Season 2: Chapter 200: Caught You! (2)
The Avatar of LIL was a show organized by the Police Corporation and boasted some distinction. Given the situation, they aimed to protect the privacy of numerous unspecified users featured in the broadcast by obscuring player IDs. A setting existed among the broadcast options where only the champion’s name and not the user's nickname would be shown.
Naturally, player faces were also set to appear merely as the champions themselves. While this protected the users' privacy, the whereabouts of the supporter who enthusiastically attempted to troll that day became clear. Unlike typical trolling situations, imposing a proper punishment later as the game continued was difficult.
[Troll of The Avatar of LIL Pumpkin exposed lol]
However, one of the viewers watching the broadcast managed to identify him.
— Time for a lesson
— Have your dinner in hell tonight, Pumpkin lol
— lol If I meet him, I'm throwing the game immediately
Viewers flocked to the community post hoping Pumpkin would be educated.
— But there's not much we can do lol
— So what if we find him...
— Only criminals would be happy in Korea
└ Talking like that after just one thrown game lol
└ What criminal? lol
Their only option was to send hateful messages, and even that would be futile if the party in question changed their nickname.
"Would educating him make the broadcast more popular?" the producer murmured and Ju-Hyeok heard him.
'Would the broadcast become more popular? Why worry about that?'
The Avatar of LIL was, in fact, guaranteed to attract viewers. As a program that officially introduced new champions from Police, it naturally attracted a vast audience of LIL players.
Of course, videos simply showcasing skills had a higher viewership. However, those seeking a deeper understanding or more entertainment would always watch this show.
Hence, they didn't really have much choice. Why worry about the show’s popularity?
As if hearing his thoughts, the producer and a writer nearby began to talk.
"Indeed, these days... there are too many videos introducing such things... do we need something like that?"
"Yeah. Wouldn't shorts like for more education sell well?"
"Right. Our format's become a bit outdated. It'd be good to have something to draw attention even if it's through shorts."
So that was it. Ju-Hyeok understood immediately. With easy-to-watch and lighter introduction videos spreading all over YouTube, The Avatar of LIL's competitiveness had declined.
"But how do we educate them? Forcing it might make it weird."
"Yeah. It's tricky. We needed proper trolling for that. Our current format is a five member team match, so we won't find another one like him."
Ju-Hyeok watched the broadcast screen for a moment. OrangeKing, the host, and a few staff members were currently playing in this format as a five member team.
As a five member team, the opponents also had the same numbers. In a five vs five team match, there was no room for trolls. Everyone already knew each other. How could intentional trolling exist?
'Expecting another troll is unreasonable.'
Even if Almond specialized in producing trolls, it would be Almond's fault if someone ended up trolling in such a situation.
'Educating that guy from earlier would be the best, right?' Ju-Hyeok pondered.
Not being a gamer himself, he wasn't fully aware of the grievous actions of that supporter named Pumpkin.
Ju-Hyeok merely joined in hopes that the broadcast would be successful.
'Ah.'
Something sparked in his mind.
"Excuse me..."
He approached the producer to speak.
"Yes?"
"True education. It might be possible."
Hearing this unexpected suggestion, the PD's eyes widened in surprise.
'The guy who came as Almond's manager.'
It was unusual for a manager to offer an opinion since this was typically the job of broadcast writers. However, it wasn't entirely unheard of. Suggestions from those outside the industry claiming to have a few ideas seldom worked out.
"… How?" the PD asked out of formality.
He felt intrigued by this manager's enthusiastic expression and didn’t expect much.
***
The second test for the new champion would be conducted with a team of five. This was to see how the champion named Sori could be utilized in team compositions. It was a more meaningful test than solo rank.
OrangeKing had planned the composition and also participated.
It wasn't just about playing as a five member team. The production team also recruited players to compete against the composition they were testing. Essentially, this meant inviting another guest. Of course, they didn’t come to the shooting location, but appeared online.
