ADAPTED FROM BUTTERFLY BLUE'S NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME, THE KING'S AVATAR
HAPPY INTERNET CAFE
Play this now, and let everyone see it.
-Okay. -Hold on.
Did I include the side profile of the Master?
Wait, I need to check it again.
Why do you need to see his face?
What do you know?
When the game goes well, it's just a technical charm.
As for the Master,
he possesses charm in his personality too.
This can't be right.
I remember I put it in this folder.
How come it's not here now?
I've decided.
To lower the chances of being embarrassed by him,
we'll stab him while he's low on health.
We're immune to damage from teammates. What's the use is stabbing him?
How about using a boulder?
Damage from boulders is neutral damage.
As long as we don't miss,
he'll be dead meat. Let's go!
I found it!
All set.
Where is it?
I forgot this television can't read flash drives.
What?
It has an HDMI port though.
I can connect the laptop to it.
Can you tell me everything all at once?
Who's the boss here?
-You. -Then you do it!
You're getting too used to slacking off.
What?
Go!
You can do it!
Slide attack?
One hundred eighty degree sweep?
It's a classic for a reason. It can't be replicated!
Keep at it!
Shoot!
-Keep going! -He's amazing.
Lord Grim?
He must not want his job.
Way to go!
Wow!
Sand toss?
Gatling gun?
Midair four-hit combo?
Ye Qiu's style?
Ye Xiu...
Ye Qiu?
Don't tell me he's Ye Qiu.
No way!
Chen Guo, what are you thinking?
Congratulations to Lord Grim...
I quit!
Cool!
For completing the first clear of Spider Cave on Tenth Server.
I once again found my long-lost passion in a raid that couldn't have been easier.
I felt like a kid again.
An encouragement, a single smile
or a goal
could rouse the thirst for victory in me.
Was it intentional, deliberate or on purpose?
Ms. Chen, say no more.
Get your account book and deduct as much as you want.
I will not object.
You played so well!
It's as if you were channeling Ye Qiu!
You made me so proud.
She's right!
You were just like Ye Qiu.
You were amazing.
He's my network manager.
He was just playing around just now.
This is the hardcore Ye Qiu fan that you hired?
He sure has skills.
Play along if you want to pass your probation period.
I love Ye Qiu! Ye Qiu loves me!
Sometimes, I even think I am Ye Qiu himself.
You do act like him in his younger days.
-Right? -Ma'am, good pick.
It's nothing.
When I hire network managers,
I only have two requirements.
First, have a name similar to Ye Qiu.
Second, play like Ye Qiu in Glory.
You have good taste. He does play well.
Come again sometime.
About my probation period...
You pass.
Do I also get a discount on the money I owe you?
-Discount? -Yes.
Sure!
How about 120 percent?
Debt increase of 20 percent.
Keep that smile going,
or you'll be back on probation.
Keep smiling.
HOME OF ESPORTS PUBLISHING HOUSE
THE TRUTH BEHIND YE QIU'S RETIREMENT
Did you write this?
You may be just an intern for our magazine right now,
but as a future news writer,
you must remain objective.
I am objective!
You explicitly pointed out in your article
that Ye Qiu was forced to retire.
You said Excellent Era forced out Ye Qiu for the sake of profit.
Where's the evidence?
Ye Qiu is so passionate about Glory.
He would never choose to retire so suddenly.
Excellent Era holds the two big gems, Ye Qiu and One Autumn Leaf.
But the revenue they bring in
falls further away than a captain of a tier-two team.
I've heard people say
Excellent Era's executives have long been dissatisfied with Ye Qiu.
-Isn't that-- -Does hearsay qualify as news?
Then...
I know you are a hardcore fan of Ye Qiu.
But no matter how much you want to stand up for him,
you mustn't forget that you are a journalist.
You must uphold the principles of journalism.
Take an advice from me.
No matter what far-fetched stories others tell about Ye Qiu,
I stick to one principle.
Hear it straight from the horse's mouth for your text to hold any weight.
Mr. Cao, didn't you say you know Ye Qiu?
Help me get an interview with him.
