Chapter 25
The official contest system is B07, but the scrim was shortened to B03 (best of three) with full global BP–no reused champions.
“Apex wants to test our strength,” Matilda stated, her voice firm and confident. “We’re a newer team. They’ve prepared counters for our signature plays.”
The draft phase ended exactly as Matilda predicted. This was her debut in an official match setting. First-game tensions faded, replaced by confidence.
Thanks to Matilda’s precise predictions, God’s Fury held a significant lineup advantage in the first round.
As the match loaded, Matilda’s eyes widened seeing Aubree’s ID–Phoenix, the rising mid-laner she’d heard about.
“Phoenix,” Matilda commanded, shifting focus. “Lock down their ADC. Give him zero breathing room.”
Matilda gave her final instructions before handing over control to the five players.
In this round, Aubree picked Ahri, the assassin-mage, while Alvin picked a tanky assassin with limited dash potential, making it less suited for diving the backline. Thus, the task of restricting their ADC fell to Aubree.
In Apex Squad’s studio. “Looks like God’s Fury’s coach did their homework,” the topsolo muttered.
The jungler scoffed, “Who cares? We’re still superior.”
His focus was on the unknown mid. “Who the hell is this nobody, Phoenix? Killian, do you know?”
Killian’s expression darkened as he stared at the in-game ID. “Just some chick with cheap tricks.”
“A girl?” The jungler laughed loudly. “All-Star’s gone weak, picking a girl to carry. Funny. Watch me turn that Phoenix into a plucked chicken.”
Apex Squad’s operational model was brutally simple: owned by Emery, the team lacked no financial resources, sparing no expense on top-tier setups.
The only standard for staying in this team was brute performance.
The squad operated on a “survival of the fittest” system–players could dominate one season only to be replaced by rookies the next. They were brainwashed into prioritizing victory above all.
This system had its pros and cons. It fostered peak individual skill but zero teamwork, replaced by solo shows of prowess. And they all have massive egos. A female rookie? They saw only prey.
The game started, with both teams trading minor skirmishes without major consequences.
The Apex ADC, freed by his support, moved mid lane first. Seeing his teammates rushing in, Killian decisively targeted Aubree.
Gritting his teeth, he stared at the sexy female champion on screen. ‘This time, Phoenix, you pay.’
Lucas called out the enemy’s position to Aubree. She laughed at Killian, who lingered in the lane despite having no skills left, clearly fishing for opportunities.
After clearing this end, Aubree placed a ward and feigned moving down, only to duck into mid lane’s right brush.
Killian laughed angrily. ‘Did this bitch really think I’m an idiot? That she could trick me with such a rookie move?‘
He signaled his jungler: “Phoenix is in mid-right brush! Let’s jump her!”
“Pathetic fake,” the ADC sneered. “Think this is an arena for rookies?” His arrogance cost him instantly.
Before he could close the distance, Aubree flashed into her ultimate from the brush. The Apex ADC didn’t even react before getting kicked in the face and being deleted from the map.
By the time Killian reacted, Alvin had charged from the jungle, ulting immediately. A few slashes later, Killian joined his ADC on the ground.
With their first advantage secured, Alvin and Aubree didn’t need words–they headed straight for the dragon. Apex Squad’s double kill cost them the objective outright.
“Wait, I just spammed my spells into that brush–how the hell did she reach me from there?!” the Apex ADC raged. One second, he was mocking her; the next, he was dead.
Apex’s leader, as the support, didn’t hold back on comments. “If you can’t handle pro play, get the fuck out. Two deaths in one end? Douche Bag!”
Killian stared at the screen with acute resentment. ‘Phoenix! Fucking Phoenix again!‘
With the early advantage, God’s Fury exploited every chance. Alvin, playing like a relentless ganker, would leap out from nowhere to secure picks.
But what truly plagued Apex Squad was Aubree–she might as well have been cheating.
“Does this Phoenix have X-ray vision? How the hell does she escape five-man ganks?” the Apex jungler, who’d just been outplayed and killed first, seethed at his gray screen.
In this situation, defeat was inevitable for Apex Squad.
Anytime they engaged Aubree head-on, it was basically their side that died.
The ADC had lost count of how many times the phantom mid-jungle duo had ambushed and killed him.
Compared to Apex Squad’s ADC’s miserable plight, Lucas cheered, “Oh, boy! Phoenix, you rock–this free farming is too good!”
Hector, who’d just helped Lucas steal the enemy red buff, feigned irritation. “That red on you? I served it to you.”
“Love you too, Hector!” Lucas chirped back.
Soon came the 10-minute Baron teamfight. If Apex Squad couldn’t seize an opportunity here, they’d be pushed down relentlessly.
God’s Fury, leading in gold, initiated the Baron first.
“Shrek’s on BR. Engage!” the Apex topsolo spotted from vision control. The remaining four members converged immediately.
It was a textbook teamfight initiate from the seasoned team–Apex Squad’s charge scattered God’s Fury’s formation effortlessly.
But this came at a cost: Apex Squad’s pursuit left their own lineup divided.
Aubree didn’t hesitate to unload her spells on the enemy ADC and APC during their ability downtime.
By the time Apex realized the trap, their carries were already stone-cold dead. The remaining three were merely a matter of time.
Fully farmed, Lucas played his Marksman like a bruiser, dominating the battlefield without a care for his squishy role. The first round ended swiftly.
Apex Squad’s coach quickly noticed Aubree. “That rookie mid is dangerous–keep an eye on her next round.”
To test Aubree’s limits, Apex Squad locked in five mage bans in the second round, sending all current meta-powerful champions to the bench.
Aubree chuckled. Trying to shut her down was a rookie mistake–there was no role she couldn’t dominate.
Her skills have already been proven. Matilda recognized that her limit was sky-high and gave her free rein. In the second round, she picked Katarina, a meta bottom-tier pick.
When Katarina was locked in, Apex Squad was confused–but the outcome was unexpected. Aubree pulled off a pentakill show that left everyone dazzled.
“Holy shit! I knew Phoenix was awesome, but this?!” Hector gaped. ‘Was that final play even humanly possible?‘
Aubree smiled. “Gotta live up to this jersey, right?”
“Our new coach is amazing too,” the top laner teased Karl. “Ready for retirement, Karl?”
Karl laughed. “New generation overtakes the old, huh?”
Matilda’s eyes welled up with joy, her hands trembling as she clasped them tightly. ‘This is unreal. I made it, on this stage!‘
‘Gosh, this is goodshit.’ Alvin exhaled deeply. They’d beaten Apex before, but never like this–this was a massacre. He saw the championship trophy waving at him.
“Impressive,” Alvin smiled at Aubree.
She grinned back. “Save the praise–just buy us dinner, Captain.”
“Done. Name the place!” Alvin boomed.
Aubree turned to Matilda. “Wanna stay with us?”
Matilda shot her a look. “Where else? Apex Squad?”
“Not a chance–I already drew up the contract,” Karl said, pulling out the document he’d prepared after the first round.
“Hey, I’m the boss here!” Alvin interjected, but was ignored by everyone.
While God’s Fury celebrated, the atmosphere in Apex Squad’s room was choking. Fresh off a scrimmage loss, they now had to deal with Emery’s surprise inspection.