Did The Captain Catch Up With The Coach Today [Esports] Chapter 25
byChapter 25
In the eyes of most of the audience present, FHM was an unknown new team, while PSP had the strength to reach the top eight, having done so before.
Therefore, they initially expected the match between the two teams to be completely one-sided.
The result was indeed one-sided, but it was FHM overwhelmingly grinding PSP into the dirt.
In E-sports, skill reigns supreme. The audience was quickly won over by FHM’s strength. Some immediately picked up their phones, logged into social media, and searched for FHM, thinking that if they followed them now, they would be considered old fans later!
They were happy to see new, strong teams inject vitality into the Hero League Professional League and bring them a different viewing experience. So, seeing FHM beat PSP without any chance of retaliation, they were excited despite their surprise.
The atmosphere among the professional teams, however, was more subtle.
EN did not have a match today, and their coach came to watch the FHM vs. PSP game.
When the camera focused on Wen Shi Yu, the coach felt a familiar sensation that made his heart skip a beat, but he failed to recognize Wen Shi Yu.
It had been half a year.
How much could a person change in half a year?
The former Wen Shi Yu was like a noble white swan, attracting attention wherever he went, shining like a diamond.
He disliked smiling, so those who didn’t know him thought he was aloof. Only fans who had followed him for a long time knew how socially anxious he was in private, but his aloof image was deeply ingrained in people’s minds.
Now, he had shed that brilliant glory, stepped away from the spotlight, and hidden himself in the crowd, like a stray cat that had lost its home.
He still disliked smiling, but whether he smiled or not, no camera would focus on him anymore.
Having enjoyed half a year of undisturbed peace, he had lowered half of his guard, and his eyes, brows, and posture had softened.
When the camera focused on him, everyone’s impression was: young and elegant.
Yes, elegant.
He sat there, his fingers unconsciously pinching his cuff, focused on the match on the screen. His posture was not tense, even showing a hint of laziness, yet it was proper and gave people a comfortable feeling.
If someone tried to strike up a conversation with him, they wouldn’t worry about being rejected outright; they would only worry about whether they were disturbing him.
It was precisely because of this that the EN coach failed to recognize him.
The Wen Shi Yu in his memory would never be this “well-behaved.”
However, on the stairs of the internet cafe, Wei Xiao recognized him almost instantly.
The match continued.
Fifteen minutes in, PSP’s top lane and Jungler had been completely crushed by FHM—the outer turret in the top lane was pushed, and the top side of the jungle was swept clean by Wei Xiao and Qin Jin Yao.
Not only that, but all the crucial resources were taken by FHM. The gold difference between the two sides was enough to make anyone shake their head.
As the game entered the mid-to-late stage, PSP’s Jungler was completely useless and started funneling resources to the ADC.
However, ever since Qin Jin Yao was freed from the top lane, he began to frequently roam to the mid lane, while Zhou Miao Miao took the opportunity to roam to the bottom lane.
In this game, his Void Star Mark was performing exceptionally well, and the gold advantage gained in the lane was significantly effective in the bottom lane.
His ultimate ability, “Star Rift,” instantly teleported the enemy ADC and Support out from under the turret, immediately taking away nearly half their health. Following up with a WWQ combo, he instantly eliminated the ADC.
Without the damage dealer, the Support was just a target, and their kill was only a matter of time.
Three roams, three double kills. PSP’s ADC was so frustrated he felt like his head was going to explode, thinking Zhou Miao Miao was even more annoying than Wei Xiao’s Time Tracker.
“Can we ban Void Star Mark next game?” he couldn’t help but ask.
“Ban it,” the MID agreed wholeheartedly. “If that Void Star Mark is considered ‘not very good at playing,’ then no one knows how to play Void Star Mark.”
“What about the dog?” The Jungler was even more reluctant to see Wei Xiao’s Time Tracker than Zhou Miao Miao’s Void Star Mark.
After all, he had only been killed twice by Void Star Mark, but Time Tracker had clawed him to death eight times!
Damn it! The designer who created Time Tracker must have been chased and bitten by a dog as a child! How could there be a hero so suitable for targeting? Once you were marked, it was like being written into the Book of Life and Death—if the King of Hell calls for your death at the third watch, who dares keep you until the fifth?
“Ban the dog,” the Top Laner agreed completely. “If the dog targets you, you can’t get going at all. Without me and the Jungler, can you guys in the mid and bottom lanes carry?”
A moment of guilty silence.
