Chapter 184: Late Change (3)
"Anyway, the other caster is connecting right now."
As soon as he finished his sentence, another screen popped up. It was the analyst with the red sunglasses.
"Ahem. Do you really need to take a look at it with your own eyes?"
"Isn't it more fun for us when we cast real matches and watch the teams practice anyway?"
"That's right."
The analyst looked like he wasn't too pleased with the situation, but continued with the stream without saying much.
"Hey everyone, the analyst isn't used to regular internet streams like this. Please understand even if he's a little awkward."
Du-dum.
Meanwhile, Almond's team practice match began. Ten players gathered and started getting ready for their champ selection.
"Mr. Analyst, what do you think will happen during the champ select?"
"Well, I'm not sure. During the practice match, it's hard to predict because anything could get banned. They probably won't try to ban out Almond."
"Ah, why? Are you underestimating him again?"
— LOL, this guy's making fun of him again
— Because it's impossible!
— Poor analyst…
"Ah... It's not that. It's because it's hard to keep him locked down. The other teammates are quite strong as well. And the player Almond is facing today is a Master-tier player. It's the leader of Green Tea Bagging."
"That's right. That is something different."
"It's true he beat StrawberryShooter in a one-on-one, but LIL is not a one-on-one game. We'll be able to see if Almond can beat a Master tier in a real LIL match. Their support is Platinum as well, so the difference is quite large."
"Alright. So you're saying they're going to try and suppress the bottom lane with pure skill and try to ban out the upper lanes, correct?"
"Yes. I feel like they'll use one ban on Tako and use the rest of the bans on mid. Nobody talked about it, but Miho did very well last game."
"Ah, that's right. There were even talks of it being ForeverAlone's hard counter."
"Luckily, the avatar resembled her real self... at least that's why I think she was able to do well."
"Ahahaha! The champ selection is about to begin. Alright, let's see the first ban..."
The champ selection phase went by quickly. It was just as the analyst predicted. The enemy team banned Succubus - Sitri and didn't ban any of Almond's champions.
"Ah, then will he pull out Raina?"
The first thing OrangeKing thought of was Raina. The analyst agreed with him as well.
"If he's not going to practice a new champion, I feel like he'll bring out Raina as well. Spamming her during the practice so the enemy bans her during real matches is also a good strategy."
"Yes, that's right. Unless he's so confident in her that he doesn't need to practice her during the practice match... but we won't know if it's left open, right?"
"That's right. Even if he's confident, he might need a little bit of practice before the actual match. He'll probably play her."
The viewers were impressed by the quick and efficient casting.
— Wow, look at them talk
— Isn't this a practice match? It's so professional, LOL
— This is thanks to the two of them colliding…
Green Tea Bagging's leader and ADC, GreenTea, picked his champion.
[Sana: Light's Melody]
"ADC GreenTea took Sana?!"
"Ah. It's not one of his main champions, but he's pretty confident with her, right?"
"That's right. She's a great champion."
"I heard Almond is quite good with Sana as well. I'm excited to see what answer he'll have for her."
"If it's Sana, I think he really does need to use Raina. Raina's instantaneous damage is massive because she's so quick."
"It really depends on the player, but once Raina starts dealing damage, she's no joke."
"Yes, that's why she has so many fans and one-tricks."
"I'm getting more excited the more I hear about Almond's Raina."
Even the analyst who criticized Almond was excited about his Raina. However, the pick they expected didn't come out.
"Huh...?"
A white light shone behind Almond.
[The Pure Sniper - Ran]
"Ran?"
"Is there any reason he'd pick Ran before practicing Raina?"
"Is he really going to pick Ran?"
Slam!
With a loud slam, Ran's blue eyes opened up. It meant Almond had confirmed picking Ran.
***
There was a problem when Almond promised to play with one hand. He could play as Flashy Blade with one hand, but it was difficult to find an ADC that he could play with one hand.
'Ran is playable with one hand.'
There were probably other options as well, but Ran was the champion that immediately came to mind. He picked Ran for now since he couldn't reveal Flashy Blade just yet.
'Sucks that I couldn't pick Raina.'
He felt a sting in his chest knowing Raina would be upset, but he couldn't do anything. Raina was impossible to play with one hand. What about Ran on the other hand? Ran's skills changed direction from where the summoner looked at. It was possible to play him using one hand even though it wouldn't be as accurate.
"Ah! Ran? Ran is confirmed!"
[The game is starting!]
It had been a while since OrangeKing looked this happy.
"Ah, picking Ran is unexpected. It's as if he's saying... he doesn't need to practice Raina, right?"
The analyst laughed as well.
"Well, we surely didn't expect this. It's like telling the other team you're not worthy of my Raina!"
Almond didn't pick his main champion despite the option being available. He didn't even though it was a good opportunity to pick her. This was a clear sign of confidence. To those who didn't know the situation, it looked like that.
"Of course, this is only possible because this is a practice match, not a real match."
"It would've been a lot more exciting if it was an actual match. This is why I like players like him."
— He's playing favorites so openly, LOL.