After I confirm with him, we'll know if it's true.
Don't hold your breath.
I've known him for eight years and I have yet to see him in person.
Didn't you interview him before?
Don't you know there is something called QQ Messenger?
-What do you think of this form? -That won't work.
-Look at it first. -No. My turn.
How would you know if you haven't used it yet?
-Let me do it. -Add on the cannon.
-Do it my way. -Try it with the cannon.
You two are so well-behaved today.
We have to sweep the floor, do the laundry,
and cook dinner before using the computer.
My sister's instructions are our command. Right?
Who did the laundry?
-Me! -Me!
What? When did you do the laundry?
If it wasn't me, was it you?
Of course!
Are you sure?
It was definitely me.
-It was me! -You...
Why did you wash this with black pants?
Hurry up. What are you drawing?
Have her put this on.
-Are you sure? -Don't worry about it.
We fixed up the shirt for you.
The black stain will become the most glamorous label.
It's a one-of-a-kind shirt for a special person like you.
What did you actually draw?
It's a...
It's a depressed kitten!
-Princess Kitty, come this way. -Here.
-Look at the camera. -Look.
-Three, two, one! -Three, two, one!
Speaking of how I met Muqiu,
I really have to thank gravity
for sending me a lucky coin.
My lucky coin!
Wait!
No!
That was mine!
What?
My lucky coin!
It's just a game token.
My sister gave it to me as a birthday gift!
Beat me and I'll give you ten.
If you lose,
consider it as a gift to me.
How can you be so unreasonable?
Having the same hobbies turned us into best buddies.
My carefree childhood, my complacency,
and all the glory I received are all connected to him.
I'll take Myriad Manifestation Umbrella with me
and rise to the peak of Glory.
MYRIAD MANIFESTATION UMBRELLA
UPGRADE
LEVEL 15
LEVEL 16
What's going on?
How could that happen on stage?
It has always been my belief that winning is the only option in life.
That's why I won't tolerate any mistakes.
I won't admit any failures.
And I won't accept starting over.
I will only choose to leave.
Little Tang? I was studying, so I didn't hear you calling me.
Guo Guo, I've landed.
I'm on my way to the Internet cafe.
HAPPY INTERNET CAFE
A brief incident on the way to the school entrance exam
opened the door to my friendship with Guo Guo.
What are you doing?
Why is she hitting him?
-Stop! -He's a thief.
-Are you okay? -I'm fine.
Here, get up.
I have to go. Thank you so much.
No problem.
Your bag!
This small mistake gave us a chance to meet again.
This Internet cafe is the only thing Guo Guo has left
from her deceased dad.
Completing her dad's work and taking up his vocation
became her purpose in life.
As for me,
I became the demon who pushes her to complete her studies.
HAPPY INTERNET CAFE
-The usual rules? -Do you even need to ask?
I won't go easy on you.
Bring it on.
Look, Little Tang.
I finished it all. Look.
-All of it? -Is she her friend?
I was very meticulous.
No.
A longtime enemy?
Got it.
She is
a frenemy.
Hey!
New hire, your enemy is calling for you.
Come here.
He's a bit slow.
Take the luggage upstairs.
Let's go, Little Tang.
Don't worry about it.
Take this too.
You don't mind, do you? It's not heavy.
He doesn't mind.
Let's go, Little Tang.
Come!
Those dratted vocabulary workbooks!
I'm practically being force-fed words!
Place a basin.
Place a basin in front of me,
and I'll be vomiting ink!
This looks good so far.
Don't worry.
This year,
I'll definitely pass.
-Guo Guo? -Yes.
You made a lot of progress this year.
Little Tang, you've been away for 268 days.
I've been studying for 267 days.
Why did you miss a day?
That's today!
You're here.
I have to spend time with you.
My dear, look at me.
A new milk tea shop opened up nearby.
It's a hit online.
-The queue is long every day. -Appropriate breaks are considered rest.
Inappropriate breaks are called a lack of discipline.
I haven't been slacking off!
-Chen Guo! -You have to believe me!
Ms. Chen.
