They were in intermission once again. Zhou Huo wasnt in any mood to attend to his own players. He wished he could drill a hole on the spot to Sacred Swords lounge to see the looks on their faces.
Now that were a match point, Im so curious what they could be discussing now? Zhou Huo was seriously curious. They better ask , this marketing genius, to go over and discuss how theyre going to spin this after the match.
They controlled their points in the group stage only to send themselves to their deaths in the quarterfinals. This is a public relations problem not just anyone can solve. I just happen to have a set of public relations drafts for lost matches that I cant use and can give to them for free...
After winning two consecutive gas, even Old Qiaos expression has relaxed by a lot. He told him mockingly, Wasnt your old club, NSN, giving themselves poisoned milk yesterday during the dress rehearsal.
They said maybe theyd lose in quarterfinals so they wanted to ask you, their forr manager, for a PR draft? Youre giving it to Sacred Sword instead?
Rather to give to foreign thieves and withhold from dostic servants. Zhou Huo shook his head and waved his hand. NSN doesnt need this. Theyre not qualified to lose.
Shi Luo smiled. He accepted the heat packs that the staff handed him and stuck them to the backs of his hands. He walked to the side and took his jackets. He fumbled inside its pockets and took out a box of cigarettes.
Dont be complacent. Careful not to let them get a two to three coback. Even though he knew that the probability of this was really small, Old Qiao still didnt dare to relax too much. He looked at Shi Luo and Chen Huo, Are you okay? Ill be honest...
you two have really held out during this ga. You might collapse if a little problem occurs along the way. Your conditions arent actually that stable.
I know. Chen Huo nodded, To tell you the truth, I have no idea about Shi Luo, but my hands about to break.
Chen Huo looked at the people round. But I can still keep this up.
Well change tactics in the next ga. This isnt the only one weve prepared. Yu Sui took the hot water the staff handed him and took a couple of sips. Its good enough if we just beat them silly at the start to affect their ntality.
For the next ga, well change play styles and amuse ourselves.
The data analyst and Yu Sui glanced at each other and nodded, OK, but the pressure is still on you. Its fine so long as you can bear it.
It was a roomful of people but for the first ti, Shi Luo didnt avoid anyone and smoked a cigarette. He lit the cigarette inside the room and took a deep drag.
If you look closely, you could see that Shi Luos hands were shaking with pain.
If it werent because they wanted so much to win, they actually didnt need to fight that desperately during the first two gas.
Zhou Huo would glance at the live screen from ti to ti, feeling a little anxious.
Why havent they broadcasted it yet?
Why are they still showing these sponsor advertisents?
According to their titable from the last intermission, they should already be able to play their video now. Why was it that when it ca their turn, they were procrastinating so much? Were they targeting his team?
After a while, the ga was going to start and they wont be able to finish broadcasting it. As soon as their players enter the soundproof room, they f*cking wouldnt be able to see anything. Whats going to be the use of it then?
Zhou Huo frequently turned to look at the live broadcast screen. The data analyst looked at this World Championships newcor and walked to Zhou Huos side to explain in a low voice, Dont bla the director. Bla your players, OK?
Zhou Huo frowned and looked at the data analyst. The data analyst spread his hands, Since the sponsors have already sponsored the event, they have to play all their advertisents in this BO5. There could have been four intermissions. But your team opened the match with a two-to-zero.
In case your players wins again, there wont be a third intermission. You think the event team would release a pigeon for the sponsors? Would the event team dare?
The data analysts lips twitched. Of course, they dont dare. But theyve got no problem releasing a pigeon for you.
Zhou Huo: ......
The data analyst looked at the live broadcast screen helplessly, But its not like you can say anything. Because you forcibly shortened their advertising ti, they can only squeeze all the ads here and broadcast them all together. Who can you bla?
Its my fault... Zhou Huo never even thought about this possibility. He held back his anger. Its my players fault for being so unreasonable...I reap what I sow.
R//Ad latSt ch/a/pters at n(v)e(l)bin/.c/o//m Only
Zhou Huo was so angry, his chest was starting to hurt. But he couldnt tell anyone. He could only watch impatiently as advertisents were broadcasted one after the other. When the staff ca to remind the players to co up for the next ga, the advertisents were still running.
