ADAPTED FROM BUTTERFLY BLUE'S NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME, THE KING'S AVATAR
-Thank you. -No problem.
-Give it to me. -Okay.
No drinking during the competition.
That is the regulation.
But since you already drank,
why not enjoy yourself to the fullest?
I'll have another, the same as his, with spherical ice.
Here you go.
Adding ice to dilute it?
Coward.
The ice represses the light element in the alcohol
while the wild and strong element stands out even more.
Oftentimes,
one plus one equals more than two.
I'm the only one
who doesn't need to work with anyone.
Of course you don't.
When genius players like you work with others,
it's more favorable for the others.
It's unfair.
Precisely because you stand out so much,
everybody expects you to win.
If you lose, it's a disgrace.
They'll say you're an incapable captain.
But you and I both know
that it was a problem with the team.
I don't care.
If that's really true,
why are you here
instead of in the strategy room?
Don't think you can lecture me after defeating me once.
One day, I'll knock you down hard.
It should be that
the two of us will one day knock the rest of the alliance down hard.
TEAM MEMBERS ONLY
TEAM HAPPY
Our hardware has been upgraded.
But our enemy has also been upgraded.
Looking at our team members
aside from Captain,
we're all new players who have never played on the field.
As for weapons,
with our Orange equipment against their Silver equipment,
our equipment probably deals less than half the damage as theirs.
Luo Ji, how's the calculation going?
What are our chances of winning against Excellent Era?
Eighty-eight percent?
That's too unrealistic.
It's 0,88 percent.
Based on all the data,
we don't hold a candle to Excellent Era in any way.
Very wise.
It's true that we don't hold a candle to them.
Because there's no need to compare.
As the captain,
I only consider the possibility of winning.
There are only two possibilities to me.
Either we win
or we lose.
Our success rate
is the same as theirs.
Well, that's not statistically correct.
Based on the data, it should be all of our--
ESports isn't all about the data.
The person behind the account is the biggest variable.
Sounds like a trick,
but I have to say that he has a really good point.
Captain, let's begin training now.
Training! Beat Excellent Era!
By the way, Ms. Chen wants me to tell you
to clean up your appearance for registration tomorrow.
How?
In her opinion, I suppose
you may dress up to fit your professional status.
"Professional status"?
Carry on.
I see.
-Let's go. -Come on.
How do I look?
Don't I look professional?
Don't I look like a Brawler?
Who are you?
Wait. One more thing.
Hey, where did you all go? Wait for me!
You take care of it.
Bao Zi, Tang Rou said that guy is more handsome than you.
What?
-Hey! -Is he your friend?
-Hey! -I don't know him.
Hey, do I not look professional?
The eighth Glory Pro League has concluded.
Team Samsara won the championship.
It came as no surprise, but there are regrets.
Compared to leaving Excellent Era,
Excellent Era's relegation saddens me even more.
I once fought for them, after all.
But now, my focus is on Happy.
Happy is a new team.
First, we must pass the selection of the Trainer Match,
qualify for and win the Challengers League
before we can participate in the tenth Glory Pro League.
This is a new beginning.
It signifies new hope.
Come on, Happy.
I have something else to do. You guys sign up first.
There are so many people.
Isn't this the best and most awesome preselection?
The innocent guy who knows nothing, Bao Rongxing,
since it's the Trainer Match,
it must be Glory's most elementary competition.
Many teams sign up every year.
Only the top 20 teams selected by the trainers
are qualified to participate in the official selection.
There are trainers?
A trainer team isn't a normal team.
It could be Tyranny, Blue Rain, Tiny Herb, or Samsara.
Teams from the alliance serve as trainers every year.
It won't be easy to score from them and advance.
It can be said that the preselection will be a high wall to overcome.
It sounds so complicated, but it's actually so easy.
Ignore the trainer. Just focus on the ranking.
Twenty teams are eventually selected from these teams.
We are absolutely in. Let's go!
Team Jade Dynasty's Assassin.
