In the same way that Stratus held the upper hand in Mid and Bot, they also gained some early advantage in Top.

  There, it wasn't the result of invading or stealing buffs. It was a much simpler tactical advantage, ohat Yuel established before the game even started. It all happened back during the drafting phase.

  So tell me, on dy. Vi addressed his foe. Will you approach me to do battle? Or, shall you remain on the defensive, patiently biding your time?

  Of course, it was but a trivial question. After all, his ne oppo was her than Theorist, an expert in information handling. Clearly, she was aware of the peculiarities of this match-up and why it didn’t favor her in the slightest.

  So, I see you have indeed chosen safety over dominance. Vi cluded after his oppo for a while. It is a rather uncharacteristic decision for a dragon, a legendary creature known for its greed. heless, it is a wise pn. Clearly, this is an Elder Dragon we have on our hands here.

  The cssic Dragonborn farming routine was to begin the assault with Draic Rush, which pushed the swordsmen back to the bae. From there, it ossible to unleash Draic Fme oire minion wave, torg both the swordsmen and the bowmen at once!

  However, Theorist avoided using this setup at this time.

  Given her robust game knowledge, she was clearly aware of this farming teique. However, instead, she went for a far simpler, far less effit farming teique.

  Instead of invoking the mighty Draic Rush, she only used Draic Fme. She simply approached the swordsmen and swung her fire bde at them, engulfing the soldiers in fmes.

  Without pushing the frontline closer to the bae, the Dragonborn’s fme sword had no hope of hitting both the swordsmen and the bowmen. It was quite a sizable waste of damage. Clearly, Theorist’s top priority was not efficy but safety.

  I see, I see. Vi nodded. So, you chose to not show me your Draic Rush. Very well.

  Right after unleashing the Draic Fme, Theorist evacuated the area. She went as far as rolling away, and food reason.

  Vi had already raised both of his axes high into the air, right above his head. Then, after charging up the attack to its fullest, he smmed the axes into the ground! BAM! A Shockwave exploded!

  Charging the attack to its utmost limit vastly increased its AoE radius. Therefore, the shockwave exploded so widely that it hit both the swordsmen and the bowmen!

  Truly, it was as if a meteor crashed into the ground! The impact should’ve been powerful enough to wipe out the dinosaurs from the face of the earth all ain!

  But, iy, it wiped out her the swordsmen nor the bowmen. Barbarian Sm dealt substantial damage to the entire enemy army, but all the soldiers survived this Armageddon.

  So, you have endured my Ragnarok, o brave minions. Vi nodded. But, don't rejoice quite yet! I shall personally slid dice ead every one of you!

  Vi stepped iween the swordsmen and the bowmen and began hag away at them with his axes. Naturally, he went after the bae first.

  Hack. Hackhack. HACKHACKHAbsp;

  The longer Vi kept going with his relentless assault, the faster his attacks became. This was a unique property of Berserker's basic attacks, ohat wasn't directly disclosed in any of the css's skill descriptions. It was just how the animation of his basic attacks worked.

  But of course, such a small detail couldn't escape the pull of the all-abs Information Bckhole! Ihe information was sucked right in, burying itself within Vi's endless sea of knowledge!

  To fully capitalize on this unique property, Vi specifically positioned himself in the gap between the enemy's frontline and bae. This way, he ehat he could keep unleashing his flurry of attacks oire enemy wave without ever stopping to break his bo.

  And so, he hacked, hacked, and hacked some more at the bowmen. Then, ohe bae was pletely eliminated, Viurned around and tinued assaulting the swordsmen with the same attack speed.

  O, such beautiful meiization! Vi praised the famous teique he was borrowing from the gods of Cssmancers. I may not have any impressive meical skill to my name, but this teique allows even a pleb like moi to pull su outstanding stunt that awe the audie is simply splendid!

  With that said, this approavolved a lot of risks. After all, Vi had to position himself deep within the enemy formation in order to pull this off. Against most ne oppos, this would be aremely dangerous stunt to pull.

  But, against Theorist? This was the safest py in the world! It was clear as day that the dragon dy had no iion of challenging Vi anytime soon. As such, Vi had the freedom to extend into eerritory without much worry.

