Due to the risk of being ganked, Jin didn’t push hard during the seinion wave.

  "My, for a moment there, I was sure you'll push," Cato said.

  "The risk not worth it," Jin said matter-of-factly.

  "Yes, that's true." Cato nodded. "But, I expected you to uimate them all the way. So, I'm gd to see that you're not throwing caution to the wiirely."

  "Some risks are worth it, some not. Also, I 't fully uimate them. They mao give you trouble, after all."

  "That's... true, I suppose." Cato's ever-present smile twitched slightly. "But, I assure you, we would’ve won this game even without you."

  "Maybe. But, it's unnecessary risk,” Jin argued. “This team should not lose, even in scrims."

  "True, true. After all, we're the 'regional champions', right? We have to win it all, both in scrims and in official games."

  "Right."

  "So, may I know what's your pn from here on out?" Cato asked. "Are you going to push again in the wave?"

  "Yes. Once Jungler gone, I push."

  "I see.” Cato nodded. “Keep in mind that your oppo seems to be an expert in defense, so he might be able to block you. So, please try to not force it too much."

  "Unlikely. Defending is all he knows. His skill level not high."

  "Perhaps, but we 't rule any possibilities out. This is only the sed time we see him in a, after all."

  "Hmph. Alright." Holy, I wasn't expeg to see a hyper-defensive pyer on that team. Wasn’t “offeheir eeam's mantra? But, turns out they had a "trump card" like this.

  There was no denying that Phoenix's defeood head and shoulders above the rest of his team’s. Even though Jin usually didn't think much of the skill level of anybody in this regioill had to admit that Phoenix hahe previous push quite effitly. That teique of drawing the swordsmen to the side required delicate execution, and Phoenix deserved at least a 7/10.

  It seems I'll have to ramp up my aggression. Jin cluded. I won't be able to snowball mutil I crack this guy's defense. But, will they give me enough freedom to do that?

  Judging by the previous game, Stratus’ strategist enjoyed applyie pressure by making the Juick around Top. In fact, he had doly that in the most ret wave, too.

  This time, Jin respected the presence of the enemy Jungler and chose to not push. But, was that caution really warranted against oppos of this pitiful level?

  Well, if I want to be objective here, thehis warranted some caution. Jin ceded. After all, they did push the Leopards team to a er, and Vanishing tributed plenty toward that.

  Despite Jin's personal feelings about the region’s low skill level, he had to admit that a certain degree of caution was required. When Vanishing was nearby, Jin couldn't be as bold as he would have liked to be.

  Well, this round she’s in Bot. Jin analyzed. And, there aren’t any signs of her rotating over here.

  The minion wave was about to csh in the ne, yet a ward revealed that Vanishing was still hanging around Bot Jungle. And, there was no ce of that reveal being falsified, as Vanishing ying Drow and not Ninja in this game.

  Teically, Drow could also create a "e" that would be spotted by a ward. However, Drow’s e couldn't move around the way Vanishing was doing right now, therefore she had to be the real deal.

  Even if she starts rushing over here now, she wouldn't make it in time to do anything. Jin cluded. Looks like I got myself a free ticket to do whatever I want this round. Good.

  This was a green light to be as aggressive as he wahis round. Therefore, it was time to go all in!

  Most likely, Phoenix will py this round as cautiously as the first one. heless, there was a good ce that he would also try to hit Jin at least once, just as he tried before.

  No matter how passive of a pyer he is, I 't imagine any petitive pyer who wouldn’t get at least a little annoyed when his oppo is being so disrespectful. Jin thought. So, I’ll have to be on the lookout for that.

  Despite that, he executed his usual bold clearing teique as if he didn’t have a care in the world. He approached the bowmen, blew them to bits, and then rolled toward the swordsmen to tihe onsught.

  Essentially, he arading as he pleased on the enemy's turf. No self-respeg oppo would let something like that pass without punishment.

  I hear your steps. Jin perked his ears to the max. Here it es.

