Chapter 229: The Dilemma of Korean Esports (Combined Chapter)

No matter how many back-up plans Tenghai has prepared, at least now it is the publicity round for Honor.

Although if Cotick could do a little more research on his opponent, or even just look through the records of his own battles with Teng Hai, he would find one thing:

The last time Tenghai laid mines for Honor, it seemed to be using a similar pattern.

Anyway, in order to further meet the expectations of fans, Honor of Kings announced the launch date of the new version at lightning speed.

The day chosen was a coincidence, it was the day after the MSI ended.

In addition, in order to match the existing League of Legends event system, Cotick also decisively launched the Glory World Invitational, a world-class event full of gimmicks.

Compared to the MSI and S games where clubs participate as participants, this competition, which is operated by each country sending its national team to participate, does seem to be a little more formal.

I have to say, this pie was really very successful.

Now, at least on the surface, the Honor of Kings event has caught up with the neighboring LOL in all aspects, and is even slightly better in some aspects.

Of course, the premise is that the finished product of Honor is really as unique as it is hyped up to be, and that the many big promises drawn can be realized.

However, during the laning phase before going online, this gimmick is completely enough.

The Glory Crowd, whose champagne was already boiling, immediately started making up all kinds of jokes.

"We thank Tenghai for supporting the e-sports world while Honor of Kings was preparing for its rebirth, but now, it's time to welcome the return of the true king!"

"Many years later, when Tenghai's navy faced Tenghai's announcement of completely withdrawing from the gaming business, they would always think of the afternoon when Honor updated its major version."

"Teng Hai went through many hardships and obstacles and finally climbed to the top of the mountain after many years, only to find that glory had been waiting there for a long time."

To be honest, at least in this world, everyone still has limited knowledge.

Before Honor, at least in the gaming circle, no one had ever seen such a fanatical fan group.

Many people were indeed frightened by this fanatical atmosphere. After all, this reckless look was really scary.

The voices of opposition gradually died down, and when the public opinion on the whole network gradually began to lean towards one side,
The League of Legends League, which had just been operating for more than half a year, suddenly became the unlucky one of the "pills"

Even MSI itself suddenly went from being a pioneer to the last afterglow of the League of Legends era.

Some extreme fans have even suggested that MSI and the entire League of Legends event are just consolation prizes created to make up for the regrets of veteran Zhang Jiale.

When Zhang Jiale wins the championship, this league will have completed its historical mission.

It seemed that overnight, League of Legends suddenly went from being the healthiest e-sports league to date to an old man about to be buried.

It's really off the mark.

Of course, these words can only fool passers-by outside.

The core fans of LPL are busy watching the game, so how can they care about these jumping clowns?
Even without discussing the upcoming competition among strong teams, the group stage alone has given the audience countless unforgettable experiences.

Although some teams were eliminated, their performance left a deep impression on all the audience.

DFM in Group A is one of them. Although they are more of a background for the flowers and the villain clown in the story, their own fighting style is still quite distinctive.

As the top laner light of LJL, although Evi is still a long way from threatening Fanhua in the following games, he has been able to cause a lot of trouble to Flash Wolves' top laner Steak.

In both games against Flash Wolves, they scored solo kills on their opponents and even took the economic lead at one point.

However, DFM's overall strength is far from outstanding among the wildcard teams, and it really does not have the ability to maintain this winning streak.

As Karsa's rhythm began to take effect, the advantage was given back little by little, and in the end, both games were lost.

However, the fact that Evi was able to fight back and forth with Flash Wolves, which is obviously a strong team, in the early stages is enough to prove his worth.

In addition, in Group C, the only CIS team that won the first place in the group, G2 from Europe, UOL, the Unicorn of Love, was also a huge surprise in the group stage.

This team from the CIS region can be said to be the only team in the entire MSI that does not have a wealthy background.

You know, apart from them, the other eleven teams are basically evergreens who have been active in e-sports competitions since the Glory era. Even Fanhua is an integration of the two runner-up teams.

But Unicorn is different. Their situation is a bit like Yizhan or Xuanqi. They are a challenge team.

There is only one reason for being relegated to the challenge competition: no money.

UOL, which has no capital background, does not have enough money to build top accounts. Therefore, even though the players are very strong, they have not been able to make any progress in the Glory League.

Until the emergence of League of Legends, UOL, like Xuanqi from China, decisively chose to take a gamble on transformation and compete in the LCL events in the CIS countries.

But unlike Xuanqi and his friends, this group of crazy unicorns were not stopped from moving forward by the giants of the CIS.

On the contrary, they overcame all obstacles, starting from the first round of the playoffs, and ran all the way to the LCL championship and got the ticket to the MSI.

When looking back on their journey, even the European commentator sighed that this is a team that has never lacked dreams and miracles.

After entering the MSI, they faced world-class teams whose strength was much higher than that of the weaklings in the CIS.

UOL brought their magic as the "miracle-creating team" into MSI.

Although they were eventually eliminated as the third in the group, they overturned G2 from Europe once and GAM from Southeast Asia once in the limited games, becoming the only team in the group stage to truly overcome the strong.

