LOL: What does it mean to torture players?

The next day, August 10th.

The Atlanta State Farm arena was packed to capacity.

In the second half of the semifinals, LPL's number one seed JDG faced off against LCK's number two seed T1.

This is not just a match for a ticket to the finals, but also a battle for the dignity of the LPL and LCK regions.

If JDG loses, then EDG will face T1 alone in the finals;

If JDG wins, it will be an LPL internal battle, and the trophy will be locked in for LPL in advance.

The entire EDG team did not go to the venue, but stayed in the hotel's training room, sitting around in front of the big screen to watch the game.

Su Mo held an iced Americano in his hand, his expression slightly more serious than usual: "JDG will be a tough opponent. T1's current form is far superior to when they played against me in the group stage."

Game start.

In the first game, JDG showed extremely tenacious resilience.

369's Gragas held off Zeus' Yone in the top lane, while Kanavi's Kindred dominated the jungle. Thanks to Hope's Aphelios's unstoppable late-game damage, JDG narrowly won the first game after a grueling 40-minute battle.

1:0.

"Great!!" Jiejie clapped and cheered in the training room, "Brother Gao is showing his strength! We have a chance this time!"

However, Su Mo shook his head: "Don't be too happy yet, T1's strength is not that simple."

Sure enough, the style of the game changed drastically starting from the second game.

Faker pulled out his signature Ryze.

The man known as the Great Demon King has returned.

Driving around from behind, flashing to imprison, and pulling at the limit.

Faker's Ryze brought the game to a standstill, while Zeus' Jayce also broke through 369's defenses in the top lane.

1:1.

In the third game, Gumayusi stepped up.

Due to a small mistake by Hope during the laning phase, Gumayusi's Varus snowballed. In the crucial Baron team fight, Oner failed to steal the Baron, but Gumayusi secured it with a single, powerful arrow amidst the chaos!
This arrow shattered JDG's hopes of a comeback.

1:2, T1 has match point.

The fourth game was also the decisive game.

JDG went all out, with Kanavi picking Berserker and 369 choosing Aatrox.

JDG initially gained a 3000 gold advantage.

However, in the mid-game, T1 displayed a breathtaking ability to seize opportunities. Faker's Azir delivered a divine push in front of the mid-lane high ground, sending Hope back into the enemy ranks for an instant kill.

Immediately afterwards, Zeus' Yone entered the fray and started reaping the rewards.

With the explosion of JDG's base crystal, the score was fixed at 1:3.

JDG unfortunately stopped at the semifinals.

T1 successfully avenged their loss to LPL's number one seed and advanced to the finals!
Watching Faker stand up and hug his teammates on the screen, his eyes revealing an extreme desire for the championship, the atmosphere in the EDG training room became somewhat heavy.

"It's still T1..." Abu sighed. "This team's ability to adjust at Worlds is terrifying. Zeus is back in form, and Faker is back to his peak."

Su Mo put down her coffee, stood up, and walked to the window to look at the Atlanta night view.

"It's fate."

He turned around, looked at his somewhat silent teammates, and a wild smile crept onto his lips.

"Winning the championship by defeating the strongest team, T1, is the most valuable, isn't it?"

"Zeus wants revenge? Faker wants his fourth championship?"

"Then let them come to San Francisco, and I will personally shatter their dreams."

……

After the semifinals, the entire EDG team did not stay in Atlanta for long.

The next morning, the team packed their bags and boarded a private plane bound for San Francisco.

The final stop of the S12 World Championship – Chase Center in San Francisco.

This home arena of the NBA's Golden State Warriors is about to witness the birth of the League of Legends' highest honor of the year.

The days following our arrival in San Francisco were the final period of rest and preparation.

Although a major battle was imminent, Su Mo did not allow the team to fall into that kind of high-pressure, cyclical training.

He knew that at this stage, the techniques and tactics were already set, and the competition was more about mentality and on-the-spot performance.

11 month 3 day.

Riot Games arranged a media day and promotional video shoot before the finals.

San Francisco, a city shrouded in sea fog, is now buzzing with excitement for the upcoming esports extravaganza.

Outside the Chase Center, a huge promotional poster for S12 has been hung up.

In the very center of the poster, one half is T1's iconic red, which seems to have a deep heritage due to Faker's presence; the other half is EDG's sharp knight black, and Su Mo's official portrait occupies the absolute center position. He crosses his arms and looks down with a disdainful gaze, as if he is looking down on this battlefield.

On media day, spotlights flashed inside the venue.

When Su Mo, wearing the EDG team uniform, led his teammates into the filming location, the previously noisy studio instantly quieted down.

The T1 team members have arrived.

Faker sat before his vanity mirror, and through its reflection, the gazes of two legends met in the air. Lee Sang-hyeok slowly rose and turned to look at Su Mo. There was no tense atmosphere; Faker simply nodded slightly—a acknowledgment of strength, and a declaration of commitment to the impending do-or-die battle.

