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

The internet exploded on major online forums, social media platforms, and microblogs.

Although RNG lost, and although Uzi was the backdrop for a pentakill, under the keyboards of these fanatical fans, the gods are never wrong; the fault always lies with the teammates, the coach, and luck.

[My heart aches for the puppy! He really tried his best this game!]

What is Letme doing? He's raising a Jayce-obsessed character; how is the AD carry supposed to play?

[Can Yan Junze retire? He gets completely destroyed every game. Is everyone equal? ​​I think he's getting thrashed by everyone!]

[This draft is ridiculous. Why not ban Jayce? Did Feng buy him?]

To be honest, Xiao Yan was just lucky; the last few kills were practically handed to him. If I were in his shoes, I could have gotten a pentakill too.

[Exactly, Uzi clearly out-farmed Varus by several CS during the laning phase. If the top lane hadn't collapsed, they would have won much earlier. Teams like SKT that rely on luck won't go far.]

[Take the puppy away, don't cry! We still have a chance! Next time we'll definitely crush this Xiao Yan!]

Countless blame flew at Letme and the coaching staff, but avoided the policewoman who was shot to death by Varus.

In the parallel universe they created, RNG was still honorable despite their defeat, Uzi remained invincible, and Xiao Yan was just a lucky guy who benefited from his teammates' good fortune.

…………

In RNG's break room, the air seemed to have solidified into solid lead, so heavy that it was hard to breathe.

The clock on the wall ticked away, each tick like a blow to everyone's tense nerves.

"I lost this game, it's my fault."

Feng, who had been silent all along, finally spoke.

As a coach, Feng Ge is more tired than anyone else right now.

He knows this team too well, and he knows Uzi too well.

The team's ceiling lies in Uzi, and its floor also lies in Uzi's emotions.

If we let this anger continue, we might as well surrender instead of playing the next match.

Someone has to step forward and take the blame; someone has to quell this anger.

He's the most suitable candidate. If he just sits by and lets Letme get endless pressure from Uzi, then he might as well give up on the next game.

Feng took a deep breath, walked to the tactical board, and picked up the tactical pen that Uzi had just slammed on the table.

Feng's voice was calm and powerful, instantly attracting everyone's attention. "It was my poor performance in the draft. I was too presumptuous, thinking that giving Letme Maokai would stabilize the top lane, and I underestimated SKT's tactical focus on the top lane. I shouldn't have let Jayce through, or rather, I shouldn't have let you take Maokai to withstand the pressure without banning Jayce."

He turned around, his gaze sweeping over each team member, finally settling on Letme, whose face was pale.

"Junze, lift your head." Feng walked to Letme's side and placed his hand on his shoulder. His hand was broad and warm, conveying a sense of strength.

Letme raised her head with trembling hands, her eyes slightly red and her gaze darting away.

"I know what you're thinking. You feel like you dragged the team down, right?" Feng softened his tone, like a patient and persuasive older brother. "But you need to understand, who is Huni? He's the guy who used to slaughter European top laners like pigs back in FNC. Although he wasn't the top in LCK, his aggressiveness was among the best in the world. Even though you were at a disadvantage in lane today, your several instances of binding and taking damage in team fights did everything a Maokai should do."

Feng paused, then emphasized, this wasn't just for Letme, but also for Uzi:

"In the LPL, you are the top-tier utility top laner, RNG's strongest shield. Huni's unpredictable playstyle, although he got away with it this game, will become SKT's biggest weakness as long as we adjust our strategy. Next game, we won't let him have it so easy. Don't forget, your Ornn and your Shen are key to our victory. RNG cannot do without you."

Letme was stunned.

He expected to be met with a barrage of criticism or the threat of being benched, but to his surprise, the coach gave him affirmation at this moment.

"Coach... Coach..." Letme's nose tingled, and the feeling of being trusted warmed his originally cold body a little.

"Alright, stop acting like a girl." Feng patted him on the shoulder, then turned around and looked at Uzi, who was still fuming.

Feng knew that simply appeasing Letme wasn't enough; he also had to smooth things over with this "raging little dog."

"Little dog, calm down." Feng handed Uzi a new bottle of water, his tone softening. "Your performance this time was fine, everyone saw it. Although Xiao Yan got a pentakill, that was based on the team's four-protect-one strategy, plus Huni's huge early-game advantage. In terms of laning details and dominance, he's still far behind you."

Uzi took the water, unscrewed the cap, and took a sip. Although his face was still pale, his tense shoulders relaxed a little.

