Chapter 17:
The match loading screen popped up. This time, Rayn had a different role locked in.
Jungle.
The pressure felt different. Jungle was the heartbeat of the team, the one responsible for everything—objectives, vision, ganks, and control. One mistake could ruin the entire map. There was no room to be passive or unsure.
Rayn wasn't unfamiliar with the jungle role, but it wasn't something he had studied as intensely as mid or roam. However, today, he didn't mind.
He was learning.
The match started, and his first task was simple: clear the jungle efficiently. He began with the red buff, just like most junglers. The familiar rhythm of the game flowed as his hero, Veyla, swung her blade with precision, taking down creeps one after another. The path was clear, and he could feel his hands moving almost automatically.
> "Time the camps. Use the jungle as your map."
It was only when he moved to the blue buff that something unexpected happened: the enemy jungler, a Fighter, tried to invade.
For a split second, panic crept in. But Rayn was quick to analyze. He didn't have the support of his laners, and he wasn't in position to 1v1 the enemy jungler.
Instead of charging in, he backed off. He didn't waste his resources fighting something he knew he couldn't win. Instead, he rotated to another lane and set up vision for his team.
No point in engaging if it's a disadvantage.
The game wasn't perfect, but Rayn's decision-making was paying off. While the enemy jungler tried to bully his own team, Rayn focused on objectives. Turtle, then Lord, always kept his team in the game.
By mid-game, things were looking better. He wasn't the one carrying the kills, but his team was winning because of his vision control, his strategic decisions, and his focus on the big picture.
And then came the turning point. The enemy team, trying to push their advantage, overextended in the bottom lane. Rayn saw it immediately and pinged for a countergank. His marksman followed up perfectly, and they managed to wipe out two enemies in an instant.
They took down Turtle, then pressured mid lane. The game shifted in their favor.
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Victory.
The post-match screen appeared, showing a 9-1-10 KDA.
Rayn didn't feel the rush of excitement others would. He wasn't in this for the stats.
But as he checked his in-game messages, something caught his eye.
> "Nice jungle play. Should've picked that role earlier."
It wasn't much, but it was a start.
Rayn nodded, satisfied.
He hadn't just learned how to jungle. He'd learned when to wait. When to act. When to watch and let things unfold.
And that—he realized—was his real strength.
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