Chapter 662
Unrivaled on the Top Lane?
"One wave! One wave! Take down the base!!"
JackeyLove shouted excitedly in the voice chat, and Xayah's feathers poured down on the tooth tower like a torrential rain.
The LPL commentators at the scene had even stood up, ready to shout out their congratulations.
However, just when everyone thought the game was about to end at 25 minutes and 40 seconds, something unexpected happened!
"Don't rush, look at the bull's head."
Su Mo was in the golden invincible state of the stopwatch, but his gaze was not on the precarious front tooth tower, but fixed on the edge of the spring.
Before he could finish speaking, KT's support player Lehends displayed an incredibly resilient attitude in dire situations.
"I'm watching Xayah! And dealing damage!!" Lehends roared in the voice chat. The Alistar activated his ultimate, Unyielding Will, to remove all negative status effects from himself, and bravely took two steps forward while enduring Xayah's damage!
W [Savage Charge]! The target isn't JackeyLove, but Meiko, who's standing to the side!
But just as W was suspended in mid-air!
"Oh!"
A burst of golden light!
Q Flash!
The minotaur's body slammed into JackeyLove's Xayah and XiaoYue's Syndra's feet in a bizarre right-angled arc!
This was a perfect Q-flash engage that was almost impossible to react to!
"Two were knocked up!! Lehends managed to engage EDG's two carries in a desperate situation!!" The Korean commentators erupted in cheers, as if they had grasped a lifeline.
JackeyLove didn't even have time to use his ultimate move, [Storm Feather Blade], before he was launched high into the air!
At the same time, Kiin, the crocodile, finally arrived, boosted by the speed boost from the Fountain Guardian. His eyes were bloodshot, and all his pent-up frustration transformed into extreme killing intent.
E skill [Charge] passes through super minions, and the second E skill brings you directly in front of Xayah. The red-rage W skill [Ruthless Hunt] bites down on Xayah while she is still in mid-air!
With the added effect of the resurrected turret ray, JackeyLove's Xayah was instantly vaporized in a fraction of a second!
"AD is down!! Xayah got instantly killed!!" Guan Zeyuan gasped. "Kiin has entered the fray, and Xiaoyue is stuck too!"
"Ding--"
Su Mo's stopwatch stopped.
He glanced at Xayah, who had collapsed with almost no health left, and Syndra, who was entangled by the crocodile and the minotaur. In a fraction of a second, his brain made the most rational decision.
If he forcibly uses his newly unlocked E skill to save the enemy, he will most likely die with Syndra in front of the enemy fountain. If the enemy respawns and pushes back, there is a risk of being wiped out in one wave.
"Withdraw. Sell Xiao Yue."
Su Mo's voice was completely calm, as cool as a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing the fervor that had just been building in EDG's voice chat.
Without the slightest hesitation, he used a Q1 kick on the Minotaur to gain movement speed, and then retreated out of the base without looking back.
Ah Chen's Vi also used her Q skill to dash, and followed Su Mo out of the high ground in a sorry state.
Xiao Yue's Syndra ultimately fell to the crocodile's blade.
KT's base crystal now has less than 300 health points left! Just one more basic attack and the game will be over!
But those three hundred points of health became an insurmountable barrier.
"They held on!! KT held on!! Oh my god!!" Miller clutched his chest, panting heavily. "Lehends' Q-flash was deadly! My god, the suspense of the game is back!"
The South Korean audience erupted in a deafening roar of relief. The dome of the Busan Gymnasium seemed about to be lifted off its feet by the sound.
Inside KT's soundproof shed.
"Nice!! Nice!!" Cuzz and Aiming shouted excitedly as they revived in the fountain.
Kiin let out a long breath, his hand still trembling slightly as he gripped the mouse: "Clear the wave! Clear the wave quickly! Push the minion wave out, and we can still fight! As long as we drag this out, once Azir and Kai'Sa get their items, that Camille won't be able to get in!"
Bdd rubbed his sweaty forehead: "Make sure the defensive wards are in place, don't give him any more chances to flank and pick off lone wolves. Let's group up and defend our high ground to the death!"
Meanwhile, EDG fell into a brief silence on their voice chat.
