LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

The day after sweeping DK, the entire EDG team got a rare day off.

That 3-0 victory, especially the comeback by Flandre when he was called upon in a crisis, brought the team's morale and cohesion to an unprecedented peak.

Jiejie kept his promise, and with Abu's special permission, the whole team enjoyed a luxurious Icelandic lobster feast as a reward for their intense preparations during this period.

The online frenzy continues, with the hashtag "EDG 3:0 DK" dominating the trending topics on major social media platforms worldwide.

Countless LPL fans have already popped champagne, believing that having overcome DK, the most treacherous mountain, the final championship trophy is already in their grasp.

Su Mo and the others also saw the comments online, but they didn't pay too much attention to them.

In the following days, the entire EDG team once again threw themselves into intense and well-organized preparations, but the atmosphere was much more relaxed compared to the hellish week before the semifinals.

Until the day the other semi-final began.

EDG did not schedule any practice matches that day.

After lunch, everyone gathered again in the familiar tactical analysis room.

On the giant electronic screen, the live broadcast is about to feature an internal battle within the LCK region, the ultimate showdown that will determine their opponent in the finals—T1 vs. GEN.G.

"They're here!" Jiejie was the first to find a comfortable position on the sofa, holding a bag of potato chips in her hand. "Come and see who our opponent in the finals is!"

“It’s definitely T1, no doubt about it.” Meiko smiled and said confidently, “We played against them in the group stage, and their current form and resilience are much stronger than GEN.G.”

“Indeed,” Scout nodded. As a mid-laner, he had the most direct experience with Faker’s changes in form. “During the second round of the group stage, I felt that Faker’s form had improved a lot, and the teamwork of T1 was also better than in the first round. GEN.G’s slow and steady approach was easily overwhelmed by T1’s fast attacks.”

Su Mo did not participate in the discussion. He simply sat quietly in the corner gaming chair, leisurely drinking cola, his gaze calmly fixed on the screen.

He didn't want to say too much about T1.

During their two group stage matches, he could sense that the team was evolving and growing at an astonishing pace, especially Faker, whose desire for victory was very evident.

Some people say he is the purest professional player, and that's actually true.

On the screen, the match has entered the draft phase.

The first game between the two sides was filled with LCK-style rigor and calculation from the very beginning.

T1 drafted a lineup with strong mid-jungle synergy, while GEN.G opted for a teamfight composition with stronger late-game capabilities.

Game start.

T1's jungler Oner was on fire, constantly focusing on the mid lane in the early game, trying to help Faker establish an advantage.

However, GEN.G's defense was impeccable, with their jungler Clid always managing to appear in key positions in advance to thwart T1's offensive.

The two sides traded blows, and the situation became very tense at one point.

“GEN.G is still the same as ever,” the factory manager commented, stroking his chin. “They’re impervious to any advice or tactics. Their operations are like a big net; although they don’t seem aggressive, they gradually drag you into their favorite rhythm.”

“But T1 has changed,” Su Mo said calmly, drawing everyone’s attention. “They are now playing more proactively and smarter. Look at Oner, he seems to be constantly ganking mid, but in reality, every move he makes is setting up for the bot lane to control the dragon. Their current tactical core has changed from simply focusing on the mid and jungle to a three-way synergy between the mid, jungle, and support.”

Just as Su Mo said, the turning point of the match occurred at the 28-minute mark with the Dragon Soul team.

GEN.G had secured a favorable position and were on the verge of capturing the crucial Dragon Soul.

But T1's support Keria used a hook that appeared out of nowhere, from an angle that no one expected, to forcefully engage GEN.G's core carry Ruler!

Faker's Ryze instantly activated his ultimate, taking Oner's Jarvan IV straight to the back seat!
GEN.G's formation instantly collapsed, resulting in a 0-for-4 team wipe and the loss of both Baron and Dragon.

In the end, T1 narrowly won the first game.

"Keria is playing support really well." Meiko nodded repeatedly, her eyes filled with admiration for a worthy opponent. "His timing and angles for initiating team fights are so tricky."

The second game started quickly.

After losing one game, GEN.G made adjustments in the draft, selecting a lineup with stronger early and mid-game fighting power, attempting to engage in an offensive battle with T1.

