NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66
For a moment, I managed to startle my opponent.
Sadly, the only time I could showcase the advantage of ranged champions over melee champions was during the level one phase.
After that, only the dismal matchup between champions awaited me.
[Raise – Level 2]
[Yasuon – Level 2]
As I reached level two, Yasuon, who had been silent thus far, started pushing forward on the minion wave.
But I mustn’t be misled.
In this lane situation, Yasuon hadn’t even cast his shroud yet, so he couldn’t recklessly engage in trading damage.
‘First, a basic attack.’
And then, to naturally break the minion aggro, I eased back slightly.
That meant I had to relinquish some of the lane-pushing control I had just gained, but considering the matchup between Raise and Yasuon, this much was definitely bearable.
‘If I get too greedy, I could end up getting solo killed.’
Besides, this was an exceptionally dangerous moment.
‘It’s the perfect time for a level 2 gank.’
Recently, the tier of champions hasn’t been that high, so level 2 ganks don’t happen often, but that doesn’t mean that Jarvan III is a bad champion.
Especially Jarvan III’s level 2 mid gank is almost a textbook route, making it quite threatening.
‘5, 4, 3…’
I slowly counted down in my head.
I was waiting for Jarvan III to become capable of a level 2 gank.
‘Got it.’
Of course, there was a chance he might awkwardly wait a bit longer, but at that point, you could consider Jarvan as already done for, so it was no loss.
‘The real problem starts now.’
[Yasuon – Level 3]
Now it was time for Raise to truly be unable to do anything against Yasuon.
‘Of all champions to face…’
It’s an obvious fact, but in a normal game where blind picks are happening, there’s no concept of a ban/pick phase to begin with.
People just pick whatever champions they want.
Thus, the ban/pick in normal games is solely based on luck.
In other words, I had no luck.
Of course, one could argue that picking more versatile champions is a way to prevent this, but I never imagined TheOne’s Yasuon would come to me.
‘Well, even if I had picked another champion, what difference would it have made?’
While I was lamenting all this, TheOne’s Yasuon smoothly rode the minion wave and attempted to trade damage.
‘Hmm.’
Yasuon’s Q skill is quite hard to dodge due to its close-range nature, but it isn’t impossible.
Stay calm,
stay calm.
I carefully observed each of Yasuon’s motions to dodge the skill shots.
‘This one’s from the left.’
After dodging the skill shot, I used the EW combo to catch Yasuon’s ankles as he tried to flee on the minion wave.
-Embrace the wind!
Just as expected from TheOne, regarded as one of the best top laners in the world, he responded fluidly with his shroud.
Regrettably, my E skill was blocked by the shroud, and my W applied a slow instead of a root.
‘Can’t do extra damage because of the shroud. It’s best to fall back now.’
Fortunately, the cooldown on the shroud was pretty long, so during that time, I should be able to regain some control over pushing.
I objectively assessed myself.
‘My Raise skill level is just okay. Moreover, the lane matchup is practically the worst.’
No matter how you look at it, my opponent isn’t playing their main position, they are a top laner with a deep understanding of lane matchups.
That’s a Red Cup-winning top laner.
If we only consider a 1v1 lane, the chances of me winning against TheOne’s Yasuon are virtually nonexistent.
‘So, what’s my advantage?’
What should I utilize?
‘No need to ponder over it.’
Establish the lane.
Attempt to trade damage.
It’s fine if I take losses.
I can afford to lose the lane.
In fact, it’s better if I take more hits.
[Current Health 364/825]
I’m only after one thing.
‘Just a little more.’
As the continuous damage exchange ensued, Yasuon, intoxicated by the swords, charged at me on the minion wave.
In that moment,
Yasuon crossed an invisible line.
[⨷]
[IlIIIIIllIlIll (Lee Sin) has targeted SY TheOne (Yasuon)]
‘I’ve been waiting a long time.’
I would assert that
I am the person who understands the jungle better than anyone among the mid laners currently.
-First Blood!
The once solid shield now bore a crack.
*
“…”
While staring at the gray screen that appeared without warning, Choi Won scratched his head.
He never expected to get ganked at this timing in a normal game like this.
“Whoa, these guys are fierce, huh?”
The best way to elevate oneself isn’t to degrade others; it’s to uplift them.
Choi Won was well aware of this virtue, but sadly, his teammates didn’t seem to agree much.
[“Ah, our mid is trolling. Report.”]
[“Agreed.”]
Look at these guys?
Under the relentless barrage from his teammates, Choi Won reluctantly initiated.
