translator: xiin
editors: apricot & juurensha
Close used the crimson blade skin, which was the skin from last year’s singles championship.
Coincidentally, Gary had also taken the shadow thief, using the champion skin from the Team of Gods three years ago.
One had a crimson cloak and was a lonely king.
One had a black hood and was a cold and quiet lone wolf.
The fans burst into tears again when both heroes landed in the canyon at the same time.
The shadow thief of the present.
The shadow thief from the past.
Close, who was on his own.
Close, who was from the Team of Gods.
For The Win…
Exactly which Close was it?
The scrolling comments were boiling with activity, and the fans’ brain holes were bigger than the heavens. This was especially the case for the CP fans from the Team of Gods, who’d managed to abuse themselves with their own brains.
“Why did Gary take this skin?”
“F*ck, I suspect that Old Dog Yuan did this on purpose!”
“Gary’s the one on the stage. What does this have to do with Old Bandit Yuan?”
“Is there any doubt that Gary listens to Marshal?”
“If you don’t understand, then ask. What’s the point in Yuan Ze doing this on purpose?”
“Deliberately having Gary take the shadow thief, then purposely having him use the Team of Gods’ championship skin!”
“But what does that mean?”
Someone got it. “Damn it, is he trying to get Lulu to say goodbye to the past?”
“Upstairs, talk if you want to, but why do you have to take out a knife?!”
“I’m broken, this old lady’s heart and liver has been stabbed to pieces!”
“No way, no way, my Scum Man Yuan would never be so gentle.”
However, many people remembered that in the Team of Gods three years ago…
How many times had Close stayed up late to make up for lost time, while Yuan Ze’s figure prepared and served coffee or tea?
The new singles competition mode had already been online for a long time. Players had already fully adapted to the terrain of Sky Island and were also interested in this survival mode. Recently, a ranking competition had also been launched, and the players were all participating enthusiastically.
Now, it felt strange seeing this long-lost, slender canyon again.
This was the singles competition from the past. It was the old lane fighting mode, and it was a singles competition that required maneuvers, development, and the talent to find the right opportunity in order to show off one’s ability.
The commentators had already begun to speak. The invited guest commentator smiled and said, “It’s the singles competition that hasn’t been seen in a long time, and Close, who also hasn’t been seen in a long time.”
Commentator Brother Mouth: “In the team competition, Close is primarily on the top lane. It’s true that I haven’t seen him take the shadow thief in a long time.”
“I wonder if he’ll be unused to it?”
“That’s really hard to say. I’ve heard that Gary has been constantly practicing with the shadow thief recently, and it seems that he wants to use it in the battle of freedom.”
“Gary’s eight light arcs are steady…”
“Reasonably speaking, eight light arcs are already enough; the damage from nine light arcs is overkill.”
“But the difference in attack range is significant.”
“Then it depends on the player’s positioning.”
“Nine light arcs depends on the player’s state. If it’s not used often, then I’m afraid…”
Brother Mouth was a Close fan, the kind where he’d clearly stamped himself with the label.
This back and forth between him and the guest commentator seemed standard, but in fact, everyone who was familiar with him could sense his nervousness.
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.
Between the lines of the conversation was respect for the great demon king, the details of which were: Close has been playing the top-lane recently and hadn’t used the shadow thief in a long time! If he can’t brush out nine light arcs, then it’s only because he’s unused to using the hero now! If he loses, it doesn’t mean anything!
Fw…
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“I get it, Close can’t brush out nine light arcs anymore.”
“Why even talk about light arcs? Does your God Lu even remember the shadow thief skills?”
“Old G, hold back a bit, okay? If you beat Close until he cries, you might get blocked by Close fans at the entrance to the arena.”
There was no need for the live broadcast room managers to start banning people, because the haters all disappeared after 30 seconds.
All concerns became unnecessary, and all questioning became unnecessary.
In the face of Close’s absolute power, there was only the papapa sound of face slapping.
30 seconds into the start of the game, the second wave of lane soldiers hadn’t yet arrived at their destination when the shadow thief dressed in crimson made a sudden attack and reached level 2 ahead of Gary. He used a back stab, his attack landing accurately and sparking off a critical hit, causing Gary to lose half of his health bar by the time he was able to react!
The commentators exploded, “It’s Close’s signature blood stab!”
“Even Gary can’t escape it. Close might be old, but he’s just as vigorous as ever!”
