[TS] The Return of The Gamer - Chapter 193

According to Baek Seong-an's explanation, the promotion/relegation tournament preliminary round begins with single-game matches between three teams in each group, and the teams that advance in first place from each group then compete in a best-of-three series to determine the winning team of each group.

The two teams that ultimately win in groups A and B advance to the main round of the 2nd Division League promotion/relegation tournament.

In other words, the bracket is as follows.

According to the staff and Baek Seong-an, the tournament should have been held in a normal tournament format, but this change occurred because the number of teams participating in the preliminary round far exceeded the planned number.

Only two teams out of the twelve teams participating in the preliminary round will be selected in just one day...

Naturally, the schedule is tight.

"What, are the group matches single games?"

"I think so? Total of two games per team, so winning both guarantees advancement, and if there's a 1-1 tie, the team that won their game faster will advance?"

"…So, if you lose just one game, you're out?"

"Ugh…"

Perhaps that's why.

Shadows fell upon the faces of the players participating in the promotion/relegation tournament preliminary round.

If all the games were best-of-three or best-of-five, and the results were based on skill, there would have been no complaints, but the single-game format meant that even teams confident in their skills had a high probability of being eliminated.

'…Hmm.'

To be honest, I thought the treatment was too harsh, but there was nothing I could do.

Time is limited, and it's usually difficult to invest a lot of resources in the 2nd Division League promotion/relegation preliminary round.

Naturally, this is the limit.

'More importantly…'

The concerns that Baek Seong-an mentioned earlier.

The things other teams are worried about right now are no exception for us.

Only one team out of three in the group preliminary round advances in first place, and they have to play another best-of-three series to finally advance to the main round of the promotion/relegation tournament.

The problem is the group preliminary round.

A total of three teams play each other once in a single-game format, playing a total of two matches each.

If you win both games, there's no problem.

You've won against the other two teams, so it's only natural to advance in first place in the group.

A 2-loss record also isn't a problem.

Because the losers don't have much to say.

The problem is a 1-1 record.

Losing one game out of a total of two matches isn't that rare.

But what if the three teams tie with a 1-1 record against each other?

Instead of a rematch, the team among the three with a 1-1 record that finished their game faster advances.

In other words, in this preliminary round, you have to play the game with the consideration of both winning the game quickly and losing the game as late as possible, regardless of winning or losing.

“…We'll have to go with a tight ban/pick from the start.”

"That's right. We shouldn't think about losing in the first place, but since there's an 'if,' we have to."

It's finally hitting me now.

The fact that I am standing on a cliff, where I fall off if I make a single misstep.

No, in the first place, those who dream of being pros must walk across such a cliff.

"Are we… not going to be eliminated?"

"It hasn't even started yet, what are you talking about."

I said that, but I also knew what Kim Jae-min's anxiety was.

"Don't worry. We'll advance."

Even so, I say it.

We will be the winners today.

As someone who has the title of team owner, how could I show signs of worry?

"...Then, whatever. We'll take the bus."

"Yeah. I'll carry you all."

The tension of the team members relaxed.

It was then.

"OLZ? Is anyone from OLZ here?"

"Ah, here!"

"Group A, Match 1. Please get ready."

"Yes!"

The full-fledged preliminary round began.

*

Group A, Match 1.

The teams in our group are QS Ulsan and TBW (TEAM Blood Warriors).

They are teams that have been active in various tournaments, such as amateur tournaments and the Presidential Esports Tournament.

In other words, they are teams that are, in their own right, considered to be mid-level among amateur teams.

"Ugh, damn…"

"We're screwed."

Nevertheless, they sat down with sour expressions, as they ended up in the same group as us.

Though it's not something I should say myself, our team has been receiving attention, even before the promotion/relegation tournament preliminary round, and has some recognition.

However,

Unfortunately, the fact that our opponents are wary of us isn't good news.

Depending on the situation, there's a possibility that the opposing team will use a "give and take" strategy, trying to buy time when facing us.

'If we win both games, we won't need to worry about that…'

It's not that I lack confidence.

However, the tension is still unavoidable.

"Hey, noona."

"Why?"

