Chapter 181: 184. Chapter 181: The Upcoming City Derby!

184. Chapter 181: The Upcoming City Derby!

"Congratulations to Vitality for securing the final victory in this BO3 with a 2-1 score. After losing Map 1, they completed the feat of coming back from 0-1 down! We can clearly feel their resilience."

Wanjiqi looks at the stats in the live stream: "In this qualifier, they have won two consecutive rounds and officially stepped into the contention for qualification. As long as they can win one more match, they can officially enter the IEM Sydney main event!"

How intense is the competition in CS: GO?

Just for a qualification to a major tournament, you have to go through several events like open qualifiers and regional qualifiers to earn the right to compete on the same stage as first-tier teams.

Fortunately, Vitality is now in the European shark tank, and their strength is quite powerful compared to other teams.

If they were playing this qualifier in Asia, perhaps only Renegades and Tyloo would have fighting power, with no competitiveness.

This is also a major dilemma Tyloo is facing now—playing too much in a fish-frying environment, they will sooner or later become fish themselves.

Seeing Vitality enter the qualifier finals in the shark tank, only one step away from an IEM seat, Wanjiqi is very happy.

He thinks about that scene: on the IEM Sydney stage, Xu Beifang meeting strong teams like Liquid, NaVi, Astralis, etc., on the offline stage, relying on that unreasonable sneaking and breaking, it will definitely be very interesting in the match.

……

Inside the HR battle room.

Woxic comes back to his senses and finds his back already soaked with sweat.

He picks up his water cup and drinks the cola inside in one gulp.

Gulp, gulp, gulp...

The taste of the happy water finally makes him feel calm inside.

Coming back from 0-1 down, unless it's match-fixing.

Otherwise, if it happened to an ordinary ladder player, they wouldn't be willing to accept it.

Not to mention Woxic is a professional player, a professional player with a strong desire to compete.

He closes his eyes, wanting to cast away the images in his mind.

But the sticky feeling on his back reminds him—what just happened.

"Feels like we shouldn't have lost." Woxic is silent for a long while before a sentence pops out of his mouth.

Hobbit, who has an ageless face on the side, agrees: "Indeed, we shouldn't have lost. We didn't play to our standard on Map 3, but were led by the nose by that guy Xu Beifang."

In this match, compared to NBK and Zywoo who had highlight moments.

They have a deeper impression of Xu Beifang.

After all, the opponent's head-on gunplay is tough, and he really likes to catch timing, and he can catch it.

As opponents, they feel the opponent is everywhere.

Vitality's tough playstyle meant they basically never gained an advantage at A Site, and didn't even really engage in deep combat at A Site, always being forced to be guided toward B Site.

Woxic sighs deeply, already understanding Xantares's thoughts at the time.

But this doesn't mean they are convinced.

"Adjust, let's review the match later. This time we weren't prepared well. Next time we understand Xu Beifang's playstyle, target him to death, and Vitality's performance will be just average."

Before the IEM Sydney European qualifier started, although they scanned the match footage of the other seven teams.

They had an impression of Xu Beifang's unique style and had discussed some targeted playstyles before the match.

But after entering the match, it was a different scene.

They did specifically target Xu Beifang, but on Map 3, because they were brushed by Xu Beifang with a FAMAS in a force-buy round, the subsequent focus of map control directly avoided A Long.

But the problem is that after a few rounds, the opponent turned around to control the Sewer.

This time they couldn't avoid it!

After all, the Sewer position concerns the Terrorists' rotation and coordination on the map, and many tactics require control of this position.

But constantly engaging in head-on combat, the number of times they could win against Xu Beifang without losing members could be counted on one hand.

That guy on the other side isn't the one from FURIA recently who pushes without a brain.

He constantly pulls between pushing aggressively and guarding the Playground, making them spend too much thought worrying about possible enemies in the rear.

The overall offense couldn't play to its standard, which is also an important reason for their unwillingness to accept it.

However, one BO3 won't defeat them; HR, this international squad, has a very far-reaching vision.

If you lose the match, then review and adjust, and just win it back in the next match!

Wanting to easily crush their inner defensive line isn't that simple.

……

Paris, France, inside the G2 base.

"This Vitality is so strong!" Jackz gasps after seeing the match result.

After the match, Zywoo dominated the field with a 1.38 rating.

And Xu Beifang ranked second with a 1.27 rating.

But as a rifler, he noticed Xu Beifang's 88.8% non-free-kill rate.