Wei Little Xiao, who’d just let out a breath of relief, grew unhappy when he heard this sentence. He complained quietly to Bai Cai, “Do they know how to speak? My captain’s only 21, what do they mean, old?!”
Bai Cai: “……”
There was no need to answer. This little lunatic wouldn’t listen if he said anything, anyway. His eyes were practically glued onto the stage.
Although it was an exhibition game, the organizers were rich and generous and had transformed it into a holographic projection. There was no need to describe the joy of seeing the fight in 3D with the naked eye.
The fighting between the two handsome heroes provided tens of thousands of people with a vivid visual experience.
It wasn’t just visuals, but also the sound.
The shadow thief’s skills were relatively low-key prior to level 6, and there were no amazing special effects, but Close and Gary stunned the audience with their extraordinary positioning and micro-manipulation.
They controlled the lane, snatching soldiers.
Waiting, followed by a sudden strike.
The close combat fighting made everyone’s blood boil!
Both sides knew each other very well and didn’t hold back right from the start.
There was no need to test things out, no need to circle around each other. They focused on any flaws that were revealed and immediately went for blood.
“It’s not clear without comparing things, but it’s shocking once you compare them.”
“I’ve seen Gary’s live broadcast before, and his shadow thief really is very strong.”
“But in front of Close… it’s like a bronze player meeting a king.”
“FTW’s inherited shadow thief didn’t come from exaggeration!”
“The great demon king’s badass!”
“Great demon king, snatch up First Blood!”
It was like he’d heard the cry from the fans. The shadow thief’s crimson blade flickered, and after breaking through the defence of Gary’s shadow thief, he turned back and stabbed the other side!
Rend and bleed, triggering another critical hit!
The commentator spoke at an amazing speed, “Is it a back stab from that angle?”
“Although it’s a sideways waist stab, the system judges it to be from the back!”
“This is too tricky. It’s likely that Gary didn’t expect that, either. Although he lost his shadow attack, there was still room for him to shift. Based on his hp just now, he would’ve been able to survive as long as he avoided a critical hit!”
“Unfortunately, Close triggered a critical hit right at the range’s upper limit, causing the damage to double. Gary’s death is guaranteed.”
First Blood!
Close took an unquestionable First Blood.
In the old competition system, the game wouldn’t end once one side died. A player needed to blow up the other side’s crystal in order to win a singles game under the old system.
Gary resurrected quickly, and the battle wasn’t over yet.
At the end of the day, Old G was still a top global player. He was able to adjust quickly, and managed to keep up in farm despite being sent to a quick death. He stopped trying to fight head-on with Close and instead tried to seize an opportunity to attack from the sides, wanting to catch Close off guard.
Upon seeing this scene, even Brother Cai could figure out the ending. “His win is stable.”
Wei Xiao was still sitting up straight, his back so stiff as though someone was pointing a gun at him.
Bai Cai: “Relax, he can’t lose.”
Wei Xiao: “He can’t die.”
Bai Cai: “???”
Wei Xiao stared at the two men in the canyon. “The captain promised me that he wouldn’t die a single time.”
Bai Cai: “………………”
The old competition system wouldn’t eliminate a player after their death, so dying once didn’t matter. If they strategized well, then they could even turn the tables after dying three times.
This sentence from Wei Xiao…
Although Close’s death rate in the singles was very low, it couldn’t be guaranteed…
Brother Cai: “Isn’t this just adding pressure to yourself for no reason?”
What had originally started off as simple mode had now become hell mode.
Wei Xiao grew even more nervous.
Bai Cai didn’t dare to continue talking. He was now a little nervous, too.
He had a vague sense of Wei Xiao’s mood.
The last singles competition.
The last global singles duel in the old competition system.
This perfect performance given by Close would become a part of Glory’s history, forever.
No one would be able to surpass him anymore––
––Because the old competition system would begone.
The game progressed to 12 minutes at which the most exciting wave of fights began.
Gary had remained watchful but dormant for a long time and had finally found an opportunity. He took the initiative to attack, stacking up his damage one second before Close.
He made use of the small lane soldiers, made use of the bushes to block vision, and had even stacked up his equipment for attack speed…
Everyone’s heart leapt up to their throats. “The great demon king won’t be able to run from this!”
Wei Xiao held the armrests of his chair in a death grip, his pale finger joints bulging and white, the green veins growing more and more obvious under the paleness of his skin.
Brother Cai was nervous enough to explode. “This, this…”
He wanted to rush into the canyon and give the captain a bunch of heals!
