The match unfolded with precision and intensity, both teams locked in a tactical dance, each waiting for the other to make a mistake. Every move was calculated, every attack met with an equally powerful defense. But Tang Rou had spent the past weeks preparing for this moment, anticipating Shade's moves and analyzing his every decision.
Now, as her fingers flew across the keyboard, her focus was sharper than it had ever been. Shade was trying to push her into overextending, to fall into the traps he laid so carefully on the battlefield, but she wasn't falling for it. She had seen this play before, had felt the pressure of his calculated aggression. This time, she was ready.
"They're regrouping," Zhang Jiale's voice crackled through the comms. "Looks like they're trying to shift to the left side of the map."
"Stay sharp," Ye Xiu responded, his tone calm but commanding. "We can't give them any opportunities. They're waiting for us to overcommit."
Tang Rou's hands moved with practiced ease as she led the counteroffensive. Her character darted across the map, staying just out of reach of Shade's attacks. She knew he was watching her closely, studying her movements, waiting for her to slip up. But today, she was determined not to make a single mistake.
The tension between them was palpable, a silent battle of wills playing out in every exchange. Shade wasn't playing the same reckless, aggressive game as before. He was more measured, more controlled, as if he had learned from their previous encounter. It was clear he had been waiting for this rematch just as much as she had.
"They're trying to isolate Tang Rou," Su Mucheng warned, her voice breaking through the intensity of the battle. "They're shifting their focus. Be careful."
Tang Rou felt the shift immediately. Starlight's formation had subtly changed, their attacks becoming more coordinated, more focused on cutting her off from the rest of the team. Shade's strategy was unfolding like a chess game, and she could see his plan taking shape—he was trying to trap her, to box her in and force her into a vulnerable position.
But Tang Rou wasn't about to let him dictate the flow of the match. She had spent countless hours honing her adaptability, preparing for this very moment. With a quick series of movements, she repositioned her character, breaking free from the encirclement and throwing Shade's team off balance.
"Nice move, Tang Rou!" Bao Rongxing's voice came through, a hint of excitement in his tone. "You broke their formation!"
Tang Rou's heart pounded in her chest, adrenaline surging through her veins as she pressed the advantage. Shade had tried to box her in, but now it was her turn to turn the tables. Her character weaved through the chaos of battle, launching precise attacks that forced Shade's team into a retreat.
"They're falling back!" Zhang Jiale called out, his voice filled with enthusiasm. "We've got them on the run!"
Tang Rou's focus narrowed. This was the moment. The momentum had shifted in their favor, and she wasn't about to let it slip away. Her hands flew across the keyboard, her character moving with an agility that matched her own heightened senses.
But as they pushed forward, something in the back of Tang Rou's mind nagged at her. Shade was retreating, but it felt too easy, too… deliberate. She had faced him enough times to know that he never gave up ground without a reason.
"Wait," she said quickly into the comms, her voice laced with caution. "It feels like a trap. Don't push too hard."
Ye Xiu's voice cut through, calm and measured. "You're right. They're trying to lure us in. Fall back a little, but keep the pressure. Let's not give them the opening they want."
The team pulled back slightly, adjusting their positioning, but still keeping up the pressure. Tang Rou's instincts were screaming at her—Shade was waiting for something, some opportunity to strike back. She just needed to figure out what his plan was before it was too late.
And then she saw it.
Shade's team wasn't retreating aimlessly—they were baiting them into a specific part of the map, one that was more favorable for a defensive counterattack. It was a classic Shade move, one that she had almost fallen for in their first match back in Zurich.
"They're setting up for a counter," Tang Rou said quickly. "Don't follow them into that area. They're trying to bait us."
Ye Xiu didn't hesitate. "Good call, Tang Rou. Everyone, pull back. We're not playing their game."
Starlight's formation faltered as the Chinese team stopped advancing, refusing to take the bait. Shade's strategy had been to lure them in, but Tang Rou had seen through it, and now the tables had turned.
"They're regrouping again," Su Mucheng noted. "But they're hesitating. I think they're waiting for Shade to make the next move."
Tang Rou's pulse quickened. This was her chance. Shade was trying to regain control of the match, but now, he was the one who was vulnerable. She could sense the tension on the battlefield, the subtle shift in the momentum. It was time to act.
"I'm going in," Tang Rou said decisively.
"Go for it," Ye Xiu confirmed, his trust in her clear.
Tang Rou's character shot forward, closing the distance between her and Shade's position with blinding speed. She wasn't giving him time to reset or regroup. Her attacks came fast and hard, targeting Shade directly, forcing him to react.
Shade's movements were precise, his counters swift, but Tang Rou was relentless. She wasn't just playing to win—she was playing to dominate, to show him that she had surpassed him. Each strike pushed him further back, disrupting his team's formation.
"They're crumbling!" Zhang Jiale shouted, excitement flooding through the comms. "Keep up the pressure!"
Tang Rou's focus was razor-sharp. Shade was a brilliant tactician, but today, she was a step ahead. Her movements were fluid, her attacks unrelenting. She could feel the shift in the air, the moment where Shade's confidence began to crack.
And then, with a final, perfectly timed attack, she broke through his defenses.
Shade's character staggered back, unable to recover from the onslaught. Tang Rou's heart raced as the screen flashed, confirming that Shade's character had been taken down. The rest of his team quickly followed, unable to hold their ground without their leader.
Victory.
The word flashed across the screen, and the arena erupted into cheers. Tang Rou leaned back in her chair, her breath coming in short gasps as the adrenaline of the match coursed through her. They had done it. They had beaten Starlight again.
But this time, it felt different.
Her teammates erupted into celebrations, shouts of triumph filling the room, but Tang Rou remained still for a moment, her eyes fixed on the screen. She had won—she had taken down Shade. But instead of the overwhelming sense of victory she had expected, there was a strange, hollow feeling in her chest.
Shade had pushed her to the limit, just as she had pushed him. Their rivalry had been fierce, but now that she had beaten him again, there was a sense of finality to it. Or so she thought.
As she stood up to leave the stage, Tang Rou caught sight of Shade across the room. He hadn't taken off his mask, but she could sense his eyes on her. For a moment, they stood there, staring at each other across the arena, the noise of the crowd fading into the background.
Then, slowly, Shade gave a small nod of acknowledgment. It wasn't a gesture of defeat, but one of respect. Tang Rou returned the nod, understanding passing between them.
Their rivalry wasn't over. It never would be. They would meet again, and when they did, it would be another battle that pushed them both to their limits. But for now, there was peace—a momentary truce born from mutual respect.
As she rejoined her team backstage, Tang Rou couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction, despite the weight of what had just transpired. She had won, and she had proven to herself that she could stand toe-to-toe with one of the best players in the world.
But deep down, she knew that this was only the beginning. Shade would return, stronger than before, and she would need to be ready. The journey never ended in Glory—there was always another battle, always another rival to face.
And Tang Rou wouldn't have it any other way.
This chapter brings the intense rematch between Tang Rou and Shade to life, highlighting their tactical duel and the respect that has grown between them as rivals. It sets the stage for future encounters while also showcasing Tang Rou's growth as a player. The tension, strategy, and psychological battle between them deepen their rivalry, leaving room for more development in future chapters.