Zhou Huo gave up and smiled bitterly. He gave up all hope of having the video he had rushed to create be broadcasted. He could pretend like this matter never even existed. He smiled and cheered on the players as he sent them out of the lounge.
There were now leading two to zero. The fans from the Chinese division were already in a frenzy. The shouts and cheers didnt stop the entire intermission. The referee on Frees side led the players to re-enter the field.
He let everyone stop just before entering the soundproof room to kindly let them see the enthusiasm and craziness of their fans in the stadium.
And at this mont, the continuous advertisents on the giant screen finally ended. Chen Huos face suddenly appeared on the giant screen and the fans in the stadium began to scream frantically.
The referee was also taken aback, Do you also have a pre-match video?
Chen Huo looked confused, ...no, uh...
Chen Huos face changed, A few days ago, Zhou Huo asked
to record a video. He said it was just going to be used at the clubs first annual eting next next month, so he said there was no need to be shy and that I should say what I really feel. It shouldnt...It cant be......
Chen Huos expression was stiff, So, did you guys also record sothing too?
Frees other three players: ...
Puppy slapped his own face. It was too late for regrets. ...I recorded sothing.
Shi Luo reacted quickly and looked back at the referee, Where is the directors room? Or the stadiums electrical control room?
It was the referees first ti seeing a player with such extre thods as Shi Luo. He gulped, refusal written across his face, said, Evil, you are about to qualify past the quarterfinals. You have a good future ahead of you.
Dont ruin it by getting suspended for violation of discipline at this ti...
The referee looked to Yu Sui for help, hoping that Frees captain could maintain discipline within his team. However, he never expected for Yu Sui, whos always appeared indifferent during competitions, to now have an uneasy expression flash across his face.
Upon closer inspection, Yu Suis ears were unexpectedly a bit red and his eyes were very evasive.
The referee was aghast. What on earth did you say? Is it sothing really unpleasant to hear? Dont worry, the director will definitely help you silence any swear words.
Its precisely because its not unpleasant to hear that Im too embarrassed to have it broadcasted... Chen Huo looked at his bare naked face hed shoved right in front of the cara on the big screen. He closed his eyes in despair, My hairs a ss. Zhou Huo that f*cker...
This was the first ti the referee has seen this all-villain team in such a panic. He said kindly, Maybe, youd like to go into the soundproof room now? You wont be able to hear it when you go in.
The four of them hesitated, still a little unwilling to leave.
Each one had only recorded their own part and had no idea what the others said. At this mont, they were still a little curious.
Anyway, if they were going to be embarrassed, they were going to be embarrassed together. If they die, then theyll die together. All of them wanted to see who had been the most embarrassing.
Ten minutes later, the third ga of Frees quarterfinals match against Sacred Sword officially began.
In the soundproof room, Frees players, who were waiting for the ga to start, did not do their usual practice of ssing with each others heads before each ga.
Manager Zhou had dealt them the ultimate ntal attack just now and they were still digesting it. They had no energy to attend to each other for the ti being.
When the countdown was done, this ti, the four of them didnt imdiately rush out.
They had changed their strategy. In this round, everyone was no longer playing a fast attack. Starting from Chen Huo, Yu Sui set up photon shields for everyone in turn.
In the pre-match video.
Chen Huo looked at the cara for a long ti, before he smiled awkwardly. F*ck, its embarrassing...recording this stuff.
Say sothing to Yu Sui first, for Yu Sui...
Chen Huo stopped looking into cara. After a while, he smiled, rubbed his eyes, and slowly continued to say&#k2013;
It suddenly occurred to &#k2026;Youre actually younger than I am.
Im obviously your ge, but&#k2026;I havent taken care of you. That Ive been able to get where I am as scatter-brained as I am&#k2026;is thanks to you instead.
Although you never milk for , youre still my best dic.
Anyway... forget it, lets move on to Puppy.
Puppy, I keep saying youre piggybacking off the others popularity for your live broadcasts. Of course, thats not true so dont mind it too much.
Although I know you dont actually mind it.
Shi Zai...
