Chapter 42

【Due to this match triggering diary content, the corresponding chapter has been unlocked in advance.】

【You may choose to activate the hidden challenge for this chapter: "Scientific Researcher".】

【Note: There is no penalty for failing the challenge, but it is uncertain whether the {hidden challenge} will appear again.】

【Reward: "Scientific Talent"】

Ye Bo raised an eyebrow, pondering the meaning of this description.

The draft phase had only just finished one round, and the opponent had no unusual picks other than Anivia, so he still had time to think.

He had completed a "hidden challenge" once before, which had earned him Doinb's "Live Streaming Circle Rice Saint Body".

Although that item wasn't of much use to Ye Bo for the time being—after all, he certainly had no plans to develop a streaming career at this stage.

But this "Scientific Talent," combined with the fact that it had to be completed within a match.

Perhaps it could very well be a combat skill usable in-game!

And just looking at the meaning of the description.

If he didn't take the challenge, he might miss this hidden mission, and he didn't know if it could be triggered again.

Ye Bo didn't struggle with it too much; after all, the previous game as Zoe had successfully given him sufficient confidence, and he would certainly feel regret if he let this opportunity slip by.

To take a step back.

He hadn't lost yet, so there was still room for error in the "five-match challenge."

【Hidden challenge activated.】

【Host's status detected as abnormal, triggering humanitarian aid safety net; basic condition support has been equipped.】

【"Who is Jiang Chenglu? Times have changed, and I will end your comeback debut!" — "Ye Bo (2025)" Akshan proficiency has been configured.】

【Mission Objective: Please use the hero "Akshan" to win this match.】

【Note: Refusing to select defaults to failure; there is no penalty for mission failure.】

"???"

"Holy crap, an old-timer from '25!"

Amidst his surprise, Ye Bo discovered clues between the lines.

Although he didn't know why he would be linked to TheShy, nor why he had to use this hero to complete the hidden mission.

And he didn't know why "he" would "neglect his proper work" to practice so much Akshan.

But there was no time to think about these things in the current situation.

Perhaps he could find the answer in the newly unlocked diary chapter after this match ended.

What Ye Bo had to consider now was whether or not to pick "Akshan."

The unknown reward of the hidden mission was certainly tempting.

But if it would cause the team to lose the victory, Ye Bo would rather give it up; there was no penalty anyway.

Come to think of it, the hero Akshan wasn't exactly new; from the summer of '21 to the present, he had been online for over a year.

It was just obvious that even after being online for a year, everyone's impression of him was still quite "unfamiliar."

Even in Ye Bo's own ranking experience, he was rarely seen in rank; even with his training volume, he hadn't faced him in lane many times, which showed just how unpopular he was.

But as the operational memory belonging to "Old Deng Bo" drifted into his mind, he gained a deeper understanding of this hero.

Ye Bo's eyes flickered with a strange light.

He glanced at the opponent's first three picks: the already revealed Twisted Fate + Jarvan IV + Anivia lineup.

Maybe... it really could work!?

Whether banning or picking, WBG's intent in this game was very clear: to forcibly restrict the mid lane and force Ye Bo to pick a laning or utility hero.

In the eyes of WBG's coaching staff, although Ye Bo's Akali and LeBlanc felt a bit like urban legends.

In reality, they had never actually been picked in the LPL!

Although Angel had the nickname "Voldemort," there was certainly no problem with his laning ability.

As for Yone, it went without saying; if not for the early game design in that match against Doinb, the hero's weakness in early laning would be unavoidable.

And Akshan's hero positioning was very similar to Zoe's.

Both belonged to the strength curve of: strong early game + strong laning + strong fighting, but weak late game.

The difference mainly lay in that Zoe's strength was more biased towards {laning} and {fighting}.

Akshan was more biased towards {roaming}.

This point was precisely the sharp weapon they had already verified when facing WBG!

"Brothers, I have an idea. I feel like I can pick Akshan this game!"

"Akshan... oh, Akshan?" Maokai, who was behind him, paused after hearing this before reacting, asking: "But we haven't practiced this hero. Have you?"

"Sorry, sorry, I've practiced it privately. The proficiency should be no problem." Ye Bo could only tell a white lie.

"This hero's roaming ability is even stronger than Zoe's. It's just that I haven't played him as much as Zoe, so I didn't intend to pick him, but looking at the opponent's lineup this game, I feel he's very suitable!"

"Laning against Twisted Fate, this hero can completely crush him!"

Seeing Ye Bo's confidence.

Maokai hesitated for only a short while before quickly nodding.

As coaches who needed to coordinate with the lineup, Clearlove and Abu had naturally told him about Ye Bo's situation.

If nothing else, just based on this, he could be sure that Ye Bo wouldn't mess around.

Not to mention that the opponent's performance before had been good enough; there was no reason not to believe him now. Weren't they already one-nil up?

"Then what should I pick for jungle, Master Ye? Do I need to coordinate with you?" Barrier, who was truly inexperienced, asked out loud.

"Just treat me like Zoe and coordinate. Actually, there's nothing special... oh right, Barrier, can you play Trundle jungle?" Ye Bo said, suddenly remembering something.

"I really can! My Trundle was personally taught by Clearlove!"

The outside world was still speculating about EDG's fourth and fifth picks.

"Holy crap, TheShy's top lane Anivia! That's so spicy, TheShy!" XiKa was making a fuss.

"Why didn't EDG grab the mid laner first? Isn't Akali this guy's signature? Why didn't he pick it when it was left open?" Sun Yalong questioned.

"Hey, but don't say that, Akali really doesn't have much of a say against Twisted Fate. This streamer has experience!"

"Although Twisted Fate is really scraping in this version, Akali is also very hard to suppress Twisted Fate in the early game in this version, and then she can't push the lane, and roaming is completely crushed! That 'follow E' thing, as long as you're prepared, it's impossible to give you a chance!"

"Brother Sun, you're knowledgeable again, holy crap!!!"

XiKa was just about to reply when he suddenly pointed at the screen and let out a strange cry.

"What is this from EDG! They're bringing out the goods too! Akshan with Trundle!"

"Holy crap, this Wai Yi definitely peeked at our De Yun Se stream! He actually stole our climbing strategy!" Sun Yalong used his "stealing meme" technique, attempting to mooch off the fruits of their labor.

"Hehe, it really is. Then I'll have to keep a close eye on EDG's lineup."

"However, WBG's lineup is super gay in team fights. Akshan feels like he has no room to perform..."

Both sides confirmed their lineup picks.

《Blue Side: EDG || Red Side: WBG》

【Top: Vladimir vs Anivia】

【Jungle: Trundle vs Jarvan IV】

【Mid: Akshan vs Twisted Fate】

【ADC: Aphelios vs Miss Fortune】

【Support: Lulu vs Nautilus】

(End of chapter)