[TS] Obsessed Gamer: The Ultimate Return – Chapter 353

“…Are we really going to end up getting a triple-decker rice cake like this?”

“Hey.”

“No, seriously… We didn’t just lose; we got completely smashed. If we lose just once more, it’s triple-decker time.”

Kim Jae-min wasn’t exactly wrong.

While SY had fought valiantly in the previous matches, looking at the results, they were nearly complete defeats.

“We’re not going to let this happen.”

Yeah, we definitely won’t.

No matter what anyone says, the team representing Korea right now is SY.

“So…”

I slowly shifted my gaze to the screen.

The ads had ended, and the third set was about to start.

2:0.

SY was in a life-or-death crisis, yet time continued to march on.

“Alright then… let’s see the ban/pick!”

The ban/pick for the third set was heavier than any before.

Now SY had to make a choice.

Should they acknowledge they were wrong and adjust their ban/pick strategy?

Or should they stubbornly stick to their guns and maintain the same direction?

SY was on blue side.

Which means they have the first pick.

[Zayan]

“Ah, they’re cutting Zayan first.”

“Indeed, Mobydick’s presence with Zayan in the last game was incredible.”

“Yes, but it’s definitely not only targeted; it’s a reasonable ban.”

“I mean, considering the opponent is Mobydick…”

“Yes, that’s true.”

In a usual situation, the commentators might have cracked light jokes here, but the current atmosphere was unbearably heavy.

That meant SY and Korea’s situation wasn’t good.

[LeBlanc]

Next, GRS’s ban was definitely aimed at Rainbow with a mid-lane ban.

There was no reason not to use a strategy that worked so well until now.

“Just as expected.”

“From GRS’s standpoint, since they’re already winning, they really don’t need to adjust their ban/pick strategy.”

“If you’re going to change, you do it. We’re fine as is? That’s one way to see it.”

“Now let’s pay attention to how SY adjusts their ban/pick strategy… I think they might be trying to change things up given the Zayan ban… but let’s keep an eye on it.”

[Lucian]

“Ah, SY’s going for the Mobydick-target after all? The Lucian ban just came out.”

“Of course, both Zayan and Lucian were likely candidates for bans, but the fact that both came out at once is interesting.”

[Arin]

GRS’s second ban is Arin.

Once again, it’s aimed at mid.

“GRS is heading this way again.”

“Even though they could handle it with Riven, banning is probably to prevent any unexpected variables Rainbow might bring.”

“Right. Even though Riven can potentially suppress Arin, that’s definitely not a guaranteed counter.”

“Now, what choice will SY make for their final ban…? Wukong or Gwen are still up for grabs.”

“Yes. Even though the focus seems to be on mid and bot lane, they really need to pay attention to those two picks as well.”

[Gangplank]

“Wait… they banned Gangplank?”

“It seems like they’re saying, ‘Give us Gwen.’ But does GRS really have any reason to just hand over Gwen to SY?”

“Of course, Wukong is still available, so we need to see GRS’s choice.”

Everyone’s tension rose as GRS proceeded with what could be the final ban.

[Wukong]

“Ah, they’ve cut Wukong.”

“GRS seems to think they can deal with Gwen if she’s picked by the opponent.”

“In reality, dealing with picks like Nyar or Kennen isn’t impossible… though it’s not like many teams have succeeded in doing that.”

“Anyway, I don’t see why SY wouldn’t pick Gwen!”

“Exactly!”

The commentators’ words rang true.

With Wukong and Gwen left on the table, GRS decided it would be better to give Gwen away rather than Wukong.

Then, SY had to prove that GRS’s logic was flawed through their gameplay.

That was TheOne’s Gwen.

[Gwen]

As if waiting for the moment, SY’s first pick was Gwen.

“Of course, they’re grabbing Gwen.”

“Nice! Things are still looking good with the ban/pick phase. SY! They need to show that this is different from before!”

“Absolutely!”

The commentators cheered energetically, trying to revive the dying atmosphere.