The facts proved that their mid and bottom lanes really couldn’t carry.
The ADC fed the enemy as much gold as he earned, and the MID was mostly useless after the mid-lane outer turret was pushed, unable to deal any damage.
The gold difference between the two sides snowballed, growing larger and larger.
Finally, the game time reached 20 minutes, and the Elder Dragon spawned.
Wei Xiao called all his teammates to gather, pretending to push the mid lane.
PSP couldn’t ignore the mid lane and had to gather to defend.
Lu Qing Yang, operating her Thorn Whip, stacked up the number of spikes with a whip to the left and a whip to the right, then shouted loudly, “I’m ready!”
“Go!”
Following Wei Xiao’s command, Lu Qing Yang, FHM’s ADC, flashed under the enemy turret and activated Thorn Whip’s ultimate ability—Thorn Dance!
The girl, wrapped in thorns, began performing a high-difficulty waltz amidst the enemies. Her body spun rapidly, throwing out sharp spikes that dealt damage to all surrounding enemies!
The enemies were attacking her, and the turret was attacking her, but she feared no danger, concentrating on her dance. During this process, her lost health rapidly regenerated!
The instant she drew the turret’s aggro, Wei Xiao maneuvered his Time Tracker to pounce into the turret, instantly killing PSP’s only remaining damage dealer, the ADC, in two hits!
The rest of FHM rushed into the turret like hungry wolves fighting for food, unleashing skills as if they cost nothing!
Zhou Miao Miao seized the opportunity, casting his ultimate under the turret, securing all the low-health enemies while teleporting his teammates out of the turret, wiping out the opponents, with everyone surviving!
[System Notification] Enemy heroes have been annihilated!
[System Notification] Victory is in sight!
Wei Xiao: “Good, good, good! Take the Dragon, take the Dragon, take the Dragon!”
Zhou Miao Miao: “Quick, quick, quick!”
Lu Qing Yang: “Coming, coming, coming!”
Qin Jin Yao: “Who’s tanking?”
Tang Li: “I will, you guys hit fast!”
If you said FHM’s composition was bad, their damage was explosive in team fights, with both area damage and burst damage.
But if you said FHM’s composition was good, looking at the health bars of the five players, not a single one was durable.
So, it was inevitable that this situation would occur:
[System Notification] Tragedy! Our Arcane Puppet was slain by the Abyssal Dragon!
[System Notification] Tragedy! Our Moon Shadow Spider was slain by the Abyssal Dragon!
But fortunately, they still secured it in the end!
[System Notification] Our Time Tracker delivered the final blow to the Abyssal Dragon!
While FHM was taking the Dragon, the commentators were still immersed in the excitement of their brilliant team fight.
Ri Xi: “The ADC initiated the fight! Unbelievable! FHM is unbelievable!”
Yue Xia: “FHM’s coach has something going on! An ADC initiating the fight, who would have thought?”
Ri Xi: “At the start of the game, I wanted to say that FHM’s composition was difficult for team fights. Arcane Puppet’s control range is too small, Void Star Mark has a low margin for error—a mistake would be no joke—and the key is that none of them can tank damage. But then, the ADC initiated the fight!”
Yue Xia: “Picking Thorn Whip was absolutely the right call!”
Ri Xi: “This team is so interesting. Their composition seems risky, but it forms its own system!”
Ri Xi: “Everyone’s individual skill is strong, and they cooperate very well. They truly deserve to be called the biggest dark horse of this season!”
The two praised FHM back and forth, full of confidence in the team’s future.
Then they watched as FHM, in almost full health, got a double kill from the Elder Dragon.
“Ahem, a tanking hero is still necessary, huh,” Yue Xia joked with a laugh.
Although the Top Laner and Support died, FHM’s damage was high, and they killed the Dragon quickly. They secured the Dragon before anyone on the PSP side revived and recalled to base.
After replenishing their health, Wei Xiao led his two carries straight to the mid lane. With the help of the Dragon minions, they not only pushed down PSP’s last mid-lane turret but also aggressively occupied their jungle.
PSP was beyond saving. They could only make their final struggles while thinking about how to win the next game.
In the group stage, it was best of three. If they lost one more game, they wouldn’t have a chance to turn things around in a third game.
Ultimately, the FHM vs. PSP match lasted 26 minutes, with FHM taking the first point.
Before the second game started, both sides had a 10-minute break for a simple review.
