Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe arrives in Hangcheng for his trial at the Tianlu club.
• He meets Xiao Zhou, a youth trainee, who explains the trial process and the challenges of advancing to the main team.
• Su Zhe participates in a 36-round trial match, struggling to keep up with the pace and skill of his fellow trainees.
• The youth coach offers Su Zhe a five-year contract, but Su Zhe hesitates due to the long duration and the lack of a clear path to the main team.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe: Realizes the vast gap between his skill and that of other youth trainees, experiences self-doubt, but maintains his determination to improve.
• Xiao Zhou: Shows kindness and understanding towards Su Zhe, providing insight into the club's dynamics and the challenges of advancing.

Significant Themes

• The struggle of a newcomer facing established, highly skilled peers.
• The importance of patience, hard work, and dedication in achieving long-term goals.
• The challenges and uncertainties of pursuing a professional gaming career.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe and Xiao Zhou: Xiao Zhou offers guidance and encouragement to Su Zhe, helping him understand the realities of the club and the path ahead.
• Su Zhe and the Youth Coach: The coach evaluates Su Zhe's performance, offers him a contract, and provides guidance on the path to the main team, despite Su Zhe's hesitation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The CAC event begins with three Huaxia teams participating: Tianlu, LVG, and wings UP.
• Tianlu loses 13-7 to ENCE in the first round, with poor performances from key players.
• Su Zhe, Fat Brother, and Xiao Guang watch the matches together, discussing the state of domestic CS.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe is conflicted about joining a youth training team due to the long wait for a starting spot.
• Fat Brother expresses frustration with Su Zhe's lack of interest in going pro and encourages him to learn English.
• Su Zhe starts learning English after watching the matches, hinting at his determination to improve.

Significant Themes

• The gap between domestic and international CSGO teams.
• The struggle of domestic CSGO teams to compete on the global stage.
• The importance of individual skill and teamwork in competitive gaming.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe, Fat Brother, and Xiao Guang watch the matches together, discussing the state of domestic CS and Su Zhe's future in gaming.
• Fat Brother lectures Su Zhe about the opportunities he's missing and encourages him to learn English.
• Su Zhe considers his future in gaming and decides to start learning English.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe fails to become a starting player for a domestic team within a year, leading him to reassess his goals and plans.
• He decides to try his luck abroad after watching the dismal performance of Chinese teams in the CAC matches.
• Su Zhe creates a detailed plan to improve his skills, adapt to international playstyles, learn English, and save money for potential travel expenses.
• He achieves Diamond S rank in the game and receives a B-grade reward from the system.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe becomes more pragmatic and strategic in his approach to becoming a professional player, acknowledging the need for detailed planning and hard work.
• He accepts that he might not be able to save the domestic CS scene and decides to focus on his own goals.

Significant Themes

• The struggle of an individual against systemic issues (domestic CS scene's decline).
• The importance of planning, hard work, and adaptability in achieving goals.
• The tension between personal ambition and reality.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe interacts with his teammates in the game, demonstrating his leadership and communication skills.
• The chat in his livestream reflects the audience's admiration, envy, confusion, and mockery towards his ambition and progress.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe receives a B-grade reward of a skill insight from a professional player of his choice.
• He chooses Niko and gains his pre-aim skill insight.
• In the insight, Su Zhe witnesses Niko's exceptional pre-aiming skills on maps Ancient and Inferno.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe becomes more determined and eager to improve his skills after gaining Niko's skill insight.

Significant Themes

• The importance of practice and experience in mastering skills.
• The value of learning from professional players.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe shares his excitement with his roommates, Fat Brother and Xiao Guang, after gaining the insight.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe finishes his stream with a three-win streak, impressing his teammates with his improved playstyle.
• After a meal, Su Zhe and his teammates return to their dorm, where Su Zhe checks his system panel and decides to upgrade his Positioning attribute.
• The CAC tournament begins, and Tianlu returns to Hangcheng. 259 visits the Youth Training department and learns about Su Zhe's departure.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe continues to improve his skills, now focusing on Positioning, and expresses his desire to reach the top of the Ladder quickly.
• 259 remains confident in Tianlu's capabilities and is amused by Su Zhe's ambition.

