Inside the practice room of the Eo War Chinese representative team, Richao was facing the monitor with a serious expression.
One of his teammates, Bingbing, approached and asked, “Hey, Richao. Are you practicing?”
Despite Bingbing’s question, Richao remained silent, continuing to stare at the monitor in the same posture. This kind of focus from Richao was a common sight within the team. He likely replayed an important match in his mind. He had a habit of reviewing games that he deemed significant, which was well-known within the team.
That’s probably why he maintained his position as a prominent star in China, Bingbing muttered as he subtly examined the reason for the team’s ace being so concentrated.
“It was a terrible loss.”
The round score was 5 to 1, with the 1 being Richao’s team’s point. The opposing team had scored 5 points.
Bingbing quickly assessed the situation. Tsk tsk, poor Richao. He must have suffered a crushing defeat against teammates who clearly were not up to his level. In fact, Richao’s KDA was the best, proving that he was the only one performing well in the team.
The others had all suffered from serious over-deaths. The level of play was lacking. Bingbing’s taste buds contorted at the thought.
This diligent player was obviously analyzing the cause of the defeat, blaming himself for it. Bingbing felt this was a pointless endeavor.
“Richao, there’s no need to review this match. It’s obvious we lost because of the difference in our team members. Those guys on the Korean server…”
Bingbing sincerely believed that. He almost found it amusing how naive Richao was. It was as if he couldn’t realize what was wrong after playing with high-level teammates and then encountering teammates of such subpar skills.
The practice regimen in the club involved more team scrims than solo ranks, so he likely had never experienced such a disparity in skill levels.
“Anyway, don’t strain yourself too much. Just keep your condition up until the match. Are you listening to me? …Looks like you aren’t.”
Bingbing, as the team captain and the eldest, gave Richao’s shoulder a pat before walking off, confident that Richao, being a professional, would manage his conditioning well.
Meanwhile, Richao was, as expected by Bingbing, replaying the recent match in his mind. However, it was heading in a slightly different direction than what Bingbing thought.
“Why did we lose?”
Was it because of the lack of skill from his teammates? No. While his teammates were lacking, the opposing team was in the same situation. If both teams had similar skill levels, it was logical that Richao’s team, having an asymmetric powerhouse on their side, should have won.
The fact that they did not implies that the opposing team had an asymmetric powerhouse as well.
“That swordsman.”
Richao recalled the ace player from the opposing team in the last match. A player with skill comparable to any decent pro. He was also the main reason for Richao’s defeat.
“Is he a professional? I don’t know.”
The swordsman had a considerable level of expertise. He couldn’t recall any players that the coaching staff had warned him about. This meant he was an unknown player who they had yet to identify.
He never expected to run into someone like that. Richao’s lips curled up slightly.
“Indeed, the world is vast.”
It wasn’t possible to remain at the top forever. Perhaps this time would be a bit tough.
Richao reminded himself of that fact.
He likely didn’t know that the person who had defeated him wasn’t even a pro but merely a streamer.
“The 2023 Ed Cup group stage has finally begun! We are about to start the first match!”
“This is the Group A first match between VIX7 and BEG, representing North America and China respectively. There are many predictions that this could be a preview of the finals.”
A week later, the Ed Cup commenced. Once again, I found myself between Bang Hyeong-jae and Kang Seong-hoon for commentary. When I asked if it was alright for me to commentate at such a huge scale event, I was told that things would turn chaotic without me.
As I gained recognition as part of the commentary trio, many viewers began to seek me out. It was a proud moment for me after working so hard.
However, I couldn’t commentate every match; I was assigned to several matches, all of which featured strong teams. They were all expected to be closely fought battles.
The first match about to begin was no exception. Vixx versus Beijing Gaming. Both were teams representing their national leagues. I wondered how the draw was arranged this way; it was truly exciting from the very first match.
“In a way, it can be seen as a probing match. Since this is a group stage, all teams but the 5th and 6th place will advance. Both teams should be considering the possibility of hiding their strategies.”
“With the capabilities of these two teams, they should be able to secure a 1st or 2nd place position, meaning they don’t need to go all out.”
“Yes, that’s correct. What’s really important is the group stage that follows!”
