[After hearing about Noel playing tanks in scrims] - Groggy
But I heard she hasn't been making much of an impact.
I'm worried she might be overrated.
- Wrapturus: Still going on about Noel being overrated? ㅋㅋㅋ Aren't you tired of that?
ㄴ Gorggy: Well, come on; after all that hype about her being a top carry and a wild card, does it make sense that she can't perform at all in scrims against eliminated teams or Chinese players?
ㄴ FellCleave: Do you have any score evidence?
ㄴ Gorggy: Yeah, check the link I'll give you. You can see their scrim results on their homepage.
ㄴ Gorggy: She's been playing tanks for days now and just getting carried.
ㄴ Chicken Stir-fry: That's true... Why is she only playing tanks when she's good with assassins?
[She was just the king of solo queue ㅋㅋ] - HeartTracker
Her wild playstyle with assassins worked well in solo queue where nobody coordinates.
But in the pro scene where five people coordinate and make precise calls about zoning and focusing targets,
expecting that wild playstyle to keep working is strange.
You can see Noel realizing her limits and switching to tanks.
I'm not saying she's overrated—she's genuinely skilled to have made it this far.
But tanks are ultimately what? Picks that get carried. Though not just anyone can play that role well.
I suddenly miss CryingSSD, HLG's mental pillar who quietly held his shield without breaking even against Odin...
- Ribbon-Tear: Isn't she just practicing tanks?
ㄴ Ribbon-Tear: Originally they'd send Hyunseok for tanks and Noel for wild cards, but now Noel has to do it all
ㄴ HeartTracker: Yeah, that's probably part of it... but it's obvious Noel will end up being mediocre as a tank
ㄴ HeartTracker: "She destroyed them playing a tank like an assassin?" That was basically smurfing
ㄴ HeartTracker: Someone who reached Challenger in a month could easily destroy assassins with tanks around Master level
ㄴ NativeZergling: Now that you mention it, that makes sense...
[But aren't you analyzing this backward?] - QueenLexia
They're making her do something she's never done before—wouldn't it be a blessing if she performs just at Howling Wolves' level?
She'll play assassins when she gets the chance.
- Dedica: That's a good point
- Groggy: So she's already mastered her champion pool and is just practicing tanks in scrims?
ㄴ QueenLexia: Yeah, that's what I think
ㄴ QueenLexia: She probably keeps picking tanks in scrims to gain experience quickly
ㄴ SilverPanthea: I believe that too... She's already shown her assassins work well in scrims against other teams, so there must be a reason she's not bringing them out!
-----
For a week, I've felt like I was wearing clothes that didn't fit me.
Originally, my role was to create variables, so playing aggressive champions would have been enough.
But I've been playing only tanks the entire time.
Clearly, my value would be maximized by playing champions I excel at and employing strategies I'm good at.
But after Hyunseok injured his hand, I had to take on his role too.
So I had no choice but to handle tank champions.
Nobody specifically ordered me to do this.
But since we needed to coordinate with teammates, it was the reality I had to accept.
"Oh, wow. Noel's good at tanks too?"
"You need to know how to cut down tanks if you want to play assassins."
"Sorry to Hyunseok, but we don't even feel his absence."
"Kid, Noel's old enough that she should at least match my level. Noel, just keep doing what you're doing."
"Let's keep going like this!"
So I followed the feedback to communicate with teammates, even if briefly.
In-game, I just harassed the enemy top laner enough to prevent proper growth.
My influence was limited to using crowd control at the right moments to make it difficult for enemy carries to deal damage.
And my teammates were busy praising me as if trying to comfort me.
Well, the fact that I started communicating with teammates was something they could view positively.
But to me, it sounded like they were trying to console a child who was doing something they didn't want to do.
It was a bit annoying, but I had no choice.
Hyunseok's retirement happened because he was trying to save me.
Though I didn't intend for it to happen,
I have a duty to fill Hyunseok's empty position.
My goal is no longer just to show off my skills and do my best regardless of winning or losing.
I need to do well.
I need to win games.
I need to lead the team to victory.
That's the only way I won't feel guilty toward Hyunseok and my mother.
So I've performed that role without complaint for a week.
Today is when I'll see the results.
Like last week, I took a taxi to the LCK Arena with Gabi's help.
"Go Noel! I'll cheer for you from the stands."
"Thanks. I'll definitely win."
After parting with Gabi, I settled early in the player waiting room.
...Today, to avoid falling asleep like last time, I analyze videos of other players on my phone.
During feedback sessions, we watched analysis videos of the players we'd be facing.
But there's a difference between watching the coaches' summary videos and seeing the overall flow myself.
One hour until my first match.
Yet somehow I didn't feel nervous or tense.
It wasn't baseless confidence that I'd do well.
Rather, the weight on my shoulders acted like an anchor.
So I could calmly wait for the other players and the start of the tournament.
-----
"Playoff Week 1 ended a week ago. Now it's time for Week 2, Round 2. It's going to be absolutely thrilling."
"That's right. Unlike Spring Season, Summer Season has had some rule changes that allowed new players to join. Though there was also an unfortunate accident."
"Indeed. While there's no real seniority among pro gamers, we had a player who injured his hand protecting a junior. I hope he recovers quickly so we can see him in future matches. Now, will the player carrying on his will be able to perform today? Here comes HLG team."
As the commentators speak, spotlights illuminate a path across the darkened arena.
Following that path, five players in white uniforms with orange accents enter along with their coach and manager.
