AFM 128 End

“Xiao Xian, why did you bring so little luggage?”

Chen Li walked through the ticket gate, the further she went the more she could sense the chill in the air. She stopped, tightened her coat, and glanced at the boarding time: “Did you bring a coat?”

Cen Xian’s suitcase wasn’t large. He lowered his gaze, his lips somewhat pale: “I’m not cold.”

Seeming to sense her son’s low spirits, Chen Li didn’t press further. Instead, she reached up to wrap a scarf around Cen Xian’s neck, speaking softly: “Don’t worry about your hand injury. Mom has a very close friend in America, her husband is a famous and highly respected surgeon.”

“You can recuperate there during this period. You could complete university there, or settle down, or continue further studies……”

Cen Xian paused briefly, remaining silent.

He hadn’t thought about the future yet.

Especially a future without Xie Sui.

Before boarding, Cen Xian turned back for one last look at the city where he’d grown up, then turned and stepped onto the plane.

After that, he and Xie Sui completely lost contact.

Chen Li owned property overseas and had settled there alone after her divorce. Her life had now stabilized – writing books, publishing, returning to China only for book signings and events. But with her son about to live with her, her dull and lonely life finally gained some comfort.

Cen Xian didn’t return to China often – mostly when his father wanted to see him, sometimes just for a change of scenery, but he never once went back to Lincheng.

All contact methods were severed. They hadn’t even broken up face to face – those two brief messages became their final connection.

Cen Xian could vaguely guess that Xie Sui probably hated him intensely by now.

Mole’s Glory avatar remained permanently dark.

The name Mole no longer appeared on the PK leaderboards. As time passed, everything faded – his appearances in world chat and forums became increasingly rare. People seemed to gradually forget this once brilliant top player.

Cen Xian completed his studies in America. Two years later, at his graduation ceremony, he encountered a former high school classmate.

Not at the ceremony itself, but at the class gathering that evening.

Cen Xian had learned to smoke during these two years. As he lowered his gaze, searching for a lighter on the rooftop, the other person recognized him immediately.

It was Fang Ping’an.

The other seemed quite surprised, saying warmly: “Never thought I’d meet a high school classmate abroad. How have you been?”

Fang Ping’an used to be short with a crew cut, always wearing his uniform perfectly proper. Now he’d grown tall, his hair styled handsomely – his transformation was much greater than Cen Xian’s, who hadn’t recognized him at first.

“…Not bad.” Cen Xian was somewhat surprised, since they hadn’t been in contact for years. “Are you studying at university here too?”

“I’ve received full scholarships for three consecutive years, plus stipends. Also, the school had exchange student opportunities, so I applied.” Fang Ping’an also took out a cigarette, borrowing Cen Xian’s light. He seemed to recall something: “Not long ago, our Class Three organized a high school reunion. Why didn’t you go?”

Cen Xian told the truth: “Not interested.”

Familiar with Cen Xian’s personality, Fang Ping’an wasn’t surprised. Leaning on the rooftop railing, he heard Cen Xian ask casually: “Didn’t you dislike those kinds of occasions?”

Fang Ping’an had many complaints about No.6 High School – dirty, messy, affecting his studies. He’d only chosen it for the low tuition fees.

High school classmates shared even less of a bond, and if there were any gatherings, Fang Ping’an would be the type who seemed most disdainful of attending.

Fang Ping’an shrugged. “I was the class monitor later on, so it’s only right that I go back. Besides…” He blinked, smoke drifting around him as he grinned. “I’m doing so well now, got into a top domestic university, became an exchange student at a prestigious foreign school, and my girlfriend is both beautiful and rich. If not now, when else would I show off?”

This guy…

Cen Xian smiled silently to himself. Fang Ping’an was still the same as ever, not a bad person, but utterly unrestrained with his words, especially around him.

Fang Ping’an continued, “Back then, someone actually asked about you, wondered how you were doing. They heard you became a professional esports player and have retired now.”

Cen Xian froze slightly, his expression unchanging as he asked, “What did you say?”

“What else could I say?” Fang Ping’an replied. “I told them we hadn’t been in touch, and I don’t know anything about esports, so I had no idea about your professional career. They looked pretty disappointed.”

“Later, we also talked about Xie Sui.”

Cen Xian’s fingers, holding the cigarette, paused abruptly, the ember fading.

