Chapter 98: Worlds Selection (4)

“ARK took the victory in Set 1 by showcasing their improved form once again. Let’s see what kind of match Set 2 will bring!”

[What was that Set 1 stomp?]
[Para suddenly came back.]
[How did the runaway Para find her way back…?]
[Her LCK comeback match after 2 months ㄷㄷ]

“How do you think the Set 2 ban-pick will unfold?”

“For now, it seems like they’re going to leave it open?”
“Then, do they have something else prepared again? Honestly, if they prepared Garen, it’s reasonable to assume they have other cards…”
“First, RG’s first pick is Varus.”
“They really don’t want to give Varus to Plea right now.”

[Varus’s tier is high.]
[Is it because of the lethality item buffs?]
[Aatrox is also super OP.]
[Aatrox 3 consecutive buffs + lethality item buffs <<<< K’Sante click]

“ARK quickly picks Yone again.”
“If his form in Game 1 wasn’t a fluke, there’s no reason to ban Yone.”
“It was an undefeated card until Spring, after all!”
“Then what is RG thinking?”
“Surely they’re not just going to leave Yone open and try to counter him with a standing mage, right?”

[Picking an immobile champion against Para means you’re going to die all day long.]
[That’s just natural death.]
[From laning phase to side lanes, it’s an omakase feast.]

“Para’s strength lies in her selfish trading patterns to control the lane, wouldn’t you say?”
“That’s right. When her synergy with the jungler was off, she didn’t show it often, but she dictates the lane. That’s what it means to be strong in lane.”
“Correct.”

[Why on earth did they leave Yone open?]
[RG’s qualifier win rate is 90%.]
[They must have something in mind.]
[Worlds without RG is ridiculous.]
[Did you know that if it weren’t for RG, LCK would have been stuck in Worlds quarterfinals for 3 years?]

“And now, RG’s choice is…”
“No! Garen was already an extreme enough pick.”
“This is even more extreme?”
“Mid Renekton… They really came prepared, sharpened their blades.”
“This pick shows RG’s determination to go to Worlds, no matter what.”

[Wow]
[This is just a ‘kill Yone’ strategy.]
[Seriously, they lost with Garen, do they think they can win with Renekton?]

“Garen had strengths in late-game 1v1 side lanes, but Renekton just becomes a croc handbag after a certain point.”
“I see. Still, couldn’t he show more strength in the early game?”
“Certainly, compared to the more passive Garen, Renekton is definitely strong in the early game. We’ll have to see how well they can snowball that.”
“In the top lane, they have Gwen, Nidalee, Renekton. And for bot, Varus and Karma. The team composition’s color is definitely clear.”
“It looks like RG is putting a bomb collar around their own necks and going into this match. They’ve burned their bridges.”

[Alright~ Let’s go with the traditional snowball comp!]
[But with Gwen, if things go even slightly well, side laning is also viable.]
[Basically, Gwen just gets shredded by Yone.]
[Does late-game Yone beat Gwen?]
[Just shreds her.]

[ARK]
TOP: K’Sante
JG: Lillia
MID: Yone
AD: Janna
SUP: Leona

vs

[RG]
TOP: Gwen
JG: Nidalee
MID: Renekton
AD: Varus
SUP: Karma

“Wow, now it’s Renekton?”
“The opponent really prepared a lot.”
“Seo-ha, are you okay with Renekton?”

Our teammates looked surprised at RG’s continuous pocket picks, a team we often scrimmed against.
Honestly, the idea of using mid Renekton in a competitive match was absurd.

‘Even when used in top, he eventually hits his expiration date.’
In mid, where the lane is shorter than top and gank-heavy plays are forced, he’s a pick that starts to rot from the moment he’s chosen.
Yet, they picked him.

“I’ll play slowly in the early game to avoid any accidents.”
It meant they were going all-in on mid.
And picking Nidalee on top of that meant they weren’t going to back down from early fights.

‘He even took Press the Attack?’
As the game started and minions arrived, checking the enemy Renekton’s runes revealed he had taken Press the Attack.
It truly felt like he was staking his life on the laning phase.
.
.
.

“Got Renekton here.”
“Nice, finish dragon and then go straight for Grubs.”
“Does Yone normally beat Renekton?”

