LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

"Let's split push," Su Mo commanded. "I'll go bot lane, Scout, you go top lane, the rest of you apply pressure in mid lane. Remember, don't rush to engage, wait until I push the minion wave in."

A typical 131 split push system.

Game time is 22 minutes and 30 seconds.

The enhanced minion waves, empowered by the Baron buff, surged towards DRX's three lanes of high ground like a purple torrent.

Su Mo pushed the lane alone to the ruins of the bottom lane's second turret, heading straight for the inhibitor turret. Kingen's Camille stood under the inhibitor turret, watching the figure approaching, feeling a chill run down her spine.

"If this knife comes down, I might die." That was the only thought in Kingen's mind.

He tentatively used a W tactical sweep to try and clear the minion wave.

Su Mo suddenly used his E skill to slide forward!
There was no Q skill used; it was just a simple movement skill.

Kingen instinctively used his E skill, the hook lock, to pull back.

"Is this what they call psychological trauma?" Guan Zeyuan chuckled. "Brother Mozi only slipped one step, and Kingen immediately used his E to escape? Does that mean they can't even defend the bottom lane inhibitor tower?"

Since no one was guarding it, Su Mo didn't hold back. He slashed the turret a few times and, with the help of the reinforced siege minion, easily destroyed the bottom lane high ground turret.

At the same time, the minions on the top and middle lanes also pushed forward.

DRX has fallen into a state of slow death.

"We have to initiate! Otherwise, we'll just be slowly boiling a frog!" Deft shouted in the voice chat, his Varus constantly looking for an opportunity to charge up his Q to poke.

23 minutes 10 seconds.

An opportunity seems to have arrived.

Jiejie's Graves positioned himself slightly forward in the mid lane, attempting to push the tower.

"open!"

Pyosik's Sejuani decisively used Q-Flash to unleash her ultimate!
The Frostfire Barrage landed precisely on Graves!
Immediately afterwards, Zeka's Sylas stole Akali's ultimate, using his R to charge straight at Graves, attempting to instantly kill him.

"DRX's counterattack is fierce! Jiejie has been taken down!" Remember shouted.

However, EDG's response was also world-class.

Meiko's Nami unleashed a devastating ultimate, disrupting DRX's subsequent engagement. Although Jiejie was severely damaged, he managed to escape with a sliver of health using Flash and survived thanks to Lulu's ultimate.

And it was during the vacuum period when DRX players had used up all their skills.

The man appeared from the shadows on the flank.

Su Mo didn't use Teleport; he came directly from the gap in the bottom lane's high ground!

R [Great Annihilation] activated!
With his movement speed increased dramatically, the Sword Demon charged into the crowd like the Grim Reaper.

Kingen tried to use his E skill to block, but Su Mo used his Q1 skill to knock him away!

Immediately afterwards, W's Infernal Chains were applied to Lena, who had no Flash available.

Beryl displayed a strong will to survive at this moment, casting W on himself and then using Q to try and control Aatrox.

Su Mo ignored him completely, used his E skill to adjust his position diagonally, and used the outer edge of his Q2 to hit Lena and Varus who was retreating!
"Two people! That slash hurt so much!" Cat exclaimed. "Deft's health is down to half!"

Eclipse is triggered, and the shield lights up.

Su Mo was like a tiger among sheep.

Q3 crashes!

Although Deft used his healing ability to recover some health and used Varus's ultimate to immobilize Aatrox.

But Scout's Akali had already entered the fray and started reaping the rewards.

In the midst of the chaos, although Su Mo was frozen in place, he was like an insurmountable wall, blocking DRX's path back to the fountain.

Although DRX didn't lose anyone in this team fight, they were all brought to low health, and their mid and bottom lane inhibitors were destroyed.

EDG played steadily, and after destroying two lane inhibitors, they didn't greedily push the inhibitor turrets. Instead, they turned around to scavenge the jungle and then returned to base to upgrade their equipment.

"Steady! So steady!" Guan Zeyuan exclaimed. "If it were an old LPL team, they might have tried to finish the game in one go and then given the opponent an opportunity. But the current EDG has the discipline of a top team. With both lanes of crystals destroyed, the pressure from the super minions is enough to give DRX a hard time."

Game time is 26 minutes and 30 seconds.

EDG's economic lead has reached 10,000.

Su Mo went home and retrieved [Cerilda's Resentment].

With three armor penetration items in hand, the current Aatrox can take down any squishy target in just two hits.

