Let us turn back time to Dec. 2, the last day of the J Cup Solos Group Stage. The final battle took place upon Morus Isle, and Hypernova from NA came upon the reigning Solos champion WBG.Spider. Spider was already in the lead, while Hypernova was in thirteenth place. All he needed to get promoted was to win this one fight.
Hypernova as Hadi quickly began a battle against Spider as Takeda. Faced with Spider's remorseless pursuit, Hypernova used his abilities to keep the distance as the two battled. It seemed as if the battle would last, when suddenly Spider grappled nearby and dished out heavy damage with his fan. Hypernova was attempting to gain distance to heal up, but Froztivus, who had had the battling pair in his eyes for some time, ended Hypernova's life with a well-aimed arrow, claiming the point.
Putting Hypernova at a final score of 26, which was 0.9 points less than 521.Uniq at twelfth place.Hypernova stared at the death screen, his spirits low. When the camera panned over, he had his hand pressed against his forehead.
Looking back at that moment today, Hypernova cannot help but get emotional:
“Um, well, I feel very bad about it that I didn't qualify, because I feel like I should have qualified and I should have played better. ”
At that specific time, there was a special spectator in the stadium, and he remained seated even after the match had ended. While appearing utterly calm, his true feelings were exposed by how he kept rubbing his hands together.
That person, one whom most wouldn't take for an esports fan due to his age, was Hypernova's father. His sole reason for traveling across the globe to China and watching an esports event he knew little of, was to be a pillar of support for his child at this late stage in the tournament.
His father's unconditional support has granted Hypernova much strength throughout his esports journey.
“I want to appreciate my dad for still being on my side and showing me what I should do. Thank you for never really giving me up and always keeping my head up to be proud of myself.”
Hypernova was actually among the first NA players to join NARAKA: BLADEPOINT after its release. What hooked him was the bigger focus on melee combat and fast-paced action when compared to other games.
Another thing that he found incredibly cool, was that Tarka Ji's ultimate turned into a fire dragon when having the [Zhurong's Jadeball] accessory equipped. What's more, he also really enjoys the background story brimming with traditional Chinese legends.
Having conquered NA, Hypernova wanted to put his skills to the test against the very best. And with his father's support, he finally decided to get into esports and become a professional NARAKA: BLADEPOINT player.
However, this path is seldom without its bumps. One interesting thing is that, contrary to many other professional players, Hypernova hasn't suffered many significant setbacks in the tournament. He says: the biggest challenge is that you need to have a strong computer to keep up with the competition.
When talking about how he continues on as a professional player, despite the current situation, Hypernova has a touching answer in store.
“I think what drives me to keep playing the game is knowing that it really has a potential to grow in the West. I just wanna keep going so I can stay on top of things. And when people eventually get to know about the game, they will be interested in playing the game.Thus, I can be an inspiration to all the new players.”
While luck was not on Hypernova's side this time around, the trip was not without its merits. By taking part in the J Cup, he got the chance to visit Shanghai and experience life here, and of course, to make friends with Spider in person. He discovered that he and Spider were much alike, both in terms of personality and playstyle. Spider's focus and calmness in the game also impressed him.
“He's extremely calm and collected and stays focused no matter what happens in a game or the outcome of the match.”
That is the harsh reality of competitive esports. Only a select few are able to qualify and participate in the apex of the J Cup. Even a slight increase in skill becomes difficult at a certain point, yet each and every player tries their hardest. And while the fruits of their labor are not always rewarded with ultimate victory, they still get to experience the joy that esports bring in their own ways.
At the time you are reading this article, Hypernova has already set out for Hangzhou, where he will talk with the NARAKA: BLADEPOINT Dev team and producer. Plus, he'll also be playing live against the local players so that more people get to experience the game's charm and glory.
