In Top Lane, Gregory was doing a fine job pying defense, just like Howard ordered. However, he was a little too provocative...

  Kek, eat shit. Gregory snickered as he flung a sto Roi. Then, another one. And another one. Man, sniping melee scrubs from afar is fun. It's like pying darts.

  Druid was a rare hybrid between tank and mage, so it had both high defense and ranged basic attacks. The css erfect for poking that Dark Knight mofo from afar while maintaining dista sucked that the pesky minions turned ory whenever he nded a shot on Roi, but poking was just so much fun he couldn’t stop. Maybe he was getting a little addicted, kek.

  Tch, Roi grimaced as aone smacked him. What an asshole. Just lemme farm in peace.

  These ranged basic attacks were real cer. Gregory wasn't a particurly petent shooter, so it's not like the shots were that difficult to deal with. However, the shots stantly split Roi's attentioween farming minions and dealing with ining shots.

  Okay, another piting. Roi noticed that Gregory advahe guy was like a walking telegraph, so it was a no-braio predict his attacks. Roi will easily parry this pitd return to business... shit.

  The pitch passed slightly above Roi's bat and hit his arm. Strike! How!? Dang it. These pitches were so easy, so how e Roi failed to parry half of them? It's not like they were particurly fast or thrown from a nasty angle or anything.

  Tory’s credit, the pitches did have a somewhat annoying timing because they always came when Roi was busy handling minions. But, that shouldn't be an issue wheches were so telegraphed. Roi saw these pitches from a mile away, but he failed to make tact. His bat just didn't behave as he wanted.

  And, if that shit wasn't triggering enough, Gregory repeatedly jumped into the middle of his minion wave to get hit by Roi's Dark Bst. The damage from Dark Bst was soaked up by Gaia's Prote, sory could eat Dark Bsts in the face for days. This only got worse with time because the shield from Gaia's Prote scaled better with level than Dark Bst’s damage.

  Gregory's stunt ain for two reasons. First, because hitting Gregory with anything aggro'd his minions on Roi. As a result, Roi had to run away like a pussy every time until the minions lose i in him. But, that alone wasn't a huge deal.

  The sed annoying factor was that Dark Bst's traveling distance became a little shorter after every time it passed through an enemy. It was tiny modifier which wasn't even motioned in the skill's description, so it was niche knowledge. However, anybody who pyed Top Lane seriously had to know this tidbit to bully Dark Knight. And, Gregory was using it to great effect right now.

  Kek, this shit actually works. Gregory smirked as he body-blocked another Dark Bst. That's a ip Have him. Gregory had no idea Dark Bst was actually affected by how many e hit. That shit wasn’t written anywhere in the description or anything, so he had to double-check after Howard told him.

  Sure, there were a few rare occasions when Gregory pyed Dark Knight and his Dark Bst randomly decided to rebel. Even though he was sure Dark Bst should be able to travel a certain dista just went NOPE and didn’t travel all the way. Gregory always assumed it was either some sort of bug or that he misgauged the distance. But, turned out it was a legit aspect of Dark Bst's design and it was hel fun to exploit, kek.

  Every time Roi fired his Dark Bst in hope to damage the entire minion wave, Gregory jumped in its way. At first, he wasn't keen on the idea of repeatedly eating damage in the face like that, but then he realized he barely received any damage thanks to Gaia's Prote. So, rather thaing punched in the face to save his minions, it's more like Gregory pulled a pro-level block.

  Thanks to this little trick Roi couldn't gain mue advantage. So much for Dark Knight's early game power, it had no power here. That mofo couldn't do shit against a pro like Gregory, kek.

  Best of all, Roi gradually exhausted his own HP. Aside from poking here and there, Gregory didn't o lift a finger. Casting Dark Bst cost HP and Gregory’s body-blog aggro’d his minions on Roi’s ass, so the game's meics bound together to help Gregory win!

  As a result, Roi was already running out of steam at 30% HP. He probably gonreat soon without aplishing shit. Man, this battle iece of cake. At this rate, Gregory legit gon a starter spot on the first string. He gonna bee DaBestSolo, kek.

  This is a great opportunity. Gregory smirked. To put the final nail in Roi's coffin, Gregory better get a kill here before Roi retreats like a pussy. That’ll prove ond for all who was the true best pyer here! Gregory will finally step out of Taison’s shadow and will be feared as the powerhouse he really was!

  “Don't rush it,” Howard said.

  “Huh?”

