It was the third day of the quarterfinals.
Nine in the morning.
The Pullman Stadium was once again filled with the hustle and bustle of the audience. The audience members were clearly more excited than the previous two days.
There was no other reason.
It was because the set of best-of-five match was between SSK and Season.
It was a battle of life and death between the top seeds of the Korean and North American divisions!
The two teams that had both made it to the finals last year had unfortunately met in the quarterfinals this year. The winner would continue to advance to the semifinals of the next round, while the loser would stop at the quarterfinals.
It was important to note that these two teams had never stopped at the top eight in the previous finals.
But this year …
Between the two teams, one team was destined to face the lowest point of their professional careers.
"There's one more thing that everyone needs to pay attention to …
"That is, this is the first time that the South Korean and North American divisions have appeared in this year's finals. The competition is only at the quarterfinals stage, and each division only has one representative team left."
On the official commentary platform, a bearded European commentator said excitedly,
"This has never happened before, even in the past years!"
"So, for the two teams, this set of best-of-five matches is not only about fighting for a spot in the semifinals, but it is also about the dignity of their respective divisions!"
"No matter which side loses, the division it represents will be declared a complete failure in this year's finals!"
"This is a battle of dignity between the divisions!"
"No matter which team … they have a reason to not back down!"
The audience cheered and screamed as the commentator gave his analysis. The fans of the Korean and North American divisions waved their sticks and light boards to cheer for SSK and Season.
The atmosphere became more and more heated.
The head coaches of the two teams that were going on stage today were interviewed by many esports media reporters.
When asked for his opinion on today's match, Season's head coach waved his hand and answered firmly.
"Season's goal has always been to become the world champions."
"No matter what kind of opponent stands in our way, we have the confidence to defeat them!"
In contrast, SSK's head coach's face was solemn when he answered, and his reply was rather concise, as if he did not want to talk too much.
"I believe in our SSK members."
Comparing the two, it seemed that before the match even started, there was already a clear difference in the momentum of the two teams.
In the front rows of the audience, the members of the other teams and clubs who were also there to watch the match exchanged glances with each other, but didn't continue to chat like before.
Because at this time … there was no longer any need to talk about it.
On the LPL division's side, Wildsnow Nightsong took a deep breath and looked at the stage.
"Next —"
"I'll just watch."
…
The crowd erupted into thunderous cheers and screams as the players of SSK and Season walked onto the stage.
They all took their seats in front of their computers.
In the Season team's arena, the team leader, Autumn, looked at the other four members of her team. Her eyes flickered as she slowly spoke.
"Today, we will be facing the strongest team in the world."
Just this sentence alone made the other four members of Season subconsciously look solemn.
After a slight pause, Autumn continued in a calm tone.
"But this is also the moment when this team is at its weakest."
"So, today is our best chance."
Looking at his teammates in front of him once more, the support team leader of Season One said his final words.
"If there's a chance, then we shouldn't miss it. This has always been our style."
"And —"
"It's time for us to beat them."
The other four main players of Season remained silent.
A moment later.
The four of them responded in unison!
At the same time, in the SSK arena, it was still the same as usual. As the vice-captain, Mafa, spoke to his teammates and made the final arrangements and encouragement.
But this time, it was different.
Because he did not directly say anything to Cube, Wolf, or Ray, Mafa's gaze fell directly on his team leader.
"Calm yourself down and play according to your own rhythm."
"Leave it to us today."
It was as if it was an ordinary sentence, and his tone was light.
But when considering that today's opponent was Season, the most difficult and terrifying opponent to deal with, the promise that these words represented had a special weight to it.
Because in reality, even if it was SSK, facing such an opponent, in the current situation, if they asked themselves honestly, they did not have enough confidence in winning.
But even so —
That did not stop Mafa from calmly making this promise to his team's mid laner captain, as well as his steady and unwavering determination.
Cube, Wolf, and Ray nodded solemnly.
At this moment, they did not need to say anything. Mafa's words represented all of their thoughts and feelings. Usually, they relied on their team leader alone to shield them from the wind and rain … So today, it was their turn to protect their team leader.
Moreover.
To put it bluntly.
The reason why Team SSK was the strongest in the world was never because they had the leader of the Four Emperors in the mid laner position.
Instead, it was because each of them in the other four positions, each of them alone was enough to dominate the battlefield and hold their own.
So when the four of them completely decided to unleash their 100% performance …
Looking at the world, who would they be afraid of?
Even if their opponent was Season, the North American powerhouse team with the world's god of support …
So what?
Han Shihao raised his head and looked at his four teammates in front of him. After a moment of silence, he slowly nodded.
There was no need for more words.
Because there was no need for gratitude.
And because there was enough trust.
And because … there was no need for it.
Perhaps right now, he was indeed in an awkward and complicated situation that was difficult to explain to others, but this did not mean that he, as the captain of Team SSK, was unable to make a difference in today's match.
(The more important point is —)
Han Shihao's eyelids drooped. His eyes flickered faintly, but they gradually brightened. Every night since the start of the finals, the scenes of him sparring with a certain someone in the empty and silent training room replayed in his mind in an instant.
His hard work and search during this period of time were not in vain.
Perhaps he — —
He had found a bit of a feeling.
At exactly 9: 15 in the morning, accompanied by the passionate announcement by the commentator on the commentary platform, the entire tournament venue exploded with cheers.
The third group was a best-of-five matchup.
Begin.
*****
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
