After Ye Shaoyang returned to his room after dinner, he opened his laptop and logged into the game with a side account. Just as he was about to message Chi Shuo to ask him to log into the game, a notification popped up on the screen as if reading his mind—Friend [Jungler No. 8] invited you to join a Duel Room.
Ye Shaoyang joined the room with his side account [Mid Laner No. 7], turned on voice chat, and asked: "I was just about to look for you, and you sent an invite. Have you been online all this time?"
Chi Shuo's deep, pleasant voice came through the microphone: "Mm, I was watching matches, and had the game open waiting for you. Log into QQ first; I'll send you a few video recordings."
Ye Shaoyang logged into QQ. Chi Shuo sent several video files in succession; all filenames were "Kiriyama Takuya Match Recordings," with numbers 1~10 following.
Kiriyama Takuya was precisely the Japanese player placed in Group C, from Japan's current championship favorite team MOK, MOK's main jungler, also "recommended without trials" to the World Invitational.
Ye Shaoyang wasn't familiar with this player. The most famous jungler from Japan was "Fujita Naoki," whom he had encountered in International server ranked matches, whose [Ninja] play was otherworldly. "Kiriyama Takuya" was probably a newcomer who emerged in the last couple of years. Being able to become the starting jungler for a top-tier team clearly meant he had some skills.
Chi Shuo said: "I researched Kiriyama Takuya's match recordings from the regular season. His most commonly used heroes are [Ninja], followed by [Stealth Rogue], [Bloody Assassin], [Fist King], and the rest like [Demon Hunter], [Chivalrous Hero], [Sword Immortal] have fewer appearances. MOK is a jungle-core team; he prefers burst-type assassins that can one-combo kill."
Ye Shaoyang opened the recordings Chi Shuo sent. All videos were edited, singling out "Kiriyama Takuya's" operations during team fights, allowing a clear view of his playstyle and habits.
Go to the Japanese official site, find regular season match recordings, screen record, edit…
This wasn't a simple task.
Had Chi Shuo been busy with this since returning to the hotel? Really more dedicated than a coach.
Ye Shaoyang watched the edited recordings with mixed feelings, summarizing: "Although he likes burst-type assassins, his playstyle leans cautious. He's very patient when ambushing in bushes, likes to lie in wait for surprise attacks. Completely different from the passionate, aggressive playstyles of Zhao Xin'an and Mitchell. You can tell he's a very calm player."
Chi Shuo said: "Mm, assassins have high burst, can one-combo kill. The victory condition rules for individual matches also favor assassins more. Be careful in tomorrow's match."
There were two victory conditions for individual matches: either solo kill the opponent 3 times, or destroy the opponent's Nexus.
Because assassins have high burst, Kiriyama Takuya would most likely use the "solo kill opponent 3 times" approach, rushing crit items as fast as possible to take Ye Shaoyang's head. Killing three times directly wins.
Against Kiriyama Takuya, there are two approaches: One, withstand his early burst, drag to late game to find opportunities, manage minion waves, win by taking towers. Two, match his burst, be fiercer than him, get 3 kills before him.
Chi Shuo asked: "Do you want to play early game or drag it out with him?"
Ye Shaoyang happened to say: "I want to try playing early game. Do you think it's feasible?"
The two spoke almost simultaneously. Such a tactic understanding made both pause for a moment. Then, Chi Shuo's gentle voice came through the headset: "Of course, it's feasible. Your assassin mage play is especially good. Assassin mages also have high burst; you don't need to fear assassins."
Ye Shaoyang said: "I think so too. Besides, I often duel you normally; when we 1v1, my win rate isn't low. This Kiriyama Takuya, no matter how good he is, can't be better than Captain Chi, right?"
Being acknowledged by Shaoyang felt really good. Chi Shuo chuckled lightly, saying: "I can mimic his rhythm and practice with you."
Ye Shaoyang rubbed his hands: "Mm, let's start simulating from hero selection. For example, [Illusionist] and [Abyssal Lord] won't be at too much of a disadvantage against most assassins in a 1v1."
