The King's Avatar Chapter 2 – Area 3 Number 47

Chapter 2 – Area 3 Number 47

“Captain, who do you think you are!”

“Forcing him to retire is actually helping him out. What other options does he have?”

“Exactly. Given how understanding he is, he won’t hold the club responsible for his retirement.”

Ye Qiu and Su Mucheng had departed. The rest of the people in the meeting room snapped back to reality and resumed their mockery. Sun Xiang’s face showed a complicated look, though. He stayed silent and approached the manager: “I just don’t get it. How did he agree to those terms?”

“He had no choice but to agree,” the manager replied.

“Why’s that?”

“Because he can’t afford the penalty fee,” the manager explained.

“How... how is that possible?” Sun Xiang was shocked. Ye Qiu had toiled as a pro gamer for seven years at the top of his game. Even avoiding all commercial deals, his earnings shouldn’t have been so meager that he couldn’t cover the breach fee.

“You didn’t live through that time, so you can’t imagine. Back in the early days of the Alliance, pro players weren’t the stars they are today. Those who got cut back then often ended up in rough shape. They’d spent their prime years on the game, but without real skills outside it, most sank into poverty. Ye Qiu was the standout talent of that period, carrying us to our current success. Yet he had plenty of buddies in the same boat.”

“So you mean he handed over most of his money to those friends?” Sun Xiang’s eyes went wide.

“That’s correct.”

“Then why turn down business gigs if he needed cash?” Sun Xiang wondered.

“Nobody knows why,” the manager admitted.

“No theories at all?” Sun Xiang pressed.

“Maybe it ties to his family,” the manager speculated.

“Huh?”

“His family background is a total mystery. He never mentions them. It’s odd enough to make me think so,” the manager added.

“This guy... he’s got quite the backstory!” Sun Xiang picked up the One Autumn Leaf account card that Ye Qiu had handed him. He realized Ye Qiu created this account way before the Pro Alliance existed. Still in use today, it ranked among Glory’s most ancient accounts.

“Alright, enough about him. The boss couldn’t make it today, but he sent over this vintage red wine from his private stash to celebrate your arrival,” the manager said.

“Haha, thanks a ton! With me here, Excellent Era will rise to glory again!”

Ye Qiu walked away.

Su Mucheng lingered at the club’s doorway. She remained there, watching until Ye Qiu vanished from sight. He kept looking back to wave. Tears were already flowing freely down Su Mucheng’s face.

In few words, Ye Qiu had promised: “I’ll take a year off and return.”

Su Mucheng stayed mute. She just kept nodding. No longer the naive girl from before, she now shouldered heavy duties by herself.

Snowflakes drifted through the sky. This winter felt exceptionally harsh.

Snowing?

As Ye Qiu exited the club, he hadn’t planned his next move. After years immersed in that routine, adjusting to this abrupt shift proved tough. He figured he’d wander until his mind settled.

But the weather had other ideas. Suddenly, snow started falling, growing heavier by the minute. The swirling flakes soon soaked his shoulders. Ice even built up on his hair. Without cover soon, he’d freeze.

Ye Qiu glanced around and spotted an Internet cafe nearby. Its lights glowed brightly despite the late hour, so he hurried over.

Warmth enveloped the Internet cafe. Ye Qiu rushed inside, brushed off the snow, and headed to the counter.

“Area 3, Number 47,” the receptionist told him, pointing to an available machine. She passed him an ID card to log in, but he’d already walked off. Unfazed, she tucked it away, figuring he’d return for it later—such things happened all the time.

Following the signs to Area 3, Number 47, Ye Qiu searched carefully. The cafe was spacious, packed with machines and even a second floor. Area 3... He spotted the label overhead. No need for upstairs.

Reaching Number 47, Ye Qiu froze in surprise. Someone already occupied it—a woman, deep into Glory. She battled in the Arena, her intense plays making her high ponytail whip around.

From his angle facing her, he noticed her operating a Launcher. Ye Qiu stared blankly, nearly mistaking her for Su Mucheng.

Yet he swiftly noticed it wasn't her. Su MuCheng stayed forever gentle and calm. Even amid fierce PK clashes, her smile never faded. Recalling her, Ye Qiu had observed her grinning as she shattered foes into fragments. Her courteous apology afterward always sent an odd shiver through him.

This girl looked beautiful and soft too. However, her fury boiled over, smashing her keyboard wildly, which made her whole look seem like one massive deception from head to toe.

Her killing intent felt overwhelmingly terrifying. What a shame though... Ye Qiu glanced at the display. The girl teetered on the edge of disaster. Sure enough, her foe seized the opening from her error. Two strikes later, her last sliver of health vanished completely.

Damn it! Ye Qiu caught her furious shout. She pounded the keyboard, forcing the game to crash closed.

Ye Qiu pondered if he should take the seat. The girl whipped around, spotting his uncertainty. She leaped up in anger, demanding: Computer?

Ye Qiu nodded.

Then sit! She stormed off already.

Ye Qiu sighed at typical gamers' impatience and settled into the chair.

Chen Guo felt utterly downcast, profoundly so. She'd battled 52 rounds in the Arena, yet claimed zero victories. She refused to accept this reality.

Chen Guo stroked the Chasing Haze card in her pocket. Her account held solid potential. Among regular players, it ranked strong, and her skills weren't weak. Five full years in Glory under her belt. Despite her foe's inferior account, she couldn't beat him once across 52 matches.

Hes a top-tier pro, Chen Guo decided.

Boss, you havent logged out. Whats that guy doing on it? Chen Guo mulled over it while walking, until a voice cut in. She turned her head to check. Next to her former spot, a regular Internet Cafe patron craned his neck toward her abandoned machine.

Oh no! Chen Guos heart sank as she dashed back. Glorys huge fame made its login gear a must-have for every Internet Cafe PC. Account cards just slotted in, so folks in public spots always pocketed them post-use.

Each card bound to one account alone. Report lost ones, no theft worries. Still, in busy public areas, players often forgot to log out, letting others raid their gear and cash. Chen Guo, crushed by 52 losses in a row, had zoned out completely. No logout, just desktop switch.

Chen Guo bolted over and yep, the dude was on her account for real. Not looting though, he seemed thrilled to jump into Arena duels.

Before Chen Guo could unleash her fury, one huge word flashed across the screen...