"Long time no see." Su Mo stepped forward and greeted him in fluent Korean.

"I look forward to seeing you at your best in the finals." Faker pushed up his glasses, his tone calm yet powerful.

During the filming process, Riot Games clearly knew how to create hype.

The director arranged a series of extremely eye-catching shots: the trophy is placed in the center of the stage, Faker reaches out to touch the long-lost glory, while Su Mo stands between the trophy and Faker, with his back to the trophy, one hand in his pocket, making a "no way out" gesture.

"Cut! Perfect!" the director shouted excitedly. "Su's presence was so imposing, just the right feeling! The feeling of the final boss!"

Watching from the side, Zeus couldn't help but whisper to Keria, "Is this the guy who treats top lane like his own backyard? His aura is definitely different; he seems even more terrifying than when we encounter him in ranked games."

Keria gave a wry smile: "Be prepared, the support won't be able to roam much this game, and the bot lane will have to withstand the pressure."

Although they are opponents, the two teams actually have a very friendly interaction off the field.

Oner even leaned over and asked Su Mo shyly if they could take a photo together—after all, Su Mo's dominant performance in the top lane this season had made him an idol for countless professional players, even the arrogant Korean professional players.

Su Mo smiled and agreed, even taking a funny selfie with Zeus and Oner, showing no airs at all.

This scene was captured by the team's photographer and became a rare heartwarming moment before the competition.

After finishing the intensive filming mission, Abu waved his hand and refused the suggestion of eating the base's boxed lunch.

"Now that we're in San Francisco, we should at least go to Fisherman's Wharf and get something nice."

Instead of choosing a high-end but restrictive restaurant, the group, like a group of college students on vacation, found an open-air seafood restaurant at Fisherman's Wharf.

The California sun shines on the sea, making it sparkle.

Everyone sat together, holding wooden mallets, and "fought" against the mountain of Dungeness crabs piled on the table.

“These crabs are even better than the ones our auntie at the base makes!” Meiko exclaimed as she tapped the crab legs. “It’s just that the shell is so hard, it’s hard on my hands.” “Eat more, it’ll be good for your brain.” Su Mo smiled and tossed a piece of crab meat he had peeled into Jiejie’s bowl. “Zhao Lijie, don’t look at your phone these next few days, especially not on Baidu Tieba or Twitter. Keep a good mindset.”

Jiejie, her mouth full, nodded indistinctly: "Don't worry, Brother Mo, right now I only have Lee Sin's Insec kick in my mind, not the boomerang from the shotgun."

Looking at the Golden Gate Bridge in the distance, Viper suddenly said, "If it were before, I might have been nervous facing T1. But this time, for some reason, I feel very at ease."

All eyes turned to Su Mo, who was slowly wiping his hands.

Yes, with this man around, EDG is like having a pillar of strength.

That sense of security, that "if the sky falls, Su Mo will hold it up," is something that no tactic can replace.

"After eating and drinking our fill, let's go back to sleep." Su Mo stretched, looking relaxed and carefree, not at all like a player about to face off in front of hundreds of millions of viewers. "T1 is indeed strong, but they're just slightly stronger grasshoppers. Let's crush them and go home for the New Year."

……

However, compared to the relaxed atmosphere within the EDG team, the online discourse had already exploded.

Especially on major South Korean forums, discussion threads on Never and Inven are being refreshed at a rate of dozens of posts per second.

This time, South Korean netizens were surprisingly unanimous. They were no longer blindly arrogant as before. JDG's defeat made them realize the strength of the LPL, and Su Mo's inhuman performance in previous matches instilled a deep sense of fear in them.

T1's goal now is not to win the championship, but to "slay the gods"!
"Admit it, EDG's top laner SuMo is the ultimate boss in the World Championship right now. It's not scary that JDG lost, what's scary is that EDG didn't even put in their best effort."

"Although Zeus's form has improved, facing SuMo... to be honest, my palms are sweating. That man is simply a monster in the top lane."

"That's right, this isn't just a war between LPL and LCK, it's a challenge from mortals to gods. If Faker can lead T1 to defeat EDG with SuMo, then this fourth championship will be more valuable than any of the previous ones!"

"Slay the god! Only by slaying the god can we prove T1's dynasty has returned! Faker, you must do it!"

On Weibo and Hupu in China, the situation is completely different.

"So they're already 'killing gods' with loans? Have the Koreans forgotten how Su Mo smashed their heads in the group stage?"

"Fun fact: Gods are gods because they are unkillable. T1 wants to get over this mountain? We suggest they ask Mo Ge's sword if it will allow it first."

"You have to win! Su Mo! Beat Faker into submission, and you'll be the new world number one!"

A major battle is imminent, and the situation is constantly changing. Under the San Francisco night sky, countless eyes are focused on Chase Center, awaiting the start of that fateful showdown.

November 5, San Francisco.

The Chase Center was transformed into a sea of ​​light and shadow.

