Chapter 660
The Sharp Sword
Su Mo looked at the two cartoon kittens waving their fists on the screen and felt somewhat helpless.
I only helped her with a small favor, did this girl really have to react like this...?
He typed his reply slowly and deliberately on the keyboard: "The hero who goes around hacking people to pieces with an axe is called Darius. Thank you for your congratulations. Still in the recording studio so late? Take care of your voice and go home to rest early."
After sending the message, Su Mo locked his phone, put it in his hoodie pocket, and walked into the lobby of his hotel.
Outside a high-end recording studio in Shanghai, Shen Yiyin was holding a glass of warm water, looking at the reply that popped up on her phone screen, her beautiful peach blossom eyes curving into two crescent moons.
"Yiyin, what are you looking at? Why are you smiling so sweetly? Are you in love?" Her manager, Sister Hua, came over and stared suspiciously at her phone screen.
"No way! Sister Hua, don't make wild guesses!" Shen Yiyin quickly covered her phone with her chest, her cheeks slightly flushed. "It's just... a very capable friend. They made it to the quarterfinals of the World Championship today, and I was just congratulating him."
"The esports circle? Apart from that guy named Su Mo, I'm afraid there's no one you'd even look at, right?" Although Sister Hua didn't understand games, the S-series was trending every day lately. "Don't blame me for not warning you, you're in your prime right now. Making friends is fine, but dating is absolutely out of the question. Besides, I've heard that those kids who play esports have really weird tempers, so don't get fooled."
“He’s not weird at all. He’s a very steady and kind person.” Shen Yiyin muttered softly, recalling that early morning in the convenience store, under the lights, the young man who paid for her without hesitation, his back straight as a pine tree.
……
Seoul, the hotel where the EDG esports team is staying.
As soon as Su Mo pushed open the training room door, he saw head coach Ming Kai standing in front of the tactics board, his brows furrowed as he stared at the newly released quarterfinal draw. Several newcomers, including A Chen and Xiao Yue, were also gathered around him, creating a somewhat tense atmosphere.
"The lottery results are out?" Su Mo casually took off his hoodie and hung it on the back of his chair.
Mingkai turned around and sighed: "Our luck is neither good nor bad. In the quarterfinals, our opponent is KT Rolster, the third seed from South Korea."
“KT, huh?” Su Mo walked to the water dispenser and filled a glass with warm water. “Old rivals. Kiin and Bdd, as solid as ever.”
“It’s not just solid.” Mingkai drew a heavy circle on the whiteboard with a marker. “This is in Busan, South Korea’s home ground. And in the knockout stage, it’s a true best-of-five do-or-die match. KT’s tactical awareness is extremely high. They don’t like to pull off gimmicks like G2. They are a team that can take macro play to the extreme. Especially top laner Kiin, who is known as the ‘national team top laner’ of LCK. His defense is almost watertight.”
Ah Chen swallowed hard: "Mingjiao, I heard that even if Kiin gets caught out and goes 0-3, he can still make a 3-0 impact in team fights..."
"What are you afraid of?" Su Mo turned around, holding his water glass, his eyes completely calm, as if he were just talking about tomorrow's weather. "His defense is watertight because he never dares to cross the line. A person who is too rule-abiding can't defend against an unreasonable attack. Chen, you don't need to come to the top lane to help me in this series. You go protect the bottom lane, and I'll handle the top lane myself."
Hearing Su Mo's calm yet domineering words, the newlyweds, who were initially a little nervous, instantly felt more at ease.
Yes, even if the opposing team has a top-tier top laner from the LCK, the one standing on their side is a monster who has dominated the top lane for seven whole years!
……
Three days later, at the Sajik Indoor Gymnasium in Busan.
S13 World Championship Quarterfinals: EDG vs. KT!
As EDG's team bus slowly pulled up outside the stadium, a deafening roar of Korean cheers swept over them like a tsunami. Thousands of Korean fans, dressed in white KT jerseys and waving light sticks, transformed the area around the stadium into a white sea.
"KT! KT! KT!"
The unified shouts echoed through the carriage, and the rookie mid-laner, Xiao Yue, visibly paled. Playing in the knockout stage on someone else's home turf—the suffocating pressure is something only those who have experienced it firsthand can truly understand.
"Don't look outside."
Su Mo's gentle yet powerful voice rang out in the carriage. He stood up, slung his peripheral bag over his shoulder, walked over to Xiao Yue, and gently patted him on the shoulder.
"Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Remember, the moment you put on those noise-canceling headphones, the whole world will consist only of Summoner's Rift." Su Mo looked down at the newcomers, a calm smile playing on his lips. "Tonight, I will turn this venue into a library."
The competition officially began at 5 p.m.
The dazzling spotlights flashed wildly on the stage. When the five EDG players walked out of the player tunnel, the cheers in the audience were noticeably quieter, replaced by an unsettling silence and a few scattered boos.
Su Mo walked at the front, his pace as unhurried and composed as ever. He made no response to the audience, but the moment he sat down in his battle seat, he began to focus intently on adjusting his peripherals.
