Chapter 2

The Road Less Traveled

The next morning, Rahul woke up to the sound of his phone buzzing incessantly on his bedside table. Groggily, he reached for it, squinting at the bright screen. His squad's group chat was alive with excitement. They had received an invitation to participate in their first official tournament—an online qualifier for a regional PUBG Mobile competition.

Rahul's heart raced as he read the message over and over. It was a small tournament compared to the major leagues, but for Rahul and his squad, it felt like the first significant step toward the professional scene. This was a chance to prove themselves on a stage where hundreds of other aspiring teams would be watching, all with the same goal: to stand out and get noticed by bigger organizations.

He jumped out of bed, adrenaline pumping, and hurried to his computer, logging into Discord where Akash, Sunil, and Arjun were already waiting.

"We got this, boys," Akash's voice crackled through Rahul's headset. Known for his calm demeanor under pressure, Akash was the team's strategist. He often stayed up late researching team rotations and analyzing professional squads.

"Yeah, we're not just entering for fun. We're here to win," Sunil added, confidence radiating from his tone. Known as the "clutch master," Sunil had a knack for turning the tide of battles with his quick reflexes.

Arjun, the quiet sniper, chimed in last. He rarely spoke during games but was known for landing incredible long-distance headshots. His precision was a crucial asset during high-pressure situations.

Rahul took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. The tournament was a week away, giving them seven days to prepare. This was their moment, and Rahul knew they couldn't waste it. As the team discussed their plans, he felt the weight of his dream pressing down on him. This was it—the first step toward making esports more than just a passion.

### The Week of Preparation

For the next week, Rahul's life revolved around PUBG Mobile. He barely left his room except for meals and occasional family obligations. His parents noticed his increasing focus on gaming and grew more concerned.

"Rahul, you've been in there all day," his mother said one evening, poking her head into his room. "You need to take a break. This isn't healthy."

Rahul paused mid-game, his fingers still on the controls. He knew his mother meant well, but he couldn't afford to slow down now. He had to practice harder than ever.

"I'm almost done, Ma. I'll take a break soon," he replied, not looking away from the screen.

His mother sighed and left him to his game. Rahul felt a pang of guilt but pushed it aside. He couldn't explain the pressure he was under to anyone—not his friends, not his family. They couldn't understand what this tournament meant to him. It wasn't just about winning; it was about validation, proving that his decision to pursue esports wasn't a waste of time.

That night, Rahul and his team spent hours reviewing their strategies, watching replays, and analyzing the competition they would face. They refined their drop spots, studied the best rotations, and prepared contingency plans. Every detail mattered, and Rahul took it all in, his focus sharper than ever.

The team's hard work began to pay off during scrimmages against other squads. Their coordination improved, and they started winning matches more consistently. Rahul's confidence grew, but he knew the real test was ahead.

### A Change in Strategy

Midweek, during one of their late-night strategy sessions, Akash suggested they change their approach.

"We've been focusing a lot on combat strategies, but we also need to work on our rotations and positioning," he proposed. "If we want to win, we can't just rely on gunfights. We need to think about how to get to the safe zone and set up ambushes."

Sunil nodded, "He's right. We should practice rotating from one zone to another, scouting ahead for enemies, and setting up traps."

Rahul agreed, eager to take their gameplay to the next level. "Let's do it. We can simulate different scenarios and see how we adapt."

Over the next few days, they practiced these new strategies relentlessly. They took turns leading their squad in rotations, calling out directions and positions. Arjun, with his keen eye for detail, began to map out safe routes on the in-game map, while Sunil and Akash would set up ambush points to catch unsuspecting enemies off guard.

With each practice session, their chemistry as a team improved. They learned to anticipate each other's movements, refining their communication skills. When one player spotted an enemy, the others quickly adapted to the situation, forming a cohesive unit. Rahul felt a sense of pride as he watched his team grow stronger, both individually and collectively.

