At the hotel, Li Shu finally couldn't hold back and started shouting.
"No, tomorrow's match! I have to tell my dad, mom, little brother and sister, grandpa and grandma…" Li Shu said, "I have to let them watch me take the championship."
Xing Xing lightly tapped his head. "Don't pop the champagne early."
Li Shu rubbed his head and chuckled, "I'm excited, coach! This is our first time in the Abyss—aren't you excited?"
"He's almost excited to death," Yi Shui said from the side. "You don't know, when you guys are playing, he's even more nervous than you."
"Alright, alright," Xing Xing quickly interrupted.
"Tomorrow is the final battle," Xing Xing said. "Rest well tonight. Don't think about the results."
"I will," Li Shu said with a smile.
Xing Xing then gave a few simple instructions to each of them before letting them rest.
Back in the room, Shen Kuangye leaned against the edge of the bed, watching Lu Xiangyang pacing around—sometimes sitting on the sofa, sometimes drinking water, walking back and forth.
When Lu Xiangyang walked over, Shen Kuangye put an arm around him, pulling him onto his lap and holding him tightly at the waist.
Lu Xiangyang lost his balance, sitting down on his lap, instinctively grabbing Shen Kuangye's collar.
He felt like he had bumped into something, trying to push himself up, but Shen Kuangye's arm strength was surprisingly strong, and he couldn't break free.
Lu Xiangyang's cheeks flushed. "I… I'll get up first."
Shen Kuangye, mischievously, said, "No."
Lu Xiangyang fidgeted like he was on pins and needles, not daring to look at Shen Kuangye, his voice slightly agitated: "Not now, the match is tomorrow!"
Shen Kuangye stayed silent for a few seconds, then forced himself not to laugh: "I just want you not to be too nervous."
Lu Xiangyang stubbornly replied, "I'm not nervous."
"Don't worry about the match," Shen Kuangye said. "Remember what I told you that day?"
Rarely, Lu Xiangyang didn't argue back. He only silently thought to himself that he wasn't nervous because of that… he was nervous about the gifts he was going to give Shen Kuangye tomorrow.
He wondered if Shen Kuangye would like the other two "gifts" remaining.
"All right." Shen Kuangye released him. "Go to bed."
Lu Xiangyang obediently put on his slippers and got into bed, leaning next to Shen Kuangye, inhaling his pleasant scent and observing Shen Kuangye's elegant side profile while scrolling on his phone.
His heart beat a little faster.
No matter when he looked at Shen Kuangye, he always felt the same thrill as when he first met him.
Shen Kuangye was choosing a birthday gift for Lu Xiangyang, pondering whether to just give him a full collection account.
It was so quiet, he tilted his head and realized the person who had been so nervous earlier was now fast asleep.
Shen Kuangye thought back to his first year playing in the Abyss, when he was so nervous he couldn't sleep and completely broke down.
Now, Lu Xiangyang could sleep so peacefully—did that mean his plan was going well?
He had truly become someone Lu Xiangyang could rely on and trust.
Shen Kuangye reached out to brush the strands of hair off Lu Xiangyang's cheek, his gaze lingering on Lu Xiangyang's lightly reddened lips.
He swallowed, forcing himself to look away, telling himself:
Tomorrow is the final day.
Hold on a little longer.
——
News that EAR would be competing against Aurora for the Abyss championship spread across the internet overnight.
Many doubted EAR, and many just wanted to see the Japanese team win.
No one expected EAR to make it this far.
After all, half a year ago, they were the lowest-ranked team.
Before the finals, many spectators, even people outside the circle, were waiting in the live stream.
For the first time, the official Fifth Personality tournament live stream surpassed 20 million concurrent viewers.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the match.
Inside the arena, the fans were clearly divided—half rooting for EAR, half for Aurora.
According to Li Shu, everyone in their village was watching, waiting for him to bring home the championship.
Early in the morning, Lu Ning also video-called them: "Don't be nervous. Stay calm. No matter the result, Mom thinks you guys are amazing. Also, happy birthday, Yangyang! After the match, go home with Xiao Ye. Mom will have something delicious ready for you."
