translator: xiin
editors: apricot & juurensha
The Brother Cai who heard this had the illusion that he’d released a vicious dog by loosening its leash.
Oh, be a little more confident. What ‘illusion’? It was a fact!
The shadow thief went back into stealth mode again, and when he reappeared, he’d already smashed into the immortal thief.
Asleep had started activating his skills one step ahead of time, but the two people ended up using their ultimate move at the same time.
Eight light arcs spread out and covered the heavens and earth, and the immortal thief’s swords also hurtled down from the sky. This shocking amount of damage smashed onto both heads at the same time, and their health bars went up and down like roller coasters, causing the hearts of everyone who was watching to beat faster.
Bai Cai was still some distance away from Wei Xiao. From this position, he could release the third skill ‘tender protection’, which had a long range, but he couldn’t toss out the ultimate move ‘true love’.
‘True love’ was the holy paladin’s true guardian skill. Once it was tossed out, Wei Xiao would be invincible for several seconds.
As the name implied, invincibility meant that the player would be free from all harm. Their health wouldn’t drop no matter how much damage they took!
Cong Yi saw through Bai Cai’s intentions with a glance. How could he let him succeed? A set of continuous control skills stopped Bai Cai’s steps.
Brother Cai only had one flash skill, which he’d used just now. He looked at this short distance that couldn’t possibly be any shorter, but he just couldn’t cross it…
The immortal thief and the shadow thief were exchanging moves, neither of them paying any attention to their own health at all and fully entrusting their lives to their teammates.
Based on how immersed in the fight they appeared to be, the ones who held the winning chips were the support players who weren’t actually involved in the fight.
Who could arrive faster? Who could give them more support? They would decide the winner!
What was the charm of a doubles competition?
It was the mutual trust, the absolute trust, selflessness, and obliviousness to oneself!
Cong Yi rushed over. After managing to slow Bai Cai down, he arrived at the shadow thief’s side first. They all watched as the giant shaman’s shield was about to be given to the immortal thief…
Bai Cai gave up on Wei Xiao and used a several millisecond time difference to throw his own second skill, ‘blinding’, at Cong Yi!
The holy paladin’s second skill was the only one that could hit an enemy, and using it would affect the enemy’s hit rate. For example, at this moment the Cong Yi who’d been hit by ‘blinding’ actually managed to miss with the shield that should have had a 100% hit rate!
The audience exploded, “Holy shit, is Brother Cai so powerful?”
“He solved my God Yi’s ultimate move and wasted his shield?”
“It’s over, it’s over, I’m actually starting to feel that this vegetable stalk is inexplicably excellent.”
“Upstairs, here’s a warning for mosquito coil eyes.”
The commentators also spoke highly of Bai Cai’s operations.
In the current China competition zone, Cong Yi was steadily rising up to become the ceiling for support players, and there were even people who called him ‘Little Yan Jiang’.
In today’s game, Brother Cai’s sudden performance had allowed everyone to see a new seedling.
Battle!
Tear into each other!
Fight!
How exciting was this game? Even the support players could start fighting amongst themselves!
Cong Yi had eaten a loss twice at Bai Cai’s hands. How could he lay down and just let it happen? His shield might’ve missed, but he still had a heal, and he also added a soft control skill to the immortal thief.
Brother Cai had also rushed over. He tossed a timely ‘true love’ to Wei Xiao, protecting him with the invincible state.
This was the real tiger coming down from the mountain.
The shadow thief’s skills were fierce. Its first skill could be brushed out and linked up for as long as the universe existed.
Wei Xiao’s extreme operations perfectly demonstrated the definition of the shadow thief’s unlimited shadow attack!
System Announcement––
FTW.Quiet killed 3U.Sleep.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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Ca atf rjwf alwf, 3F’r afjwwjafr tjv agjcrwlaafv bnfg. Qfgf Qfl Wljb jcv Djl Jjl vbcf obg?
Wei Xiao was merciless when it came to selling vegetables, “Bye bye!” He entered a stealth mode and retreated.
