Starting with Zaozi Ge, a dream lineup

Chapter 317 I'll Wait for You! Lee Sang-hyeok's Tears!

After bowing, the group abandoned their plan to continue performing in the center of the stage and, full of high spirits, walked towards Skt's soundproof booth amidst cheers from the audience.

However, at this moment, inside Skt's soundproof room.

It's as if the world is separated by the yin and yang, or by the seasons. Outside, everything is reviving and growing wildly, while inside Skt's soundproof room, it's bitterly cold and chilling to the bone.

Faker, Bang, and Wolf all looked ashen-faced, as if their lives were bleak except for this championship. However, with Hanzi and Xiao Hei present, the atmosphere wasn't as silent and serious as expected.

Upon closer inspection, it was actually the relief that followed the pain on their faces that prevented a real fight from breaking out in the lounge.

As the saying goes, when you let go of everything without hope, it becomes easier to accept things and you won't feel despair.

After being defeated by RNG in three consecutive matches without any resistance, Khan and Xiao Hei believed it was simply a matter of the difference between the two teams. They only lost because of the overwhelming dominance of the RNG.

Before the third game, Kouma's motivational speech boosted everyone's spirits. If it were any other coach, they would have let their teammates play freely, regardless of winning or losing.

For the three veteran SKT members, the 3-0 scoreline speaks volumes. It's not that they failed to perform to their potential; on the contrary, their performance in this World Championship was far from mediocre, and in some crucial moments, it was truly impressive.

Unfortunately, the gap in strength was too great, like that between an adult and a child, and there was nothing that could be done.

When the five RNG members approached, Khan and Black stood up without saying a word, seemingly ready to shake hands. However, the other three remained seated, staring blankly at the bright red sign of defeat on the screen, offering no words of comfort.

Faker remained motionless, a moment everyone was very familiar with.

Sitting in the chair, this arrogant demon king, though not covering his face, still had tears streaming down his cheeks like broken threads.

The Demon King cried!

The scenario that originally occurred when Samsung defeated SKT 3-0 in S7, and RNG eliminated SKT in the semifinals, still happened a year later, following the 3-0 victory.

Standing outside the soundproof room, looking at the chaotic scene inside, even Li Luo had to take two deep breaths to calm himself down.

Seemingly sensing that someone was already standing outside, Faker stood up, looked towards the door, and through Letme, Xiangguo, and Xiaohu at the front, stared directly at Li Luo, as if he wanted to memorize the man's face completely.

"SKT is feeling very bad right now. In S3, Royal Club lost to SKT, and SKT won the championship. Other teams couldn't do it, but RNG did. They successfully completed their magnificent revenge in S8 after five years, making SKT the background to their title defense. At this moment, it's a pity. Let's thank the players on the field for the wonderful matches they gave us."

"Although they lost all three matches, their performance at the World Championship was still commendable. SKT, keep it up! Defeat isn't scary; what's scary is not daring to face it after defeat."

I remember my teacher saying with deep emotion, "We're showcasing traditional Chinese skills. As long as we win the championship, we won't be stingy with praise or regret."

"Yes! Oh? People in the audience have already applauded Faker. There are LCK fans, LPL fans, and fans from many other regions. Keep it up, remember this moment!"

The commentators outside the theater sighed involuntarily upon seeing this scene.

At this moment, Letme had shaken hands with Faker, and the audience immediately burst into applause for Faker.

Sometimes that's how it is; when everyone sets their goal as defeating Faker, Faker has already achieved his objective!
But when the real demon king was defeated, no one felt the joy and happiness they had imagined. Instead, they felt a sense of loss and emptiness.

When Li Luo reached Faker, it seemed that Li Xianghe hadn't reacted yet, mechanically raising his hand in mid-air. Then, realizing that he had been distracted, he quickly snapped back to reality and shook hands with Li Luo.

Faker's palms were very dry, seemingly due to long-term training, which had worn down the lines on the lower half of his palm. The sensation he felt at that moment was like touching a piece of ceramic.

Perhaps his talent wasn't his forte, but his hard work?

