CS: I’m Only 16, and You Want Me to Stage an Old Veteran Comeback?

Looking at the items refreshed in the system shop, Jiang Yang couldn’t help but laugh.

Everything was coming together today, huh?

Pasha suggested I should start working out, and now Snax’s pistol technique appears?

That said, he had a pretty good impression of Snax.

He’d seen a stat ranking before—Snax was still the all-time leader in career kills in CS:GO.

Plus, he had that legendary "Goodnight, Banana!" moment with a pistol.

5,000 Comeback Points wasn’t too expensive for Jiang Yang.

After a moment of consideration, he purchased it without hesitation.

【Would you like to activate "Snax’s Pistol Technique"?】

Suddenly, Jiang Yang found himself standing on a grand stage, facing Snax in a VP jersey.

The match was VP vs. NAVI, with a lopsided score of 13:2.

The map was Cobblestone, one Jiang Yang had never played before.

The pistol round of the second half was a chaotic fight at B-site, and for once, NAVI was putting up a strong fight, nearly wiping out VP.

In the end, only Snax was left standing.

Jiang Yang raised an eyebrow—wasn’t this the classic "Goodnight, Banana!" moment?

With such a massive lead, Snax had no reason to save. He was just playing to see what he could do.

As soon as he rotated in, he instantly took down one enemy.

Sensing a glimmer of hope for a clutch, Snax played with calculated patience—he didn’t blindly rush in but instead deliberately revealed his position through initial engagements while constantly jiggle-peeking.

He was using the enemy’s tendency to coordinate against them, isolating and eliminating the most threatening opponent first.

After clutching it down to a 1v1, he stayed aggressive, continuing to hunt for the last player.

He even faked defusing the bomb, opting to secure the final kill before going for the defuse.

Throughout the round, Jiang Yang didn’t see any flashy technical plays—what stood out was Snax’s exceptional game sense and decision-making in clutch situations.

As the simulation continued, Jiang Yang absorbed more details about Snax’s pistol mechanics.

Snax actually played pistols like a sniper rifle.

For example, if he knew an enemy was behind cover, he would aim at the left side of the cover while focusing on the right.

That way, if the enemy peeked left, all he had to do was click. If they peeked right, he could flick instantly.

It was like holding center aim and reacting to either side.

Jiang Yang immediately thought—this technique would work well for an AWP too.

Beyond positioning, Snax’s fire rate control with pistols was also on another level.

• Up close, he spammed shots aggressively, prioritizing burst damage.
• At medium-to-long range, he slowed down his shots, carefully controlling his firing rhythm.

Jiang Yang suddenly realized he had been making a major mistake with his pistol play.

He had always struggled with pacing.

Whenever he got nervous, he spam-fired wildly, trying to land a lucky shot.

But because of pistol recoil, even if his crosshair was on target, shots wouldn’t land.

The more he missed, the more anxious he became.

The more anxious he became, the more he missed.

It was a vicious cycle.

This was why he had no confidence with the USP—and no confidence meant even worse performance.

Now, he finally understood—he could be good with pistols, he just needed to adjust his mindset and habits.

With this realization, Jiang Yang focused, and the system panel reappeared.

【Old Veteran: Jiang Yang】

【Age: 30】

【Team: Steel Helmet】

【Status: Final Dance】

【Overall Level: Professional LV.5】

• Aiming: Professional LV.4
• Game Sense: Professional LV.6
• Map Knowledge: Professional LV.3
• Positioning: Professional LV.6
• Reflexes: Professional LV.8
• Communication: Professional LV.2
• Pistol Proficiency: Professional LV.2
• Sniper Proficiency: Professional LV.6
• Rifle Proficiency: Professional LV.3
• Other Weapons Proficiency: Professional LV.4

【Comeback Points: 661】

【Signature Skills:】

• "Eco Clutch (Advanced)"
• "NIKO’s Pre-Aim (Intermediate)"
• "MachineWJQ’s Formulaic Casting (Beginner)"
• "syrsoN’s Scout Techniques (Beginner)"
• "Twistzz’s Short Burst Shooting (Beginner)"
• "Snax’s Pistol Technique (Entry-Level)"

【Personal Items:】

• "Sleepy Black Tea" x3

【Hextech: Choose Your Opponent】

【Skill: Fresh Start】

With daily training and spending points on private coaching in the simulation, Jiang Yang’s skill level was improving at an incredible pace.

Compared to before the Asian RMR, both his aiming and game sense had improved significantly.

In fact, he felt like all his attributes had increased—but because his overall level was already high, making a qualitative leap would require even more breakthrough moments and training.

As for signature skills, Jiang Yang realized he couldn’t just blindly copy these pro players’ techniques.

Instead, he used them as guiding principles.

For example, his "NIKO’s Pre-Aim" was progressing very slowly because he understood the core mechanics, but his team’s playstyle didn’t allow him to clear every single angle like a robot.

Most of the time, he had to make quick, decisive entries based on intuition, gathered info, and unreliable callouts from teammates.

From an outsider’s perspective, his clearing style might even look fake—but it was necessary in the chaotic fights Steel Helmet often found themselves in.

With the Major approaching, Jiang Yang decided to prioritize improving his pre-aiming and burst shooting skills.

"Alright, let’s grind some 5EPL games and smurf a bit."

Just as he was about to queue up, a message popped up from Li Hua, his old high school buddy.

"You online?"

Jiang Yang sighed and replied, "Dear Li Hua, do you even follow CS:GO news?"

Li Hua: "…Been focused on my love life this past month. Met a great girl."

He even sent a photo.

Jiang Yang took a glance—it was a quiet, bookish girl with glasses.

Grinning, he replied, "Nice. I’m heading overseas soon for the Major. Let’s grab dinner before I go—bring your girl along!"

Li Hua: "Pfft, you? Playing in a Major? Let me go dig through Bilibili chat for three more guys to carry me there too."

Clearly, he wasn’t buying it.

Jiang Yang just sent him a link.

Li Hua clicked on it—and was instantly stunned.

The headline: Steel Helmet defeats VG to qualify for the Major!

At the bottom of the post was a profile photo of the rookie player "young"—Jiang Yang himself.

Li Hua's jaw dropped.

"Bro… WHAT?! Just last month, weren’t we both grinding C+ rank? How the hell are you suddenly a pro?"

Jiang Yang: "I’m still in C+! Who isn’t? I’m just playing in professional C+ now."

Li Hua: "THAT’S NOT THE SAME!!"

"We were the same rank! How did you level up overnight?!"

Jiang Yang: "Who was clutching all those games? Think about it."

Li Hua: "Damn it! I was just out here falling in love, and you went and made it to the freaking Major! F*!!"**

He clenched his teeth in frustration.

Truly, the problem wasn’t Li Hua. The problem was that his friend, Jiang Yang, was just built different.

Jiang Yang laughed. "I’m flying out in 10 days. Let’s grab a meal before I leave—bring your girl too!"

Li Hua hesitated. "Uh… haven’t actually gotten together yet."

Jiang Yang grinned. "So you’ve just been simping for a month?"

Li Hua wailed, "Bro, this time I really like her!"

Jiang Yang sighed. "Dude, this is like the fifth time you’ve said that."

…