"Wait for Baron." Su Mo glanced at the time. "The second Baron will spawn in one minute. They have to come out to fight it. If they don't, we'll take Baron and push the map."

27 minutes 20 seconds.

The second Baron Nash has been refreshed.

EDG's five players positioned themselves early, clearing out all vision in the river.

The five DRX players had to come down from their high ground. By this time, two lanes of super creeps had already flooded into the base, forcing Kingen to stay and clear the wave, meaning the main battle was now a 4v5.

"Kingen isn't here! We're short-handed!" Remember keenly noticed this. "But we can't give up Baron. If we let three lanes of super minions in, plus the Baron buff, even a god couldn't hold on. DRX is in dire straits this wave."

River mouth.

Su Mo stood at the very front.

He didn't hide in the bushes to ambush people, but stood in the middle of the river, at the entrance to the Great Dragon Pit.

"I'm waiting for Baron Nashor, what are you guys waiting for?"

That domineering attitude made Pyosik's hand tremble as he held the mouse.

"Fight!"

A resolute glint flashed in Zeka's eyes.

He stole Graves' ultimate, used his E skill to pull himself across a wall, and tried to bypass Aatrox to cut off Viper's backline.

The idea was good, but reality was harsh.

Just as Silas was flying through the air...

Su Mo moved.

W [Fire Chains] - Throw at the predicted location!
It landed precisely on Sylas in mid-air!

Q1, take the picture!

Knocked away!

Sylas's rhythm was abruptly interrupted before he even landed.

Immediately afterwards, Su Mo ignored Silas, because Scout and Jiejie had already focused their attacks on him.

Su Mo's target was the three people behind him.

R [Great Annihilation] activated!
Su Mo charged straight at Deft.

Deft's Varus could only desperately use basic attacks, but those damages were negligible in the face of the damage reduction from Death's Dance.

E skill forward, Q2 sweep!

Deft flashes!

Su Mo and Shan!

Q3 center crashed!

"boom!"

For a moment, the screen seemed to vibrate.

Varus, at full health, was instantly melted by this Q3 attack combined with his passive Death Slash!
"Instant kill! A full-health instant kill!!" Guan Zeyuan roared, "This is the Armor-Piercing Sword Demon! This is Brother Mozi! One-Slash Asura!"

With AD falling to the ground, DRX's last line of defense completely collapsed.

Lena and Sejuani, pursued by Aatrox, could only fall helplessly in the river.

Triple Kill!

Su Mo secured a triple kill.

At this moment, Kingen at home looked at his teammate's grayed-out avatar and helplessly released the mouse.

EDG's five players didn't even bother to fight the Baron.

“One wave after another!” Viper shouted in the voice chat.

The five players, leading the minion wave, surged towards DRX's high ground.

The last remaining Camille attempted a final stand at the base of the turret, knocking out the Aatrox who was tanking the turret.

But Su Mo countered with a swift strike, instantly draining his health to full, and with the help of his teammates, sent him back to the fountain.

ACE!

Destroy the group!

28 minutes 15 seconds.

DRX's red base crystal shattered under the siege of EDG, turning into countless fragments.

"Congratulations to EDG!" Guan Zeyuan announced loudly, "They won the first game of the quarterfinals with an absolute crushing victory! Mozi's Aatrox showed the world what it means to be a 'god descending to earth'! What it means to be the 'world's best top laner'!"

Remember, his face flushed with excitement, he exclaimed, "From start to finish, EDG gave DRX no chance whatsoever. Except for that one five-man gank, Mozi's performance was almost perfect. This Aatrox really shattered DRX's dream of becoming a dark horse!"

The camera pans to the players' seats.

Su Mo took off his headphones, his expression remaining calm, as if he had just finished an ordinary ranked match.

He picked up the water glass on the table, took a sip, and turned to Jiejie, saying:

"I want to try something different next time."

Jiejie was basking in the joy of victory when she heard this and was taken aback: "What? Bro, what kind of trouble are you planning now?"

Su Mo looked at his 35% damage share on the big screen and a slight smile appeared on his lips:

"I heard Beryl likes doing scientific research? Well then, I'll give him a 'scientific research' result too."

Meanwhile, in the DRX lounge, the atmosphere was extremely tense.

Kingen held his head in his hands, still replaying the scene of being stuck in Q at level one.

Deft closed his eyes and sighed deeply.

He knew that they had encountered an insurmountable obstacle in this world championship.

Meanwhile, on forums across the ocean, discussions about this match have exploded.

[That's it? My instant noodles aren't even ready yet!]