Fang Ping’an, unaware of Cen Xian’s discomfort, went on, “No idea where they picked up these rumors, but they said you two stayed in touch after graduation, competed together, and even joined the same club. They also said…”

Cen Xian’s Adam’s apple moved slightly as he spoke, “…Said what?”

“That he’s been searching for you like crazy.”

Cen Xian stood rooted to the spot, motionless and silent for a long time.

It wasn’t until the ember burned his fingertip that he finally snapped out of it.

“Did you change your number?” Fang Ping’an pulled out his phone and opened his contacts. “Give me your new one. Having an old classmate in a foreign country, if I settle down here someday, we can keep in touch.”

By the time they parted, only Cen Xian remained on the rooftop.

He looked down at his slightly trembling fingers and silently crushed the cigarette butt.

Three months later.

Chen Li opened a café on the edge of a commercial street in Santiago. Though it had only been operating for a short while, business was fairly prosperous. On weekends, Cen Xian would help out at the shop.

The second floor had an open-air area, decorated just as exquisitely, with several tables set up. Cen Xian occasionally sat by the window. Nowadays, Glory could run just as well on laptops as on desktops, but he had never downloaded or installed it.

As night fell, he gazed at the distant city lights and the bay. What had once been an entirely unfamiliar country and language to him had gradually become familiar. The scar on his left hand had faded, and it seemed he had truly and completely severed ties with his past.

Just then, his phone suddenly rang.

Cen Xian picked it up and saw an unfamiliar number with a domestic area code. He answered, “Hello?”

There was silence on the other end for a few seconds before a voice finally came through, “Cen Xian.”

In that moment, Cen Xian’s pupils froze, then contracted sharply.

His heart jolted violently.

Xie Sui’s voice came through the receiver, cold and hoarse, “Where are you?”

Cen Xian stood up, his palm turning icy cold in an instant. He gripped the edge of the railing, the cold metal reflecting his chaotic heartbeat. His voice came out raspy, “…Xie Sui.”

Xie Sui’s breathing was faint, his tone low as if gritting his teeth, repeating, “Where are you?”

Cen Xian didn’t speak. The familiar voice by his ear made it hard for him to breathe.

“Not going to tell me, is that it?”

“It’s fine.” Xie Su let out a low, hoarse chuckle. “You can keep changing accounts, avoiding the game, hiding your IP, continue hiding from me like I’m the plague. But where will you hide next time? Europe, Japan… or back home?”

“After all, you’re a well-known writer. Chen Li’s properties aren’t hard to track down.” Xie Su’s voice turned lazy and cold, slowing deliberately as he enunciated each word: “Moonbuck Coffee, was that name your mother’s idea, or yours?”

Cen Xian’s eyelashes trembled. He lowered his gaze and murmured, “Xie Su, we’ve already broken up.”

“That’s your business.” The man’s voice held no warmth. “Cen Xian, breaking up requires saying it face to face.”

Cen Xian froze, his pupils reflecting the cool night, fragmented by the shadows cast by his lashes.

“Your hand injury has completely healed, hasn’t it?”

Cen Xian pressed his lips together. The coffee had gone completely cold. He hummed in acknowledgment.

“Why haven’t you logged in even once these past two years?” After a few seconds of silence, the man asked quietly, “Does your fear stem from me?”

Cen Xian couldn’t speak.

The other person chuckled softly. “Good.”

“That underground match was the last time I ever lost.”

“No matter where you go in the future, no matter what teammates you have, or who you partner with,” Xie Su said, “I will find you.”

“And defeat you.”

“Cen Xian.” Smoke curled around Xie Su’s lips, shadows falling over his eyelids. “If you want to win a championship, the person by your side must be me.”

Me.

Xie Su stared into the night, the ember of his cigarette flickering intermittently. The exhaustion and chill of sleeplessness hardened the warmth in his eyes. “It can only be me.”

That night, his insomnia worsened, requiring medication to sleep.

Chen Li was away, and he had to mind the shop all day tomorrow. Cen Xian stared out the window until dawn, finally rising with weary eyes.

Sometimes he even suspected the next person passing the café would push open the door, stride directly toward him—knowing Xie Su’s habits and style, it wasn’t beyond him.

Only when the sky gradually darkened did Cen Xian manage to nap briefly on the recliner.

