Chapter 34 : Team Ocelot as the next competitor?
As I headed back to our Team Sloths room, my eyes caught the attention of Champ carrying tons of snacks and drinks in the hallway.
"May I help you?" I offered, walking towards Champ.
"Oh, it's fine" Champ replied, still struggling as he carried the snacks and drinks.
"No, I insist. Take this as an apology from one of our team writing members" I said, referring Kim.
Champ smiled, "Okay, kindly take this for me" and I grabbed half of the snacks that he carried. As we head to their quarter, silence enveloped us.
"Congratulations, by the way for winning the competition" I stated with a smile on my face.
"Thanks. Though the one you should say congrats is Silvrich" Champ replied as he sped up his pace and halted in front of a door. I sped up and stood behind Champ as Champ unlocks the door.
He put his palm on the pad placed beside the door. He picked the hologram pen floating beside the pad and wrote his signature.
Champ Ionic
Scripturient Writer, confirmed!
I heard an automated voice said and the door suddenly opened.
"Come in" Champ offered and I stepped inside the room, an air conditioned-room with blue led-lights, 5 comfortable beds with the Scripturient's League Logo that has animal pattern on the pillows, and a closet that has buttons and a mini kitchen. My eyes caught on a small circle group, uniformly wearing a dark navy blue hoodie with the animal icon on the upper right of their chest, a silvered-haired guy that is busy talking to his teammates as if they have a serious discussion with their hologram tablet, opening up.
"Snacks and drinks delivery!" Champ said and put all the snacks and drinks in the kitchen.
"Oh, Champ is here and oh.." the silver-haired guy paused, in the corner of his eyes, he notice someone standing and he move his gaze to where I'm standing. "Welcome a writer from Team Sloth"
"Hey" I replied and broke my eye contact with Silvrich. All his teammates looked at me.
"Here, Champ" I said and handed the rest of the snacks to Champ, Champ walked towards me.
"Thank you" Champ said and took the snacks.
"Congrats to you all by the way," I said, eyes each of the writers.
"Thanks," Silvrich said.
"I'll excuse myself now. Enjoy"
I said with a smile and walked away but an arm suddenly cling to my shoulder.
"Leaving so soon? Why don't you be here for a celebration"
"No, it's fine. It's your victory after all" I insisted. I don't want to be part of their celebration after my team and I lost for the first competition.
"Oh, come on. Don't be a bummer. Celebrate with us" Champ said as he distributed the snacks to his teammates.
"Xiaocheng, right?" Silvrich asked, I nodded.
"Silvrich, catch!" and Champ throws a can of soda that Silvrich easily caught in his hand.
"And Xioacheng!" Champ called out and throws a bag of potato chips. "Enjoy" he said as I caught it.
"I'll be going out for a while, guys. Write all your ideas and send it to me. " Silvrich said. "Just run your imagination as you enjoy eating"
And all his teammates nodded and the team started writing, Silvrich and I went out.
"I read your one-shot story. The writing quality bit suck" Silvrich stated as we are standing, eyes on the horizon as the city illuminated with bright neon lights.
"But the concept and the organization of dialogue what makes it interesting" he added. "It saves it" and drinks his soda in his hand.
"Nah, it's not"
"It is. You guys need improvement. The Team Sloth did a great job in comparison to Team Raccoon, their concept was too confusing for me to comprehend. You know, I noticed the sad expression on your face the moment you stood in front of our door"
Was my expression that obvious?
"Nah, it's just your imagination"
"Whether you're sad or not, Xiaocheng. It's just the beginning. It's not too late"
I looked at Silvrich, at first he looks intimidating but he seems kind of a good guy. A best friend with a harsh facade on his face. but it's too early to conclude.
"You might be asking, why did you say that? or any questions that come to your mind" Silvrich looked at me.
"I'll see you in other competitions rounds, XiaoCheng. I felt you have potential and be grateful that I inspired you in at least in a small portion"
"And so cheer up, priyatel" Silvrich added and pat my shoulder.
Priyatel? Was it a Russian word for a "friend or a buddy?"
"Anyway, I should go now to write. The Sripturient's League might give us another competition so it's better to prepare" Silvrich said as he walked, waving his hand with his back on me.
"Spasibo" I replied with a smile.
"Okay, so this is what you should do"
"Oh, here's Mr. Downster," Jin said.
"I'm sorry for all the down stat. Anyway, let's level up. We should try our best to level up"
Silvrich statement echoed in my mind,
"I'll see you in other competitions rounds, XiaoCheng. I felt you have potential and be grateful that I inspired you in at least in a small portion"
"Whether you're sad or not, Xiaocheng. It's just the beginning. It's not too late"
"What's the next competition?" I asked as I jumped on my bed, opening my hologram screen to check the Scripturient's League notifications.
Sasori looked at her watch, "I forgot to tell you, guys that the team we are about to compete is based on the ranks. Take a look at this" and Sasori projected her screen for a wide view.
SCRIPTURIENT'S LEAGUE LOW-RANK WRITERS RANKINGS
#1 TEAM EMPEROR PENGUIN 3.2
#2 TEAM RACCOON 2.8
#3 TEAM OCELOT 2.5
#4 TEAM SLOTH 2.4
"We will be competing with the Team Ocelot," Sasori said, her eyes not moving away from the screen.
"So, what you are trying to say is the team will compete to the other defeated team? and the other winning team compete with t--"
"Yeah" Sasori replied. A sudden notification appeared before us, my brows furrowed.