Significant Themes

• Ambition and determination in pursuing one's goals (Su Zhe's desire to reach the top of the Ladder and make the Main Team within a year).
• The importance of finding one's own playstyle and not merely copying others (Fat Brother's advice to Su Zhe).
• The skill gap between professional players and casual gamers (259's perspective on Tianlu's reputation).

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe and his teammates (Fat Brother and Xiao Guang) discuss his improved playstyle and the challenges of high-intensity streaming.
• 259 and the Youth Training coach discuss Su Zhe's departure from Tianlu, with 259 expressing amusement at Su Zhe's ambition.

Summary

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe's rank-up speed is astonishing, reaching Demon King S from Diamond S in just half a month.
• He faces off against professional players Kaze and Jamyoung in a ranked match on Inferno.
• Su Zhe's team wins the first three rounds, leading 3-0.
• In the first Full Buy Round, Su Zhe secures crucial kills on Banana Path, helping his team win the round and the match.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe's skills and game sense improve rapidly, earning him the nickname "Bulldozer" for his aggressive playstyle.
• Kaze and Jamyoung underestimate Su Zhe initially but grow more impressed with his skills as the match progresses.

Significant Themes

• The gap between high-ranked solo queue players and professional players.
• The importance of individual skill, game sense, and team coordination in competitive CSGO.
• The challenges and rewards of grinding the ranked ladder.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe's teammates, also high-ranked solo queue players, work together to devise strategies and execute them against professional opponents.
• Kaze and Jamyoung initially joke about Su Zhe's skills but grow more serious as they witness his impressive gameplay.
• Viewers in the live chat and on the platform comment on the match, expressing their surprise and admiration for Su Zhe's skills.

Key Plot Points and Events

1. Kaze and Jamyoung, Tianlu's starters, face a 4-point deficit at the start of the match.
2. Su Zhe's team wins the match 13-9, with Su Zhe's impressive performance as the Breakthrough Player.
3. Su Zhe is invited to join Xiao Qi's team for a city tournament but declines.

Character Developments

1. Kaze and Jamyoung struggle with their team's performance and discuss Su Zhe's playstyle.
2. Su Zhe maintains a polite and humble demeanor despite his impressive skills.
3. Xiao Qi shows initiative in inviting Su Zhe to join his team.

Significant Themes

1. The struggle of maintaining a professional attitude in the face of adversity (Kaze and Jamyoung).
2. The importance of adaptability and learning from others (Su Zhe's growth as a player).
3. The tension between personal goals and team dynamics (Su Zhe's decision not to join Xiao Qi's team).

Character Interactions

1. Kaze and Jamyoung's friendly rivalry and mutual respect.
2. Su Zhe's polite refusal of Xiao Qi's invitation, demonstrating his consideration for his own circumstances.
3. The team's camaraderie and celebration of their victory.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe chooses the AK-47 as his exclusive weapon in CSGO, understanding its power and his own improvement.
• He decides to try out the European platform, Faceit, to challenge higher skill levels and attract foreign club attention.
• Su Zhe starts streaming on Faceit with Xiao Guang and Fat Brother, aiming to qualify for FPL-C.
• His first game on Faceit has a high ping, but he adapts and wins 13-1, with a record of 21-3-4.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe shows determination and focus in improving his skills and challenging higher levels.
• He demonstrates adaptability in facing new environments and challenges, like the high ping on Faceit.
• Su Zhe's English improves, allowing him to understand his teammates better on Faceit.

Significant Themes

• The theme of continuous improvement and challenge is evident in Su Zhe's decision to play on Faceit.
• The contrast between domestic and foreign players' skill levels and teamwork is highlighted.
• The importance of adaptability is shown as Su Zhe faces new challenges.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe interacts with his teammates on Faceit, understanding their language and playing styles.
• He streams with Xiao Guang and Fat Brother, showing camaraderie and shared goals.
• The dean of students praises Su Zhe for his diligence in studying, showing his positive image in the school.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe reaches Faceit Level 10 and improves his skills, adapting to the game environment and high ping.
• He encounters k0nfig and es3tag's four-man stack in a Faceit match, with the opposing team having two professional players.
• The match begins with a pistol round on Dust II, with Su Zhe's team starting as the attacking side.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe continues to improve his skills and gains confidence in his abilities.
• k0nfig feels frustrated with his team's current situation and lack of opportunities to improve their performance.