Bai Cai, who was covered in holy light, was both dazzling and eye-catching. “… Do you have any motherf*cking normal human feelings…”
The paladin who had no skills left couldn’t run away. Fortunately, FTW’s players had also transmitted over and engaged in a brawl with 3U. At the end, the Wei Xiao who’d retreated snuck back and sent off Li Chun.
Li Chun: “……” Although he’d never made an appointment with the grandmaster before, he’d experienced the fear of being dominated by the grandmaster!
In the first game of the BO3, FTW won the match!
Both sides struggled back and forth for nearly 40 minutes, playing out countless brilliant operations, and ended the game with a huge bang.
The commentators gave a summary and analysis of the game while the players on the stage drank water and caught their breath.
Wei Xiao wasn’t polite at all when it came to praising Bai Cai, “Badass, Brother Cai! It feels really great to be on the receiving end of your love!”
Bai Cai had just been about to boast when he thought about how the team chat was recorded, and would be edited and released to the public. His neck chilled, and he spoke in a low voice, “Who the hell loves you!”
Respect yourself a little, Wei-gay-Xiao.
Wei Xiao’s scalp tensed up, and he said, “Who the hell wants your love?”
He hurriedly got rid of any relationship between them.
Brother Cai: “???”
The speed at which you go back on your words isn’t human! Wasn’t that a little too fast?!
Wei Xiao was afraid that the captain wouldn’t understand and explained further, “Don’t use the holy paladin in the future. Those lovey-dovey skills that you use are going to destroy Laozi’s innocence.”
Bai Cai couldn’t help it anymore, “… F*ck you… %￥%&… %&%….” Yep, it was censored.
Chen Feng put his headphones on just in time to hear these two primary school chickens sniping at each other.
“What are you boasting for?” His Majesty the Queen spoke up, “Are your egos all inflated from just a small win?”
Wei Xiao and Bai Cai each got a chestnut on their foreheads and grew obedient.
Chen Feng stood behind Tang Chen and looked at the screen over his shoulder.
This was a very common action, The team coaches didn’t have computers of their own, and they would have to look at a team member’s screen for the BP segment.
The two little ones were too excited, and Chen Feng wanted to cool them down a bit, so he came over to Tang Chen’s side to oversee the situation.
But unexpectedly, Tang Chen’s body shrank down almost imperceptibly when his hand landed.
Chen Feng was stunned.
Tang Chen gritted his teeth and forcibly diverted his attention, “Ban the berserker thief?”
Chen Feng’s gaze landed on the back of his neck, his heart thumping hard, “You…”
Tang Chen: “Ban the berserker warrior first, then.”
Chen Feng abruptly gathered his wits and stopped thinking about other things. He focused his attention on the BP, “Yes.”
He couldn’t let 3U take the double berserker combo. Asleep’s berserker thief was too explosive, and once it was matched up with the berserker warrior, the current FTW wouldn’t be able to handle it.
Chen Feng’s thoughts were a little messy, so even though he was able to grab a good line-up for the players, the other side was still able to snatch up the berserker thief with their first pick priority.
3U had lost one match. If they lost this match as well, the game would be over.
3U would definitely spare no effort on this decisive game since they had to win.
The regular season was a points competition, especially in the cycle of games between different groups. This would be the only game they played against each other during the entire regular season, and no matter if they won or lost, they would have to charge into the playoffs if they wanted to meet again.
So, everyone was very serious; nobody wanted to lose!
In the second match, 3U obtained one of their strong line-ups: Death knight, Berserker thief, Spirit mage, Light priest, Frost hunter.
FTW’s line-up wasn’t bad, either: Blood warrior, Flying thief, Fire mage, Holy priest, Storm hunter.
Chen Feng’s expression grew heavy after he stepped down from the stage.
The camera inadvertently switched to him, and quite a few viewers in the audience noticed his expression.
“Why does Queen Chen look so serious?”
“FTW’s line-up is pretty good.”
“Using the flying thief against the berserker thief is a good call. He can run away even if he can’t beat win; FTW’s side also has the fire mage and storm hunter for additional DPS, so the line-up should be very stable.
