Chapter 207: 211. Chapter 207: Nice's True Talent!

211. Chapter 207: Nice's True Talent!

"Beifang, I'm speechless too. G2 performed so mediocrely in their first few matches, yet they just had to go god-mode against us." At the entrance of the hotel gym, Danking complained to Xu Beifang with great frustration.

Two hours ago, all matches for the IEM Katowice Challenger Stage had concluded. Tyloo's record in this Challenger Stage was not ideal; their team synergy was still lacking.

In the BO1 matches, aside from being defeated by Vitality on the first day.

Afterward, when encountering Winstrisk and C9, Tyloo defeated them both by large margins.

Just as Tyloo was looking forward to entering the Legend Stage and continuing to expand their historical record.

The problems of this new Tyloo squad finally began to erupt during the BO3 matches.

A shallow map pool, poor team synergy, and the lackluster form of Little Ghost and Cabbage all became stumbling blocks on their path to the Legend Stage.

Ultimately, in their confrontations against ENCE and G2, both series ended with a 1-2 scoreline.

At the time, the spectators watching the matches gave them the title of "honorable losers," but Danking didn't think winning a single map in a BO3 was any honor; he was very unconvinced.

By the end of the entire Challenger Stage, Danking had achieved an average rating of 1.17. As one of the best performers on Tyloo, he was naturally unwilling to accept this.

So after the matches ended, he sought out his good brother to vent and release the frustration in his heart.

Standing to the side in casual clothes, the thick-browed and big-eyed Zhongking said, "You feel frustrated, as if we aren't frustrated too."

This time, Tyloo's situation in the Challenger Stage at least saw wins and losses alternating, dragging out until the very end.

But what about VG?

When the Challenger Stage began, they started off quite smoothly, entering the BO3 stage with a 2-1 record. They only needed to win one BO3 to officially enter the Legend Stage.

But in the following two BO3s, they only managed to take one map; their spirits were almost crushed.

"Just play more international tournaments later on, and you'll build up your confidence," Xu Beifang said as he walked into the gym.

The fighting in Major tournaments is quite intense. The margin for error in BO1 matches is too small; for teams with certain specific systems, being upset in a BO1 is a very normal thing. But once you truly enter a BO3, it's almost like entering a state of full firepower.

Take teams like FaZe or NaVi, which are slow-starters, for example.

Their playstyle leads to a slower entry into form. Sometimes in a BO1, they've just found some rhythm and the match is already over. Who can they go to to reason with that?

Tyloo and VG have explosive power; on the right maps, they can also play to their expected standard.

But these VG players have a weaker map pool and less experience in major tournaments.

As long as they can win a few times against top-tier teams in international events later on, they will be able to complete their own transformation.

As for Tyloo, they have a veteran-leading-rookie lineup. Judging from their recent performance, Xu Beifang feels that Tyloo's situation is relatively dire.

First of all, judging from Danking's feedback, the current Tyloo is still using a mixed Chinese-English communication method.

In CSGO matches, the transmission of information is far too important.

Once a firefight breaks out, problems can arise because the information is half a beat slow.

For example, when a teammate calls out a position, you even need to translate the meaning between Chinese and English. In that second of hesitation, the opponent can catch the timing and peek out.

The CSGO-specific "Timing Master" isn't just a saying.

A simple delay in information transmission can lead to losing the entire game.

The three of them chatted about some situations they encountered in the matches, roasting each other.

Like the wildness of FURIA, or the constipation-like play of AVANGAR.

Or the inconsistent form of the veteran powerhouse NiP in this Major; playing against Tyloo and playing against VG were completely different levels.

Xu Beifang jokingly teased that it was because REZ had drawn different cards.

It was mostly Danking rambling on, while Xu Beifang listened quietly from the side.

Suddenly, Xu Beifang's eyes lit up, because he spotted that familiar backside.

"Hello! NiKo!"

NiKo, who was wearing headphones and watching a video, vaguely saw someone calling him. He took off his headphones and looked around.

"Oh! Nice!"

NiKo stopped what he was doing and waved toward Xu Beifang.

"You didn't come when I asked you to work out yesterday, but you're sneaking in to train today, huh?" NiKo punched Xu Beifang lightly on the arm. "You guy are really sneaky."

Xu Beifang pretended to be in pain and laughed, "We all went out for a team dinner yesterday. We asked you to come, but you wouldn't."

"Why would I go to a Vitality dinner? I haven't reached the point where I need to sponge off others for food and drink," NiKo rolled his eyes.