I dont know either why the two of us have been fighting all the ti since you first joined the team. Im not actually annoyed with you.
And one more thing. I have a secret to tell you. Back when we ate at skewers and fought... I really did eat all the skewers you ordered.
The ones you ordered really suited my taste too much. Sigh... I just didnt want to admit it before.
Thats it. Should I go call Puppy?
On the field, as per their tactical arrangent, Puppy started paddling. He cherished every bullet and he didnt rush in or be reckless. He opened his scope and served as their calm eye from the back row, giving everyone tily reports.
Sacred Sword was absolutely tortured by Free for the past two gas. Their nerves were already frayed even as soon as the ga started. They were ready to break the cauldrons and sink the boats to play a frontal assault against Free.
However, they were ready to et them head on at the start of the ga when they suddenly discovered that Free wasnt charging at them. Free played slow and steady. Evil Xuanshou who was like the King of Hell during the last ga, unexpectedly went to carve out a path from the side of the map.
Puppy reported to Shi Luo. As soon as the other party cos, Frees four players would assemble imdiately and after they beat them back, they would disperse. They wont stubbornly give chase or drag the fight on. When the enemys gone, they would continue to steal the map.
A bit from the east, a bit from the west; they handled matters calmly and steadily.
Puppy looked helplessly at the cara, I hate this kind of program the most. What do I say?
First, say sothing to Yu Sui.
Just... I wont praise him anymore. Everyone actually already knows how good Slag Man Yu is. I can only say...
At that ti, going to such a faraway place, if it werent you, I wouldnt have followed.
Thank you. Thanks to you, I can now have a club where I can completely relax. A club where I can live broadcast when Im free and play with peace of mind.
Next, say sothing for Chen Huo.
I always call you brainless and stupid but I know...youre not.
That year, when I was sold by Sacred Sword and Yu Sui was closing in on himself, we couldnt keep in touch. During that ti, it was lucky you were there.
You thought of ways to make Slag Man Yu happy and tried to take care of
even across half of Europe... Thanks.
Shi Luo...
Im going to say it sincerely this one ti. Its embarrassing.
Shi Zai, I want to tell you...
During those hardest days...We were having a hard ti in Europe but you werent having an easy ti in China either.
From the day you joined the team, I treated you the sa as I do Chen Huo and the others.
You have never been an outsider.
On the field, Puppy reminded Shi Luo that there were players coming to surround him. Shi Luo nodded to indicate that he had heard it and quickly said, No need to co. Its just two people, I can clean them up by myself.
Are you sure? Yu Sui and Chen Huo were guarding against Sacred Sword at the front line. Dont die, got it?
Got it. You dont need to co over. Shi Luo was highly focused, judging the opponents position from the slight sound in his earphones. He walked slowly behind a bunker and dropped a purification dish. He unavoidably exposed his position and so moved to another bunker.
He set up his rifle and prepared to defend against opponents.
At the sa ti, at the front line of the map, Yu Sui and Chen Huo ran into Sacred Swords dic and other striker. It was a genuine two-on-two. Yu Sui repaired Chen Huos condition and then imdiately started to attack. After killing the striker, he quickly retreated.
Over at Shi Luos side, he encountered the other striker and sniper. The two slowly approached Shi Luo.
Puppy reminded, Yu Suis already finished fighting over there, should he go over? Its safer for you to bring a dic.
Shi Luo looked very focused. He whispered, ...no need.
Shi Luo accurately calculated the ti and position. He suddenly moved his position and opened fire. He quickly knocked out the photon shield on the Sacred Sword duo that he had outflanked. Shi Luo hid behind the bunker again.
In the team voice chat, Chen Huo also said, How about if Yu Sui goes over there?
Yu Sui healed Chen Huo, Whos commanding this ga?
Chen Huo shut his mouth.
Shi Luo reloaded his rifle, I can do it... Stop distracting .
Theyve already tried and polished this strategy many, many tis before the ga. Every ti when they play this kind of strategy and one striker has to break off to clear the fog, its Shi Luo who goes.
There was no special reason. Yu Sui has paired up with Chen Huo for many years, and their tacit understanding when it ca to the details was a little better than his with Shi Luo.
