2, 1… Right now!

Amazing concentration.

Time flows slowly.

Tryndamere’s great sword rises above his head.

And at the very moment he’s about to swing it down strongly, Teemo’s poison dart is fired.

Q skill that nullifies auto attacks!

But… but!

“Crazy!”

-What? What’s this? Auto attack cancel?

-For real;; He’s insane. He’s crazy. Soldier is a legend.

The great sword raised to the sky stopped above Teemo’s head.

And it’s retracted as if nothing happened.

Of course, since no attack was made, tower aggro wasn’t drawn, and only my blind skill was consumed.

And the moment the blind state wore off, Tryndamere’s great sword came down cruelly on my head again, as if saying don’t expect mercy.

Simultaneously, the Ignite spell burning Teemo’s body.

I also used Ignite spell and desperately resisted while moving towards the back of the tower, but the slightly widened distance was instantly closed by Spinning Slash, and my mind went blank from the critical hit of the great sword striking my head once more.

And soon, an intense message appeared in the center of the screen.

[First Blood!]

[Tryndamere has slain Teemo.]

“Ah…”

-Crazy, crazy, crazy!

-Soldier’s Tryndamere is legendary!

-Insane;; The ‘ㅈ’ swag of not escaping right after killing Teemo but activating ultimate at the moment of dying to tower;;

It must have been Soldier’s own ceremony.

The appearance of elegantly dodging the tower’s last hit in invincible state and returning splendidly from the battlefield.

I fought desperately, but was he picturing such a finish in his head?

A laugh leaks out involuntarily.

Yeah, this time it’s my complete defeat.

As expected of a pro gamer who reached the world’s top position.

“Does this mean I can receive Pepero?”

“……”

But now he was a sad 28-year-old single breaking records day by day.