Soon enough, it was GRS’s turn for their 1st and 2nd picks.

“Now, we need to pay attention to what choice GRS makes giving up Gwen.”

“Given that both Arin and Wukong are banned, we’ll have to see how this unfolds.”

[Jason]


[Rakan]

“Uh… Jason and Rakan? It looks like GRS doesn’t plan to take this game lightly either!”

“Definitely! Rakan has become kind of an underground pick, but I never expected to see him during such a crucial moment!”

“Blocking Gwen with Jason and Rakan… we’ll need to watch closely. I think it might be a bit challenging, but since we’re up against GRS, you never know.”

“Right.”

Now it was SY’s turn for their 2nd and 3rd picks.

As everyone was focused on SY’s choices, an unexpectedly familiar yet strange portrait appeared.

[Yune]

“Uh? Huh-huh?”

At first, I thought it was just Yoon-ki placing it up.

However, once Yune was locked in, not only the commentators but also the chat and our team erupted.

“Yune?! Yune has come out!”

“Rainbow!!”

If this were a normal match, the commentators wouldn’t have been this excited over Yune’s appearance.

But what situation was SY in right now?

-Wow

-They’re bringing out Yune here?

-This is insane

-Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow! Rainbow!

What is a superstar?

They shine brightly like stars in the night sky, even amid chaos.

Just like Rainbow is doing right now.

“Wow… they really pulled out Yune. This is wild and incredible.”

“Pretty awesome, huh?”

“That’s so cool.”

“…Wow.”

Seo Yeon-woo even looked starry-eyed, seemingly amazed by Rainbow’s pick.

[Bayego]

Then, with their 3rd pick, they also grabbed Bayego, completing their mid-jungle combo.

“Yune, huh… Rainbow really has something that warms the heart of the audience!”

“Exactly! Who would’ve thought Yune would show up at such an important stage, at such a crucial moment?! It’s the Red Cup Finals!”

“Anyway… I’m really looking forward to what Rainbow’s Yune will show in this crisis situation!”

While the commentators were in a frenzy, it was GRS’s turn for their 3rd pick.

“They’re probably grabbing for mid, right? So many mid-lane picks are taken, and Gwen and Yune are already on the board.”

“Yes, that seems the most likely, but we’ll have to wait and see.”

“Just what choice will Nightmare make…? Considering the opponent is Rainbow’s Yune, making a defensive pick wouldn’t be a bad idea.”

“Yeah, or they could go for an aggressive pick like Corki.”

“Let’s see…”

All eyes were on GRS’s 3rd pick, and as the time ticked down, they made their choice.

[Irelia]

“Ah, Irelia?”

“Nightmare! Are they seriously wanting to face off directly against Rainbow right now?!”

“Daring to pull out Yune?! It sounds like Nightmare is shouting that! Yune is a spicy pick, but Irelia is practically Tabasco sauce!”

“Hahaha! True!”

We thought they might go for a safe pick, but GRS’s response to Rainbow’s Yune was nothing short of extreme treatment.

If they succeed, it couldn’t get any better, but if they fail, they risk losing everything.

And that could be classified as Nightmare’s ambition.

A bold intention to defeat Rainbow head-on.

Thus, this could be seen as another opportunity for SY.

“Let’s just wait and see.”

Whether this will be good news or bad news for SY.

And then…

Finally, the ban/pick phase ended.

+

[SY / GRS]

Top: Gwen / Jason

Jungle: Bayego / Rakan

Mid: Yune / Irelia

Bot: Jinx / Samira

Support: Nautilus / Renata Glasc

+

Overall, it looked like GRS crafted a rather extreme combination.

In terms of champions like Rakan and Irelia, they’re often described as lacking retreats.

To have two champions like that, along with Samira, almost seems to symbolize no turning back.

“But SY has Gwen, a champion optimized to handle such aggression.”

A clash of blades.

This wasn’t just about the mid lane either.

-Welcome to Summoner’s Rift!

The third set, which could very well be the final one, has officially begun.