  I could even go further and bring the battle to her, but I shall refrain for now. Vihought. If she intends to make my life so easy and allow me to farm to my heart's tent, then I shall not shake the tree, at least not yet.

  With how much freedom Theorist was giving Vi, it will be a no-braio outclear the dragon dy on every wave. This was the ideal uation with minimal risks and maximum gains.

  Once Vi’s endless flurry of attacks finally came to an end, it left nothing behind. The enemy dragon dy remained practically naked against his army.

  But of course, Theorist wasn't sleeping the eime this was going down. She also tried to y waste to Vi's army with her basic attacks, but she couldn't quite pete with Bersker’s lightning-speed flurry.

  By the time Vi elimihe entire enemy army, Theorist was only doh Vi's frontline and had already retreated. She did not even dare to invade any deeper into Vi’s territory to clear out the bowmen first, that’s how mue advantage she was willing to surreo Vi in exge for her own safety.

  I see, I see. So, that's how it is. Vi nodded. You will not test me face-to-face, but her will you give me a ce to strike you. Ihis is very mu lih TheTheorist's usual tactics.

  Safety over speed, and tranquility over chaos, such were Theorist's beliefs. She preferred to put herself at a slight disadvantage as long as it helped her maintain order in the ne. Above anything else, she wao ehat everything was going acc to the script.

  This mentality was very much representative of the Leopards as a whole this year, especially on the nes where Theorist and Merlihis team was a world apart from the aggressive Leopards led by Fenrir in the previous year. Fenrir’s was a team that terrorized the petition to the core, instilling fear in all the oppos they brutally crushed.

  With that said, this version of the Leopards was iing in its own way. It appeared weaker and less oppressive at first gnce, but that was merely an illusion they established during the early parts of the game.

  It is very inviting to push ahead in this situation, but I shall not fall for this trap. Vi retreated and abahe bowmen on their own.

  As inviting as this opportunity seemed, it was more than likely an eborate trap. This was how the Leopards of this year pyed Cssmancers.

  If st year they were like fearsome wolves who leapt at their oppos and tore them to shreds, then this year they were like stealthy shey patiently waited for the right opportunity to catch their prey off guard and then systematically choke them to death.

  I shall not fall for such base trickery! Vi procimed. I’m beyoain that the enemy Jungler is lying in wait at this very moment, looking for an opportunity to strike me down.

  Allied wards have spotted Rook around Top Jungle retly, so it was safe to assume that this dangerous fellow was still hanging around. And, given how passively Theorist pyed this round, it only stood to reason that she had some ulterior motives in mind.

  For example, it could be a ing pn such as l Vi’s guard and baiting him into overextending. That would’ve set up the perfect stage for Rook to jump Vi!

  Nay, I say! You shall not have your way, vilins! I will resist this temptation until the very end!

  And, that was the right choice. Rook indeed arrived on the ne shortly after. He popped up from the enemy's side of the jungle and helped Theorist clear out the ining bowmen.

  It appears I've escaped by the skin of my teeth. Vi nodded meaningfully. If I ventured any deeper than this, I would have been naught but a sitting duck for our foes.

  Once all the minions were gone, Rook immediately left the ne. He clearly had no iion of stig around to help Theorist any further for now. The man had his own busy schedule to attend to in the jungle, so it was uandable that he couldn't babysit Top Lane 24/7.

  "Their Jungler has just departed from Top Lane," Vi reported in order to ehat everybody was in the loop. Especially, it was important to rey this information to Kai, as Mid might be Rook's arget.

  Now, let us focus on the round. Vi shifted his attention back to the enemy in front of him. My job is to pressure Theorist into submission, such were the orders I was given.

  Berserker was a soft ter tonborn, ohat Chessmaster has successfully drafted by fooling his foes. As such, Vi was obligated to live up to the expectations pced on him aheorist apart!

  It is easier said than done, however. Vi shook his head. I'm no expert at aggression like Gunz a. Oher hand, my oppo is an expert at defending. As such, it will be nigh impossible to crack her. At the very least, not with my own strength alone.

