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

Chapter 27 SSG's Targeting

Doubt, shock, and ridicule filled the entire internet.

In the eyes of most viewers, Bang is the pillar of SKT. Replacing a two-time champion AD with an unknown rookie is practically suicidal.

However, Xiao Yan inside the soundproof room couldn't hear any of these sounds. He sat in his gaming chair, adjusting the mouse's DPI, his expression indifferent.

"The draft has started," Coach Kkoma's voice came through the headset.

In the first game, SKT had the first choice of side and chose the blue side.

"Proceed according to plan, target Sect Leader An," Xiao Yan calmly reminded him through the microphone.

Koma nodded and unhesitatingly banned Zac, Sejuani, and Jarvan IV.

These three bans were very targeted, directly blocking SSG's jungler Ambition's strongest champions: passive, map-controlling junglers and engage champions. SKT knew very well that SSG's core strategy revolved around Ambition; as long as they could disrupt his rhythm in the jungle, SSG would stagnate.

It's SSG's turn to ban heroes.

Edgar, the coach of SSG on the red side, has obviously done in-depth research on SKT, but the focus of his research is still on the man known as "God".

Galio, Ban.

Rock Sparrow, Ban.

Syndra, Ban.

All three bans were given to the mid lane!

SSG's stance is clear: we fear Faker's roaming and support, and we want to lock the Demon King down in the mid lane. As for that rookie in the bot lane? Sorry, we don't even consider him a threat.

Upon seeing this, Xiao Yan's brows furrowed slightly on his previously calm face.

"Oh----"

A soft laugh came from the earphone, tinged with displeasure and a chill.

"What's wrong?" Wolf turned his head and glanced at him.

"It's nothing." Xiao Yan leaned back in his chair, his fingers lightly tapping the table. "I just feel a little bit—annoyed—because I was looked down upon."

SSG released all the strong AD champions: Kalista, Varus, Kog'Maw—in their view, Ruler could suppress this rookie no matter what he picked, so there was no need to waste a ban.

This blatant disregard is more infuriating than open provocation.

"Xiao Yan, what should we pick for first place?" Koma asked, looking at Xiao Yan. "Varus is still outside, or maybe we should pick Ashe for a utility build?"

Given the usual strategy of playing it safe in the regular season, picking a versatile AD carry like Varus or Ashe is the most reliable option at this point.

But Xiao Yan did not answer immediately.

He looked at the SSG players' bench, where Ruler was chatting and laughing with support CoreJJ, as if victory was already in their grasp.

Since you think I'm not worth targeting, and since you think targeting Faker will guarantee a win —

"Coach," Xiao Yan's voice suddenly turned low and dangerous, "get me the policewoman."

Koma paused for a moment: "Caitlyn? In this version, Caitlyn is not a Tier 0 pick, and if the opponent has a strong engage composition, Caitlyn's survival will be very poor."

"It's okay."

A sharp glint flashed in Xiao Yan's eyes. His policewoman was a god-level hero with 100% proficiency!

"Since they want to target the mid lane, then I'll show them what it feels like to clear the bot lane."

"I'll make them so afraid they won't even dare to defend the tower."

Sensing the undeniable domineering aura in Xiao Yan's tone, Koma recalled the terrifying suppressive power Xiao Yan had displayed in the previous training match. He took a deep breath and no longer hesitated.

"Okay, then a policewoman it is!"

Huni locked down Caitlyn, the Piltover Policewoman, on the first floor!

"I really want to blow your head off!"

As the policewoman's classic line echoed throughout the venue, the entire audience erupted in uproar.

In the commentary booth, the Korean commentator roared, "Caitlyn! SKT actually picked Caitlyn in the first pick! What an incredibly confident choice! Facing Ruler, this rookie XiaoYan actually chose the champion with the strongest lane dominance! Are they declaring war on SSG?!"

The trend of comments in domestic live streaming rooms has also changed:

[Holy crap? That's aggressive! They just grabbed a policewoman right off the bat?]

[This newbie's a bit arrogant, daring to mess with the policewoman in front of Ruler?]

[Could it be that you only know how to attack towers but not how to team fight?]

[This is getting interesting. If this kid gets completely destroyed, the female police officer will be a laughing stock.]

Xiao Yan looked at the tall figure carrying a sniper rifle on the screen, and the smile on his lips turned cold.

If you're not targeting me, you'll regret it!

When SKT instantly locked in Caitlyn on the first floor, the somewhat serious atmosphere on SSG's bench was instantly broken.

Ruler was taken aback at first, then couldn't help but laugh. He turned to his support player CoreJJ beside him, pointed at the screen, and said, "Bro, did you see that? He picked Caitlyn. First pick Caitlyn on the LCK finals stage?"

CoreJJ pushed up his glasses, a playful smile curving his lips: "Looks like our newbie friend is quite confident. However, ADCs without mobility skills usually don't survive more than three seconds against us."

"Since he wants to be the first to stick his neck out, then we'll grant his wish." SSG's head coach, Edgar, closed his notebook, his eyes turning cold. "Forget about Faker. Shift the focus of our strategy this game. Give me that 'rush' composition; I'm going to make sure this Caitlyn doesn't even dare to leave her turret!"

"clear!"

The SSG team members answered in unison, their voices filled with the excitement of about to hunt their prey.

Without any hesitation, SSG immediately displayed two avatars on the first and second floors and locked them instantly!

Camille, the Steel Shadow!

Gragas the Barrel!

"Wow! SSG reacted really fast!" On the commentary desk, the CT exclaimed, looking at the big screen. "Seeing you pick Caitlyn, I immediately pulled out Camille and Gragas! What does that mean? It's practically telling you: if you dare show your face, I'll shoot you!"

But this is just the beginning.

As the draft progressed, SKT successively picked Lulu as support to protect Caitlyn, gave Biank Lee Sin for the jungle position, and Faker locked in Orianna for the mid lane to ensure control in team fights later on.

SSG's final two picks clearly demonstrated their "targeting" strategy.

For the support role, CoreJJ locked in Luo—Phantom Feather! A support with extremely long-range initiation and charm control.

With his last counter pick left for Ruler, he almost mocked as he locked in a hero that sent the entire audience into awe.

Kog'Maw, the Maw of the Abyss!

"Big Mouth?!" Another commentator, Kim Dong-jun, widened his eyes. "Is SSG going to compete with SKT in late-game damage? No—this lineup—"

He quickly scanned SSG's overall lineup: Camille top, Gragas jungle, Malzahar mid,

ADC Kog'Maw, Support Rakan.

"This is practically a guaranteed kill lineup!" Kim Dong-jun gasped. "Camille's ultimate, Hextech Ultimatum, is inescapable; Malzahar's ultimate is suppression; Rakan has Grand Entrance and Charm; Gragas has E-Flash and Blast Back—this four-person control chain, if any one of them hits, Caitlyn is dead! And Kog'Maw's late-game damage output is in no way inferior to Caitlyn's!"

"This isn't a competition; it's clearly a 'hunt' targeting Xiao Yan!"

The live stream chat exploded instantly:

[Oh no, this business plan is terrible!]

How does this policewoman survive? A giant steel shield covers her, a grasshopper gets stuck, it spits out twice and she's gone.

SSG's lineup is too ruthless; they're completely teaching their opponents a lesson.

This is the price of arrogance. Did they really think professional esports was just like ranked matches?