Did The Captain Catch Up With The Coach Today [Esports] Chapter 3
byChapter 3
If KPI won’t work, then it’s time for the next one.
Wei Xiao has never known how to write the word “give up” in his life.
CHIP E-sports Club, they were last year’s top four and a team with the potential to win the championship. Their core strength is their MID.
MID is good. A MID needs a strong Jungler for synergy. He should have a high chance of joining this team!
Wei Xiao immediately took out his phone and searched for the location of the CHIP E-sports Club on the map. It was in another city, only an 8-hour high-speed rail ride away.
8 hours…
Mom, I think I want to give up.
Wei Xiao checked the time. It was a little past 4 PM. 8 hours later would be the middle of the night. There was no way he could knock on the CHIP E-sports Club’s door at midnight and challenge their Jungler to a 1v1, because he would definitely be tired by then. If he didn’t perform well and lost the duel, it would be over!
He regretted having such a normal routine before today.
No choice. He could only find a random place to stay for the night and go fight—no, apply for a job—tomorrow!
Wei Xiao first searched for local hotels. The city where WI and KPI E-sports Clubs were located had ridiculously high prices. Even an economy hotel cost 300 per night, which felt like robbery.
300! He could spend 20 full hours in an internet cafe!
Wait, why didn’t he just spend the night in an internet cafe?
There was an internet cafe nearby called “Fool Happy More.” The public hall was 10 yuan per hour, and a private room was 15 yuan per hour.
If he went after dinner, staying from 5 PM until 7 AM the next morning would only cost 210. Not only would he save 90 yuan, but he could also play games online!
Plan successful. Wei Xiao ate a bowl of ramen at a nearby noodle shop, bought a bottle of happy water at the convenience store next door, and headed over.
The internet cafe wasn’t large, but it was decorated vibrantly. The layout of the areas and the arrangement of the computer stations must have been professionally designed, giving it a unique and refreshing look.
“Private room, 14 hours.” Wei Xiao held up his phone, ready to scan the code at the front desk.
“An overnight package? Overnight gets 20% off, 168.” Wen Ban Xia was personally working the night shift.
“That good?” Wei Xiao was so moved he almost cried.
The person clearly could have cheated a new customer who was unfamiliar with the area, yet they were so conscientious.
Wei Xiao usually didn’t pay much attention to girls’ appearances, thinking they all looked similar, but the front desk attendant was pleasing to the eye. Perhaps this was the legendary combination of beauty and kindness.
But that was the extent of it.
Wei Xiao knew he liked men and wouldn’t flirt with women. Even if the person was a man, he would only take a few extra glances during conversation, because most of his attention was currently focused on his career, leaving little room for romance.
After paying and receiving the key, Wei Xiao went upstairs to his private room.
On the way, he ran into a handsome guy in a leather jacket. Not wanting trouble, he politely stepped aside.
The handsome guy glanced at him, said nothing, and went downstairs, walking straight to the front desk.
Wen Ban Xia looked up, met his gaze, and raised an eyebrow in surprise. “Why are you out? Didn’t you say you were going to keep an eye on that person all day?”
“Keep an eye on my ass!” The handsome guy frowned irritably. “He hasn’t logged in all day! Brother Wen said you have coffee-flavored mints here. Give me a box. I’ll take them up to the guys, or we’ll all pass out before we even get to fight.”
“Didn’t you guys go to bed early last night?” Wen Ban Xia frowned as she handed him the candy.
“We’re used to sleeping at four or five in the morning. How are we supposed to fall asleep when suddenly told to go to bed early?” The handsome guy took the candy but didn’t look like he was leaving.
He was like a drowning person grabbing a piece of driftwood, seizing the opportunity to complain wildly. “The person we’re watching is interesting. He plays for two hours every morning, two hours at noon, and then logs in at 5 PM and logs off at 11 PM, without fail. He’s more punctual than someone with a job, but checking his Professional ID, he doesn’t seem like a streamer.”
“The key is, he used to log in in the morning and at noon. I don’t know why he hasn’t logged in all day today. I should have gone upstairs to nap.”
The words had barely left his mouth when someone rushed down the stairs in a panic, shouting across the entire lobby, “Qin Jin Yao! He’s logged in!”
“Damn it! Zhou Miao Miao, you idiot! Why are you shouting so loud!” The handsome guy yelled back immediately, then his expression changed. “Wait, he logged in? Why didn’t you say so sooner!”
“Say sooner my ass! I’m not a fortune teller! Hurry up, we’re fighting!”
…
Wei Xiao opened the Hero League interface on the computer in his private room and logged into his account.
His season rank points were already World Server Rank 1. Playing more wouldn’t change that, but to maintain his feel and stay ready for the next professional league, he still logged in daily to play Solo Queue.
He clicked “Start Solo Queue.” Usually, he had to wait a few minutes, but today, for some reason, he got in instantly, as smoothly as if the system was oiled.
Entering the ban/pick phase, he noticed something strange.
Hmm? Why did three of his four teammates have the “FHM” prefix?
Just as he was about to ask if they were E-sports Players, he heard voices through the in-game voice chat.
The MID’s avatar flashed; he was the one speaking: “Hahahaha! It’s just Qin Jin Yao on the opposite side! That’s hilarious!”
“Isn’t it because he has the highest rank? So they put him over there to balance us out.” The FOU’s voice was cooler.
“It’s a shame no one got on the wrong bus.” The DIE said. “Does Brother To Be Continued usually have to wait a long time?”