Significant Themes

• The struggle of breaking into the professional esports scene, requiring both skill and opportunity.
• The impact of high ping on gameplay and the need to adapt to it.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe and Fat Brother discuss the possibility of Su Zhe playing professionally in Europe.
• k0nfig and his teammates discuss their team's situation and the upcoming ranked match.
• Su Zhe and k0nfig have a brief exchange in the public chat after Su Zhe eliminates k0nfig in the pistol round.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe (Arrow) plays a casual match with a team against NIP, a professional team.
• NIP initially plays casually but starts to take the match seriously after recognizing Su Zhe's skill.
• Su Zhe's team struggles against NIP's improved defense, but Su Zhe secures a remarkable five-kill streak on B site.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe (Arrow): Shows exceptional skill and reflexes, securing a five-kill streak against a professional team.
• k0nfig and es3tag (NIP): Recognize Su Zhe's skill and decide to play seriously, showing professionalism.

Significant Themes

• The gap between casual and competitive play.
• The pressure and intensity of competitive matches.
• The skill and reflexes required to excel in competitive gaming.

Character Interactions

• es3tag and k0nfig discuss Su Zhe's familiarity and decide to take the match seriously.
• Su Zhe communicates with his teammates, coordinating their movements and calling out enemy positions.
• The live stream chat reacts to Su Zhe's impressive performance.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe plays a ranked match on Faceit, where he performs exceptionally well but loses due to his team's lack of support and Nip's overwhelming pressure.
• k0nfig, a Nip player, adds Su Zhe as a friend and inquires about his intentions to play professionally.
• Su Zhe expresses his interest in joining Nip, with the condition of being promoted to the main team within half a year if he successfully enters the youth academy.
• k0nfig agrees to Su Zhe's condition and schedules a trial for two weeks later.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe demonstrates his skill and determination, securing a trial with Nip.
• k0nfig shows interest in Su Zhe's potential and agrees to his condition, indicating a willingness to give him a chance.
• Xiao Guang and Fat Brother express their excitement and support for Su Zhe's potential professional career.

Significant Themes

• The theme of opportunity and seizing it, as Su Zhe sees his chance to play professionally and goes for it.
• The theme of perseverance in the face of adversity, as Su Zhe doesn't give up despite losing the ranked match and facing pressure from Nip.
• The theme of team dynamics and communication, as Nip considers the addition of a Chinese player to their team.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe and k0nfig engage in a conversation about Su Zhe's intentions and Nip's recruitment process.
• Su Zhe's roommates, Xiao Guang and Fat Brother, express their excitement and support for his potential professional career.
• The Nip team members discuss the possibility of adding a Chinese player to their team, considering the implications and potential benefits.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe goes through the visa process and plays ranked matches with Nip and other players.
• He receives his visa and leave approval, and prepares to depart for Sweden.
• Su Zhe has a farewell dinner with Fat Brother and Xiao Guang.
• Fat Brother and Xiao Guang transfer money to Su Zhe for his trip expenses.
• es3tag and k0nfig secretly arrange for Su Zhe's tryout with Nip, angering THREAT, the team manager.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe's skills improve significantly, impressing Nip and other players.
• es3tag shows initiative in arranging Su Zhe's tryout, demonstrating his leadership.
• THREAT reveals his disinterest in the CSGO division and lack of support for the team.

Significant Themes

• Friendship and camaraderie: Su Zhe's bond with Fat Brother and Xiao Guang strengthens as they support his professional aspirations.
• Ambition and determination: Su Zhe's resolve to improve and pursue a professional career is evident.
• Trust and communication: es3tag's decision to arrange Su Zhe's tryout without informing THREAT highlights the lack of trust and communication within the team.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe, Fat Brother, and Xiao Guang share a heartfelt farewell dinner, expressing their gratitude and support for one another.
• es3tag and k0nfig collaborate to arrange Su Zhe's tryout, showing their confidence in his abilities.
• THREAT's confrontation with es3tag reveals the tension between the team manager and the temporary team captain.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe arrives in Sweden for his tryout with Nip.
• He meets k0nfig, who takes him to the main team's training room.
• Su Zhe learns he will try out directly with the main team, not the youth academy.
• The tryout will involve playing against Team X, a top Danish team, on maps Mirage and Inferno.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe shows determination and eagerness to prove himself in the tryout, despite the high difficulty.
• k0nfig is revealed to be talkative and enthusiastic.
• es3tag, the temporary captain of Nip, is shown to be supportive and encouraging towards Su Zhe.