This means Xu Beifang has always been playing a role on the map, and from their observation of the match, this guy is really daring to play.

"Really want to get to know him." Old Jack says, stroking his chin.

kennyS says on the side: "Can go find them to play at the Vitality club after this qualifier is over."

G2's CS: GO division is also in Paris, France, and it only takes about an hour to drive there.

"Yay!" Jackz says happily, "Then let's go visit them after we finish the two days of matches?"

shox laughs: "That's no problem, even if we go privately, we have time."

"Don't be happy too early, Vitality has already entered the finals stage, maybe we will have to play them in the finals."

The G2 coach adds: "Visiting is no problem, but at least get the IEM Sydney qualification first before talking about this."

"Don't even fail to make it to tomorrow's match!"

"That definitely won't happen!"

"We have a clear understanding of our own strength!"

G2 coach: "……"

……

Inside the Vitality base.

At the moment of winning the match, Xu Beifang takes off his headphones and stands up with a smile on his face.

"Played well!" The bald coach pats him on the shoulder, looking very satisfied.

He feels that after today's match, Vitality has gradually found its positioning.

In previous matches, perhaps because both Xu Beifang and Zywoo were newcomers, apex used more formulaic tactics and didn't give them much freedom.

This limited the abilities of Xu Beifang and Zywoo, and instead, the other side became the team's breakthrough point.

After that argument, apex also understood Xu Beifang's current strength range and knew not to treat Zywoo as a pure newcomer.

Then he started to release some freedom to Xu Beifang and Zywoo, and limited the freedom of the two veterans within the team.

This simple adjustment made Vitality start to change significantly.

Xu Beifang high-fives his teammates one after another, and when he reaches RPK's side, "It's just a pity, I didn't complete your request."

RPK laughs: "What? Didn't you already kill the opponents until they were a mess? I was just idling at A Site."

After spending so much time together, he found that the Chinese are indeed humble.

Clearly, he had beaten the opponents until they were in disarray at the front of A Site, yet he still said he didn't play well.

What is this? A different kind of humble-brag?

And at this moment, Xu Beifang also hears the system notification sound in his ear.

【Beep!】

【Time-limited suggestion mission: Blast the opponents at A Site, completed...】

【Distributing C-level Treasure Chest...】

Xu Beifang is somewhat surprised, but not in a hurry to open the chest.

He remembered the suggestion mission at the start of Map 3 and restrained himself a few times while defending A Long.

But as his concentration intensified, he had long forgotten the existence of the suggestion mission and had been focusing on how to get more points from HR. It was still the first professional lesson Pasha and the others taught Xu Beifang: you must respect the match.

By the end, he had completely forgotten about this suggestion mission and only came back to his senses after the match ended.

"I thought that the way I played didn't count as defending A Site anymore."

"How is that possible? Everyone's defensive thinking is different. Your offensive-style defense, although special, is already one of the most powerful defenses I've ever seen. The opponents didn't even touch A Site a few times, how can this not count as defense?" RPK feels more and more that his teammate's personality is to his liking.

Today's match has somewhat brought back his former passion.

Xu Beifang turns to see apex at this time, but finds he isn't that happy.

"What's wrong, Dou Dou? Not happy even after winning?"

"I'm quite happy." apex thinks for a moment, then feels Xu Beifang is right, "It just feels like it's not an offline match; the opponents couldn't hear me when I shouted during those highlight moments, what a pity."

As Vitality's mouth, in an online match behind a screen, he can't exactly go through the internet cable to beat the opponents.

Interacting in the public chat is fine, but direct taunting is a bit like personal attack.

So although the match was won, he still feels a tiny bit unsatisfied.

"This is why we need to work hard to play this match well; only in this way can we go to the big offline stage." Xu Beifang says, putting his arm around Dou Dou's shoulder.

As an IGL, apex is not top-tier in terms of tactics or on-the-spot handling.

But his ability to mobilize emotions in offline matches is the most powerful among all IGLs; even Karrigan might not be as passionate as him.

When Xu Beifang was choosing a team during the off-season, he finally chose Vitality, partly because of this.

Looking at him from outside the camera, perhaps apex is more like a pressure monster.

But as a team member, Xu Beifang sees more of apex's self-reproach.

His recent state hasn't been good, and it's indeed difficult to help his teammates head-on.

However, entering offline, having such a glue-guy IGL can well mobilize the players' enthusiasm.

Now the team structure is approaching maturity, and Xu Beifang is looking forward to the scene of offline matches.