“Brother To Be Continued? Me?” Wei Xiao blinked, hesitantly joining the conversation.
He guessed that these people had clicked “Start Solo Queue” simultaneously, relying on luck to see if they were assigned as teammates or opponents.
But if “getting on the wrong bus” meant being assigned to a different match, then their target was… his match!
Damn it! They were coming for him!
Had he stomped them into the ground before, creating a grudge, and now they were teaming up to throw his game?
Wei Xiao widened his eyes, treating them as formidable enemies. “Brothers, let’s talk this out! Play the game properly! Don’t joke around with your match history!”
“Our coach said, for you, it’s worth it!” the MID said.
FHM’s coach, Wen Shi Yu, had said last night—as long as they could trick “to be continued” into joining the team, any number of losses was worth it.
Normally, they would avoid each other for the sake of their match history, getting into the queue sequentially to avoid facing each other. But today, for their future Jungler, the moment “to be continued” entered the matchmaking state, they all clicked “Start Solo Queue” with the fastest hand speed possible.
Wei Xiao’s heart sank when he heard “coach.” He wondered how he had managed to provoke the coach of a professional team. Why wasn’t this coach properly guiding his players? Why was he looking for abuse in the game? Then he got unhappy after being abused and resorted to this kind of revenge. It was too childish! But he had to admit, it was effective.
He was alone, weak, solitary, and seeking defeat. If he was challenged by another lone player, he could still turn the tide with his superb skills, but being targeted by an entire team meant he was probably doomed!
But since things had come to this, he wouldn’t back down, because E-sports Players cannot surrender!
Wei Xiao locked in Blade Shadow Dancer and silently changed his runes and gear.
“Oh? Taking this one? Not Overlord Blade?” the MID asked in surprise.
“Blade Shadow Dancer is very strong this season. It’s not strange to pick it,” the FOU said.
“What a pity. I wanted to experience the gold standard of the World Server Rank 1 Overlord Blade up close.” the DIE said.
Wei Xiao understood. This group’s coach had been crushed by his Overlord Blade.
He did want to play Overlord Blade, but Overlord Blade relied on teammates. He didn’t expect his teammates to be sky-high performers, but at least they shouldn’t throw. If he encountered a group of throwers, he would only be able to achieve a score of 0.
When it came to carrying, Blade Shadow Dancer was more reliable.
The match began. Wei Xiao rushed straight into the enemy jungle and solo-killed the enemy Jungler.
The MID asked three times, “Do you need me to follow?” but received no response.
Wei Xiao killed the Jungler, took the buff, and left without lingering.
But instead of returning to his own jungle, he went to the enemy’s other jungle area and took the other buff as well.
The enemy bottom lane realized something was wrong and went into the bottom jungle with the revived Jungler to check.
Wei Xiao hadn’t retreated yet. The FOU tentatively asked, “Do you need support?”
Wei Xiao ignored him completely, using a displacement skill to dash through the wall, ignoring the bottom lane, and placing a ward in the brush of the top jungle.
Support? I’ll be grateful if you don’t expose my position.
Wei Xiao remained silent, and the three FHM members also fell silent.
Wen Shi Yu stood behind the three of them, watching the match expressionlessly. He concluded internally—this Jungler’s skill is undeniable, but his temper isn’t great. He’s like an untamable wild wolf, probably even harder to manage than Qin Jin Yao.
But, what could he do? He had set his sights on him at first glance.
No matter what, he had to have him.
Wen Shi Yu was always determined to get the person he wanted and do the things he intended.
A moment later, he spoke, his cool voice saying faintly, “Mute your mics. Don’t disturb him. Just cooperate when necessary.”
The three players immediately agreed.
Wei Xiao couldn’t hear Wen Shi Yu’s voice, only hearing the three of them suddenly say “Oh,” “Mm,” and “Okay.” His nerves instantly tightened.
Did they receive some instruction and were preparing to make a move?
FHM’s coach, I was wrong, can’t you just forgive me! Although I don’t know what I did to you, using your position as a team coach for this kind of bullying is pointless!
Now, the only one he could rely on was the Top Laner! Top Laner, save me!
Wei Xiao went to the top lane, sent an attack signal, and then, at a perfect moment and from a perfect attack angle, used a displacement skill to land right on the enemy Top Laner’s face!
He pressed W, and “Blade Chain” hit the opponent squarely, pulling him in and controlling him. This was immediately followed by a Q, “Blade Shadow” double slash, taking out most of the opponent’s health bar!
His gank was flawless, so perfect that even he wanted to give himself a thumbs-up.
At this moment, if his own Top Laner rushed up and landed one cut, they could secure the kill.
As long as he helped the Top Laner gain an advantage and push down the top lane’s outer turret, the Jungler and Top Laner could link up and run rampant in the enemy jungle.
As long as he suppressed the enemy’s top lane and jungle economy, winning a 2v8 wasn’t impossible!
The plan was perfect, but the reality was—his own Top Laner, seeing him engage, calmly retreated back to the turret with half a health bar remaining and clicked recall.
Wei Xiao: “…”
The next second, the enemy Top Laner, free from control, used Flash and a displacement skill to frantically put distance between himself and Wei Xiao, escaping with critically low health.
Wei Xiao: “…”
Blade Shadow Dancer stood silently in place for a moment, then held up an emoji: Who am I?
Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?
Top Laner, you…
You’re the biggest thrower, aren’t you!
“Pfft,” Wen Shi Yu raised a hand to cover his lips.
This Jungler, though a wild wolf, was… quite cute.