CHAPTER 10

THIRD PERSON’S POV

The president and employees at the XIX Tier gaming firm, where the most gifted and knowledgeable players are chosen, are currently busy examining the most likely candidates to replace the three players who will soon be retiring.

The secretary handed them the papers with the information about the players and said, "Sir, this is the report for the most skilled players we have gathered." The president carefully read every phrase while giving it a close look. "Are you certain that these are the top gamers?” He questioned, disliking what he had read.

"Yes, sir; some of them have a long track record and have been playing for years. The BLKQ squad is visible on the third page. Their teams were well known for having excellent teamwork and strategy. We have observed games of their midlaner BLACK MASKED, who grabbed our interest. On the Philippine server, he is known as the top Yasuo. You will never be able to predict his strategies because they are in line with our goals,” the secretary claims.

The president nods his head in agreement with the information that has been provided.

"But there was a rumor that our player, Ren Ishikawa, beat him on a match scoring 1/20/10," One of the shareholders responds.

"Yes sir, but that was just because on that day, he was practicing a new champion which he is not familiar with, we can't just judge it easily," the secretary defended her report. 

The president commanded, "Look more into him."

"Noted, sir"

" The next one was their ADC; he was good as our player, Mr. Ren Ishikawa. His only shortcomings have been a lack of direction and control.“ She added as she read her report, "I think if we give him the right training, he can outperform our ADC.”

"Ms. Bautista, do you believe he can defeat my son?', the president asked. The secretary swallows when she notices the dispersed aura of the said person. "I-if he had the right training, t-that is. I-i suppose he can,” she replied hesitantly. The president responded, "Okay, then, Look into him more. Let's see if he can fill in," he continued.

It was noted by the secretary as she continues to talk more about the participants' advantages and disadvantages.

From the other room next to the office, Hayden stated looking at the glass wall, "Looks like your dad is having a hard time looking for our replacement." 

Hayden Griffin, the XIX Tier's midlaner.

He looked at the man playing his Rubik's cube without regard for his surroundings. The man responded, "Let him be."

"Ren, why did you look so grumpy today?”

The commander and top ADC in the Philippine server is Ren Ishikawa, the president of XIX Tier Gaming's son.

Ren looks bored as he replies, "I always looked like this, Hayden."

 “Oh? Really?” Hayden apologized while attempting to lighten the situation. Ren simply shook his head and carried on with his Rubik's game. “How long do you intend to play that, dude?” Hayden remarked, "You never solve that anyway, " causing Ren to give him a lethal glare.

 “What?” Hayden inquired naively. "Just because you are good at one game doesn't mean you are good at all games."

Ren gives Hayden a more menacing look before hurriedly throwing the Rubik's at him and gets up. "Hey, where are you going?” Hayden questioned Ren as he put on a jacket. Ren responded after glancing at him. "To where with no one like you" before slipping out of the room.

Knowing the mindset of his best friend, Hayden merely laughed. He is aware that it was just his way of communicating with him. Hayden, who was still focusing on the path Ren had taken, remarked, "That guy is definitely stressed.

Ren went to the mall to calm himself down; this was his go-to action whenever he felt stressed. He opposes his members' retirement. He wants to play with them, but he couldn't be inconsiderate. He can't let his obstinacy destroy his squad. They would never have been forced to quit the gang if he had been there to save them. Ren continues to blame himself.

The only thing that can make him feel better is the taste of his preferred flavor ice cream, Avocado. But before he could do that, he needed to escape his supporters' gaze.

Ever since he began competing for his dad's business, he hasn't experienced any moments of serenity and he's becoming angry about it.

Oh my God! Alpha is here!", someone yelled making the other fans turn to stare in his direction. A girl recognized him and pointed at him after hearing the scream. "Shit!" He cussed and dashed off to hide.

But he is always recognized wherever he goes. Ren is becoming increasingly enraged and wanted to vent his frustration on them. Just as he was ready to do it when he noticed a girl waiting in front of the elevator while eating an ice cream. He saw the door open; he fled swiftly as it would close in 10 seconds.

He turned around and saw his followers coming toward him. Without wasting any time, he started running for his life. And he got there at last, just in time for the door to close. He enters quickly and shuts the door. Till the door shuts, he keeps pushing the button. Only then, when he abruptly realized he was with another girl. He witnessed the girl's shock at seeing him but the only thing he could think of was that it would be preferable for him to have just one fan rather than all these girls following him. He turned to face her, however, something seemed off when the girl stared at him with hate in her eyes.

ASHLEY POV

Ah, at last, I can unwind! I miss the sound of the cars, the fragrance of the fresh air, and this breathtaking view! Oh, I'm delighted. Why is it that I only value these things now? I scooped up some ice cream and peered up at the sky. I was on the mall's fifth floor terrace enjoying my go-to stress reliever.

My mum currently resides there. Mom, can you see me? I'm at last a professional e-sports player! Are you pleased with me?

I smiled. I can't help but think about her every time I dwell on my journey as a player. I really miss her, she's the one that recognizes the potential in me.

She was the one who encouraged me to do the things I want. She was my number one fan, while my father was the number two ha-ha. I'm lucky to have such parents. Parents who valued what I like than what they want me to be. I could still remember what mom said when I first played a game where Nintendo was popular, she doesn’t stop me or scold me, she just watches me win every game saying that I am good at what I'm doing. That is when I realize that I am good at analyzing games. I was good at planning a better counter. Maybe that was what mom sees in me that day. She knows that I can be a great player someday, and here it is. I did it!

I grinned as I watched the skies once more. Mom, I did it! I succeeded! Did I earn your approval? Wish I had.

I always get emotional when I talk to her because I've missed her, missed hugging her, missed having conversations with her, and missed her beaming at me. I miss her so much!

Before I could start crying in a public place, I looked up while holding back my emotions. I clean it off and take a good position. I shouldn't be sobbing because I am aware that she doesn't want to see me crying. I'll get the lecture about how tears are like diamonds from her, saying it’s priceless, that I shouldn't permit others to see it.

 Oh, this is strange. I feel like I could hear my mother saying that. Shaking my head, I made the decision to get out of that vantage point before anyone noticed me acting strangely. I ate my favorite flavor of ice cream as I walked.

I found it to be quite amusing when I went to purchase some ice cream. The saleswoman offers me the Grande at a reduced price after recognizing me. saying it was for the inconvenience. I am powerless to refuse! That is avocado, duh?

Currently, I am waiting for the elevator door to open while I eat my ice cream. Before I return home, I need to buy a few things. I'm out of napkins, which I'll need the following week.

While I was waiting, I heard screaming coming from the corridor's left side. But the door opened before I could investigate it. I entered rather than trying to locate the noise's origin.

Maybe it's a famous person. I give a shoulder shrug, unconcerned by the din. Celebrities are not my thing, and I have no idea who any of them are.

As I waited for the door to close, I continued to eat my avocado ice cream when a person suddenly emerged in front of me. I was astonished to see him rushing in and trying to close the door.

Don't you dare tell me he was the famous person they had been yelling about? Oh gosh. They have no sense of taste. How could they possibly adore such a conceited jerk?

I'm referring to the dominant male who made fun of me and injured my wrist.

Oh my God, I just wanted to relax, why do I constantly have to see him? Lord, do you hold a bitter hatred against me? Why must I see him on this absolutely great day off?

When the door finally shut, he took a long breath and even unbuttoned his collar to obtain more air. Once he finally noticed me, I was giving him a hate face as he gazed at me.

 

-=-=-=-=-=-=- end of chapter 10 -=-=-=-=-