[Colonel Guan: Um... I said 3:1 to give DRX face, please don't take it seriously.]

[Mozi's Aatrox was outrageous! That Q2 that slammed Camille down in mid-air was seriously cool!]

[Deft did his best, but when that Aatrox charged at him, it felt like he was watching a horror movie.]

[Next game, next game! Want to see Mozi pull off some amazing plays!]

The brief rest period passed in the blink of an eye.

The atmosphere inside the EDG lounge was almost too relaxed.

“Beryl will definitely be upset about losing the first game,” Su Mo said confidently. “Next game, he’ll absolutely pull out that thing.”

“That thing?” Meiko was taken aback. “You mean…”

“Big Head.” Su Mo’s lips curled slightly. “The Great Inventor support. This is Beryl’s ultimate move that he’s been hiding for a long time, specifically designed to torment melee supports and lane bullies.”

At the S12 World Championship, Beryl's Heimerdinger support was truly exceptional. His suffocating wave-pushing and positional warfare capabilities gave countless bot lane duos a real headache.

"So, should we ban it?" Abu asked. "No." Su Mo stood up and stretched his neck. "Let him have it. They won't give up unless they lose what they're most confident in."

"Moreover, I have a way to cure him."

……

On stage, the lights shone again.

The draft phase of the second game begins.

In this game, DRX chose the blue side, while EDG moved to the red side.

DRX's ban list has been adjusted, removing Aatrox, Graves, and Lucian.

EDG banned Caitlyn, Yuumi, and Ryze.

Selection stage.

DRX first pick:
Ashe, the Frost Archer!

"Ashe!" Guan Zeyuan frowned. "They're going to dominate the bot lane. Ashe is really annoying to play as either AD or support this patch."

EDG countered and won:

Aphelios + Lulu.

A classic combination that protects the team's position.

DRX second and third floors:
Kindred + Gnar.

Pyosik brought out his signature Kindred, while Kingen chose Gnar to counter the various warriors Su Mo might field.

EDG added a jungler on the third floor:

King of Ruin, Fryegor.

The second round of bans.

DRX targeted the mid lane, banning Akali and Azir.

EDG banned Lena and Braum.

The last two hands.

EDG picked Sylas for Scout on the fourth floor first.

The pressure is now on DRX.

On the fourth floor, Kingen didn't move, but an avatar lit up on the fifth floor's support position.

The great inventor Heimerdinger!

"Big Head!!" Remember exclaimed, "It's really here! Beryl's research results! Ashe and Big Head, this bot lane matchup is simply torture! Extremely fast wave clear, and invincible in positional warfare! EDG's bot lane is going to be in jail!"

Faced with this formidable tower-pushing strategy, all eyes were on EDG's last pick – Top.

Su Mo looked at the large head avatar opposite him and smiled.

"Do you like playing squishy characters? Do you like positional warfare?"

"Then let me show you what fear from the bushes really means."

Su Mo clicked the mouse, and an avatar was instantly locked.

Have a good hunt tonight!
Rengar, the Prideful Hunter!
"A poodle?!"

Guan Zeyuan's voice cracked, and he even stood up from his chair: "Top lane Rengar?! My god! Is Mozi going to pull off a signature champion at Worlds?! This champion in the top lane... is so unpopular!"

Cat was also shocked: "This isn't just unpopular, this is extreme violence! Rengar top lane, a perfect counter to all sorts of fancy moves! And this champion is actually very good against Gnar, using the bushes to jump around, Gnar has a hard time!"

The final lineup is confirmed:
Blue side DRX: Top laner Gnar, Jungler Kindred, Mid laner Karma, AD Ashe, Support Heimerdinger.

Red team EDG: Top laner Rengar, jungler Foygo, mid laner Sylas, AD Aphelios, support Lulu.

Games start.

Su Mo controlled Rengar and went straight into the bush closest to DRX's first tower on the top lane.

The core principle of top lane Rengar: the bushes are my home.

Kingen's Gnar cautiously logged in.

He knew that Rengar had high burst damage in the early game, so he specifically learned the Q skill to last-hit minions from a distance.

But Su Mo is completely unreasonable.

As soon as the minion waves converged, Su Mo jumped out of the bushes!
Passive [Invisible Predator]!
Jump to A!

Kingen instinctively stepped back.

After landing, Su Mo immediately ducked back into the bushes, using the movement speed boost to block the line of sight.

Kingen thought he had left and was about to turn back to finish off a minion.

"Roar!"