Chi Shuo said: "You can also try [Shadow Warlock]. This hero counters [Stealth Rogue] quite well. When the rogue stealths close, you can also stealth, counter-ambush, and burst him. Also, [Dark Witch] against [Ninja] is a good idea; the witch's puppets can avoid the clone's damage."
Ye Shaoyang followed up: "If he picks [Fist King], I can also pick long-range artillery mages, like [Apoclypse Mage], [Kraken of the North Sea], directly predict his movement, and one-combo burst him."
Chi Shuo said: "Exactly. There are plenty of strategies. How they work in actual combat still needs hands-on testing."
Ye Shaoyang said: "Let's go!"
The two entered the Duel Room, following the World Invitational rules.
First game, Chi Shuo picked [Stealth Rogue]. Ye Shaoyang tried using [Illusionist] against him. Result: Chi Shuo stealthed at level 6, flanked from the bush, one-combo burst killed him before Ye Shaoyang could even cast his skills.
Second game, switching to [Abyssal Lord] went much smoother because with shadows to swap places, it wasn't as easy for the opponent to burst him. Ye Shaoyang seized an opportunity, countering with a combo to take Chi Shuo's head.
Third game, Chi Shuo switched to [Ninja] to duel him. Ye Shaoyang tried different heroes against it, searching for the optimal plan and smoothest playstyle.
Chi Shuo rotated through heroes, letting Ye Shaoyang find his feel.
Game after game, Chi Shuo didn't seem to get bored at all. Ye Shaoyang also grew more fired up the more they fought. They traded wins, playing until 2 AM.
Only then did Chi Shuo say: "Alright, rest for now."
Ye Shaoyang canceled ready-up, checking tonight's match record. Total of 20 games, averaging 15 minutes each. Ye Shaoyang won 10, Chi Shuo won 10, exactly a 50% win rate.
Though mages versus assassins in 1v1 aren't at an advantage, Ye Shaoyang often coordinated with Chi Shuo normally, clearly understanding assassin play rhythms. He could seize the opponent's skill cooldown windows to suddenly attack, get the first strike to burst kill.
Of course, getting burst by assassins was also normal; it depended on who seized the opportunity first.
Ye Shaoyang rubbed his sore eyes, saying: "Thanks, I have a general idea now. Tomorrow morning, I'll practice last-hitting and wave management details. During the match, I'll adapt as needed."
Chi Shuo said gently: "Mm, sleep early; don't mess up your schedule."
Seoul and Imperial City aren't far apart, no need for jet lag adjustment. Ye Shaoyang normally slept around 1-2 AM. Having a match tomorrow, messing up his schedule could affect his mental state.
Ye Shaoyang replied "Good night," then straightforwardly took a hot shower and went to bed.
His dreams were filled with scenes of him dueling Chi Shuo. They swapped many heroes to practice. At the end of the dream, Chi Shuo looked at him gently, saying: "Do your best, I believe you can do it."
When Ye Shaoyang woke up, his chest felt warm. He was truly grateful to Chi Shuo.
He had never met such a dedicated practice partner.
Not only helping analyze the opponent's style and hero pool, but also personally imitating the opponent's playstyle, accompanying him through practice again and again, exploring different strategies.
Know yourself and know your enemy, and you can win more. Though Ye Shaoyang hadn't faced Kiriyama Takuya directly, last night's repeated duels with Chi Shuo felt like he had already encountered this opponent in advance.
For the upcoming match, he already had a very clear plan in mind. He always believed luck favored the well-prepared.
The next morning, Ye Shaoyang and Chi Shuo again opened their computers for duels. This time, they weren't rushing to burst each other, but focused more on micro-play: how to zone the opponent's movement, make them miss minions, how to snowball gold, which items to build first for better effect, which timing to recall to control wave tempo, etc.