"I'm sorry, my bad." JackeyLove rubbed his hair. "I was too hasty. If I hadn't been greedy for those two auto-attacks and moved forward, that Alistar wouldn't have been able to Q-flash me. I killed my ultimate."
"I also have a problem; I was standing too close," Xiao Yue quickly added, taking the blame as well.
"Alright, get back to normal."
Su Mo bought his next item—a Guardian Angel—in the fountain, his tone still reassuringly calm, "No need to apologize. Their lineup was designed for counter-attacks, and Lehends is very good at seizing opportunities. We still have an 8,000 gold lead, what's the rush?"
He marked the dragon that was about to spawn on the minimap: "Switch to control the Wind Dragon Soul. They don't have high ground towers, and the minion wave pressure is on their side. Build vision and slowly harass them."
The time has reached 28 minutes.
The game entered an extremely tense and suffocating phase.
KT completely abandoned jungle resources, and the five players huddled together like turtles in a hole. Bdd's Azir finally reached three items, making him extremely fast at clearing super minions.
As long as Su Mo's Camille appears in the bottom lane, KT will inevitably send Renekton and Jarvan IV to defend, while Alistar will stick close to the ADC, never giving Su Mo a second chance to E-flash in.
31 minutes 20 seconds.
An ancient dragon has spawned! At the same time, a second dragon is about to spawn!
This is a life-or-death duel between two dragons!
"We can't get any vision in, Meiko." Meiko looked at the dark lower half of the river with some anxiety. "KT's five control wards are all placed near the Elder Dragon pit. They know we're trying to force a team fight."
Su Mo glanced at the situation on the screen.
At this point, Camille already had six items: Divine Separator, Ravenous Hydra, Sterak's Gage, Death's Dance, Guardian Angel, and Iron Boots.
This is a set of equipment with an extremely high margin for error and is invincible when soloing.
"Don't fight the Elder Dragon." Su Mo glanced at the minion wave in the top lane and calmly gave the order, "I'll go to the top lane to push and force Baron. Ah Chen, the four of you, kite around the Baron pit. As long as they dare to engage the Elder Dragon, I'll teleport to the bottom lane and destroy that low-health base."
"Great base-stealing tactic! Got it!"
32 minutes 15 seconds.
Su Mo's Camille appeared in the top lane, leading a wave of enhanced cannon minions, and directly pushed into KT's upper jungle.
KT was instantly caught in a dilemma.
"Damn it! He's trying to backdoor! Our base only has 300 HP left!" Kiin shouted anxiously in the voice chat. "I'm going to check on him in the top lane!"
"You can't keep him in check by yourself!" Coach Acorn would have yelled if he were there, but Bdd, the team's commander, was very clear-headed. "We can't split up! Kiin, you don't have Teleport. If he gets caught out in the jungle, we'll lose both Baron and Elder Dragon! The whole team should go to Baron and force them to engage in a team fight!"
KT's five players abandoned the Elder Dragon and marched in a mighty force towards the dragon pit.
At this moment, Ah Chen's Vi and Meiko's Luo were crouching in the grass above the Dragon Pit.
"They're coming!" Ah Chen reported nervously to his superior.
"Don't pull me away. Wait for me to get to my position."
Su Mo's voice is always the anchor of the team.
After clearing the minion wave in the top lane, he did not continue to advance, but instead disappeared into the shadows of the red team's upper jungle.
33 minutes 40 seconds.
A battle for vision control over the Dragon Pit erupts!
Meiko's Rakan placed a ward in the front row, which was then triggered by Jarvan IV's EQ combo! A team fight erupted instantly!
"A fight has broken out! KT has initiated! Meiko has been instantly killed!" Guan Zeyuan exclaimed in shock. "EDG is missing a support, how are they going to engage in this team fight?!"
"Jack, pull back! Yue, don't hold back!"
To cover the retreat of the two carries, Vi was forced to Q into the crowd and use her ultimate to lock onto Azir, but was instantly melted by Kai'Sa and Renekton's focused fire.
EDG lost two junglers and support players instantly!
The Korean fans at the scene were screaming wildly, and KT's voice chat was in complete chaos: "Chase! Kill Xayah! It's over!!"
"Brother Mozi! Where is Brother Mozi?!" Miller's voice trembled.
The director suddenly switched the camera.
