63. The trap set by HIT
The contestants are most afraid of being compared to each other.
No matter how much HIT had achieved, no matter how perfect their five-person team was, when facing OT, not a single one of them could truly step up.
Even their strongest mid-laner couldn't dominate against Lin Jiang; in fact, the slightest mistake could cost them the entire game.
An eerie atmosphere enveloped HIT. After careful discussion, they still believed that OT was nothing more than a gambler. They were betting on the first three rounds, believing that if the game went to a fourth round, victory would surely belong to HIT.
The third game has officially begun.
Unlike the confidence of LPL fans, Li Qian was actually quite nervous. They had already shown all their strength in the first two moves, while HIT was still holding back, and they hadn't even used their ultimate moves yet.
The next three games were HIT's real counterattack.
OT got the match point and their morale was on the rise. Everyone thought that OT would most likely win the championship. It was impossible for them not to win any of the next three games, right?
Amidst everyone's expectant gaze, HIT finally unleashed their trump card: Global Flow.
With double teleports from the mid and top lanes, plus double ultimate support from the mid and top lanes, and a jungler named Nocturne, they can gather all five players immediately no matter where a team fight breaks out!
This lineup puts the individual skills of the five players to the test, and HIT's five players are all well-rounded. They are very familiar with this style of play and execute it exceptionally well, quickly taking control of the rhythm.
Lin Jiang used all his strength to break through, but each time he failed.
He felt as if a mountain, an impregnable fortress, stood before him, and there was nothing in the world that could break through their defenses.
If we compare this match to a battle, then OT is the side besieging the city, while HIT is the city that is well-defended and well-off. OT has a natural disadvantage against them.
Lin Jiang couldn't break through their formation, and the whole team's hopes were pinned on Shen Ju. He had a cold expression, focused on last-hitting minions, and his fingers kept rolling on the keyboard, constantly absorbing experience to improve his development.
But it was too slow. No matter how fast Shenju's hand speed was, it was too slow in HIT's eyes.
They were like giants in a high position, looking down on them with contempt, and even a single slap required them to use all their strength to resist.
Netizens have finally witnessed the terrifying power of HIT; the combination of five hexagonal warriors can be so terrifying!
Even the OT, which is said to be the sharpest in history, cannot break through their offense and defense.
You have to know that Lin Jiang and Shen Ju's hand speed is among the top five in the world. If even they can't break through, who can?
In the lounge, you could see Lin Jiang's forehead covered in sweat on the big screen. He didn't care about that; all his energy was focused on the game. Because he was working too hard, his wrist was strained, and the mouse was slightly off-target.
While such a deviation may not be fatal, it would be extremely dangerous to professional players of the same skill level.
Li Qian frowned, while Fang Luxing beside him hadn't yet realized the seriousness of the situation. "This round is a bit difficult, but there's still a chance."
There's no chance anymore.
A team fight is about to break out, and HIT takes the initiative.
Lin Jiang's mouse cursor shifted slightly again, and this slight shift led to disaster. HIT's AD carry flashed to escape and unleashed a barrage of attacks, causing Song Zhixu to fall at their feet the moment he entered the fray.
The scales of victory tipped in HIT's favor instantly. Lin Jiang didn't escape and died at the hands of the enemy mid-laner. Chen Ju activated his ultimate and kept dealing damage, but his development was still a little lacking. All three enemies were left with low health, yet none of them died! Is this the terrifying power of a full-team hexagonal tactic?!
Netizens' hearts sank instantly.
Zhou Wen fell immediately, then Shen Ju fell, leaving only Zhang Mingying. Even returning home, he couldn't defend the tower. All three high grounds were breached, and there was no way to turn the tide.
Although Lin Jiang has been resurrected, his 0-2 record and Shen Ju's 1-3 record make it impossible for him to create another miracle. The spark they ignited has been extinguished along with them...
Although people online were comforting each other: It's okay, there are still two more rounds to go.
But some people have already sensed the unease, because OT's lineup has been completely countered by HIT, and OT doesn't have a good way to deal with HIT's ultimate ability strategy!
As the match dragged into the fourth set, Lin Jiang's expression visibly changed. He forced himself to stand up, grabbed Shen Ju's hand, and led him into the corridor. "Can your hand still hold up?"
Shen Ju was in better condition than he had expected. He nodded, his eyes shining. "I took painkillers. I can play two more games without any problem. If you feel tired, just leave the game to me."
Having endured three rounds, Lin Jiang was exhausted. He rested his forehead on his shoulder, feeling somewhat weary, and suddenly didn't know what to say.
He failed to keep his promise to Shen Ju; he did not finish those three rounds.
What might follow is a reverse sweep, a recurrence of hand injury, and a humiliating defeat. The resulting public pressure could push Shenju to the brink of retirement.
For a moment, Lin Jiang even felt that the championship was no longer important, nor was his rebirth. If his destiny was to rise by stepping on a fallen steed, he would rather not have it.
"If you can last two more games, so can I. If we're going to die, we'll die together. After this tournament, let's take a six-month break. I'll take you to the places you want to go and eat whatever you want to eat..."
Regardless of the outcome, he will do his best to help Shen Ju deal with the pressure from public opinion and stay by his side for the rest of his life.