Wen Shi Yu felt that the overall rhythm of this game was very comfortable. Everyone performed normally, even exceptionally well, so he didn’t nitpick. Instead, he praised them frankly: “You played very well. Keep it up.”
All members of FHM breathed a sigh of relief, then beamed with joy.
“Next game, I’ll continue to focus on the top lane and Jungler!” Wei Xiao said while picking up the bottled water beside him and twisting the cap open.
However, Wen Shi Yu stared at his action for a moment, then suddenly reached out and snatched the water before Wei Xiao could drink it.
Wei Xiao let out an “Eh?” Although he found it strange, because the person who snatched his water was Wen Shi Yu, he let go without any struggle.
Wen Shi Yu held out a hand for the bottle cap. Wei Xiao obediently handed the cap to him, his face still showing confusion and bewilderment.
Wen Shi Yu screwed the cap back on before saying, “Try to drink the water you brought yourself, just in case, especially when playing abroad. Never overestimate the integrity of other teams.”
“Okay, but…” Wei Xiao looked troubled. “Do we have our own water?”
Wen Shi Yu silently picked up his own water bottle. The other members of FHM also took out their “own water.”
Well, well, well, it really was water they “brought themselves.”
Wei Xiao wanted to say that this should be prepared by the team, but then he remembered that this was the team Wen Shi Yu created…
He stared at the water Wen Shi Yu had snatched away, raised his hand to stroke his chin, deep in thought: “Which death is less painful, being poisoned by a drug or dying of thirst?”
Wen Shi Yu’s lips twitched. Although he really wanted to let Wei Xiao go thirsty for one game to teach him a lesson, in the end, he couldn’t bear it… No, he didn’t dare joke around with the match.
He placed the official bottled water aside and handed his own water bottle to Wei Xiao, with one condition: “Don’t let your mouth touch it.”
Wei Xiao reached out to take it blankly, then remembered to say thank you, uttering a “Thank you.”
Even if he couldn’t touch it with his mouth… this was still water Wen Shi Yu had drunk!
There wouldn’t be poison in it, but there might be an aphrodisiac!
He thought this, but Wei Xiao wasn’t so easily charmed just by drinking water. At most, he would just feel excited and secretly pleased.
He held the water bottle high and tilted his head back.
The bottle tilted, and clear water poured down. Some fell into his mouth, and some spilled onto his collar.
Wen Shi Yu watched with a frown, wanting to say many things, but ultimately held back.
Wei Xiao’s Adam’s apple bobbed, making “glug glug” sounds. Wen Shi Yu took a deep breath and looked away.
Since it was Wen Shi Yu’s water, Wei Xiao didn’t dare drink too much. He tilted the cup and immediately straightened it, the drinking process lasting only about a second.
When he handed the cup back to Wen Shi Yu, he said “Thank you” again.
Wen Shi Yu took the cup, placed it back on the table, and silently pulled out two napkins to press against Wei Xiao’s collar.
Wei Xiao smiled as he took them. “I didn’t get the angle right. I’ll know for next time.”
“Where is there a next time?” Wen Shi Yu secretly decided to bring an extra bottle of water to every match just in case. Out loud, he said, “We’ll leave after this game. If you want water, buy it yourself. Or are you planning on playing a third game?”
“Oh, right! Then we absolutely must win 2-0!” Wei Xiao said while using the napkin to absorb the water on his collar.
His movements were careful and meticulous, not at all clumsy.
Wen Shi Yu was a little distracted watching him.
Although he was a few years older than Wei Xiao, Wei Xiao was about half a head taller than him, and his hands were also a size larger.
The long fingers were distinctly jointed, hands that looked more suitable for playing the piano than typing on a keyboard.
They were very beautiful.
Wei Xiao’s face was handsome, and his hands were beautiful.
Wen Shi Yu said, still distracted, “You won’t get Time Tracker.”
“Eh?” Wei Xiao blinked.
Wen Shi Yu snapped back to attention, solidifying his scattered gaze and tone: “Didn’t you say you were going to continue targeting the top lane and Jungler? The opponent won’t give you that chance. They will ban all the heroes suitable for targeting.”
“Oh, that. It doesn’t matter. I’m the one doing the targeting, not Time Tracker.”
No matter what he picked, he could target whoever he wanted, couldn’t he?
There were so many Assassin Junglers, so many heroes that could kill in one combo. Other heroes’ pursuit abilities might not be as good as Time Tracker’s, but if played well, the effect was the same, and they might even excel in other areas.