Well, C9 and SKT are currently in a conjugate father-son relationship, so they are not included in the record for now.

During the game, whether it was their passionate attitude, excellent form, or their miraculous comeback against G2, the whole world remembered this group of magical unicorns.

So much so that when it was confirmed that they were eliminated, voices of regret were heard almost everywhere in the world.

As the qualifying situation of Group C was settled, the six teams for the competition were finally determined.

When the list of these six teams was pushed to Pei Yunteng as a pastime, Pei Yunteng almost spit out water.

"No, this lineup...isn't it specifically targeting young melon-skinned people?"

There is no way. In the eyes of Pei Yunteng, a time traveler, in this MSI list, except for Monkey's GAM which looks slightly normal and honest, the other teams basically have some connection with SKT.

C9 just dealt SKT a heavy blow in the group stage. Impact's Kennen almost caused nerve damage to SKT.
Not to mention Fanhua, who crushed SKT in every training match and almost broke the faith of Faker and Deft.

As for the other two teams, although they have not yet played against the players from South Korea,
But that is G2, which has CAPS, the best mid laner in Europe, and Flash Wolves, which has Karsa and other good players.

These two teams had a common nickname in Pei Yunteng's previous life:

Anti-Han Qixia!

Pei Yunteng looked at those familiar faces who had beaten up the South Korean team in his previous life, and then glanced at the fledgling SKT that still had a lot of problems, and couldn't help but light a candle for Lee Sang-hyuk in his heart.

SKT is in trouble this time.

……

While Pei Yunteng was pessimistic about SKT's prospects, in a steak house in Los Angeles.

"Sang Hyuk, don't be restrained. The food in White Eagle is much more generous than ours in Korea. Just eat as much as you want!"

Zheng Yanyong skillfully cut the beef on the plate with a knife and fork while smiling at Li Xianghe.

He was enjoying the meal, but Lee Sang-hyuk himself had no intention of continuing to eat.

At this time when he was busy preparing for the second round, Zheng Yanyong, whom he had not seen for a long time, suddenly asked him out for dinner again, under the pretext of catching up with old brothers.

Although Li Xianghe really missed his old friend whom he hadn't seen for a long time, why did you choose this time to come to see me?
If it weren't for Lee Sang-hyeok's high enough status in the team, SKT might have already started catching the traitor.

With the idea of ​​"seeing what his old friend really wants to do", Li Xianghe finally chose to accept it.

Before coming, he was prepared for Zheng Yanyong's crazy questioning, and even went online to learn some tutorials on how to counter interrogation.

As a result, after arriving at the location, Zheng Yanyong had no intention of spying or sowing discord, and was even too lazy to mention anything about MSI.

Apart from talking about past events in the training camp and the latest news from old friends, we just ate and drank a lot.

It has to be said that compared to South Korea, which serves side dishes as main dishes at state banquets, the White Eagle restaurant is much more extravagant, which makes Lee Sang-hyuk uncomfortable.

But Zheng Yanyong, who has been here for only half a year, seems to have completely integrated into the lifestyle of the White Eagle people and is very skilled in using the knife and fork.

"Brother Yanyong, why did you call me out today?" After eating for a while, Li Xianghe finally couldn't help it and asked directly.

However, Zheng Yanyong still looked leisurely: "Xianghe, why are you in such a hurry? Isn't it just a meal and a reminiscence?"

"I don't think the night before the competition is a good time to reminisce about the past," Lee Sang-hyuk retorted. "Sang-hyuk, your attitude really makes me sad..." However, Jung Yeon-young didn't seem to react to Lee Sang-hyuk's questioning at all, and continued to cut the beef on the plate.

Seeing that his old friend didn't respond at all, Li Xianghe was at a loss and could only sit down in disappointment.

"You weren't so shameless before, Brother Yanyong." Li Xianghe couldn't help complaining while cutting meat with a knife unskillfully.

"This is not shameless, at most it is the growth of my character." Zheng Yanyong smiled.

"Don't you think I've changed a lot compared to before?" he asked Li Sang-hyuk.

Lee Sang Hyuk nodded.

Not just a lot, it's a complete transformation.

Before leaving his hometown, Zheng Yanyong was immature and not good at speaking. He was suppressed by Park Jae-yoon to the point of suffocation and seemed to lack self-confidence.

But now, whether it is the demeanor he showed in various interviews or the impression he left on Lee Sang-hyuk after meeting him, the difference between them and his memory is too great.

"Is the environment in the White Eagle Country and the South Korean Country so different?" This is the first time that Lee Sang-hyuk, who grew up in a single-parent family, has set foot outside of the South Korean country, and his understanding of foreign countries is quite limited.

"It's very big, in every sense of the word." Zheng Yanyong affirmed seriously.

"Even to some extent, Sang Hyuk,"

"It is precisely because of these huge gaps that I realized the essence of Korean e-sports, which is strong on the outside but weak on the inside."

"It's over, right?" Li Xianghe frowned.

Although he himself has some complaints about Korean e-sports, he will subconsciously protect its image when he is outside.

After all, he is now a leading player in South Korea's e-sports scene.

