Chapter 73 - Confrontation And Threats

Jing Jing was startled by the sudden appearance of Drake and other people behind him. 

She cleared her throat and concealed her surprised expression with a deep scowl.

"Didn't you said that only staff can disturb the players in their booths? These three people do not look like they are members of the tournament staff, no? Why are they allowed to stay in this booth!?" Drake turned his head and faced the team leader.

"Young master, please calm down!" AN intervene upon seeing that Drake almost grabbed the collar of her team leader. She could tell that the man lost his gentleman bearing after knowing the three figures were in the booth of the Chronos squad.

"Miss Jing Jing, are you here to make trouble? We warned you before! Do you perhaps insist on getting a scope for this tournament?!" the woman behind Drake glowered.

"Yo!!! These cheaters have come to make trouble for my friend? How shameless!" Rica was the first to speak while her boyfriend draped a hand on her shoulder. She witnessed Drake and the woman at the couple's café acting like a real couple and was offended on behalf of her friend. Now that the two appeared in front of her, she was eager to fight them!

"Please calm down every one or I will call security!" AN took the initiative to remind both sides to act civil. She could sense that an argument was about to form if she does not act fast. Her slender arms held up side by side as if she was a referee of some sort of fight.

"Are you perhaps the private press of the Chronos squad?" the team leader could not help but ask. She somehow felt a more intense headache.

Jing Jing was well-known in district 7. Her company was always on top. If the FDS Press Company did not approach the tournament organizer earlier, they would definitely seek a partnership with Jing Jing's company!

"P-private press? How could it be?!" Drake exclaimed in disbelief. In the past, Jing Jing would share information about her work. And not once did the lady mentioned the Chronos squad.

"Yes, our company will take care of the publicity for the Chronos squad. There is no need for a trashy company to get involved with a high-caliber gamer! Tsk!" Rica responded before Jing Jing could voiced out a reply. She made sure to emphasize the word 'trashy company' and deliberately glanced at Drake and his woman.

While the verbal argument ensued inside the booth, the five members of the Chronos squad finally finished their match. It lasted for only 13 minutes before they destroyed their enemy's base. 

The group quickly exited the lounge and the sound of the commentators giving the highlights of their match followed in the background.

"Why are there so many people in our booth?" Clark asked while gazing at the small space. 

"Hehehe, do we have fans asking for our signature?" Joey joked.

"Maybe they are part of the interview?" Claire also made a guess.

The group felt enthusiastic. It would be their first time to be interviewed however, when they almost reached their booth, they could sense an undeniable tension inside.

"What is happening?" Clark mumbled anxiously. He glanced at Sofia with a worried look on his face.

"Don't worry about it. Stand straight and don't slouch," Sofia assured and reminded them of their posture. She immediately noticed the figure of AN and the team leader. With the two familiar figures, she quickly deduced that there might be an ongoing disagreement inside.

Sofia's stepped into the booth and stood with an aura of dominance. Her members also stood the same. Although the four members were not aware, their posture actually looked dignified. Sofia's reminder for them to stand straight and avoid slouching made this kind of impact on their onlookers possible.

"Hello! Is there a problem?" Sofia simply asked and the initial tension around the booth was replaced with a more scarier atmosphere. All the people in the place become silent as they saw Sofia's figure resembled that of her tank character mightily standing and was ready to charge anytime.

The young lady looked at them in the eye, but they avoided making eye contact with her. The entire booth remained hushed as they gazed at the other members of the Chronos squad.

'How can these brats looked so dignified?' Drake wondered. The way the group stood in front of him felt strange. It was as if the air became suffocating for him to breathe. 

There was something inside him that felt compelled the moment he made eye contact with Sofia.

"We are the FDS Press Company and your squad is obliged to join in our interview!" Drake finally found the courage to speak up. But his voice seemed to have lost its authority that even he, himself could not explain.

"Hmmn? Mister, with all due respect, that is incorrect. We are not obliged for the interview of your press. My squad will handle our own publicity," Sofia replied with a stern yet calm voice. It was the kind of tone that was strict and dismissive. Something that Drake did not expect to hear.

"Well, you are wrong to think that you are not obliged! We have secured an exclusive contract with the organizers of this tournament. Even if you don't want to, you have to show respect to this contract. Or, we will sue you and your squad will be disqualified!" Drake smirked having found the confidence of reasoning the dire consequence if the Chronos squad did not follow his request.

"I don't think we will suffer that much. On the other hand, I can throw your company out of this gym for harassment! What you are doing is disrupting us. I believe these two staff would be happy to explain this kind of consequences to your group!" Sofia gestured at AN and her team leader. Her tone remained respectful but the words she said was like a sharp sword ready to slay the man.

Drake became speechless for the second time. His eyes traveled at Sofia's figure from head to foot. There was nothing special in her outfit. She does not even look noble. However, the way she spoke sounded as if she had a figure greater than a mountain.

"Ehem, if the tournament staff failed to tell you of this simple rule, I will do the honor to call security and throw you out of this place. Don't come here and threaten my team for possible disqualification. If you are capable, do your best and sue us!" Sofia added with a cold tone when the other person did not respond to her.