Glory [e-sports]
chapter-13

translator: xiin

editors: apricot & juurensha

Once this thought entered his mind, Wei Xiao looked at the ice hunter on his screen and found it to be like a thorn in his eye no matter how he looked at it!

There was no way for Wei Xiao to remember everything from the 48 hours two years ago.

However, the game where he’d been hammered down by Close’s ice arrow while he played a shadow thief was one he remembered very clearly.

At the time, they had already soloed for a full day and night, and Wei Xiao, who’d lost nearly 100 games, didn’t even have the slightest intention of backing down at all. He would swiftly send Lu Feng another game invitation each time, and then quickly begin the next game.

All the way until the 101th game, when Wei Xiao took the ‘king of solo’ shadow thief, and Lu Feng on the opposing side took the ‘little brother of solo’ ice hunter.

At the time, Wei Xiao had stretched his head out and looked at Lu Feng, “What’s the meaning of this?”

Lu Feng: “Hm?”

Wei Xiao: “Don’t take it easy on me. I’m not afraid of losing.”

Picking the ice hunter was simply looking down on him. He wasn’t interested in this kind of solo game with an unequal playing ground.

Despite staying up for an entire day and night, Lu Feng’s eyes and eyebrows didn’t carry many traces of fatigue. His lips lifted, “It’s taboo to underestimate your opponent.”

Wei Xiao pouted, “This is solo! An ice hunter without a support’s protection is even worse than a lane soldier.”

Lu Feng did not explain further, “Start the game.”

Wei Xiao clicked start, but his mouth was still muttering complaints, “I don’t care, it doesn’t count if I win this match. You have to continue soloing with me.”

On the other side of their opposing computer screens, Lu Feng couldn’t see Wei Xiao’s expression, but his voice couldn’t help but turn soft, “Okay.”

And then…

Wei Xiaoxiao was so shocked from his loss that his mouth dropped open, “This, this…”

Lu Feng glanced at him, “Is the ice hunter weak?”

Wei Xiao was still engrossed in his shock, “Weak…”

Lu Feng: “Hm?”

Wei Xiao: “The ice hunter is very weak, but you’re too strong. You’re strong at everything, f*ck, Close, how could you be so powerful!”

He stood up, his eyes locking on Lu Feng. Inside his gaze was undisguised heat, so hot that it made the tip of his heart burn.

Bai Cai had said one thing right.

Wei Xiao had really used him, then tossed him away.

Although, this ‘using’ had been unintentional.

The fear of being dominated by an ice hunter two years ago once again pressed down on Wei Xiao’s head.

However, he wasn’t a person who would be overwhelmed by fear. On the contrary, the more pressured he was, the braver he would become, and he only became more excited when he faced the strong.

Ten minutes later, the ice hunter completed a three-piece set (three core pieces of equipment), and its DPS output instantly exploded. Even if Wei Xiao’s economy wasn’t behind, it was unfortunate that he couldn’t even get close to the ice hunter despite having all-DPS gear.

If his economy had been better, Wei Xiao could switch to defensive equipment and sneak his way over to attack the ice hunter. As long as he could use a combination of skills, he would definitely be able to kill him.

Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to snatch away any gold. He wasn’t even able to snatch away a single dollar from this ice hunter’s hands!

Wei Xiao was exceedingly familiar with the terrain for solo, but the ice hunter seemed to be more familiar with it than he was.

Wei Xiao knew the shadow thief hero like the back of his hand, but the ice hunter on the opposite side could see through his thoughts completely.

Was he really so strong?!

Was growth this quick for players who spent a year under Close and competed in several big competitions?!

Wei Xiao’s desire for battle was aroused. He hadn’t felt this kind of feeling in a long time:

The blood in his entire body woke up, adrenaline surged, and his brain was unprecedentedly clear and bright, his five senses fully magnified.

He couldn’t hear any external sounds. He only heard the footsteps in the canyon, the rustle of the grass, and the sound of skill releases…

His fingers seemed to be directly connected to his brain. Every shake of his mouse, every press and rebound of the keyboard was extremely accurate and never felt cumbersome.

He liked this kind of feeling. He’d always been searching for this feeling.

The hot-blooded battle rush he’d experienced two years ago when he fought against Close.

Tense, exciting.

This kind of excitement that mobilized all his nerves was the unyielding fighting spirit that could only be aroused when he met genuinely strong players!

