Chapter 24
Chapter Twenty-Four
"What brings you here?" Xie Wei and Xu Ziyan walked into the safety passage together. This place was secluded enough that almost no one would come here. He looked down at the young man in front of him, his tone unconsciously softening: "The second team's match is just around the corner, isn't it? Instead of training properly, what are you doing here?"
Xu Ziyan asked, "Captain, have you had dinner?"
Xie Wei had been so busy all day that she hadn't even had time to eat. Hearing this, she assumed that Xu Ziyan had come to treat her to a consolation meal because of her loss in the competition. She smiled helplessly and said, "Not yet, and I'm not planning to eat. I have training later."
Xu Ziyan gave an "Oh" with a knowing look, and magically pulled a carton of yogurt and a meat floss bread from her pocket: "I just bought these at the bakery downstairs. Don't you have a sensitive stomach? You should eat some."
Xie Wei was taken aback, a warm feeling welling up inside him, and his smile deepened. He didn't refuse: "Thank you."
Xu Ziyan stuffed the bread and yogurt into his hands, afraid of delaying his training, and said, "You should go to the training room now, I'm going back too."
After saying that, he waved his hand, turned around and left decisively, as if he really was just an ordinary team member who was worried about the captain's health, without any other thoughts.
Xie Wei stood there watching until Xu Ziyan's figure completely disappeared around the corner of the stairs before taking a step and heading towards the training room.
The training room was quiet; the atmosphere was somewhat somber after the team's recent loss. Yu Guangzhou was giving instructions to each player when Xie Wei walked in, glanced at what he was holding, and said nothing.
Shen Xiao was scolded severely for failing to act as Qu Qingyue's security guard during the competition. He was now listlessly practicing shooting at the shooting range. When he saw Xie Wei return with more food, he figured that Xie Wei probably wouldn't have gone downstairs specifically to buy these things, and his gossip-loving heart started burning.
He sent Xie Wei a Line message without making a sound.
Seamy: Tell the truth.
[Xie Wei: ?]
[Seamy: Which cutie sent the bread?]
[Seamy: Is Captain Xie's spring finally coming?]
Xie Wei scoffed lightly, intending to reply with "What nonsense," but before sending it, for some reason, her finger paused, and she deleted the entire message.
[Xie Wei: Look behind you.]
Upon receiving the message, Shen Xiao had a big question mark on his head. He turned his head as instructed and met Yu Guangzhou's gaze.
Yu Guangzhou glanced at his computer screen, then at the phone in his hand: "Looks like Xiao Shen's training is going very well."
Shen Xiao immediately deflated, put down his phone, left the shooting range, and started ranking up.
The gossipers left, and Xie Wei unwrapped the bread. He had just taken a bite when he suddenly felt a weight on his shoulder. It turned out that Yu Guangzhou, who was passing by, had patted him on the shoulder.
He turned around and saw that Yu Guangzhou looked understanding and nodded slightly at him, secretly giving a gesture of support.
Xie Wei: ...
Are there that many gossipy people in their team?
He was too lazy to explain, quickly finished his food, and started queuing.
--
A few days later, the draw ceremony for the second team will also begin.
Xu Ziyan sat below the stage, watching Yuan Shaofeng, the captain of the second team, go up to draw lots. Bai Ke, who was next to him, sighed and said quietly, "Don't get your hopes up. This guy's luck with the draw is notoriously bad. Just be prepared to play against the strongest team."
When Xu Ziyan first heard this, he was a little skeptical, thinking, "Is it really that mysterious?"
The result was that it really was that mysterious.
Yuan Shaofeng rubbed his hands together and then drew the previous champion, FTK, directly from the draw box.
When the host announced the results, thunderous applause erupted spontaneously from the audience. Xu Ziyan heard the other teams behind him clapping and praising, "Yuan is still as amazing as ever. I'm thinking of putting his picture on a pedestal."
While clapping, his teammate disapproved, saying, "Don't, I'm afraid you'll get tainted by bad luck."
Xu Ziyan: ...
Clearly, this has become a classic staple.
Yuan Shaofeng returned dejectedly amidst applause: "Sigh."
Bai Ke said, "It's alright. The coach and data analyst have already made preparations to face FTK. You've met everyone's expectations."
Yuan Shaofeng was not comforted and said he was even more heartbroken.
Xu Ziyan patted him on the shoulder.
Yuan Shaofeng turned his head and looked at him expectantly.
Xu Ziyan gave a thumbs up and said, "6".
Yuan Shaofeng: "..."
The teams have already drawn their lots, the match schedule is set, and the competition is about to begin.
The first match was between KW's second team and CTG, and the second match was between TWG's second team and FTK's second team.
Even so, it will be two days from now.
On the way back, Bai Ke nudged Xu Ziyan's shoulder: "Ice, are you free tonight? Come with me to try out a new routine."
Xu Ziyan readily agreed.
Two days later, the entire second team got up early to catch a flight to FTK's home stadium to prepare for the match. Everyone looked like they were yawning, but Xu Ziyan was a little nervous about the upcoming match and wasn't sleepy at all.