  “Don't assume that Roi gonna be an easy target just because he's at low health. Sitting at 70% HP sounds safe, but Roi is pying Dark Knight and I’m pretty sure you 't make another shield with that MP. Don’t be careless.”

  “I didn't even say anything...” Gregory knotted his brows. What’s the deal with Howard? I swear dude is an esper or some shit. He better appear on variety shows instead of pying Mancers. I bet he'd bee filthy rich, kek.

  “Just thought I’d give you some friendly advice,” Howard dehe whole ESP theory, but Gregory was totally onto that mofo. “It's very tempting to go on the offeer you've been defending for so long, I know the feeling. But, don't let it sway you. Remember, your job is to freeze the ne and make sure Roi doesn't get ahead in the early game.”

  “Huh, you make it sound like I got no ce kig his ass. The guy is already out of steam. I totally wreck him.”

  “I didn't say you 't kill him, but...” Hoaused for a moment. “Alright, let's do it like this. Tai, go for the Wolf Camp op Lane. Keep tabs ouation on ne and give a hand if needed, but don’t go out of your way to gank for no reason.”

  “Gotcha, boss.”

  “Greg, you're free to take a shot at Roi oai gets there. Sounds good?”

  “Hm, sure,” Gregory replied half-heartedly. What's with this babysitting? Gregory would totally win this 1v1, he didn’t need any safety s1. I swear, Howard is such a worrywart. Zero trust, huh.

  Okay, fine. Gregory sighed after pting for a moment. He'll wait for Taison to get closer, then he'll rush that scrubby Dark Knight. It gonhe easiest win of the tury.

  The best strat was obviously to pull Roi deeper intory’s territory, that'll guarantee Roi ain't gon away. Gregory had just the tool for the job: Nature's Grasp. But, nding that shit from afar on an uable target was hel hard. That skill-shot had the width of an ant, so one had to be a trained pro so nd it sistently on enemies.

  The good news, there was one se in which Roi always became hel predictable and easy to grab: while he was casting Dark Bst. That's the moment Gregonna shoot for!

  Damn. Roi tapped his foot. This ning phase was going nowhere. He just finished clearing a minion wave, but a new one was already here. This pace was uable for a Dark Knight. This early-game powerhouse had to maintain an early-game lead and bully the ne oppo, or else it'll bee useless.

  What an annoyiri. It's really not fun when your performan the early-game gonna single-handedly decide whether you gonna be worth anything ter down the road. That's why Roi preferred csses with a more banced power curve.

  Well, it is what it is. Roi shrugged and shook his head. Yuel insisted on Dark Knight, so Dark Knight he got. I gotta do what I .

  With that said, there wasn’t much to do with just 30% HP, especially when his ne oppo had a defensive ranged css. If Roi get closer tory, maybe he'll be able to turuation around. That's the kind of py Yuel was expeg, he even told Roi to buy Potion of Strength to increase the ces of sg an early kill.

  But, it was no good. The ne was totally frozen. At this rate, Roi won’t only lose his ce to stay relevant for ter parts of the game, but his iment into Potion of Strength will also end up being a plete waste. The potion gave a ft power bonus, so it became less and less impactful as the game went on, pretty much like the Dark Knight himself.

  Therefore, despite being at 30% HP, Roi couldn't possibly retreat yet, not before he puts Potion of Strength to good use and scores at least one kill here. Retreating would be as good as surrendering. Gregory was already down to 70% HP, he didn't have enough MP for another shield of Gaia’s Prote and he hasn't built much defe.

  So, this situation was still salvageable and Roi had at least one more shot. He had to make his move now. Ohis minion wave arrives, he gonle this!

  Roi advanced as usual to fire Dark Bst. Of course, Gregory was already in the middle of his minion wave, ready to soak up the damage. Even though Gregory didn't have a shield this time, he was still go a Dark Bst to the face for the sake of his minions. Admirable, but this gonna be his end!

  Roi chugged dowion of Strength and raised his bde to shoot Dark Bst- wha!? Branches ed his body and pulled him toward the enemy wave! Nature's Grasp!? Really? In this situation?

  The branches dragged Roi all the way tory's face. Lol, Roi couldn't ask for a better arra! It was awesome! He gonna put his Potion of Strength to great use a himself a sweet early kill, two birds with oone! Alright, now you gonna pay for all the crap you've been givih your pokes and body-blocks. Payback time, baby!