“Hey, it’s not like the jungler’s 2-level gank didn’t come because of me.”
SY’s supporter, currently playing as Jarvan III, GuineaPig, Yoo Sang-hyun, immediately fired back.
[“As if! He waited there for 30 seconds and couldn’t even get a response, just wasted his time.”]
That was a fair point.
In reality, Jarvan intended to skip jungling at level 2 to go for a mid gank, but due to the enemy’s quick response, that plan was thwarted.
Sometimes, emotions take precedence over reason.
“Jungle difference.”
At that statement, I could see Yoon-ki flinch beside me, but right now, the jungler wasn’t Yoon-ki; it was GuineaPig.
[“Really?”]
GuineaPig, Yoo Sang-hyun, seemed to carry a peculiar aura and headed straight for mid.
[❕] [❕] [❕]
[SY TheOne (Yasuon) has transmitted a retreat signal]
[SY TheOne (Yasuon) has transmitted a retreat signal]
[SY TheOne (Yasuon) has transmitted a retreat signal]
[❗] [❗] [❗]
[SY TheOne (Yasuon) has transmitted a danger signal]
[SY TheOne (Yasuon) has transmitted a danger signal]
[SY TheOne (Yasuon) has transmitted a danger signal]
Seeing that, Choi Won felt a bad omen and pinged repeatedly, but Jarvan didn’t stop.
“…What are you doing? Hey! No! I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but stop!”
[“Gank cost.”]
Along with that low voice, a heavy hand landed atop a cannon minion’s head.
This was a taboo act among junglers, normally emerging only when emotions ran high in a heated argument.
“Ah! You messed up the lane!”
[“You asked me to gank.”]
“Oh, come on!”
[“Want me to go again?”]
“…”
Choi Won could not speak any further.
In this situation, the initiative usually lay with the jungler.
Of course, there was also the option of invading the enemy jungle, but that was just an act of mutual assured destruction with a predetermined conclusion.
In the end, having read the outcome in an instant, Choi Won had no choice but to take a step back.
“My lane…”
Even though he had just shifted the lane to mid, for Choi Won, a top laner, managing the lane was as vital as life itself.
But for a stinking bottom feeder to dare strike the head of a cannon minion, which held such significance?
That was simply unacceptable.
‘I will take my revenge.’
Of course, what was unacceptable was now of lesser concern; an immediate issue lay ahead.
‘…This is a disaster.’
Not only had I been ganked by Lee Sin, but the lane, which had just been pushing in my favor, was now shoved back due to the heavy blow.
Disaster upon disaster.
‘In this lane, I can’t even trade damage.’
Yasuon’s laning is powerful.
But the reason Yasuon is often mocked as “science” by various players is due to his glaring exposure to ganks, in contrast to that powerful laning phase.
The way Yasuon engages in damage trading means frequently coming in and out while riding the minion wave.
Naturally, given the mechanics, if Yasuon pushes the lane, he becomes so easily exposed to gank threats.
It suggests that a science class is soon to commence.
Ultimately, Choi Won howled for assistance from the most vulnerable jungler.
“Mayday, mayday, I need help!”
[“Really?”]
However, at the sly-sounding Yoo Sang-hyun’s response, Choi Won had no choice but to retract the rescue signal he had just sent.
“…No, I’ll handle it alone.”
[“Good thinking. I need to eat this.”]
“Enjoy your meal.”
Damn.
‘…Whatever will be, will be.’
Choi Won, half resigned, gave up on thinking any further.
Of course, contrary to Choi Won’s mindset, the actual game was unfolding quite favorably for his team.
[3:1]
The kill score had quickly reached 3:1.
The allies had claimed 3 kills.
A double kill in the bot lane and a solo kill taken a moment ago in the top lane.
Considering the enemy top laner was a pro that Choi Won was well aware of, this was highly encouraging.
“Whoa, our archer is doing well, huh?”
[“Now this is what physical skills look like.”]
As things continued smoothly, the first variable appeared from the jungle side.
[“Huh? What’s going on? Why is Raise here?! Wait, someone save me!”]
Did they use their ultimate or something?
Suddenly, Raise and Lee Sin emerged from the ally’s red bush, cornering Jarvan, prompting the jungler to make a desperate plea for help.
Choi Won analyzed the situation.
‘Hmm, looks like he’s dead.’
Objectively speaking, Jarvan’s chances of survival looked slim.
It wasn’t that personal emotions were muddling up the decision to not back him up.
‘Then…’
With a cool-headed judgment, Choi Won thought, “Now’s my chance,” and proceeded to push the lane.
A scrumptious lane awaited.