ADAPTED FROM BUTTERFLY BLUE'S NOVEL OF THE SAME NAME, THE KING'S AVATAR
How could he claim to have a team when it's just an Internet cafe?
ONE AUTUMN LEAF
The owner sure has guts to put this up across from Excellent Era.
In this day and age, he even still has fans.
I'm his fan.
I'm also the owner of this cafe.
Is there a problem?
Miss.
What went wrong in your life?
Why would you choose to be Ye Qiu's fan?
What do you mean?
Of all the fans in Glory,
aren't Ye Qiu's fans the worst off?
His identity has always been a mystery.
There is no way to contact him.
That's not a big deal.
But what's with his sudden retirement?
Now he's vanished into thin air.
His fans don't even have enough details to put up a missing person notice.
His fans wasted their youth on him,
but they don't even know what their idol looks like.
Glory is a world of unfathomable depths.
Ye Qiu, when will you get your ass back here?
Don't be too sad.
It has been ten years. It wasn't easy.
However, Ye Qiu will return one day.
I promise you.
Does that mean you know Ye Qiu is forming a team?
I am the boss of that team.
That means your boss has always been in the eSports circle all these years.
And it's the Glory circle.
That's right.
He said himself that all his skills of making a living are in Glory.
Without Glory, 90 percent of him would be a good-for-nothing.
I knew it.
What about the remaining ten percent?
It's his face.
He said his face is equal to hard cash.
It won't be a problem for him to live a well-to-do life with his face.
Just forget what I asked.
Hey.
Buddy, be careful.
This is the treasure of our boss.
I'm sorry.
Is this...
Silver equipment?
It's a level-60 wand
with 530 of attack damage and 777 of spell damage.
Our boss has spent years
to design this top Silver equipment especially for Warlock.
Warlock?
-Is he still playing as a Warlock? -Yes.
Ever since he started to play Glory, he has always played as a Warlock.
Making a Silver equipment in such conditions,
he's really something.
Our boss is very stubborn.
The price of Silver equipment has been driven up,
but he just doesn't want to sell it.
That's right.
He would neither play in a match nor join a team.
Why did he work so hard to make this top Silver equipment?
Exactly.
He spent so much effort on it.
What is it for?
Your family must be rich.
That's not true.
Then you must have connections to the league.
Why is that?
No, I want to say that
it's already hard enough on me being Ye Qiu's fan.
If you are the boss of this team,
you must have resources of some sort.
I do.
I have this internet cafe
and a group of people
who follow Ye Qiu.
How many people are there?
There are eight including me.
Where are they from?
They are all recruited from Glory.
Although they are all newbies, they have great potential.
It's even worse than a poorly-equipped troupe.
-No wonder he came to bluff me. -What?
I mean Master really has a good sense.
Team Happy must have a bright future.
Are you short of a player?
Why don't you tell me the online coordinates?
I can lead a team to help you attack.
Online coordinates?
Did he even go to search for that himself?
It's not that easy to be a bounty hunter.
Besides, this is a big order.
A whole year's KPI depends on it.
Of course he has to do it by himself.
-Is it that serious? -Yes.
What kind of order it is?
Follow me.
Look. Here it is.
Our mission is to kill Lord Grim.
We're not lacking any player in Glory,
but I know it's not easy for you to come here from afar.
Here, I still have one.
I'll give it to you.
What's this?
The signature of Ye Qiu.
Don't tell other fans.
Ms. Chen, it's time for our meeting!
Coming!
I'll excuse myself.
The task for this week is to attack the following maps.
The coordinates of the next mission are...
I'm just passing by.
Let's continue.
Sir, you're back.
Go.
Sir.
The online coordinates of Lord Grim--
Don't even mention it.
That woman was so close-mouthed.
No matter what I asked,
she never revealed anything about Lord Grim's whereabouts.
She was very alert.
It's reasonable that you can't find it.
Sir, we've found it.
What?
At 4 p.m., Zone A in Miluo Ancient City.
Yes, and the coordinates are 395,8 and 256,4.
You guys are awesome!
-It's all thanks to your good leadership. -That's right. Boss is excellent!
Let's have a meeting.
Our mission this time
is to intercept and kill Lord Grim in an all-round way in Glory.
The reward is priced at 500 yuan per time.