By then, when he and Zywoo get kills, apex won't be able to help but stand up and taunt the opponents, directly increasing the intensity for them.

After winning this BO3 against HR, Vitality has no more matches to play today.

Whether they can get the IEM Sydney qualification next depends on the situation of the last BO3 tomorrow.

……

After two BO3s were played, although the wins were very smooth.

But Vitality's members also felt hungry.

After discussing, the group chose to come to a niche Chinese restaurant in Paris, choosing to accompany Xu Beifang to improve their meals.

"Countryman?"

When the Vitality group sat around the table ordering food, the waiter-cum-boss walked toward them.

Xu Beifang nods: "Jiangxi person, do you have stir-fried pork with chili?"

"I understand, fellow countryman, then I'll just add the chili."

The boss says, then switches to French, asking: "What do you want to order?"

"Satay chicken!"

"Mapo tofu!"

"Sweet and sour pork!"

The boss has an 'as expected' expression, then sets off for the kitchen.

"Do you Chinese people have some hidden menu?" Zywoo is a bit curious.

Xu Beifang explains, "It's not really a hidden menu, it's just made according to our own characteristics."

He is quite happy to meet a countryman at a Chinese restaurant.

Before in London, Pasha took him to a Chinese restaurant to improve their meals, but found the chef was a Korean, and the taste of various dishes was either too sweet or too salty.

Meeting a countryman this time, at least Xu Beifang can order freely.

While the boss is still cooking, Xu Beifang takes out his phone, putting his arm around Zywoo beside him: "Let's take a selfie!"

Zywoo doesn't have camera fear either, putting his chubby little hands near his face, and each makes a 'V' sign.

Xu Beifang presses the shutter and shows it to Zywoo.

Then he uploads it to his dynamic on Bilibili to interact with fans.

"Match over, dining with teammates..."

Below is the photo he just took.

Although the growth of followers on Bilibili has been slow in the past few months, many people just received the push and quickly clicked into the dynamic.

【The two BO3s today were played beautifully! Xu Beifang's front-push is really awesome!】

【Just watched the match, both Turkish brothers were heated up, haha】

【The two Turkish tough guys actually played very well, but were eaten alive head-on by Xu Beifang】

【Vitality is really good today, Zywoo's sniper rifle is really stable, after Xu Beifang is taken down, as long as Zywoo is on the field, there is still hope】

【Compared to the Katowice qualifier period, it's already great, just don't know what it will be like offline next】

【After this series is over, the Katowice Major is about to start, right? Xu Beifang, charge!】

【Keep your mentality stable, Vitality charge, get the IEM Sydney qualification, and go have a match with Tyloo】

Browsing the netizens' comments, the dishes are served before long.

"How come I feel yours is different from ours?" NBK asks puzzled, "Could it be that this is a treasure dish the fellow countryman is taking care of for you?"

"Hidden dish!" Zywoo's eyes light up.

Xu Beifang has a mischievous smile on his face: "It's not any hidden dish, you can order it normally."

"It's just that I personally like to eat it, I'll just eat it myself, this thing doesn't suit your taste."

It would have been fine if Xu Beifang hadn't said this, but these words instantly aroused their rebellious psychology.

"Just eat a little, taste the flavor."

"Exactly, maybe we love to eat it too."

Xu Beifang also kindly explains: "It might be a little bit spicy."

Vitality and the others don't care at all; as a real man, who would think their spicy-eating ability is not good?

Xu Beifang's plate of stir-fried pork with chili is left with only half a plate in the blink of an eye.

The restaurant boss sees this scene and also sits on the side cracking melon seeds to watch the show.

"Xu Beifang, you're really stingy, it's clearly not spicy."

"It's quite delicious, I just said these Chinese restaurants refuse to let us eat better-tasting dishes."

"This Mapo tofu is boring to eat."

Teammates comment softly one after another.

10 minutes later.

"Hiss~ Ha~"

Zywoo's whole face is red from the spice, opening his mouth wide to dissipate heat.

apex on the side is even more dancing with his hands and feet from the spice, frantically drinking water to relieve the spice.

The restaurant boss is already laughing uncontrollably on the side.

A major characteristic of Jiangxi dishes—teaching stubborn people to recognize their spicy-eating ability.

Xu Beifang is still methodically eating his stir-fried pork with chili with rice.

Vitality and the others look at the expressionless Xu Beifang, feeling that their teammate is a monster, with exclamation marks all over their expressions.

…… ===== CHAPTER 182 =====