Breaking the first giant

The pre-match odds gave him only a little more than a 3 percent chance to advance. His opponent was one of Europe's most brutal Orc players, Icarus Thorn. He was known for fast tempo, ruthless pressure, and a vicious read on hero levels. He specialized in forcing Human mistakes with Grunts, then choking Fast Expand openings to death with Shadow Hunter and Blade Master pressure. In the interview room, Icarus Thorn sounded almost amused. "Nathan has a story. A story does not stop my first wave." The chat was packed shoulder to shoulder. "Human is dead." "Three percent is too generous." "He is getting finished in twenty minutes." Nathan stood in the player hallway and ignored all of it.