Chapter 255: Brother's a Little Thirsty

"Two to one! Congratulations G2!!!"

Although his voice was instantly drowned out by the audience's fervent cheers, Riv still shouted passionately,

"This is a mythic showdown, and it also carries the mythic color of most legendary tales! From the start of the match, SKT pressed G2 so hard with its suffocating operational rhythm that G2 could barely breathe, and it maintained this for a full thirty minutes!"

"But G2 broke through this wall with just one kick!"

"Congratulations again, G2!"

"They won the match point of this Bo5!"

"Now, G2 is only one step away from the finals stage!"

"So then let us..."

"Wait, wait!"

Another commentator suddenly cut off Riv's transition remark, leaning over the commentary desk, eyes fixed on a certain figure about to walk backstage, and shouted wildly into the microphone:

"Firrrrrre! Can you hear me! I……"

Then it was cut off.

The big screen cut to the commentator's bench, where the four commentators smiled broadly:

"Ohno, poor Phreak~"

"Hahaha, I actually know what he wants to say, and I also understand why he's so excited. Yes, at this moment, no amount of praise can describe Firrrrrre's miraculous performance in this match! Just as Drakos from the neighboring EU commentator's bench said, Firrrrrre's ID is the spokesperson of heroes in this match!"

"Wow, my blood is boiling!"

……

In a hotel not far from the venue.

At the moment the SKT base exploded, the ROX members all gasped in unison.

Then everyone turned to look at Xiao Huasheng.

Xiao Huasheng stiffly pulled at the corner of his mouth.

Everyone's meaning was clear: in such a situation, if it were you up there, could you turn it around?

Xiao Huasheng's answer went without saying.

Everyone present was a professional player or had been one, so they clearly knew how high the value of this operation was. Of course, if judged purely by operation, Firrrrrre's kick that reversed the situation actually wasn't that difficult to execute.

The difficulty lay in the eye-dodging and cooldown-baiting before that kick, and in that situation he somehow managed to stay so calm, performing an operation that required immense courage, without any mistake.

Xiao Huasheng felt he couldn't do it himself, and at this moment, toward the person who performed that operation, he even felt a sense of awe rising from his heart.

As a fellow newcomer to the big stage, that person not only showed no trace of stage fright, but instead charged in like a ferocious dragon into a pond, utterly fierce, exactly the Xiao Huasheng he had imagined.

Of course, Xiao Huasheng wouldn't undersell himself—he now stands on the highest stage, while that person is still fighting for a spot to challenge him.

If he had a choice, Xiao Huasheng would give him an opportunity.

Of course, before the match, everyone in ROX hoped G2 would win.

Including Coach Nofe.

Because after several internal discussions, ROX unanimously thought SKT was harder to beat, but SKT would ultimately win this Bo5; thus, starting from yesterday after they finished playing SSG, ROX's research focus locked onto SKT.

From any angle, SKT had no reason to lose to G2.

SKT's top, mid, and bot lanes are stronger.

SKT's teamwork is more seamless.

SKT's operations are world-class.

There's only one jungler position, and it looks like G2 has a slight edge—well, to be honest, Nofe is willing to admit that Firrrrrre is much stronger than both of SKT's junglers.

But this game ultimately comes down to teamwork; if we had to pick the single most important position, it would be mid lane, not jungle.

So G2 would definitely be easier to beat than SKT.

However, the reality was shocking.

No, a more accurate description is that the reality was extremely fantastical.

——Despite SKT's huge advantage, G2 turned the tables, and the main reason for the comeback was that G2's jungler pulled off an exquisite teamfight.

Individual heroism triumphed over teamwork.

This is simply……mythic.

When things go awry, there must be a monster; that guy is so strong he can't be measured by normal standards. Nofe suppressed the shock and confusion welling up in his chest, took a deep breath, and said:

"We need to reassess G2's team strength."

Everyone immediately sat up straight.

Nofe's gaze swept over everyone, finally resting on Xiao Huasheng:

"Strictly speaking, we need to reassess Firrrrrre's strength."

"If…… I mean if, our finals opponent really is G2, Wanghu, you need to get ready."

"I understand."

……

Backstage at the venue.

Ka Lao Si stood at the lounge door greeting everyone; seeing Liang Yan return with his bangs slightly damp from sweat, he momentarily froze, feeling a twinge of guilt.

Ka Lao Si patted Liang Yan's shoulder and said in a low voice:

"You've worked hard."

Liang Yan smiled and said it was fine, then after entering he plopped down in the gaming chair beside Tang Anna—whenever they went out to play matches, the chairs beside the two coaches had practically become Liang Yan's dedicated spots, and everyone tacitly avoided sitting there.

Liang Yan glanced sideways at Tang Anna and smiled, saying:

"How was it? Was my performance in this round okay?"

Tang Anna instinctively wanted to say:

Still...

When she saw the faint traces of sweat dried on Liang Yan's forehead, she froze for a moment, then turned her head to the other side and let out a mosquito-like hum.

Handsome.

Liang Yan pushed his luck:

Brother, I'm a little thirsty.

Tang Anna stayed silent for two seconds, then actually stood up.

But just then, a hand extended a cup of water from behind, and all that was heard was Lao Li speaking in stiff Chinese:

Brother, drink water!

Liang Yan turned to look at CyanideFI's solemn face, momentarily at a loss for laughter or tears; I was just trying to tease the young teaching assistant—why are you butting in?

But he still took the cup and said thanks.

Lao Li waited for him to take a sip, his eyes sparkling as he stared at Liang Yan, then said:

How did you train such a big heart? Can you teach me?

Liang Yan held the cup and thought for a moment:

If you're unskilled, just practice more.

Lao Li froze.

Everyone burst out laughing.

But after Lao Li's stunned pause, he seemed to take it seriously, actually nodding earnestly:

Okay!

It's not that Liang Yan doesn't want to teach; it's that mindset depends first on talent, then on accumulation. If Lao Li had Liang Yan's experience, he could surely do it too.

Since he doesn't, there's nothing for it but to practice more if he's unskilled.

Ka Lao Si watched this scene, then suddenly said to Tang Anna:

Anna, you go up and BP in the next round; I'll take a break.

Everyone was taken aback by the remark.

Then they all gave Liang Yan a strange look.

Liang Yan pretended not to understand, spread his hands, and looked back innocently.