บท 41: First Battle Incited by the Audience

The player's lounge was left empty as the two men in their early twenties went on the area. They were the tournament's technical team. These two were assigned to help if some problem would occur in the game. They also helped maintained a good network signal for the entire tournament to avoid interruption of the game.

One guy swiftly examined all the devices for the next match and attached some necessary cables. The other guy rearranged the seats and also switched the map to the usual 5 vs 5 battlefield.

Based on their movements, these two men could be considered experts in their field of work. Their hands were so fast that it did not take more than five minutes to do their tasks.

"I'm done, here. How about you?" one of the guys called his companion.

"Yep, all set for the next elimination round! The 5 vs 5 map is ready. Let's go and visit the computer room. Brother Chris is the operator of the projector on the screen." his companion gestured a thumbs up with a boyish smile. He then suggested visiting another colleague in the operator's room.

"Oh, that senior brother Chris?! Let's go! Hehe We can watch the next match with him." the companion chuckled as they leave the player's lounge.

The two walked in unhurried pacing unaware of some eyes from the audience's side that were watching their every move.

These guys were wearing casual jeans and shirts. Though their fashion sense was simple, their looks were enough to make few girls glance and ogle at them. And the thick eyeglasses that they wore were seemed to perfectly compliment their face.

Other audiences also overheard their casual exchange of conversation. Since the players were resting on their booths, the audience's attention shifted to the crew of the tournament facilitators.

"These two guys in IT are so handsome and cool! Look at the player's lounge!" one teenage girl grinned while she tried to nudge her friend using her elbow. She boldly stared towards the two guys.

The friend who was busy with her phone looked up and glanced at the area where she was looking and responded, "I know right? I will surely take an IT course in college. My sister also encouraged me to get this course after I graduate."

"Me too, I wanna write gaming codes! Let's be classmates forever!" the girl casually said while giving the two guys in the technical team a dreamy smile.

"Could it be that you are having a crush on that staff of this tournament?" her friend teased her.

"Ahhh! What are you talking about? I'm not!" the girly quickly denied. But her face turned red as the hard blush crept her cheeks.

Her other friend just laughed at her reaction before she changed the topic, "Look at the social media. This tournament became viral! I didn't see any posts about celebrity couples so far!"

"Really? I'll check!" the girl opened her phone and did not speak anymore.

Meanwhile, outside the gymnasium, Jing Jing felt conflicted. She was contemplating how she would celebrate the day. Part of her inner will wanted to take a scope of the tournament for her to prove a point of her ex that she could still do better despite his betrayal. She just hated the idea of giving up and lose at her ex-boyfriend!

"Ahhh, Maybe there is still an interesting scope for me to get in this tournament. Hmmm..." Jing Jing said aloud. She looked around and absentmindedly scratched the back of her head. Even though the FDSS Press Company had told her that they got the exclusive contract of the tournament to cover their event, she was eager to get an opportunity.

Her feet were slightly aching because of the high heels she wore. She pursed her lips and frowned at the expensive purple heels she was wearing. Every now and then, she kept shifting her foot to feel comfortable.

After a few seconds, her eyes landed on the empty bench next to a tree. Jing Jing slowly walked towards the bench and sat.

"What should I do?" She clasped her hands and crossed her legs. Her mind was searching for the possible prospect of her coverage.

For a moment, she pondered quietly.

"Hmmnn... " a frowned etched in her forehead as she was in deep thought. "Ah! If I can't get the coverage of the tournament, I might as well just watch the game! Anyway, boss Wang already told me to enjoy my Valentine's Day!" she finally settled on the idea of just watching the competition instead of getting a scope for her company.

Jing Jing glanced at her watch. It had just been thirty minutes past ten in the morning. A small yawn escaped from her lips as she easily stretched her hands and legs before she stood and left the bench.

When Jing Jing found her seat in the audience area, the host also walked back on the stage. She smiled at the other people who glanced at her before she focused her attention on the host.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will start in a few minutes! At this moment, I will show you the match arrangement for the next elimination round! Bear in mind that this is still the single elimination round. If the squad is defeated, they will lose their chance to advance to the next round." the host spoke excitedly.

On the screen, the squad's name flashed again with their assigned opponent as well as the assigned match number for the round:

Battle 1 - Heavenly Noob Squad vs Shadow Slayer Squad

Battle 2- Lee Gaming Squad vs Evil Gaming Squad

Battle 3 - SOD-X vs Scout Regiment

Battle 4 - The Chronos Squad vs Vultramites

"Ehh?? Why is it that they put the Chronos squad in the last? This organizer's in the tournament really know how to arrange their match!" One of the tourists in the audience side voiced his opinion. It was not certain if he was criticizing the arrangement of the match or complimenting the organizers for placing the Chronos squad in the last battle.

"Yes, that's a good strategy to make the audience anticipate the game more." the middle-aged man sitting beside him responded.

"I'm not sure if the audience would want to anticipate the game though. Hihihi," the tourists said. Then, out of a sudden, an evil smirk appeared on his face. He stood on his seat and shouted loudly, "Make Chronos squad vs Vultramites in the first battle! First battle! First battle!"

"This boy is crazy!" the middle-aged man quickly shook his head and criticized the tourist's action. But ironically, he also stood on his seat and joined the boy. "Put the Chronos squad on the first battle! First battle! First battle!"