League of Legends: League of Unknowns

Luocheng’s low spirits was completely wiped off by the LPL players’ enthusiasm. It was a familiar scene as he recalled how the other Chinese team had also helped them strive through the international DOTA tournament in the past by providing them with valuable information and advice.

 No matter how chaotic and hostile the Chinese E-sports scene was, the players were still willing to come together when they were facing a common enemy. Such unity pleased Luocheng and reignited his will to fight.

 ***

 Taking a deep breath, Luocheng sent a countdown message to the group.

 3!

 2!

 1!

 Let’s start!

 At the same time, the news had immediately reached the Koreans and all professional players on standby for the hunt had also clicked the ‘Find Match’ button. They couldn’t wait to see the demise of their primary target, Yu Luocheng.

 ***

 They waited anxiously.

 Teams in public ranked-game were set-up randomly, so there was no guarantee that Luocheng’s reinforcements would be lined-up in the same game as him, let alone on the same team. The longer they waited, the more nervous they got.

 The spectators in Demacia Cafe were especially restless, praying hard that Luocheng’s teammates would be someone from their side and not those IDs with unrecognizable Korean characters.

 Ding!

 Following the crisp sound, the screen jumped straight into the Ban phase of the game.

 The music of a ranked-game was different from the normal game. The deep and intense soundtrack subconsciously influenced the player to sit up straight and hold onto their breath.

 “Who did we get?”

 “We’re in! Those who are still queueing can cancel now!”

 “Sh*t, I think I’m in a different game!”

 The members of the group began to report their respective states. Apparently, the probability of being placed in the same team as Luocheng was still slim even with more than forty of them.

 ‘No matter what, just pray that Luocheng didn’t get someone from their side.’

 ***

 “I’m in. Quick, tell me who is the first to ban in the opposite team?” Park Yisheng said eagerly.

 He had been waiting for this moment the whole night and had finally gotten to play.

 Soon, they learned that the first ban from the other side was the same as his.

 It was confirmed. Finally, he could take revenge with his own hands.

 “Who else is with me?” Yisheng asked.

 “I am. I think I’m on the third floor on your side,” Kim Zuoshen from Team Bok answered.

 “Great. Anyone else? Speak up now,” Yisheng asked again.

 

“I am, but as your opponent,” A rookie professional player answered.

 “That’s even better. Wait a minute, isn’t this Walker?” Yisheng recognized a familiar ID in his team.

 Walker was one of the veterans from the top eight teams in Korea, and his favorite position was Mid-solo.

 Yisheng had still been worrying about the caliber of his teammates the moment he had gotten into the game. After all, the opponents they were facing were no ordinary players, so he was relieved when he saw the line-up.

 He alone could have carried the tempo of the game. Zuoshen from Team Bok was perhaps the fourth or fifth best Jungler in Korea and would probably rank higher in other countries. Then, they also had Walker in the mid-lane. The ability of a Mid that had helped his team to become the top eight team in Korea went without saying.

 Although Yisheng did not know who the other two teammates were, he did recognize their IDs. They were more than capable and wouldn’t be a burden at the very least. Of course, it didn’t matter even if they did, because there was still a spy in the opponent’s team.

 “Wow, three professional players. We’re going to win this easily.”

 “I suppose I’m not needed in this game at all.”

 The two players who were not involved in the manhunt said leisurely.

 The IGNs of Walker, Park Yisheng, and Kim Zuoshen were pretty well-known in the higher ranks. Normally, teaming up with either one of them would grant a higher chance of winning, but to be teamed up with all three at once? Lady luck must have been smiling upon them.

 “Hyung-nim*, we’ll be counting on you guys in this match. This is going to be my final match to rank up. This is my first time into the Challenger rank and I would die without regrets after this.” One of the pub players typed excitedly.

 “Don’t worry, this is going to be a sure-win.” Yisheng replied confidently.

 They didn’t even need the help of a renegade. Rigged or not, this match had been decided the second the three of them had been placed into the same team.

 ‘Chinese brats, let me show you the mighty strength of Korean E-sports.”

 ***

 “Who’s in? Anyone on the same team as Captain Yu? Or is anyone in the opposite team?” Messages in the LOL group erupted.

 Unfortunately, it seemed like no one from their side was positioned in the enemy’s team.

 In other words, they would have zero chance in this game if another troll came into their team.

 “D*mn! I didn’t get in!” Da Luo said in disappointment.

 “Me neither!” Lin Dong’s screen had changed almost as instantaneously as Luocheng’s game, and at first, he thought he had entered the same game, but was soon dejected after seeing the first ban in the two games was of different champions.

 “Who is this player called One?” Wu Sen checked out Luocheng’s teammates.

 Xie Lianda called them just as they were being curious about the player’s true identity.

 “Hahaha! Hahahaha!” Lianda laughed like a lunatic over the other side.

 “What’s so funny?”

 “I am that One! Have you guys forgotten my ID?” Lianda said jubilantly.

 They were pumped to learn that Lianda was on their side in this game. ‘His skill as a Mid is unquestionable! Our chances of winning are very much higher with him on the team!’

