On the stage, the five main players of SSK worked together to raise the Summoner's trophy high up in the sky under the countless camera flashes.
Another round of deafening applause reverberated through the dome of Wembley Stadium.
SSK's dynasty continued to reign.
This year, all the teams that attempted to challenge the Korean hegemon were once again met with failure.
The members of Team God walked off the stage silently to their own backstage area amidst the cheers of SSK's name.
The club's coaches, team leaders, and staff came up to greet them. They wanted to give them a hug and pat them on the shoulder to comfort them, but when they saw their own team members stop in their tracks, they opened their mouths bitterly and did not know where to start.
The atmosphere was silent and heavy.
Morning Star raised his head and swept his gaze across the faces of everyone in front of him. Then, he slowly bent down and gave a deep bow.
"I'm sorry —"
Behind him, the other four members of Team God, including Huangxue Nightsong, also bowed deeply and did not get up for a long time.
Everyone felt their eyes swell and their noses tingle as if tears were about to fall.
Team Leader Zhang of the God Club sniffled and went forward to help Morning Star up. He patted him heavily on the shoulder.
"There's nothing to apologize for."
"You've done well. You didn't embarrass our club or the LPL!"
Everyone else nodded their heads furiously.
"Yeah! It's not embarrassing at all! "
"Other than us, which other team in the world could push SSK to that point?"
"Just a little bit more and we would have won! Seriously, that was the most explosive set of 'best-of-five' matches I've ever seen! "
"Team God is awesome!"
"Good job, all of you!"
Huangxue Nightsong raised his head, his eyes red. He wiped his face as if trying to wipe away the tears at the corner of his eyes. His voice was slightly hoarse.
"I understand —"
"But … I just can't accept it."
Everyone fell silent again.
That's right.
Who would be willing to accept such an outcome?
The set of best-of-five reached the final match. The Rune Mage, Ryze, who had a trump card in his hand, was almost destined to clinch victory. His dream of breaking SSK's dynasty was so close at hand … but at the last moment, it was shattered like a bubble.
At this moment, Morning Star slowly rose to his feet. He shook his head when he heard his teammate's words. He looked at the SSK members on the stage, their leader reflected in his eyes. He smiled bitterly.
"It's useless even if you're unwilling."
"In the last match, the gap … is too big."
It was just like what the SSK mid laner captain had said to him when the two teams shook hands on the stage.
Perhaps it was just a little bit lacking.
But after the fifth match, this "little bit" was like the difference between heaven and earth.
At this time, Number One and the others walked over. Morning Star looked at them and bowed slowly again.
"Senior."
"Sorry to disappoint you."
Number One looked at the Morning Star in front of him and shook his head.
"You don't have to apologize."
"You guys fought very well today. You didn't lose in terms of numbers or spirit."
"But …"
At this point, Number One also paused and revealed a rare look of emotion.
"It's just that they … won more beautifully than you guys."
…
After holding the cup, the SSK members walked off the stage amidst the cheers of the audience.
Back at the backfield area, the other coaches, leaders, and staff of the SSK club rushed up to celebrate with their team members.
In the joyous atmosphere, Han Shihao turned to look at a corner.
The club's young director was still leaning lazily against the wall.
"Not a bad job."
"I came down a little late. Sir Daozai and Senior M had something to do, so they left first. But don't worry, I've already thanked them on your behalf —"
As he spoke, Pu Canlie paused for a moment and looked up at Han Shihao. The corners of his mouth curved.
"It seems that Lady Luck is on your side."
"The last match …"
"You won the bet. How do you feel now?"
Han Shihao looked at Pu Canlie in front of him and said calmly,
"I think I understand now."
Hmm?
The club's young director raised his eyebrows slightly and gestured for him to listen.
"I'm different from you."
Unexpectedly, Han Shihao shook his head.
"What you pursue is the excitement brought by constant challenges. Once you've achieved something, you'll no longer be interested. You'll always focus on things that bring you a sense of novelty."
Pu Canlie narrowed his eyes. "Oh, so?"
Han Shihao looked at Pu Canlie calmly.
"So, you may be an amazing coach and supervisor, but you won't be a qualified professional esports player."
"You don't care about winning or losing one or two matches."
"You don't care about the world championship trophy that you've already won to fight for more."
"But I'm not."
Han Shihao fixed his eyes on Pu Canlie. His calm tone seemed to be burning with a faint flame.
"I care."
"I still want the championship trophy that I've won, this year's, next year's, and the year after that."
"As long as it's a competition, I don't want to lose."
"No matter how big or small, all the victories …"
"I want them all."
…
At the backfield area where the God club members were, the players, coaches, and leaders were already quietly packing up their things.
Looking at the front of the stage, one could see that the audience in the live audience had already gotten up and were preparing to leave.
This year's world finals …
Finally came to an end.
After the annual carnival, the heat in the stadium gradually dissipated. Compared with the fiery atmosphere not long ago, it gradually showed a sense of desolation.
Especially in the eyes of the losers.
Chu Fangnan came to the side of Number One and the others.
He said in a heavy tone, "The domestic side … has received the news."
"So now, there's no room for maneuver."
Number One and the others were silent.
They naturally knew about this situation a long time ago. But now that the reality was placed in front of them, it still made them feel a little uncomfortable.
Number Three waved his hand a little irritably.
"Really … just a little bit of luck."
Number Four adjusted his glasses and smiled bitterly.
"They're just a little bit luckier than us."
Chu Fangnan looked at Number One. The latter reached out and pinched the bridge of his nose, showing a rare hint of fatigue.
"So … the situation is clear."
"Put aside the previous luck and expectations. From now on —"
"We can't lose every battle."
*****
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.
