Chapter 468: An Even Stronger Human Player!
Li Jingsi showed everyone Chen Mo's message on her phone screen: "It's settled."
Everyone: "..."
Damn, he agreed just like that!
As expected of a game designer, Chen Mo wouldn't allow anyone to question the balance of his game!
But why did it feel so casual that Chen Mo was accepting Origin's challenge?
Everyone exchanged glances, all feeling a bit surreal.
After all, when Digua had stepped up, he had at least carried some sense of "fighting for all of humanity." But Chen Mo was mainly doing this to prove his game's balance was fine?
Goph smacked his lips. "Uh, on the bright side, at least Chen Mo agreed to fight."
Wan Feng looked pained. "Can... can he win?"
Li Jingsi glanced at him. "I think... it's the people over at Origin who should be worrying about that now."
...
The day after Digua's defeat, many viewers still hadn't recovered from the loss.
Although everyone knew Goph was still there, could Goph actually win? Based on Digua's performance yesterday, he had clearly prepared in advance, but even with a strategy, it was useless—there was a gap in mechanics!
Even if it was just a tiny gap, it would still accumulate over time.
Goph might have more refined mechanics, but he played Orc. Orc versus Night Elf—what kind of crazy tactics could he pull off?
Many pro players understood that this man-versus-machine match was likely over, and those still hoping for Goph to step up were mostly just unwilling to accept reality.
Right at this critical moment, Digua posted on Weibo.
"Sorry everyone, I was in a bad mood after losing yesterday and didn't respond right away. A pro player experiences many defeats in their career, so for me, this is also a form of training. Also, don't be discouraged, because soon an even stronger human player than me will face Origin. This man-versus-machine battle isn't over yet!"
After reading this post, while relieved that Digua's mindset wasn't affected, the spectators also had some questions.
"An even stronger human player than him? Is Goph stepping up? Can't wait!"
"As expected, our server's players are all tough—they're all issuing challenges proactively. So domineering!"
"To the two above, I suggest you see an eye doctor. Digua said 'an even stronger human player than me,' not 'an even stronger human player'..."
"What the hell, is there really a human player stronger than him?"
"There actually is!"
"Holy crap, could it be..."
"No way??"
Chen Mo hadn't appeared in high-level Warcraft matches for several years, so many players had subconsciously forgotten about him.
Like with other competitive games, most people's first reaction was to focus on the current top players. If you were the number one on the server four years ago, four years later... you'd probably have retired to sell pancakes by now, right?
But as soon as someone reminded them, everyone instantly realized—Digua was clearly talking about Chen Mo!
If even Digua could admit this person was stronger than him, then it definitely wasn't any ordinary pro player, because among pros, Digua was already the top Human player!
"Chen Mo is stepping up???"
"Holy crap, how many years has it been since he last played Warcraft? Even though it's his own game, I really want to ask if he still remembers the hotkeys?"
"If Digua thinks it's fine, then it must be fine!"
"Holy crap, you know what, Chen Mo's insane mechanics might actually be a match for Origin."
"Heh, I actually thought of this earlier. In the end, they'd probably have to ask Chen Mo to come out of retirement."
"As expected, the hidden big boss has been stirred up!"
"Holy crap, this is the real 'most hopeful' time! Go Chen Mo, this is Warcraft's last line of defense!"
...
...
On match day, the venue was packed with people.
This man-versus-machine match required tickets for entry. Not only were the viewing areas completely full, but even the streets outside the venue were crammed with people, even triggering traffic control.
"Holy crap, what's going on? So many people?"
"This is the final match!"
"Chen Mo is a natural topic magnet!"
"If I hadn't seen Chen Mo go in with my own eyes, I'd think this was a fake rumor from Digua... With Chen Mo's flashy personality, he didn't even post a Weibo? That's not right!"
"Go Chen Mo! Show them the style you had when you swept the national server ladder!"
Not only were there more spectators on-site, but even the viewers on streaming platforms and TV programs had increased!
Although many viewers who didn't play Warcraft didn't understand the significance of Chen Mo stepping up, the major streaming platforms and science channels had invited some pro players as guest commentators. Chen Mo's legendary sweep of the national server was quickly explained to these audiences.
Before Chen Mo entered the competition area, a few reporters tried to interview him, but staff stopped them.
Chen Mo smiled at the reporters. "It's not too late to interview after the match. I just want to prove that Warcraft's balance is absolutely fine."
Reporter: "???"
We're all thinking about the supreme honor of "fighting for humanity," and you're worried about what? Balance? Does anyone care about that?
Chen Mo walked to the player booth and sat down in his seat.
A staff member briefed him on match-related matters, like pausing if issues arose and rest periods between games. Although Chen Mo knew all this inside out, he patiently listened to the staff member finish—after all, they had to go through the motions.
Chen Mo was adjusting his machine, testing the keyboard and mouse, warming up his hands, while the Origin staff on the other side were also doing the same.
Chen Mo clearly knew this was Li Jingsi's provocation, but he had no choice—it hit his weak spot perfectly, and he had to take the bait.
Although sensible people understood that Origin's strength was comprehensive, and even if it switched races, it would still be strong, some would inevitably wonder: was Origin only so formidable because it used Night Elf? Otherwise, why didn't it use other races, only Night Elf?
Chen Mo had to prove his game's balance was flawless—this was about a designer's dignity!
...
Soon, both sides were ready.
Origin had already been set up for a while. Chen Mo started a custom game to warm up his hands a bit before giving an OK gesture to the other side.
The match officially began!
As the match screen loaded, everyone's hearts were in their throats, even more nervous than Chen Mo.
The whole world was watching this man-versus-machine battle. Even those who had nothing to do with Chen Mo before were silently cheering him on.
After all, the opponent was an AI. Now, all of humanity had spontaneously rallied to Chen Mo's side!