“Wait a minute… God Le’s storm hunter…”
“Ummmm, I’m a little worried.”
Yue Wenle’s storm hunter was very dazed. If it encountered a team that tended to play steadily, he could attack and kill until the other side’s mothers wouldn’t even recognize them. But when he met with a reckless team, he would expose his weaknesses and end up ganked until he exploded on the spot.
During 3U and FTW’s countless training matches together, Asleep had pressed Yue Wenle down and smeared him all over the ground before.
However, when faced with the berserker thief, he would die even more miserably if he didn’t take the storm hunter.
The range of the berserker thief’s scythe was too long, and when the marksman with limited mobility was hooked by it, it could only perform a health bar vanishing skill on the spot.
The audience made many guesses, but Chen Feng’s own heart was as clear as a mirror.
It was 3U forcing them to use the storm hunter, and also that they could only use the storm hunter.
But this didn’t mean that FTW would lose, unless the top and bottom lanes collapsed at the same time, and Wei Xiao had no way to provide support. If that happened, then it would be a big problem.
The top lane…
Chen Feng stared at Tang Chen. He couldn’t see the slightest difference in his wheat-colored skin. He still had the same careless, unconcerned appearance that he’d always had as he guarded FTW day after day for years.
The game began, but Chen Feng couldn’t focus on the canyon.
He was biting the nail on his thumb, and his heart was a mess.
Tang Chen……
The player who’d stayed in FTW for the longest time. He’d joined the team two years before Close, and played competitively with Chen Feng for a year.
Later on, Yuan Ze and Kim Sung-hyun had joined the team, and Tang Chen had become the team’s substitute.
Chen Feng played with them for one year, but he really couldn’t keep up with the pace. He applied for retirement and went to join the coaching team.
Then, Close had joined the team, and Tang Chen continued as a substitute.
During FTW’s most glorious year, seven people had gone up to the stage to hold the championship cup.
The coach, the five starters, and the substitute Tang Chen.
Everyone focused on the five dazzling people and occasionally shone some light on the coach, but nobody would ever pay attention to Tang Chen.
The Team of Gods’ substitute, the substitute who never had the opportunity to play, yet always remained at the peak condition, keeping guard over their backs.
At the time, Chen Feng had asked Tang Chen, “… Do you want to transfer?”
Under the brilliant aura of the five starters, Tang Chen’s light had been completely hidden.
But Chen Feng knew that Tang Chen was very strong. He was hard-working, and he often trained for even longer than the starters. His operations and game consciousness were both very good, and especially with that big heart of his, it was something that many players wished for but couldn’t encounter.
If he hadn’t encountered those five, Tang Chen would definitely be able to show off his own brilliance on the field.
Unfortunately… the Team of Gods was too dazzling.
At the time, Tang Chen had laughed easily, “Why would I want to transfer? You guys are so good to me.”
Indeed, this silly man attached a lot of importance to relationships. He remembered every little bit of kindness shown to him in his mind.
Later, the Team of Gods disbanded, and Close, who’d bought the team, had given everyone a chance to leave freely if they wanted.
Chen Feng had chosen to stay, but he hadn’t wanted Tang Chen to remain.
He’d said to the top-laner, “Go to TPT, they’re short on top-laners. You’ll have a better future there!”
But Tang Chen hadn’t hesitated to say, “Then what about Close? He lacks everything.”
Chen Feng reminded him, “If you stay in FTW, you’ll never be able to surpass Yuan Ze!”
This was an indisputable fact. Every new starter that filled a position in the new FTW would be under great pressure.
Tang Chen couldn’t surpass Yuan Ze, and the mid-laner couldn’t surpass Xie He. The marksman couldn’t surpass the records that Kim Sung-hyun had left behind, and the support player wouldn’t be able to copy the legendary Yan Jiang.
Chen Feng felt heartache for Tang Chen and hoped that he could fight for himself for once.
Tang Chen saw through his thoughts, “I can’t go, you guys need me.”
