Chapter 42: Hidden Quest

[Because the diary content was triggered during this match, the corresponding chapter has been unlocked in advance.]

[You may choose to activate the hidden challenge for this chapter: "Scientific Research Player"]

[Hint: There is no penalty for failing the challenge, but it is uncertain whether the {hidden challenge} will appear again.]

[Reward: "Scientific Research Talent"]

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

The draft phase had only just completed 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 Rice-Earning Saint Body."

Although that thing 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 Research Talent," combined with the fact that it was a challenge to be completed within a match.

It might very well be some kind of in-game combat skill!

And just looking at the meaning of the description.

If he didn't take the challenge, he might miss this hidden quest, 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. On the contrary, if he were to let this opportunity slip by, he would definitely feel regret.

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; humanitarian aid minimum guarantee triggered; basic condition buffs equipped.]

["Who is called Jiang Chenglu? Times have changed; I will end your comeback debut!" — "Ye Bo (2025)" Akshan proficiency has been configured.]

[Quest Objective: Please use the champion "Akshan" to win this match.]

[Hint: Refusing to select counts as a default failure; there is no penalty for quest 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 champion to complete the hidden quest.

And he knew even less 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 scene.

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

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

The unknown reward of a hidden quest was certainly tempting.

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

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

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

Even in Ye Bo's own ranked experience, he had played him only a handful of times; even with his training volume, he hadn't laning against him many times, which showed just how unpopular he was.

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

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!?

In this game, regardless of whether WBG banned or picked, their intent was very clear: to forcibly restrict the mid lane and force Ye Bo to pick a laning or utility champion.

In the eyes of the WBG 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 derogatory nickname "Voldemort," there was absolutely 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 champion's early-game laning weakness would have been unavoidable.

And Akshan, the champion's role, 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 leaned more towards {laning} and {fighting}.

Akshan leaned more 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 champion. Have you?"

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

"This champion's roaming ability is even stronger than Zoe's, it's just that I really haven't played him as much as Zoe, so I hadn't planned on picking him, but looking at the opponent's lineup this game, I feel it's very suitable!"

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

Seeing Ye Bo's confidence.

Maokai hesitated for only a short moment before quickly nodding.

As the coach who needed to coordinate with the team, Clearlove and Abu had naturally told him about Ye Bo.

Not to mention anything else, just based on that, he could be certain Ye Bo wouldn't mess around.

Not to mention the opponent had performed well enough before; there was no reason not to believe him now. Weren't they already one-to-zero?

"Then what should I pick for jungle, Master Ye? How should I coordinate with you?" Jiejie, who truly lacked experience, asked aloud.

"Just coordinate with me like you do with Zoe; actually, there's nothing special. Oh, by the way, Jiejie, can you play Trundle jungle?" Ye Bo said, suddenly remembering something.

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

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

"Holy crap, TheShy's top lane Anivia! That's so dirty, TheShy!" Xiye 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 also becomes very hard to pressure Twisted Fate in the early game this version, and then she can't push the lane, and roaming is directly crushed! That 'follow E' thing, as long as you're prepared, it's impossible for her to find an opportunity!"

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

Xiye 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 pulling out tricks too! Akshan with Trundle!"

"Holy crap, this Ye Bo definitely peeked at our DeYunSe stream! He actually stole our climbing strategy!" Sun Yalong used his "stealing meme" technique, attempting to mooch off the results.

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

"However, WBG's lineup is super gay in team fights; Akshan doesn't feel like he has much room to perform..."

Both sides confirmed their lineups.

《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)