### The Night Before the Tournament

As the tournament approached, the excitement became palpable. The night before the big day, Rahul could hardly sleep. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the strategies in his mind. Would they be ready? Could they really compete against seasoned teams?

The doubts began to creep in. What if they messed up? What if they didn't make it past the first round? He pushed those thoughts aside, reminding himself of how hard they had worked. He had to trust his team and their preparation.

The next morning, Rahul woke up feeling a mixture of nerves and excitement. The day had finally arrived. He quickly prepared for the tournament, fueled by a breakfast of toast and fruit, hardly able to keep still.

"Let's do this!" he exclaimed as he logged onto Discord, where his teammates were already gathered, their spirits high.

"We've got this, Rahul. Remember, we've practiced for this moment," Akash reassured him.

### Tournament Day: The First Match

The tournament began with hundreds of teams from across the region participating. Rahul felt the adrenaline surging through him as they waited for their first match to begin. They were in a voice channel together, their hearts racing as they readied themselves for battle.

The first match was about to start, and as the countdown timer ticked down, Rahul felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. They jumped out of the plane, free-falling over Erangel, their chosen map.

"Let's go for the school!" Akash suggested, marking the location on the map. The team agreed, knowing it was a high-risk, high-reward drop. They landed swiftly, immediately scavenging for weapons and supplies.

As they moved through the building, Rahul's heart pounded. The sound of gunfire echoed in the distance, signaling that other teams had landed nearby. He could feel the tension in the air as they cleared the building, their communication crisp and efficient.

"Watch the stairs!" Sunil called out as he covered the entrance, his eyes darting around.

Arjun, perched at a window, spotted an enemy squad approaching. "They're coming! Two players, northeast!" He fired off a few warning shots to alert his teammates.

"Rahul, flank left! Sunil, cover him!" Akash directed, his voice steady despite the chaos.

With a surge of adrenaline, Rahul moved stealthily, positioning himself behind a wall to catch the enemies off guard. As they advanced, he could see their silhouettes through the windows. He took a deep breath, steadied his aim, and fired. The first shot landed true—a headshot that dropped one enemy instantly.

"Nice shot!" Sunil cheered, adding his firepower to the mix. The squad worked seamlessly, taking down the remaining enemies with precision.

"Let's loot quickly and move out," Akash urged. They gathered supplies and prepared for the next zone.

### Building Momentum

As the matches progressed, Rahul's squad found their rhythm. They communicated better with each encounter, and their strategies adapted in real-time to the chaos of battle. They faced various challenges, including squads that were aggressive and experienced, but they held their ground, winning crucial fights and maintaining their momentum.

By the time they reached the final match of the day, they were one of the top squads remaining. The pressure mounted as they prepared for the last fight.

"Stay focused," Akash reminded them. "We've come too far to let up now."

The final circle was small, and the remaining teams were fierce. Rahul could feel the tension crackling in the air. They spotted an enemy squad hiding behind a rock formation.

"Let's use smoke grenades to cover our approach," Arjun suggested, pulling out the tactical item. The team nodded, understanding the plan.

They threw down smoke, shrouding their movements as they advanced. Rahul's heart raced; every second felt like an eternity. As they closed the distance, he spotted an enemy peeking out from behind cover.

"Now!" he shouted, firing a shot that landed true, taking down the player.

The fight erupted into chaos. Bullets flew everywhere as they exchanged fire. Rahul ducked behind cover, working closely with his teammates to coordinate their attacks. The teamwork they had built over the past week shone through as they communicated effectively, executing their strategy flawlessly.

"Push forward!" Sunil urged, leading the charge. They overwhelmed the enemy squad, one by one taking them down until only one player remained.

"Last one's on me!" Rahul shouted, rushing forward with Sunil at his side. They flanked the last enemy, and with a final burst of fire, the match ended with a victory screen flashing before them.

"We did it!" Sunil exclaimed, elation in his voice.

Rahul felt a surge of joy wash over him. They had just secured a place in the next round, and the validation they sought was finally within reach.