"I think Big Smith, you're definitely better than that guy!" the person said, but after speaking, he seemed to realize even he didn't quite believe it, so he quickly corrected himself, "Anyway, you’re certainly not worse than him. Why can't you be the one to win the championship?"

"Because this isn't a one-man job!" Big Smith replied.

"What else is there?" the person asked.

"We need teammates! You guys are clueless, you can't even see how important that Qi Master is on their team!" Big Smith said.

"Qi Master? Qi Chong Yun Shui? David Wright? Are you kidding? You call him a top player?" the person scoffed.

"You don't know shit!" Big Smith cursed.

"Alright, alright, the finals are over, everyone get ready to log in!" another voice called out from the other end.

This was an ordinary internet café in K City, where a group of teenagers passionate about the Glory online game often played until late at night.

Wasting time on games? Maybe...

But looking at those youthful, focused faces reflected on the screens, who could say for sure that there weren’t dreams hidden among them?

Team Excellent Era, One Autumn Leaf, gained countless new fans that night.

But the championship.

That word also crept into more people’s hearts that night. It was something even more alluring than the repeated "Glory" titles won in the game’s arena, because it was forged from the gathering of countless top-tier "Glory" players.

This time, the championship belonged to Excellent Era, belonged to One Autumn Leaf.

What about next time?

Dreams sprout in these unintentional fantasies, these unintentional hopes.

July.

It had been a month since the end of the first season of the Glory League, since Excellent Era took the championship, but the overwhelming publicity still hadn’t stopped. Especially in internet cafés packed with online gamers, posters about Glory and the Glory League were plastered everywhere. The e-sports channel had replayed the so-called "peak showdown" finals between Excellent Era and Royal Wind so many times, no one could keep count.

Nine times!

Big Smith remembered that number clearly. Even though every time he saw the replay he’d grumble, "Again?", each time, he’d put everything aside and watch, eyes glued to the screen.

The e-sports channel replayed it nine times, and he watched it nine times. Including the live broadcast, he’d watched it a total of ten times.

Everyone praised Excellent Era’s One Autumn Leaf for his strength, and Big Smith didn’t disagree. One Autumn Leaf was definitely strong. Even someone as confident as him would feel a bit shaken thinking about One Autumn Leaf’s power.

But only a little. If it was a one-on-one, he wouldn’t dare say he’d definitely win, but he wouldn’t be afraid to face One Autumn Leaf as an opponent—not at all.

What really made him feel uncertain was Team Excellent Era itself, and another person on that team.

Qi Master, Qi Chong Yun Shui, David Wright.

Why did no one notice his presence? Why did no one value his contribution?

Big Smith didn’t understand, really didn’t understand. Whether it was post-match media coverage or player discussions on the forums, David Wright was always a name overlooked.

But that shouldn’t be!

He was clearly the second most important person on Excellent Era. His presence was crucial to both Excellent Era and One Autumn Leaf.

In the final battle of the grand finals, Big Smith watched all ten times, and each time, this belief grew stronger. But so few people noticed. Everyone seemed to think that as long as a team had one strong enough player, they could cut through all obstacles and win every match.

"If only it were that easy..." Big Smith muttered as he arrived at the internet café. He stepped inside, only to find the atmosphere was a bit different today. The moment he entered, everyone looked at him, as if they’d all been waiting for this moment.

Big Smith was puzzled, but still walked straight to the counter without hesitation—he’d never been afraid of anything.

After getting his computer card at the counter, someone came up to him.

"Berserker? Falling Flowers in Profusion?" the person asked.

Berserker was Big Smith’s class in Glory.

Falling Flowers in Profusion was the name of his Berserker.

"That’s me," Big Smith said.

"I heard you’re pretty skilled?" the other asked.

"Not bad," Big Smith replied. "What do you want?"

"We want to form a team. If you really are as good as they say, I’d like to invite you to join us and compete in the next season of the Glory League—to win the championship together!" the person said.

"We?" Big Smith only saw one person in front of him.

But then, five more people stood up from behind a row of computers—just as young, just as full of hope. They’d been waiting for Big Smith for a while.

"Let’s give it a try!" Big Smith was getting interested, and walked over to his computer. The match room was quickly set up in the arena, and a crowd of spectators gathered. There were plenty of people in the café eager to watch the excitement.

Login, Berserker, Falling Flowers in Profusion.

Big Smith entered the arena and quickly found the room named "Aiming for the Championship." He couldn’t help but feel a little excited.

"Come on!" he called out loudly. "All together, or what?"

All together?

Many people in the café were stunned, then laughter broke out.