"Of course, it's to welcome you to join Vitality!" Xu Beifang said with a smile.

NiKo had a look of surprise on his face: "Good guy, trying to set me up here... though, Vitality probably can't afford me."

At this, the two looked at each other and smiled.

Then Xu Beifang introduced Danking and Zhongking to NiKo.

After the group exchanged greetings, under Xu Beifang's lead, Danking and A-Zhong followed him to start warming up.

He was stretching his limbs when he noticed NiKo was engrossed in his phone. The content was footage of CSGO, so he asked curiously, "What are you watching?"

NiKo took off his headphones and replied, "Just a tactical breakdown video from the community. It breaks down the tactics of both the attacking and defending sides in a round, as well as the role each individual played in the tactic, set to some dynamic music... It's unexpectedly good."

NiKo added, "And it seems to be a video made by a Huaxia content creator, which was re-uploaded to YouTube by someone."

"There's such a thing?" Xu Beifang was a bit surprised; he didn't expect someone from home to have produced such high-quality content.

NiKo turned off the Bluetooth and played the audio.

Then he played the video from the beginning:

"Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo↑ doo-doo-doo-doo-doo→~~"

The dynamic little tune began to play, also attracting the attention of Danking and A-Zhong.

"Hey! It's that match where you played against AVANGAR," Danking said to Xu Beifang in surprise.

He also noticed that this was the round where they executed the VIP Smoke tactic.

The video's creator also noticed their utility; that VIP Smoke was even specifically marked with the time—10 seconds!

NiKo looked at Xu Beifang: "You guys have been hiding this deep; you quietly pulled off a big move."

He only learned today after watching this video that Vitality had quietly come up with a big move: the Quick Vip Smoke.

As an IGL and Entry Fragger, NiKo knew all too well how important this was for professional matches.

Throwing a Quick Vip Smoke at the start of a round makes it impossible for the CT Sniper to get vision from VIP, greatly increasing the safety of the Terrorists as they fight for Mid control in the early game.

Following that, the tactics were laid out, and the roles of each player's utility were explained in text.

NiKo was watching a version with English subtitles, so it wasn't an issue.

After the individual utility segment ended, Xu Beifang appeared as the protagonist, and the screen even showed footage from his monitor.

【LMAO, Nice is just a monitor whenever he's on screen】

【There's clearly half a face there!!】【What monitor, that's a Second Stage boss!!】

【It just goes to show AVANGAR has skills, at least they managed to push Nice into the Second Stage】

【……】

Comments kept scrolling across the video, and everyone found the result of Nice's camera only showing his monitor hilarious; combined with the interview from a few days ago, they started memeing like crazy.

Seeing the English comments scroll by, NiKo gave Xu Beifang another punch.

"Why are you hitting me again??" Xu Beifang was stunned, having been punched for no reason.

NiKo said through gritted teeth: "You guy said that being close to the screen helps you focus better. After I heard your interview that day, I used your method to play two hours of FPL; not only did I bottom-frag every game, but my eyes almost went blind."

As a world-class Rifleman, NiKo also seized every opportunity to make himself stronger.

Hearing what Xu Beifang said in the interview about being able to focus better, he went to try it, only to end up with his eyes feeling extremely uncomfortable.

"I told you not to imitate it randomly; you didn't believe me, and now you're blaming me??" Xu Beifang was stunned, having been punched for no reason.

"It would be fine if you didn't advise against it, but once you do, everyone feels they have to do it. Don't you understand the rebellious psychology of boys?"

Standing to the side, Danking had been studying for over half a year and could now handle simple daily English conversations, so he heard the discussion between Xu Beifang and the other.

He asked curiously: "Can that thing really make you stronger?"

Xu Beifang: "……"

Great! They were all a bunch of stubborn fools.

Xu Beifang also knew about this situation, because yesterday a ton of people on Twitter were discussing whether Nice's focus method was actually useful.

Many Professional Players, casters, and analysts had participated in the discussion.

Most of the reviews were that it wasn't useful, and Ji Ge was strongly against this method, believing it would make his eyes go blind.

YEKINDAR and XANTARES, however, said that whoever used it would know; it was just a simple action, and everyone who tried it said it was good.

They even said that Xu Beifang was fooling people, that there were clearly no side effects, and he just didn't want more people to know about this technique.

For a time, it caused endless controversy on the forums.