However, T1 responded better.

They countered with a lineup that was extremely strong in terms of kiting, and Faker even locked in Corki for mid lane, a late-game carry that requires a lot of farming.

The course of the match was almost a carbon copy of the first game.

GEN.G played very aggressively in the early and mid-game, and at one point gained an economic lead.

But T1, with their unparalleled resilience, managed to drag the game out for another thirty minutes.

Faker's plane was fully equipped, and he took over the game.

In team fights, Faker's Corki was like a mobile artillery platform, dealing devastating damage.

In the end, T1 completed the comeback, won another game, and took the match point.

"Faker is still Faker," Scout said, looking at Faker's calm face on the screen. "As long as he gets the chance to farm, he will still be the most terrifying mid laner in the world."

“Their whole team has become stronger,” Abu said, his expression turning slightly serious. “During the group stage, they relied heavily on Faker’s individual performance. But now, their bot lane duo, Gumayusi and Keria, have grown into carry players who can stand on their own. This T1 team is much tougher than any we’ve faced before.”

Although the atmosphere in the lounge remained relaxed, everyone had put away their contempt.

In the third game, GEN.G, forced into a desperate situation, unleashed amazing energy and, thanks to the godlike performance of top laner Rascal, managed to win back a game.

However, this also became their final performance.

In the fourth game, T1 gave their opponents no further chances.

They devised a perfect strategy from the draft phase, and all three lanes gained an advantage during the laning phase.

Oner's Lee Sin delivered a masterclass in the jungle, completely dominating Clid's rhythm.

The match ended after 28 minutes.

3: 1!

T1 defeated GEN.G with an undisputed score, securing the last ticket to the finals!
As the T1 base crystal exploded, the atmosphere in EDG's tactical analysis room reached its peak.

"We'll face T1 in the finals!" Jiejie jumped up. "I know this script by heart! We'll win the finals just like we won the group stage!"

"Don't get too excited," Abu said with a smile, but still poured cold water on the situation as usual. "This T1 team is completely different from the one in the group stage. Their growth rate is terrifying."

Indeed, the scene on the screen of T1 members embracing and celebrating showed an intense desire for the championship in everyone's eyes. Faker, in particular, simply gave his teammates a high-five, but his deep eyes seemed to burn with the flames of an entire era.

At the same time, the result of this semi-final was like a bombshell, setting off a massive wave in the global League of Legends community.

LPL's major forums and social media platforms have long been taken over by enthusiastic fans.

On the homepage of Hupu Esports, a title was quickly pinned to the top, generating explosive buzz:

【S11 Ultimate Preview】A New King Will Rise, Old Gods Return! Mo vs. Faker, Who Will Reach the Top of the World?

The comment section below already has tens of thousands of posts:
"It's here! The final showdown I've been dreaming of! Even the writers at Riot Games wouldn't dare write a script like this!"

"Without further ado, Mozi swept the team 3-0, making Faker the background character and completely completing the generational shift!"

"Don't get too cocky, upstairs! Faker's return to the finals after so many years is legendary in itself. He deserves the utmost respect! Of course, the championship still belongs to us. (doge)"

"To be honest, I'm a little nervous. Watching T1 play against GEN.G these past few games, their improvement is so obvious. Their support, Keria, is incredibly unpredictable; he's always finding opportunities."

"What's there to be afraid of? EDG could win even if they had a dog tied to their top lane, let alone a god. As long as Mozi plays normally, no team in the world can beat EDG."

Meanwhile, on the other side, the LCK's online forums were filled with jubilation.

"They're back! They're all back! That man, finally, has led his SKT back to the top of the world! Faker!!"

"I cried, I really cried. From the depths of despair to returning to the finals, Faker has proven to us that gods never fall!"

"His opponent in the finals is Mo, which is perhaps the best arrangement from heaven. Only by defeating the strongest player in the world can Faker's fourth championship truly be considered worthy!"

"A rational analysis suggests T1's chances of winning are slim. Mo's dominance in the top lane is unstoppable. But... I still want to believe in Faker, believe he can create a miracle. Please!"

"This is our last hope in the LCK! T1, for the glory of our region, please bring the championship back!"

The world's attention is focused on this upcoming showdown that spans two eras.