Among them, a girl moving in a wheelchair appears on the big screen.
Her eyes, overflowing with decadent charm, show no concern about the camera focusing on her.
She simply sits languidly in the wheelchair, pressing only the forward button.
Unlike last time, the girl now enters the player booth with the other players.
As brief introductions of the players continue, the commentators shout with rising excitement.
"And their opponents. Ah, another trial from Spring Season approaches HLG. They thought they'd avoided them in Round 1, but here they are, meeting on this narrow bridge."
"This team must be like a nightmare. But the world of competition is cruel. Even if you don't meet them now, you'll eventually face them if you advance. Not just for HLG, but for all teams, they're like a mountain that must eventually be conquered—a team that hasn't let go of the championship cup for 10 years! SKY is entering!"
Following the same illuminated path,
Players in black uniforms with red accents enter.
Unlike HLG team, they move with serious expressions but relaxed steps.
SKY team takes their seats in the booth opposite HLG.
Both sides check their keyboards, mice, headsets, and microphones.
During this interval, the commentators fill time by explaining coach interviews and player statistics.
When the profile of the girl with no previous record appears,
Small cheers rise from the audience, and the commentators chuckle softly.
"Ah, it seems she already has fans, being such a rare female pro gamer."
"Of course. Though she's small in stature, she has such a beautiful face, doesn't she? I wonder if her skills will be as impressive as her looks. I hear she's an aggressive top laner."
"That's right. And she's been practicing tanks in scrims for the past week. Word is that facing her feels no different from facing CryingSSD—unable to take initiative, quite frustrating. She always plays high-value tanks aiming for the late game."
"That makes her even more unpredictable. Originally, she would have shown aggressive warrior champions, but what champion will Noel play today? Of course, pundits say that even though HLG has beaten SKY before, they're unlikely to threaten their solid fortress. The predicted win ratio is 7 to 3, right?"
"But who knows what preparations they've made or what miracle might happen. Now, let's start the pick and ban phase."
Thanks to the commentators filling time, both booths signal they're ready.
The champion pick and ban phase begins immediately.
Without any delay, one team's main champion gets banned.
HLG bans Azirus.
They block a signature pick with infinite variable potential.
Meanwhile, SKY's ban is more general.
Maokai. Not knowing what champion Noel will play, they ban a champion that can be used as a jungler and create variables.
HLG then bans Nasus, while SKY cuts out Rumble.
Both are champions that can be used in top and mid lanes, according to analysis.
Next, HLG cuts out Lillia, and SKY removes Ivern.
Both sides have removed champions that could threaten them.
In this state, Noel highlights Vi's portrait.
Perhaps because it's not a champion she plays, and it's awkward for top lane,
The commentators explain without much surprise.
"Vi, an excellent fighter. Even tanks lose bones when hit by those steel fists. Judging by the aggressive style, Noel might play her, but she's not a top champion. Obviously for jungle."
"With an ultimate that forces engagement, it would pressure SKY if they want to play an immobile ranged carry. Oh? But they're showing Ashe?"
"Ashe, good pick. Works well with currently popular attack speed-based items. Well, if the support protects her well, she can handle Vi's gauntlets to some extent. And here... Ah! Montblanc, used as a support in solo queue, but this is likely Joker confidently asking for it. How will HLG counter? Tristania? Good lane matchup, but can she follow Montblanc's roaming? Jigsaw. An annoying bomber who just throws bombs from afar. Can also be used mid or as ranged carry, so they're keeping options open?"
"As I speak, Yone! Haha, this is difficult. Yone can also go top or mid. Though Yone isn't Noel's main pick, it fits her style. And Truerock also handles Yone very well."
"It feels like HLG has carefully prepared their pick and ban against SKY. 'Think you know which lane we're going?' 'Let's see your next pick!' Then... SKY brings out Braum as support. They'll protect Ashe solidly. Even if Vi and Yone dive in, they'll block with a shield."
What could have been a boring strategic battle became engaging for the audience thanks to the commentators' flavorful explanations.
Whether due to their delivery or game knowledge,
Noel glances up at the commentators, as if she heard their voices.
Meanwhile, Rella, Poppy, Xanthe, and Brolaf get banned.
Both sides now have no idea what the other will play, so they ban champions troublesome for their compositions.
"And here... Ah! SKY picks Kennen!"
"With Yone and Vi, they have a dive composition. So SKY is saying, 'Come if you dare, we'll counter with lightning storms!' Kennen's ultimate is so good against dive compositions."
"Meanwhile, HLG doesn't back down after seeing Kennen and picks Rakan. Ah, will they still dive in together? Or did they just pick a versatile support? Now the champion to complete HLG's composition is... Vladimir? Is this right? A champion that hasn't appeared in LCK for years just popped up!"
"Well, Vladimir's potential is scary. Good lane sustain with blood sucking, can briefly hide in a blood pool becoming immune to all attacks, and applies a debuff that increases damage taken in an area! But there's a reason people don't use him. Plus, neither Noel nor Truerock have any record of playing Vladimir in solo queue or scrims. Is this really the right pick?"
"The pick itself could be fine considering SKY's crowd control, and it fits the composition concept as a final key card. It's also a traditional counter to Kennen. They've completed a composition that says, 'Let's all dive in and stir things up.' Then SKY... Ah, Lee Sin. They'll kick away anyone who comes in. I really don't know. Let's watch the game directly!"
After such an intense strategic battle,
A team mocked as perpetually second-tier clashed with a team that, despite occasional slumps, never missed championships.