The crowd erupted as the game began, their cheers reverberating through the packed arena. The scoreboard lit up, introducing the players on each team and their respective ranks:
V's Team
Nyra: Gold Rank 3,287
Riven: Gold Rank 3,158
Sean: Gold Rank 2,912
Mara: Gold Rank 2,863
Miek: Gold Rank 2,845
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MM's Team
Yuki: Gold Rank 3,567
Pulse: Gold Rank 2,983
Lin: Gold Rank 2,950
Fen: Gold Rank 2,875
Ran: Gold Rank 2,830
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Kaiza stood silently among the crowd, craning his neck to see the massive screen. His focus was sharp, zeroed in on Pulse, whose every movement seemed deliberate and precise, and Yuki, who commanded the battlefield with an aura of quiet authority.
The pace of the game was relentless, buzzing with energy and anticipation. MM's team, led by Yuki, immediately took control. Every play was seamless, their coordination impeccable. Yuki's presence in the mid-lane was mesmerizing. As a mage, his every ability landed with deadly precision, forcing his opponent into a defensive stance.
Yuki's champion moved like a predator in the jungle, darting between waves of minions and enemy champions with calculated precision. His skill combos were flawless, layering stuns and bursts of damage to perfection.
Kaiza: (to himself) "It's not just his aim—it's the timing. He knows exactly when to strike and when to hold back."
The mid-lane opponent, Riven, attempted a desperate counterplay, launching a surprise attack from the brush. But Yuki was two steps ahead. A perfectly timed disengage placed him out of harm's way, and before Riven could retreat, Yuki's ultimate ability landed—a massive blast that obliterated both the champion and the surrounding minions.
The mid-lane—the heart of the battlefield—demands brilliance. Mid laners are built differently, carrying the responsibility of shaping the game's flow and tempo.
Kaiza: (murmuring) "Incredible."
A voice beside him broke his concentration.
Observer: "Amazing, right?"
Kaiza turned to see a sharp-eyed man with a casual demeanor, his gaze fixed on the screen.
Observer: "Yuki's pure talent. The way he reads the game? It's like he sees the future."
Kaiza nodded slowly, his admiration growing.
Kaiza: (murmuring) "This is what I want to become someday."
He clenched his fists, the burning desire to reach that level of mastery fueling his determination.
Pulse's Anomaly
By the 26-minute mark, the crowd grew restless, their whispers spreading like wildfire.
Spectator 1: "Wait a minute..."
Spectator 2: "How does Pulse already have a full item build?"
Kaiza furrowed his brow, studying the screen. A full item build—something that should take at least 35 to 40 minutes—was somehow already complete.
Kaiza: (to himself) "How is that possible?"
He glanced at the man beside him, who grinned knowingly.
Observer: "Surprised? That's why they call him the Anomaly."
Kaiza tilted his head, intrigued.
Kaiza: "The Anomaly?"
Observer: (nodding) "Pulse doesn't just play the game. He breaks it. The Anomaly is his skill—an uncanny ability to detect flaws and exploits in the system. He finds ways to turn the game's mechanics into an advantage no one sees coming."
The observer leaned in, gesturing toward the screen.
Observer: "See that path he's taking? Pulse doesn't just farm. He perfects farming. He clears jungle camps, resource nodes, and contested buffs in a hyper-optimized sequence. Every second is planned to maximize gold and experience. By the time V's notices, he's already miles ahead."
Kaiza watched in awe as Pulse's marksman champion shredded through enemy camps, always one step ahead of V's attempts to intercept him.
Kaiza: (frowning) "That's broken."
Observer: "It's clever. Not cheating, technically. Just exploiting what's there. And Pulse? He's the best at finding these loopholes."
Kaiza couldn't help but feel a mix of frustration and admiration.
Kaiza: (to himself) "How do you even compete against something like that?"
The Overwhelming Victory
Back in the game, MM's dominance was unrelenting. Yuki's precision and Pulse's overwhelming power spikes crushed V's every attempt at a comeback. Nyra and Riven fought valiantly, but they were repeatedly outmaneuvered.
The crowd rose to their feet as MM delivered the final blow, sealing a flawless victory.
The Aftermath
The arena exploded in cheers, chants of "Yuki" and "Pulse" echoing like a mantra. Kaiza watched, captivated, as the players emerged from their booths, basking in the adoration of the crowd.
Pulse spotted Kaiza in the audience and made his way over, his signature cocky grin plastered across his face.
Pulse: "You see that? Easy, right?"
Kaiza crossed his arms, smirking.
Kaiza: "Nah, you're just trolling them with your false rank. You're no Gold player."
Pulse laughed, slinging an arm around Kaiza's shoulders.
Pulse: "That's the trick, my friend. Keep 'em guessing!"
Kaiza couldn't help but chuckle. Pulse's methods were unorthodox, even maddening, but they were undeniably effective.
Pulse leaned in, his grin widening.
Pulse: "We're heading out to celebrate. Come with us. You've gotta see how we party after a win like this."
Kaiza hesitated briefly, feeling the weight of the invitation.
Kaiza: "Okay."
As they walked away, the roar of the crowd still echoing behind them, Kaiza felt a spark of excitement. He was stepping into a world of champions—a world he one day hoped to conquer.