Super fast with APM 410.
He once dealt three combo attacks in one second in a match.
He has the nickname Whirlwind Hand.
APM 410?
Impressive.
-This way. -Don't be nervous during the game.
-Rookies just need to remember to show up. -Line up.
I recall someone's hands were trembling last time.
If you mention that again, I'll spray you.
Such quick reflex.
-What are you doing? -I'll be damned.
The first user of Cloud Piercer, the Great Gunner.
Extremely fast reaction speed.
The average person has a reaction speed of about 0,2 seconds.
He only needs 0,09 seconds.
Okay, let's fill out the form.
I just saw a spot over there. Let's go.
Watch out. You're lucky to run into me.
Others would extort money from you.
Sorry.
I'm so sorry.
Such a silly dude with a dull brain.
I'll beat him easily.
I think that was Wu Chen, the captain of Team Everlasting.
Wu Chen, Captain of Team Everlasting.
He began leading the team in the fifth season.
He's experienced and has excellent management skills.
He's good at exploiting weaknesses.
He led Team Everlasting to win 15 games
when they were predicted to have zero chance of winning.
-Many call him the Reversal God. -Seriously?
None of these teams should be underestimated.
If we want to get 1 of the 20 spots,
then our chances will probably be...
Enough.
You always praise others,
boosting their spirits while bringing us down.
Boss is even more amazing.
He has the nickname Glory Textbook.
Trainer Match? We have yet to see who will be training whom.
Now only you remember Boss when making comparisons.
Right! Where is he?
NINTH GLORY PRO LEAGUE
Same venue, same people.
This scene is a replica of yesterday.
This is indeed the same venue.
The people are not.
Sure.
You're no longer the captain of Thunderclap
who would litter after losing a game.
You're no longer the captain of Excellent Era
who would give me a speech after winning.
NINTH GLORY PRO LEAGUE
This page has clever insights about Tyranny's tactics.
Let me read it for reference.
The tactical analysis for Blue Rain is also on point.
It's a pity that Thunderclap is incapable of implementing your concepts.
You sneaky tacticians
work really hard on tactics.
Work hard?
Putting in the effort?
I might consider that a compliment if I heard such words a few years ago.
It's still a compliment.
Talent is a necessity in the eSports world.
But there are also gaps between different levels of talent.
Perhaps these gaps can't be bridged by hard work.
So, "hard work" now sounds a bit like a taunt.
Given how hard most people work,
there is no need to mention talent.
It's too arrogant of you geniuses to say that.
There aren't that many geniuses.
Extraordinary people merely work hard in an ordinary way
where others can't see.
Quality over quantity.
Perhaps a little bit more perseverance is all it takes.
It looks like I'll have to defeat you the next time we meet.
Otherwise, not only my efforts would go to vain,
I would have wasted your time to come and talk to me as well.
Finish writing that book first.
It seems that your tactics book is complete. It's very effective.
You fulfilled your promise.
You beat Excellent Era with Thunderclap.
But I still haven't defeated you.
I heard you made the news recently.
I merely transferred teams.
Nothing out of the ordinary in the alliance.
I'm afraid your transfer is unusual.
Whether it's unusual
depends on the person.
-Here. -Okay.
Mucheng?
-It's Mucheng. -Is it?
What are you doing here?
I'm talking to you.
Didn't you hear me?
Are you deaf?
Are you cosplaying?
Team Happy can go ahead and have fun in the preselection,
but don't hold out any hope.
Any team in this hall can knock you down.
Who's this guy?
He talks so much. So annoying.
Shen Jian, member of Team One of Excellent Era.
What was that?
Shen Jian.
-So bitchy. -What did you say?
Shen Jian.
He is one of our main players in Team One of Excellent Era.
He joined us in the fifth season
and has participated in 78 games.
His highest damage stat was once 32 percent of the whole team.
He's one of the top three strikers in the alliance.
What now?
I am the famous Glory newcomer, Bao Rongxing.
