Chapter 653: Contending for the First Spot

The RNG coach continued speaking:

"VG is the strongest, so VG can't go first; it should be kept as a trump card."

"Besides VG, I think… our three teams' strength actually isn't that different, so why must the first match necessarily be EDG, and not our RNG or WE?"

FireFox had laid out a lot beforehand, and only then did Liang Yan understand.

Oh, so that's what they're fighting over—the first spot.

The reason EDG and RNG are fighting for the first spot is simple, as A Bu said: LMS likely thinks the same way, so LMS definitely won't send out the weakest M17 to give away points in the first match, but they also won't immediately send out the strongest FW, because once FW appears, regardless of win or loss, the subsequent matches will put LMS in a very passive position.

So, LMS's opening team tomorrow can basically be locked down as AHQ or JT, and it's most likely the former.

Then the crux comes.

Of the four teams present, aside from VG, the other three actually don't have a guaranteed victory over FW in a Bo1.

But if we pick the soft persimmon M17 to go after, it would seem unsporting; winning wouldn't be worth bragging about, because in LPL fans' eyes, any LPL team would be sure to win against M17, whereas if we somehow lose, that would be a huge problem.

In a Bo1 match, the difference in strength isn't actually that clear, and the risk of a upset is very high—not to mention far off, just look at last year's Worlds: EDG was taken down by the Brazil Region's INTZ, and Changzhang was ruined after the enemy jungler said, "I'm a Changzhang fan." The situation now is similar: when an LPL team faces LMS's weakest M17, compared to the risk of an upset, the reward for winning is completely disproportionate.

So, whether it's EDG, RNG, or WE, they all actually want to seize the first spot against LMS tomorrow; securing it means they're highly likely to avoid the toughest FW and avoid the risk of stumbling on M17 and being blasted by the whole net.

When the time comes to face AHQ or JT, the chance of winning is high, and taking down a strong LMS team in the first match can be touted as an achievement; even if we lose, at least it looks better than losing to M17, right?

Put simply, fighting for the first spot is the optimal decision under a risk‑control logic.

To this end, FireFox didn't hesitate to risk offending people by standing up and confronting A Bu; after FireFox spoke, WE's head coach Homme exchanged a few words with the team interpreter sitting beside him, and then the WE interpreter conveyed Homme's opinion to everyone present, which was the same as FireFox's.

All three teams wanted the first spot, but after arguing for a few minutes they still couldn't reach a conclusion. A Bu got angry, waved his hand and said, "Fine, fine, fine—I won't argue with you. Since my plan isn't accepted by you, please come up with another one. It's getting late; there are matches tomorrow, so I'll see how long this meeting drags on. Nobody needs to play practice matches—just waste time."

The atmosphere stalled a bit.

Wensen several times gave Gao Jun a look, signaling him to speak for VG, but Gao Jun pretended not to notice, sitting calmly in his chair with eyes slightly downcast, like an old monk in meditation, completely unwilling to speak.

Gao Jun, speaking for VG, stated his stance—"I don't care what number I go out or who I face; I'm flexible, do whatever you want."

Wensen understood VG's meaning.

In tomorrow's Bo5 against LMS, VG doesn't need to pick an opponent—no matter who they face, they'll win; just go out and play. So VG can't be bothered to wrangle with these people, since the order is set by you, I'll take my share, and regardless of whether LPL wins or loses, VG won't take the blame.

This is the confidence of a top‑tier strong team, and also the smartest move in the current situation.

Wensen let out a quiet sigh and had to stand up.

"Alright, alright, let's stop arguing.

"Chief Ji, don't be angry either; let's discuss the matter and each voice our views.

"Indeed it's getting late; continuing to argue like this isn't working. Here's an idea.

"First, I'd like to ask VG—could you also state your position?

"We don't really have anything to say.

Gao Jun rubbed his nose, wearing a composed smile,

"Whatever you all decide, we'll support it. As for the order, we're flexible.

Indeed…

"Well then—

Wensen nodded, his gaze sweeping over the other three teams,

"VG will follow the arrangement, while you all think the first spot is important, wanting to earn this top merit for LPL, each of you wanting to play first—so I think we should do this.

"Let's draw lots—how about that?

The representatives of the three teams all blinked in surprise.

Then FireFox slowly sat down: "Fine, let's draw lots—that's the fairest."

Homme also raised his hand.

Wensen finally looked toward A Bu.

A Bu's face darkened, he turned away, and said sulkily, "Whatever."

Wensen felt utterly helpless and let out a deep sigh:

"Chief Ji, we can't just do that.

"You also need to consider me, right?

"What does 'whatever' mean? We're sitting here holding a meeting to discuss things.

"The outcome definitely needs to be decided democratically, with everyone's agreement.

"Otherwise I'd find it very hard to do.

"If later someone blames me, saying this lineup was my unilateral, authoritarian decision as the team leader, I'd never be able to wash it clean even if I jumped into the Yellow River.

"What do you think?

A Bu fell silent for a few seconds, then grudgingly said, "Fine, I agree—let's draw lots."

Wensen relaxed his breath, forced a smile, and looked at Gao Jun asking:

"Just to confirm, Manager Gao, you really aren't competing for the first spot, right?

Gao Jun felt sorry for Wensen; although called the 'president,' he's actually more like a public steward, and in this situation he's truly out of his depth.

So Gao Jun restrained his smile and sincerely answered Wensen: "Yes, VG isn't competing; we fully follow the team's arrangement."

Wensen smiled gratefully at him, then turned back and quietly said a few words to a staff member standing behind him; that person then left the meeting room to prepare the props.

Not long after, an ashtray holding three paper balls was placed on the conference table.

Wensen picked up the ashtray, gave it a symbolic shake, then put it back on the table.

"Gentlemen, who goes first?"