  Creak. Creak. Creak. The Druid's footsteps had a distinctive sound to them, that of wood hitting against the ground. Therefore, even without looking, it was easy to tell that the enemy was drawing nearer.

  Now! Jin turned around and unleashed his Sce skill. In an instant, his sledgehammer transformed into a thoral whip aended all the way to the enemy!

  Spot on. Jin nodded in satisfa. And, he fired a shot at me, just as I hoped.

  Everythi dowly as Jin envisioned. Phoenix crept up on him in order to shoot a basic attack, and Jin gdly accepted the damage this time. In exge, he stunned Phoenix ih the sce attack.

  Furthermore, Jin's minions got enraged sihe Druid's basic attack strue. They sought revenge for this atrocity and focused their fire ounned foe.

  The swordsmen wouldn’t make it in time to hit the stuarget, but the bowmen quickly got into position and fired one round of arrows. And, since Phoenix didn't get the ce to set up his shield, every shot hit his HP directly.

  In the meantime, Jin rolled forward to get away from the enemy minions, whgro’d on him. They’ll end up catg up to him eventually, but that was fihis entire py was all about trading HP. And, Jin was fident he’ll e far on top in this exge.

  WHISH! Ji the stunned foe with his sce! A sirike erased over 15% of Phoenix’s HP. On top of that, the bowmen were already nog their arrows for a sed round.

  Most certainly, the enemy was sweating right now.

  O-Oh no! Ben shuddered. I have to get back to the tower! Fast!

  He rolled away as soon as the stun ended. Sihe goal was to reach the Turret as quickly as humanly possible, Ben rolled straight toward the tower area. But, that might’ve been a very bad decision...

  Oh, he's so close! Ben gulped. I didn't realize he got all the way here. The isn't good...!

  SWISH! The sce crackled once again, hitting Ben in the middle of his roll!

  Yes, Apprentece was actually close enough to nd that hit, even though Ben was rolling directly toward his tower, inside his owory. How was that possible?

  Oh, stupid me. Ben shook his head. I saw him rolling away from my minions, but I didn't register just how deep he rolled into my territory. He might even hit me one more time after this...!

  Ben fihe roll, but he was almost certainly still within Apprentece's attack range. He couldn't verify that for sure with his back turo the enemy, but he was almost vihat this was the case.

  And, even if I’m not, then he'll catch up to me in no time. Druid is slower. Ben frowned. I have to use the shield now.

  Activating Gaia's Prote this early was far from ideal. Like this, the shield might not st long enough to fully tank the minions at the tower.

  However, that was the least of Ben's s at the moment. Why? Because SLASH! The whip crackled once more!

  This one basic attack shattered Ben’s shield to pieces. Yes, just like that, in one single blow.

  In fact, the attack was even strohan the shield. So, not only did it destroy the shield, but it also hit Ben on top of that. The damage was negligible pared to the 15% it would’ve normally erased, but it was heless a little frustrating.

  It's s. I 't even fully shield it. Ben frowned. And, now I have no shield against this push...

  Not only did Ben lose over 35% from this entire exge, but he was also left without his best defeool for the uping push. Without the shield, it was impossible for him to aggro the minions and tank their hits; he had to leave it to the tower.

  I was pletely outpyed this round. Ben thought. I told everybody I was going to be “okay”, but maybe that’s not so true… B-but! I ’t lose heart here! I have to do what I from this position!

  Ben swallowed strongly and pressed on toward his tower. Aire enemy legion was chasing him down, but he ighem and tinued running.

  Judging by the footsteps, the Orc stopped chasing him midway. It seemed that Apprentece decided to take a break a rid of Ben’s remaining swordsmen first.

  Whish. Ssh. Swish. The sce struck thrice, eliminating one swordsman with every blow.

  This entire py was amazing. Ben gulped. He traded 10% of his HP in exge for taking almost 40% of mine. And, his entire minion wave is still alive...

  In short, the situation was devastating. The enemy minions chased Ben all the way to the tower, thirsting for blood! What a disaster!

  DarkestCymore