No upper limit of attack.
Do you know what that means?
In the setting of Glory,
players will decrease a level after a Penta-Kill.
So making a level-70 player level zero,
the accruing amount will be 175,000 yuan.
If the Cleric brought him back to life, the profit will be doubled.
Then it will be 350,000 yuan.
-Gosh, 350,000 yuan? -It's 350,000 yuan?
-That's a lot. -That's right.
This is merely in the Heavenly Domain.
If we chase him into the common area and kill him again,
we'll gain 700,000 yuan.
-You mean 700,000 yuan? -You mean 700,000 yuan?
-Do you understand what I'm saying? -Yes.
Finish this order and we'll have our year-end bonus.
What do you think?
-Do you want to give it a try? -Yes!
MILUO ANCIENT CITY
Sir, Lord Grim is online now.
How many people are there?
Just him alone.
Buddies.
Here comes our God of Wealth.
Let's welcome our guest!
-All right! -Okay!
Team Two, lift-off. Team One, get ready to fire.
-Roger that. -Roger that.
Dual Wielding?
My goodness.
How many forms does this umbrella have?
His operation is still so awesome.
Go in batches!
Deplete his energy!
Half of our people have been killed.
Why aren't you attacking, sir?
Wait a little longer.
Right now.
GLORY, LOADING...
We got Lord Grim!
Bravo, sir!
We'll get that 700,000 yuan!
I've finally caught this crafty piece of shit.
People who got killed today will all get a bonus,
especially those who got Lord Grim's online coordinates.
I'll reward you handsomely.
-Thanks, sir. -Thanks, sir.
Our boss has the best connections.
If it wasn't for your friend who helped us find the online coordinates,
-we-- -Wait a moment.
My friend?
What friend?
A man came this afternoon. He said he's your friend.
That's bad.
That's a substitute!
My friend.
Long time no see.
You asshole! You set me up!
How could that be called as setting you up?
I knew you were having a hard time searching for me,
so I sent you the information on purpose.
How is it? I helped you so much,
but you're blaming me for your failure to catch me?
Cut off this shit! Release me!
Then, lie down and let us earn money!
So I won't keep score! Or else...
Wei Chen, you even use Silver equipment.
It seems that your conditions are getting better.
-Let me have a look. -I warn you.
Don't even think about my weapon.
Or else I'll go after you forever.
Buddies, go kill him!
He doesn't have a lot of health points left. Let's defeat him!
This is the benefit of teamwork.
You're here alone with depleting health points.
Just wait for the mass brawl to be defeated!
Who told you that I'm alone?
-Go! It's your turn. -Roger that.
Is this the helper that you called again and again?
A Phantom Demon to support?
There's nothing impressive about it.
It's enough to fight you.
Did you see that old geezer? Don't be irresolute.
-Go without hesitation! -Got it!
Slow down.
You sound young.
Why are you so irritable?
I'm sorry.
Hey, kid. You have good skills.
Look at your operation and mentality.
You don't seem like a novice of Glory.
Are you a professional?
-Which team are you from? -Team Tiny Herb.
Team Tiny Herb is great!
I have a good relationship with Wang Jiexi.
I'll tell him to put you in the starting lineup later.
You're good, but you just lack an opportunity.
Sir, I'm sorry.
I probably won't need it.
No, you need it.
Young man, this is your time.
Don't be shy. Don't resist.
Get ready for the battle, Zhou Yebo.
You got the wrong person.
You're great.
You're still humbugging him when facing an imminent disaster.
You even searched for the wrong person.
Hey, he is my teammate. Why did you search for Team Tiny Herb?
Damn. You're unreliable.
Where can I find information on your poor team online?
This wand looks disgusting.
What kind of aesthetics does its owner have?
Cry now, Wei Chen.
Your precious wand is now mine.
You bastard! Give my Silver equipment back right now!
Sir, they have gone offline.
Ye Qiu, you asshole!
Just you wait!
HAPPY INTERNET CAFE
-Sir. -Sir.
Have a seat, sir.
-Clear the site. -Yes, sir.
Clear the people.
Or do you want to book the whole cafe?
I want Ye Qiu to come out and see me.
He is not in charge of the reservation of this cafe.
You can talk to me directly.