"I'm just so angry," Uzi muttered. "We could have won..."

"I know, I know." Feng nodded, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. "There's still a chance. It's only two matches in the group stage. Even if we lose in the group stage, we still have a chance for revenge. As long as we don't lose our composure, we're not inferior to SKT in terms of raw strength. The key now is that we can't afford to lose our composure first."

Feng Ge's rhetoric was very skillful. He didn't refute Uzi's complaints, but went along with them, while shifting the focus to "the next revenge".

Uzi snorted and didn't say anything more. He leaned back in his gaming chair and took his phone out of his pocket.

Whenever he loses a match or is in a bad mood, he goes to online forums and Weibo to check things out.

There lies his largest and most loyal fan base—the "Royal Trash"—where he is portrayed as an eternally correct god, a tragic hero who has always given his all.

As Uzi slid his finger across the screen, his previously furrowed brows began to relax as he saw the comments.

[My heart aches for the puppy! He really tried his best this game; that big tree was acting like an actor!]

Why not give Uzi a carry-type AD carry? Was Feng Ge out of his mind with this draft?

To be fair, SKT's AD carry was just lucky; he racked up all the kills in the last few rounds. If Uzi had those resources, he would have destroyed SKT's base long ago.

Letme, please retire! Don't stop Uzi from winning the championship!

[After watching the replay, Uzi clearly had a significant CS advantage over Xiao Yan during the laning phase! That's the difference in raw skill! If teammates don't feed, victory is guaranteed!]

[Protect the world's best Jian Zihao! We will always support you!]

Seeing these comments that overwhelmingly defended him and viciously attacked his teammates and coaches, Uzi's frustration miraculously dissipated by more than half.

"Looks like everyone sees it clearly," Uzi reassured himself.

Although he lost the game, he won in the public discourse.

This feeling of being supported by thousands of people greatly satisfied his vanity and convinced him that the fault wasn't his, but the world's and his incompetent teammates.

Since everyone knows I'm the strongest, what's there for me to be angry about?

Uzi let out a long sigh of relief, threw his phone on the table, and his expression finally returned to calm, even carrying a hint of arrogance.

"Brother Feng, how do we play next game?" Uzi asked, his tone still stiff, but the explosive tension from before was gone.

Seeing that Uzi's emotions had stabilized, the atmosphere in the rest room instantly thawed.

Ming cautiously leaned closer: "Hey Dog Bro, how about I pick a protective champion next game? Lulu or Janna?"

Mlxg scratched his messy hair and said, "Next game I'll stay in the bot lane too. Let Huni, that pushover, fend for himself."

Although Letme didn't say anything, he gave Feng Ge a grateful look, sat up straight again, and began adjusting the peripherals.

Watching this scene, Feng sighed inwardly. This team was like walking a tightrope. Although they had temporarily stabilized, could this balance maintained by "scapegoating" and "online public opinion" really go far?

he does not know.

But he knew that, at least for now, RNG hadn't disbanded.

……

In stark contrast to the oppressive and eerie atmosphere at RNG's side, the rest area at SKT was very relaxed.

Xiao Yan sat in the middle, playing with his phone. The screen displayed interfaces from various domestic forums. Looking at the comments furiously insulting Letme and mindlessly praising Uzi, his smile grew wider.

"What a show!" Xiao Yan exclaimed.

"What's wrong?" Peanut leaned closer, glancing curiously at the screen filled with Chinese characters. "What are they saying?"

"It's nothing." Xiao Yan put away his phone and stretched. "I was just watching a group of ostriches with their heads buried in the sand, comforting each other."

Just then, Coach Kouma pushed open the door and walked in. He was holding a notebook in his hand, and although his expression was serious, the smile lines at the corners of his eyes betrayed his good mood.

"Alright, guys, that's enough celebrating." Koma clapped his hands, signaling everyone to be quiet. "Although we've won two games, the group stage isn't over yet. RNG may have lost, but their resilience is still there. They'll definitely come back strong in the next game."

Koma walked to the tactics board, picked up a pen, and said, "We're on the red side in the next game, so we'll be at a disadvantage in the draft. What are your thoughts? Especially in the bottom lane, Uzi will definitely be eager to get back at us, and he might pick an even more extreme champion in the next game."

There was a moment of silence in the lounge.

All eyes turned to Xiao Yan. In the previous match, Xiao Yan's Varus had proven his strength, and he was now undoubtedly one of SKT's core tactical players.