The café saw a steady stream of customers during this time, though it wasn’t particularly busy. As Cen Xian stood up, he heard the faint chime of the doorbell. A man in a black jacket entered the shop, ordering a coffee in somewhat clumsy English.

Cen Xian glanced sideways, noticing the man appeared to be Chinese.

But when he looked up, his gaze accidentally met the other’s. Cen Xian averted his eyes and continued typing on his laptop.

Yet the other’s stare didn’t waver.

Finally unable to ignore it any longer, Cen Xian stopped typing and asked impatiently, “What are you looking at?”

The man accepted his coffee and said, “You’re Mole, right?”

Cen Xian froze.

“I have a sharp memory for players’ faces, occupational hazard, I suppose. Especially surprising to see one all the way out here.” The man scratched his head and grinned warmly, extending a hand toward Cen Xian. “Hello, I’m Xuan Cheng.”

From that day on, Xuan Cheng appeared punctually at the café every day.

Cen Xian was sometimes in the shop, though mostly not. But whenever he did appear at the café, he would inevitably encounter Xuan Cheng.

Xuan Cheng possessed a mature and handsome Eastern appearance, cheerful and prone to smiling. Even here, his charm remained undeniable, yet it still couldn’t prevent the waiter from finding Cen Xian to persuade him to find a way to send this person away, it had been a full month already.

Cen Xian sighed.

He pulled out a chair and sat opposite Xuan Cheng, getting straight to the point: “I won’t sign with your club.”

“Don’t come again tomorrow.”

Xuan Cheng smiled: “Because of your hand injury?”

Cen Xian frowned slightly and decided to be direct: “Yes.”

“I won’t achieve results for your Team. You’re so persistent, you’ve watched my past matches, right?” Cen Xian said coldly: “Past matches are in the past. Now I can’t even play ranked matches, let alone make it to the PK leaderboard in the future. A player with no value, do you still want to sign me?”

Xuan Cheng nodded: “Yes.”

Cen Xian said helplessly: “My salary demands are high. If you want me on the team, it has to be more than what Tex used to get.”

Xuan Cheng said: “Compensation isn’t an issue.”

“Not only that, but I’m also weak in team battles.” Cen Xian lowered his gaze and said calmly: “You’ve seen my past matches, right? Shock used to follow me tirelessly. Without him now, I can’t coordinate with your players at all.”

“I know.”

Xuan Cheng interlaced his fingers, resting his arms on the edge of the table. “Is that all you have to say? Shall we return to China to sign the contract?”

……

Cen Xian remained silent this time.

He couldn’t understand the person before him and wondered if the man had some hidden mental issues.

Seeing the conversation stall, Xuan Cheng paused before adding: “An electronic version is possible too, but there are other procedures—a bit tedious. Ultimately, we’ll still need to return to China once…”

Cen Xian was taken aback.

He then sighed: “What exactly do you want?”

Xuan Cheng’s expression shifted from amused to serious. He cleared his throat, put down the coffee cup that had scalded his fingers, and said quietly: “I want my Team to win the championship.”

“Not just the national championship.” Xuan Cheng said solemnly: “The world championship.”

Cen Xian’s gaze gradually focused.

“No player would willingly retire because of an injury.”

“I know you still love esports, and I know about your past dream of becoming a champion. Your conditions are all reasonable to me, I accept them entirely.” Xuan Cheng said: “But I have only one condition.”

Cen Xian heard his own slightly hoarse voice: “What?”

“Mole, become a player again.”

It had been three years since he last logged into Glory.

Over the past month, Cen Xian had accepted Xuan Cheng’s proposal, returned to China to sign the contract, and met the players of the club named “ME.”

This was the most absurd decision he had ever made.

Strangely, Cen Xian felt that everything was right, as if this was the decision he should have made long ago.

This obscure little club, one he’d only heard of because Ash mentioned it before retiring, actually gave him such a natural and indescribable sense of belonging.

Perhaps the moment he decided to reopen Glory, he had already found the club most suited to him.

The days of resuming training at the base weren’t far off. After packing his luggage and informing Chen Li, Cen Xian boarded the flight back to China.

In the first few months, Cen Xian didn’t play as a starter, nor did he ever step onto the actual competition stage, yet he had already trained countless days at the base.

The fear buried deep within his heart seemed to gradually fade away.