The Yone versus Renekton matchup heavily favors Renekton at level 6 when he has his ultimate; Yone can’t kill him, but Renekton can kill Yone.
Conversely, before level 6, if Yone trades well, it’s not difficult for him to kill Renekton.
Using that, I was able to cleanly solo kill him before he could recall.

“I think we won the 2v2 here too?”
“Got them both!”

And then came the victory report from the bot lane.

‘They’re crumbling.’
If we lose here, the entire year ends.
For a snowball composition chosen in such a crucial situation where even veteran players couldn’t help but be nervous, it was a bad move.
Thinking they could execute this without any mishaps was close to arrogance.

‘I understand, though.’
Still, it wasn’t incomprehensible.
It was a high-risk ban-pick, but assuming it wasn’t improvised and was prepared, there were two options.
Regret not using it, or regret using it.

[ARK’s journey does not end here!]
[Ultimately, the shock of Set 2 was too great for RG, and they ended up losing Set 3 one-sidedly as well.]
[No matter how veteran the players are, mental fortitude is truly… not easy to maintain.]

Even without taking off my headset, I could hear the applause and cheers from beyond.

‘How long has it been.’
Until the last match, I hadn’t wanted to hear those sounds even when we won.

‘Feels good.’
But the cheers that I had disliked so much until recently now felt more thrilling than anything.
I took off my headset, bowed to the opposing team, and returned to my seat.

[The team that ultimately catches the last train to Worlds from all over the globe is, ironically, ARK, the first team to advance to MSI!]
Perhaps because I hadn’t done any ceremonies until recently, the cameras were busy filming the other players.
However, they seemed to notice something was off when I, who would usually pack my gear and disappear immediately, remained in my seat.
And a moment later.

[No way, could it be!]
[One of the recent complaints from many fans was that they haven’t been able to see Para’s signature pose.]
[Honestly, she didn’t get POG, nor did she do any ceremonies after the matches!]

Looking at the camera that approached right in front of me, I raised my hands and made a finger heart.
Then came the so-called pterodactyl screech, cheers close to roars that filled the stadium.

[Truly, it’s a relief that she’s regained her form now. The other members have all improved their form too, but isn’t it right for Para to be the one doing it for ARK!]
[Even though the runner-up finish was disappointing, she made it to runner-up in her first appearance. We’re cheering for her to go all the way to win Worlds this time!]

I finished the ceremony by tapping the logo on my uniform chest twice.
.
.
.
“Since we’re taking the hard road this time, I’ll definitely seize the opportunity and achieve good results.”
“We look forward to Lesser’s cool performance.”

Next came the group interview time. After Kim Do-jin’s interview, it was my turn, so I took the microphone.

“Para, you’ve advanced to both MSI and Worlds after coming up to the LCK. How do you feel?”
My feelings about advancing?
Honestly, I had more than enough international experience, even if I always ended up as the runner-up.
However, this was the first time I had advanced so dramatically.

“There was a situation where we might not have been able to go this time, so I’m happy to have gotten the chance.”
“Then, this might be a slightly sensitive topic, but since you seem to have overcome it, I’d like to ask. You showed some difficulties after the finals; I’m curious if you’ve shaken it all off now.”

At that question, I could feel the attention of my teammates, the fans in their seats, and everyone watching through the broadcast, even if they weren’t here, focusing on me.
My fans would naturally be curious, and fans of other teams would also be curious about the opponent’s condition.

“…Yes, I’m sorry for showing some unfavorable performances. I’ll continue to show good performances from now on.”
“I see! Then, I’m also curious if there are any teams you are wary of at this Worlds.”

In the follow-up question, I could feel a strong desire for me to mention a specific team.
Whether it was for public interest or just a simple question, I didn’t know.
But it didn’t matter, as I would have mentioned it first even if the question hadn’t been asked.

“As expected, the team we need to be wary of is VXG, who defeated us once.”
I swept back all the hair that had fallen forward, covering my neck.

“In a recent interview, HUN mentioned he’d like to face me again.”
Then, I raised my thumb to my neck.

“This time, no matter what, I’m going to take you down, so wait for me.”
And I drew it across my throat.