Chapter 4: What happened?

On the second floor of G2 Ji Di, there is a training room.

Emperor is G2's starting AD; at this moment he is wearing headphones and watching match replays.

But he isn't reviewing anything—in fact, he isn't even watching G2's match.

He is reliving SKT's championship moment in this MSI.

"Congratulations, SKT!"

"A League of Legends team has achieved the first ever grand slam!"

"That's right, and congratulations to Faker as well—this MSI was a rollercoaster for him; SKT started poorly, even suffering a four‑game losing streak, but under the Demon King's leadership they quickly adjusted, reached the finals, won this MSI's title, and completed his own grand slam!"

"Congratulations, Faker!!"

"That said, it's a shame about RNG—they won seven straight in groups to finish first, everyone thought they could repeat EDG's MSI championship run and defend LPL's honor, but nobody expected they'd meet SKT, who came out of the quarterfinals as the fourth seed, and lose 3‑1..."

"Indeed a shame, sigh..."

"In Europe in body, in Korea in heart, watching a Chinese‑language match replay."

The screen's light illuminated Emperor's pleased smile.

In the picture, the three Chinese commentators looked ashen, muttering… Emperor couldn't understand a word, but he enjoys watching Chinese‑language international match replays because he likes seeing the commentators reluctantly yet forced to loudly congratulate the Korean team's victory.

As for G2, where Emperor plays—

This spring split was G2's first season after rising from the CS (Europe secondary league); they stormed through with astonishing momentum, reached the finals, claimed the throne, and became the new kings of the Europe Region.

That's enough.

Emperor has already proven his worth as a Korean import.

The biggest contributor to G2's spring championship is Trick, who was Emperor's teammate on CJ, discarded by CJ, and brought by Emperor to Europe to join G2.

In other words, without Emperor, there would be no G2 today.

What about mid laner Perkz?

Just a shockwave—out of the consideration "G2 is a European team, how can we let a Korean import be the face?" the boss had no choice but to push a domestic player.

After the spring split, they represented Europe at MSI.

They bore the hopes of all Europe,

but only managed two wins.

Of the six regional champion teams, G2's record is only slightly better than the sole wildcard team—SUP from Turkey.

They couldn't advance from the quarterfinals; in terms of strength they could only sit at the same table as the wildcard.

European netizens were furious, shouting to send "G28" to the stake to be burned.

Emperor, however, felt not a shred of guilt, nor any regret.

Trick felt the same.

G2's loss—what does it have to do with them?

They are Korean imports.

Based on the contract offered by Ka Lao Si, they originally only needed to get G2 into playoffs to "earn their keep," but instead they helped G2 win the spring championship!

Such conscientious foreign aid—Europeans should be grateful!

MSI loss?

Don't joke, the era has long changed.

EU now can't even win a scrimmage; surely no one really expects them to win an international tournament, right? No way.

Europeans are so rich that G2 can just be a local bully harvesting local leeks and rake in profit; keeping it up, they'll never lack sponsors—what more do they need, a bicycle?

Thus Emperor sits here contentedly, reliving SKT's championship moment, his heart swelling with pride as a fellow countryman.

Speaking of which, Faker's grand slam is also great news for Korean imports abroad, because he proved Korean players are the best.

The value of Korean imports will inevitably rise.

Players like Emperor, "international mercenaries," find making money even easier.

"Shi ba... %$&*)*&^%$..."

Suddenly a low curse came from nearby.

Emperor turned his head, seeing Trick sitting beside him with a grim face, his hands clacking on the keyboard.

"What's wrong?"

Emperor asked in Korean.

Trick didn't answer him, still typing furiously, berating his teammates in‑game.

Emperor used to be a Valley pianist, but after turning pro he quit that bad habit, knowing it would affect his earnings.

As LoL goes global, official regulation of pro players' conduct will inevitably tighten; the lack of off‑field rules now doesn't mean there won't be later.

So Emperor frowned, raised his hand and patted Trick's shoulder, wanting to remind him that as a Korean import going out, he should still mind his impact.

Just then…

Suddenly a bang.

The training room's door was violently flung open.

Everyone was startled.

Emperor was startled too, his heart jolted, then he turned back.

A young man with an Eastern face, having just lowered the foot that kicked the door, wearing a frosty mask, stood at the doorway, his gaze sweeping over everyone inside.

Finally, that knife‑sharp gaze happened to land on Emperor.

Those eyes, full of chill and cruelty, locked onto Emperor, making him stiffen as they met.

For a moment, Emperor felt like he was being stared down by a polar bear.

"Who is Trick?"

Liang Yan coldly spoke in English, his gaze sweeping over Emperor and Trick's faces, finally settling on Emperor.

"You?"

No!!

Emperor loudly denied, waving his arms, and instinctively blurted out in Korean; then he saw Liang Yan's brows slightly furrow and his gaze turn sharper.

"Not me..."

Emperor realized the other couldn't understand Korean, and quietly added in English.

"Oh, that's you then."

Liang Yan's gaze shifted from Emperor as he stepped toward Trick.

Aside from himself, there were only two Asian faces in the training room; since it wasn't Emperor, it must be the other one.

At that moment, the youth trainees who had run up from the first floor surrounded the doorway.

They were all excited, no one came to intervene, they just wanted to watch the show.

"Who are you? What do you want?!"

Perkz stood up, frowned at Liang Yan, and shouted his question.

"None of your business."

Liang Yan didn't even glance at Perkz, coldly replied, then walked unhurriedly to Trick, who remained seated in his gaming chair, and looked down at him.

Like a hunter staring at his prey.

"Trick?"

"What... what's going on?"

Trick nervously swallowed, barely keeping his composure, but his pale face and trembling voice betrayed his inner fear.

Liang Yan glanced at his computer screen.

In the lower-left corner of the game interface, the public chat clearly showed the text Trick had just sent.

Target locked.

Liang Yan nodded, without saying another word.

He lifted his foot and kicked out like lightning.