Shen Ju's eyes lit up instantly, and he quickly grabbed his hand, "It's a deal!"
His hands didn't look injured at all.
Lin Jiang was a little confused. Why was he still so energetic after playing three rounds? Were the painkillers really that effective?
Duren brought a doctor with him, who immediately gave Lin Jiang a brief treatment to alleviate his symptoms.
During this time, Li Qian discussed his thoughts with them: "The global flow is not unbreakable. In fact, this tactic has disappeared from the World Championship for three years. Now, the ones that can be used are basically modified versions. But HIT's five players are too versatile, so they can take this tactic to a terrifying level."
Song Zhixu only wanted to know: "Can we crack this?"
Li Qian answered affirmatively: "Yes. Twisted Fate is the core of their tactics. Banning Twisted Fate will weaken the mid lane's ability to initiate fights. This will free up Galio, which they will definitely pick, increasing the survivability of the bot lane. But that's not enough; the bot lane also needs to guard against the enemy's tower dives."
Several heroes that Shenju plays very well cannot effectively prevent this. Xayah can, but she will be banned, so that leaves only...
"Kalista."
Kalista, the Spear of Vengeance.
This is a hero that Shen Ju has been practicing. Because of the special mechanism of jumping and attacking, it greatly increases the burden on Shen Ju's hands. Lin Jiang has often forbidden the practice of this hero.
Now, if he's not in good form on the court, that's a minor issue; if his hand injury recurs, that would be a real problem.
Before Lin Jiang could speak, Shen Ju interrupted, "You can take it."
He glanced at Lin Jiang, a little guilty, "...I have been practicing secretly."
Lin Jiang: ...
If you don't hurt your hand, who will?
He took a deep breath. "If Shenju's hand injury relapses, it will be more troublesome. I still suggest giving him a conservative hero."
Li Qian hesitated for a moment, and Shen Ju immediately rolled up his sleeve to show them his hand. "It's really nothing, believe me. I've taken painkillers. I'm the one who can speak for myself."
His hands were very steady; there was no problem at all.
Lin Jiang felt a nerve twitch in his brain and began to doubt himself: Are painkillers really that effective? Were the ones he had been taking before all fake?
Acquiring Kalista is just the first step.
"With Kalista and Alistar in the bottom lane, the enemy can't break through your defenses and will inevitably shift their focus to the mid and top lanes. Lin Jiang, you are the most vulnerable. You must not repeat the mistakes you made in the last game."
Lin Jiang nodded. He was an experienced veteran and knew where to focus his efforts; he wouldn't have any problems in the laning phase. In the last game, he was too eager to finish off the opponent, which led him into a self-defeating trap, allowing HIT to seize the opportunity.
He knew very well that he was not a god, but just an ordinary person, and that his brain was the key to victory.
"I will conserve my energy for team fights in the next game."
Li Qian trusted Lin Jiang completely and did not doubt his words.
The mid and bottom lanes are not in much trouble, and the top laner is the ultimate pressure withstandr. The key to this game lies with Zhang Mingying.
Li Qian looked at him, his expression grave. "Have you noticed that you're completely helpless against HIT?"
Zhang Mingying nodded. He had actually noticed it long ago: his pride in his keenness and ability to catch up was not very effective against HIT. On the contrary, HIT's all-around individual ability controlled the rhythm of the game.
"In the first round, you and Lin Jiang did use your powerful computing abilities to control them, but they quickly discovered this and began to crack your tactics, making the computing effect negligible."
"In the second game, HIT was still testing you. They got the prototype of their ultimate lineup, and you started to struggle against them. As for you, Zhang Mingying, you were outmaneuvered by them from the second game onwards and disappeared in the jungle."
Zhang Mingying's pupils dilated slightly. He did indeed have that strange feeling throughout, always feeling powerless and unable to do what he wanted no matter where he went.
"Lin Jiang is an experienced player. He won't fall into the trap set by HIT. But this is the first time you've encountered such an opponent, so you've already fallen into their trap without even realizing it."
They used the same methods Zhang Mingying used against them to turn the tables and marginalize Zhang Mingying...
The game officially ended in the third round.
Zhang Mingying thus successfully disappeared from the jungle...
His pupils trembled slightly.
For the first time, I realized how insignificant I am in a true duel between masters...
As the match was reviewed, netizens gradually realized something was wrong.
[Why does it seem like Zhang Mingying is no longer useful?]
[The second game was alright, but the third game was truly unbearable to watch; I was completely useless throughout.]
[How come some people are getting richer the more they fight?]
[Wasn't Zhang Mingying supposed to be the nemesis of HIT?]
[No way, he's already figured out after only two games?]
HIT won the first two games too easily, so much so that many people forgot that HIT is a seasoned veteran who fought his way up from the top teams, a team with a full hexagonal strategy, and a team that made it to the finals.
Will they really lose so quickly?
A clean sweep against HIT is impossible.
In the quarterfinals, YIG's F-King kept going on a scoring spree, dragging the game into a fifth round. The victory still belonged to HIT, and they didn't unleash any of their ultimate moves. This shows that the strength of all five players is unfathomable. OT is now more like groping in the dark, not knowing when they will stumble upon a mine.
But it's okay, the puppy will help.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
