Translated by 🎏
Edited by apricot, @babyybluebear
Without a doubt, the ferocity of Xie He’s outburst blew everyone away.
The three from the Team of Gods were unfazed as they were well-aware of Xie He’s abilities. However, the audience were in shock as they had never seen Xie He display such skill even back at FTW.
EVE was shocked as well. From the two years that Xie He had been with them, they knew that he was strong, that he was powerful, and that his understanding of Glory was a solid step above theirs; yet they had never seen him like this.
But Echo had.
At that time, she had recently picked up this homeless wildcat.
In the mire, rooted in adversity, standing alone in a third-rate team, Xie He was like a serrated blade that tore past fiendish obstacles, refracting a dazzling transcendent light.
He, who was once a world champion and top-tier mid laner, had actually been reduced to being an accompanying player for a second-string team.
Despite the abject humiliation, the scrawny young man still showed formidable spirit. Within him, was a conviction to win despite the odds and a domineering spirit that held fast even as the canyon exploded around them. His obstinacy allowed him to keep his head up even when his dignity was trampled underfoot.
Echo was a businesswoman, so she acquired Xie He.
This diamond in the rough was dug up at an astronomical price that her father felt was unreasonable.
At that time, her father warned her, “His heart doesn’t belong here.”
Echo said, “The spirit of esports has no geographical borders.”
Her father scoffed and didn’t touch on it further.
And what was the result?
Xie He was indeed excellent. Her eye for talent was as sharp as ever.
Xie He also had sufficient commercial value that generated huge returns for EVE.
EVE, a powerhouse on the decline, went on to stabilise its position. Although it never won the World Tournament, the actual results each year were noteworthy, and EVE steadily gained more fans. They were just short of that one last step.
Xie He was loyal – this was something Echo understood.
Xie He wanted to go home – this was also something that Echo understood.
Countless times, Echo wondered if she should let him go.
It wasn’t until she witnessed today’s Xie He that the answer finally surfaced in her heart.
His loyalty was admirable but also a heavy shackle, a feeling that was as tender as it was painful.
Having just taken a double kill, Xie He was in peak condition.
The hidden prowess three years ago and the accumulated power three years since… erupted in this game and truly ignited Glory’s canyon.
Although Ning Zhehan and Bai Cai had just been killed, they did not feel the faintest vexation and were instead thoroughly impressed.
Xie He was so strong that even his opponents were struck with appreciation.
Wei Xiao, who was sweeping the jungle, said enviously, “Spectacular play.”
As expected, Close’s former teammates from the illustrious Team of Gods were each extraordinary players in their own right.
It was really a blessing to be able to fight freely against them!
The rhythm EVE set picked up. The mid laner was their power switch; the Immortal Warlock was holding the key to start the storm. From the moment he made a double kill, all of EVE initiated a fierce and sudden attack.
Smith, who had given away First Blood, wasn’t frustrated. On the contrary, his mind was even sharper than before. He was dedicated to the role he had to play – not to overreach for a kill but to reliably stall the Great Demon King. If he could keep him in the top lane, then he would have fulfilled most of his purpose.
The jungler CC and support Miller also began establishing a presence around the mid lane. They put down vision and defended the ancient beasts. Half of the resources in the jungle were given to Xie He for him to swiftly hit level 6.
Even Dunn who was chilling with Yue Wenle in the bottom lane started sticking his head out.
Yue Wenle wanted to beat him up, but they didn’t have vision in the bottom jungle so Wei Xiao simply reminded him, “I’m going mid.”
Yue Wenle calmed himself. He would be called reckless if he made a bold play and came out on top; but if he gave away a free kill, he would be ridiculed for throwing the game.
The Broken Rifle Thief that Wei Xiao was playing in this game limited his range and mobility a little.
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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Usually, the Broken Rifle Thief would be selected when the top laner was geared towards damage output or when the marksman needed a lot of farm.
This was because utility junglers could still perform well even without farm, unlike high-damage assassins who would end up like baby boys without items.
