Chapter 268

Liang Yan's plan was to fake a Baron to force SKT to come fight, but before engaging he definitely needed to secure vision in the upper half of the map to enable a follow‑up, so after leaving base he directly took Mithy's Karma into the blue side's upper half.

Incidentally, Perkz's Orianna snatched a blue buff.

"It feels awful, Faker—he hardly got any of our blue buff this game; the enemy jungler and mid laner took it all."

"There's nothing we can do; although we're reluctant, we simply don't dare to engage, so we had to yield."

In this patch's matches, including the current World Championship, it's common to see both sides fight over a blue buff, sometimes even escalating into a full 5v5 teamfight.

To fight for a blue buff, both sides have gone all out.

This is precisely because this patch's blue buff is arguably the strongest version ever.

It grants 10% cooldown reduction within 90 seconds and restores 1% of the bearer's mana per second; it looks ordinary, but that's because the final bonus is too strong.

It also provides a 15% ability power boost.

What does that mean?

A single Infernal Drake gives only an 8% increase.

One blue buff equals two Infernal Drakes!

Absolutely ridiculous!

Especially in the late game, giving the magic core an extra blue buff makes its output almost equivalent to having another big item, and that's no exaggeration.

After securing the blue buff, Orianna happily pushed the lane, while Liang Yan kept Karma in the jungle to maintain vision and provide cover for Perkz.

Consequently, Perkz could push the minion wave deep, reaching the enemy second turret in no time.

"Here comes Blank, holding a grudge over the stolen blue buff; he took Janna and hid in the brush, ready to surprise Perkz!"

"What grudge? You really should say 'can't forget'—you want to take back what you lost!"

"Never mind, just say you're camping him—and you've been doing it for a while already!"

"I don't want to talk to you..."

"Tsk!"

Perkz was about to push the minion wave into the second turret.

Faker stood before the second turret, ready to catch the wave.

Perkz didn't realize someone was camping him, but he felt something was off—Faker's positioning gave an opening.

Although Viktor had an Iceborn Gauntlet, Orianna's combo couldn't kill him outright, but at this crucial moment when a big fight could erupt at any time, as SKT's absolute late‑game core, if Viktor were taken down and forced to recall, it would lose a huge tempo—losing at least two outer turrets, and possibly even the Baron.

A player of Faker's caliber obviously wouldn't give an opening for no reason.

So Perkz stayed highly alert, pushing the lane while staying away from any dangerous spots—naturally including the patch of brush left of the second turret—and kept his position as close to the jungle wall as possible, preserving the chance to flash over the wall into the jungle at any moment.

Although this jungle belongs to the blue side, it's now G2's territory; Liang Yan's Olaf and Mithy's "Fan Mom" are clearing the last remaining area.

Of course, Perkz is no coward; since the enemy is giving him an opening, while ensuring his own safety he will certainly try to seize it.

Orianna's ball detonated, clearing the last three blue‑side minions, while the edge of her W ability nicked Faker, instantly chopping a large chunk off Viktor's health bar.

Perkz didn't overcommit; after clearing the wave he walked to the right, planning to enter the jungle through the front gap to link up with his own jungle support.

However, Faker's Viktor immediately moved in, laying down a Gravity Field at the narrow choke point to block Perkz's advance.

That move was far too obvious.

Perkz saw through it instantly.

Viktor is low enough that one combo could kill him, yet he dares to hold someone in place—there must be backup lurking behind him!

Moreover, Perkz had guessed where the enemy was hiding, pinged the location, and then said in team voice chat:

"Guys, someone is camping me!"

Liang Yan replied:

"Be careful—come through the rear Triangular Grass, or wait a bit and we'll come get you."

Perkz stayed silent for two seconds:

"Then I'll push another wave."

Upon hearing that, Liang Yan immediately switched screens to check—Orianna was at full health, while Viktor's health was just above two‑thirds; a full Orianna combo plus a basic attack would finish him.

Liang Yan instantly guessed what Perkz was planning, but didn't stop him.

Perkz had both summoner spells available and was at full health—that was his confidence.

And Faker's health was his reason to stay.

So Orianna didn't leave; after waiting a few seconds she turned back to pick up a new minion wave.

Spectators watching from the god's view had thought Perkz would leave—this fight seemed unlikely—but then he returned.

The tension immediately rose again.

"SKT's two players are still camping, eager to find a chance to kill that Orianna!"

"Is Blank trying to emulate Jiao Shen with a one‑kick save‑the‑world move?"

"Young people sure have big dreams."

"But there's no choice—he has to do this because the situation forces him; SKT is far behind, so he can only hold his ground. If he could really kill that Orianna, SKT could indeed take the Baron, with almost no risk of it being stolen, since Olaf lacks any dash and their summoner spells include Ghost; when SKT goes for Baron, as long as they keep Olaf at a distance and have Bo Bi watch him, even if Jiao Shen had godlike mechanics, he couldn't get close enough to steal the Baron."

"Exactly, and once SKT secures the Baron, the comeback opportunity arrives."

"But the risk is huge—given Faker's health, it feels like Orianna could burst him down in one combo; even if he survives, getting flashed would hurt badly, and G2 might just go for Baron themselves."

The higher the profit, the higher the risk; that's just how it is. To overturn such a big disadvantage, you must bear the corresponding huge risk.

Look at the clockwork's positioning—Perkz also has a bit of that vibe, huh!

Both sides are restless, waiting for the other to show an opening.

If it were before, Perkz might have already activated Swiftness, rushed up and attacked Faker by now, but now he holds his composure, is patient, steadily pushes the lane, uses basic attacks to clear the low-health minions, and after last-hitting the last one, he directly turns and retreats.

It looks like he's really about to leave.