The video on NiKo's phone ended shortly after, and Xu Beifang also noticed the video creator's name was -aycsgo.

He thought it was quite interesting and would take the opportunity to go to Bilibili and urge them to update.

But speaking of taking advice, Xu Beifang had wanted to ask NiKo for some opinions for a long time.

Before, it was either the timing wasn't right, or he suddenly forgot.

Just as he remembered this, he hurriedly asked:

"NiKo, I'm here to steal your secrets; hurry and teach me how to practice AK One-tap?"

Because they often ran into each other in FPL, Xu Beifang and NiKo had a pretty good relationship, so he didn't need to be as formal as when he asked Ji Ge.

"Good guy, does this mean you've practiced Ji Ge's spray transfer to perfection?" NiKo said.

"It's alright, the rest is up to personal insight. Now my spray transfer doesn't have any big problems; whether it's on the Ladder or in matches, I won't waste too many bullets in the middle of a Spray Transfer," Xu Beifang said as he jumped onto the nearby gantry and started doing pull-ups.

Hearing this, NiKo fell into deep thought, and only after a long while did he say: "I won't tell you."

The tall figure in front of him jumped down and gave him a death stare, seemingly intending to use physical persuasion.

NiKo hurriedly said: "Because I haven't even figured out how I practiced my One-tap to be this strong yet. After I finish reviewing this Major, I'll happen to sort out my personal playstyle system, and then I'll teach you."

NiKo knew his own situation; although his playstyle was very rigorous and his Pre-aim was like a robotic vacuum cleaner.

But he was a purely talent-based player. Compared to s1mple or Nice, who spent time maintaining their form, NiKo's training could be described as "fishing for three days and drying nets for two."

His keenness for Positioning seemed innate; as for how he practiced it, he would definitely have to carefully review and think about it later.

And he himself actually wanted to come up with a One-tap training technique to improve his own level.

Ever since he became an IGL, NiKo deeply felt his Gunplay was slipping, and he needed to use some deliberate practice to maintain his form.

"What are they talking about?" A-Zhong's high school grades weren't ideal.

His English level was a matter of loyalty; he had long since returned it to his teacher.

Danking said with some surprise: "Beifang is asking NiKo how to practice One-tap. I'm impressed; he's already a Top 9 player, yet he still asks others how to improve his skills every single day."

The impatience in Tie Dan's heart was also smoothed over at this moment.

Originally, after losing the match, he had blamed his teammates, thinking they were hindering his path forward.

But now, comparing them to Xu Beifang, he realized that the reason for Xu Beifang's success might never have been talent, but the extreme competitive spirit hidden in his heart!

He was always enriching his arsenal, making himself stronger.

He learned with an open mind, always just to allow himself to have a more outstanding performance in matches.

Xu Beifang was using his own way to enter the ranks of the strongest players.

By comparison, he started blaming his teammates after losing a match, and for a moment, Danking felt ashamed.

A-Zhong listened to Danking's explanation and also fell silent.

Although VG didn't make it into the Legend Stage this time, they could design their own Sticker tomorrow after making it into the Challenger Stage for the First Time.

Looking at the praise on domestic forums over the past two days, he still felt very proud inside.

But only now did he realize that if they wanted to catch up to Nice, their most basic Mindset was lacking by a huge margin.

Others are thinking about how to become one of the strongest players in the world, constantly thinking about enriching their skills and tactics, and making the best preparations.

And what about him? He had only achieved some insignificant results, yet he had already started to become complacent.

This kind of Mindset is truly unacceptable.

To forge iron, one must be strong oneself; he still needs to continue working hard, strengthening his skills and tactics, in order to achieve better results!

Xu Beifang did not know that the two fellow countrymen were feeling determined in their hearts, as he entered the confrontation phase with the gym equipment.

After an hour and a half of gym time ended, the drenched Xu Beifang waved at niko with a smile: "Remember to get that One-tap tutorial out! Your student nice is waiting to learn."

"I know, you're so long-winded!" niko waved his hand in great annoyance, "Wait until we meet in the Legend Stage and I'll show you the World No. 1 One-tap; by then you won't want to learn anymore."

Xu Beifang smiled; if they really met, his personality would not allow him to shrink back just because his opponent performed powerfully.

He would thoroughly enjoy that match!

The Legend Stage, where the strong are as numerous as clouds; Xu Beifang was still very much looking forward to facing those veteran top teams.

He believed that Vitality was now ready, but as for the veteran legends, are you ready?