I've chucked 1,800 bricks
and thrown more sand than there is in the Sahara Desert.
If you want to compare data, I'm not afraid of you.
Young man, you know nothing.
Our captain is the Rookie King, Sun Xiang.
We have the first Launcher, Su Mucheng.
Who do you have?
You don't even have a whole team yet.
Teach them a lesson.
Hello, my name is Luo Ji.
My operations and skills are the worst in our team,
but I know every detail about you like the back of my hand.
And barring any surprises,
I know you better than you know yourselves.
Nice.
-Very good. -Anyone else?
-Do you have anyone else? -Yes.
Newcomer, Tang Rou. Played Glory for 163 days.
It's exactly 20 days since my account reached max level.
Arena duels against Tiny Herb 68 times.
Win rate of zero.
First time watching Glory Pro League live was two days ago.
But so what?
Just like me, you are all at the starting point.
Well said.
Anyone else?
Anyone?
Me.
You don't have to introduce yourself.
The one who was beaten up cruelly in the last All-Star Game.
Former Tiny Herb professional manager.
Manager?
Manager of the water cooler.
Boss.
Xiao Shiqin, vice captain of Excellent Era.
Qiao Yifan, vice captain of Happy.
Happy and Excellent Era may meet again.
Let's save the talk for the arena.
Yifan, the results of the trainer match won't be released for another half hour.
You've made us look at an empty screen for a whole hour.
Exactly, Yifan.
Isn't it fun to raid dungeons?
Isn't it exciting to duel others?
Isn't it satisfying to chuck bricks?
Why waste time here?
Let's go now.
Come on.
There's usually only one explanation for abnormal behavior.
Fear.
Yifan, are you afraid?
Rather than waiting for Murphy's law, it's better for us to make the first move.
What's Murphy's law?
Murphy's Fourth Law says that
a possibility you're afraid of will be more likely to happen.
How do we make the first move?
Normally speaking, if we are not afraid of anything,
we will get relatively good results.
-Would I be afraid? -Do I need to be afraid?
Could...
Could I possibly be afraid?
-Yes. -Yes.
Since we are all not afraid,
then the result doesn't matter.
Right?
Then let's go get some rest.
Let's go.
Go.
Finally!
USERS ONLINE
No way.
What a coincidence!
Yifan, who couldn't possibly be afraid?
Tang Rou, who doesn't need to be afraid?
And Luo Ji, who actually might not believe in Murphy's Law?
Shut up.
-I second that. -Me too.
Look, only Boss isn't online.
He's the truly fearless one.
No matter the opponent, he'll sleep soundly.
I admire Captain.
-I admire Captain. -I admire Captain.
HAPPY INTERNET CAFE
TEAM TINY HERB VERSUS TEAM HAPPY
Team Tiny Herb!
QIAO YIFAN!
These star trainer teams in the trainer match are all familiar.
Sure.
It's far easier than the league.
There will be no problem.
This is why there's no need for three All-Stars to be present.
Do you mean that Sun Xiang and I don't have to play at the same time?
Exactly.
When Sun Xiang is impulsive, I'll bench him so he can calm down.
Then it'll be time for a tactician like you to play
and take back control.
Sun Xiang and I are different types of players.
Excellent Era needs both of us at the same time.
You are new here.
You don't know much about him yet.
Young, aggressive, disobedient
and only knows how to attack.
It's not wise to talk about compatibility
with such an impulsive person.
Impulsiveness can also be an advantage.
Players who just make the cut rarely make mistakes,
but they also rarely create miracles.
I have designed a set of tactics with Sun Xiang as the core
for the trainer match.
I certainly believe in your tactics.
It's just that Sun Xiang won't make any changes
just because you joined us.
He's bound to be the flaw in your tactics.
What's the matter?
I want to know your tactical arrangement for the next match.
One Autumn Leaf is the tactic.
Very well.
Then let's work together to knock down the rest of the alliance.
Any flaw can be remedied because we are professional players.
Victory is our common goal.