After shaking hands, Li Luo continued walking downstairs, but after seeing Faker still looking dazed, he suddenly said in Korean:

"I'm waiting for you, Lee Sang-hyeok. Fighting! Don't be absent next year!"

The fluent Korean made Faker subconsciously raise his head. Upon realizing it was Li Luo speaking, Faker's eyes flickered with confusion for a moment, then suddenly hardened. Without much reply, he nodded vigorously.

"Yeah, you're strong, but I can still fight. I won't give up next year."

Faker has experienced the youthful arrogance of S3, the fall from grace of S4, and the legendary championships of S5 and S6. Now, his heart is as firm as a rock!

Failure will not make such a person dejected or frustrated; on the contrary, it will only make him stronger.

By the time it was Bang's turn, the chubby boy had already adjusted his mindset and even had a hint of a defiant smile on his face.

But after staring intently at Bang for two seconds, Li Luo gave up the idea of ​​talking to Bang.

There was no fighting spirit or resilience in his eyes, only retreat.

Esports doesn't believe in tears and smiles; it only has skill.

"Alright, now the entire RNG team has shaken hands and is about to claim their crown," Guan Zeyuan's voice rose. "Just a few hours ago, the two teams clashed here, determined to determine a winner. Now, just a few hours later, RNG has become the ultimate champion."

"Just a few hours ago, RNG placed their S7 trophy here, but now they're going to take back their Summoner's Cup!"

"!!!"

"Ahhhhh!!"

“Rng!!!Rng!!!”

Stepping out of Skt's soundproof booth and looking at the big screen on the field, the audience erupted in cheers once again.

Everyone in RNG, including the staff, coaching staff, and some acquaintances waiting in the soundproof room, were staring intently at the exquisite Summoner's Cup in the center of the stage.

Standing tall and striding towards the trophy, the five RNG players took a deep breath and looked down at the audience. The audience was already a sea of ​​cheers from LPL fans, with light sticks supporting RNG visible everywhere.

"Lift the trophy! RNG! The second team to defend their title in League of Legends, a newly established dynasty, a bright and promising future, the future belongs to RNG, to the LPL! A legendary era for all of us!"

Guan Zeyuan remembers that Wu Wukai and the other two shouted together.

As golden fireworks burst across the sky above Incheon, under the hazy twilight and the spotlight, the RNG players raised the Summoner's Cup, the highest honor in the world, which all professional players strive for their entire lives!
On the glittering stage, the golden rain was dazzling and mesmerizing.

“Rng!!!”

"We are the champions!!! We are the champions again!! We've achieved a Grand Slam!!"

"Double champion! Grand Slam, awesome!"

"Defend the title! Defend the title!"

At this moment, both the live streamers and the audience at the venue sincerely offered their blessings. Seeing RNG lift the trophy, everyone was instantly shocked and got goosebumps.

Amid cheers from the audience, commentators from various regions also offered their praise with sighs of admiration.

"Omg, RNG has brought back their second S-series trophy! What a great moment! This is their time to defend their honor! Hmm? Why, why did they win the championship again? I can only say that in less than two hours of play across the three games, RNG simply stored their trophy away for two hours before taking it back!"

The European commentators were shouting and yelling, acting like they'd never seen anything like it before, but you could tell from their eyes that they really admired RNG for winning the championship.

"I'm very reluctant to say this, but we still want to congratulate the LPL team RNG on winning the S-series championship. They were like invincible ancient Roman warriors, fearless in the face of death. In this final, they achieved a 3-0 victory, fulfilling their promise before the competition. But I hope that our LCK teams will not give up. A temporary victory or defeat does not determine anything. You must remember, we are a region with four S-series championships!"

The LCK commentators looked reluctant, but under pressure from public opinion, they had no choice but to congratulate RNG!

Hearing the sour voice of the LCK commentator next door, the LPL commentator felt a wave of pleasure wash over him.

