章 14: The Arrival of the Challenger
The bustling city of Hangzhou glowed under the late evening sun. Its towering skyscrapers cast long shadows over the streets, where people hurried home from work or to evening plans. Yet, amidst this ordinary rush, a small internet café in a quieter corner of the city buzzed with a different kind of energy.
Happy Internet Café, a place known only to a select few, was no ordinary gaming hub. It was the birthplace of legends, where the world-renowned Glory player Ye Xiu had carved out his path to greatness. The café, modest in appearance, held an aura of history, as if the very walls could whisper tales of epic battles fought within the virtual realms.
Inside, the usual patrons were engrossed in their games, fingers flying across keyboards, eyes locked on screens. But today, there was an unusual tension in the air, a subtle shift that hadn't gone unnoticed by the regulars. In a corner, with his back to the wall, sat a young man, new to the café. His presence was imposing despite his calm demeanor, and the way his fingers danced across the keyboard hinted at experience, perhaps even expertise.
His username, displayed boldly on the screen: BloodCrown.
This young man was none other than Qin Zhen, a rising star in the Glory competitive scene. He had built a reputation for himself through countless victories in various tournaments, but today, he wasn't here to just play. He was here for something more—a challenge that, if conquered, would cement his name in the annals of Glory history.
Qin Zhen had come to challenge the King.
Ye Xiu, known as the Battle God of Glory, had returned to the professional scene after a brief retirement, leading his team, Happy, to numerous victories. But the world of Glory was relentless; there was always someone younger, faster, hungrier. And today, Qin Zhen intended to prove that he was the one who could finally topple the legend.
He logged into the game, his avatar appearing in the familiar starting city of Glory. His character, a sword-wielding knight with the title BloodCrown, stood out with its crimson armor and an aura that made other players give him a wide berth. Qin Zhen navigated through the bustling in-game crowd, his destination clear—the Arena.
Word of his presence had already spread. Players began to gather, whispering excitedly, their chat boxes filled with speculation.
"Is that really BloodCrown?"
"He's challenging Ye Xiu! This is going to be epic!"
"No way he can win against Lord Grim, right?"
Qin Zhen ignored the chatter. He wasn't here for the spectators; he was here for the fight. As he entered the Arena, he sent out a direct challenge to the one player he knew would accept.
[BloodCrown]: Lord Grim, I challenge you.
The Arena's system sent out the notification across the server, and within moments, the Arena was flooded with players, all eager to witness the clash. The chat exploded with excitement.
"Is this real? BloodCrown vs. Lord Grim?"
"Ye Xiu better not lose!"
"This is going to be insane!"
On the other side of the screen, in the back room of Happy Internet Café, Ye Xiu leaned back in his chair, a small smile playing on his lips. He had heard of BloodCrown, of course—who hadn't? The young upstart had made quite a name for himself, but Ye Xiu knew the game all too well. He knew that talent alone wasn't enough to win; experience, strategy, and composure were the true marks of a champion.
Ye Xiu's fingers moved almost lazily as he accepted the challenge. His character, Lord Grim, a unique unspecialized class, appeared in the Arena, armed with an eclectic mix of weapons that had become his trademark.
The Arena fell silent, save for the sound of thousands of spectators holding their breath.
The battle began.
BloodCrown charged forward, his sword flashing as he launched into a series of aggressive attacks, each strike precise and deadly. Qin Zhen's confidence was evident; he fought with the poise of a seasoned warrior, his movements calculated to force Ye Xiu into a corner.
But Ye Xiu was unfazed. Lord Grim's movements were fluid, almost effortless, as he parried, dodged, and countered with a series of unpredictable attacks. Ye Xiu was a master of adaptability, seamlessly switching between different styles and weapons, keeping his opponent guessing at every turn.
Minutes passed, and the intensity of the battle only grew. The crowd watched in awe as the two combatants traded blows, neither giving an inch. BloodCrown's swordsmanship was impeccable, but Lord Grim's versatility was unmatched.
Then, in a moment that felt like it stretched into eternity, Ye Xiu saw an opening—a slight hesitation in BloodCrown's movement, a millisecond of doubt. It was all he needed.
With a swift, decisive move, Lord Grim unleashed a combination of skills that caught BloodCrown off guard. The final blow struck true, and BloodCrown's health bar plummeted to zero.
The Arena exploded in cheers and disbelief. The legend had triumphed once again.
Qin Zhen stared at the screen, his heart pounding in his chest. He had lost. But as the adrenaline faded, he realized something else—he had fought against a true master, and though he was defeated, the experience had only fueled his determination.
[Lord Grim]: Not bad. Keep practicing. You have potential.
Ye Xiu's message was brief, but Qin Zhen understood the meaning behind it. This was just the beginning. He had much to learn, and he was more determined than ever to continue his journey in Glory.
As the crowd dispersed, still buzzing with excitement, Qin Zhen logged off, his mind already racing with plans for his next move. The path to becoming a legend was long and arduous, but he was ready to walk it, step by step.
And one day, he vowed, he would challenge the King again—and win.
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