Chapter 2: This System Will Serve You Wholeheartedly

“Damn! Isn’t this basically admitting defeat to G2?”

“This move has me baffled. Is Little Dog’s mentality really that bad? Or are they planning to swap in a substitute to take the fall? Because if they actually lose to G2, RNG will be roasted all over the internet.”

“Damn, don’t show off too much! Changing players in a do-or-die match? And the one swapped in is a perennial substitute? Who the hell is SUn? I’ve never even heard of him.”

“This is ridiculous. No wonder they didn’t bring Xiangguo or Zitao—they’re bringing in an amateur substitute. Looks like the outcome was settled long ago: if they win, it’s a meteoric rise; if they lose, get ready to retire.”

...

Lu Ziang stepped onto the stage.

On the surface, he was RNG’s last hope, the one who would turn the tide and change their fate.

But in reality,

he understood perfectly well that he was just the scapegoat, the ultimate fall guy.

He knew what kind of team RNG was.

In this situation, swapping anyone wouldn’t help.

Because League of Legends is never a one-man game.

The whole team’s mentality was in shambles, not just Uzi’s problem.

If he performed well in this do-or-die match tonight, it would undoubtedly become the highlight of his career.

But if he failed and caused the team to lose, he would be mercilessly criticized across the entire internet.

The roster for this match: Yan Junze, Karsa, Xiaohu, Lu Ziang, Xiaoming.

After changing into his team jersey,

Lu Ziang’s heart was pounding with excitement.

Yet, he noticed the grim expressions on the faces of the other four players. Their opponents were G2, after all.

And they were RNG, fighting all the way to a do-or-die match—except for Lu Ziang, the rest still couldn’t believe the reality before their eyes.

Had it not been for the system appearing, Lu Ziang’s mood might not have been any better than theirs.

Guided by the on-site referee, he took each step toward the ADC position. As he sat down in the chair he had dreamed of for so long, a cold mechanical sound suddenly echoed:

“Ding—!”

“Progress reached 100%.”

“Congratulations, host! You have successfully bound the [Strongest ADC System]. This system will wholeheartedly serve you and help you become the strongest ADC!”

“Host, would you like to open your personal attribute panel?”

“Open.”

Lu Ziang’s mind stirred, and a floating virtual data panel appeared before his eyes.

It listed his personal information:

Host: Lu Ziang

Level: Black Iron V (1/100)

Experience: 0

APM (actions per minute): 391 (excellent+)

Memory: 81 (max 100 / rare 1 in a million)

Reaction: 82 (max 100 / rare 1 in a million)

Charisma: 81 (max 100 / highly attractive)

Hero pool: None yet (please keep striving)

The data wasn’t much.

But each was a critical core stat for an esports player.

Except for charisma, of course.

The only thing that surprised Lu Ziang was that his hero pool was completely empty.

Could the system’s standards be too high?

Just as he thought this, the system immediately explained:

“Reference standards: Uzi’s peak Vayne, Faker’s peak LeBlanc and Zed…”

Fair enough.

Though Lu Ziang was naturally gifted,

there was still a gap compared to Uzi at his prime.

And Faker was on a whole other level,

the closest thing to a god on Summoner’s Rift, beyond doubt.

At this moment, the banning and picking phase had begun.

But the system remained silent. Shouldn’t there be a beginner’s package or “missions”?

The system then explained: “Missions can only be triggered under specific circumstances. This system holds countless unforeseen features waiting for the host to unlock!”

Lu Ziang’s face darkened. He had expected that binding the system would let him dominate the match tonight, maybe even win the championship. But it seemed things had to proceed step by step.

Still, now that he had the system, what was there to worry about?

Besides, he was being sent up to take the blame—the club had no good intentions at all.

Lu Ziang didn’t think too much. He just needed to focus on playing his part well.

Coach Sun Dayong was already devising counter-strategies based on the opponent’s picks.

Lu Ziang, as a debuting substitute, had no say and certainly couldn’t expect the club to arrange a “four protect one” strategy around him.

Finally,

the match began.

All five players present knew that everyone wanted them to win.

But right now, everyone was criticizing them.

Even though noise-cancelling headphones cut off almost all the crowd noise,

their inner voices could not be silenced—the anxiety, unease, and tension lingered in their hearts.

Among them, the most nervous was undoubtedly Lu Ziang, who had been a substitute for ages and was now in the spotlight on the starting lineup for the first time. Yet his adaptability was quick; once he put on his headphones, he felt more at ease.

The following matches unfolded without surprise, much like the previous four—simply unbearable to watch.

G2’s momentum grew hotter with each game. Even if they lost, it wouldn’t be shameful.

RNG, on the other hand, faced this do-or-die match weighed down by tons of pressure. Even if they won, netizens would likely still tear them apart.

Under such immense pressure, the entire match felt like scattered sand—chaotic and full of mistakes, not even reaching one-tenth of RNG’s usual standard.

Everyone made numerous errors, handing G2 too many chances.

No matter how underwhelming G2 might seem, they were after all a team that made the top eight in the S8 World Championship; their overall level was solid.

With RNG gifting so many opportunities, G2 naturally seized them. Less than 20 minutes in, G2 had amassed nearly an 8k gold lead.

At this point, RNG’s top, mid, and jungle lanes were at a massive disadvantage; their jungle was lost, lane control surrendered, and the entire upper half of the map had no vision.

Only the bottom lane remained roughly even—but what use was that?

Lu Ziang couldn’t dictate the rhythm, especially in such a disadvantageous situation.

Despair hung thickly within RNG—a suffocating kind of hopelessness.

Inside Busan Gymnasium, a sea of black-clad fans filled the stands. LPL supporters cheered loudly, like a home crowd, their shouts rising like thunder. They still believed, still hoped, refusing to give up on RNG.

At 25 minutes into the match, RNG had no choice but to gather near the Baron pit.

If they allowed G2 to take this Baron, the game would be effectively a slow death. RNG could never let that happen—they refused to wait passively for defeat.

“RNG hasn’t given up! They’re still fighting! They’ve chosen to start the Baron!”

The commentators for this BO5 were the LPL’s golden duo, the Hai Brothers: Wawa and Miller.

At the commentary desk, Miller was particularly excited, eyes red and voice passionate and dynamic:

“As long as they can secure this Baron, there’s still hope for the game.”

From the in-game perspective, RNG was fully committed to the Baron. G2 certainly wouldn’t stand by—they quickly collapsed on them.

In the ensuing skirmish, RNG ultimately abandoned the Baron attempt. With no choice, the momentum between the two sides was simply not on equal footing.

RNG dared not take the risk.

If they lost players in this Baron fight, or worse, were wiped out, this do-or-die match would be completely over.

With that outcome in mind, none dared to linger in the pit any longer.