"Alright. The betting will start soon. The guest plays a crucial role, right?"
Typically, this guest was either a professional gamer or someone with professional experience.
— Yeah
— If they bring some nonsensical player, we can't win lol
— Who is it?
"It's Popcorn!"
Dundun.
Cheap sound effects played as clips of Popcorn's professional plays appeared on the screen.
“Victory! It's a win at Worlds!!!” the caster's resounding shout was accompanied by the scene of players lifting the trophy.
Next to it were flashes of Popcorn's pro days.
— Legit legend
— Is this even balanced???
— He's been resting too long, lost his touch lol
— He's Master tier now lol
— Wow, can’t believe this is real
Of course, Popcorn hadn't maintained the same skill level as his glory days. He only played two more seasons after his Worlds win, and that too in the American league. He had already made enough money to enjoy life after retirement.
Rumor had it that he was preparing to start a food truck business, a dream he had since he was young.
“Ah. Ah. Hello.”
Popcorn's voice came through the voice chat.
"Wow, Mr. Popcorn. It's been a while. How have you been? Have you started the food truck?"
“Ah. The launch is right around the corner. I came here to advertise that.”
— lol
— So blatant lol
— lol
"Really? Do you sell popcorn?"
“Unfortunately, it's not that simple. I sell Cuban sandwiches. I really enjoyed them while I was active in the US. They're almost nonexistent in Korea.”
— During his salary looting days lol
— Not just the salary, he also stole the recipe?
— Great patriot, brought over dollars and the recipe
— lol...
“Hakuna Matata! Please come and visit! Starting from Yeouido!”
"Ah, got it!"
The host cut off Popcorn's plug.
"Did you hear that? A former champion food truck owner vs. a commentator and streamer. Who will win? To everyone watching live, the betting is open. OrangeKing is number one! Popcorn is number 2~~"
Indeed, betting was introduced for this matchup.
— Food truck owner hiding his power lol 222
— Imagine finding out the food truck owner you frequent is a World Champion!? lol Definitely 2~
— 11
— I believe in the nuts 1111
— 22222
— Number 2
The chat seemed evenly split between one and two.
"Wow. People are honest when points are on the line, huh?"
"Ahaha. I know we have a lot of Almond viewers here. Isn't this too much?"
However, the voting situation wasn't even close. Number two was overwhelmingly favored.
[1: 9%]
[2: 91%]
The reason was obvious. Although OrangeKing had crafted the team composition and had a high understanding of LIL and Almond was an excellent player, facing a team that included a former pro who dominated at Worlds was daunting.
— No matter what, you can't beat Popcorn lol
– -How can you win with a new champion released today
— Definitely 2
— But Popcorn's skills are really at Diamond level now
— I'm betting on 1 for the upset.
"Wow. These people are voting without even hearing our team composition?" OrangeKing expressed his frustration.
The host brought him back to reality.
"Yes. If they heard it, maybe you guys wouldn't have even gotten 1%."
— lol for real
— Always bringing trash variety show compositions lol
— lol
— lol
"Ah. Everyone, you must know this. Only OrangeKing has a ban card. There's no way for them to counter our composition."
The purpose was to experiment with compositions, so it wouldn't make sense if the opposing team could ban their key picks. That was why this rule was introduced.
However, OrangeKing could ban the opponent’s picks for balance reasons.
"You need to know this before voting!"
The host tried to even out the betting odds with some more time left for voting.
[1: 11%]
[2: 89%]
It only slightly increased.
[Voting Closed]
There was still an overwhelming difference.
The host turned to Almond.
"Mr. Almond. What do you think of these voting results?"
"Ah..."
Almond hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Yes. Well, it's the expected result. For those who voted for me, I'll make sure to reward them generously with points."
"I love the fighting spirit. Now, what about you Mr. OrangeKing."
"Yes!"
"Please explain your composition."