After hanging up, Lu Xiangyang quietly whispered to Shen Kuangye, "Why do I feel like Mom said the same thing during the college entrance exams?"
Shen Kuangye recalled that scene and agreed with him.
Xu Wen also sent a voice message with a picture.
In the photo, Xia Zhan sat next to her, unusually not studying, facing the live broadcast.
Her voice sounded strong, and it seemed her health had improved: "Always waiting for you guys to win the championship."
Backstage, Lu Xiangyang noticed all 11 other IVL team members had arrived.
GOLD smiled: "Do your best today. We can't let the little Japanese win this championship."
Li Shu snorted lightly: "How is that possible?"
Meanwhile, the third-place match ended—Circe took third place.
During the post-match interview of Circe, everyone stood beside EAR. Li Shu nervously kept drinking water.
Before the match, Lu Xiangyang received a phone call, again avoiding Shen Kuangye.
Shen Kuangye was a little annoyed but let him go.
Outside, it was too noisy. Lu Xiangyang, worried someone might hear his plan, hid by the bathroom door to answer.
"Okay, can it be expedited to the hotel tonight? Thank you."
Just after hanging up, Tsuki came out of the bathroom.
He shook off the water from his hands, corners of his eyes slightly raised as he looked at Lu Xiangyang with disdain: "I didn't expect you'd last this long."
Lu Xiangyang didn't like this guy either and retorted, "We'll see about that later."
Tsuki seemed surprised Lu Xiangyang could fight back: "I thought you were the kind who needed protection. Turns out you've got some thorns."
Lu Xiangyang looked down at him, unbothered.
He was completely different from half a year ago. Back then, he looked weak and easy to bully, exuding insecurity. Now, his gaze was firm and gentle, nurtured well.
This recognition annoyed Tsuki. He wanted to leave, but before he went, he said, "I want to see your strength."
By the time Lu Xiangyang returned, the first match had already started.
EAR chose to send the Survivors team first, with Shen Kuangye leading the charge.
The moment he entered, the audience chorused their team's name. Many professional EAR fans waved their support flags.
Even the commentators got nervous.
"Don't be nervous, don't be nervous," Li Shu muttered.
Cheng Rang said coolly, "Control your voice."
"Can't I vent a little?" Li Shu's legs shook. "It's the last day! I'm nervous, isn't that okay? If we win today, I'll give up soda and stay up late for a month."
Cheng Rang, without much emotion, said, "That's determination."
Their chatter eased some of the tension in the arena.
"I'm going to show my best skill now," Li Shu muttered, glancing to the side. "Did you see that Tsuki keeps looking at us?"
Cheng Rang shrugged, "That's fear of a stronger opponent."
Li Shu: "…"
Shen Kuangye simply said, "Ready."
The first map was Eternal Sleep Town. Tsuki played Opera.
Without hesitation, his first target was Shen Kuangye's Acrobat.
Shen Kuangye controlled the early game well, but at the standalone building, he was hit by a car unexpectedly.
[Familiar location.]
[Mom, I feel like I saw this match yesterday.]
[WILD, SUN, you two really…]
[Isn't this just giving us a chance?]
[Unbelievable this is happening in a professional match.]
[No way… did the advantage disappear?]
Opera hit him once, and the Acrobat used the opportunity to move toward the second station, two boards, and a window.
Finally, Opera decisively used Flash. The generators were only halfway powered.
The commentators raised their voices: "Tsuki has a chance for a four-man down! Now let's see how EAR Survivors handle it."
Pei Xunan's Hunter, the Savage, rode in on a pig.
Maybe trying to buy time, Pei Xunan's health was critically low.
Unexpectedly, the Savage got stunned.
Drunken Shadow muttered, "We're screwed."
Aurora quickly advised: "The Antiquarian must go rescue now, or we'll have no hope if they lose a survivor."
"Sorry," Pei Xunan said over the mic.
Shen Kuangye remained calm, giving commands: "Antiquarian, rescue me, protect me to the cemetery, I can still escape."
To prevent being stunned by balloons, the Savage slowly moved away from the chair.
