Rise

“Fuck!” Lin Feng exclaimed. He stared at his monitor and shook his head. Should’ve seen that coming! I should’ve! Braum was gone from top! He was either farming Jungle with Elise or ganking with Elise! How can I be this stupid!? Dammit! That was almost a big mistake! He breathed in deeply, allowing the air to fill his lungs. I didn’t even see the Ethereal Chains coming… That was luck. I flashed away because of the gank. That’s the only reason I dodged those chains. They were fucking perfect! He exhaled loudly through his mouth. Fuck me!

Across the stage in Zhejiang University’s soundproof booth, Shi Hang grinned and shook his head. So close! Almost had you there, Maple! You would’ve been in for a miserable time if I got first blood there! He chuckled and focused back on his monitor. He had his LeBlanc last hit a minion, nodding. Gotta say, your reaction speed there… How was it that fast? You dodged a point blank E! Those chains should’ve been impossible to dodge! Was there something else… He chewed on his lips. That was either luck or you’re much, much closer to the old Maple than you made me believe in the previous couple of games!

Shi Hang narrowed his eyes. I can’t risk it. I have to assume this is his real skill. He nodded at his Jungler and said over the team’s voice chat, “Make a circle and come back mid, Elise. We’re going for another gank. We have to shut Ma–We have to shut the Zed down.”

Sun Ruinian turned his head to look at Shi Hang and raised an eyebrow. Ma? Ma-what? Maverick? Shit, I can’t get distracted now! He focused back on the game in front of me, chewing on his lips. Ma… Ma… Master? Heh! Nah.

✹

Tang Bingyao’s Draven was together in the bot lane with Zeng Rui’s Blitzcrank. Zhejiang’s Jarvan IV still hadn’t shown himself. This was a typical approach in a lane swap. The solo Champion would farm in the Jungle and wait for the minion wave to collapse into his tower. Which was about to happen very soon.

The third minion wave arrived in the bot lane. This wave was different. The third wave was led by a cannon minion! They were stronger units that also gave more experience and gold when killed! Tang Bingyao changed her approach. Instead of only last hitting, she had her Draven throw his Spinning Axes constantly until all Red minions were dead!

A large Blue minion wave marched towards Red team’s outer tower! Zhejiang University’s Jarvan IV had been waiting for this moment. He’d started the game by helping his Jungler and then he went on to kill the Gromp Camp in the Jungle. The large frog took a large bite of his health bar. So while waiting for the minion wave to come, he’d sat in the tri-brush behind his tower waiting. Now he walked to his tower and started soaking up the experience, still careful to stay back. He was up against a Blitzcrank. One hook could kill him.

Zeng Rui frowned and said over the team’s voice chat, “He’s playing this really safe.”