LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

A cool breeze from the river brushed against Su Mo's cheek, dispelling the last trace of distracting thoughts in his mind.

That fire is still there, of course.

Otherwise, he would never have come back.

……

The highly anticipated LPL Spring Split playoffs have officially begun amidst thunderous excitement.

In the first round of the playoffs, SN faced WE, and FPX faced RA, with the four teams locked in fierce battles. The competition was intense, bringing joy to some and sorrow to others.

Ultimately, FPX swept RA 3-0 thanks to Doinb's perfect performance with Ryze; on the other side, SN fought gruelingly with WE for five games, and finally advanced with a close call thanks to Huanfeng's Jinx in the decisive game.

In the second round, JDG faced off against SN. This match became a solo showcase for jungler Kanavi. With his perfectly timed Volibear, he wreaked havoc in SN's jungle, ultimately securing a 3-1 victory and advancing strongly to the next round, becoming EDG's first opponent in the semifinals.

On match day, the Shanghai Hongqiao Tiandi Performing Arts Center was packed to capacity.

When the EDG players walked out of the player tunnel, the cheers that erupted in the stadium almost lifted the dome off the entire venue.

"Welcome back! This is the 2021 LPL Spring Split Playoffs Semifinals!" Miller's voice was passionate as he spoke from the commentary booth. "Today's matchups are the regular season champions EDG and JDG, who are in top form and just eliminated SN! This is destined to be a fierce battle!"

Wawa added, "That's right! EDG showed unparalleled dominance in the regular season, while JDG is known for its resilience, especially in BO5 matches, where they have rich experience and a big heart! More importantly, EDG's starting top laner today is still Flandre! Mozi is still firmly on the bench!"

This news surprised countless viewers who were eagerly awaiting the appearance of the "god," but more than anything, it brought understanding.

Backstage, in EDG's private lounge, Su Mo leaned back on the sofa, wearing tactical headphones. The large screen in front of him clearly displayed the draft picks from the main stage. He looked relaxed, as if what was about to begin wasn't a do-or-die best-of-five series, but just a regular practice match.

"In the first game, we're on the blue side, so the draft isn't too stressful." Abu's voice came through the headset, calm and composed. "Holy Gun, what do you want to play? Zoom will most likely pick Ornn or Maokai to withstand the pressure."

“I’ll pick Jayce,” Flandre’s voice was full of confidence. “I want to take the initiative.”

Upon hearing this, Su Mo's lips curled up slightly.

It seems that those words really did wake him up.

Game start.

In the first game, Flandre's Jayce lived up to expectations, exerting immense pressure in lane and constantly whittling down Zoom's Ornn's health. In mid-game team fights, his precise Electrocutions severely damaged JDG's backline, creating a perfect environment for Viper's Kai'Sa to clean up.

EDG secured the first victory with a narrow escape.

However, JDG's resilience was evident in the second game.

They seemed to have grasped Flandre's eagerness to prove himself, and jungler Kanavi abandoned map control, picked Xin Zhao, and began to relentlessly gank the top lane.

"Gunner, be careful, he might gank top lane right away at level two."

I was watching the screen in the lounge, and almost instinctively I wanted to speak up and offer a word of advice. But I held back. This was Saint-Gun's own battle; he had to experience it firsthand and grow from it.

Sure enough, at 2 minutes and 30 seconds, Kanavi's Xin Zhao appeared like a ghost in the top lane bush, and with Zoom's Renekton's empowered W, they killed Jayce who was pushing the lane.

This death became the turning point of the second game. Flandre's mentality wavered, and he became increasingly eager to regain the advantage online, his operation began to deteriorate, and mistakes increased accordingly.

Ultimately, JDG seized the opportunity. In a team fight around Baron Nashor at the 20-minute mark, Yagao's Zoe landed a precise Sleepy Bubble on Viper, instantly killing EDG's core carry and ending the game in one fell swoop.

The score is 1-1, a draw.

In the third game, the two sides went back and forth, and the battle became extremely intense.

EDG, relying on superior team fight maneuvering and Viper's unstoppable performance, narrowly won the third game and took the lead in securing match point.

However, in the fourth game, JDG's jungler Kanavi once again stepped up. His Hecarim was like a god of war in the late-game team fights, charging in and out seven times, breaking apart EDG's formation and tying the score again!
2: 2!

The match has been dragged into a decisive game!

The atmosphere in the break room was extremely tense. Flandre had his head down, his hands clenched tightly, palms sweating profusely. For two consecutive rounds, he had become the team's weak point, the immense pressure almost suffocating him.

“My problem…” His voice was hoarse, filled with self-blame.

Just as Abu and the factory manager were about to offer their condolences, Su Mo stood up.

He walked up to Flandre, patted him on the shoulder, and then looked around at his teammates, who all looked equally nervous.

