Chapter 1: The Major Champion

"VP has nowhere left to retreat."

"GG!"

"... The final score is locked at 16:6."

"Let us congratulate VG for defeating VP 3:2 and winning the 2019 Stockholm Major championship!"

"The VG players in the camera frame are all very emotional."

"Eh, it feels like Jiao Yang isn't really letting loose."

"Haha, maybe he's just shy about winning his first Major championship!"

Shaking hands politely with the five players from the defeated VP, Jiao Yang stood behind his teammates and coach, his expression solemn.

At the very moment his opponent typed "GG," a few lines of small, indelible text appeared before his eyes.

【7%... 35%... 56%...... 66.57%】

【System error detected...】

【System repairing...】

Has the Three-Body civilization invaded? With something this big, does Shi Qiang know?

Just as Jiao Yang decided to report this matter to the Earth Defense Security Department, a familiar sound reached his ears.

Ding~

【Repair complete】

【After overcoming hardships, you have finally won the first Major trophy in CNCS history. As a reward, you can draw the talents of random professional players in each match and complete specific tasks to gain growth.】

Scaring myself for nothing; it was just a system after all.

Wait, why is it CNCS?!

Just as he was completely baffled, his teammate Ding Yu patted him on the shoulder.

"Jiao Yang, you played well in the last round, one more kill than me."

This seemingly encouraging remark hid malice, because Ding Yu was the team's support, while Jiao Yang was the midlaner with the highest economy.

In Dota2, the midlaner is the soul of a team, connecting the rhythm of the early, mid, and late game, and is often the most dazzling presence in a match.

But Jiao Yang at VG was far from being a star player.

Many VG fans even thought his midlane level was inferior to the Carry, Zhang Jun.

"Huu..."

Jiao Yang took a deep breath; he didn't follow his teammates toward the trophy, choosing instead to leave the venue.

"What's wrong with this guy?" Captain Lao Pan glanced at Jiao Yang's retreating back.

"Who knows? Forget about him, let's go lift the trophy."

On the other side, having left the noisy venue, Jiao Yang took out his phone and dialed a contact saved as "Qing Zong."

The call was answered quickly, and the person on the other end laughed with excitement and joy: "Haha, Jiao Yang, you kid are loyal after all. It was worth it for me to scout you from the youth training team. Giving me good news so soon?"

"Boss, I want to bring my talent to CNCS."

"Oh, I know all about it. It's been nearly five years; Lao Ding and I have been waiting for this major championship for so long. Don't worry, we've already prepared the victory banquet."

"Qing Zong, I mean—I want to bring my talent to CNCS."

"Sigh, we'll definitely have a spot in this year's TI. If you have any difficulties, just ask."

Jiao Yang was certain that Aqing knew about the conflicts within the team and was just dodging the subject now.

"I can stay at VG, just let me try out for the CS Division."

The other end of the line went much quieter. There was a moment of silence, and just as Jiao Yang suspected that Aqing had hung up or stopped listening, a serious voice came through:

"Jiao Yang, you have to know that conflicts can be smoothed out. You've already won the Major; just endure a little longer. After we win TI, let alone playing CS, I'll even give you the CS Division to play with."

"Do you know how miserable I was when we lost Ti8 last year? Even the even-year curse is gone!"

"Lao Ding is easy to talk to, but my family doesn't support this to begin with. I can hold on for at most one more year."

"Let me see some hope!"

"If we let that group from LGD keep playing, CN Dota will be finished."

Aqing's speaking speed grew faster and faster. Jiao Yang thought of the support the other had shown him before and fell silent.

Seeing that Jiao Yang no longer spoke, Aqing felt relieved.

"That's settled then. You guys hurry back to the base; Lao Ding and I are just waiting to eat at the victory banquet."

What Aqing, who had hung up the phone, didn't expect was that Jiao Yang was already downloading the E Duizhan Pingtai in his hotel room.

In 2019, although Perfect World had already started operating an official battle platform, it was nowhere near as professional as the E Forum, which had monopolized streamers and professional players.

Although Jiao Yang had never played CS, he had been influenced by his friends around him.