After getting off the plane, we went to the hotel to drop off our luggage first, and then went to the competition venue to prepare when it was time. Xu Ziyan wasn't sleepy on the plane, but she felt a little dizzy when she got to the hotel and fell asleep in a daze.
When I woke up again, it was already time to leave.
As it is a secondary league, it doesn't attract a lot of attention, but both TWG and FTK have high popularity, so the number of spectators coming to watch the game is quite considerable, and the stadium is bustling with people.
The pre-match process was actually no different from when Xu Ziyan participated in the Rookie Cup, except that he was fighting alone back then, but this time, he had teammates by his side.
The competition has officially begun.
The random map for this match is in Renia Harbor.
This is not a scenic map. In the pitch-black night, the sea breeze blows, huge shipping containers are neatly arranged, towering cranes stand next to buildings that are not yet completed, the streetlights are dim, and the brightly lit city can be seen in the distance across the coast.
This map has poor visibility, many high places, and few hiding spots, making it a typical sniper's dream map.
Bai Ke whistled happily.
The game mode is an AB point defense map. Xu Ziyan and his team are on the attacking side. The rules are simple: attack point A within the time limit, and after successfully capturing point A, continue to attack point B. Capture point B before the countdown ends to win.
Upon entering the game, Bai Ke said, "Ice, want to try a new strategy?"
Xu Ziyan chuckled: "Alright, let's get something dirty."
Yuan Shaofeng and Meng Cang had already witnessed their tactics in previous training matches, so they had no objections, only muttering under their breath, "They're getting more and more cunning," earning them a glare in return.
--
After the preparation time ended, the two teams began to march towards point A on the large screen in the venue.
Commentator D said: "Alright, so this game has officially started. Blue side FTK, red side TWG, both are strong teams. A clash of titans makes the game even more exciting."
Commentator C said: "Yes, FTK was the champion of the secondary league last year, while TWG has brought in fresh blood this year, namely Ice, who recently won the Rookie Cup."
Commentator D said, "Both sides are in the limelight. Okay, director, let's show the screen and see the weapon choices of each player."
Commentator C said: "Most of them are standard, but on TWG's side, sniper KK brought two sniper rifles, while medic Ice brought a stun gun and a healing potion. This combination is quite rare."
Commentator D said, "TWG might have some new strategies to use."
Unexpectedly, his words came true. Two minutes later, Xu Ziyan silently made his way to the tower crane where the enemy sniper was located.
Off-screen, commentator C exclaimed incredulously, "Uh, is Ice trying to... ambush the backline? But the healer's damage isn't enough..."
FTK's sniper reacted quickly, switching weapons the moment he heard footsteps approaching. Xu Ziyan had no intention of engaging in a prolonged fight and immediately pulled out his stun gun.
The moment the sniper shot was frozen in place, gunshots rang out in the distance, and Bai Ke secured the headshot kill.
After killing the man, Xu Ziyan didn't rush to leave. Instead, he used his high vantage point to confirm the enemy's medical personnel's location before taking out a healing bottle and throwing it down to Yuan Shaofeng and Meng Cang, who were engaged in combat with the enemy assault troops.
The two attackers' health bars went from critically low to reasonably high.
Off-screen, the two commentators were stunned by the current situation. Commentator C said, "...Hmm, no wonder Ice chose to carry a healing potion. If this is the treatment method, the healing potion is indeed the best option."
After throwing the medical bottle, Xu Ziyan saw that the two attackers wouldn't die anytime soon, so he ran to find the enemy's medic.
In less than a minute, he and Bai Ke used the same trick again and successfully killed the healer.
During this time, Yuan Shaofeng and Meng Cang struggled against the enemy's attacks, occasionally surviving by taking a splash of healing from a healing bottle.
At this moment, the enemy healer was killed by stealth and there was no support. Yuan Shaofeng, who occasionally managed to get a couple of heals, successfully took down the enemy's assault.
TWG successfully captured point A. Commentator D chuckled, "Venia Harbor is practically a sniper-centric map; almost every team prioritizes switching to snipers at the start. Although TWG's strategy was the same in this game, well, how should I put it..."
Commentator C said: "However, this is the first time I've seen a strategy where two attackers hold off the enemy attackers in front, while the healers flank and cut off the enemy."
Commentator D said: "However, this strategy has a significant advantage: FTK's assault is tied up, and the enemy sniper is controlled by Ice flanking from behind. Therefore, TWG's KK has a very comfortable output environment. In addition, this is a map with a great sniper advantage. For KK, it can be said that the timing, location and people are all in place."
Commentator C glanced at TWG's two assault players, whose healing capacity was pitifully low, and said sympathetically, "It's just a bit of a waste for assault players."
The attack at point B began. Yuan Shaofeng and Meng Cang, who had been desperately trying to survive in the first half, were about to righteously refuse Xu Ziyan and Bai Ke's dirty tricks when they were interrupted by two injections that Xu Ziyan handed them.
"One for each person," Xu Ziyan said. "Keep it up, be strong."
Before Yuan Shaofeng could say anything more, Bai Ke said coolly, "What's wrong? Do you really want me to bear the pressure?"
Yuan Shaofeng obediently took the injection and shut up.
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