LPL didn't want me? I joined SKT instead!

Back in the lounge, the atmosphere wasn't as lively as I'd imagined.

Although they won the game, apart from Faker and Wolf giving Xiao Yan approving looks, the expressions of the other staff members were somewhat subtle.

Coach KkOma walked over with his notebook, a smile he couldn't hide on his face. As a professional coach, he knew all too well the value of the female police officer's performance in that game.

"Well done, Xiao Yan." Koma rarely praises people, but this time he was generous with his praise. "Especially that reverse flash and the final team fight maneuvering, it was textbook perfect."

Xiao Yan unscrewed a bottle of water and nodded casually: "Basic operation."

However, the online world outside the lounge did not overwhelmingly praise Xiao Yan for this victory.

On Inven, South Korea's largest esports forum, posts about this match have flooded the screen, but the sentiment is extremely strange:

[He won, but that kid's attitude was infuriating! How dare he humiliate Ruler?]

[Exactly! Bang would never do that! Bang is a humble gentleman, but this Xiao Yan is a complete scoundrel!]

Am I the only one who thinks he was just lucky? SSG clearly underestimated their opponent.

[Put Bang in! We need a stable bot lane, not this tightrope walker!]

What is management thinking? Allowing someone like this to represent SKT's image? Get him out of there!

For many die-hard SKT fans, the duo of Bang and Wolf is an icon, irreplaceable. The more outstanding Xiao Yan performs and the more arrogant his personality becomes, the more uneasy and repulsive they feel. They fear that this "outsider" has truly replaced Bang.

Just as Kouma was preparing to devise the next tactic, intending to let Xiao Yan press his advantage, his cell phone suddenly rang in his pocket.

Koma frowned slightly when he saw the words "Supervisor Cui" on the caller ID.

He walked to a corner and answered the phone.

"Hello, Director Kim."

"Bring Bang on for the next game."

Koma paused for a moment, then lowered his voice to argue, "Director, you saw Xiao Yan's performance just now. He was on fire, I think..."

"I don't care what you think!" The voice on the other end of the phone turned stern. "Have you seen the online comments? The fans are furious! The sponsors are asking why Bang isn't playing! SKT needs stability and a solid image, not a rookie who causes such a stir in his very first match!"

"But……"

"No buts! This is an order! Bang starts next game, and Xiao Yan goes to the bench to reflect on his attitude!"

The call was disconnected.

Kouma gripped his phone, his knuckles turning slightly white. He took a deep breath, glancing at Xiao Yan wiping the keyboard in the lounge, a hint of guilt and helplessness flashing in his eyes.

This is the tragedy of elite teams; sometimes, competitive strength is not the only criterion.

The lounge fell silent, and everyone looked at Kouma, whose face was grim.

Kouma walked up to Xiao Yan, remained silent for a few seconds, and then said with difficulty, "Xiao Yan, for the next match... you rest."

"Bang!"

The air seemed to freeze.

Wolf opened his mouth in surprise, as if to say something, but was stopped by Faker's gaze. Bang, on the other hand, kept his head down, his expression unreadable.

Xiao Yan stopped wiping the keyboard.

He looked up at Kouma's helpless face, but didn't show the anger or disappointment that others had expected.

Instead, he laughed.

That smile carried three parts mockery and seven parts indifference.

"Is this what the higher-ups mean?" Xiao Yan asked calmly, as if he were talking about a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him.

Kouma sighed, not denying it: "The pressure from public opinion is immense, and the management wants to maintain stability."

"Playing it safe?" Xiao Yan scoffed, precisely tossing the tissue in his hand into the trash can. "In esports, being bad is the original sin, winning is the truth. Since when did 'playing it safe' and 'pleasing the fans' become the top priorities?"

He stood up and slung his peripheral bag over his shoulder.

"Where are you going?" Koma asked instinctively.

Xiao Yan straightened the collar of his team uniform, his eyes becoming sharp as knives:

"Since the management thinks I'm not good enough, then I'll go and ask them myself."

OGN Arena, the exclusive lounge for team management.

The door was pushed open, and Xiao Yan walked in.

Jin Shanzhong, who was puffing on a cigarette with a furrowed brow, was startled. He looked up and saw that the person who had entered was Xiao Yan.

"Who let you in?" Kim Sun-jung stubbed out his cigarette, his face grim.

Xiao Yan closed the door behind him, and instead of confronting him like a hothead, he pulled out the chair opposite Kim Seon-jung and sat down, his expression calm.

"Director Kim, I'm not here to argue." Xiao Yan's voice was calm and steady, revealing a maturity beyond his years. "I just want to talk to you about the future of SKT."

"The future? You're a rookie who just played one match, and you're talking to me about the future?" Kim Sun-joong scoffed. "Do you even know what a mess the internet is in right now because of your 'performance'? Fans want Bang! We need stable management, not this high-wire act of yours!"

"I understand your concerns and the fans' feelings." Xiao Yan nodded sincerely. "Bang is a two-time champion and one of the greatest AD carries in LCK history. His steadiness and experience in major tournaments are invaluable assets to SKT. I sincerely admire him and am ashamed of my own shortcomings in this regard."

Kim Sun-joong was taken aback, clearly not expecting this arrogant young man to say such a thing. His expression softened slightly: "Since you know, then you should obediently go to the bench and learn how Bang plays the game."

"But, Director Kim."

Xiao Yan changed the subject, leaning forward slightly and staring intently at Kim Sun-joong, "Bang is the best 'shield,' he can guarantee SKT's minimum performance and keep the team invincible. But in the current version, with the current opponents, you can't win just by having a shield."

"SSG, LZ, KT... these teams are all evolving, and their offensive capabilities are becoming stronger. If SKT only focuses on defense and counter-attacks, they will eventually be breached."

Xiao Yan paused, his voice not loud, but firm and resolute:

"What SKT needs now is not just a shield to stabilize the situation, but a 'spear' that can pierce the enemy's heart."

"And I am that spear."

Kim Sun-joong fell silent. He looked at the young man before him; though his words were much more humble, the ambition burning in his eyes remained undiminished. He had to admit that Xiao Yan had struck a chord with him—SKT had indeed been finding it increasingly difficult to win lately.

"Anyone can say nice things," Kim Sun-joong said, lighting another cigarette. "But why should I believe you? Based on your performance in just one game?"

"Just because of this."

Xiao Yan took a folded piece of paper out of his pocket and pushed it in front of Kim Sun-jung.

"This is a performance-based agreement."

Kim Sun-joong frowned as he picked up the paper. The handwriting on it was flamboyant, but the content made his pupils shrink.