Are you even qualified to talk to me?
I think...
you look familiar.
Who I am is not important.
But I must retrieve what I lost personally.
Someone pretending to be a triad boss will at least bring a toothpick.
Here. For you.
The label of your suit is out.
Stop pretending.
Little fan.
Who's that?
You came with so many people.
Hurry up and return the Wand of Death to me.
Otherwise, I will have a hundred ways to make you miserable.
A hundred ways?
You are creative.
I wander around the world and I'm known to be heartless and cruel.
My buddies came here today.
I promise you that within days,
this cafe will have to close.
A few days ago, Ms. Chen said that we needed extra hands at the cafe.
That's all right now.
We can save the salary too.
My friend.
Do you know how much effort it took for me to make this equipment?
It took thousands of nights and dozens of modifications
to make this top Silver equipment.
I'm not bragging.
But look at Warlocks in the whole professional circle.
If I were the second, no one would call themselves first.
You must be lonely.
Wei Chen.
You put in so much effort to make this Silver equipment.
It'll be a waste to fight common players.
Unless you want to go back to the arena.
Stop the nonsense. Cut to the chase!
What do you want me to do to return the Wand of Death?
It's simple.
Compete for one round of Trainer Match for Team Happy.
If we win, I'll give it back to you.
I knew it.
You just want me to help.
This poor troupe can't work, right?
I have a big company.
Just a lifting of my hand means tens of millions of yuan of business.
How would I have time to fool around with you here?
Well...
See you then.
Listen.
Boss has already decided to remold that wand for my usage.
I'll have a Silver equipment in the future.
Bao Zi, you can't take that Silver equipment all to yourself.
What? Shut up.
Let me introduce this Silver equipment to you.
In terms of Intelligence, Magic Strike,
Personal Attribute Bonus, and Singing Spells,
it is almost perfect.
It's one of the best Silver equipment I have ever seen.
If we can dismantle it,
its Intelligence material can be used to update Little Tang's lance.
Its Singing Spells can be turned into attack speed for Bao Zi.
-An Wenyi can have its Magic Strike. -Great!
If so, we can form a team of violence output.
There should be no problem with that.
When you are dismantling it, you must be very careful.
If we failed, that Silver equipment would be ruined.
We won't lose anything anyway.
We don't need that wand after all.
Just tear it apart.
It's good that the owner of this equipment is not here.
If he were here,
how cruel it would be for him to watch his equipment get dismantled.
It must be heartbreaking.
Deal.
I hope we can cooperate happily.
HAPPY INTERNET CAFE
You can leave now, buddies.
I have to stay here.
Sir.
Don't worry.
Don't be reluctant.
I'll be back as soon as I get my Wand of Death back.
Boss.
I mean it's almost time for us to return the suits.
Stick it back.
-See you, sir. -See you, sir.
Let's go.
Go. Let's go back to our company.
Captain said that we're going to use containment for the upcoming match.
What is containment?
Containment is a representative tactic of Team Blue Rain since the olden days.
Containment means
constantly harassing opponents without confronting them.
Also, you don't even have to make any frantic effort to achieve your goal.
Look.
This is what I found online regarding the tactic of containment.
It's Tom and Jerry.
This is an old tactic from centuries ago.
It has been out of date.
Tom and Jerry is a classic animation
produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios in 1939.
It is a bit old, but isn't all of us growing up watching this?
Containment?
Have you guys heard of it before?
Containment has never been outdated.
It's only old-fashioned if you're not good at it.
If you can do it well,
it is a classic.
Today, I will show you what is the real containment.
Pick a map that you have the highest rate of winning.
Otherwise, you'll find excuses if you lose.
Then, we'll choose the Tower of Babel.
Our winning rate is 87,6 percent.
What do you think?
With such a low rate, do you think you can defeat me?
I'll give you one more advantage.
You decide the rules of this game.
Then we'll climb the tower.
The first to get to the top of the tower wins.
Game on!
GLORY
Three, two, one.
Start.
Bao Zi, help me take a look.
Which route does he choose?
He is not moving at all!
Why would that be?
It seems that containment is not that big of a deal.
The first principle of containment is to keep calm no matter what happens.
You can't even climb.
Cut off this shit of keeping calm.
No matter how fast you climb, you'll just be my stepping-stone.
