Book 1: Chapter 35
The big screen was live broadcasting the game. Both of them began to methodically build their base.
They had played against each other before, so they knew more or less the otherâs strategies.
âGruntâs ranking is very high on Battle.net; heâs been in diamond league for quite a long time. Where he mainly battles with Korean professional Starcraft II players.â Baona gave a detailed explanation and even began giving background information. âWhen most of the Starcraft I players are still waiting to see how the competitive environment for Starcraft II will develop, Grunt was already the only Chinese player among the top six on Battle.net.â
Ai Qing knew Grunt was strong, but didnât expect him to be this strong.
Thenâ¦â¦whatâs Soloâs ranking?
On the stage, Soloâs face was illuminated by the screen. Compared to Gruntâs powerful presence, Solo always gave the feeling of a calm sea before the storm arrived.
No matter how tumultuous next second would be, the moment before was always calm.
A calm that made others uneasy.
âAs for Solo.â Baona suddenly smiled with confidence. âHe never plays ladder on Battle.net, rather he schedules matches with others. Donât worry about his ranking.â
Ai Qing simply responded with âen.â
On the screen, a fierce battle erupted and soon skirmishes broke out across the map.
The blood of Soloâs Zerg dyed the battleground red; they kept killing but couldnât stop the Terran marines â¦â¦
When the resources at two of Soloâs three bases ran out, even Ai Qing who wasnât a Starcraft II player knew that Soloâs resources were exhausted by now. Without a new source of resources, he would no longer be able to fight.
She nervously looked at Solo, but couldnât see his expression because of the reflection on his glasses.
But instinctively, she believed he couldnât possibly lose so completely.
The male commentator mumbled, âLooks like this round is about to finishâ¦â¦â
The female commentator had been a fan of Ai Qing for years and therefore favored Solo. But with the situation liked this, she also didnât know what to say. When the game had gone into the second half, she suddenly yelled at the screen as if to find some excuse for Solo, âInfestors. 7 infestors!â
On the lower righthand corner of the screen appeared some infestors. The audience instantly exploded.
âInfestors?â Ai Qing looked towards Baona.
âSolo is using bio warfare.â Baona simply explained. âNo matter how many marines there are, itâs useless now.â
As Baona was talking, mariness on screen were falling down in droves; it was like wheat falling to a scytheâ¦â¦even those at the CS contestant area got excited.
This kind of surprising turnaround wasnât seen often.
If Soloâs meagre defense and withdrawal had confused the audience, then the current situation only proved one fact, that he had used the last thirty minutes to retreat and set up the perfect trap.
All who sat to the right of Ai Qing couldnât contain his laughter. âSolo is still so sneakyâ¦â¦oh no, thatâs not the right word. I should say he treats his opponents, no matter who they are, as little kids.â
As he was talking, he excitedly patted Ai Qingâs lap. âThis is what a exhibition game should be. A true exhibition game!â
The result had been determined when the infestors started to show up.
The first round, with Soloâs surprising comeback, Grunt lost without any objection.