"Yes. Our composition is called Caught You!!'"
— ??
— That name sounds ominous
— So, it's admitting defeat
— lol
— People who voted 1 crying now lol
— ?? Seriously, do it right ??
— Couldn't it be a dine and dash?
The ominous name sparked a backlash among viewers who chose number one and opposition intensified.
"Alright, alright. Let's listen to the explanation before jumping to conclusions! Mr. OrangeKing, please continue."
"Yes. The idea is to maximize the use of Sori's Rope Movement skill, which resets on kills or assists. Even though Sori is an ADC, isn't it necessary for her to close in on opponents with the rope to truly shine?"
"True. She does feel like an ADC who fights closer. It sounds contradictory, but it's about going in when needed and sweeping away all the enemies."
"Yes. The bow’s range isn't as far as one might think. My plan is to dive in together, demolish everything, and set up a Sori pentakill. This composition will go in even if it seems like we can't get kills. If we manage to kill even one enemy somehow, Sori can wreak havoc with her rope cooldown resets!"
"Who are the other members of this composition?"
"First, Iron Ball in the top lane."
— ???
— lol
— Are they seriously using him again?
— PTSD
— We need a re-vote! This vote is invalid!
— This is a rigged election
"The atmosphere is getting hostile again. Is Iron Ball a homage to the previous game?"
"No, that's not it."
OrangeKing waved and denied their suspicions.
"It's a common pick for dive compositions."
"Yes. Then what about mid?"
"This is where it gets interesting. Mid is also a rope assassin."
"Ah... a double rope composition?"
"Yes. And the jungler, guess what, is the Dragon Tamer."
"Ah...!"
— Real vs. Fake rope lol
— Oh, is this that kind of play? lol
— Team composition for delivery lol
"The Dragon Tamer can almost fly across the map with its ability! But if the rope assassin throws a rope, they can fly together. The plan is to dive in together like that?"
"Yes, that's correct, but there's more."
"What else is there?"
"What happens when Sori uses her rope? She can definitely hit another champion with her rope. And if that champion moves, she follows, right?"
— Whoa
— 3 person movement?? Does that even work lol
— Isn't that a bug?
— The official commentator is promoting a bug exploit lol
"No, this isn't a bug!" OrangeKing clarified against the accusations of them exploiting a bug.
"But Mr. OrangeKing, rope assassins can freely use their rope. In Sori's case, the rope pull is forced, right? Wouldn't they just fall off if they get pulled in while flying?"
"I think it should work if we dive faster than the rope can pull in. That's why we have the Chronomancer Chronology as our supporter!"
— An insane composition for real
— It kind of makes sense lol
— Won't bottom lane be too hard?
— Diving and then resurrecting?? Whoa
— Theory-wise, it doesn't seem bad.
Chronology was a champion who could use time magic. Despite sounding grandiose, time magic simply sped up allies or slowed down enemies. This supporter could hit multiple enemies with a time bomb that exploded after a delay and offered specialized CC support.
Its ultimate ability was resurrection. This ability could be pre-cast on an ally who was likely to die, and that ally would resurrect if they died within seven seconds.
Of course, the opponents weren’t fools. They often stopped attacking the ally marked with this ability, making resurrection difficult to use. Still, it was quite a useful ability for a composition blatantly aiming to dive and die.
However, the issue with Chronology was the champion’s extremely low health and lack of damage. Essentially, this supporter solely excelled in an auxiliary role.
One could ask, “Isn’t that what a supporter is for?” However, Chronology was particularly vulnerable to being attacked even among supporters and often exploded uncontrollably during the laning phase.
"Alright, let's stop there. Shall we actually go watch?"
"Yes, I'm ready."
"Mr. Almond will be playing Sori, and Mr. OrangeKing will be playing Dragon Tamer."
"Yes!"
— The anticipation is real
— Cool
— This is going to be fun lol
— Go, go, go, go
The game began.