You...
Hey.
What a dirty trick!
The second principle of containment
is to gain mastery by striking only after the enemy has struck.
One Inch Ash.
Your reaction and mentality are not too bad.
Thanks, sir.
So do you know the 36 frequently-used combos of the Phantom Demon?
What are they?
You've gone too far.
You killed him even after you had won.
That's foul.
The third principle of containment is
that the best way of playing games is to play by all fair means or foul.
I'll give you one last lesson.
The so-called containment is not to play by conventional wisdom.
The essence of it is the best opportunism.
What is he talking about?
Let's play again.
Young players are eager to win.
That's good.
But that will be all for today.
I've got something else to do. I'm off.
How is everyone's preparation?
Not bad.
Then, I'll start to prepare for the Challengers League.
Are you guys busy now?
No problem. Just do it.
By the way, have we got enough money?
What are you looking at?
Don't worry about money. I'll settle it.
I want to see you smiling at me.
The coffee tastes so bitter,
but your smile is my sugar.
He who touches rouge will be stained with red,
but he who gets in contact with you will feel sweet.
This boss is easy to deal with.
I didn't even try my best and she just left.
What is there that you can't say in front of Ms. Chen?
These young players really can't make it.
No matter how I teach them, they just can't learn it well.
Is it because they don't understand, or they don't acknowledge you?
Don't count on them anyway.
Just give up.
Things like matches still have to depend on the older generation like us.
I'm not with you.
When you say the word "old," don't include me.
I'm serious.
Playing in matches needs players like you and me
who have both competence and experience.
And my Wand of Death
is the key to success.
You must give it back to me. Or else, we'll definitely lose.
You want to get it back so eagerly.
Who are you going to fight against?
I'm invincible.
Do I look like someone with a rival?
In today's Glory League,
is there no player that you regard as a rival?
No matter who he is,
if he fights with me,
I'll hit him hard.
There is no sugar in my coffee either.
Wei Chen, give me a smile.
Here, Bao Zi, take this.
Only now have I realized
what The Return of the King means and how intrepid it is.
Don't fall behind, King.
Or you might get lost in the arena.
Are you worried about fighting Team Blue Rain later?
Team Blue Rain?
What do you mean?
Why didn't you tell me that we are fighting Team Blue Rain?
I knew you were a bastard!
You tricked me into fighting Team Blue Rain for you.
Captain?
Why are you here?
Captain.
Where have you been all this time?
Do you know how long we've been looking for you?
Even if you've retired, you should have told us.
Don't you miss Team Blue Rain? Don't you miss me?
Hey, I won't let you go this time! I finally found you.
Do you know how much I miss you?
I even wrote a song for you called "Captain is the Best in the World."
You little jerk.
After just a few years, you became this heavy.
Captain Wei.
Long time no see.
You're here too.
Wei Chen, let's get in.
Believe it or not, I'll go bananas right here, right now!
Come back! Don't go there!
What are you doing?
Wei Chen said, "See you later."
See you later.
Ye Qiu, you're so shameless. How dare you set me up!
Team Blue Rain is not easy to deal with.
Let's go.
Return me the Wand of Death right now!
The Wand of Death
weighs three kilograms with an attack speed of two.
No matter how I observe it,
this weapon seems to be designed to attack Yu Wenzhou.
Am I right?
Where is my weapon?
The competition is about to start.
I'll give you one now.
WOODEN WAND
What can I do with a chicken claw?
Where is my Wand of Death?
Return it to me!
I promised it'd be returned after we won this game.
Why would I waste my time here if you don't return it to me?
Am I coveting your face or your moral quality?
Aren't you clear?
I'm an old retired player.
Fighting the captain of Team Blue Rain with a primary weapon.
Is this even reasonable?
Without my Silver equipment, I won't help you fight.
My helper is you, not your weapon.
Stop bluffing me.
In a word, will you give it back to me?
Hey.
-Hey. -The last round of Trainer Match.
Team Happy versus Team Blue Rain.
It's about to start.
-This is a deciding round for Team Happy. -Fine.
-They are ranked 21st now. -You'll make me lose.
-The 20th team is 4 points ahead of them. -Don't regret it!
If Team Happy wants to advance to the next round,
all their teammates have to survive.