From the research that FTW’s coaching team did, the attributes of the Broken Rifle Thief were especially useful in a Shadow Thief-centred comp.
Likewise, Wei Xiao was well-versed with the talent’s strengths and understood the strategic comp, however…
Understanding it was one thing. Due to the natural weaknesses of this talent, he was unable to rashly take on the Immortal Warlock.
Watching Xie He decimate the field and leaving no way to salvage the situation made Wei Xiao feel unsettled, as if there were ants crawling over him.
By the time Wei Xiao rushed to the mid lane, Ning Zhehan and Bai Cai were both at half-health.
Seeing Wei Xiao arrive, Brother Cai loosened a breath of relief. “Among the three of us, we can definitely…”
Wei Xiao cut in. “Are you taking God Xie for a fool?”
Xie He wasn’t a fool, naturally. Even if he didn’t have vision, he could practically smell the fact that they had support.
Brother Cai instantly made the call. “Little Ning, go and bait!”
Little Ning: “Alrighty.”
He believed that he would be walking to his doom, but it wasn’t a bad trade-off if they could potentially off Xie He in exchange.
Wei Xiao stopped him, “Incoming!”
There was no need for Ning Zhehan to bait Xie He. The Immortal Warlock glided straight over, diving the tower with Connecting Clouds. He ignored Bai Cai and Wei Xiao and instead, rounded on Ning Zhehan.
Little Ning wailed, “Oh my god!”
Brother Cai dealt crowd control effects in a fervid rush, whereas Wei Xiao didn’t move. He stared past the Immortal Warlock and, sure enough… Miller poked his head out the very instant that Xie He dropped to the ground, slamming heals and defence buffs onto the Immortal Warlock with an intensity that matched Brother Cai.
Wei Xiao weighed up the situation. “We can’t take this fight.”
As though summoned by his words, CC appeared immediately after, intercepting the path with a Ground Stab. He was intent on ganking Ning Zhehan under the tower.
It was a good thing that the Spirit Mage rolled away swiftly or else he would have long been cleaved into half by a swordlike cloud.
Wei Xiao stayed out of vision and slipped into EVE’s top jungle to hurriedly steal a wave of minions whilst the clash was playing out in the mid lane.
This sneaky little ploy gave the livestream whiplash. “Can’t take the fight but can take the walk. Gotta seize opportunities as they come, whatever the form.”
“Little Lunatic Wei is able to advance and retreat; topping and bottoming Quiet-ly.”
“You made a typo in the previous comment.”
“Hehe, I’m not a single word off.”
Wei Xiao didn’t try to intervene. Little Ning didn’t have enough combat ability and the three from EVE were still in prime condition. Brother Cai’s massive club was whacking thin air. If he went in, he wouldn’t be attempting a 1v3 but would only end up getting massacred.
Wasn’t it lovely to be alive? Why should he offer his head for the taking?
So, he went about stealing resources instead.
With the constant pressure on the mid lane, FTW was put in a tight spot.
Fortunately, the Great Demon King tore open another gaping gash, killing Smith in the top lane again!
Smith’s mental state was crumbling. Despite playing a tanky Divine Warrior with high defence, he kept getting killed by the Shadow Thief.
Xie He: “Switch lanes.”
Smith: “!”
Anyone who heard this command would definitely be thrown off. What, huh, what do you mean switch?
Did he mean for mid and top to switch lanes?
But Smith wasn’t taken aback. He was merely a little relieved and more than happy to make the switch. Forget switching lanes, he wouldn’t even mind switching seats, say from the stage to the substitute bench.
In this manner, the Shadow Thief and the Immortal Warlock, who had each been fighting in separate battles, finally met.
A showdown between a level 10 Shadow Thief and a level 11 Immortal Warlock who were evenly matched in farm and items would be decided by skill.
Nobody would dare belittle this Immortal Warlock who had overcome the class’ natural weaknesses with brute force.
