[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 341

The Red Cup is just a Red Cup, and we are who we are.

We couldn’t forget that crucial fact, so we threw ourselves back into practice.

“Sis, but isn’t it pointless to practice now? It’s preseason and the meta’s gonna change anyway, right?”

“… In that case, expand your champion pool, you idiot.”

“Calling me an idiot is a bit much…”

Either way, with the meta sure to shift next year, as Kim Jae-min said, practicing now might not hold much meaning.

However, since we never know which champions will emerge in the next year’s meta, broadening our champion pool was practically the only thing we could train for as professionals right now.

‘Above all else, it’s something we have to do.’

The champion pool can be said to be the biggest difference between professional gamers and amateurs.

In Legends of League, there are plenty of artisans who excel at least one champion.

To function effectively as a professional gamer in that environment, you should at least be able to handle your lane’s champions to some degree, even if you’re not quite at artisan level.

“My AD carries are all really good already.”

“Well then, practice with stuff like Jiksoo or Swain. Those could be viable AD carries later on.”

“I already do well with Jiksoo.”

“Kim Jae-min.”

“Yeah?”

Kim Jae-min was fine, but I was assessing the champion pool situations of the other teammates.

Kim Ji-hoon was doing well on his own, expanding his champion pool just fine, so I had nothing to say to him…

“Yeon-woo.”

“Yes, what?!”

Maybe it was because of a previous incident, but Seo Yeon-woo would still have seizures whenever she saw me.

“How’s a pick like Swain in the top lane nowadays?”

“Um… I don’t really know.”

“Oh really?”

“Yes. There are way too many counters, and it’s pretty limited… Above all, it’s really weak in the early game.”

“True.”

Picks like Swain have certainly been rising in tier recently and undeniably have massive potential, but the reality is that there are definitely challenges in high-level games where every match counts.

So, Seo Yeon-woo seemed to be reacting pretty negatively as well.

“Then, what seems decent these days?”

“I guess… it feels pretty much the same? Gwen’s good, and Gangplank is still solid.”

Maybe it was a cliché question that warranted a cliché answer.

“Yeah, but still keep expanding your champion pool. Picks like Kamal could make a comeback depending on the meta.”

In fact, picks like Kamal could still be viable right now, but they weren’t exactly top-tier.

“Yeah, yeah.”

So now, what remained was…

“What?”

“…No, let’s get back to business.”

When it came to Baek Seong-an, he wasn’t avoiding expanding his champion pool; it simply seemed like he couldn’t.

The biggest reason was age.

Pro gamers are often thought to be immune to age, but it’s a profession that does factor in age.

Baek Seong-an was one of those hit hard by age, being considered a veteran among pro gamers even though he’s still relatively young in societal terms.

However, having age isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Being older means having more experience, and that experience translates directly into a broader champion pool.

Once-meta champions.

Champions from the past that saw glory.

Baek Seong-an can handle those kinds of champions.

‘Of course, champions that rely on physical skill are trickier for him now…’

A good example of that would be champions like Sandra or Akali.

Without a doubt, Baek Seong-an could manage those champions when he was in his prime, but now they’re at a level where they struggle even in solo queue, let alone pro-level play.

‘He could never handle a champion like Yasuon even when he was at his peak.’

Nonetheless, it was true that our team was gradually getting stronger.

It was common for regular pro teams that couldn’t qualify for the Red Cup to take a break during the Red Cup season.

“Hey, what is our jungle doing?! Tell the bot lane to come!”

…That’s probably what it was, right?

*

After a long wait, the tournament draw was conducted, and the quarterfinal matchups for the Red Cup were finally announced.

“Hmm…”

“Wow…”

“Not this…”

Even Kim Ji-hoon was struck speechless; the matchups this time were quite disappointing.

The reason was simple.

Korea’s SCV vs Europe’s PK.

China’s GRS vs North America’s KIO.

Europe’s SU5 vs China’s ESD.

Korea’s SY vs Korea’s MAX.