Significant Themes

• The high stakes and pressure of professional esports tryouts.
• The importance of individual skill and experience in CSGO.

Character Interactions

• k0nfig warmly greets Su Zhe and gives him a bear hug.
• es3tag welcomes Su Zhe and reassures him about the tryout.
• Coach djL shows professionalism and support towards Su Zhe during the tryout.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe, playing for Nip, defaults on B2 in a match against X team.
• Nicoodoz, a trial player for X team, is killed by Su Zhe with a headshot.
• Nip secures the pistol round, but X team takes the lead in full buy rounds.
• Su Zhe struggles to make significant contributions as the score reaches 3-5 in favor of X team.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe demonstrates quick reflexes, solid positioning, and good reaction time, securing kills against experienced opponents.
• Nicoodoz shows ambition but lacks the experience to counter Su Zhe's playstyle.
• The coach observes Su Zhe's gameplay, initially labeling him as reckless but later revising his assessment to 'good at actively seeking opportunities.'

Significant Themes

• The pressure and expectations of playing professionally.
• The importance of adaptability and quick decision-making in competitive gaming.
• The role of experience and teamwork in countering individual skill.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe and es3tag: es3tag praises Su Zhe's play and fist-bumps him, showing support and camaraderie.
• Su Zhe and the coach: The coach observes Su Zhe's gameplay, initially critical but later impressed by his adaptability.
• Nicoodoz and TeSeS: Nicoodoz seeks TeSeS's support for his aggressive play, while TeSeS respects his request but is later caught off guard by Su Zhe's quick reaction.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Arrow (Su Zhe) successfully completes his tryouts for Team Nip, impressing the team with his reaction speed and aim.
• The team manager, THREAT, offers Arrow a three-month contract contingent on his performance in the IEM Katowice qualifiers.

Character Developments

• Arrow (Su Zhe) demonstrates his skills and determination during the tryouts, earning the respect of his potential teammates.
• THREAT, the team manager, shows a mix of skepticism and excitement about Arrow's potential, offering him a contract with conditions.

Significant Themes

• Talent vs. Experience: Arrow's raw talent is evident, but he lacks professional experience, raising questions about his ability to perform at the top level.
• Team Dynamics: The team's perspective on CSGO emphasizes team synergy over individual skill, reflecting their approach to competition.

Character Interactions

• Arrow interacts with his potential teammates, k0nfig, REZ, and es3tag, who express their approval of his performance and welcome him to the team.
• Arrow speaks with THREAT, the team manager, who offers him a contract with conditions based on his performance in upcoming qualifiers.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe signs a three-month contract with Nip, with a weekly salary of 400 Euros, food, and accommodation covered.
• He learns that the contract is a short-term one, intended to pressure him into performing well.
• Su Zhe returns to his hotel, prepares to go home, and interacts with the system.
• The system upgrades, adding the 'Map Proficiency' system and granting an S-rank reward: 'Simulation Training Ground.'
• Su Zhe enters the 'Simulation Training Ground' and attempts to break through donk's defense on Mirage, but fails repeatedly.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe: Signs his first professional contract, begins to understand the professional scene's dynamics, and discovers the gap between his skills and professional players through the 'Simulation Training Ground.'
• THREAT: Shows cunning in negotiating the contract, aiming to pressure Su Zhe to perform well.

Significant Themes

• The pressure and expectations of professional gaming.
• The gap between amateur and professional players.
• The importance of game experience and adaptability.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe and k0nfig: k0nfig expresses confidence in Su Zhe's abilities and welcomes him to the team.
• Su Zhe and the system: The system upgrades, providing Su Zhe with a new training tool and revealing the reality of his skills compared to professionals.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe discovers his map understanding is low, realizing he has much to improve.
• He exchanges Rise Points for attribute points and sees new tasks in his mission panel.
• Su Zhe returns home and confesses to his parents his intention to go pro, expecting resistance but finding unexpected support.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe: Becomes more determined to improve his skills and pursue a professional career in esports.
• Su Zhe's Father: Shows understanding and support for his son's decision, demonstrating a change in his perspective on esports.

