Chapter 53
Chapter 53
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 53
Chapter Title: Master League Finals
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Master League Finals.
The season finale on Friday evening wasn't held at the usual Master League arena, but at the massive stadium where the LOCK league matches took place.
"True! True! True!"
"ST fighting!"
"Milky Way fighting!"
"Let's goooo!"
The player lounge underground in the stadium's stands echoed with a roar incomparable to the Master League arena.
"...And that's only about half the volume?"
Plook's stunned expression captured the crowd's fervor perfectly.
"It's probably more than half, though."
From what I could tell, about two-thirds of the seats were filled.
Still, there was no need to feel disappointed that it wasn't sold out.
Considering that the regular Master League stands—1,000 seats—didn't always fill up completely during the regular season, the current crowd size was jaw-dropping.
In fact, just looking at these guys' reactions made it clear they were losing their minds.
"At least the atmosphere is home-game vibes, so that should be fine."
"Ever since Eun-seol showed up, when has it not been?"
"True."
"Then show some gratitude, you lot."
"Heh."
I chuckled and, as always, kicked my chair back and sprawled out flat.
"Still, it would've been nicer if it was packed. Kinda disappointing."
I had to train everyone except myself for the finals, which made it hit harder.
These were the first teammates I'd ever had in this life, after all. It'd break my heart if they went somewhere later and people said they won once thanks to someone and had been trophyless ever since.
So I wanted them to experience the thrill of victory in front of a huge crowd—and learn how to win.
And while I was at it, deal with that opponent who'd boldly challenged me to bring my A-game.
Whether he was a friend's brother or whatever, once you throw down in the pro scene, you answer in kind. That was just common sense.
I didn't care when he'd started Rock or how young he was.
'Besides, I'm younger.'
Seniors bullying juniors needed to be ground down properly for justice to prevail in the canyon.
Meanwhile, oblivious to my thoughts, the others were just as spaced out on the way from the dorms here as ever.
In other words, overflowing with nerves.
"What are you saying? We're already losing it."
"Wanna front and win... Carry bot..."
"If you're dead weight, just hop on the bus. I'll be the carry support."
The Hunter and bot duo were, predictably, suffering from finals jitters.
There wasn't some shortcut to throwing games; playing with that mindset naturally led there.
'...Tch.'
Milky Way was still last year's Master League champions, after all.
And with players who'd won in amateur leagues or Master League scattered throughout, they were probably more used to finals than us.
Looked like we'd need to carry hard early game.
Especially since Plook, who was always a constant aside from me, was totally zoned out.
"You alive?"
"No..."
"Told you not to eat spicy chicken stir-fried noodles for dinner."
"I didn't!"
"Not eating and still like this is even worse?"
"......"
Whether he knew how he looked to others or not, Plook rubbed his dark-circled eyes and ruffled his hair.
"Wanna nap now?"
"How? With the crowd cheering this loud."
"Here, borrow this?"
Still lying down, I subtly shook a certain spot with my hand. The guy got the hint and bolted to the corner of the lounge.
"Does Eun-seol seriously have zero tension?"
"Dunno. But it's hilarious anyway. Drink up."
The spoon duo—tools—were so used to my antics by now that they just enjoyed the routine Plook-roasting WWE.
It worked better the first time; after a few more pranks, the fun wore off.
Anyway.
I approached the guy huddled in the corner again.
I had no intention of calling him by his past life's nickname.
Since he'd given up the royal mid line, the compensation had to be solid.
"Listen. You've got one job today."
Remember this, and we wouldn't lose.
"Just smash 'em."
"...What?"
"Smash 'em."
That was all it took.
The two teams lined up at the stadium entrance.
A quick glance sideways showed even the Milky Way players weren't completely relaxed.
No matter how many finals they'd been to, a crowd this big was probably a first.
Players entered starting with top.
Once jungler took position, it was mid laner's turn.
I shot a glance at Envy, who'd provocatively challenged me, then stepped into the arena a beat ahead.
"Waaaaaah!"
"True! True!"
"Win today and take the championship!!!"
An overwhelming majority chanted my name.
Before splitting on stage, I smiled at Envy.
"You told me to show up, so let's have fun."
Of course, just me.
Which side starts in the finals is decided by the coaches' coin toss.
Our eternal emperor didn't chop off the enemy captain's head, but with "Toss" in his name, he flawlessly called heads or tails like an Azir ult and secured blue side.
"Stick to the plan."
We banned two mobile ADCs viable in the current patch and one OP pick first.
Milky Way pondered long but ultimately banned another aggressive jungler instead of the OP pick.
They knew their jungler excelled at smart play but not straight fights.
"Grab Jackson right away."
Jackson in the current patch was near-counterless in top—tough laning aside—and could bully even Grakas by rolling barrels from the side.
The rest of ban/pick went smoothly.
They took OP mid Aquila and Seju to check me; I picked Orianna.
The rest flowed standardly.
Both sides seemed prepared; no one had a clear edge.
Though with two of three lanes favoring us, Milky Way had a slight draft disadvantage.
Milky Way even picked tanky top Galleon to straight-up survive, and support took engage king Nautilus.
Ban/pick ended.
"Just do what we practiced."
"Safe play wins this comp."
"Let's go."
I added to my teammates' words in my ear.
"What are you saying?"
"......?"
"First set of finals, we smash 'em to start. Got it?"
Finals were about momentum.
Lose momentum, and nothing works.
With all those fans cheering us on, we couldn't squander the vibe we'd already locked in.