Chapter 1

The Beginning of a Dream

Rahul sat cross-legged on the floor of his small bedroom, his eyes glued to the screen of his mobile phone. His fingers danced effortlessly across the device, guiding his character through the chaotic streets of Pochinki, one of the most dangerous areas in the world of PUBG Mobile. The familiar tension gripped him as he moved between buildings, carefully peeking through windows, and listening for the faintest sound of footsteps. The intensity was electrifying, and Rahul felt a rush of adrenaline with each enemy encounter. This wasn't just a game for him; it was his passion, and more importantly, it was his ticket to something bigger.

Growing up in a small town in northern India, where dreams were often confined to classrooms and office cubicles, Rahul's aspirations were considered unconventional. Most of his friends and family viewed gaming as a pastime, not a viable career. His parents, both school teachers, had always hoped he would follow a traditional path—study hard, secure a respectable job, settle into a routine life. But Rahul had other plans, even if he didn't fully understand them yet.

His journey began during his final year in high school, as PUBG Mobile started to take over the gaming world. The game had exploded in popularity across India, and Rahul's friends introduced him to it. Before long, he found himself spending hours glued to his phone, dropping into matches late into the night. Unlike his friends, who treated it casually, Rahul became obsessed. He studied the game meticulously, watching YouTube videos of professional players, analyzing strategies, and practicing relentlessly.

For Rahul, PUBG was not merely about survival—it was about mastering every nuance. The perfect grenade throw, the split-second headshot, the strategic positioning of his squad—it all fascinated him. His skill level improved rapidly, and soon, his friends couldn't keep up. They joked about his natural talent, but for him, it was dedication and hard work.

At first, the idea of playing professionally wasn't even on his radar. The notion of earning a living through gaming seemed absurd, especially in a town where esports were largely unknown. However, as he delved deeper into the online gaming community, he discovered a world where professional players competed in massive tournaments for substantial prize pools. Rahul watched streamers on YouTube and Twitch who made a living from their gaming content, and his perspective shifted dramatically.

"I want to do this," he told himself one evening, staring at his screen after winning a solo match. The realization struck him like lightning. All his life, he had been searching for something he was truly passionate about. School never excited him, and while he was a decent student, his heart was never in it. But gaming—this felt different. This felt like something he could pour his soul into. And so, with a dream barely formed in his mind, Rahul decided he would become a professional PUBG Mobile player.

However, pursuing dreams was rarely straightforward.

The first obstacle emerged from his own family. Rahul's parents had always been supportive of his education, but when he told them he wanted to focus on gaming, their reactions were predictably dismissive.

"You're wasting your time, Rahul," his father said one evening at the dinner table. "These games won't take you anywhere. You need to focus on your studies. There's no future in playing video games."

His mother added, "Do you know how many children play these games? What makes you think you can be any different? What if you fail?"

Rahul understood their fears. To them, gaming was a distraction that would divert him from a stable future. But Rahul felt differently. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was meant to do this. The thrill of gameplay, the sense of accomplishment when he improved, the satisfaction of mastering a skill—none of these feelings existed in other aspects of his life. Despite the pushback from his parents, Rahul persisted.

He dedicated more time to gaming, often staying up late after finishing his schoolwork. It wasn't just about playing anymore; he wanted to improve. He watched professional players' streams, picking up tips on aiming, movement, and strategy. He took notes, practiced drills, and joined online communities where he could connect with like-minded players.

But playing well was not enough. Rahul realized that if he wanted to compete at the highest level, he needed a team. PUBG Mobile was fundamentally a team-based game. Success in major tournaments required seamless cooperation, coordinated attacks, and mutual support. Finding the right teammates, however, proved challenging.

In Rahul's small town, there were no esports teams or organized gaming clubs. His friends played casually and didn't share his ambition. So, he turned to the online world, joining Discord servers and PUBG Mobile forums where aspiring players gathered. After months of trial and error—teaming up with players who weren't serious or who lacked skill—Rahul finally found three players who shared his dedication and vision.

Akash, Sunil, and Arjun were from different parts of the country, but they quickly bonded over their love for the game and their ambition to succeed. The four of them formed a squad and began practicing daily, entering online tournaments, and participating in scrimmages with other teams. Each night, they reviewed their matches, pointing out mistakes and discussing strategies for improvement.

Their hard work soon began to pay off. Their teamwork improved significantly, and they started winning small local tournaments. The prize money was minimal, but for Rahul and his squad, it was about recognition. Each victory brought them closer to their ultimate goal: breaking into the professional PUBG Mobile scene.

But the road ahead was long, and Rahul understood that. His skills were growing, his team was improving, but the esports world was fiercely competitive. Thousands of players worldwide shared the same dream, and only a few would rise to the top. Still, Rahul couldn't shake the feeling that this was what he was meant to do.

That night, as he lay in bed with the glow of his phone screen dimming beside him, Rahul stared at the ceiling, his mind racing. His parents still didn't fully understand his passion, but he had made peace with that for now. What mattered was that he had found something worth fighting for, something that gave him purpose.

And he was just getting started.