Puppys task in the early stage of this ga was to save resources and to serve as their eyes. Hes been keeping quiet for so long that he just couldnt help but interject.
Yu Sui truly is a slag man...Just to hold on to the center of the map, he would watch on unfeelingly as his little boyfriend fights one-on-two, unwilling to go and save him.
When Sacred Swords striker heard that Shi Luo was alone, he stopped contending with him and together with his sniper teammate, directly surrounded him. Shi Luo heard the footsteps in the bushes and reacted quickly. After turning around, he opened fire.
He fired off three shots in a row, taking one himself.
Sacred Swords players also grasped the details very well. The positions they chose to surround Shi Luo was just beyond Puppys sniper range. Puppy couldnt provide any support for Shi Luo.
Shi Luos shield was already broken. Fortunately, there was no dic on the opponents side. Shi Luo held his breath and moved quickly. Without tarrying with the opponents, he quickly charged in and quickly took away the opponents striker.
With barely any blood left, he pushed his maneuvering skills to the limit and took advantage of when the sniper was reloading to take him out.
Puppy breathed a sigh of relief, Nice! Their entire teams out. Theres still fifteen seconds before the first resurrection!
Shi Luo asked as he set down a purification dish, Can I go there for healing and a shield?
In the teams voice chat, Yu Sui said, No, I cant heal you now.
In the center of the map, Chen Huo set down eight purification dishes like he was planting rice seedlings. After Sacred Swords front row players resurrect, they will inevitably co to interfere with Chen Huos frenzied invasion of their map. Shi Luo was at the edge of the map.
There was only a little difference between the ti it took to run to the center of the map and the ti for Sacred Swords resurrection. If he went, he would just be giving away his head.
Everything was to win and it was normal to be left alone and given full reign because of tactics. Shi Luo forced himself to keep what little blood he had left and racing against ti, set down purification dishes at the edge of the map.
Yu Sui glanced across the status bars of his teammate in the ga interface. He looked at his, Chen Huo and Puppys full blood state and then at Shi Luos, who was at the farthest point, extrely short blood bar.
Sacred Swords front row were about to face Yu Sui and Chen Huo. Soon there will be people coming at him. With Shi Luos current condition, he was going to break with a single touch. It was inevitably that Sacred Swords sniper was going to be sending him his regards.
He was being very careful not to expose his position as much as possible. It was like walking a tightrope on a cliff. Sacred Swords first player to resurrect really did head to the front. During the fierce battle, Shi Luo protected his asly blood bar.
Between issuing commands, he heard Yu Sui whisper, Evil, hold on for a bit. Ill be there right away.
Shi Luo looked at his short blood bar. After being montarily startled, he said quickly, Just focus on your own fight. Im fine.
On the giant screen, Yu Sui, dressed in casual clothes, looked at the cara in confusion, What do I want to say to Shi Luo the most? If I have sothing to say to him, cant I just tell him after the practice match in a little while?
You want to release this publicly, right? Youre not? All right...Ill pretend like I believe it.
......
What I want to say to Shi Luo the most...
In the pre-match video, Yu Sui was quiet for a while.
In the ga.
Free put out too many smoke bombs in the early stage. Their tactical intentions were gradually revealed once the ga reached the ten minute mark. Sacred Sword began to vaguely realize
Free had adapted Sacred Swords previous tactics.
They used guerrilla warfare to slowly exhaust the opponents resources. After the other party runs out of ammunition and provisions, they would directly begin their slaughter.
This strategy was originally bundled with Frees previous strategy. Once the players were exhausted from the first two gas, the wisest course of action would be to begin a relatively slow war of attrition. Sacred Sword was also very quick to adapt to the situation.
After knowing that their economy was being consud, they also began to live frugally. It seed that they wanted Free to run out of resources instead. Free didnt panic and continued at their once pace to force Sacred Sword to consu their economy.
Both sides tried to save resources and their fighting beca more and more refined. The wave of fighting at the center of the map ended after a minute. Sacred Swords wounded dic and their remaining striker quickly retreated but did not go far.
Like a tumor on a bone, they stared intently at the hard-pressed Yu Sui and Chen Huo.
Start healing. Puppy reminded, Their sniper has resurrected and hes staring at you. Shi Luo...
