LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 443
The diagonal rule doesn’t only apply to the diagonal itself.
It’s contradictory, but what’s actually important is what turn the opponent took and how we respond when our turn comes next.
So, with OLZ having used their turn on the top, it was basically YSG’s turn now.
[“Now!”]
With the shout of YSG’s Mid Laner GogoSing, DieHard revealed the claws he’d been hiding.
As GogoSing threatened Nikon, Nikon launched a skill at Jason faster than he could react.
Considering Jason’s burst damage, it was clear that allowing even a timid trade would make lane phase tough.
And DieHard’s Nidalee didn’t miss that brief opening.
“Let’s go.”
As Nikon’s skill cooldown ended, Nidalee jumped in.
Of course, Jason’s response to the gank wasn’t top-notch, so Nikon quickly reacted and tried to retreat.
When Nidalee’s spear blocked Nikon’s escape route, he had no choice but to dodge the spear by moving back.
In the meantime, it was obvious that Jason and Nidalee were already close behind.
In the end, Nikon, using his only escape tool, the W, split into two and ran in opposite directions.
There was only one he could chase.
Under normal circumstances, it was highly likely that the Nikon fleeing toward the turret was the real one.
Of course, the bait play known among Nikon users was also one of their specialties, but DieHard shook his head at that possibility.
‘No way.’
The opponent was Getback.
Despite OLZ’s recent momentum, honestly speaking, Getback’s evaluation was just alright among the general consensus.
It’s rare for a strong team like OLZ to have a Mid Laner with such a low reputation; it was a testament to OLZ’s jungle being so overwhelmingly strong.
This was also the reason DieHard chased after the clone heading toward the turret.
Normally, when people are pressed, their instinct drives them toward a safe place, and only a few players can pull off so-called “crack plays” against this instinct even in dire situations.
“To the turret.”
Naturally, Jason and Nidalee chased after the Nikon who ran into the opponent’s turret.
And just as Nikon’s clone gracefully passed by Nidalee and dashed into the lower bush, the Nikon at the turret disappeared like dust.
It was a fake.
[“It’s a clone! Down! Down!”]
GogoSing’s urgent voice echoed through the headset.
Getback’s Nikon had completely outsmarted them.
‘But it’s not too late.’
They could still chase Nikon now.
It was a bit unexpected that Nikon hadn’t fled toward the turret, but that was only because there were practically no other escape routes on that side.
So, for DieHard, all he had to do was follow the soon-to-be-caught Nikon.
“Don’t panic. We’ve got him.”
No matter how fast Nikon was, with W on cooldown, it wasn’t easy for him to shake off Jason and Nidalee’s chase.
Sure enough.
Nikon’s location was soon revealed.
[⨷]
[YSG DieHard (Nidalee) has targeted OLZ Getback (Nikon)]
“Nikon’s over here.”
As Jason and Nidalee chased the fleeing Nikon, he entered the bush by the river, where he was briefly visible.
[“Wait!”]
Before anyone could process it, Rakan appeared.
No, it wasn’t just Rakan.
[“Kai’Sa is here too!”]
Seeing both Rakan and Kai’Sa joining forces, DieHard felt his blood run cold.
‘When did this happen?’
There had been no call from bot lane.
In other words, the enemy bot had moved quickly while the vision on their side had been completely taken.
“…It’s over.”
With DieHard’s murmur, the real fight began.
With Rakan initiating and Nikon following up, unfortunately, the option to escape was no longer available.
It was a 2:3 situation.
Not ideal, but considering Nikon wasn’t in the best shape, they kept the fight going, but a numerical disadvantage isn’t easy to overcome.
Especially since Jason and Nidalee’s positions were such that they were caught while chasing Nikon.
Due to being so focused on Nikon, they didn’t notice the enemy bot lane joining in.
– Our ally has been defeated!
– Enemy, double kill!
Of all champions, it was Nikon who scored a double kill— the one they definitely didn’t want to feed.
It was the moment clouds gathered over the game.
[“Ah… I couldn’t make the call. Sorry.”]
[“It’s fine, bot lane got some gains.”]
