Chapter 6: The Head Coach's Promise!

Doinb only enjoyed it for one day.

The next morning, this happiness was shattered by an uninvited guest.

Dade has arrived!

The club held a grand welcome ceremony for Dade, and Swift even saw a savior, repeatedly calling him Yuzhen Ge.

Even the perpetually rebellious Da B didn't dare act presumptuously in front of Dade.

In China, various 'ge' are mostly nicknames, with seniors often calling juniors 'XX ge', but Korea has a strict 'ge' culture where juniors must use honorifics when addressing seniors.

Dade is an OGN veteran player, his seniority and status are intimidating.

That day, QG signed a contract with Dade, and the contract was swiftly sent to the league.

If it were a new registration, the review process would take several days at least, but Dade had played for M3 for a year last season, his name was already on the roster, so now only a formality is needed to add him to the team roster.

Unfortunately, today is Friday!

Lin Ke prayed to the gods, and the only response was the Tengjing bosses who get off work on time with weekend double rest.

Time came to Sunday, yet there was still no response!

Not making the roster also means cannot play.

Da B breathed a sigh of relief; Dade couldn't play, and the remaining Borisal couldn't compete with him.

In today's season finale, only he can start.

The key is, who will play jungle!

Xu Dongmen had back-to-back MVPs in the last game, his chemistry with the team is obvious, and logically he should be the undisputed starting pick.

But playing professionally has never been just about fighting and killing.

Swift is indeed the team's core, having earned merit for QG; when he takes a hard line and refuses to budge, even the coaching staff and management must give him face.

The nickname 'opponent' is not something you can just call casually.

"Sorry, Dongmen athlete, I guarantee you will definitely have a chance to play in the future." Head Coach Pu Longyun came over to comfort him.

"Don't be discouraged, Xiao Xu, you're still young, there will be plenty of opportunities ahead." Manager Lin Ke also spoke up.

Regarding these two's statements, Xu Dongmen responded with a dismissive 'hehe'.

What's wrong with being young? Did youth offend you?

What do you mean 'you're still young and have plenty of opportunities'? Playing professionally isn't about strength, are you comparing who lives longer?

He felt very upset inside, but Xu Dongmen didn't waste words, knowing it would be useless.

"Damn it, brother, wait, I'll go tell them—if they don't let you start, I won't play either." Doinb vowed to share Xu Dongmen's fate.

"No, you can't threaten them—cough, if you don't play, you'll just be replaced by someone else, pointless." Xu Dongmen was clear-headed.

"Indeed, you say when did my 'Jin Gu Gu' become like this? How have I fallen further the more I muddle through?" Da B's face was full of dejection and unwillingness.

He and Swift came to China together, but their status and treatment within the team differ by a hundred thousand eight thousand miles.

This is also one of the reasons Doinb constantly thinks about streaming.

"I didn't expect Ying Bi Ge to have such a sentimental side."

Xu Dongmen clicked his tongue in amazement; in his mind, Doinb is an optimist, forever full of energy, just like a monkey.

Xu Dongmen tried to make him laugh, but the monkey couldn't.

At this moment, he was surrounded by a strong sense of crisis; although the heavens helped him this time, Doinb inwardly had a premonition that Dade would soon replace his position.

This is not groundless worry!

As the S5 Korean aid to China with the highest transfer fee, Dade has declined somewhat after a slump, but he is still more than three times Doinb's value.

The club spent so much money to bring in Dade; could they possibly let him sit on the bench for themselves?

"Don't think so much, just play the game… By the way, Ying Bi Ge, have you practiced Ryze yet?"

Xu Dongmen changed the subject; he knew these days Da B hadn't even streamed, each day he was enduring hardship, painstakingly practicing Ryze.

His words brought Doinb back to reality: "That's a must—I'll tell you my Ryze is now strong; if the opponent targets me again today, I will definitely crush them with Ryze."

"OK, OK…"

Rainbow Bridge World, the match venue.

Today is the last match day of the regular season; although all games are in Group A, each match has highlights, and the on-site attendance is quite high.

First match: LGD versus Snake.

As the third and fourth place teams in Group A, the two teams are evenly matched, and as expected before the match, they played a full best-of-three.

In the end, the team with the all-star lineup, Old Qian Die, who started to shine in the second half of the regular season, won, avenging the first round's one-arrow grudge.

This match's result does not affect rankings; even if Snake loses, they remain Group A's third place.

LGD won the match, more so displaying the team's momentum.

"But the next match is different; this one could affect rankings."

"Yes, if WE2 sweeps QG 2-0 in the next match, they have a chance to overtake in points and vie for first place in Group A."

On the commentator desk, Guan Zeyuan and Su Xiaoyan formed today's commentator lineup.

QG, record 11-4, small games 25 wins 13 losses.

WE, record 10-5, small games 24 wins 15 losses.

The two teams' win counts are very close.

As long as WE wins 2-0 today, even if the big-game points are equal, they can overwhelm QG via small-game win count.