All 18,000 seats were filled, and the golden light sticks and black and red light boards divided the entire venue into two distinct worlds.

This is not just a celebration for LPL and LCK, but a pilgrimage for League of Legends players all over the world.

A giant holographic projection appeared in the air in the center of the stadium, and accompanied by a deafening countdown, the opening ceremony of the S12 World Championship officially began.

The lights suddenly dimmed, with only a spotlight shining in the center of the stage.

Jackson Wang, like a warrior from the future, made his entrance to the rousing rhythm of "Fire to the Fuse." His powerful dance instantly ignited the atmosphere. In the ensuing light and shadow transformation, Lil Nas X, clad in a magnificent battle robe, sang the theme song of this year's World Championship, "Star Walkin'," surrounded by a group of giant Prestige skin heroes projected holographically.

"Don't ever say it's over if I'm breathin'~"

The lyrics seem tailor-made for this final battle. Huge mechs slowly move across the stage, symbolizing the war behemoths of Summoner's Rift.

As the last note faded, all the lights went out, plunging the venue into a brief but suffocating darkness.

Immediately afterwards, that voice that ignited the passion of countless veteran players rang out—

“Welcome to the FINALS!!!”

Jeon Yong-jun's signature roar pierced the sky, and red light shot into the air from the left-hand passageway of the stage.

"LCK—T1!!!"

In the crimson mist, Faker walked at the forefront. His hands were behind his back, his steps steady, his expression solemn. Behind him stood Zeus, Oner, Gumayusi, and Keria, lined up in a row. When the big screen gave a close-up of Faker, his calm face revealed a terrifyingly sharp gaze.

That was the gaze of God.

A deafening roar of cheers erupted from the crowd, with shouts of "T1! T1! T1!" shaking the stadium's dome.

However, this wave of sound was met with a powerful collision the next second.

On the right side of the stage, black smoke exploded with a sharp silver light.

"EDG!!!"

The music suddenly became more intense and powerful, full of metallic texture.

Su Mo walked at the front of the group, not as serious as Faker.

He held his head slightly higher, a faint smile playing on his lips—an air of absolute confidence, even bordering on arrogance.

Viper, Meiko, Jiejie, and Scout followed closely behind him.

When Su Mo's figure appeared on the giant suspended screen, the LPL fans in the audience, and even a large number of North American viewers, erupted in a roar powerful enough to lift the roof off:

"SuMo! SuMo! SuMo!"

At that moment, the two colors of sound collided violently in the air above the stadium.

The two teams walked towards the center along the "Long Corridor of Light" on both sides of the stage.

Su Mo and Faker stopped in front of the Summoner's Cup, which symbolized the highest honor.

The two were no more than two meters apart.

This is the distance between the strongest spear and the strongest shield in the past year.

Faker slightly raised his eyes, looking at Su Mo, who was half a head taller than him, his gaze seemingly burning with two flames. He wanted to reclaim his throne, and this young man before him was the last and most insurmountable wall.

Su Mo tilted his head slightly, his gaze sweeping over the trophy before settling on Faker's face. He didn't speak, but simply extended his right hand, making a simple "please" gesture, and then pointed towards the match area.

This provocative yet elegant gesture instantly ignited the hormones of the entire audience, with screams almost piercing their eardrums.

In the commentary booth, Guan Zeyuan's voice was already trembling with excitement:
"Alright, both teams are in position! This is the final battle we've been waiting for! On one side is T1, determined to rebuild their glory, and on the other is EDG, aiming to create a reigning dynasty!"

Miller clenched his fists and shouted:
"Will Faker be crowned a four-time world champion, or will Su Mo step on the shoulders of a god to reach the top of the world? All the grudges and doubts will come to an end tonight at Chase Center!"

"Let's dive into the first game's draft phase of the S12 World Championship!"

The large screen flashed, and the originally dazzling stage lights instantly switched to a calm, competitive mode.

Game 1: Blue side T1, Red side EDG.

T1 immediately demonstrated strong targeting, banning the first three champions: Aatrox, Camille, and Fiora.

"Wow! T1's move was absolutely brilliant!" Wawa exclaimed. "Three bans on top laners! Is this the highest level of respect they can give Su Mo? Zeus clearly doesn't want to fight Su Mo head-on!"

The camera focused on Su Mo, who merely raised an eyebrow, seemingly having anticipated this targeting.

He picked up his water glass, took a sip, and said calmly over the voice message:

"JieJie, don't worry about top lane, help bottom lane get Heimerdinger and Ashe. Since they're afraid of me diving in, let's do something disgusting."

Abu, standing behind Su Mo, revealed a sinister smile upon hearing this: "Alright, let's teach them a lesson then. So, Brother Mo, what are you going to bring?"

At this point, the character selection box lights up.

Su Mo hovered his mouse over a hero's portrait for a second, then locked on.

"Whether in the past, present, or future, I will always be the strongest!"

The Weapon Master—Jax! (End of Chapter)