Puppy frowned, Dont move for now, or youll die as soon as you show your head. F*ck, this is a pretty good move from Sacred Sword. Their sniper isnt moving at all... I cant determine his position.
Hes doing it intentionally to keep Shi Luo stuck behind the bunker!
Puppy cursed at them in anger, Damn, they even found a spot outside my field of vision!
Shi Luo reloaded his rifle. It doesnt matter, Ill go sell my head.
That familiar rustling sound appeared once again. Sacred Swords striker, who Shi Luo had killed just now, had resurrected and returned.
Not knowing where Sacred Swords sniper was, Shi Luo couldnt move rashly. He had very little blood remaining. Even if his one-on-one fighting ability was stronger than the opponent strikers, there was simply no way.
The Sacred Sword striker who ca to him was Sacred Swords captain.
He was often the one who took the lead in sending out provocations before.
Shi Luo lightly gritted his teeth gently. He would rather lose his head to the sniper than give that advantage to this f*cker.
The sound of rustling was getting closer and closer. Shi Luo was concentrating intently, looking at the bunker in front of him and thinking of countless ways to deal with it
But he knew it was useless.
He had too little blood.
If only he had just a little bit more.
The footsteps were fast approaching. Shi Luo moved lightly and inadvertedly glanced at his own map. Shi Luo was startled.
On their own sides map, the white cursor that represented their dic, was quickly closing in on his position.
Shi Luo had been clearing the fog at the edge of the map. It was very far from the center of the map.
Very, very far.
They could actually just let Shi Luo sell his head here. The off-field comntator was amazed by the careful tactical operation of both teams. After realizing that Yu Sui was moving towards Shi Luo, he shook his head.
Given that theres not much pressure in the middle anymore, Yu Sui doesnt actually need to stay at center of the map anymore. But the distance between the two of them is too far. Its just one kill off Shi Luo... theres really no need to protect him.
The other comntator nodded, The cost-performance ratio isnt that high and its also too far.
If the comntators knew then Yu Sui knew it even more.
But looking from Shi Luos side, on his own map, the white cursor was still circling left and right, trying to avoid Sacred Swords missing sniper, coming close and closer to his position bit by bit.
Chen Huo was in the middle of ticulously playing you fire one shot, Ill fire one shot with the opposing striker. He glanced at the map and said, Why are you wasting your effort? Didnt everyone say to just sell it?
In the map, the white cursor is still moving through trees and around obstacles.
In the teams voice channel, Yu Sui opened his mic, Has everyone suddenly beco the commander now? Did I say that I wanted to sell?
Shi Luo carefully guarded against Sacred Swords captain striker. All the while, he involuntarily kept staring at the map.
Their dics cursor was still moving.
Yu Sui was commanding this ga and he never said to sell.
What Yu Sui said just now was:
Evil, hold on for a bit. Ill be there right away.
Shi Luo took a deep breath and reminded himself that this was a f*cking ga and not to be unreasonable just because hed seen so video before it.
Although his mind was being extrely rational, looking at that white cursor, the rim of Shi Luos eyes still couldnt help turning red.
In the giant screen, Yu Sui was quiet for a while and then said to the cara:
You told
before, the more you like soone, the more distressed you feel for them.
...I feel the sa for you.
This year... when training was the hardest and most tiring, just looking at your ID in the team interface would make
feel distressed.
There are many things I want to say. I dont have anything I want to say the most, only things that I regret not saying earlier.
At the beginning of the season...I should have been looking for you as soon as I returned to the country.
In the ga, the sneaky Sacred Sword striker finally locked onto Shi Luos position. Just before he could fire the shot, like a ghost that had scaled mountains and streams, Whisper sliced his neck with his dagger, taking his head.
In the middle of the slope, Yu Sui slowly healed Shi Luos short health bar and placed a six-sided three-faced photon shield on him.
Yu Sui said he was coming over and so he ca.
He didnt break his word this ti.
Shi Luo tried his best to suppress the choked up feeling in his throat and after Yu Sui repaired his condition, he took a deep breath and rushed out of the slope for the first ti.
The two sides have been fighting for 20 minutes. Frees remaining economy was 5600 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 4500.