On the other side.

Bai Cai’s scalp was tingling from watching.

Although he wasn’t by Wei Xiao’s side, and although it was across the internet, he could already feel the ‘crazy’ energy of the shadow thief just from looking at the screen.

This was the boiling passion that could only be transmitted through the characters in the game. It was the surging fighting spirit that had been completely aroused and let loose. It was the passion of youth, the endless desire for victory!

Bai Cai thought back to the days two years ago when he’d been Wei Xiao’s support, following him around to challenge all the big clubs.

Arrogant, unbridled, reckless.

At the time, they’d been like wildly growing seeds that had been planted in the soil, slicing through the quiet China competition zone with unstoppable momentum.

That’s right.

It was no wonder that Lu Feng had always kept a little lunatic like this in mind and never forgotten him in the past two years.

There were many excellent players, but natural warriors could only be encountered by luck.

Wei Xiao was like a sword, with the courage and ability to break through the haze!

28 minutes in.

The battle situation was nearly settled. An ice hunter who’d developed to such a stage wouldn’t be afraid even if the shadow thief managed to sneak close. It could easily shoot the shadow thief down with two casual arrows.

Victory and defeat had already been determined, and there was no suspense about the outcome.

Bai Cai suddenly thought of something and spoke up, “Oh, right! Wei Xiao also offered up an Easter egg tonight.”

Lu Feng stared at the thief on the screen, “Easter egg?”

Bai Cai hurriedly said, “Yes! This kid tossed down the gauntlet. Today, as long as anyone can win against him, he’ll be their training partner for life!”

How wonderful, God Lu was definitely going to win against Wei Xiao. This little bastard could be Captain Lu’s training partner for life!

Bai Cai, who thought he’d done a good thing, suddenly froze.

What?

What, what?

There was a huge ‘Defeat’ on the computer screen.

God Lu lost?

God Lu, who had obtained such a huge advantage and was just one step short of shattering Wei Xiao’s resurrection crystal, had lost?

How was that possible!

In that mere second…

What happened?!

The game ended, and they returned to the match room. The chat box popped up with Wei Xiao’s words: “What’s the matter? Why surrender?”

Bai Cai finally saw the light. It turned out that the captain had surrendered.

No, wait… why?!

Why would he surrender?! He was just as confused as Wei Xiao.

He could only watch on as Lu Feng typed three words: “Get some rest.”

Then, he quit the room.

Bai Cai: “???”

What had happened? What the hell just happened?!

Lu Feng stood up, picked up his sports water bottle, and said, “You too. Get some sleep.”

Bai Cai couldn’t keep himself from asking, “… Captain, why did you surrender?”

He was clearly about to win. If he’d won, he’d have locked in a lifelong training partner!

Lu Feng spoke a sentence very calmly.

Bai Cai froze.

Lu Feng had just left when Bai Cai’s cell phone exploded.

Wei Xiao’s WeChat messages flew in one after another––

“What’s going on?”

“Yue Wenle left?”

“Why did he surrender?”

“It’s not like laozi can’t afford to lose!”

Bai Cai thought of Lu Feng’s words and felt a serious headache. He picked up his cell phone, thought about it, and asked, “Haven’t you figured it out yet?”

On the other side of the phone, Wei Xiao was stunned for a moment, then cursed like he’d just been struck by lightning.

He called Bai Cai, “The ice hunter just now was Close?”

Bai Cai sighed, “Yes.”

Wei Xiao didn’t say anything for a long time. He clutched the cell phone tightly, and his voice trembled slightly, “He… why did he surrender.”

Two years ago, 48 hours. They had fought 144 matches, and Close had taken every game seriously.

This time, why had he…

Bai Cai found it a little difficult to say out loud, “It was my cheap mouth.”

Wei Xiao: “What?”

Bai Cai said, “I told him about the Easter egg.”

Wei Xiao was momentarily unable to figure it out.

Bai Cai closed his eyes, and told Wei Xiao the words Lu Feng had left behind––

“Captain Lu told me to tell you, he doesn’t need a training partner.”

It was like Wei Xiao had pressed down on the mute button. There was no sound from the other end.

Bai Cai felt a strange pang of heartache, “Old Wei, you…”

Beepbeepbeep, there was a busy tone from the phone. Wei Xiao had hung up.

Bai Cai: “……”

Inside the single apartment.