"Is it over? No." Zheng Yanyong sneered, and it was unclear whether he was laughing at Li Xianghe or someone else.

As he recounted his memories, there was a smile on his face that a demon couldn't hide.

"When I first came here, I was actually quite shy. I was new to a foreign country and couldn't even speak the language very well. I felt really stressed."

"If I hadn't been desperate, I would never have made such a crazy attempt."

Afterwards, he told Lee Sang-hyuk about his time working hard at C9.

From the initial severe discomfort to gradually demonstrating one's worth and value after stabilizing.

From a group of unruly partners who get along very well with each other, to a management team that manages strictly but also has the necessary relaxation and sense of humor.

In the final analysis, it was a relatively standard White Eagle-style happy multi-team configuration, but it still made Li Xianghe feel a little dazed.

"When I see you like this, I know that the e-sports system in South Korea has long been in a state of terminal decline."

Jung Yeon-young pointed at Lee Sang-hyuk's expression.

"Sang Hyuk, what do you think is the role of players in the Korean e-sports system?"

"Is he a star? Is he a pillar? Is he an irreplaceable treasure?"

Without waiting for Li Xianghe's answer, he gently shook his head: "Neither, it's a complete tool for making money."

"Because they are tools, the competition in the training camp is so fierce. It doesn't matter how many young people are eliminated. There are plenty of people who will do it anyway."

"Because they are tools, once a player loses their due value, both their status and reputation will plummet overnight."

"Esports is people-oriented, but they treat people as consumables that can be discarded at any time. This is definitely not a healthy behavior."

At this point, Zheng Yanyong glanced at Li Xianghe jokingly and said, "Speaking of this, I guess Park Ben's power to create gods has been inherited by you, right?"

Seeing Li Xianghe's sudden surprise, he shook his head gently:

"Don't make a fuss. South Korea's e-sports strategy has never been a secret."

"In recent games, Park Ben's BP weight has suddenly plummeted, and he has honestly started playing heroes that are not so entertaining to watch."

"Given his arrogant and showy personality, what else could it be if he didn't lose power?"

"Besides him, the only player in the entire LCK who is qualified to be deified is you, the new FMVP, right?"

Speaking of this, the victim who was bullied the most by Park Jae-yoon couldn't help but have a complicated expression on his face.

"Honestly, as someone who was hurt by him, I spit on and laugh at his end."

"But as an esports player from South Korea, I feel sad to see him being written off so easily as a veteran."

Speaking of this topic, the defensiveness and calmness that Lee Sang-hyuk tried so hard to maintain finally began to crumble.

Although the experience that day put SKT back on the right track and their combat power soared, it also left a huge knot in his heart.

He didn't know if he was really on the right path.

"Brother Yanyong... do you think I should continue to cooperate with their plan?" Finally, he couldn't help but open his mouth and asked.

"Sure!" Unexpectedly, Zheng Yanyong gave a positive answer.

But the next sentence reveals the real purpose: "If you want to see the end of Korean e-sports."

"Is it that serious?" Li Xianghe couldn't help but ask.

"Many of the current concepts of e-sports in South Korea are still in the era of glory or even older."

"The reason why we are still able to remain competitive worldwide is basically due to the legacy preserved during the Kespa period."

Although KESPA collapsed early, it left the final legacy to Korean e-sports before being acquired, which was the formalization and industrialization of e-sports.

While other countries are still looking for e-sports talents among internet-addicted teenagers, South Korea even once promoted e-sports trials in schools.

Even though this system was almost abolished during the Glory era due to its incompatibility with Glory's competition system, the little afterglow left still gave South Korean e-sports a rich fortune.

Otherwise, where would SKT get so many talented young players?

"Sang Hyuk, I'm not afraid to tell you the truth. After playing so many games and meeting so many players, you are still the most talented young man I have ever seen with the brightest future, no doubt about it."

"It is precisely because of talented young people like you who have made up for the gap in the competition area's system that those masters can continue to whitewash the situation with peace of mind."

“But how long can this last in this fast-paced era?”

"Even if you are a genius like you, how long can you remain favored if you suffer repeated failures in front of truly powerful people?"

Zheng Yanyong ate the last piece of beef with a fork, stood up, and went to the front desk with the bill.

But his voice still echoed in Li Xianghe's ears.

"Sang Hyuk, for the next six months, you should continue to stay in SKT and be their god and hero."

"In the past six months, every day you have experienced, every decision you have made, and every game you have participated in have proved what I said time and time again."

“Use your eyes and heart to see, to feel, and to ask yourself what you want and what you are pursuing.”

"Half a year later, when the S-League is over, I'll come find you again."

Li Xianghe looked at his back, which was elegant and heroic, and didn't know what he was thinking for a moment.

"Whitewash...too peaceful?"

……

In the blink of an eye, it was the next day, the second round of MSI, the competition.

In the first opening match, SKT, the first in Group B, faced Flash Wolves FW, the second in Group A.

The game lasted for thirty minutes and Flash Wolves narrowly won.

　Today I chose to combine the chapters and continue to update for another day because I have a cold and my head hurts so much that it feels like it's going to explode.

　　Please bear with me, everyone.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)