The so-called "one step away" naturally did not refer to advancing from the quarterfinals to the semifinals.
For Season, who were the runners-up in last year's Grand Finals, advancing to the semifinals was something that they had achieved more than once in the previous Grand Finals.
Therefore, the "one step away" referred to something even more profound —
It was common knowledge that SSK was the strongest team in the world. Over the years, SSK had never lost a single match or lost a set of 'best-of-three' matches, but they had never lost a set of 'best-of-five' matches.
In fact, it was not just that.
Of the teams that faced SSK, none of them expected to win a set of 'best-of-five' matches against the strongest team in the world. Most of the time, they were swept 3: 1 or even 3: 0.
It was extremely rare for a team to achieve a 2-2 tie with SSK in the first four matches of the best-of-five and force them into the final match point of the fifth match.
But today —
Yet, Season had managed to do so.
They had done something that almost no other top team in the world could easily achieve.
2: 2.
The third match of the quarterfinals had entered the final match point.
At this moment, countless players from all over the world subconsciously came to the same conclusion. As the side that had won the fourth match, Season had a higher chance of winning this final match.
So.
They were only one step away from eliminating SSK in the quarterfinals.
At the same time, they were only one match away from SSK's disastrous defeat in the finals since their founding.
At this moment.
The countless Korean fans on the internet finally panicked.
They could not help but feel their hearts clench.
As players of the LCK division and fans of the SSK Club, this was a torment they had never experienced before.
They had never thought that their own division, or even their own top seeded team, would one day face such a dangerous and worrisome situation in a mere quarterfinal round of the finals.
Only one step away.
Their journey in the LCK division's finals was about to be cruelly and mercilessly stopped.
Only one step away.
The legend of SSK Team's strongest team was finally about to be shattered.
At the same time, many players and netizens across the internet were filled with mixed emotions and excitement. The mixed emotions came from the fact that they were about to witness the fall of an undefeated legend that had ruled the esports circle for several years. The excitement also came from the fact that they were about to witness the fall of this legend.
It was said that SSK was invincible and rarely defeated.
It was said that this team from the LCK region was perfect and flawless.
Then …
When people finally found a flaw in this team, and when they were about to see this once perfect team being smeared with a stain on their equally flawless record of battle results, it was time to see this once perfect team being smeared with a stain.
Although he sighed in his heart, there was a faint sense of joy and excitement in his heart. He could no longer hide it no matter what.
…
At this moment.
Countless people were uneasy.
Countless people's hearts were surging.
Countless people raised their heads in anticipation.
In the Pullman venue, the atmosphere in the competition venue was like a tidal wave. The noise became louder and louder, and it became more and more unbearable.
On the official commentary platform, several Western commentators were so excited that their tones changed.
"This will be an unprecedented set of best-of-five matches."
"We have never seen SSK forced into such a dangerous and terrifying situation."
"We also never thought that the world's strongest team could fall one day."
"Everyone —"
"Please open your eyes wide!"
"No matter the outcome of this match, please believe that at this moment, we may be witnessing a piece of history that will go down in the history books of esports!"
The live commentator's impassioned voice echoed through the entire competition venue through the microphone.
The atmosphere in the Pullman venue was getting more and more heated.
Indistinctly, there was an uncontrollable restlessness.
It was as if a storm was brewing.
It was as if a building was about to collapse.
In the guest seats in the front row, the players of the top eight teams could no longer suppress their emotions. One by one, they stood up.
The final round would decide the winner — —
Perhaps, it would also completely rewrite the structure of the entire world's professional esports scene!
At this moment, the people in the LPL region could no longer sit still. One by one, they stretched their necks and waited anxiously. Even Morning Star, who had been cautious and insisted on his own opinion, seemed to have nothing to say. He furrowed his brows and fell into silence.
Lin Feng was still sitting in the audience seats.
He lowered his head slightly.
No one could see the flickering light in his drooping eyelids, as well as his expression that was mostly hidden.
Not far away, in the SSK Club's audience seats, the second team, the substitutes, and even the coach and team leader were so anxious that they couldn't sit still. For the first time, a look of panic appeared on their faces.
As the club's chief supervisor, Park Canlie narrowed his eyes slightly. His gaze was sharp.
No one could tell what this young director was thinking at this moment.
…
It was still this moment.
On the stage.
Inside SSK's battle room, Mafa, Wolf, Cube, and Ray, the four main members of the team, looked increasingly solemn. Their faith and determination were unwavering, but it was clear that sweat had begun to seep out from their foreheads and backs.
But.
It was at this moment.
In front of the computer screen, Han Shihao, who had been silent for almost the entire four matches, closed his eyes as if he was deep in thought.
Then.
The leader of the Yonkō (Four Emperors), the world's number one mid laner, finally opened his eyes slowly.
His gaze was unprecedentedly calm.
And then.
He turned his head to look at his four teammates beside him and said.
His tone was as calm as ever, but it seemed to be faintly less indifferent, and more subtle fluctuations that were difficult to understand.
"I think —"
Pausing, Han Shihao seemed to be deep in thought for a moment. He carefully finished the second half of his sentence.
"I think I should understand a little."
The final set of 'best-of-five' began.
Thirty-four minutes later.
The match ended.
At this moment, it was as if the whole world had fallen into a sudden dead silence.
In such a silence, a blue "Victory" emblem slowly rose on the giant LCD screen in the arena.
SSK won.
They won the final set, 3-2, and advanced to the semifinals.
In the silent atmosphere of the arena, there seemed to be something restless slowly brewing.
But no one dared to speak at this moment.
In a corner at the back of the audience seats.
For the first time, Number Two and Number Three's eyes revealed a hint of caution and uncertainty.
Since the beginning of the final set, Number Four, who had been constantly writing and jotting down notes in his notebook, was sweating profusely at this moment. His face showed signs of exhaustion. He shook his head regretfully as if he had given up, and then looked up at Number One.
"How much more?"
Number One looked at the distant stage. Deep in his eyes, the figure of the young man in the SSK Team's competition room seemed to be reflected.
Then he opened his mouth.
He replied in a calm tone,
"Almost."
*****
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