Su Mo's Camille, like a patient ghost, remained crouched in the bush behind KT's red buff for a full minute without showing its face!
KT's five players were stretched into a long line as they chased after EDG's two carries.
The front-line crocodile and prince charged too deep, while the back-line Kai'Sa and Azir, in order to follow up with the damage, happened to pass by that deadly bush!
"Right now."
Su Mo's eyes turned cold. There was no shouting, no unnecessary movement.
E skill [Hookshot] Hook up to the Red Buff wall!
"bass!"
Like a sharp blade drawn from its sheath, the steel shadow suddenly appeared from the absolute blind spot of the field of vision!
The target remains the Kai'Sa who has the best development!
"Protect AD!! He's behind us!!" Lehends' Alistar roared, trying to turn around and use his W to knock Camille away.
However, Su Mo did not use E Flash this time. He predicted Alistar's W the moment he flew out with his second E in the air!
R skill! [Hextech Ultimatum]!
Camille leaped into the air, her target Kai'Sa!
Not only did it dodge the Minotaur's savage charge, it also locked Kai'Sa firmly in the cage of its ultimate ability!
"Brother Mozi has entered the game!! He single-handedly cut into KT's backline!!"
Aiming (Kasa) reacted extremely quickly, instantly using his ultimate [Hunter's Instinct] and Flash to try to create distance, but no matter how he ran, he couldn't escape the desperate hexagonal barrier!
Su Mo landed. A, Q1!
Tiamat!
W tactical sweep and slow!
Wait 1.5 seconds for the fatal true damage!
Kai'Sa unleashed a barrage of attacks, while Azir relentlessly stabbed her from the sidelines. Camille's health plummeted, triggering Sterak's Gage shield!
"die."
Su Mo uttered a single word softly.
Q2 comes crashing down hard!
"Crack!"
Kai'Sa falls to the ground!
However, at the same time, Camille's health was also depleted by Tsar. A flash of white light, and [Guardian Angel] was triggered. Su Mo fell to the ground and entered the resurrection countdown.
"Brother Mozi is down! But he bought time for three people! He killed Kai'Sa!" Remember shouted, "Frontline!! What do you mean by frontline?!"
In the four seconds that Su Mo gained by holding back the enemy's backline!
JackeyLove's Xayah and Xiaoyue's Syndra finally found a chance to catch their breath!
"Die, you son of a bitch!!" JackeyLove's eyes were bloodshot. His ultimate skill, [Storm Feather Blade], sent feathers flying everywhere, dodging the crocodile's fatal blow. His hook was fully extended, instantly tearing through the armor of the crocodile and the prince!
Xiao Yue's Syndra dealt damage without pressure on the flank, and Qi Qiu's ultimate directly killed the Renekton!
When Su Mo's Camille stood up from her resurrection armor, the KT front line had already collapsed.
Su Mo, who had been resurrected and stood up, did not even retreat.
With his health nearly depleted, he used Q1 to kick a nearby Sand Soldier, accelerating him and clinging to the desperate Tsar and Minotaur like a persistent leech.
With the help of their two carries arriving at the scene, EDG achieved a devastating 2-for-5 exchange!
Ace!
Destroy the group!
"It's over!! This time it's really over!!" Guan Zeyuan roared hoarsely.
35 minutes 10 seconds.
The remaining three EDG members, carrying the mid-lane minions, made a deep run into the enemy territory.
Su Mo walked at the front, Qing Gangying's long legs straddling the wreckage scattered on the ground.
With a basic attack imbued with a dazzling effect, he shattered the blue crystal that had only 300 health left.
"boom!"
"Congratulations to EDG!! After an extremely tough battle, they thwarted KT's miraculous comeback! 2-0!! They've secured match point!!"
In the commentary booth, the three commentators excitedly hugged each other.
In the battle arena, Su Mo loosened his grip on the mouse and leaned back gently in his chair.
A fine layer of sweat appeared on his forehead. The final ten minutes of the game had taken a heavy toll on his mental strength.
"Brother Mo... awesome!" Xiao Yue took off his headphones, his voice trembling.
"If it weren't for your perfect flank at the end, we would have been killed." JackeyLove swallowed hard, still shaken.
Su Mo picked up the thermos on the table, unscrewed it, and took a sip of warm water, his expression remaining calm and unperturbed.