Ye Shaoyang normally paid great attention to details in matches. But because in 5v5 matches, he often needed to roam top or bot, the tempo differed from staying mid the whole time in a 1v1.
1v1 tempo was faster; Ye Shaoyang also needed to adjust his mindset quickly. With Chi Shuo, the world champion in individual matches, as his practice partner, Ye Shaoyang played more and more smoothly, feeling increasingly confident about tonight's match.
Simultaneously, in the Japanese team's room, Kiriyama Takuya's room.
The accompanying tactical consultant played recordings while saying: "Lieyang is the most outstanding newcomer from the China region in S10. For today's match, you should be extra careful. His [Abyssal Lord] is played exceptionally well."
Kiriyama Takuya smiled and said: "I know, he got a pentakill with [Abyssal Lord]. But, this hero is more suited for cleaning up in team fights. In a 1v1, the ultimate reset mechanic is half useless; there's no second kill for him to reset skills. I just need to dodge his shadows, and he won't burst me."
"His [Illusionist] is also very strong, and he's good with other assassin mages. For today's match, you'd better pick after he chooses to avoid being countered."
"Mm, understood."
Kiriyama Takuya looked at the screen showing [Abyssal Lord]'s pentakill debut scene, thoughtfully stroking his chin—a mid-laner newcomer with a deep hero pool?
The China region's Lieyang emerging this year was indeed a very talented player.
But there was nothing to fear. In 1v1, assassins have an advantage over mages. Especially stealth-type assassins can ambush and burst unexpectedly; killing the opponent 3 times counts as a win.
Killing a squishy mage three times? Not too difficult.
He believed he could defeat Lieyang, advancing as the group's first place into the top 16.
Japan's number one jungler, internationally recognized, has always been GOW team's Fujita Naoki. But Fujita is already old, debuted in S7, played for 4 years now; it's time to pass the torch to the new generation.
As long as he wins the individual match championship in this World Invitational…
The position of Japan's number one jungler will be his!
Kiriyama Takuya took a deep breath and went to the restaurant with his teammates.
Lunchtime at the restaurant was bustling. Players from various countries all dined here uniformly, buffet-style for people with different tastes to choose. Kiriyama Takuya saw several players from the China region; they sat together chatting and laughing, not seeming nervous at all.
That person called Lieyang was said to be an Omega player, quite handsome. Their gazes met; the other politely smiled at him. Kiriyama Takuya nodded at Lieyang in greeting.
Cheng Xing whispered beside him: "Brother Yang, is that person Kiriyama Takuya?"
Ye Shaoyang said: "Mm, I saw his player profile; looks the same as in the photo."
Kiriyama Takuya seemed like a polite gentleman on the surface. But you can't judge by appearance alone. In one match, he ambushed in a bush for a full 3 minutes, completely still, finally appearing when teammates were mostly dead, the opponent about to retreat, taking kills, securing a quadra kill in one go, turning the tide.
Such a calm and steady player was terrifying. Absolutely mustn't be fooled by his outwardly gentle appearance.
Xie Weiyu said earnestly: "Yangyang, do your best in the afternoon match. Your match is the first for China region players. It'd be great if you could start with a win."
Zhou Jiawen smiled: "Little Yu's and my matches are scheduled for 7 PM. What about Xiao Xing?"
Cheng Xing scratched his head: "I'm in Group H, latest match time, 10 PM tonight, opponent is Vanessa. Vanessa is also a jungler. Master said he'll practice with me this afternoon to get a feel."
Xie Weiyu couldn't help saying: "Your master is really good to you."
Cheng Xing grinned: "My master seems hard to approach on the surface, but he's only cold to people he's not familiar with. Actually, he's a super good person, very responsible, right, Brother Yang?"
Ye Shaoyang lowered his head, pretending calm: "He really is quite good."
Thinking of Chi Shuo diligently acting as his practice partner last night, Ye Shaoyang felt warmth in his heart. If he didn't perform well in today's match, he'd not only let himself down but also辜负 Chi Shuo's efforts.