Chapter 81 - Another Refusal

"I don't blame you if you are surprised to know this, William. I've known Sofia even before I took over my father's company," Brent nodded to the youth.

"I did think that you would confront her about the interview. I didn't expect that you know those commoners," William grinned.

"Our social status in real life is not really applicable inside the game. CEO UNRIVALED had taught me a lot of gaming tactics and strategies in the past. She was actually the reason why I was really hooked up with the gaming world," Brent started. 

"Ohh, so the two of you are like a duo or something? You have great gaming skills, young master Brent. I always admire how you can adjust in the game easily during crucial battles," William spoke solemnly. He opened his phone and returned to watch the video clip of Sofia's interview.

Brent glanced at the stage and looked at the large screen. There was still ample time before their final match would start. He suddenly remembered Sofia's familiar laugh and felt a little pressure.

He took a deep breath and started to remember the times when he was still playing along with Sofia. "In the past, I'm just that typical kid that always gets frustrated after getting beaten up when doing my quest. Even if I recharge in the game and buy nice pieces of equipment for my character, I still end up losing. It was kind of insulting that I have spent money but still those who are regular gamers beat me."

William and Brent's sister remained silent as they looked at him with serious expressions on their faces. The man rarely opened up despite them being in one squad. 

They had deemed him as an eccentric person and always seemed distant. However, at that point, it was like he put the wall down and let the two show a glimpse of his past.

"It was Sofia who showed me how to make a good build of my character and how to fight and give maximum damage to my enemies. If I win against her today, she will surely be proud of me!" Brent continued while recollecting the struggles he had encountered of his earlier years in the gaming world. He had even been bullied online for his capacity to spend money but cannot maximize his character's ability.

"So this is actually your motivation for participating in the game? You want to win to make your opponent proud? That's so weird to hear coming from you!" Brent's sister snickered.

"What else would motivate me? We all have our drive to do what we are doing. If she is not here, I might just assign another person to participate and play with you," Brent spoke calmly. 

"Well, I will support you, young master Brent! We will surely win this match! Err, even if your goal is to make our enemy proud. Hehehe," William commented with a forced smile on his face. 

"We can win! It is easy to read their next actions based on their items. So, we can counter them as long as we pay attention to their build," Brent commanded.

"I can't wait for our match to start! Why is this break taking so long?" William complained.

"They are probably fixing something. I have seen two technicians who went inside the center and checked the devices. They had been done minutes ago!" Brent's brother sighed.

While these players expressed their eagerness to play the final round, the team leader that handled the press publicity approached them. AN was also trailing behind.

"Hello, young masters! The tournament organizers prepared an interview for participants today. This is for your squad to expand exposure and get the right publicity you need," the team leader stated with an expectant gaze in her eyes. She maintained a polite and friendly tone towards the group.

Unbeknownst to this team leader, Brent and his teammates had already seen the issue about Sofia's pimples circulating in the internet. They also recognized the team leader as the one who was in the video and bashed Sofia's face.

The group also disapproved and felt that it was very unprofessional for the tournament interviewer to target the Chronos squad in such a degrading way.

The both looked at one another as if their mind was thinking of the same thought.

"Oh, I am not comfortable with my makeup today, so I won't join the interview," Brent's sister responded while pretending to look at her reflection on her phone.

"Yeah, me too! I have a small pimple on my nose. I'm embarrassed to face the camera. I should look perfect to the public," Brent joined with a cold tone that made the team leader slightly frightened.

"I did not sleep for 12 hours because of the tournament. So my eyebags looked ugly, I won't join the interview," William added without giving the staff a glance. 

Hearing the three people giving their alibi, the team leader felt grieved. She could easily tell that the group was just being dramatic but she did not dare speak out nor [provoke them.

Unlike the Chronos squad, the people she was facing were not ordinary. So, she could only put up with their attitude.

"Okay, I understand. Good luck, young masters!" the team leader spoke in a dejected tone.

"Bye," the Lee Gaming squad spoke together hinting that the team leader was already dismissed. 

~

In the interview room, Drake almost fainted out of anger after knowing that another squad had refused to be interviewed by them! 

The man was still confident and felt wronged as he was not yet notified by the chairman of the organizers about the loophole of his exclusive contract. 

"Young master Drake, this time, the squad that had refused our interview is the Lee Gaming squad. So, we cannot deal with them. Otherwise, they might use their connection to attack us and your press," the team leader explained.

"Ohh, that young master from the Lee family. Hmmm... What are the organizers of this tournament had been doing?! Did they deal with that ignorant youngster from the Chronos squad already? Why is it that another squad refused our interview? Are they so incompetent!?" Drake demanded and decided to vent his anger to the tournament organizers.