So he’d stayed and given up a new beginning, carrying an unresolvable burden and fulfilled his oath––
Guard Close.
Guard FTW.
Guard the team’s new players.
The top lane was lonely, but also powerful.
He held down the fort there, a solid back that Close could trust.
The first year…
The second year…
FTW had never been able to achieve good results. In the 5v5 game, two people weren’t enough to hold up the battlefield,
Until the third year, when Tang Chen really helped up the championship cup, this careless and easygoing man burst into tears.
It was only a domestic championship, but it had really belonged to him.
And it was also the last championship of his career.
However, Tang Chen had seen both the hope in the rise of FTW and their near future.
He applied for retirement and left his position to a stronger newcomer. He would continue to guard FTW from behind the scenes.
Was Tang Chen reconciled with that?
Unfortunately, his age and body wouldn’t give him a chance to be unreconciled.
His state was deteriorating, so he’d chosen to retire responsibly.
During the winter training camp, Tang Chen and Chen Feng had stayed in the same room. Chen Feng knew better than anyone that this guy couldn’t let go.
He couldn’t put down the competition, couldn’t put down the battlefield, couldn’t put down FTW.
So, when Close came to find him, hoping that he could play for another regular season, Tang Chen had quickly agreed.
That night, this big man who was smiling and laughing all day long said to Chen Feng, “Old Chen, what if I end up dragging these boys down?”
It was the first time Chen Feng had seen him like this. He lit a cigarette for him, “What are you thinking? It’s just a regular season.”
Tang Chen’s eyes were very bright, “Wei Xiao wants first place.”
Chen Feng: “Him? He even wants to pluck out the moon from the sky.”
Tang Chen: “I want to help him get first place.”
Chen Feng: “……”
Returning back to the game, back to the familiar canyon, guarding FTW once again. Tang Chen wanted to win more than anyone else.
This was the last competition of his career. He was very happy to be able to participate in the new FTW.
xiin: we learn a little more about Tang Chen~
Ahhhhh I’m crying for Tang Chen!!! TTT___TTT
Show them what you got!!!
Thanks for the chapter<3
Tang Chen ge is so loyal I really respect that. Also maybe a typo at “ support player wouldn’t be able to copy the legendary Yuan Ze. ” legendary support should be yang jin right?
thanks for catching that~
🥺🥺😭
Thank you for the chapter ❤
All jokes and flirtiness aside, the author does a really good job fleshing out both the characters and their back stories and relationships. It’s a really good read 😌
Thank you for providing wonderful translations 🙂
yeah! i love that there’s depth behind the Little Lunatic’s craziness
Tang chen rlly got a big heart my heart hurts for him …much respect to him .. anyway with our little xiao xiao there he won’t regret it
Thanks for the chapter ❤❤
Oh, my fans heart was broken
Thank you for update~
Thanks for the chapter! ^^)❤
Thanks for the chapter! I’m glad Close still had really good guys around!
Tang Chen you can do it!!!! We give you our support!!!!
Thanks for the chapter~
I never knew much about Tang Chen but really my heart aches for. Such a kind good man he should have been appreciated more. For years, he was the one of the reasons Close didn’t give up hope. I want to know of his thoughts in the future because he really is such a great person and surely his skills will be more noticeable now that he is back.
Is his neck hurting again?
Poor Tang Chen. 🥺 I hope nothing bad happens in the next game…
Thank you for the chapter~~! 💜💜💜
Let’s go Tang Chen!!!
Thanks for the chapter!
i want to give a big hug to Tang Chen!!!~ jiayou ah!! thank u for the chapter~
Wei-gay-xiao 🤣🤣🤣🤣
wu… Tang Chennn! Amazing! Cool! Handsome! Very Kind Tang Chen! You can do it! QAQ
My nose really sour and Im so happy with God Tang. Everyone from FTW is so precious.(人´∀｀)｡ﾟ+
Tang Chen ❤️
So sorry for Tang Chen😕 we need more glory for him ! 🤩
awww 🥺