His support instincts were breaking out, okay?!
Just when everyone thought that Close was doomed and Gary was sure to get even…
Lu Feng’s operations were dazzling to the eyes. They all stared at the holographic projection that would amplify all mistakes, but the shadow thief in the crimson cloak didn’t make any mistakes at all.
He was precise, operating at the limit, and extremely fast.
Even Gary was shocked by his actions, and his character clearly froze for a fraction of a second.
Lu Feng seized this opportunity and used a shadow attack to move sideways, avoiding Gary’s mark.
It was broken!
Gary lost a layer of marks!
Now, he could either continue to accumulate energy and brush out eight light arcs or give up and release seven light arcs immediately.
But the problem was…
Seven light arcs wasn’t enough to break through the invincibility effect provided by the equipment. Only the overflow damage dealt by anything above eight arcs would be able to penetrate before the invincibility effect ended and disappeared. At the same time, doubling the damage would be enough to kill Close.
Gary was riding a tiger and couldn’t get off, but Close wasn’t about to wait for him.
Gary’s eight light arcs were gone, while Close’s nine light arcs fell from the sky.
“F*ck!” Even the salted fish vegetable was excited.
Wei Xiao didn’t speak. He stared at the holographic projection, at the calm and silent man behind the projection, and his heart beat very quickly.
The light arcs covered the sky, and gorgeous special effects seemed to rain down light on the entire venue.
The audience screamed non-stop, their passion inspired by this exciting battle. They’d also been amazed by these gorgeous special effects.
At this moment, everyone was bathed in glory!
Victory.
Close won without dying a single time!
Loud cheering rang out when he took off his headphones.
Extended, non-stop applause, heart-rending, gut-wrenching shrill cries…
The live broadcast studio was filled with Close’s glory…
The global audience watching online were all stunned.
It wasn’t that they didn’t know of Close, and it wasn’t that they didn’t understand why the China competition zone couldn’t remain calm. It was because they were still shocked by the feelings and emotions that had charged up in such a rush.
The persistence of the players.
The persistence of the fans.
They had become each other’s faith since a long time ago.
Lu Feng got up and bowed to all the applause.
On the holographic projection, the lone wolf from three years ago disappeared, and the king who’d been reborn was left standing on the stage.
He stood tall amidst the splendor and looked towards the warmth up ahead.
Lu Feng’s gaze landed on Wei Xiao’s position.
He couldn’t see Wei Xiao in the darkness, but he could sense him.
Like the scorching sun shining in the sky, giving off infinite glory.
He was there.
Tears burst from his eyes. Wei Xiao knew that the camera was coming, but he couldn’t hold back his tears at all.
Fortunately, Bai Cai was crying even harder than he was.
When the director shifted the cameras over and showed these two big boys crying like this, the scrolling comments that had blown up the screen changed focus, from ‘Close is badass’, to ‘FTW is badass’.
It was no longer just Close.
It was really no longer just Close.
The perfect ending for the past was now the best note with which to start up a new movement!
xiin: i think i forgot to post yesterday 
I’m crying…. happy tears…😭
Close is badass! FTW is badass! All my babies are badass!
Thanks for the chapter. ♡
I’m crying T^T Close has come a very long way and he’s not alone anymore. He has FTW. I’m so proud of him. 😭
Thank you for the chapter! 😭 I’m crying too. 😭
Close badass!
FTW badass!!!
thabk u sm fpr the chaptee! 😭😭😭
Wait– no– it replied💀💀💀💀💀
It’s okay. I made the same mistake just a while ago in the new chapter. 💀
… TT~TT…
*moves to a corner
*pulls up a large banner and various blankets:’) Crying corner open for business! From bawling, to comfort (virtual) hugs, to comfort blankets, get a spot now! Don’t need to find your own lonely corner and just join us now! (TT▼TT)/∽
I’m joining I’m squishy just hug me TT^TT
AH FTW IS BADASS LUNATIC WEIWEI NEEDS KISSES AND HUGS FROM HIS CAPTAIN 😭😭😭
AH I AGREE, KISSES AND HUGS FOR LITTLE WEI XIAO-
But also, here’s the promised hugs- *squeezes raeyu while tearing up
🥺😭😭
Thank you for the chapter ❤️
Thanks for the chapter ♥️♥️
i think i forgot to breath and just cry my eyes out like Wei Xiaoxiao and Caicai. T^T
Close’s infinite Glory is Wei Xiao 😭