Following the script, I reacted to Kang Seong-hoon’s words, while Bang Hyeong-jae chimed in to raise the tension.
Despite the sudden increase in the scale of the match, the atmosphere was much like usual. Reassured by this fact, I calmly continued, and the match commenced.
“The match is over! The victory goes to BEG.”
“Should we call them a traditional powerhouse now? BEG has consistently performed well for four years.”
“The game was quite intense. What did you think, Mollru?”
“Both teams displayed exceptional gameplay. It was truly a spectacle.”
“It doesn’t seem like they hid their strength, does it?”
“That’s something only the teams would know. However, if this is them hiding their strength, then they are truly fearsome teams. VIX7, BEG!”
“Alright, let’s move to the winner’s interview. We’ll see you in the next match.”
As I wrapped up my comments and bowed, I confirmed that they had switched the screen and exchanged greetings with the people around.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Everyone did well.”
“Mollru, you seemed really worried, but you did great!”
We relaxed in the waiting room while making idle chatter, watching the winner’s interview on the screen.
-You’ve been selected as the MVP of the match. What are your thoughts?
The pretty announcer handed the microphone to a somewhat stocky man.
That player was Richao, the ace of the winning team, Beijing Gaming. I had heard that the amount of money he earned for each game he played was enormous. Considering his status and his skills, it was not unreasonable.
Not too long ago, I had played games with pros, including Richao from Beijing Gaming. I had faced him as an opponent. Although it was just one match, it was memorable because of how impressive he was.
He was a remarkably sharp player, enough to leave me flustered.
I’d somehow gotten lucky and won, but that didn’t mean I was better than Richao.
-The game content wasn’t entirely satisfactory, but I’m glad we won.
-If you had a message for the opposing team, VIX7, what would it be?
-They’re pathetic. I’m not sure if they can make it to the finals.
The interpreter’s face momentarily looked embarrassed before he relayed Richao’s words with a strained expression.
An indescribable roar erupted from the audience. Some jeered, some cheered, and some chose silence. The impact of his statement was significant for something said in an international match.
“Wow…”
“That guy sure knows how to speak harshly.”
“Richao is quite famous for his trash talk.”
I felt a bit sorry for the announcer who had to continue the interview. I imagined beads of cold sweat trickling down her back at that moment.
But professionally, she continued without changing her expression.
-There are claims that you didn’t show your full strength in this match, what are your thoughts on that?
-It’s true. Our team never reveals all our strength.
Cheers erupted in the arena. Whether for better or worse, he was a star player. While there may be few fans of his in our country, he certainly had many abroad. He was treated almost like a god in his own country.
-Last question. Is there a team or player that you are particularly wary of? Like, this team is a bit threatening, or I’m keeping an eye on this player?
A rather long question was conveyed to Richao via translation.
Unlike before, Richao appeared to contemplate the conveyed words for a moment.
“It seems there is at least one?”
“That’s surprising. I expected him to say there’s no team stronger than ours, nor player either.”
Bang Hyeong-jae and Kang Seong-hoon were focusing on the screen with interest.
-…There is one person. Just one.
-Oh, who is that?
-A user who plays the swordsman class at a godly level. I don’t know if he’s a professional gamer, but I couldn’t find him in the roster as his team didn’t make it.
-A user who plays the swordsman class at a godly level…?
The announcer tilted her head, seemingly at a loss for who it could be. Richao clarified.
-I believe his nickname was Moll…ru? That’s what I remember.
-Ah, you mean Mollru?
“Pffft!”
Bang Hyeong-jae couldn’t hold back his laughter, and I stared at the screen in disbelief. No way, what is this guy saying?
-He is the only player to have given me a defeat on the Korean server. Mollru is the only one I acknowledge, and I wish to clash with him again.
As Richao’s words were translated, a voice from the crowd echoed excitedly.
-Korean Samurai!
-Korean Samurai, Mollru!
-Mollru is the hero of the Korean server!
Bang Hyeong-jae was laughing so hard he was clutching his stomach. Even Kang Seong-hoon, who rarely smiled, was grinning widely as he turned to me.
“What do you think, Korean Samurai?”
I never expected the nickname I had banned from my personal broadcasts to surface this way. It’s all that guy’s fault.
I shot a resentful glance at Richao on the screen.
