?Chapter 469:
“Andst but not least, Ethan Watson,” the host called out, only to find an empty space where the contestant should have stood. He nced about, puzzled. “Where is he?”
Ethan, nerves creeping in like shadows before dusk, had been lurking in a corner.
“Over here!” he shouted, jogging toward center stage.
“Ethan?!” Mnie and Marisa eximed together, their surprise unmistakable.
Mnie had half-suspected a coincidence — just someone with the same name. But the moment sheid eyes on him, her doubts were dashed. Her face twisted. “You’ve got to be kidding me! You, the eternal bookworm, made it into the offline tournament?”
Marisa sauntered over,zily biting into her lollipop, and gave Ethan a friendly smack on the shoulder. “Sneaky move, huh? Well done!”
Ethan scratched his head, his cheeks blooming red. “I just figured I’d give it a shot.”
At that, Mnie couldn’t resist twisting the knife. “You? You’ve barely yed a handful of games, and you think you’re tournament material? Do you even meet the bar?”
Before the moment could sour further, Marisa stepped in, arms folded, her tone sharp. “Why are you so agitated? Anyone who qualifies for the offline tournament is among the top ten in their region. How does he not qualify?”
Mnie rolled her eyes dramatically. “He’s probably just filling a slot. Don’t act like he’s about to snatch the trophy.”
Then, narrowing her gaze with a wolfish smile, she added, “Just don’t forget our little wager if you lose, Marisa.”
Mnie was set on winning — of that, there was no doubt. She’d hired professional yers to sharpen her gaming skills, and the effect was significant.
Marisa snorted. “You’re already celebrating when the fight hasn’t even begun? Dream on. And watch your manners — I hope your voice can be as loud as it is now when you apologize to Ethan!”
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“You!” Mnie sputtered, caught between anger and disbelief. “Forget it. I won’t waste breath arguing. I’ll see you fall — fair and square.”
Unaware of the undercurrent between them, the host assumed they were trading strategies and jumped in. “Contestants, please proceed to your stations! I will now exin the rules of the tournament.”
Meanwhile, in the stands, the students from ss One of the elite preparatory program, who hade to spectate, sat in stunned silence.
“Are my eyes ying tricks on me? I’ve been grinding non-stop and didn’t make it, but Ethan, of all people — who’s never yed any game — did?”
“He’s always buried in textbooks. When would he even have time to train?”
“Look, he’s thest to walk onstage. Probably the weakest link in the chain. If he makes it past the first three rounds, I’ll eat my shoe!”
Mnie’s loyal crew took turns ridiculing Ethan, their wordsced with derision and mockery.
“Now, let the tournament officially begin!” the host dered, and therge screen lit up with the random match pairings.
Each contestant was paired with another, names shuffled like a deck of fate. Losers were cast out, while winners marched onward — round after round, until only one stood tall.
Marisa and Mnie exchanged a fleeting nce, both disappointed. They had hoped to face each other immediately, to settle scores from the get-go.
With the tournament now in full swing, every contestant began their match simultaneously. The massive screen fractured into dozens of smaller windows, each broadcasting a battle in real time.
Game streamers from every corner of the map focused intently on their regional stars. The organizers, thoughtful to a fault, had even provided equipment tailored to their needs.
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