For example, “Fox Mask Shadow” had unparalleled stealth and sudden attack capabilities, “Full Moon Fierce Wolf” had strong sustained damage, and when attack speed was fully stacked, its basic attacks could be used as a melee ADC. “Cursed Blade Scissors” had strong counter-kill ability, dealing higher damage the lower its health.
“That’s true.” Wen Shi Yu wasn’t worried in the first place, just reminding him. “Also, in the next game, they might swap lanes after three waves of minions, with two people defending top and the top laner and Jungler ganking bottom. Pay attention to the vision of their top and bottom lane heroes. If both sides disappear simultaneously, be ready to go bottom.”
“Got it, no problem!” Wei Xiao nodded repeatedly.
Ten minutes later, the next game began. PSP indeed banned Time Tracker, and they also banned Void Star Mark.
Zhou Miao Miao was overjoyed: “Great! I don’t have to pick Void Star Mark!”
Then he started to feel confused: “Eh? What should I pick then?”
Blazing Feather was also banned. He had only practiced these two Mage Assassins.
“Take Nightmare Witch,” Wen Shi Yu said. “Playing against PSP, you don’t need to show off your Assassins.”
Zhou Miao Miao: “Then my roaming will be slower.”
Wen Shi Yu: “It’s fine. If you take Nightmare Witch, lane priority is the best form of support. Control the lane and suppress the opposing lane’s gold.”
As they spoke, PSP banned Bamboo Forest Swordsman and Radiant Knight.
Five bans: three Assassins and two Mage Assassins.
Then, they snatched Blade Shadow Dancer.
Phantom Assassin was left unpicked. Wei Xiao suddenly had an idea: “How about I take Spider, and let Jin Yao take Phantom Assassin? The opponent will definitely think I’m the one playing Phantom Assassin.”
Phantom Assassin’s laning ability was indeed stronger than Moon Shadow Spider’s; at least it had a poke skill. Moon Shadow Spider, however, had both displacement and speed boost, making its roaming ability stronger.
Qin Jin Yao said, “Can do.”
Wen Shi Yu then said, “Alright, lock in Spider and Thorn Whip first. Let’s see what the enemy Top Laner picks.”
No matter how this group chose, they always lacked someone who could tank damage.
In the previous game, the ADC had the highest damage taken, which was simply unbelievable in any other team.
Actually, Thorn Whip didn’t need to be picked first, as no one in the league would ever rush to pick her.
However, the Top Laner was an Assassin, and the MID was Nightmare Witch, neither suitable for first pick. The Support had to be chosen based on the enemy composition. In the end, they could only pick Thorn Whip first.
After FHM locked in Moon Shadow Spider and Thorn Whip, the opponent indeed thought Moon Shadow Spider was the Top Laner and chose a Top Laner with longer range to lane against her this time.
“Good!” Wei Xiao confidently adjusted Moon Shadow Spider’s setup, ready to sweep the battlefield.
In his view, Moon Shadow Spider was like Overlord Blade constantly under the effect of its ultimate ability. Although its early-game stats couldn’t compare to Overlord Blade’s late-game stats, its mechanics were much better than Overlord Blade’s. If it didn’t kill in one bite, it would bite a second time—Moon Shadow Spider’s first skill, “Tear,” had a cooldown of only 2 seconds.
Wen Shi Yu did feel a little strange.
Someone who could play Overlord Blade well wouldn’t be weak on Moon Shadow Spider, but: “You don’t seem to play Moon Shadow Spider much?”
“Yeah, because I’m afraid of spiders,” Wei Xiao replied.
Huh?
Wen Shi Yu paused: “Then how can you play it now?”
“Because the skin you bought is beautiful!” Wei Xiao smiled and looked up.
Although he was talking about the skin, it sounded as if he were saying—you are beautiful.
Wen Shi Yu raised a hand to touch his nose and fell silent.
Talking to Wei Xiao, he would always be flirted with so suddenly, and he wasn’t sure if he was being sensitive or if the other party was doing it on purpose.
It was a bit of both.
At least with that sentence, Wei Xiao truly meant it—every hero that could be played in the jungle on Wen Shi Yu’s account had a skin. The Spider’s skin was a Temple skin, and after the color changed from the original black and purple to the current white and gold, Wei Xiao suddenly found it pleasing to the eye. He tried a few games during training, and the feel was also good.
If he had known this skin was so good, he would have played Spider more often before.
But playing it less didn’t stop him from showing off: “Everyone lie down, I’m carrying this game!”