"Cheer up, everyone." His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a shot of adrenaline, instantly putting everyone at ease. "It's just a decisive game, what's there to be nervous about?"

Su Mo paused for a moment, then turned his gaze to Abu: "Brother Bu, I'll play in the fifth round."

There were no further explanations, no impassioned mobilizations.

It was just a simple, almost self-evident statement.

But at that moment, the air in the entire lounge seemed to begin to flow again.

Jiejie was the first to jump up: "It's here! It's finally here! I knew it!"

Scout and Meiko exchanged a glance, both seeing that familiar feeling of "peace of mind" in each other's eyes.

Saint Gun looked up at Su Mo with a complex mix of emotions: gratitude, guilt, and relief. Finally, he nodded heavily and said, "Brother Mo, please."

When the commentator announced in a trembling voice that "EDG has substituted Mo in for the decisive game," the entire venue erupted in cheers!
"God! He has come!"

"This life-or-death situation depends on my brother Mozi!"

Amidst thunderous cheers, Su Mo slowly walked onto the stage, sat down in the familiar gaming chair, and put on his headphones.

The world fell silent instantly.

In Su Mo's eyes, there was only his opponent and the Summoner's Rift that he was about to conquer.

In the deciding game, we were still on the blue side and had the right to choose first.

The draft phase begins. JDG was clearly thrown off balance by Su Mo's appearance, and their coach Homme hesitated for a long time during the ban phase.

"Ban Irelia, ban Aatrox, ban Camille." Homme's voice rang out in JDG's team voice chat, filled with apprehension.

On our side, BP seemed unusually relaxed and at ease.

"Brother Mozi, what do you want to play?" Abu asked.

Su Mo looked at the enemy's top laner Ornn, who had already been locked in, and smiled: "Since they're showing me so much respect, I have to return the favor. Give me Fiora, I haven't played in a while, let's warm up my wrists."

"Fiora?!"

When this hero was revealed, not only JDJ, but even Su Mo's teammates were stunned for a moment.

In this meta dominated by tanks, picking a pure split-push/4-1 hero is extremely risky.

"It's her." Su Mo's tone left no room for argument.

When Fiora's portrait was finally locked, Miller excitedly exclaimed, "Fiora! It's Fiora! In the most crucial decisive game! Mozi pulled out his championship skin champion!"

Once I entered the game, the world became incredibly clear and focused in my view.

Both sides started the game in a standard manner.

Upon reaching level one, Su Mo did not rush to farm minions. Instead, he used the flexibility of his Q skill to constantly harass Zoom's Ornn, looking for openings in his last-hitting.

Zoom's Ornn should start with W [Bell's Breath] at level 1. This is the safest way to play against melee champions in lane, as it can clear waves and apply the "Fragile" effect to trade damage.

Fiora learned Q [Skybreaker]. As the minion waves converged, Su Mo did not rush forward. Instead, he controlled Fiora to pace back and forth near his own ranged minions, like a patient hunter observing the prey's every move.

The first wave of minions consisted of three melee minions. When the second melee minion was down to its last sliver of health, Zoom's Ornn, just as Su Mo had predicted, stepped forward and raised his hammer.

It's now!

Almost the instant he raised his hand, Su Mo pressed the Q key! Fiona's figure transformed into a swift afterimage, the tip of her sword drawing a beautiful arc, precisely striking the opening that Ornn had created on his right!

"Shh!"

The crisp sound accompanied the bouncing of the gold coin, and Fiona's health recovered slightly, while she also gained a brief speed boost.

Without any greed, he struck successfully and immediately retreated, perfectly dodging Ornn's backhand basic attack.

A seemingly insignificant blood transfusion kept his health at a healthy level, while Zoom's Ornn was wasted a significant portion of his health.

In the commentary booth, Wawa keenly noticed this detail: "Oh? Mozi's laning pressure is on point! His distance control is so precise, every Q skill is like it's been measured with a ruler!"

Su Mo ignored the noise outside; in his world, there were only minions, weaknesses, and his opponent's health bar.

Upon reaching level two, he instantly learned W [Laurent's Eye], Fiora's signature skill.

Zoom's Ornn, on the other hand, learned E [Fiery Charge], gaining an additional mobility and control ability.

He knew that the real battle was only just beginning.

He began to consciously press forward, blocking the minion wave with his body and preventing him from comfortably last-hitting minions.

Zoom got a little frustrated and started using his W skill to clear minions, trying to push the wave forward.

But that's exactly what Su Mo wanted.

The cooldown of his W skill, [Bellfire Breath], is as long as 12 seconds. The moment his skill enters its downtime is the best time for Su Mo to make his move.

At three minutes and twenty seconds, both sides had reached level three.

The third wave of artillery units is about to arrive.

Su Mo keenly noticed that JDG's jungler Kanavi hadn't been seen for a long time.