Significant Themes

• Pursuit of Dreams: Su Zhe's determination to follow his passion for esports, despite the challenges and initial skepticism from his parents.
• Parental Support: The shift in Su Zhe's father's attitude, from disapproval to understanding and acceptance, highlights the importance of parental support in pursuing one's dreams.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe and his Father: Their conversation reveals the father's change of heart and his willingness to support his son's decision to go pro.
• Su Zhe and his Mother: Though not directly involved in the conversation, Su Zhe's mother's bewilderment at her husband's sudden change of heart shows the impact of this decision on the family dynamics.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe prepares to leave for Europe to join a professional CS:GO team.
• He sorts out his affairs in China, including processing a leave of absence from school and saying goodbye to friends.
• Upon arrival in Europe, he meets his new teammates and is assigned the role of flex player.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe: Shows maturity and independence in handling his affairs before leaving for Europe. He is open to taking on the flex player role despite his initial expectations of being an entry fragger.
• Leon Kai: Continues to support and root for Su Zhe's career, offering streaming advice and buying a jersey to show his support.

Significant Themes

• Pursuit of dreams and personal growth: Su Zhe's journey reflects his dedication to improving his skills and pursuing a professional gaming career.
• Teamwork and synergy: The importance of teamwork and understanding teammates' playstyles is emphasized, particularly in the context of the flex player role.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe and his parents: Their interactions show a warm and supportive relationship, with his parents expressing concern and encouragement as he leaves for Europe.
• Su Zhe and his teammates: The team welcomes Su Zhe warmly, with k0nfig giving him a friendly hug and the coach explaining the team's plans for him. The team's support and acceptance help Su Zhe feel at ease in his new environment.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Su Zhe, the newcomer to the professional CSGO team Nip, continues to display exceptional dedication and skill, impressing his teammates.
• Su Zhe learns about m0NESY, a prodigious CSGO pro, from headtr1ck, who was previously in the same youth training team as m0NESY.
• Nip prepares for the Katowice qualifier, with Su Zhe's first real match approaching. The qualifier features top teams from various regions.
• Caster Wan Jiqi notices Su Zhe's addition to Nip and expresses surprise, as Su Zhe is the first Asian player to join a top European CSGO team.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe: Continues to show exceptional dedication and skill, impressing his teammates. He remains humble about his talent and focuses on hard work.
• headtr1ck: Reveals his past connection with m0NESY and recognizes Su Zhe's potential, comparing him to m0NESY and b1t.
• Coach djL: Encourages Su Zhe before the upcoming match, acknowledging his progress and expressing confidence in him.
• k0nfig and es3tag: Show support and admiration for Su Zhe's work ethic and improvement.
• Wan Jiqi: A well-known Chinese CSGO caster who takes notice of Su Zhe's addition to Nip and expresses surprise.

Significant Themes

• Dedication and hard work: Su Zhe's relentless effort impresses his teammates and serves as a driving force for his improvement.
• Talent vs. hard work: Su Zhe believes in the power of hard work, even when others recognize his talent.
• Team dynamics: The team grows fonder of Su Zhe as he integrates into the group, showing admiration for his work ethic.
• Professionalism: Wan Jiqi demonstrates his professional attitude by preparing for the tournament in advance.

Character Interactions

• Su Zhe and headtr1ck: They discuss m0NESY, and headtr1ck compares Su Zhe's dedication to m0NESY's work ethic.
• Su Zhe and the Nip team: The team expresses admiration for Su Zhe's improvement and offers encouragement before his first match.
• Wan Jiqi and the CSGO community: Wan Jiqi interacts with the CSGO community by discussing the latest changes in major teams and noticing Su Zhe's addition to Nip.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Nip faces ENCE in their first match with the new lineup.
• The match is a Bo1 on Ancient Ruins.
• Su Zhe, the new player, surprises everyone with a triple kill in the pistol round.

Character Developments

• Su Zhe (Arrow) demonstrates exceptional aim and aggressive play, exceeding expectations.
• k0nfig shows excitement and support for Su Zhe's performance.
• es3tag, as the IGL, is cautious but adaptable, adjusting plans based on the situation.

Significant Themes

• The importance of individual skill and adaptability in CS:GO.
• The impact of a new player on a team's dynamics and performance.

Character Interactions

• k0nfig and Su Zhe bond over their aggressive playstyle and excitement for the game.
• es3tag shows trust in Su Zhe's abilities, allowing him to play his game while maintaining overall team strategy.
• Wan Jiqi, the caster, is impressed by Su Zhe's performance and praises his skills.