In the commentary booth, the three LPL commentators were already on high alert.
"Hello viewers! Welcome to the S13 World Championship Quarterfinals! I'm commentator Guan Zeyuan!"
"I am Miller!"
"I remember!"
Guan Zeyuan's voice carried a hint of tension: "Today's China-Korea battle is definitely a tough one for EDG. KT, as the third seed from LCK, may have had a bumpy ride in the Swiss round, but once they make it to the BO5, they are a team that should not be underestimated!"
Miller nodded in agreement: "That's right, especially the top lane matchup. Kiin is known as the most stable top laner in the LCK, while our Mozi is the sharpest spear in the LPL. This clash between the strongest spear and the strongest shield will directly determine the outcome of the match! The draft phase has begun!"
In the first game, KT was on the blue side and had the right to ban and pick first.
As expected, KT banned the following three champions in their first three picks: Aatrox, Quesant, and Renekton.
"Another three bans on top laners!" Remember shouted. "KT's coaching staff is really stubborn. Even though they know your champion pool is bottomless, they still want to limit your best fighters!"
Mingkai paced behind Su Mo: "Old Su, the other side has almost completely shut down your warrior pool. They first-picked the Prince. What are you planning to do this game?"
Su Mo stared at the screen, his gaze sharpening. He glanced at KT's top laner Kiin's most proficient champion pool. Since the opponent wanted to play it safe, he had to use the most aggressive tactics to break through this impenetrable barrier!
"Give it to me, Camille."
Camille!
The moment that elegant yet deadly hero icon lit up and locked, the live stream chat exploded with comments.
[Here it comes!! One of Mozi's signature moves, Camille!!]
[Don't be so abstract, which hero isn't Mozi's specialty?]
This hero is picked specifically for solo kills!
[Knocked LCK's dream to shreds! Go Mo!]
Finally, the lineups for both sides were finalized:
KT (Blue Side): Top Renekton, Jungle Jarvan IV, Mid Azir, ADC Kai'Sa, Support Alistar.
EDG (Red Side): Top lane Camille, Jungle Vi, Mid lane Syndra, ADC Xayah, Support Rakan.
"Enter Summoner's Rift!"
The game begins, and the entire team launches an attack. Su Mo, controlling Camille, goes into lane. Facing the extremely strong early-game lane bully, Renekton, Su Mo displays terrifying distance control.
At level two, Kiin's Renekton had built up half of his red rage and wanted to cross the minion wave to use his E skill [Charge] to poke.
Just as the crocodile unleashed its E skill, Su Mo's Camille advanced instead of retreating, landing a precise W [Tactical Sweep] that not only hit the crocodile but also landed perfectly within the outer ring of the healing and slowing range!
Although the crocodile's E skill dash brought him to Camille's face, he was slowed down. Kiin wanted to follow up with a basic attack using his red-rage W, but he found that Camille used the speed boost from W to pull back a full distance!
It was this one-body-length difference that prevented the crocodile from unleashing its red-rage W!
"Such a fine pull!!" Miller exclaimed from the commentary booth, "Mozi's W distance sense is terrifying, Kiin got hit by an outer ring for free and even lost a skill!"
Once the crocodile's abilities were off cooldown, Su Mo decisively counterattacked. He started with his Q skill, [Precise Etiquette], kicking the crocodile with the first part to create distance and wait for the 1.5-second true damage preparation time. Then, he used his E skill, [Hook Hook], to hook the crocodile against a wall, followed by a precise second E kick to stun the crocodile, and then followed up with the second Q for true damage!
"Snapped!"
The crisp sound of the blows echoed through the canyon.
This fluid combo not only triggered the passive adaptive shield for a flawless trade of health, but also took down half of the original full-health crocodile's health!
Kiin sat in the booth, his palms already sweating. He thought that picking Renekton would give him a stable early game, but he didn't expect that he would be completely overwhelmed by the opponent's kiting tactics after only two levels.
"Cuzz, the top lane is under a lot of pressure, he's taking Ignite," Kiin pleaded for help in the voice chat.
After clearing the top half of the map, jungler Cuzz's Jarvan IV immediately headed towards the top lane.
The time has reached 6 minutes and 30 seconds.
"KT's jungler, Jarvan IV, has flanked! This wave of minions is a pushback wave, Mozi is positioned a bit too far, it's dangerous!" Guan Zeyuan shouted.
Su Mo naturally sensed the impending danger. Although he saw the prince in his wards, he did not choose to immediately use his E skill to escape. Instead, he deliberately took a step closer to the river wall.
Cuzz's prince immediately used a double EQ combo to knock up the enemy!
Kiin's Renekton simultaneously used his E skill to dash in, and with his red-rage W ready to stun Camille, he could finish her off with Jarvan IV's burst damage!
This is a near-certain death trap.
In the blink of an eye.
Su Mo's fingers traced a blur on the keyboard.
Ultimate move! Hextech Ultimatum!