"Overall, it's just a game where you walk with WASD and then put the crosshair on the opponent's head."

After spending ten minutes browsing some highlight reels of professional players, Jiao Yang felt he had completely mastered the game.

After setting his nickname to "VG's Ori Himself," Jiao Yang clicked the "Start Game" option in the beginner training camp.

As soon as he opened CSGO, the small text appeared before his eyes again.

【Major Talent System activated】

【Server high latency detected, repair complete for you】

【Drawing talent for this match...】

【Drawing complete...】

【Your talent for this match is: b1t's Headshot Machine (Complete)】

【Basic task: Reach a 70% headshot rate in this match】

"Hmm?"

Although Jiao Yang hadn't played CSGO, he had some understanding of CS professionals. He had never heard of a player with the ID b1t, which meant he probably didn't draw well and got a nobody.

But it wasn't a big problem; winning or losing the game wasn't the key. The key was the growth brought by the task.

The matchmaking was fast; ten players were gathered in a few seconds.

The map was the most classic Dust II, also known as Sha Er.

Jiao Yang's side was T-side. Just as they entered the warm-up phase, deafening gunshots rang out one after another.

The teammates beside him fell one by one.

"Damn, the sniper on the other side is actually decent."

In '19, the dark tunnel at the T-side of Sha Er had no walls; sniping through the middle doors was a ritual one had to experience.

"Brothers, listen to me. Let's play less A this round and just rua B. Don't keep feeding the enemy sniper one by one."

Before the game even started, a teammate on Jiao Yang's side with the ID 【I'll Carry You】 had already started commanding.

No one responded to him...

Except for Jiao Yang.

As a professional player, he knew the importance of using the mic:

"Uh, buddy, how do I buy a gun?"

The first to respond were the teammates in the chat box—

【Like Confucianism】:?

【Like Daoist Temple】:?

【Zeus】:?

【Zeus】: When I type a question mark, it doesn't mean I have a question; it means you have a problem.

"Press B, then select from the wheel. Just buy the P90 from the submachine guns, run around and blast it at people's stomachs, and the crosshair will find the head on its own."

【I'll Carry You】 realized there was a newcomer on the team but didn't get discouraged; instead, he got even more fired up.

"Right, don't forget to buy armor, it's in the equipment section."

"When the time comes, just rush with us. Don't be afraid, we'll cover you from behind."

The warm-up time ended quickly, and the first pistol round began.

Although 【I'll Carry You】 had emphasized countless times to hit B together, the five of them were almost completely scattered, with only Jiao Yang and him rushing into B Site.

Unlike the intense battle he had imagined, no one was paying any attention to the two of them.

"Hurry to B, B is empty, no one here."

Just as 【I'll Carry You】 finished speaking, a notification appeared on the kill feed in the top right corner of the game.

【I Always Love Sakurajima Mai used Desert Eagle to headshot kill Zeus】

"No, why are you lurking alone when you're carrying the bomb?"

【Zeus】:... My bad.

"Ori, follow me, we'll flank them."

"Daoist Temple and Confucianism, you guys clear A Small."

【colourd killed Like Daoist Temple】

【Like Confucianism killed colourd】

【Tyloo substitute killed Like Confucianism】

"Damn, two campers."

"Covered one, one left on the bomb site, heavily damaged, no, one HP!"

Jiao Yang and his partner, having just flanked to the Police Base, quickly entered a 2v4 clutch situation.

"Let's rush the one on the bomb site first."

Saying this, 【I'll Carry You】 rushed out of the Police Base. After a few gunshots.

【Price of Ten Big Shovel Trucks headshot killed I'll Carry You】

"F*ck, the A-da retake is that fast?"

The sudden gunfire didn't make Jiao Yang fire wildly like a novice; he felt the flow of time slow down.

It was as if someone was whispering in his ear: "Aim first, then fire..."

Tat-tat-tat

【VG's Ori Himself headshot killed Price of Ten Big Shovel Trucks】

【VG's Ori Himself headshot killed Hua Q】

【VG's Ori Himself headshot killed I Always Love Sakurajima Mai】

One left, behind me?!