First off, the draws weren’t exactly favorable for the Korean teams.

We faced internal matches right from the quarterfinals!

On top of that, GRS were facing a North American team known for their relatively weaker performance, so the Korean teams couldn’t help but feel frustrated.

The first match was SCV against PK.

No matter how good Korea performed in international competitions, the rise of European teams couldn’t be ignored.

Especially since PK was the team that pushed the European powerhouse SU5 to the finals and had shown solid performances throughout the group stage, making their way to the tournament.

And…

The first tournament match between SCV and PK officially kicked off.

『“Finally, the knockout stage has officially begun!”』

『“What a heated match right from the start, yes? SCV vs PK! Especially SCV, with so many Korean fans watching!”』

『“Yes! Although they couldn’t meet fan expectations this Summer, their performance in the Red Cup was impressive, finishing first in the group!”』

『“Indeed! But the quarterfinal opponent is PK. They’re not an easy team!”』

A clash between the second seed teams from Korea and Europe.

It was a nail-biter match, yet I couldn’t help but rate SCV slightly favored due to fandom.

The first ban/pick phase commenced.

PK’s composition was a typical dive composition.

In contrast, SCV opted for a counter composition.

In the ban/pick skirmish that mirrored a match between Europe and Korea, the first match began.

Like nearly every game, the first set was tightly contested.

Both teams were at peak focus during this close initial match.

Neither side showed any signs of backing down, leading to an intense battle.

Then PK made a bold initiation, taking out two SCV champions in a team fight.

Naturally, PK headed for Baron afterward.

『“Can SCV stop this?!”』

『“They can! SCV still has all their main damage dealers alive!”』

As those words stated, SCV’s main damage dealers were indeed still alive.

Hence, this Baron was a golden opportunity for SCV as well.

“I think SCV has done it.”

“Huh? Why?”

Kim Jae-min asked, perplexed, but I could already see the situation unfolding.

And then, just as the fact was revealed, SCV’s mid AD began to chip away at the health of the PK champions hitting Baron.

With Baron’s health dwindling, PK was left with little choice but to just eat Baron without taking further actions.

That uncertainty became a tremendous opportunity for SCV.

『“BlackDog! BlackDog!”』

The commentators called out.

『“Ohhh───!”』

Screams and cheers erupted.

– The red team has slain Nashor!

Even though PK succeeded in taking Baron, by that time SCV champions were wiping out the remaining survivors.

– Finishing move!

They took Baron, yet no one was left to benefit from the Baron buff.

It was a complete defeat for PK.

With that, the balance that had been so tightly contested suddenly tilted towards SCV.

SCV champions charged forward, and PK faced their defeat.

[Victory]

『“SCV! They triumph over this intense battle!”』

『“Is there another victory like this? Truly a meaningful win!”』

『“Yes! Of course, it’s not over yet, but the importance of the first set in a best-of series is always emphasized!”』

Maybe it was thanks to that momentum.

Though SCV did drop a set to PK afterward, they ultimately secured a 3:1 victory against them.

The other matches also progressed in sequence.


Among them, the most memorable match was surely between SY and MAX.

The game between the two teams escalated to five sets, with SY narrowly claiming victory at 3:2.

MAX’s journey in the Red Cup ended in the quarterfinals.

The clash between SU5 and ESD ended with SU5 winning 3:1.

Indeed, as the first seed from Europe, they demonstrated impressive gameplay.

Finally, as expected, GRS dominated the match against KIO with an overwhelming performance, concluding 3:0 in their favor.

In the semifinals, SCV and GRS would meet, alongside SY and SU5.

And…

Just as SCV was preparing for their match against GRS, a piece of news reached our team.

“Yujin.”

“Yes?”

“We got a scrim request.”

“Where?”

“Um, well…”

Baek Seong-an hesitated.

“Where exactly?”

“Two places.”

“Two places? Which ones?”

“SCV and GRS.”

The Red Cup semifinal teams designated us as their scrim opponents right before their important matches.