Camille leaped high into the air, becoming untargetable and trapping Renekton within the absolute area of her ultimate ability!
"He dodged it!! Mozi used his ultimate to dodge the Prince's EQ knock-up and the Renekton's red-rage W!!" Ji De's voice cracked with excitement.
But the crisis was not over. The prince's ultimate move, "Collapse of Heaven and Earth," crashed down, trapping Camille at the edge of the wall.
Su Mo's eyes were cold, showing no sign of panic. He retaliated by delivering the true damage from the second part of his Q to the crocodile tanking the tower, then immediately used his E skill [Hook Hook] to hook onto the rock wall created by Jarvan IV's ultimate. The second part of E wasn't used to escape, but rather to precisely stun the low-health crocodile with a back kick!
Light it and hang it up!
Flat A!
The crocodile fell to the ground!
"First Blood!"
After killing the crocodile, Su Mo decisively used Flash to pass through the wall of the prince's ultimate ability and escaped with a sliver of health!
Fluid and natural movements, showcasing exceptional reactions and psychological maneuvering!
The entire Busan stadium fell into a deathly silence. The Korean director on site even forgot to switch the camera, the shot frozen on the Steel Shadow as she made her way back to base with a sliver of health.
"One against two!! He even managed to kill one and escape!! What kind of monster is this?!" Miller slammed his fist on the commentary table. "Dancing in the face of adversity, this is the world's number one top laner from the LPL!!"
This counterattack completely shattered Kiin's mental defenses.
In the fountain, Su Mo looked at his gold panel at 6 minutes and 30 seconds: the 400 gold from the first blood plus perfect last hits allowed him to directly purchase Camille's early-game core item - [Sheen], plus a [Long Sword] and a pair of [Boots].
At 7 minutes and 10 seconds, Su Mo used Teleport, and a bright blue beam of light landed on the top lane tower.
At this moment, Kiin's Renekton had just respawned and walked back to lane. His inventory contained only two pathetic Long Swords and a Ruby Crystal. He had no Flash, no ultimate, and was even a level behind.
"Controlling the lane is the cruelest torture for top laners."
Su Mo watched the two minion waves converge, his eyes calm as still water. He didn't rush to push the wave, but instead positioned himself above the river bush, only managing to land the final blow. The minion wave was firmly frozen in front of EDG's top tower.
7 minutes 45 seconds.
Kiin looked at the low-health cannon minion, gritted his teeth, and took two steps forward, intending to use his Q [Tyrant's Strike] to clear the minion wave.
Just as the crocodile raised its paw!
Su Mo's Green Steel Shadow moved!
Q1 [Precision Etiquette] kicks directly at the nearest melee minion, using the speed boost to suddenly push forward. Kiin is shocked and immediately uses E [Charge] to retreat.
But Su Mo had no intention of letting him go. He used his E skill [Hook Hook] to hook onto the river wall and used the second part of his E skill at its maximum range to stun the crocodile who had just landed and hadn't even used the second part of his E skill yet!
"Snapped!"
After a 1.5-second wait, the second Q, imbued with a radiant cursed blade effect, transformed into a real white damage number and slammed down on the crocodile's head!
The crocodile, which was originally at full health, instantly lost a third of its health!
After Su Mo finished his combo, he used the outer edge of his W [Tactical Sweep] to slow down the Renekton and restore his own health, then gracefully retreated unscathed. The Renekton couldn't even break Camille's passive physical shield.
"This is unplayable, top lane is completely doomed." Miller shook his head repeatedly in the commentary booth. "Kiin doesn't even dare to stand on the edge of the experience zone now. Mozi isn't playing a match, he's practically giving a top lane tutorial!"
The absolute advantage on the top lane spread like dominoes, quickly impacting the entire map.
8 minutes 30 seconds.
KT's jungler Cuzz, playing Jarvan IV, knew that the top lane was now a no-go zone, so he had to focus on the mid and bot lanes. He bypassed vision and forcefully ganked the mid lane.
"The prince has grown too big! His target is Xiao Yue's Syndra!" Guan Zeyuan spoke rapidly.
Facing the double-team of the prince and the tsar, Xiao Yue didn't panic and use his abilities as usual. Su Mo's pre-match instructions and the 1v2 counter-kill in the top lane just now gave him great confidence.
Xiao Yue calmly cast Q [Dark Orb] inside the Prince's ultimate trap, then immediately followed up with E [Weaklings Begone]!
The black magic ball precisely stunned both the prince and the Tsar, who was trying to drift into the field!
Immediately after, Vi, who had been crouching in the F6 bush, moved. She charged up her Q skill and punched Azir in the face. Xiao Yue calmly used Flash to create distance, then unleashed his ultimate, [Energy Surge], at full damage. Combined with Vi's burst damage, they managed to kill Bdd's Azir!
"Great! Xiaoyue's push was so calm! Mid-jungle synergy, EDG gets another kill!" Remember to cheer loudly.
The score is now 2:0. (End of Chapter)