"Jiejie, he might be coming." Su Mo calmly reported the information in the team voice chat.

"Received, Brother Mozi, I'm moving up too." Jiejie's troll immediately responded.

Su Mo watched Zoom eagerly push the minion wave under the tower to coordinate with the jungler's gank, and a cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

If he wants to act, Su Mo will act with him to the very end.

Su Mo deliberately created an opening, pretending to be eager to finish off the low-health siege engine soldier, and took a step forward.

Zoom saw Su Mo enter his E skill range and, sure enough, he took the bait! He used his E skill, [Fiery Charge], and charged straight at Su Mo!
However, just as he lunged forward, Su Mo pressed the W key!
Laurent's Sharp Eyes!
Fiona stood still, assuming an elegant blocking stance.

"Ding!"

A crisp metallic clang rang out! Ornn's charge was perfectly blocked!
But he didn't feel dizzy or dazed. Because he knew this was just the appetizer; the real danger was the jungler who was about to appear in the bushes.

Sure enough, the moment Su Moge blocked Ornn's E skill, Kanavi's Volibear activated his Q skill and roared out of the river bushes like a tiger descending the mountain!

"They made their move!" Miller's speech quickened instantly. "Kanavi's level 3 gank on top! Very decisive! But Mozi's reaction was too fast! He blocked Ornn's crowd control with his W!"

Despite being attacked from both sides, Su Mo remained completely calm.

Just as the bear was about to slap him, he used his Q skill to poke Ornn, using the speed boost to pull himself to the side and back, precisely dodging the bear's fatal slap!
At the same time, Jiejie's troll emerged from the bushes behind his own tower, and a huge ice pillar was precisely positioned between Volibear and Ornn, dividing the battlefield!

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" Jiejie shouted excitedly in the voice chat.

The situation was reversed in an instant!

It turned into a 2v2 skirmish!

Su Mo's target was very clear: Ornn, who had no mobility skills!
Activate E skill [Deadly Strike Combo]: the first strike slows the target, the second strike is a critical hit!
He relentlessly attacked Zoom, and as soon as his Q skill was off cooldown, he would immediately target the constantly appearing openings on Zoom's body.

Zoom's health bar dropped rapidly, and he used Flash to try to escape back to the tower.

But Su Mo followed suit with a Flash almost the instant he used Flash, and with his final Q skill, he precisely pierced the opening in his chest!

First Blood!

At 3 minutes and 20 seconds, on the top lane, under the gank of the enemy jungler, Su Mo cooperated with Jiejie to complete a perfect counterattack, resulting in a 0-for-1 exchange!

Wawa was stunned. "Brother Mozi not only predicted Kanavi's gank, but he even wrote the script for the counterattack! His W, which seemed to just block Ornn's E, was actually waiting for Volibear to appear! His goal from the beginning was to keep JDG's top and jungle here!"

After killing Ornn, Su Mo and Jiejie forced the low-health Volibear back, then pushed a large wave of minions to the tower and calmly returned to base.

He immediately pulled out a Tiamat, while Zoom's Ornn, after respawning, could only buy a pair of boots and a control ward.

The laning phase is over.

For the next few minutes, the top lane completely became Su Mo's solo show.

He used Tiamat's wave-pushing advantage to keep the minion wave firmly under JDG's tower.

If Zoom dares to go forward and finish off an opponent, he will seize the opportunity to unleash a full combo.

Ten minutes later, the first Rift Herald spawned.

JDG knew that the top lane had been completely lost, so they decisively chose to exchange resources, and the four of them gathered together to start fighting for the first dragon.

"Release the dragon, take the vanguard." Su Mo calmly commanded in the voice chat, "Jiejie, you go ahead and initiate, I'll be there after I finish pushing the lane."

He pushed the minion wave into JDG's top lane second tower, then swaggered into the river, where he and Jiejie easily secured the Rift Herald.

EDG not only secured the Rift Herald, but Su Mo also destroyed five layers of plating on JDG's top lane turret. The economic gap was further widened.

Fourteen minutes later, the second dragon spawned.

This time, JDG dared not let them go again.

The five of them gathered together, wanting to compete for this crucial winning hand.

Su Mo, however, did not join the team fight. Instead, he controlled Fiora and appeared in JDG's bottom lane.

"They're going to split push bot lane! Mozi's Fiora has already built Ravenous Hydra. How is JDG going to deal with his split push?!"

JDG is in a dilemma.

If they send someone to guard, Su Mo will easily tower dive and kill them.

Sending two people isn't enough to win a head-on 4v4 team fight against EDG's well-farmed Viper and Scout.

"Ignore him! Let's engage head-on!" JDG's captain LokeN roared in the voice chat, making a final stand.

JDG's support LvMao found an opportunity, and Rui'er used Flash W to lift up Meiko, who was positioned too far forward in EDG.

A team fight erupted instantly! (End of Chapter)