Everything's here.
Him!
It's his fault! He's the reason I slacked off!
What?
You must believe me.
He might look like an unassuming network manager,
but he's actually undefeated in Glory.
I'm rendered powerless in duels against him!
Why don't I resume studying while you challenge him?
Help me defeat him.
-Restore my dignity. -I'll get back to work.
Let's talk.
Have a chat with Little Tang.
Just for ten minutes.
I missed one page of my homework. Buy me some time to finish it.
I won't be the collateral damage.
If you do it,
your debt will be cleared.
I see.
What if I fail?
Then you'll be deep in debt.
Go!
I won't allow anyone to get in her way
of passing the self-taught higher education exam.
I really don't want to battle anybody else in Glory.
Ms. Chen is my ideal opponent.
Why?
She keeps losing and I keep winning.
It's so satisfying.
If she can beat me just one time,
I'll stop picking on her.
Guo Guo, start up the computer.
Get your account card and log in to Glory.
You're going down.
TIME
Still want to continue?
Time's not over yet.
What a boring duel.
I expected more.
Don't waste my time.
All done.
This match wasn't boring, was it?
I finished my studies for the day,
but she seems to have found herself in a predicament.
Many people like to take the easy route,
but she is the exact opposite.
When she encounters a difficult problem,
she won't hesitate to sink her teeth into it.
The clacking of the keyboard hasn't ceased.
My dear friend.
Has your competitive spirit been fired up again?
You're kidding me.
Hold up.
One more match.
That's not necessary, is it? We've had ten rounds.
There's no point in continuing.
You're very fast though.
It's too bad you have sloppy hand coordination.
You also lack the ability to adapt to different visual perspectives.
This is all there is to Glory.
You want to beat me?
Maybe in 100 years.
That's a bit too harsh.
Sorry, I was a bit too harsh.
The hundred years part was an exaggeration.
You won't really need that long.
Time to clock out!
Little Tang.
Don't be sad. Smile.
Don't mind him.
He's a cheeky fellow.
Guo Guo?
Open a new account for me.
What?
Are you sure?
I'm going to beat him
at his own game.
Glory is the contest.
And I'm going to win.
TEAM BLUE RAIN, BLUE BROOKE GUILD
Can you do it?
-Keep going! -Keep going!
-Make the move! -Keep going!
-You should have risked it. -Exactly!
-Hello, sir. -Hello, sir.
Coffee.
There have been 12 First Kill records since Tenth Server went online.
Both Herb Garden and Tyrannical Ambition have four.
Our guild has only set
one record so far.
-Meeting time! -Okay.
Given our current progress,
I'm afraid we're going
to fall short of the target set by the team.
Bound Boat!
Our guild can't become the odd one out!
Why not the whole board?
Why can't you do it?
On the bright side, we have an abundance of rare materials.
Our guild member count is also steadily increasing.
We gained 82 new members since yesterday.
MEMBER COUNT, TODAY, YESTERDAY
Do you know where Blue Rain ranks in the league?
A double-digit increase in guild members is an embarrassment to our top-notch team!
Do I have to do everything around here?
Think about how you can do better.
TEAM BLUE RAIN
SEND FRIEND REQUEST TO LORD GRIM
What is it?
Blue River, it's time for the meeting.
Hold on.
Everybody's waiting.
What ideas do you all have for our guild on Tenth Server?
There is an expert player on Tenth Server going by the name Lord Grim.
He's set three records and he hasn't joined a guild yet.
Should we recruit him?
We're in a meeting.
Recruit an expert?
Don't you usually call yourselves experts?
How come you need to call others for help?
Instead of reflecting on your shortcomings,
you want to recruit help.
Is that the right attitude to have?
Can Lord Grim even be considered an expert?
He was merely lucky!
There can only be two reasons someone doesn't join a guild.
One, lack of skill. A terrible player.
Or he has a flawed personality so no guild will accept him.
If neither reason applies,
then he must be a spy!
BLUE RIVER SENT YOU A FRIEND REQUEST
Blue Brook?
So it's Team Blue Rain's guild.
