Chapter 496: NAVI, Stunned by 50

During the brief halftime break, B1ad3, as NAVI's coach, furrowed his brows. The expression on Xiao Li Zi's face as he sat in his chair looked like a direct Ctrl+V.

Xiao Li Zi hadn't faced Nice in a long time, but Nice had dealt him quite a shock today.

"Is Nice's form really this outstanding after his comeback?"

"You should be wondering why he can still maintain such outstanding form after his comeback."

Sensing IM's confusion, Xiao Li Zi corrected his phrasing.

IM was just feeling that this old guy Nice was unexpectedly fierce after his comeback, but Xiao Li Zi and the others were marveling at how Nice could still be this fierce.

Because there was little difference between him now and when he was young; in fact, due to the version changes from CSGO to CS2, this rifleman's influence was even higher!

"But now is not the time to discuss exactly how much skill Nice has." Xiao Li Zi brought the topic back on track. "Right now, we need to think about how to defeat COL in the second half."

"It's not that bad, after all, Ancient is a map that leans towards the CT side; we can still play well after switching sides." IM replied dismissively. Having secured 4 points on the offensive side in the first half, there was still a chance once they switched to defense.

He felt Xiao Li Zi was being a bit too cautious.

Seeing his teammate's dismissive attitude, Xiao Li Zi felt a surge of irritation.

As a friend of Nice, he knew clearly just how high that guy's level was.

There have been too many comebacks in esports caused by carelessness.

Besides, it wasn't just a matter of Nice's firepower anymore.

If it were only Nice's firepower at play, that would actually be quite easy to deal with.

Because the previous G2 had been that kind of model; in matches, often only one or two people were firing, and they could defeat opponents using a superior system and default playstyles.

But the firepower of this COL was a bit too exaggerated.

Nice, NIKO, and Elige—these three top-tier riflemen had developed a chemical reaction; their paper strength was truly manifesting.

This made head-on duels very difficult for them.

B1ad3 also saw this point; he understood that they had actually lost the game of wits in the first half quite miserably.

In the first half, both sides didn't actually have much tactical maneuvering.

After the pistol round ended, COL used Mid as the focal point to open up the situation; when they couldn't win the contest, they decisively chose to open up the situation from both sides.

Both sides were engaging in the bare minimum of maneuvering.

But this style of play was exactly what COL had been hoping for, because it relied entirely on the players' ability to adapt on the fly.

This was also what this "Old Kayak" team was best at.

To be honest, it was still a gap in firepower.

If only S1mple were still here.

He couldn't help but miss that omnipotent Sniper and the 2021 NAVI team.

Although this current NAVI was still built under his hand, he understood in his heart that the NAVI of the past also possessed extremely strong firepower within that framework.

Encountering a team with such superstars wouldn't have been this painful.

"Everyone, be serious. We are still in an uphill battle. If we can't take the pistol round in the second half, there really won't be much room for error." B1ad3 said thoughtfully. "Let's find a way to take the pistol round first, and then be more proactive in looking for opportunities to apply pressure. Normal defaults are very hard to make work against COL."

……

After the short halftime break, both sides swapped camps.

NAVI came to the defensive side, while COL took on the offense.

The pistol round began; COL configured two sets of utility and chose a second-timing explosive bomb attack on B Site.

But in this round, B1t snuck up to the Jump Platform from Mid at the second timing, wanting to coordinate with his teammates to clear out the people outside B.

However, w0nderful, who peeked out from the Black Room, was instantly headshot by NIKO, and Ji Ge also dinged B1t in the head with a Glock, leaving him crippled.

This wave was supposed to be the "reward for patience," but after being dinged in the head, B1t panicked, retreated, and fired, showing the viewers what it meant to be a "beneficiary of random trajectory."

Facing the Terrorists' pursuit, he fired while retreating, managing to headshot Elige and Danking with two bullets, directly taking the kills back.

The appearance of this interlude made them very passive.