Later, when Cen Xian asked Xuan Cheng about the purpose of his trip to the U.S., Xuan Cheng found it somewhat hard to explain and had to tell the truth. It turned out he had taken a liking to a Filipino player. Hearing that the player had left his team and planned to settle in the U.S., Xuan Cheng rushed over without delay, traveling thousands of miles to visit him. Only upon arrival did he learn that the player had long been deported.

The day he entered the café was Xuan Cheng’s last day in the U.S., and he had already booked a flight for the next day.

Cen Xian: “”

How absurd.

Cen Xian chuckled softly.

Xuan Cheng froze for a moment, then patted him on the back: “Seeing you smile even once is truly rare.”

Cen Xian glanced sideways at him.

Xuan Cheng smiled too: “There will be more and more good things in the future.”

However, in the sixth month after that, good fortune had yet to arrive, and Xuan Cheng fell into a slump, feeling listless and dispirited every day.

Even Xuan Rui couldn’t stand it anymore: “Aren’t you the boss? Can’t you pull yourself together? Moping around like this every day, your players are going to start avoiding you.”

Xuan Cheng sat by the coffee machine and let out a long sigh.

Xuan Rui, unable to bear it, stepped past Xuan Cheng, poured herself a cup of coffee, and walked away without another word.

Cen Xian was lowering his gaze, typing something into his notebook.

“I really want to sign him.” Xuan Cheng seemed troubled for the first time: “But there’s no way at all. A promising player like him, if nothing goes wrong, must have already received offers from many clubs, and the responses were surely all rejections.”

Cen Xian said nothing.

Red Hair leaned over and asked curiously, “What’s his ID again?”

“Sheep.”

Xuan Cheng held his coffee cup. “His fans call him MianMian. Last night, I dreamed he was at the base. I called him MianMian, he took off his headphones, looked up at me, and called me Captain.”

Little Mirror nearly died laughing: “Hahahaha Captain, have you lost your mind…”

Xuan Cheng lowered his head, resting his forehead silently on his arm.

Cen Xian’s voice was calm as he took a drag from the cigarette held between his fingers: “Isn’t his idol Ash?”

Xuan Cheng froze.

Cen Xian stubbed out his cigarette and stood up: “Just use that to tempt him.”

He left the people in the break room exchanging bewildered glances, the room falling into a long silence.

Half a month later.

Early morning.

Cen Xian was walking toward the base as usual when, at the corner by the poster board, he spotted a handsome and unfamiliar young man.

The young man looked up, his gaze seemingly fixed on the member introduction board with photos, as if browsing or memorizing.

Cen Xian stopped in his tracks.

Hearing the sound, the young man withdrew his gaze, and their eyes met.

Jing Mian: “?”

Cen Xian lowered his eyes, remained silent for a few seconds, then unconsciously softened his voice: “Did you see me?”

Jing Mian was slightly taken aback.

Hesitantly, he raised his hand, his fair fingers landing on the top of the member list, and spoke: “Mole?”

“Mm.” The light in Cen Xian’s eyes grew gentler. Without asking his name, he extended a hand toward the young man:

“MianMian, welcome to ME.”

Sheep’s joining was like injecting a breath of fresh vitality into the stagnant club.

Everything seemed to change.

Perhaps even Jing Mian himself didn’t realize it.

The arrival brought about significant changes to the club. Nowadays, Glory has become the top-tier esports event, with clubs and teams emerging one after another. In this restless and challenging era where players struggle to see their future, staying grounded has become the most difficult task.

He was their sanctuary.

That afternoon, Xuan Rui propped her chin on her hand and suddenly suggested, “How about letting MianMian and Cen Xian try a duo match?”

Everyone was taken aback.

Cen Xian wasn’t skilled in team battles, so initially, there were concerns about his adaptability. During the adjustment period, Sheep and Mole had never duo-queued alone together. They expected Cen Xian would likely find it boring and refuse, but to their surprise, they heard him say, “Sure.”

Jing Mian took off his headset. Since the members wanted to watch, he turned on the sound.

Soon, the duo match began.

Everyone gathered around the two computers, intently focused on the screens.

A few minutes later, the base was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Jaws dropped unconsciously.

…It was truly unbelievable.

Even though it was their first time duo-queuing, it felt as if they had fought side by side countless times. They reunited in the shortest time possible; even with every movement, every raise of the gun, every inadvertent positioning and cover, they seemed to know each other’s thoughts, advancing methodically and intensively.

