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

After defeating RNG, the team considered the only one capable of posing a real threat to SKT at this MSI, the subsequent matches were utterly uninteresting for the completely frenzied SKT.

On the final stage of the Paris Zenith Arena, facing G2, who had upset Flash Wolves in the semifinals and carried the fervent energy of the European home crowd, SKT even defeated RNG in a row. For this newly rebuilt SKT, it seemed as if they had just brushed away an insignificant speck of dust on the road to the altar.

That horrifying "15 minutes and 27 seconds" speedrun not only shattered the last hope of the LPL region, but also planted a seed of "fear" in the hearts of all League of Legends professional teams around the world.

Two days later, the Zenith Arena in Paris hosted the final battle of this year's Mid-Season Invitational (MSI).

Standing opposite SKT was G2 Esports, representing the unparalleled glory of the European LEC region. This European powerhouse, known for its unconventional tactics, optimism, and surprising strategies, fought a grueling five-game series in the other semifinal, narrowly defeating North American powerhouse Team Liquid (TL), and stepped onto the final stage with the ambition to keep the trophy in Europe.

In the pre-match promotional video, G2's key figure, Perkz, maintained his signature arrogant smile, making boastful remarks to the camera: "SKT is indeed very strong, and that AD XiaoYan is certainly something. But this is Europe, and we will use European art to teach these rigid Korean machines a lesson. I will show XiaoYan what a true bot lane mage carry is!"

However, when the match actually began, all the grand pronouncements, optimism, and antics turned into pale and powerless jokes in the face of SKT's breathtaking absolute strength.

In the first game, Perkz confidently picked his signature Syndra for the bot lane, attempting to disrupt Xiao Yan's strategy with an unconventional AD carry. However, Xiao Yan countered by locking in Lucian.

Just three minutes into the game, Xiao Yan's Lucian pulled off an incredible lane kill in the bottom lane. He used his E skill "Relentless Pursuit" to dodge Syndra's QE combo stun at the last second, then flashed forward and unleashed a smooth combo with Ignite, melting the full-health Perkz right in front of the tower.

At that moment, the director's camera focused on Perkz, whose smile instantly froze, and a hint of undisguised astonishment flashed in his eyes.

The following matches turned into a one-sided massacre by SKT.

TheShy's Jayce in the top lane completely suppressed Wunder's Ornn, preventing him from even getting any experience; Faker's Akali in the mid lane moved in and out of G2's formation like a ghost, turning Caps's proud mage into an ATM; and Xiao Yan in the bottom lane took the word "brutal" to the extreme.

His Lucian seemed to be equipped with an automatic tracking system; every slide and every baptism of the holy gun precisely tore through G2's defenses.

In the 21st minute, SKT destroyed G2's base and took the first win.

In the second game, G2 tried to return to tradition, giving Perkz Kai'Sa. But Xiao Yan picked a champion that caused an uproar – Draven, the Glorious Executioner.

The killing god who left a deep psychological scar on RNG in the semifinals has descended once again.

The script was like a replay of the semi-finals, even more brutal than the semi-finals.

With Wolf's Thresh support, Xiao Yan's Draven secured three kills in the bottom lane within six minutes. At ten minutes, Draven immediately acquired a Bloodthirster and, standing in front of G2's bottom lane turret, cleaved a full-health Kai'Sa into near-death with two axe blows right in front of G2's jungler Jankos. Jankos was so frightened that he fled without even using Smite.

At 23 minutes, Draven delivered a cold-blooded kill on three G2 players, securing another victory for SKT and giving them three match points.

By the third game, G2's players had completely lost their fighting spirit. During the draft phase, they even started picking champions randomly, creating a lineup that made no sense at all.

SKT, however, dealt them a final, merciless blow.

Xiao Yan chose one of his most iconic heroes—the explorer Ezreal.

In many people's minds, Ezreal is an AD carry who tends to be a passive, poke-heavy, and survivable champion. But in Xiao Yan's hands, Ezreal becomes an assassin dancing on the edge of a knife.

Seventeen minutes into the game, a team fight broke out between the two sides near the Dragon Pit. G2 grouped up, attempting a final desperate attempt.

Just as G2's control skill was about to hit SKT's front line, Xiao Yan's Ezreal moved.

Instead of pulling back, he used his E skill "Arcane Shift" and jumped abruptly into the heart of G2's five-man formation!

"Has he gone mad?!" the European commentator screamed desperately from the commentary booth.

But the next second, the entire venue fell silent.

Xiao Yan's fingers danced across the keyboard like a phantom, executing QW basic attacks and unleashing his ultimate skill, "Precision Barrage," at point-blank range. In the extremely confined space, he used Flash and positioning to miraculously evade all of G2's lethal crowd control, unleashing a torrent of arcane bullets from his hands.

"Quadra Kill!"

When the system's cold female voice echoed throughout the stadium, G2's formation had already crumbled, leaving the ground littered with the corpses of European powerhouses.

"Quadra Kill!"

When the system's cold female voice echoed throughout the stadium, G2's formation had already crumbled, leaving the ground littered with the corpses of European powerhouses.

Nineteen minutes and forty-five seconds.

SKT has wiped out G2's last trump card.

3: 0.

Without any suspense or twists and turns, SKT swept through the Mid-Season Invitational with an invincible and domineering presence, lifting the gleaming MSI championship trophy.

As a shower of golden rain fell upon the Stade de la Ville in Paris, the entire audience rose to their feet and applauded. Although their team had suffered a crushing defeat, they knew they were witnessing the birth of the greatest team in history.

In the center of the stage, Xiao Yan calmly raised his FMVP (Finals Most Valuable Player) trophy.

Facing the host's interview, his handsome yet cool face showed little excitement; he simply spoke one sentence into the microphone:

"This is just the beginning. Our goal is a Grand Slam throughout the year. Hopefully, by the time we get to the World Championship, there will be teams that can give me a real beating."

This sentence was instantly transmitted around the world via broadcast signal.

Arrogance! Utter arrogance!

But no one dared to refute him. Because he was Xiao Yan, a man who reached his peak upon debut, winning the world championship.

After the Mid-Season Invitational, the global League of Legends esports scene was plunged into an unprecedented "SKT panic".

The LPL forums are filled with lamentations, with some even suggesting that the trophy should be given directly to SKT.

"Despair, utter despair. Before, when facing peak SKT, we at least felt we had a fighting chance. But this SKT team has a god in the mid lane, a god in the bot lane, a monster in the top lane, and Peanut in the jungle has completely shaken off his losing streak. How are we supposed to beat them?"

"There's no need to watch the World Championship this year. Just award the championship trophy to SKT, and let the other teams compete for second place."