COL chose to force an explosive bomb attempt, but IM, who was rotating back, obtained all the information, letting everyone know what "the world's best information gun" was.

The choices made after obtaining the information in several waves also directly left the COL members speechless.

It can only be said that this guy IM is indeed outrageous after getting information.

The score reached 8:5.

Having already lost the pistol round, Danking asked, "What do you say? Should we force buy?"

Although they planted the bomb in the pistol round, due to the economic system changes by Valve, their economy wasn't very high.

Now, the hope of a force-buy comeback seemed even more remote.

Xu Beifang was just about to say "ECO" when he saw NIKO smiling and tossing over an AK-47.

"Beifang, you buy full armor, then get me a Desert Eagle. Danking, get Ji Ge a Galil, get Danking a handgun. JKS, configure your own, but at least have one smoke and one flash."

After the initial setup was completed, NIKO looked at the somewhat surprised Xu Beifang and bumped fists with him: "Brother believes in you. Our team is definitely good for a force-buy!"

The others smiled knowingly and then focused their attention on the confrontation of this round.

Although they liked NIKO's way of trusting his teammates, this didn't mean a comeback was very easy.

With a coach like B1ad3, NAVI's default play was extremely exaggerated; at the very least, they hadn't found any good opportunities in the early stages.

Both sides were constantly probing.

Moreover, NAVI seemed to have sensed their force-buy and remained in a defensive posture the whole time; no one was actively coming out to look for a fight, being very steady.

Time ticked down to 50 seconds, and the COL members had reached the outskirts of B Site, preparing to start a wave of explosive bombs and rapid trade kills.

"The COL members have gathered, but NAVI is currently in a 3-1-1 formation, and there are many people on B Site." Shuijingge took a breath. "NAVI seems to have realized something and is preparing for an anti-rush move in advance."

"Then this wave will be very painful. NIKO is catching the smoke at the back; as soon as he throws that smoke, NAVI will directly counter with utility."

As a high-level player, his game understanding was decent, and he quickly deduced NAVI's thoughts from the existing information.

And the scene in the match was indeed as he expected: NIKO threw a Second Middle smoke, and the moment the CT on B Site saw this smoke, they added a B Slope smoke.

The utility from both sides completely canceled each other out; instead, the offensive side's utility was wasted.

"COL is at a disadvantage this way because they have no smoke grenades left to use, only two flashbangs in hand. JKS is throwing flashes directly into B Site, and Beifang should be giving the rotation command."

Shuijingge praised: "This is correct! In this situation, rotating to play for rapid trade kills is the only way. Time is running out; they must seize this opportunity."

Xu Beifang gave the command, and the COL members instantly started the train, advancing along the Jump Platform-Donut-A Site route.

Danking, holding a Tec-9, led the charge, hopping and skipping all the way just to get key information for his teammates.

"They charged into the Donut like a train, now preparing for a wave on A, but w0nderful is defending A Site alone. A Long has already been blurred by his smoke grenade; he only needs to watch the Donut from behind the box."

"Danking jumps out and is instantly taken out by w0nderful. Does he have a second one?"

"He doesn't!" Shuijingge's eyes widened. "Because NIKO's Desert Eagle finished him off with one shot. That shot was so fast!"

After NIKO successfully traded the kill, he didn't relax his vigilance but continued to search the A Long area.

After all, no one went to A Long in this round; if it wasn't cleared, it might become a foreshadowing for the clutch.

Elige planted the bomb directly for the Donut at the bomb site because he didn't have much time left.

Xu Beifang was vigilantly holding the Ancient, guarding against a second person coming out on A Site.

But no enemy appeared from the Ancient; instead, bullets kept flying from the CT Spawn direction, killing NIKO, who was clearing the area.

Xu Beifang immediately became vigilant, holding his AK-47 and aiming towards the CT Spawn direction.