Since the enemy bot also used quite a bit of resources during the 2:3 fight, given their current health and mana situation, they wouldn’t be able to return to the lane.
So, if they could at least gain some lane control and chip at the turrets during this pause, it would be a little consolation.
That’s how it should’ve gone, but…
[“K’Sante’s teleporting to bot.”]
With the initial gank success, the opponent’s K’Sante, his feet freed, returned home and then teleported to cover the bot lane.
It’s rare for a top laner to invest like this so early in the game, but it was certainly unpleasant for YSG.
It would have been ideal for the lane that hadn’t joined the fight to capitalize on turret mining, but that opportunity had slipped away due to the top laner’s coverage teleport.
[“K’Sa just came to top.”]
And with OLZ’s line swap occurring naturally, DieHard couldn’t hide his shock.
‘…Is this really a team just promoted from the second division?’
DieHard knew very well that the jungler, Outlaw, was anything but ordinary.
But really, how many people actually understood the player Outlaw as deeply as DieHard did?
However, the other OLZ players did not.
Thus far, the other team members of OLZ, apart from top and support, had a strong image of riding the jungler’s momentum, and even the top and support, compared to the existing LCKR players who were top-tier, didn’t have much distinguishing factor.
‘Plus, it seems like the situation in my jungle isn’t looking good either.’
After achieving one success in the top lane, Outlaw’s Kha’Zix had seemingly disappeared without a trace.
Unless he had awkwardly shown his face in another lane, if Kha’Zix’s location was nowhere to be seen like now, there was only one conclusion to be made.
‘My jungle has been cleared out.’
Kha’Zix, despite his carnivorous looks, is essentially a growth-oriented full-camp jungler.
Of course, his 1v1 capability in the jungle is quite strong, but Kha’Zix’s strength lies in his potential once he’s leveled up.
Now, DieHard had to decide.
Either to head to blue side jungle, which had likely already been seized, in hopes of finding even a sliver of opportunity.
Or risk it all by invading the enemy jungle.
‘Staying like this won’t lead to victory.’
DieHard’s choice was almost predetermined from the beginning.
No matter how great a player Outlaw was, there are limits to jungle farming speed.
If he has cleared the ally’s top jungle, there simply isn’t enough time for him to also farm his jungle.
“I’m going to invade their jungle.”
[“Uh… are you sure?”]
“If not, I’m done for.”
It was clear that there wouldn’t be any jungle camps for DieHard to farm in his own jungle right now.
While there are forced paths to gank in such situations, the problem was that there were currently no lanes showing for a favorable gank.
‘If my upper jungle was cleared out by this time… going to the lower jungle would at least offer higher odds.’
It wasn’t only because of that reason.
The enemy bot lane was already in a line swap with the top, so if he headed to the lower jungle, he wouldn’t have to worry about the potential arrival of corresponding enemy laners.
“I’m going in.”
[⬇]
[OLZ Outlaw (Nidalee) is on the move]
DieHard pinged and began entering the enemy jungle.
‘There it is.’
He threw a spear to check for the enemy frog and, sure enough, the enemy frog was there.
DieHard smoothly moved in to take the frog, using the spear-W combo, but at that moment, he felt something was off.
“…Huh?”
Nidalee’s spear has the vision effect.
Although it’s not wide-ranging, it’s one of the greatest reasons for Nidalee to determine whether an area is safe or not.
But…
There was something he shouldn’t have seen in the blind spot.
“There’s a Kha’Zix—”
DieHard’s words were cut off mid-sentence.
As though waiting for this moment, Kha’Zix lunged at Nidalee, catching her completely off guard.
As mentioned earlier, one of Kha’Zix’s strengths is his powerful 1v1 combat ability in the jungle.
Especially when ambushed like now, the outcome was pretty much predetermined.
[“On my way!”]
Ally’s bot lane called out frantically, trying to join in, but there was nowhere for DieHard to run as Kha’Zix mercilessly tackled him.
Flash had already been used earlier, and while he tried to use W, he’d just be caught by the E that followed Kha’Zix.
“Ah…”
In an instant, DieHard’s screen faded to a gray haze.