He farms for items daily for the professional team,
and he's strong.
He must have a wealth of rare materials.
The rarities I need will be showing up at my doorstep soon.
Lord Grim added me.
Who?
He added me!
You just said he's a spy.
Did I?
We're in a meeting.
When I said Lord Grim might be a spy,
I meant it was a possibility.
We'll have to confirm to see if that is true.
In any case,
you should all aspire to be like me.
Don't just talk.
Taking action is the best way to establish our guild.
Meeting adjourned.
Come in.
You need to take a look at these numbers.
Why are you being so mysterious?
So what if he has set three records?
I still cut him down to size.
You won a match against him?
No, I beat him in haggling.
Haggling?
It takes strategy to recruit experts.
First, you must understand their demands and then protect your bottom line.
Any player can be bought with the right price.
I reckon
you might be mistaken about the definition of recruitment.
How so?
It started off as a normal recruitment offer.
Then you managed to turn it into a costly mercenary hire.
Look.
Hey, there. Haven't joined a guild yet?
How about joining Blue Brook?
I'm not interested at the moment.
In the beginning,
you still had a clear objective in mind.
He turned you down right off the bat,
but he left the door open by saying "at the moment"
to make you think there was still a chance.
Understandable.
You need more information before making a decision.
We're thinking of raiding Frost Forest.
We're just missing an expert like you.
Would you like to experience what it's like to be a part of Blue Brook?
You want to set a new record?
It's nothing that ambitious.
We'll just give it a try.
You cleverly played to his emotions by inviting him to join a raid
and you said it obviously by calling him an expert.
So far,
it has been the perfect approach.
From this point on,
you began to let him set the pace.
If you're just trying, I'm not too interested.
No! We're not just trying.
As you know,
setting records on a new server
is every guild's priority.
Needless to say, we want to break the record.
Unfortunately, I'm not a member of the guild.
I don't feel the same urgency you do.
You don't? That's all right.
What matters is that you know what you want.
If we break the record, you can have all the purple equipment.
How does that sound?
Not interested in equipment.
So what are you interested in?
Rare materials. Do you have any?
Challenging the record was what you had in mind,
but he brought it up first.
He made you drop your guard and assume he had the same goal.
Things got worse from there.
His rejection threw you off.
You already lost the moment you began to panic.
Of course we have some.
Blue Brook has an abundance of anything you could possibly want.
Thirty Strong Spider Silk.
Eight White Wolf Sharp Fang.
Eight White Wolf Bristle.
You're asking for a lot.
Didn't you say you have an abundance?
We do.
But one has to be extremely lucky to come across any of those three items.
You'll have to choose one of the three.
Then I'll have the White Wolf Sharp Fang.
Can't you throw in some Strong Spider Silk?
-How about 25? -I...
He put a high number to allow himself some room to negotiate
and let you believe you got a good bargain.
Then he chose the White Wolf Sharp Fang, the cheapest of the three items,
which made you think you got the better end of the deal.
That's how he got you to pity him
and throw in some Strong Spider Silk.
He planned it all out.
What you promised to give him
might be more than what he was expecting to get.
I can't believe I still fell for it even though I was so careful.
We still have the materials.
It's still our choice whether we give it to him or not.
I must receive a portion of the payment before I join the raid.
What? I have to give him a portion of the materials first?
A down payment first and the rest after the raid.
Blue River, not...
AGREE
Not yet.
Couldn't you hold off for a bit?
We have plenty of people.
He can't hide from us.
I have it under control.
You must all follow my instructions.
Enter the dungeon.
So what's the plan?
I know what he means.
He carved this circle
as a representation of our collaboration toward a common goal.
The circle is holy. Everything outside it is the battlefield.
Am I right?
I actually meant
for you all to stay inside the circle and don't go anywhere.
But...
What is he planning?
He's going to attack on his own?
Did he beat the Boss or did the Boss slaughter him?
I'll go check.
We should give him a few more minutes.
I'm sure he has a genius plan.
We need to be gracious.
-We can be gracious by... -Waiting.
Subtitle translation by Renee Luk