When the match ended, everyone was still left wanting more.

It was an extremely exhilarating game.

Cen Xian looked at Jing Mian, a hint of surprise in his eyes that even he hadn’t noticed. His gaze slowly fell on the hand that had once been injured.

Something was quietly rekindling, bit by bit.

This was a near-boiling fighting spirit and passion he had never felt, even before his hand injury.

“We only had them try two rounds.” Later, Xuan Rui rewatched the replay repeatedly, still unable to hide her astonishment. She exclaimed, “…How is their tacit understanding so high?”

It caused a stir.

Xuan Cheng leaned against the wall, arms crossed, and said with a smile, “I brought in the two most compatible players.Soon after Sheep joined, they welcomed their first Cross-Server Competition.

This was also Cen Xian’s first time participating in a major official event as a starting player in three years, which sparked widespread discussion among Glory players.

【Mole is back??!】

【Is it true?】

【Little tear mole, after three years, wuwuwu】

【Is Mole’s hand injury already healed? Why didn’t he join AUB where Shock is?】

【Maybe the two have already fallen out.】

【That new young player ME brought in will probably be cast aside by Mole, lol】

But to everyone’s surprise, ME ultimately won this match.

What shocked the Glory players watching the live stream even more was that Mole, who was known for being independent and disliking team battles, displayed amazing and tacit cooperation with Sheep in this match.

Cen Xian took off his headset and heard the boiling and long-lasting enthusiastic sounds from the audience. His gaze shifted from trembling to calming, and he let out a long sigh.

It was as if a dying fish had fallen into the embrace of the sea. In that moment, it felt like he had truly forgiven himself and welcomed long-lost freedom and release.

However, when his gaze inadvertently fell on a corner of the audience, Cen Xian’s eyes suddenly froze, and his pupils contracted.

His heart began to pound violently.

The figure from the depths of his memory overlapped with reality in that instant—his eyes met Shock’s.

The surroundings grew quiet.

Only the vast sound of breathing remained, along with the intense, unceasing heartbeat.

Xie Su had appeared at his first ME match and watched the entire game while observing him.

Conscious of this fact, Cen Xian remained unable to calm down even through the post-match celebration banquet. He ate his meal, drank his wine, and eventually retreated to the balcony to smoke cigarette after cigarette.

The straight suit jacket was placed on the adjacent seat.

The scent of smoke on his body made the child sitting beside him cough. Cen Xian paused, then remained seated as he took off his coat tainted with the smell of smoke.

When leaving the restaurant that night, after two turns, Cen Xian spotted Jing Mian walking away with a backpack.

He was about to call out when he saw the young man stop in front of a luxury car.

A man in a dark suit, who had been waiting by the car, stood up and took the backpack from the boy. Under the cover of night, their silhouettes were outlined. They exchanged a few words, and Jing Mian’s earlobes gradually flushed red.

Then, the young man was pulled by the waist, pressed against the black car window, and kissed.

Cen Xian froze, realizing this must be the lover Jing Mian had mentioned before.

He turned and left.

The celebration banquet ended close to midnight. Cen Xian retrieved his car. The streets outside the esports arena were already empty and silent at this hour. He had rented a temporary place near the base, which had no underground parking. As he drove into the complex, he found his usual parking spot taken and had to circle around.

When he climbed the stairs and returned to his rented room, he saw a figure leaning against the door.

Cen Xian’s footsteps halted.

The figure stiffened for a moment.

A faint spark of light glimmered in Xie Sui’s hand as he stood shrouded in darkness. He turned his gaze slowly, letting it rest on Cen Xian.

“I thought you wouldn’t come back tonight.”

The cigarette ember was crushed out. The man shifted to the side, making a narrow space by the door, and said flatly, “Open the door.”

Before the surprise in his eyes could fade, Cen Xian clenched his fist and stayed silent.

The surroundings were utterly quiet. For the first time, he felt the short flight of stairs from the landing to his door was so rough and endless, each step grating on his nerves.

Cen Xian walked to the door and fumbled for his keys.

He lowered his head to unlock it.

Suddenly, his downcast gaze trembled violently.

Xie Sui leaned in, his tall frame looming over Cen Xian’s ear. The man lowered his eyes, his voice hoarse and lazy, “Has your hand injury not healed yet?”