Of course, everyone was also fired up with anticipation for the Shadow Thief. They wanted to see who would come out on top in a clash between these two god-tier players.
It wasn’t just the audience who had gotten serious. Yuan Ze, who had been reclining in a gaming chair, also straightened up some.
Kim Sung-hyun’s lips were tightly pursed, and his eyes didn’t even blink.
On the flip side, Yan Jiang, who had kept his composure throughout, shifted his line of sight. Not to look at the viewing screen but towards the pro player seats – but none were privy to who he was looking at.
The Shadow Thief and Immortal Warlock collided head-on!
The two dished out a spectrum of abilities. The Immortal Warlock, who had a level advantage, dealt astonishing damage. Even the evasiveness of the Shadow Thief couldn’t prevent his HP from dropping to less than half health.
Most importantly, Xie He’s damage immunity repelled one of the shadow attack marks, interrupting Close’s Light Arcs. Conversely, Thousand Cloud Layers was set in place and ready to go.
Close used a movement command in the opposite direction to swiftly gain some distance so that he would be at the outer range of Thousand Cloud Layers. If it did come down, the damage wouldn’t be sufficient to kill him.
Strangely, Xie He also stopped.
Just when Thousand Cloud Layers was about to land, he actually prolonged the ability’s interval, rushing forward after Close stopped and adjusting the direction of the attack.
At this angle… Close had nowhere to dodge!
The way things were going, would the first battle between them have an outcome soon?
Was Close going to be felled by the Thousand Cloud Layers?
Like sparks flying from steel and flint, a scene that made everyone’s eyes glaze over appeared.
A long rifle abruptly darted from the bushes, immediately followed by the Broken Rifle Thief who was as robust as a cheetah!
With a pop, Wei Xiao unleashed his ultimate ability Rising From the Earth and dealt a sudden headshot on the Immortal Warlock.
Xie He visibly jolted.
In a split second, Close abruptly advanced. He delivered a critical hit from behind, his crimson blade slitting the Immortal Warlock’s throat.
Xie He had astonishing reaction speed. Even in a pincer situation, he actually found the leeway to dodge. He was all poised to retaliate with Thousand Cloud Layers to clinch a double kill…
The second stage of the Broken Rifle Thief’s Rising From the Earth took effect and incidentally dislodged Xie He’s footing.
Xie He’s Connecting Clouds was interrupted, and Cloudy Vista vanished in a twinkling.
“Fuck!” The livestream chat erupted. “Are you for real!”
Off-stage, Yuan Ze’s lips twitched: “……”
Kim Sung-hyun: “…………”
Yan Jiang’s lips also curved imperceptibly.
Coach Echo, who was feeling nostalgic: “……………………”
Whatever happened to the agreed showdown between old teammates? Why did a little lunatic suddenly materialise in the middle!
Whatever happened to the agreed solo to determine the victor? Since when had Close learned to call for reinforcements!
It wasn’t just the audience. Even Xie He was startled.
However, Close didn’t have any qualms in plunging a blade through the Immortal Warlock’s heart, demonstrating his growth through action: “This is a team game.”
System announcement –
FTW.Close killed EVE.xiehe.
Close shut down Xie He’s killing spree!
The tide had reversed!
The lead that Xie He’s powerful attack had gained EVE was wrestled back by Lu Feng and Wei Xiao fighting in unity.
FTW ushered in a new rhythm.
The top outer tower was destroyed. The freed Shadow Thief and Broken Rifle Thief became a pair of Siamese twins, and Ning Zhehan and Bai Cai who had been trapped in the mid lane also staged a comeback. Finally, the four of them banded together to burn, kill, and loot EVE.
President Le began pushing the lane on both fronts, building up allied minion waves whilst feasting on enemy minion waves, becoming strong and sturdy.
Some had the mind to check out Yue Wenle’s items and got a shock.
Look at this marksman!
Let him loose him and even the tankiest talent on EVE wouldn’t be able to survive a single bullet from him.