Facing the team of Tactic Master, Yu Wenzhou,
and Sword Saint, Huang Shaotian,
it seems impossible for all of them to pass.
Ultimate move! Chaotic Rain of Swoksaar.
No interruption.
Team Happy must get away as soon as possible.
As expected, Troubling Rain is going for Lord Grim.
Here I come, Ye Qiu!
Take that!
Rising Dragon Slash, Falling Phoenix Slash, Triple Slash.
Slash!
Finally, it's our battle! Are you afraid?
I'm telling you. Don't cry after losing the game.
Take it!
Slow down.
It's too violent for the beginning.
-I'm afraid you'll become weak later. -Absolutely no.
My power will be greater later.
You'd better worry about yourself.
Don't ever think that you'll win with the help of Captain Wei.
Unfortunately, I'm your rival today.
I'm a corgi if I can't hit you to near death.
It's a top-level confrontation at the very beginning!
That's right. It's the long-anticipated confrontation from the start.
Troubling Rain versus Lord Grim.
They are keeping a distance to seek an opportunity.
Lord Grim attacks first.
And then he slips away.
I guess he doesn't want to waste time here.
-Stop! You're shameless! -He needs to join the team.
Come fight with me!
All right. The first fight between Troubling Rain and Lord Grim
ended up with Lord Grim's tactical retreat.
On the other side of the map, what is the Warlock of Team Happy doing?
Team Blue Rain left someone out!
They just left Windward Formation here alone.
Right now, Windward Formation should finish up as soon as possible
or meet with his teammates.
He is wasting his ability.
It seems Windward Formation doesn't want to fight.
It's a good place to have a walk in the town,
but in such a serious battle,
I wonder what the players of Team Happy would think
when they find out what he is doing.
We also noticed Windward Formation's weapon is a Purple equipment.
He has sat down.
He is not worried at all.
Is this a part of Master Ye Qiu's tactics?
I've never seen such tactics before.
One Inch Ash versus Brilliant Edge.
-This is Team Happy's good opportunity. -Dodge!
They can fight with two against one,
but Windward Formation doesn't seem to notice.
-I'm clueless. -Wei Chen, I need your help.
Thanks, Wei Chen.
Don't get me wrong.
Well, don't get me wrong.
Go on fighting.
That's right. Hit him.
Captain, the Warlock keeps sitting beside me.
He doesn't attack or retreat.
I don't know what's going on.
-Where are you? -Coordinates, 312, 662.
-Qi Master, cover me. -Got it.
Here comes the Qi Master of Team Blue Rain. Cloud Seize!
He hit Windward Formation successfully.
Sneak attack!
You said it so loudly. Could it be considered a sneak attack?
Do you need me to teach you?
Ye Qiu, I got caught.
-What should I do? -It's good.
It's your style to be caught and hit, then admit defeat.
Do you want to fight me?
All right. I'll let you see how I lose.
-Wei Chen! -Who asked you to save me?
Sir, was I wrong to save you?
Of course you were.
Running away is better than wasting time setting up the Ice Soul.
But as you said, the essence of containment is to strike last.
If I ran just now, what if they attacked you in the rear?
This lad has a good memory.
You're so despicable.
The Warlock lay there to distract me,
and then the Phantom Demon sneaked an attack!
Shameless.
Hasn't your leader told you
that the formation of Team Blue Rain is all about containment?
Yifan.
Let's show him what the real containment is.
Yes, sir!
Can you stop running, Ye Qiu?
Are you imitating Sun Xiang today?
Don't be afraid. Confront me like a man.
Troubling Rain is still chasing Lord Grim, but it seems that he has lost his target.
Ye Qiu, have you ever thought that you would end up like this?
-At this corner, -To save your life,
-can he meet Lord Grim? -you don't even dare to face me.
-He is going close. -I'm going to catch you.
There you go.
There's no love in the corner, but in the rear.
That's unbelievable. Troubling Rain was kicked by Lord Grim!
-What are you thinking about, Shaotian? -He was stuck.
I'm right by your side.
-He can even make use of the walls. -Why don't you turn around?
Hey! You shameless bastard!
You made me stuck like a Boss in the Dungeon.
Well done, Ye Qiu.
Wait for me to get out! We'll see!
Why can't I get out?