“Why are you shaking so badly?”

Cen Xian pressed his lips together, his voice dry. “How did you know I live here…”

“Is it that hard?” The lock clicked open, accompanied by the dull sound of the door swinging inward. Xie Sui pulled out the key, drew him into the entryway, and the door slammed shut behind them. “Your whereabouts are tied to the club, your matches, your new teammates… Finding you is hardly difficult.”

Pinned against the door, Cen Xian heard the rustle of clothes as Xie Sui lowered his gaze, his eyes both hidden and intensely oppressive. Gripping Cen Xian’s chin, he said, “The three years you left me were the hardest.”

Surprise flickered in Cen Xian’s eyes, his breathing grew labored, and his heart ached sharply.

A hand slipped under the hem of his clothes at his back. Before Cen Xian could speak, his lips were sealed. The kiss, after three years apart, was fierce and uncontrollable, sending tremors through his entire body.

Sparks ignited dry grass, and what followed was an intimacy too intense to put into words.

When his wrists were bound, Cen Xian flinched in pain, but the grip loosened without letting go. Xie Sui leaned down and kissed his forehead.

His heart felt abruptly clenched. Cen Xian’s nose grew warm, his eyes stinging with heat.

“I didn’t want to hold you back,” Cen Xian murmured, his voice strained. “And I didn’t want to be just an accessory to Shock.”

The other man’s movements stilled.

“Even if my dream is to win a championship, I can’t stand by your side.”

Cen Xian lowered his gaze, tears streaming down continuously as he whispered, “Xie Sui, become my rival.”

The cool air grew still.

“Alright.”

The man leaned down, biting Cen Xian’s pale nape before licking it gently. His voice was husky, close to his ear, carrying a profound and indescribable emotion that intertwined with their clamorous heartbeats:

“If we win the national tournament, let’s go back to how we were before.”

Cen Xian opened his eyes, his heated lashes fluttering shut as his breath hitched. Trembling, he instinctively wrapped his arms around the other’s neck.

What followed was a deep kiss mingled with sweat and scorching breaths.

A sleepless night.

The next day, Cen Xian arrived at the base on time. As soon as he entered, he heard Little Mirror’s excited shout: “Me. has advanced to the provincial tournament!!”

“We made it to the front page of the Glory forum! So many people are rooting for us.”

Red Hair’s eyes sparkled: “We’re leading by so many points, unprecedented. Can we dare to dream of the national tournament?”

Song Xianyang said, “Your dream is too modest. At least dream of…” He intended to say “national champions,” but someone beside him finished his sentence.

Sheep, wearing headphones, spoke up: “World champions.”

Cen Xian froze, silent for a long moment before suddenly letting out a soft laugh.

It had been so long since he felt such genuine joy.

His decaying shell, in that moment, allowed a sliver of light to pierce through the dim world.

He felt hope for the future.

Three months later.

Me. and AUB faced each other on the eve of the national finals. It was the first time Xie Sui had confronted Cen Xian publicly, and he even took the opportunity to provoke that seemingly gentle but fiercely skilled young player who had fought his way to the finals.

Three days later, the national tournament concluded.

After the celebrations, Cen Xian returned alone to his room. Upon opening the door, he found the waiting wolfhound.

“Cen Xian.”

Xie Sui held Mole’s team cap, his intense gaze sending shivers down spines. Cen Xian heard him say, “It’s time to fulfill your promise.”

However, the newly reunited pair forgot to close the door properly, and their team’s youngest member caught them in the act. It was Xie Sui’s first time seeing Sheep so startled—he even pulled his cap brim unusually low.

So this was the child who had saved his Mole.

After Jing Mian left, Cen Xian and Xie Sui watched through the hotel’s floor-to-ceiling window as a tall man greeted players on the street below.

Xie Sui asked casually, “Who is Sheep’s lover?”

Cen Xian replied calmly, “Ren Congmian.”

The air fell into brief silence—no one could remain unmoved by such explosive news.

Sheep finally removed his cap then. Cen Xian noticed his teammate, who hadn’t won the championship, trembling as he shed tears of regret.

“You’ve won, but I haven’t yet,” Cen Xian murmured softly.

Months earlier, that headphone-wearing young player had calmly stated Me.’s ultimate goal.

Perhaps in the not-so-distant future—

They would be world champions.

The End