The final was scheduled for five days later, giving both teams a final breather and time to prepare.

EDG's players did not slack off in the slightest despite the praise from the outside world.

The next morning, the whole team threw themselves into extremely intense preparations.

Abu and the coaching staff led by Clearlove meticulously studied the recordings of the four matches between T1 and GEN.G, analyzing every detail of ward placement, lane rotation, and skill usage under a microscope.

"T1's current playstyle is still centered around the mid, jungle, and support." Abu drew circles on the tactics board. "Oner likes to play in the top half of the map to give Canna an advantage and then free up Faker. Keria is an unpredictable X factor; his roaming is unconventional, so we must be very careful."

In order to simulate T1's tactical style, EDG even took the initiative to contact GEN.G, who had just been eliminated by T1, and extended an invitation to them for scrimmages.

Surprisingly, GEN.G agreed almost without hesitation.

Despite being from different regions, their respect for the strong teams and their desire to learn from EDG made them readily agree to the invitation.

Therefore, in the following days, EDG would have high-intensity secret training matches with GEN.G every day.

The atmosphere in the training room was tense and focused, with the constant clicking of keyboards and mice.

Su Mo's performance remained unstoppable, so after one game, Holy Gun Bro was put in the lineup.

But this is just a training match after all. EDG's goal is not to win, but to refine their tactics and find any weaknesses in T1.

To avoid revealing their tactics, EDG played very casually.

Amidst the intense training, there are also rare moments of relaxation in daily life.

In the evening, after training, Jiejie mysteriously gathered everyone in his room, saying he wanted to do some "team building".

As a result, the so-called team building activity simply involved a few people sitting together, connecting their Switches to the hotel TV, and playing Mario Kart.

"Damn it! Meiko, don't hit me with that turtle shell! We're teammates!" Jiejie's character was hit precisely by a red turtle shell, instantly dropping from first to fifth place, making him yell in anger.

"We're teammates on the track, but here we're opponents!" Meiko chuckled, executed a beautiful drift around the corner, and overtook the leader.

Viper and Scout were laughing so hard they were doubled over, and even the usually composed Flandre was having a blast playing with the controller.

Su Mo didn't participate. He just leaned back on the sofa, watching his teammates play around like children, with a faint smile on his face.

He picked up his phone and habitually browsed the news; a notification caught his attention.

It's an article released by Riot Games to promote the finals, with a very eye-catching title—"Gods vs. Gods".

The article provides a detailed review of Faker's legendary career, including three world championships and countless honors. He is undoubtedly the best player in the league and a monument that all professional players look up to.

The other half, written with equally vivid strokes, depicts Su Mo's invincible path since his debut.

He reached his peak right from the start, winning multiple S-series championships, and reigned supreme over the entire Summoner's Rift with an unprecedented and perhaps unparalleled dominance.

The article concludes with a question that ignites everyone's passion:
"When an immortal legend meets an invincible myth, can the glory of the old era be rekindled? Or will the throne of the new era be more secure? All the answers will be revealed in the final match."

As Su Mo read the article, a ripple of emotion stirred within him.

He remembered the thumbs-up Faker gave him when they shook hands during the group stage.

It was a pure recognition, a mutual appreciation that transcended regions and eras.

"What are you thinking about, Brother Mozi?" Meiko had come over at some point. The match was over, and he had won against Jiejie by a narrow margin. He was beaming with pride.

"It's nothing." Su Mo put away his phone. "I just think it would be quite interesting to play in the finals against a player like Faker."

“Indeed,” Meiko said, his joking expression fading. “Our generation of players practically grew up watching Faker’s games. To be able to compete against him on the highest stage of the World Championship is an honor in itself.”

“So,” Su Mo turned his head, “we must win.”

“Of course!” Meiko nodded vigorously, her eyes gleaming with an infinite desire for victory.

Outside the window, the dazzling aurora borealis quietly bloomed in the night sky.

The atmosphere of the decisive battle was gradually pushed to its peak amidst the tense preparations and relaxed daily routine.

League of Legends players around the world are waiting for the ultimate showdown that is destined to be recorded in history.

They awaited to witness whether the old gods would return to their thrones or the new king would be crowned. (End of Chapter)