"Some viewers might not know, but this season's format has been overhauled: the regular season group winners advance directly to the semifinals, while the runners-up must play an extra BO5 round."

"In yesterday's B group season finale, RNG secured first place in B group and advanced straight to the semifinals; EDG, ranked second, must start from the second round."

"Today we'll see which of these two teams is the A group's RNG and which is the A group's EDG."

Under the commentators' warm-up, the match officially began.

As soon as the game started, both sides began wildly banning jungle picks; Thresh, Leopard Woman, Male Spear, Spider were all banned, and not a single one of the top four jungle champions from the regular season remained.

Thanks to the blue side advantage, QG secured a higher priority jungle pick: the barrel.

But in the mid/top lane, WE confused QG by playing Ice Woman in a flexible manner.

They first picked Lissandra, but after Doinb brought out Viktor, they finally locked in Card Master and sent Ice Woman to the top lane to face V's Ekko.

957's top lane Ice Woman—that's got a story behind it.

Most importantly, when WE played that Card Master, it completely shut down QG's entire lineup!

The top lane was shut down, while bottom lane Mystic and former dog spirit Zero formed an impregnable bronze wall, making it hard for UZI and the Heavenly Disaster Apocalypse to break through.

At this point, the mid/jungle became the top priority.

QG's mid/jungle was completely exposed!

Never mind strength status and champion picks; given the current relationship between Da B and Ten Thousand Volts, can you expect their mid/jungle to cooperate seamlessly?

They both wish the other would die!

Over the whole match, the influence of Xiye's Card and Condi's Rek'Sai was ten times that of these two.

MVP ultimately went to Condi—his pacing was off the charts, his presence extremely strong.

Swift also had something to say: "You play your mid, I play my mid; give me a Viktor with Earthbind, and can your jungle avoid being destroyed?"

"We're done; it looks like we'll have to hand over first place in the group."

Before the first game even ended, Lin Ke sensed something was off.

Several coaches also regretted it; they were too naive, originally thinking Doinb and Swift could temporarily set aside their differences for the sake of keeping first place in the group, prioritizing the bigger picture.

Little did they know, these two were already as antagonistic as fire and water, their long‑accumulated grudges piled high like mountains—only a final teamfight as thunder‑drawing‑earth‑fire, meteor‑striking‑earth away, so how could they possibly go along with your fart‑die and spicy dance?

No going back, brother!

"What if we put Yingxian up next game?" Cui Jiaolian scratched his head, unable to decide.

"Yingxian" is the name used by Borisal; he and Doinb also share the surname Jin.

Jin Yingxian's strength may not match Jin Taixiang's, but at least when he takes the field, the mid/jungle can work together.

"Damn, wish Dade had arrived a few days earlier!" Lin Ke beat his chest and stomped his feet, regretting that he'd signed the player too late.

Actually this isn't his fault; Dade, as an unemployed mid‑laner this season, had been staying in Korea, and the time needed to travel from Seoul to Shanghai to discuss contracts and buy tickets delayed the precious time.

"In my view, we should still let Dongmen play next game; under these circumstances, only his participation gives us a chance to win—we need to take at least one game to hold onto first place." Head coach Pu Longyun spoke.

As one of the initiators of the Anti‑B movement, Pu Longyun may be reluctant to admit it, but the combination of Xu Dongmen and Doinb is far greater than Swift plus Borisal.

Of course, no matter how you line them up, any combination is better than Doinb plus Swift; a change must be made in the next game!

Everyone agreed with his view, all turning their gaze to Xu Dongmen.

"Little Xu, you're up next game, no problem?" Lin Ke walked over.

"Sure."

Xu Dongmen raised his head: "But I want to ask one thing—if I go up today and win, will you guys bench me again for the next playoff game? If that's the case, then what's the point of my playing and winning or not?"

That question left everyone speechless.

"Um, this..."

Lin Ke scratched his head: "Little Xu, I know this is the club's fault—benching you after a win really messes with your mentality—but rest assured, I guarantee you'll be a key focus for development, and you'll definitely get plenty of opportunities."

Xu Dongmen wanted to laugh—just more empty promises and bad checks; he'd had enough!

Opportunities? Not giving a chance to play unless you don't lose?

I'm not here to wipe your ass for you!

"Dongmen, do you believe me?"

Seeing the situation stall, Head Coach Pu Longyun stepped forward: "If you're willing to trust me, I can guarantee that similar things won't happen again."

"OK, I believe you, coach." Xu Dongmen nodded firmly.

Before them stood a nearly forty‑year‑old Korean uncle with a bit of baldness, who had only joined the LPL this season.

As head coach he's a bit soft‑hearted, the team lacks authority, he likes to run democratic votes, emphasizing kindness and leniency.

People like him need not be worried about their character.

Most importantly, given Pu Longyun's status and position, once he makes a promise there's absolutely no need to worry about him going back on his word.

This old guy is a well‑known respectable figure in the Korean esports scene!