"Wow, viewers in the live stream, you...you've witnessed history, the history of RNG's defending champions!" Teacher Ji said with a sly smile, "A historic moment. At this moment, everyone in a foreign land, in South Korea, in Incheon, and everyone watching the game in the live stream, we have all witnessed the beginning of RNG's rise!"

"I believe, just like what Uzi said at MSI, 'I came, I saw, I conquered!' I believe that the defending champion title is not the end for RNG. After S7, RNG is about to start their own era. They have overcome all obstacles and defeated LCK teams one after another, especially this year!"

From the Demacia Cup champion to the Spring Split champion, then to the MSI champion, then to the international Asian Games champion, the Summer Split champion, the Demacia Zhuhai Station champion, and finally the S-series champion.

"RNG, seven championships in one year! What kind of control is that? What an amazing team!"

"Awesome, guys! Absolutely awesome! Viewers in the live stream can type 'awesome' in the chat!"

Wu Wukai joined in, stirring up the chat with everyone excitedly expressing their joy at the moment.

At the same time, on the stage, the RNG team finally finished lifting their trophy.

Each person solemnly took the trophy into their hands, kissed it, and then passed it on to the next person.

Every pass, every kiss, was met with thunderous cheers and screams from the audience.

The atmosphere reached its peak when Li Luo stepped forward.

"Uzi! Awesome!"

"The puppy's second crown, awesome!"

The enthusiasm of tens of thousands of people didn't need to be stirred up by the host at all; just a single movement or glance from the contestant would elicit countless cheers from the audience.

"You can always believe in Uzi, you can always believe in a team with Uzi. Similarly, looking at Uzi's career, two runner-up titles and two championship titles, this man has brought us LPL viewers countless miracles and hope. For RNG and for the LPL region, he is truly like a god of war, active from the ancient S2 era to the current S8!"

"Uzi is not only RNG's last line of defense, but also RNG's sharpest weapon at the forefront!"

The commentator's vivid and engaging delivery, the cheers of the audience, and the moment when the RNG members stood in a row—the photographer captured this peak moment that brought tears to everyone's eyes!
Of course, everyone knows that this championship is different from the S7 championship. It probably won't be long before the S8 championship brings a wave of excitement that will completely ignite the esports circle and create an unprecedented esports carnival.

As the photography commentary began, accompanied by the venue's rousing background music, the "Roaring Emperor's" classic, drawn-out voice rang out from the speakers:

"Congratulations!!!! RNG!!! on winning the championship!"

This time, the Roaring Emperor also changed into a red suit and put on a great effort to provide commentary for RNG.

Even the host has a stance, and the Roaring Emperor is no exception. At this moment, although the LCK team was defeated 3-0 by the LPL team, and the Roaring Emperor felt sad, he still had to do his best as it was his job.

"Congratulations to RNG for winning the 2018 World Championship trophy. This honor is unprecedented. It's a historic moment. Although I'm sad that SKT lost, RNG's strength is undeniable. They performed better and better than SKT in this World Championship. They deserve this trophy!"

"The new champion has defended his title. As he lifts this trophy for the second consecutive year, we believe that viewers around the world have countless questions and comments they want to ask. So, this year we are launching a major innovation. From now on, viewers can simply edit xxx and send it to xxx, or directly post their question on the TikTok short video platform, along with the hashtag #RngDefendingChampionIHaveSomethingToSay#, to participate."

"Weibo and Twitter users can also participate under the hashtag #RngDefendingChampionIHaveSomethingToSay#. We will close submissions in five minutes and select three questions to give to Rng, who won the championship today!"

The Roaring Emperor spoke at lightning speed, reciting a unique interview with the S8 defending champions. Incidentally, Teacher Remember in the commentary booth also quickly repeated this year's new rules.

However, even they did not expect that this move would set a Guinness World Record that is unprecedented and will never be repeated.

During the submission period, the host changed the subject and began asking the same official questions as usual, based on the cue cards in his hand.

Of course, this question should be directed to the two players who performed best in this best-of-five series.

"Alright, the audience can also participate in the submission event we just had. Now, we still have some questions for RNG's jungler mlxg and ADC Uzi from this match!"

(End of this chapter)