Given the opponent's rapid rotation speed and the fact that he had been guarding the Ancient for a long time with no movement, he deduced: "There shouldn't be anyone on A Site. The opponent was 3-1-1 before; watch out for CT Spawn and Donut."

Ji Ge successfully planted the bomb, but the moment it was planted, he saw someone peek out from CT Spawn.

Xu Beifang immediately fired and sprayed at the CT who strafed out.

But while taking that person down, he saw one, then two CTs rush out to trade the kill.

Xu Beifang instantly crouched and moved to the left, and relying on muscle memory, began to control the recoil.

"Da-da-da-da-da!"

【Nice used AK-47 to headshot B1t】

【Nice used AK-47 to kill IM】

【Nice used AK-47 to headshot JL】

"B1t, who rotated into position, was taken out by NIKO from behind; he doesn't think shooting from behind is hard."

"COL successfully planted the bomb, but NAVI's rotation has arrived. They don't have much utility left, so they chose to dry-peek to trade kills, but Beifang's AK is covering the bomb planter!"

"Three people peeked together, what!!! The NAVI trio was directly melted by Beifang's Hero AK!!"

The live stream chat was instantly filled with "?" in an instant; everyone was very surprised by this operation.

【Ah? What is this recoil control!】

【Holy crap, Xu Beifang!!】

【There's a superman in the server】

【How can this person be so fierce!】

【Can this still be a comeback?】

【NAVI's dry-peek is really a bit insane】

【Remember this AK!】

【Is this even human!】

Shuijingge's expression changed: "His Hero AK still exerted its power at the critical moment!!"

"Is this AK recoil control something a human can pull off!"

He was truly amazed because the director's camera cut to Xu Beifang's first-person perspective the moment before B1t strafed out.

They saw the whole thing.

Only Xiao Li Zi was left, helplessly saving a long gun.

And after the C4 exploded, the director directly replayed the kill sequence.

Xu Beifang's crosshair was already pre-aiming at CT Spawn, but to be honest, NAVI's movement in this wave really had no flaws; the three people's trade-kill speed was very fast.

From Xu Beifang's perspective, many people felt he was about to be traded.

But this Hero AK in the first-person view had such strong damage burst capability that it instantly melted the CT Spawn trio.

This was just a bit too exaggerated.

"If this were an offline stage, I think the scene would have already erupted in celebration." Shuijingge commented.

However, although it wasn't offline and there were no spectators at the scene to cheer, the COL player area still erupted in excited shouts.

Danking, who died while pulling the gun line, finished watching Xu Beifang's operation; his right hand had long been raised, and the moment the round ended, he excitedly high-fived Xu Beifang: "Too Crazy, brother!"

NIKO, on his right, also shouted excitedly: "Brother, I told you you could do it! Your Hero AK is the strongest in the world!!"

Between the two loudmouths, Xu Beifang just grinned: "Brothers, this is the power of belief!"

"And NIKO, your Desert Eagle trade was too good! That first kill was very critical!"

Amidst the laughter, the score reached 9:5.

NAVI's pistol round was indeed played very well, but their force-buy was equally powerful!

Xiao Li Zi saved a full-armor FAMAS in the second round of the second half.

Although the FAMAS's exclusive hero was in this match, it wasn't on their team.

The saved FAMAS, combined with NAVI's force-buy, didn't play much of a role.

COL also methodically took the subsequent economic rounds.

The score reached 11:5, and the match finally arrived at the first long gun round.

In this first long gun round, Xu Beifang made some attempts in Mid; he caught an opportunity to get the first kill in Mid, but w0nderful's Sniper trade was very fast, successfully taking the kill back.

Both sides entered a 4-on-4 situation at the start.

But the thing that gave NAVI a headache arrived: after the round entered the mid-game, NIKO single-handedly pushed VIP and, relying on pre-aiming, directly tore w0nderful's big Sniper apart.

The chain reaction brought by tearing the big Sniper apart was even more intense because NAVI's rotation was directly cut off by NIKO.