At the thirty minute mark, Frees remaining economy was 4100 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 3700.
At forty minutes, Frees remaining economy was 2500 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 2300.
At fifty minutes, Frees remaining economy was 1300 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 800.
The ga managed to reach a full hour, Frees remaining economy was 300 and Sacred Swords remaining economy was 100.
The two sides circled for an entire hour. The map looked like a dog had gnawed it. The purification dishes were laid down every which way. It was like a maze in the map.
Free was no longer using their economy. They had official began cold weapons combat. Sacred Sword was about to be sent packing from the top eight. Sacred Swords people never ever expected this outco.
At the end of their wits, they started to imitate Free from their practice match before. They also no longer used their weapons, pretending that their own economy has been exhausted to induce Free to consu the final bit of economy.
But Free had Shi Luo whose ntal arithtic could rival that of a computers.
Just try and f*cking pretend.
Shi Luo had also changed to his dagger. He was making a beeline for Sacred Swords resurrection stone, heedless of anything else. Sacred Sword originally wanted to clear Frees map to force Free back on the defensive.
Upon seeing this, they were left with no choice and in despair, they could only go back to shooting again.
The two teams tangled continuously. Sacred Swords remaining 100 economy ran out. They truly didnt have even a single bullet left to fire.
At this stage, Sacred Sword has completely retreated to the era of cold weapons.
All of Sacred Swords weapons beca no better than firewood and their dic had no economy to buy any kind of photon shield. All job-related advantages disappeared. Sacred Sword had to take out their long daggers. They were in their death throes.
Yu Sui looked at the daggers in the hands of the four people opposite, nary an expression on his face.
There was no player in active service who could beat Yu Sui on the use of a dagger.
The unilateral slaughter officially began.
Shi Luo, Chen Huo and Puppy, intentionally or unintentionally stopped fighting, leaving Sacred Swords players to Yu Sui.
Yu Sui took out his long dagger.
Shi Luo looked at the cara and slowly said, Because of the interview a few days ago, everyone said I was crazy...
In the ga, Yu Suis ga characters white gloves were stained with blood and his dagger stabbed Sacred Swords captain to death.
Shi Luo said, Im not crazy, I just want to make a complete break.
In the ga map, Yu Sui killed the other striker.
Shi Luo said, The past, always seems like theres a hurdle there... I cant make it through, and you guys seem a bit like youre unable to make it through either.
In the ga, Yu Sui continued to take the head of Sacred Swords sniper.
Shi Luo said, Taking down Sacred Sword in the quarterfinals can be regarded as a complete end to the past, okay?
In the ga map, Yu Sui quickly and efficiently brought an end to Sacred Swords dic and then continued on to sink his dagger into Sacred Swords resurrection stone.
It was the end of the match. Free, 3. Sacred Sword, 0.
Two years of hardships, 700 days and nights; the sha that was difficult to wash away, the brand seared onto his career; Sacred Swords frequent provocations this past month...All those really did pass away at this mont.
Frees players took off their soundproof headphones. The whole audience was screaming, their voices like a tsunami. Delete your accounts! Delete your accounts!
Delete your accounts! The sound instantly penetrated the soundproof room. Chen Huo and Puppy howled along with them. While chanting along, Delete your accounts, they were waving to the defeated and ashen-faced Sacred Sword players in the soundproof room opposite.
Yu Sui stood up and looked at Shi Luo. The two looked at each other, a thousand stars in their eyes.
For you I can be like a stupid youngster, playing an account deletion battle in a world competition with millions of spectators to serve as witness.
For you, I can also scale mountains and ford streams, walking step by step to be by your side.
And for you, I can wash away the dust and frost from my heart.
Translators note:
Oh, darlings. This is the official end to the main story. Its been a long way here. Ill miss my babies but all good things must end.
Theres still four extras though which I will release next week. At least so of the them for sure.
Fortunately and unfortunately, our biggest project at work of the past two years is about to launch this week/early next week so while my main job is to monitor stuff, its really difficult to focus and translate when youre panicking if everythings gonna make it in ti.
So, please stick around for the extras and I hope to see you all in my next translation pit.
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