  Vi summarized the circumstao Chessmaster, the supreme ander in charge of this operation. After all, Vi was no genius tacti, so it was best to leave the plicated thinking to the man who excelled at it beyond measure. Vi was fully tent with being an obedient pawn on the mastermind’s board.

  "I see," Yuel said. "So, they're pnning to haop the same as st game."

  "Indeed, so it seems," Vi agreed. "Theorist will stick to defense, relying on Rook’s help to even out the odds."

  "In that case, start building up Rage."

  "Oh! Are you asking moi to trade my sanity for the sake of unleashing Armageddon on my foe!?"

  "... yes, I suppose," Yuel rolled his eyes. "Anyway, make sure you're ready to go Berserk by the third wave."

  "Very well. It shall be done." Vi nodded.

  He had actually used Rexing Exhale after clearing the first wave, so his Rage meter was at 30% at the moment, just enough to cast another fully charged Barbarian Sm. However, it should not take too much effort t it to 80% for the third wave.

  "Is this the entire master pn?” Vi asked. “As mighty as Berserker gets when enraged, I'm afraid I do not possess the teical skill to smite down a defensive oppo such as Theorist."

  "That's where Luke ehe picture."

  "Oh, a gank!?" Luke jumped. "I'm in! When? Where? Lemme in!"

  "You'll recall soht?" Yuel firmed. "So, time your arrival in Top for the wave."

  "Alrighty, I'm on the job!" Luke grinned.

  "I'll leave most of the specifics to you, as you're the one who knows how to best pilot this irregur pick,” Yuel said. “But, I strongly suggest traveling across this path." He drew it out on the mini-map.

  "Heh, I see whatcha doing there. Adjusting the path to the downtime of the wards, right? Smartass as always."

  "Oh, you’re familiar with this timing?" Yuel blinked.

  "Oi, what's with that surprised tone? Rude much?” Luke puffed his cheeks. “Man, I dunno what image you got of me, but I'm a bona fide Jungler, ya know? I know them stuff about t and when they expire."

  "Right."

  It was easy tet that Luke was actually a rather adequate Jungler, all things sidered. He always goofed around but he actually studied the game.

  In fact, he even came to Yuel with questions about builds and game theory before. Though, most of such questions were reted to meme csses...

  heless, when it came to important jungling knowledge, Luke definitely possessed it. On top of that, he also studied hard about how to squeeze the most out of every meme css he pyed. So, Luke definitely had the ability to bia-jungling knowledge with his meme knowledge, as goofy as that sounded.

  It’s sad that he's wasting all that effort on memes. Yuel sighed. He could've been such a reliable Juherwise. This might be the biggest waste of potential I've ever seen in my life.

  heless, in this particur game, Luke might get the opportunity to make some big pys. Yuel nning a great stage for Luke, one on which Dark Knight’s overwhelming strength will truly shine.

  However, a few more preparations were necessary for that.

  “When you recall, buy a Checkpoint Ward, just in case,” Yuel requested.

  “Eh, seriously? That thing is costly as heck,” Luke said. “I really o start w on my build, man.”

  “Yes, I’m aware. But, depending on how things develop, a Checkpoint Ward will be crucial for this py.”

  “Welp, if you’re so sure...”

  And so, the sed grand scheme of the game was set in motion. The Dark Knight had already show success during the game's opening, so will Luke be able to deliver another success?

  For this py, merely f the eo retreat won't be enough. Luke will have to ght for the kill, or else the entire py will result in a waste of time.

  In a way, that was going to be the "real test". The oute of this py will determine whether Luke's Dark Knight had any p this petitive stage.

  In fact, the result of the py might single-handedly determihe fate of this entire game. That's how extreme of a css Dark Knight was.

  Holy, a part of me wants it to fail. Yuel thought. It’s a known fact that Dark Knight has no business being Jungler. So, the faster Luke wakes up from his daydreaming, the better.

  Unfortunately, for the sake of the team, this py HAD to work. Stratus was already gging behind the Leopards by one game, so they had to win this one and even the score.

  But, will Luke really be able to pull it off? Or, will he disappoint everybody like a typical memer? In the first pce, will the Leopards lower their guard suffitly to allow that kind of development?

  The fast-approag gank on Top will answer all these questions and more…

  DarkestCymore