— Hey, no playing favorites!
— OrangeKing wants the unexpected to happen
— He's obsessed with underdogs…
"What do you mean playing favorites? This tournament is just for fun. Don't get too serious."
— Yeah wtf, it's for fun
— OrangeKing has the most fun with it
— Life is games to him…
"Huh?!"
OrangeKing got up from his seat.
— This guy changes the topic as soon as we talk about him.
— He's forcing it.
— Are you trying to get out of this??
"No, it's not that. Green Tea Bagging is moving strangely."
"Oh..."
The analyst was intrigued as well.
"They're invading."
Commonly referred to as invading, that was when all five players hid in a bush as soon as the game began. Normally in LIL, the players would go to their respective lanes at the start. If the opponent didn't properly prepare for the invasion, the allied jungler would have no choice but to die.
"These invades are very risky, especially if they fail."
"Maybe they're practicing a strategy for the tournament?"
"Right now, the bottom lane and the jungler are in danger. Almond, StrawberryShooter, and Takoyaki are completely unaware."
"They don't even know that five people are hiding in the bush beside them?!"
"Because normally they don't come that deep!"
There were various types of invades in the game. Some focused on minimizing risks and attempting to gain an advantage while others aimed to maximize risks and delve deeper into enemy territory. In the latter case, the team that attempted the invasion could fall behind if they failed. This was because they started the game without gaining significant experience and gold from the incoming minions.
The timing was crucial in invasions. The most important aspect was the timing of when to engage or initiate the invasion. Green Tea Bagging seemed to be opting for an aggressive invasion strategy where they invested their time and resources early on to secure an advantage and determine the game's outcome.
"Should we listen to their voice chat?"
"Yes, it'll be fun."
The casters turned on Green Tea Bagging's team voice chat.
“Hey, hey. They're coming,” GreenTea whispered excitedly.
“They're top and mid isn't here.”
“How would they predict this crazy tactic.”
There was even some giggling and someone was about to burst out laughing.
"Ah, I know what that feels like. When you're invading and the other team doesn't know, it's hilarious. Even during the finals, I couldn't hold back my laughter."
— For real
— It's the best feeling.
— It's hilarious when the prey has no idea.
"Of course, the analyst has no experience laughing in the finals. That's the pro mindset."
— You're so mean
— Because he's never been!
— Damn
— Indeed, he's never laughed or been there.
— Critical hit!
"Ahem. The jungle monster is about to come out. Almond and Takoyaki are going to start hitting it to leash it."
Leash was when the allies helped out the jungler at the start of the game by hitting the monsters. Normally, the bottom lane helped them out. They tanked the monster and helped the jungler's attack to make it more efficient.
“Raaaawwr!”
The large monster was about to hit Takoyaki, but Green Tea Bagging still hadn't come out.
"Ah...? They're still not coming out?"
"Wow. Does that mean they're aiming for all three!?"
"I think they will reveal themselves when the monster is about to die! It's going to be chaos!"
The longer they waited, the longer it took them to go to their respective lanes. If the invasion failed, it was over for Green Tea Bagging.
"But there's almost no chance they'll fail this because the other team is completely unaware."
Bzzt.
GreenTea sent out a command.
“Go!”
OrangeKing shrieked in excitement, "T-They're moving!"
The biggest, gigantic machine charged forward.
Slam!
It swung its greatsword and slammed it on the ground, lifting the enemy players into the air.
“Kugh!”
“W-What the!?”
Panic could be heard in their voices as StrawberryShooter and Takoyaki flew in the air.
“Alright! Kill them all!!!”
“Slice them apart!”
The gigantic machine swung its greatsword.
Slaaam!
StrawberryShooter, who was in the very front, was hit. The jungle monster they were attacking was stolen by Green Tea Bagging's jungler. The gold and experience points were both taken away.
“Hit them back! Hit them back!”
“Hit back even a little!”
StrawberryShooter swung his beastly claws, but only barely grazed the enemy’s HP. In the end, he died from the shadow arrow shot by Sana.
“Ah…”
Takoyaki couldn't dodge his fate either.
Thwack!
He fell as Sana's arrow struck him on the head.
[GreenTea double kill!]
The most dangerous player on the team earned a double kill. Thankfully, there was still a player who remained alive.
"Oh, but Almond reacted quickly and stayed alive!?"
"What a clean reaction! The attack came from the bushes as well."
"That's right... but is there anything he can do in a 1 vs. 5 situation right now?"
"If he can stall Green Tea Bagging... then maybe?"
"Will they let him?"
"Ah... They're giving up on killing Almond and going back home. This is dangerous for Balloon Stars!"
"That's right."
"Huh!? But Almond! He's chasing them! He has a fully charged mana arrow!"
"H-He's chasing this?"
Just like OrangeKing said, Almond's hand was radiating with white energy.
Bzzzt...!
He aimed at the enemy trying to retreat.
'With my left hand.'
However, he wasn't aiming like with a bow. Instead, it looked like a short handgun.
[Discharge]
Tang!
Almond's left hand flailed upward.