Hearing the referee''s words, the fans from Orient Country felt their hearts shatter. The match had been so difficult, so incredible. And yet, they were being handed a loss.


    The fans wanted to protest, to argue, but the rules were the rules. Neverfall Navigators... had really lost.


    "Who says Neverfall Navigators lost?"


    Before the referee could finish his sentence, Juniper suddenly stood up, her cold gaze fixed on the center of the stage.


    Her sudden interjection left both the referees and the Digital Sabers team stunned.


    "Who says?" The Digital Sabers captain tilted his chin up, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The regtions, written in ck and white. Or is Neverfall Navigators nning to snatch the trophy right here on a live broadcast?"


    "Why would I snatch something that''s already ours?" Juniper shot back with a smirk. She stuffed her hands in her pockets and began walking toward the referees.


    "Ms. Payne, what are you..." MystiCat,pletely bewildered, hurried to follow her.


    In an instant, every camera in the arena swiveled to follow Juniper''s every move. No one knew what this unknown young woman was nning.


    Online, viewers were already posting cynicalments: "Neverfall Navigators, such sore losers."


    "Miss, ording to the regtions, a non-professional yer is not eligible topete,” the referee repeated, worried Juniper might not have understood. "Therefore, Neverfall Navigators'' results are invalid. Our judgment is fair and impartial. If you have any objections, please file an appeal with themittee."


    The members of Digital Sabers were smiling, some even taking out their national gs, ready to enjoy the spectacle of Neverfall Navigators'' humiliation.


    "Of course a non-professional yer would be against the rules," Juniper said, tuming to face Digital Sabers. spoke slowly, deliberately. "But am a professional yer."


    A professional yer? Her words sent a shockwave through the entire venue. The people who came to watch the finals were almost all dedicated WKL eSports fans. They had never seen her on the big screen before. How could she be


    professional? She must have


    snapped from the pressure.


    "Pfft-" Members of the Digital Sabers team burst outughing, their eyes filled with contempt. "You''re a professional yer? From what country? Hey, Neverfall Navigators, do you guys know anything about this?"


    No one from Neverfall Navigators said a word. Because they really didn''t know. A professional yer''s record could be looked up instantly. What on earth was Ms. Payne trying to do?


    “Miss, please do not interfere with the proceedings,” the referee warned, his face hardening. "Or we will be forced to call security."


    They had already run a search of every professional yer roster in the world. The name “Juniper” was nowhere to be found. Therefore, she was lying, just trying to stir up trouble.


    "Ms. Payne, I know you want us to win, but..." MystiCat sighed, trying to persuade her to back down. "These are the rules of the game."


    "My name on the professional roster isn''t Juniper,” Juniper said, ncing at MystiCat with a faint smile. "Why don''t you try searching for the name Demon?"


    Who? Demon?


    The name dropped like a bomb, plunging the entire arena into dead silence. Did they hear that right? Did Juniper just im to be the legendary esports god, Demon?


    That was a fantasy wilder than their craziest dreams. It was ridiculous!


    "De-Demon?" MystiCat whirled around to stare at her, his eyes wide with shock, his tongue tied. "You''re saying you''re our team''s captain, Demon?"


    "Don''t I look the part?" Juniper raised an eyebrow, her tone impossibly rxed.