  Roi booted Nightmare, which covered his body in dark miasma. He was ready to ro’ roll! To start off, a powerful Dark Bst right intory’s face!

  “Wha!?” Gregory jumped. A Dark Bst smacked him right as he finished pulling. That’s 25% HP gone in an instant! Damn, wasn’t Druid supposed to be a tanky css? What was this trashy defense!?

  But, that wasn’t even the most surprising part. For some reason, the Dark Knight was enveloped in a dark aura. Why use Nightmare? Wait, could it be Roi was actually pnning to give a fight? Even though he only had 25% HP and was gonna lose even more due to NIghtmare? Heh, that loser ain’t got any ce!

  Fine! If you think you wi’s see ya try! Gregory accepted the challenge head-on and replied in kind. Roi sshed him, so he fired right back at that mofo!

  There was no way Roi could win in this situation. Not only he was running low on HP, but he was also in the middle ory’s minion wave. The aggro’d swordsmen and bowmen gonna pincer Roi from both sides and kick his ass!

  Except, nobody fired arrows for some reason. The swordsmen turned around to hit Roi, but the bowmen were sleeping. That’s some weird shit right there. A bug or something? Man, this game was sure... oh. Shit! This ain’t good...

  The only bug here was the absolutely broken damage of Dark Bst. The attack which erased 25% ory’s HP didn’t just stop there, it flew all the way to the bae and wiped out all his bowmen too. Shit, shit, shit! The bowmen were supposed to be the biggest source of damage, but they were busy chilling in hell right now!

  But, no matter. Gregory still had the-

  “Retreat. Now.” Have an order.

  “But, I -”

  “Now.”

  “Tch,” Gregory shook his head. Why!? This situation was the perfect ce to get back at Roi for st game! Gregory had to- Wait, when the hell did his HP drop down to 20%!? Even worse, Roi was still at around 15% himself!

  I’m outta here! Gregory turned around and sprinted like the wind. Or rather, like a big bulky tree guy. This damn Druid was slow as hell!

  This development was insane. Like, hello? Tanking pls? Druid was supposed to be a tough guy, but Roi shredded him apart with every ssh. And what’s worse, Nightmare reflected half the damage Gregory dealt to Roi. Goddammit! Gregory might actually die at this rate...!

  Strike! Roi drove his bck bde intory’s fleeing baore strike and you’re out! It’s over! ...oh, damn. Roi stopped in his tracks, he couldn’t move a siep. Druid’s passive rooted him in pce because he spammed too many basic attacks in a row! Crap, Roi done goofed.

  The root effect sted less than two seds, but it felt ten times longer when Roi had to watch the Druid get farther and farther away. And, if letting Gregory slip away wasn’t bad enough, the enemy minions also caught up with their immobile target and sshed away at Roi. At this rate, he’ll be done in by a bunall dudes! Minions? More like Killions!

  Nope! Ain’t having any of it! Roi turned around and ran like his life depended on it, because it kinda literally did. There was no choice but to give up on the kill because dying right now would set Roi bauch. Thankfully, the minions were a bunch of slowpokes, so it wasn’t hard to get away from there. But...

  “HERE ES TAISON!” Taison ihe ne! “ing to the rescue, yo!”

  “I don’t need any resg,” Gregory retorted. “You better rescue that DK from himself. Put him out of his misery, kek.”

  “On it!” Taison activated Hungering Horde, which sent a pack of bats at Roi.

  Damn! Roi tinued running, but he already k was futile. The horde of bats slowed him down and gradually sucked away his HP. Taison caught up in no time and sealed the deal with a couple of basic attacks.

  You have been killed!

  “Dammit!” Roi kicked. That’s it, game over. A Dark Knight who dies in the early game gonna suck for the rest of the match. Roi might still get a few ces to execute people, but that’s about it. His ability to tribute to this match was reduced to almost nothing.

  “That was a little reckless,” Yuel said. “You should’ve taken into at that Taison was likely rotating to Top.”

  “Yeah, I...” Roi sighed. Actually, he wasn’t even sure whether he saw that. At the very least, it wasn’t on his mind when he decided to kill Gregory. And, he alsot to py around Druid’s passive root effect...

  It was me. First, he had trouble parrying easy shots, and now he carelessly overextended ierritory like some Bronze pyer. This ain’t like him at all.