 Luocheng was equally excited as well, never expecting to be teamed up with Lianda under such circumstances. Such an opportunity was difficult to come by.

 Lianda’s fabulous performance by using Zed had left a strong impression on Luocheng, and his worry lessened after having such a dependable ally in his team.

 ***

 “Wow, this is going to be great! Number One from Team Beijing is also on the team!”

 “Luocheng, Number One, and Shallow Dream. This is close to a dream team.”

 

“I dare predict that this third game is going to be a great one.” The audience in the Demacia Cafe was enthused. The all-star line-up was very promising and they could foresee that the level of this game might even surpass professional matches.

 Just as everyone in the club was discussing passionately about the potential of this game, those inside the VIP room once again frowned in despair following the early delight.

 “Sh*t! Someone should have told us earlier, our fourth floor is their player!” Da Luo sighed grumpily.

 Lianda felt helpless too, having just been informed.

 In the end, a troll had managed to sneak into their team. Unluckily, the game had already started and they could not back out now.

 “They’ve got some great players, too. One is the signature ADC from Team STG, another is a Jungler from Team Bok, and Walker, with the highest point total, is in the Challenger rank. The remaining two players are very close to the Challenger rank as well. We have our chance if this is a fair game, but with a renegade, it’s hopeless.” Lin Dong complained angrily.

 In the end, they faced the same fate as in the second game. Luocheng and Shallow Dream were able to salvage the previous game simply because the opponent’s ADC was the only better player. That was not going to happen in this game since both sides had multiple professional players.

 “Who is our last teammate? Has anyone seen this ID before?” Lianda inquired.

 If the last player was also a Korean, they could already call GG now. Even if it wasn’t, they still didn’t stand a strong chance in a 4 vs 6 game.

 “It looks familiar…” Zhou Yan blurted out.

 “I think so too. We must have seen this ID somewhere before…” Wu Sen echoed Zhou Yan’s opinion.

 Da Luo and Lin Dong approached to get a closer look. Lin Dong suddenly slapped Da Luo’s thigh and exclaimed, “It’s Xiao Zhuai!”

 “No wonder!” Zhou Yan nodded.

 This player was the Jungler of TPG from Taiwan. He had once led his team into the international tournament final.

 In the past, Zhou Yan had been utterly amazed by how Xiao Zhuai had defeated them with Lee Sin’s decisive kick, and from that point onward, Zhou Yan had vowed to outshine this high-caliber Jungler one day.

 They were surprised to see Xiao Zhuai on the Korean server. He had used pinyin as his ID so they hadn’t recognized him at first.

 Luocheng has Xiao Zhuai’s contact, so he hastily sent a message to him through MSN.

 Xiao Zhuai replied not long after. He was likewise surprised to see them as shown by the number of exclamation marks he had sent back to Luocheng. ‘How come the Chinese guy knows the account I am using on this server?’

 “Is this really you? Don’t fool around with us, we are facing a serious matter right now.” Luocheng sent him another message.

 “Why would I lie? Let me take a screenshot and show you.” He sent over a screenshot swiftly afterward. Luocheng, Shallow Dream, Lianda, and the ID of the troller was clearly on display.

 “D*mn! It’s really him!” The members of Team Skycrown rejoiced.

 Who was this Xiao Zhuai?

 He was indisputably the top Jungler in the world at the moment. He amazed even Luocheng when they practiced together through the MSN group. Luocheng had admitted that Xiao Zhuai’s ability to carry the tempo was even better than him. More importantly, he seemed to have a knack of using pivotal play to kill off the game single-handedly.

 “This game is very much alive with Xiao Zhuai in the team!” Luocheng regained his confidence.

 Teaming up with Xie Lianda, Shallow Dream, and Xiao Zhuai, had only one possible outcome—victory. They had nothing to worry about even going up against three Korean professionals. Although the renegade might cause them some hindrance, they still had a better chance as long as they didn’t make any silly mistakes.

 Luocheng immediately updated Xiao Zhuai on the current situation.

 Xiao Zhuai became agitated and instantly cursed the Koreans harshly using his own dialect. Even though they could hardly understand, Luocheng assumed that the expletives used wouldn’t differ much in meaning.

 “Don’t worry, China-man. With me as the core, they don’t stand a chance no matter how “good” their actor plays!” Xiao Zhuai gave Luocheng his word.

 “There’s nothing to worry about with me playing Mid.” Lianda also announced confidently.

 As for Shallow Dream, there wasn’t any ADC in this world that Luocheng was willing to exchange her for.

 He was now fearless with such a star-studded convoy. These were the players he, the best E-sports player in the past, acknowledged and greatly admired.

 Honestly, Luocheng was getting pretty emotional when he learned that Xie Lianda and Xiao Zhuai were his teammates in this match. ‘This should be the first time I have joined forces with players from other professional teams to put the Koreans into their place. The taste of victory is going to be surreal.’

 *Translator’s note: Hyung-nim* is normally used by Koreans to address male slightly older than them. Similar meaning as big bro but this form is meant to be used out of respect.