The trainer match isn't like regular season matches.
There's no individual, group, or team challenge.
There is only one match.
The trainer team will play interference on this map.
We need to break through their barriers,
running from one end of the map to the other.
One point for each player that crosses the line.
Those are the rules.
Next, let's hear how we should deal with this.
Team Tiny Herb is led by a Witch who specializes in debuffing
which will greatly reduce our combat effectiveness.
Therefore, I think we need a Cleric.
Are we that frightened?
Why do we need a Cleric to heal?
Yes, a Cleric's main job is healing,
but this time, we need a Cleric's ability to counter debuffs.
I have a video here for you to look at.
See how a Cleric counters a debuff.
Wang Jiexi and Gao Yingjie can both cast debuffs,
weakening all sorts of abilities,
lowering combat effectiveness.
We really need someone in charge of dispelling debuffs.
Yifan, aren't you afraid of facing Tiny Herb?
Tiny Herb...
It's fine.
At least, I'm familiar with them.
Why are you guys here?
Never judge a book by its cover.
Yifan looks dull.
But deep inside, he has an evil mind.
I don't.
I want to see how bad you can be!
-Bao Zi! -Little Tang, catch!
Tang Rou!
-Tang Rou! -Luo Ji!
-Luo Ji! Read it for me! -Give it back to me.
"Team Tiny Herb.
Some offensive skills can be
-used to debuff. -I beg you!
-Debuff is a state of -Don't look!
-diminution imposed on opponents. -It's wordy.
-It'll temporarily reduce the opponent's -It's scary
-attributes, skills, and so on, -and frightening.
-lowering their combat effectiveness." -Don't.
-Tang Rou! -You even have a secret weapon ready.
Yifan.
-Good job. -Good job.
Captain, this is a ranking of all Clerics.
I'll do it myself.
Captain, how about this one?
He's not at the top of the list,
but his ability to clear debuffs is the best.
I think he should be very suitable for our team.
Choose not the best, but the most suitable.
Clear logic.
Have you found him?
His name is An Wenyi, a recent graduate.
Considering that he plays as Cleric,
he should be rather easygoing and will likely fit in with us.
His account name is Little Cold Hands.
Then let's take a shot.
Let's warm his cool hands with our passion.
Yes, sir!
Oh, right.
Captain, this is An Wenyi's profile.
I've highlighted all the key points.
Moreover, this is the latest recruiting news of all teams.
These are some interview skills I found online yesterday.
I hope it helps.
You're fully prepared.
Why don't you conduct the interview?
Me?
Can I?
Sure.
You are the vice captain.
Are you really planning on joining Team Happy?
What else?
It's only for two months. You can't stay long.
Then I'll use these two months to make easy money.
Isn't that great?
Listen, eSports is not just raiding dungeons.
It's the real deal.
Why does it sound like
you are doubting me?
It's not that I doubt you.
You know your own strengths and weaknesses.
Otherwise, you wouldn't have asked me to play for you.
Thanks.
As a top substitute player, you are not that good.
Didn't we agree you would give me five books in return?
We agreed with the premise that
you would put me in the number one ranking.
I'm only ranked tenth.
Your work only deserves three books.
Although the results were not as good as expected,
you still got something out of it.
A team has given you an offer.
Please give me the whole set.
-Sure. -Thanks a lot.
Doesn't your coffee count as a book?
Then I still get one more.
Add my coffee and that's exactly five books.
These books are no longer of any value to you.
We're still friends, aren't we?
Let me ask you.
How much is our friendship worth?
You're so damn stingy!
Why do I have a friend like you? We're no longer friends!
-Bye. -I...
Fine. I don't believe you can make it into a team.
That's none of your business.
Not only will I make it into the team, I'll also raise my net worth.
You'll see.
HAPPY INTERNET CAFE
The property and turnover are not bad.
Hello. Are you An Wenyi?
Yes, I am. Go tell your interviewer I'm here.
Hi, I am
the interviewer.
