Chapter 1

In the summer of 20XX, the cicadas outside the window were making a racket, driving people to distraction. Li Rui sat in the air-conditioned room, sipping a milk tea, when he suddenly received an unexpected call.

"Hey, Brother Kai, the sun must be rising in the west! You actually called me personally? Did Sister-in-law make you call a meeting again?"

Li Rui chuckled and teased.

"Have you seen the news, Ah Rui?"

Brother Kai ignored Li Rui's jest and spoke with a hint of melancholy in his voice.

"Huh? What news? Nothing major seems to have happened recently."

As Li Rui spoke on the phone, he opened his computer and began searching for the latest news.

"LoL is going to shut down."

Li Rui's hand, holding the mouse, suddenly froze, and a wave of indescribable emotion surged in his heart.

He hadn't played this game for a long time and had almost forgotten about it.

But Brother Kai's words suddenly brought back the faded memories.

He wasn't too surprised; all good things must come to an end, and a game would eventually become outdated. This seemed to be an expected outcome.

But when it really came to losing it, Li Rui suddenly realized how many beautiful memories this game had carried for him.

Courage, persistence, belief, laughter, tears...

These slightly middle-school emotions had left deep marks on his youth.

He still clearly remembered the joy of playing with his "comrades" in the internet cafe, the ecstasy of reaching Master, and the sense of achievement of bringing a clumsy girl to Diamond.

Even Brother Kai, who was calling him, had become a good friend in real life because of this game.

But as they grew older, his comrades had their own lives and troubles—work, illness, marriage, children...

The intimate friends in the game gradually went their separate ways and found it hard to gather again.

At some point, the number of active friends in Li Rui's game list began to dwindle, and those gray names seemed to have left the battlefield forever, never to return.

After losing his "comrades," Li Rui logged in less and less. If it weren't for Brother Kai's reminder, he would have forgotten that he still had this game on his computer.

"The server will be permanently shut down tonight, Ah Rui. Let's meet in Summoner's Rift!"

"Haha, aren't you busy with your kids? Will Sister-in-law let you play?"

Feeling a bit sentimental but not overly sad, Li Rui quickly composed himself and laughed.

There was a moment of silence on the phone, then Brother Kai's voice, as if making a solemn vow, came through: "I feel the call, and I must respond! Demacia needs me!"

Despite the overly dramatic line, it instantly pierced Li Rui's heart. Perhaps only those who truly loved this game could understand the passion and belief behind it.

His chest felt inexplicably warm, and he was moved by Brother Kai's emotion. He tapped his chest, like a knight about to go into battle, and repeated in a low voice: "I feel the call, and I must respond!"

After hanging up, Li Rui found the familiar yet somewhat strange icon in a corner of his computer desktop.

He opened the game and was surprised to see that almost all the avatars in his friend list were lit up!

"Watermelon! Aren't you busy with your second child? It's been over a year since we last met. Let's get together in Shanghai next time?"

"Xiao Deng, how's your study abroad? You're graduating this year, right?"

"Lao Ran, New York is a bit chaotic lately. Take care and don't go out too much at night~"

...

Friends from all over the country didn't enter the game but gathered to chat excitedly. LoL seemed to have become an online chat tool.

Looking at the familiar IDs, Li Rui's eyes felt inexplicably moist.

At this moment, he clearly realized that what he loved wasn't just the game but also these "comrades"!

"Brother Rui, my graduation thesis is driving me crazy. This might be the last time I log in. It's great to see you, and I can say goodbye to you in person."

"Sure, come to Shanghai when you return to China."

"Haha, I'll definitely come!"

"Deal!"

"Okay, then, goodbye..."

"Sure, goodbye..."

Xiao Deng's avatar gradually dimmed, and Li Rui felt a void in his heart, as if he had lost something important.

He knew that this logout would be permanent...

The world is vast, and life is tough. The chances of reuniting were slim...

After a long while, Li Rui had a moment of clarity.

What he was about to lose was the imprint of his youth.

The beautiful years that had passed like flowing water were tightly intertwined with this game, and with its closure, the most vivid and bright colors would fade.

Whether it was joy or pain, sadness or happiness, the marks left by the summoners would disappear with the server's shutdown.

Only the sweet and melancholic candies in their memories would be taken out and savored in their old age.

One by one, his friends said goodbye and logged out, while some entered the game to seek the simple joy they once had.

Li Rui entered the game interface and was surprised to find that all versions, from the beta to the latest, had been activated. Countless familiar and unfamiliar items were back on the stage.

Natural Force, Atma's Impaler, Ignite, Mystic Sword...

Of course, there were also various interesting modes: Clone Mode, Infinite Fire, 6v6, Ascension...

Seeing these familiar names, Li Rui couldn't help but smile, as if he had rediscovered the curiosity and excitement of his first encounter.

But he didn't choose these flashy modes or play with his "comrades."

He quietly opened a match and chose his first hero—Void Terror, Cho'Gath!

He randomly selected runes and talents, and the system quickly found a match.

Let it end where it began...

After entering the interface, Li Rui quickly typed a message in the chat box.

"Cho'Gath top, or I'll feed!"

This sparked a wave of "enthusiastic" responses from his teammates.

"Annie mid, or I'll feed!"

"Yasuo support, or I'll feed!"

"Janna jungle, or I'll feed!"

"Damn, can we just play a proper game? Please, no more showing off, my head hurts!"

The only normal ADC was in tears.

"Ha ha, brother, it's all about having fun. Does winning or losing matter?"

The support Yasuo was very open-minded.

Li Rui's lips also curled up. Yes, does winning or losing matter?

They weren't playing the game anymore but using this last login to write a perfect ending to their youth.

Just have fun, Why so serious?

The game quickly entered the loading screen, and a special BGM suddenly played through the speakers.

Li Rui recognized it; it was a fan-made remix called "League of Legends Epic Dubstep (LOL Remix)."

The lyrics were all game sound effects.

As the grand sound effects unfolded, the heroes' lines formed a passionate vow!

Janna: "The tempest is at your command."

Garen IV: "By my will, this shall be finished."

Pantheon: "They are privileged to die at my feet."

Lucian: "Everybody dies, some just need a little help."

Riven: "What is broken can be reforged!"

Irelia: "My blade is at your service."

Draven: "Welcome to the League of Draven."

Garen: "To the field of justice."

Nasus: "The cycle of life and death continues, we will live, they will die."

...

Li Rui could no longer remain calm. The passion in his chest seemed to ignite, and he felt like he had become young again, rediscovering his initial passion and belief.

"I feel the call! I must respond! For the glory of Demacia!"

He clenched his right fist to his chest and whispered the words.