Xiao Yan smiled faintly. "Coach, I want to reward myself."

"Reward yourself?"

Koma looked puzzled. Everyone else's eyes were on Xiao Yan.

"I want to play this one last time."

Upon seeing the names written on the tactics board, a collective gasp filled the lounge.

Wolf's eyes widened: "Brother, are you serious?"

Even Faker looked up, closed the book in his hand, and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Kouma frowned; as a coach, his first reaction was to refuse.

The hero Xiao Yan is preparing to play has a very low margin for error and is too weak in the laning phase.

"Xiao Yan, I know you play her very well," Koma carefully chose his words, "but... isn't the risk a bit too high? If we collapse in the early game, our entire system will fall apart. And Uzi knows her too well; he knows exactly how to counter her."

"I think it's okay."

Faker pushed up his glasses and suddenly spoke, surprising Kobe and the others.

"Since you want to play, then play."

"Next game, I'll play Galio." Faker looked at Xiao Yan. "As long as I'm here, no one can kill you. You can show off however you want."

"Since Sang-hyeok-hyung has said so..." Peanut jumped up, put his hand on Xiao Yan's shoulder, "Then I'll go all out! This game, my entire jungle is yours! Red buff is yours, blue buff is yours, the Krugs and F6 are all yours! I'll be living in the bottom lane, let's see who dares to touch you!"

"I'm fine with that too." Wolf adjusted his glasses. "I'll pick Janna or Lulu and get the Ardent Censer done as soon as possible. As long as you don't die, we win."

"Leave the top lane to me!" Huni patted his chest confidently. "I'll tie Letme to the top lane and make sure he never gets to gank again!"

Looking at his teammates who supported him wholeheartedly, Xiao Yan felt a surge of warmth in his heart.

"Thanks."

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, nodded, and without any further sentimental words, all his gratitude turned into fighting spirit in his eyes.

Kouma watched this scene, shook his head helplessly, and then showed a relieved smile.

"Alright, since you've all decided," Koma closed his laptop. "Let's play."

The team's two strongest players have already united, so he won't be the coach who ruins the atmosphere at this point. Besides, even if they lose, it doesn't matter much; they have three match points.

"Yes, Coach!"

……

Back to the stage aisle.

RNG fans held up light boards, staring fiercely at Xiao Yan as if they wanted to kill him with their eyes.

"That's Xiao Yan? Stop pretending!"

"He's doomed!"

"Uzi will teach him a lesson!"

Hearing the insults coming from both sides, Xiao Yan remained unfazed and even hummed a little tune in a rather cheerful mood.

In the commentary booth, Wawa and Miller were also hyping up this highly anticipated match.

"Alright, welcome back to the match! The third match between SKT and RNG is about to begin!" Wawa's voice was still full of passion. "Although RNG has lost two games in a row, we believe they can adjust quickly! In this match, RNG is on the blue side, which gives them access to some strong champions, making the ban phase easier!"

"That's right," Miller continued, "and Uzi's expression was very serious, with a murderous glint in his eyes! This bot lane matchup is definitely going to be a clash of titans!"

The BP screen begins.

RNG, on the blue side, banned Jayce right from the start. Clearly, Huni's Jayce in the previous game had left them with a psychological scar.

SKT banned Kalista.

The two sides went back and forth, and the first three rounds of player selection were quickly completed.

RNG drafted Jarvan IV, Ryze, and Tristana. This remains a very solid dual-carry composition. Tristana is extremely strong in the late game and has mobility, making her even harder to kill than Caitlyn.

SKT locked in Galio, Gragas, and Lulu.

"Galio! Faker's picked his signature Galio!" Miller exclaimed. "Who are they protecting? SKT hasn't even picked an AD carry yet!"

RNG had their last two picks.

Feng hesitated for a moment, then gave the support Ming the Janna, forming the Janna + Tristana Ardent Censer combination.

The final counter position was reserved for SKT's AD carry.

The entire audience held their breath.

Everyone was staring at SKT's fifth-floor champion selection box.

Xiao Yan placed his hand on the mouse and, without any hesitation, clicked on an avatar.

P.S.: Happy New Year everyone! May all your wishes come true, everything go smoothly, and may you prosper! Also, please continue reading! The number of members reading the latest chapter within 24 hours directly impacts revenue, so please support us in the new year!

Highly recommend "LPL Doesn't Want Me? I Joined SKT Instead!" Click to enter the story world.