Is he the one you're recruiting?
Little Cold Hands. His name is An Wenyi.
Why did you let Yifan interview him?
I have such an outstanding vice captain.
It would be a pity if I didn't take the opportunity
to let him take charge.
Watch out.
Careful, it's hot.
Number one of interviewing skills.
Start with a greeting to relieve the tension.
Your resume says that your undergraduate major is finance.
Yes.
But it doesn't get in my way of becoming an excellent Cleric.
Given my abilities,
I'm more than qualified to be a team member.
Not only that,
I can be your team's investment consultant.
And of course, I can also help with personal finance.
Number two of interviewing skills.
Don't rush to the point.
Toss out a question and respond according to the situation.
What advantages do you think you have as a Cleric?
You're looking for talent.
It's not obvious at a glance.
But if you have a discerning eye,
you'll see if I'm suitable or not at first glance.
Number three of interviewing skills.
Cut to the chase.
So tell me about your accomplishments in Glory.
I always rise to the occasion.
Whether I perform well
depends on whether my team can provide me with the right playing field.
Your team needs to rely on a net cafe for support.
I think I'd better...
-Our team may be small, -Ma'am, wait.
but we are professional.
Let me show you our training room.
Do you have any other demands?
Why are you so insincere?
At this point in the interview,
shouldn't you talk about the salary or something?
Never mind. Time is money.
-Look-- -Everything is negotiable if you'll stay!
You mean that
as long as my performance is acceptable,
my salary can be increased.
Right?
No problem.
I can grant your request.
But whether you can get a contract will depend on your performance.
Fine.
Then let's play by your rules.
Our rules are the rules of the trainer match,
which means running across the map.
You win if you cross the finish line.
You all try to advance and I'll run interference.
I lose if one player crosses the line.
Let me see what on earth your abilities are.
Boss, that's cheating!
I wasn't ready yet.
In a competition, your opponent doesn't care whether you're ready or not.
Tang Rou, up front. Hold back Captain. I'll support.
Bao Zi, An Wenyi, find a chance to advance.
-No problem. -Got it.
It won't be so easy to walk away.
An Wenyi, seal all of Captain's skills with Sacred Fire.
Thanks.
Don't thank him. He's so stingy with healing.
He only needs enough to stay alive.
Nice timing.
Of course.
Why don't you dispel my debuff?
You're so weak.
It'll be a waste of my energy.
What did you say?
Bao Zi, more talking and you'll lose.
Bao Zi, use Inject Poison to break Captain's Super Armor.
Tang Rou, limit Captain's mobility.
Sorry, it's my fault.
It's okay, Yifan.
An Wenyi, clear the debuff!
We'll all die under your command.
Hey.
What's with all the talk?
There's no point in canceling the debuff
because he has unilaterally declared that the game is over.
You issued commands quickly
and the orders weren't incorrect,
but it was like you were reading a textbook.
You don't know how to be flexible.
You might be able to pass if you were dealing with ordinary people,
but against the Glory Textbook,
your efforts are laughable.
Besides, Captain Ye Xiu knows everybody so well.
There's no chance at turning the tables.
It's my bad luck for having weak teammates.
I'll hold my end of the deal.
I won't ask for a contract.
Goodbye.
An Wenyi, wait!
An Wenyi! Wait!
Captain, it's my fault. I didn't--
Stay.
I can grant your extra request.
Happy to cooperate.
TEAM HAPPY
YE XIU, TANG ROU, QIAO YIFAN, BAO ZI, LUO JI
AN WENYI
HAPPY INTERNET CAFE
For the sake of our team's long-term development,
we need to train new people for our second echelon.
Do you have any plans for future development?
It seems a little early
to talk about things so far in the future.
Let's talk about the present.
Have you thought about An Wenyi's compensation?
I have to check the costs and sign a contract with him.
I haven't thought about it yet.
Haven't thought about it yet?
These should have been decided before the interview.
Hey.
Take a look.
"An Wenyi's Exclusive Plan."