"You guys did a good job pulling things out head-on," he said casually. "Go to the break room, there's still a tough battle ahead."
He didn't boast about his ghostly incursions, nor did he criticize his teammates' early mistakes.
On this stage bathed in spotlight, he will always be the most silent, yet most deadly, killer.
In the commentary booth, the three commentators finally calmed down a little from the rollercoaster of emotions they had just experienced, but the shock in their eyes was still hard to hide.
"To be honest, when Lehends' Alistar made that incredible Q-flash to initiate a perfect team fight and KT successfully defended their base with only 300 HP left, my palms were sweating." Guan Zeyuan let out a long sigh, still feeling a lingering fear. "KT truly demonstrated the terrifying resilience of a top LCK team. In dire straits, not a single one of them gave up, managing to drag the suspense out for another ten minutes!"
“That’s right, we should also give KT a round of applause.” Miller nodded solemnly. “But what really gives me the creeps is EDG’s ability to adjust, or rather… Su Mo’s mental fortitude.”
The camera cut to a replay of the final Baron fight, and the director gave it a long, unseen perspective lasting over ten seconds.
I remember looking at the screen, my voice filled with deep awe: "Everyone, look here... When EDG's jungler and support were instantly killed and their two carries were being chased down in the main battle, Mozi's Camille was in the bush behind the red buff. He didn't move at all. Ten seconds... twenty seconds... a full minute!"
"In the quarterfinals of the World Championship, under immense pressure with his team on the verge of a comeback, he was able to suppress his killing intent like a heartless hunter, patiently waiting for that fleeting opening!" Guan Zeyuan couldn't help but exclaim, "This is the foundation of the greatest player in history! This suffocating composure is even more despair-inducing than his dazzling solo kills!"
Meanwhile, on major live streaming platforms and esports forums both domestically and internationally, the barrage of comments and bullet screen messages has already erupted like a volcano.
This game is giving me a heart attack... This is what Worlds is all about!
[Kiss to KT, that Alistar's Q-flash almost turned the tide of battle.]
[Salute my foot! Come worship the god! What the hell was that flanking maneuver by Mozi?! I even thought he disconnected!]
[Who understands? When I saw Camille fly out of the shadows and unleash her ultimate on Kai'Sa, I even felt like Death himself was knocking on my door.]
[So low-key, so composed! Mo Ge didn't even show an expression after the fight. That's incredible composure; no wonder he won six championships!]
The KT players are probably feeling incredibly cold right now. That feeling of being watched intently by a pair of eyes in the dark is terrifying.
……
Backstage at Busan Stadium, KT's lounge.
When the five team members pushed open the door and walked in, the air pressure in the entire room dropped to an extreme low.
No one speaks.
ADC Aiming slumped onto the sofa, his hands tightly covering his face, and his heavy, suppressed breathing could be heard. Top laner Kiin leaned against the wall, staring blankly at the pattern on the carpet, his right hand, which had been gripping the mouse tightly on stage, was still trembling slightly.
Did they play badly in this game?
No, they played exceptionally well. From defending in dire situations to managing the flow of the game, everyone performed at 120% capacity.
Even so, they still lost. That steel figure was like a towering mountain blocking their path; no matter how they climbed, they would ultimately be mercilessly kicked into the abyss.
"Clang."
The door to the lounge was gently pushed open.
Head coach Acorn walked in.
He didn't fly into a rage as the outside world imagined, nor did he go around scolding everyone with his tactical board.
He walked to the water dispenser, filled several cups with warm water, and handed them to the sweating team members one by one.
"Have some water and calm down." Acorn's voice was gentle, even carrying a hint of elder's kindness.
He walked up to Kiin and gently patted the veteran on the shoulder: "You've worked hard. If you hadn't risked your life to dive in and take down Xayah, we would have been done in 25 minutes."
Kiin looked up, his eyes a little red: "Coach... I'm sorry everyone. In the early game, I was in the top lane... and he beat me so badly that our strategy didn't work at all."
“It’s not your fault.” Acorn shook his head and gave a wry smile. “His laning phase awareness and distance control are simply beyond human capabilities. Don’t think it’s just you; any top laner in the world would have gotten the same result sitting in that position today.” (End of Chapter)