Su Mo jumped again!

Jump A into Q!

At just level one, Nar was so badly injured that he was unable to take care of himself.

Kingen tried to slow Rengar down with his Q skill, but Rengar moved in and out of the bushes with the agility of a ghost.

"That's the dominance of a top lane Rengar!" PDD laughed. "Kingen's Gnar is like a giant sports car before his rage is over. Mozi's bush camping is too tight. As long as Gnar dares to look at the minions, he'll get bitten."

In 3 minutes, Su Mo scored a third goal.

Accumulate four stars of brutality.

Kingen was down to half health and stood trembling behind the minions.

Su Mo walked straight out of the bushes and swaggered across the minion wave.

E [Lasso Strike]!
The enhanced E skill accurately hits Gnar, rooting him!
Jump into the bush and use A! Q! W! Ignite!
A set of silky little combos.

Kingen used Flash to try and retreat to the tower, but the Ignite damage took him down instantly.

Single kill!

"Huh? Another first blood! Another solo kill!" Guan Zeyuan shouted, "Kingen's gone crazy! How can this Rengar do so much damage?!"

After securing the first blood, Su Mo didn't build tank items like a typical top laner. Instead, he went back to base, grabbed two longswords, and headed straight for the [Claw of the Dark Walker].

But this is not the scariest thing.

The most terrifying thing is after level 6.

Beryl's Heimerdinger and Deft's Ashe were indeed very dominant in the bot lane, keeping Viper under the tower and even taking a layer of turret plating.

"We have an advantage in the bot lane! We can win this game!" Deft encouraged himself.

However, at this moment.

That familiar red exclamation mark appeared above Deft's head.

"!"

At that moment, Deft's heart clenched.

"Rengar has activated his ultimate! Where is he?!" Beryl panicked and threw out his E skill grenade in hopes of getting lucky.

But he didn't know which direction Su Mo came from.

next second.

A dark shadow streaked across the void.

Su Mo activated R [Hunting Rhythm], stealthily bypassing the line of sight. Instead of jumping immediately, he walked behind Ashe.

The moment Ashe turned around.

Jump!
Aerial QEW! Landing enhanced Q!

Ashe, at full health, didn't even have time to unleash her ultimate ability before her health bar vanished instantly!
"Boom!"

Deft stared at the black and white screen, nearly throwing the mouse in his hand.

"What the hell is this?!"

After killing Ashe, Su Mo used W's crowd control immunity and speed boost to calmly slip into the bushes, ignoring Heimerdinger's water-spraying turrets.

"Can't catch him! Absolutely can't catch him!" Remember shook his head. "Beryl is invincible in positional warfare, but the Lion Dog won't fight positional battles with you. He's an assassin! He can take the head of a general from the midst of a thousand troops!"

The following matches turned into Su Mo's personal hunting show.

If Gnar shrinks and leaves the tower in the top lane, he will die instantly.

If Ashe and Heimerdinger in the bottom lane dare to push across the river, they will die.

Kindred won't even have time to use her ultimate before Rengar instantly kills her upon landing.

20 minutes.

Su Mo's record: 11-0-2.

Equipment: Shadowwalker's Claw, Essence Reaver, Collector, Infinity Blade.

With this outfit, even a fragile character would get pregnant just from a glance.

The final team fight broke out on the high ground.

Su Mo activated his ultimate move, becoming invisible across the entire field.

The five members of DRX stood back to back in a circle, like a flock of startled quails.

The scene was extremely comical.

"What are they doing? They're banding together to defend against the Pug!" Cat laughed. "But will that work?"

Su Mo did not jump directly into the crowd, but instead had his teammates advance from the front.

The moment Scout's Sylas stole Gnar's ultimate and initiated a team fight by slamming it against the wall, DRX's formation crumbled.

Su Mo moved.

Instantly kills Kindred upon landing!

Use the passive ability to jump to a minion, then jump to Ashe!
Double kill!

Three kills!

Quadra Kill!

In the end, Kingen's Gnar grew larger and tried to fight back, but was killed by Su Mo's attacks.

2: 0!

EDG has secured match point!

On the DRX player bench, Beryl took off his glasses and rubbed his temples.

His research achievements appear so pale in the face of absolute violent aesthetics.

……

Intermission.

The EDG rest room was filled with jubilation; they were just one step away from the semifinals.

Su Mo appeared calm as he wiped his keyboard.

"This is the last game," Su Mo said in a low voice. "Let's give Deft some dignity." (End of Chapter)