Kim Jae-min, who had been watching the situation, came up and asked with an innocent face.

"Are we a strong team?"

I almost burst out laughing at the absurdity.

'But at this point...'

I guess it's right to say something that boosts my confidence.

"Our team is definitely strong. You know who we scrimmed with, right?"

"Umm. Is that so?"

"We're good. Have confidence."

"Then, whatever… Yes!"

I turned my gaze to look at the other team members.

Baek Seong-an looked a bit tired, but he didn't seem particularly nervous.

It seemed like he was getting started a little late, as the preliminary round was starting in earnest.

And Kim Ji-hoon was just indifferent as usual.

Even for Kim Ji-hoon, this preliminary round wouldn't be without tension, but he's bad at showing his emotions or something...

Finally, Seo Yeon-woo was somewhat strange.

'Hmm.'

On the outside, she's the same as usual.

Even if she seemed a little tired, yawning from time to time, it was at a level that was easy to understand.

But…

"Seo Yeon-woo."

"...Yes?"

"Don't worry too much."

What I wanted to say, what came out of my mouth was just this.

'I really... can't do this kind of thing.'

It's a feeling that my hands and feet are curling up.

"…Yes."

It wasn't a cool answer.

Still, this much was enough.

"Okay."

I know that Seo Yeon-woo has been acting strange lately.

Still, because she's the teammate I chose.

I trust Seo Yeon-woo.

If I can't trust my teammate, who will?

And…

"Everyone, please get ready."

The preliminary round started in earnest.

*

Due to the tight schedule, the preliminary round will proceed simultaneously depending on the group.

In short, our team will also have to play a match right away.

"Please get ready within 5 minutes."

The equipment we brought was only a keyboard, mouse, and mousepad.

Of course, since the conditions were the same for the other teams, there was nothing to complain about.

Even some players used the equipment they found in the PC cafe.

"Wow, this guy really didn't bring a mouse. You're really going to use the one here?"

"I usually go to this PC cafe."

"No, even so…"

"It's fine."

Some may say there's a lack of professionalism, but there are also players who aren't very particular about their equipment...

'Even though I don't understand.'

Our first opponent is QS Ulsan.

Since it's a single-game format, the sides will be decided by a coin toss for fairness.

"Heads is OLZ, tails is QS Ulsan. Everyone, please look. Heads is the picture, tails is the number. Please check."

"Yes, I've checked."

"Me too."

"Then I'll flip it."

A five-hundred won coin spun in the air,

and fell to the PC cafe floor.

"The picture, heads."

Heads came up.

At least the luck was with us.

"...Nice."

"We got lucky."

"Then, let's go as planned."

"Okay."

The side we chose was blue.

The bottom side.

"Then, let's start right away."

OLZ vs QS Ulsan.

The full-fledged ban/pick began.

["…What bans should we do?"]

["Hmm, looking at their previous records, their mid and jungle are strong. Should we cut Ju-i first? Is that okay?"]

"Yes."

["I'm fine with it too."]

And…

The ban/pick was complete.

+

[OLZ / QS Ulsan]

Top: Graves / Renekton

Jungle: Lee Sin / Elise

Mid: Twisted Fate / Sylas

ADC: Miss Fortune / Jhin

Support: Thresh / Leona

+

["As you all know, game time is also quite important. But don't be too hasty. Calmly. Got it?"]

["Yes, yes."]

["Understood."]

["…Yes."]

I said to the team members.

"Don't worry. I'll carry you all."

["We trust you, noona."]

"Yeah, just trust me."

["Oh, look at Lee Yu-jin's confidence."]

"...Don't make fun of me."

["I wasn't making fun of you."]

I said it out loud, but my face was burning.

-Welcome to Summoner's Rift!

The start was smooth.

Early invades also give a chance to end the game quickly, but on the other hand, they also carry the risk of ending quickly.

Since it's a situation where everyone is standing on the edge of a cliff, both QS Ulsan and us went through the early game defending each other's invades.

Just when everyone expected a smooth start.

["Got them."]

Seo Yeon-woo's calm voice rang out briefly,

-First Blood!

-An enemy has been slain!

The top lane of the lawless land has returned.