FTW was like a breath of fresh air in the later half of the game.
The three from the Team of Gods watched on solemnly as they followed the game with rapt attention.
This wasn’t a one-man war but a cohesive team play.
Close’s Shadow Thief no longer stole the spotlight. Rather, none were able to avert their gazes from FTW as a whole.
The halo was no longer concentrated on a single person but now shone on all the five people on the field.
Ning Zhehan, Yue Wenle, Bai Cai, Wei Xiao, and Lu Feng.
It wasn’t the growth of one, but the stunning transformation of a team.
Xie He who had dominated the field through his own power could not breach the bastion of iron that the five of them formed.
FTW’s teamwork delighted the whole stadium.
The five of them moved together like a well-oiled machine.
What should be and had to be done was understood by the whole team without need for communication.
The Shadow Thief dealt the damage, and Yue Wenle didn’t mind pushing the lanes.
Ning Zhehan popped up to shave away some health, and Wei Xiao swept away opponents when he appeared.
And Brother Cai’s Giant Shaman was like an impregnable wall that stood firmly before his teammates, courageous in the face of death!
Step by step they turned the tide, diminishing EVE’s lead and then finally overtaking them.
Like a bucket of cold water, the momentum that Xie He had established in the opening was more than half gone.
He stared at the darkened screen, frozen as chaos ran through his mind.
Close.
Little Close.
FTW.
The new FTW.
An indescribable emotion surged in his heart, raising goosebumps on Xie He’s arms and chills down his spine. He saw a figure that was rooted to the spot, trapped on an island, unwilling to take a step forward.
– He had believed that to be Close.
– Was it actually himself?
He needed a full forty seconds to respawn.
That was it. Xie He slumped in the gaming chair like a body without a soul.
Until familiar yet unfamiliar voices came through his headset.
It was EVE’s internal team chat, the voices of his teammates.
CC’s Mandarin was awkward, but he spoke clearly. “Don’t be afraid.”
There was a prickling sensation running across Xie He’s scalp, as though a jolt of electricity had zapped through him.
Miller also spoke in Mandarin, “We’re still here.”
Xie He’s whole body stiffened, and only his eyes flickered minutely towards the people beside him.
@babyybluebear: He doesn’t know if he has the courage to reach out a hand, as if weights were holding him down. (Don’t ask, I just had some feels after reading this chapter lol.)
thanks for the chapter! echo’s such a sweet character 😭
thanks for the update 😊
Thanks for the chapters. Man Xie He made me tear up 😭 🤧 at the end there.
bastard 😭😭😭 this is truly the best esport novel I’ve ever read. so good that I hope this novel can be made into a drama 😭😭😭🫶
all the players, from the main character to the supporters, they all have their own story which is truly extraordinary..
they struggle together, fall together, and grow stronger together 😭😭😭😭
Magical old FTM meets powerful new FTW..
i don’t know how many times i cried in some parts.
that’s really damn very touching 😭😭🫶
299 CHAPTER. It’s long, but I really enjoyed every chapter.
I truly love my crazy little Wei Xiao. full vitamin source of this novel. her character is truly a true masterpiece 😭😭😭🫶
closed. one name. million surprises.. crazy crazy.. I want to love him, but also adore him at the same time.
they both are really crazy couple 😭😭🫶
Captain Yan. Our crazy yuan. Gentle Flower Kim. Our pitiful God Xie. Our goofy bai cai vegetables, and our humble Ning and Yue duo..
Pro Team, L&P, Y1. RR. 3U. EVE and of course our FTW..
every team has its own story. and i really love all their stories.
this is really masterpiece..
you should read it..
thanks to the author of this great work..
and thank you for the translator who has allowed us to know this story..
weloveyouu and thankyouu 😭😭
This novel gives all the feels, I tear up at how in-tune Echo is with Xie He’s feelings, I tear up at how Close finally has someone to rely on, I tear up as FTW stands together, unstoppable, I am just quietly crying all over the place, don’t mind me.