Wei Xiao, who hadn’t felt tired despite staying up all night, collapsed onto the bed at this moment.

The computer screen was still on, and he was alone in the empty room. There were only two sentences in the chat box.

“What the matter? Why surrender?”

“Get some rest.”

––Captain Lu told me to tell you, he doesn’t need a training partner.”

“F*ck!”

Wei Xiao picked up the pillow and pressed it down against his forehead.

That was Close.

Their first time soloing after two years.

Close surrendered.

Because he didn’t need a training partner.

He didn’t need him.

Two years ago, he’d flicked his hand and left. Being despised by others was something he’d asked for.

He understood all the reasons. His brain understood, but at this moment, Wei Xiao’s heart still felt like it had been stabbed by a knife.

He clutched tightly to the pillow, his knuckles prominent and white.

It was he who’d let Close down. What gave him the right to feel wronged now?

Wei Xiao exhaled softly and stood up to take a shower.

He hadn’t turned on the water boiler ahead of time, and the water that came out was ice cold.

Wei Xiao was chilled into shivering, and after washing up, he went back to his room.

He might as well sleep. He’d be fine again after he woke up.

Wei Xiao hugged Soybean, rubbed against his neck, and tried to go to sleep.

Soybean seemed to be aware of its master’s mood and was well-behaved for once.

Wei Xiao couldn’t fall asleep at all. The more he wanted to sleep, the more impossible it was to sleep. Those three words were on repeat whenever he closed his eyes.

He didn’t need, he didn’t need, he didn’t need.

“To hell with sleeping!” Wei Xiao sat up.

Doggy: “Aroo?”

Wei Xiao stroked its head, “Your daddy’s going to play games for a bit.”

Soybean followed him out of bed and curled up at his feet.

Wei Xiao clicked to queue for a ranked match, wanting to become an emotionless rank pushing machine.

The first game had just ended when his cell phone rang.

Wei Xiao picked up his cell phone. It was a message from the accompanying player platform.

LU: “So early?”

Wei Xiao wasn’t in the mood to be an accompanying player, but he’d already collected the money and had to be dedicated to his job, “Good morning, boss. Do you want to play.”

The other side paused for a moment, “You were up all night?”

Wei Xiao was expressionless as he typed, “No way, just woke up ^_^.”

LU: “Alright, let’s play for a while.”

Wei Xiao: “’Kay. I’ll switch accounts.”

If Close didn’t need him, then forget it. There would always be someone who needed him. Look, his two million boss really needed him!

Wei Xiao told himself that he couldn’t let his personal emotions affect his work, but unfortunately, his mood wasn’t so easily controlled.

No matter how hard he tried, he was unable to improve the atmosphere.

After the third game ended, LU asked him, “Bad mood?”

Wei Xiao’s mood was so bad it was rotten. “No.”

LU: “Did something happen?”

Sigh, the boss was rich and caring. He was a good person.

Wei Xiao felt really apologetic, “Sorry, it affected you. These three games don’t count.”

LU: “It’s okay. You played very well, we’ve been winning.”

Wei Xiao typed, “Winning is a given. You’re spending money for entertainment. I shouldn’t influence your mood.”

LU: “It’s not so serious, but it’s better to say it if there’s something on your mind. Of course, that’s only if you don’t mind.”

Wei Xiao’s heart was mired in depression. He really didn’t mind chatting about it with this anonymous ‘internet friend’, “It’s a small matter…”

LU: “Hm?”

Wei Xiao thought about it for a moment, then used another method to express his thoughts, “It’s like this… well, I accompanied my girlfriend to do her homework, and then when we came to a certain problem, I told her that if she could answer it, I would be her tutor for a lifetime. But then, she gave up on the problem and said that she didn’t need that.”

After he finished, Wei Xiao felt that he was simply a genius.

He’d managed to explain this matter so clearly without disclosing any information at all!

FTW base.

Lu Feng stared at the chat box in surprise for a moment.

He shook his head and laughed quietly, then typed, “You misunderstood.”

Wei Xiao: “How so?”

LU: “They don’t need a tutor because they only want a boyfriend.”

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sponsored post – thanks to AnnaBanana, smolgingerfox, con, and ‘somebody’ for the coffees!

Juurensha: Woooow LF, so smooth.

xiin: … it’s a pity that WX is still clueless, though his sadness made me really wanna hug him. poor baby~