  But, this wasn’t the first time. Roi khis feeling very well and his palm trembled as he ched the mouse. This annoying phenomenon was nothing new or strange, he experie many times before in baseball. When the spirit wavers, so does the pyer’s performahe bat stops listening to its own and fails to make tact. It’s a basic sports thing that happen to anybody. Trever was especially bad at dealing with it.

  With Roi’s years of experience pying sports, he was fairly resilient to this thing. It wasn’t like he developed immunity to this phenomena, he just learned how to quer it whe popped up. During such dark times, all he had to do was think about the importance of the match, about what he was fighting for and about why he had to win at any cost.

  Unfortunately, in this match, these very questiohe core of the problem to begin with. Roi’s doubts about the dire of the matd its sequences were the root of his uneasiness. Was he even fighting for the right cause? He couldn’t tell, yet he had to keep fighting anyway.

  “You least one kill before mid-game,” Yuel droned. “Otherwise, you won’t be able to e ba time.”

  “Yeah, I know...” Roi sighed. Why do I even have to py DK? Climbing from behind is such a pain with this css... No, focus. Roi spped his cheeks. He had to get his groove back before he drags the team down to oblivion.

  Meanwhile, iher camp, the pyers celebrated this development.

  “Good job getting out of there alive,” Howard said.

  “Yeah, right,” Gregory averted his eyes. “Good job” my ass. I almost fucked myself over by pulling Roi. If not for Druid’s passive, I'd be dead meat right now. And, I didn't evehe kill in the end. It was all Taison.

  “It was really a risky py,” Howard lectured. “Especially, after I told you to py defensively so many times.”

  Jeez, thanks for rubbing it in. Gregory made a face.

  “But, it's alright.”

  “... excuse me?” Gregory couldn't help but make a dumb face.

  “You did well, all things sidered. When you turtle for too long, you start wanting to kie ass for a ge, right? Just imagine how quickly somebody like Taison would break while turtling.”

  “Me? Turtle?” Taison's face twisted like he just heard the most disgusting word ever. “I ain't doing that me shit, it's for pussies.”

  “You see?” Howard turned back tory. “Just fighting that temptation as long as you did is already amazing. It's thanks to your patiehat Roi became restless and slipped at the end there.”

  Heh, Gregory sneered. He's sure trying to make it sound like I pulled off some cool shit. Gregory shook his head, but he couldn't deny he felt a little better after hearing these words. Even though Gregory khat Howard robably just talking outta his ass to keep morale high, a little bit of praise never hurt.

  “You probably think it sucks because you couldn't get the kill,” Howard tinued. “But, it doesn't matter that Taiso the final blow. It's your persistence against Roi that drove him into a er and created this opportunity. So, it's really your kill, even though you only got an assist for it.”

  “My kill...” Gregory mumbled. That's a hel messed up way to think about it. So, even though it was Taison who ed things up, it was actually all thanks tory turtling like a pussy? That was... actually kinda true.

  Gregory messed with Roi the whole time and hit the guy where it hurt most. Gregory denied full wave clears by body-blog Dark Bst and poked from afar with basic attacks. He did lots of shit to tilt Roi and it paid off in the end. The triggered boi lost his head a on the offensive, even though he was almost dead. That cost the guy everything.

  Heh, everything was actually part of the master pn! Of cregory knew he'd easily get away if Roi decides to attack, so that's why he went for that risky pull. 100% calcuted! That kill was all Gregory!

  Alright. Howard o himself after seeing Gregory’s snicker. Even though Howard's speech was just sotion whisured that Gregory won’t lose his head and will tiurtling, there was a grain of truth to it.

  Thanks tory holding the fort for so long, Roi became uain of his pns and became restless. Roi must have been mulling over whether to retreat or attack, and then Gregory's pull made the decision for him. With the target right within reach, Roi naturally chose fight instead of retreating.

  And, he miscalcuted. Howard smiled meaningfully. Fetting about the rooting effect of Terra’s Warth was a huge bluhat's not like Roi. He must have been pressured and distracted by Dark Knight’s requirement to get ahead in the early game.

  And, Roi robably wavering for another reason as well because even his parries didn't ect well. It seemed like the sequences of the first game were slowly iing their poison into the eeam, right under Yuel's nose.

  With a kill on Roi, the advantage in Top Lao Howard's team and Roi will have a hard time climbing back from that as a Dark Knight. As, the eeam held a slight advantage in Bot Laer Lars killed Ellen.

  Therefore, whains the upper hand in Mid will domihe early game. If the enemy's aggressive p loses initiative during the early game, this match would be as good as settled.