The Antiquarian took a hit but rescued the person.
Opera went to chase the half-health Acrobat but got hit twice with sticks.
At this point, Opera no longer wanted to chase the Acrobat, leaving the Savage on the chair and continuing his own pace.
The only survivor who could rescue others now was Li Shu's Gardener.
But since he had been rescuing and running around, the generators barely moved.
The Antiquarian went to the cemetery for the Acrobat and then to repair a generator.
The Gardener tanked for the Savage, taking a hit, and quickly escaped.
Opera pursued the Savage. Pei Xunan said over the mic: "I'm escaping."
Cheng Rang: "Send a message, I'm OB."
Commentators noticed their strategy: "Can XIU hold under this pressure? Opera still has Flash."
The Savage, unable to control, fell at the fake door with two boards. Opera's priority now was the Antiquarian.
But Cheng Rang moved too skillfully, like a loach between the boards—couldn't hit, couldn't take down.
Finally, Opera lost patience, flashed, and struck him.
The Antiquarian fled to preserve his status.
But just as Opera relaxed from controlling the survivor, the Antiquarian reappeared, stunning Opera again with consecutive moves. The Savage fell again, restoring half health.
The crowd went wild.
"XIU!! Is this even allowed?!!"
But it wasn't over. Opera tried to continue the chase, the Antiquarian stopped him, and a train passed, stunning Opera.
The Acrobat and Gardener nearly finished the generators.
When the Savage was knocked down again, the heart lit up—four at the gate.
Opera still had a hidden card, planning to guard two gates, but EAR's team played Opera too well, giving no chance, dragging time instead.
Finally, Opera targeted the Acrobat, used as bait. When he took down the Acrobat, the other three had already reached the exit.
It was another three-survivor escape.
Tsuki put down his phone, face dark.
Returning to the preparation room, his teammates comforted him: "It's okay, we'll escape four next round."
"When I trained alone with SUN last time, I thought he wasn't that strong," he said.
But the young hunter, seemingly weak, had just given them a harsh lesson.
Lu Xiangyang's Opera matched Tsuki move for move.
First round EAR vs. Aurora score: 6:2, EAR wins.
Second round score: 4:4, draw.
Third round score: 4:4, draw.
By the fourth round, it was time to show their true skills.
All hidden techniques and characters were brought out.
Tsuki played the Old Man.
EAR could defend, but Cheng Rang and Pei Xunan, being under physical strain, were slightly slower. Fourth round score: 2:6, Aurora wins.
After four rounds, all were tied. Now came the fifth round.
Whoever won this would be the champion.
BO5 first match, Tsuki played his second signature character, Crybaby.
The map was the Military Factory. EAR picked Mercenary, Explorer, two Undertakers, and Adventurer.
Tsuki, having learned from experience, no longer targeted the Adventurer, instead going straight for the Undertaker.
Li Shu, possibly too nervous, messed up control and was hit twice, falling.
Commentators, supposed to remain neutral, couldn't help but be nervous. Drunken Shadow sighed: "BOOK, you can't go down now!"
Generators were only halfway repaired. If Li Shu fell, how would they handle the rest?
Moreover, the Undertaker was a blank slate character.
If EAR lost, what would SUN use for a three- or four-survivor capture next?
"I'll handle the resurrection."
"What nonsense are you talking about?" Cheng Rang's Explorer rushed over. "I'm still here."
Using just three magnets, he protected the Undertaker for a full 90 seconds, stunning the Crybaby at extreme angles.
But the generators still weren't enough.
Finally, Li Shu got hooked before finishing the generator, the Explorer was down, and the first half ended in a draw.
"Now it's do-or-die!"
Aurora said, "Whoever can run more and capture more this round will win the match!"
Everyone's hearts raced.
Lu Xiangyang entered under this tense atmosphere.
While commentators guessed which character he would pick, the big screen suddenly displayed an elegant man casually twirling a playing card.
The commentators and audience shouted in unison: "Joseph!!!"
Lu Xiangyang intended to play Joseph, a former divine phantom almost extinct in professional matches.
As he clicked to confirm, the commentators went wild: "He's locked in!!!"