COL started a wave of pinching A; NAVI tried twice and finally dealt with NIKO, but there was no opportunity to operate in the clutch.

Watching the score jump to 12, the COL members gently clenched their fists, their emotions also fluctuating a bit.

The match had entered match point; taking one more round would end this map.

After considering, NIKO said: "Let's play this round steadily. It's match point; NAVI might play more aggressively. We'll do the standard default; first, guard against his first wave of unconventional play, and then Beifang will decide where to hit."

Xu Beifang nodded: "For the default, lean towards B Site; I'll play Mid alone."

After the initial setup was arranged, he headed straight towards Mid.

At the start, Danking threw a VIP smoke for him at home.

When he arrived at the close point of Mid, he threw a fire at the Recess area.

However, what was strange to him was that he didn't know if the opponent's smoke was thrown poorly or if there was a strange usage; the Terrorist Hall smoke was closer to the inside, giving him some area to stand.

But he didn't rush to rub against it; instead, he jiggled at the Terrorist Hall to scout, after all, this smoke was too strange.

"Beifang just happened to return to the Terrorist Hall, missing the timing of JL sneaking up to the Jump Platform. Will this be a foreshadowing?"

"B-Door throws a flash out; JL quickly leans against the wall to dodge the flash, then peeks out again, preparing to engage."

"But he didn't beat Ji Ge!"

Xu Beifang jiggled at the Terrorist Hall and heard Ji Ge say that someone had snuck up to the Jump Platform; then he understood that there must be another person in Mid.

After all, one person controlling Mid basically wouldn't dare to sneak to the Jump Platform; there must be a bodyguard holding his area.

He thought about it; if it was this smoke, it could hold the angle of the entire Terrorist Hall, so it could only be on both sides under the Jump Platform.

Xu Beifang's thinking was clear; he immediately sprayed a burst at the left side under the Jump Platform, and then immediately sprayed another burst at the right side under the Jump Platform.

"Da-da-da!"

"Da-da-da!"

【Nice used AK-47 to wallbang headshot Aleksib】

"What is this?" Shuijingge looked at the camera in surprise. "Beifang, without any information, directly mixed-smoke wallbanged Xiao Li Zi to death!"

The director's camera gave it to Xiao Li Zi; Xiao Li Zi was still exchanging information when he was suddenly killed, directly doing a "shrug."

What could he do about this!

Xu Beifang wallbanged Xiao Li Zi in Mid; at this time, he heard NIKO, who was hiding in the Recess on B Site, shout loudly: "Black Room pushed out, there should only be one left on B Site!"

NIKO also quickly deduced NAVI's early-stage positioning for this round through information.

After JL got the information, he pushed out from the Black Room and sprayed wildly at the Recess where NIKO was; NAVI lost people too quickly, and he had to trade the kill back.

But NIKO's movement was too slippery, making it impossible for him to get the kill at the first moment.

Then, just as he did a spin-jump back, he saw a flash of fire at the Terrorist Hall smoke position.

"Bang!"

【Nice used AK-47 to headshot IM】

IM curled his lip; he could even air-shot him like this?

He quickly analyzed that the opponent had killed him, but he couldn't understand it.

He only appeared for that split second when he jumped, and as a result, you air-shot him with one bullet.

Do you have to be this accurate?

"IM was directly air-shot by Beifang. Now knowing there is one left on B Site, and the Second Middle has been cleared, they know he is probably in the Black Room. Elige comes over to look, Danking is peeking from the side to bait, B1t ultimately fell for it and was directly taken out by Elige!"

"This calm default, COL played too well!"

"Now at 1 minute 30 seconds, Wang Defa needs to face this 1V5 clutch. COL also has no intention of surrendering their guns, directly planting the bomb and waiting."

"Wang Defa peeks out, but JKS has already arrived at the back and takes him out with one shot!"

The match screen froze, and the score was locked at 13:5.

On this Ancient map, COL completely stunned NAVI.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 497 =====