Prologue
November 18, 2028
The stage was a dazzling spectacle, bathed in the soft glow of colored lights and a radiant LED display that seemed to pulse in time with the audience's heartbeat. Enormous screens displayed the game's action for all to see.
A panel of casters provided live commentary, their voices filled with excitement and expertise, narrating the unfolding drama in the game. The crowd hung on their every word, erupting into cheers or groans in response to the game's twists and turns.
The sponsors' banners adorned the arena, their logos glowing brightly. Vendors in the concourse area sold merchandise, and the scent of freshly popped popcorn and sizzling hot dogs wafted through the air. Gamers of all ages, clad in jerseys and gaming gear, mingled with one another, discussing strategies, sharing stories, and celebrating their shared passion.
"It's over, folks! Yuusha has done the impossible! Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat! A 1v3!"
"And with that, we have our very first champion of the Andartha's Cup, team Paragons!"
Like a tidal wave of enthusiasm, the crowd's collective roar surged through the air and reverberated throughout the whole venue. The floor vibrates, resonating with the thunderous applause of thousands of fervent fans.
"So, let me get this straight. She entered the tournament, emerged as the champion, defeated the best CoA players, and proceeded as if it was all in a day's work?!” the announcer expressed his incredulity.
“I don’t want to take credit from her teammates since it's impossible to win the Andartha's Cup alone, but she does make it look easy the way she plays today. However, I hope they change the rules to make the tournament mandatory for players to attend LAN next time instead of online, considering our huge fanbase. Don't you agree, crowd!?” the caster hyped.
“Yeeaaaahhh!” The crowd roared in response.
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September 1, 2031
Ring* Ring* Ring*
I woke up to the sound of my phone alarm ringing. I reached out to the small table beside my bed, where I usually put it. It was still too early. I had two hours before my class. I turned off the alarm and went back to sleep.
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...
...
...
My phone rang again, waking me up from my peaceful nap, albeit with a different tune.
"What is it this time," I pondered irritably.
Uh-oh... This isn't good; my dry and croaking voice probably gave away the fact that I had just woken up.
How was she even so sure that I was still in bed? Her tone of voice sent chills down my spine. The chilling tone of her voice sent a shiver down my very core, pushing me to immediately jump out of bed.
"In other news, the prize pool for the popular VR MMORPG Champions of Andartha's yearly tournament, also known as Andartha's Cup, was revealed. It has yet again surpassed the record for the highest prize pool in a single tournament in the history of e-sports. The current prize pool is a whopping 48 million dollars for the whole tournament!" the newscaster exclaimed.
After finishing my breakfast, I put the plates and utensils in the sink for me to wash later. I brushed my teeth and did my final preparations before going out the door and pressing the button on the elevator in the hallway. I reside on the 8th floor of the building, so walking down would be pretty tiring.
I don't carry any wallets since they have become obsolete nowadays due to the ease of mobile payments. It's also harder to steal your money as it needs confirmation from you when transferring money to another account.... unless, of course, they cut off your finger to use it for the fingerprint lock and brutally torture you to use your voice to bypass security.
Passing through the terminal and onto the railway platform, I could hear the sound of the approaching bullet train. Boarding the somewhat crowded train, I found a seat and reflected on what the first day of my college life had in store for me.