Chapter 3

A Glimpse of Glory

Rahul's chest still heaved with excitement as the victory screen faded. His heart thudded in his ears, the realization slowly sinking in—they had done it. They had won their first tournament match. For a moment, the tension dissipated, replaced by sheer elation. On Discord, Sunil's cheers echoed through the chat.

"We made it, boys!" Sunil's enthusiasm was contagious, and Rahul couldn't help but grin as he adjusted his headset.

"First round down, but we've still got more ahead," Akash said, his voice calm but tinged with pride. He always kept them grounded, a necessary counterbalance to the adrenaline coursing through their veins.

"I can't believe we did it," Arjun finally spoke, breaking his usual silence, the hint of a smile audible in his voice. The sniper, often reserved, couldn't hold back his pride after his crucial contributions.

Rahul leaned back in his chair, letting the moment wash over him. They had won small scrimmages before, sure, but this felt different. This was an official tournament—an actual stage. It felt like validation for all the sleepless nights and the hours of practice. He could feel it in his bones; they were finally on the right track.

But, as Akash had pointed out, this was just the beginning. Their victory meant they had made it through to the next round, but the competition would only get tougher from here.

### Reality Hits

Later that evening, after the adrenaline had worn off, Rahul's parents called him downstairs for dinner. The dining table was set with the usual modest fare—dal, rice, and chapatis—but the atmosphere felt heavier than usual. His parents had been more distant recently, their concern growing as his gaming hours increased. His father was particularly quiet, his brow furrowed in thought as they ate.

"Rahul," his mother started cautiously, breaking the silence, "your father and I have been noticing that you're spending more time on these games. We know you enjoy them, but don't you think it's time to start focusing on your studies more? Your exams are around the corner."

Rahul swallowed, trying to keep his composure. He knew this conversation was inevitable. "I understand, Ma. But... I'm doing something important with the game. I can't stop now, especially when we're actually winning."

His father looked up, his gaze stern but not unkind. "Winning? Rahul, games are just games. They won't give you a career or put food on the table. We've supported you in everything, but you need to be practical."

Rahul felt his frustration rising. How could he explain the depth of what he was doing? To his parents, gaming was still a distraction. They couldn't see the opportunities he saw, the esports tournaments, the sponsorships, the career paths that had started to emerge in India. But he knew arguing wouldn't help. He'd tried before, and the conversation always ended the same way—with them worried about his future and Rahul feeling like they didn't understand him.

"I'm not ignoring my studies," he said, trying to keep his tone even. "But this is important to me. We're in an actual tournament now, with real competition, and it's not just for fun. It could lead to something."

His mother sighed, exchanging a glance with his father. "Rahul, we just want you to be careful. Not everyone who plays these games becomes successful. We're worried you're putting too much at risk."

Rahul didn't respond immediately, the weight of their concern pressing down on him. He knew they meant well, but it only made the burden heavier. His dreams felt so distant from their reality.

After dinner, he returned to his room, their words still ringing in his ears. The tournament victory felt momentarily dulled by the familiar struggle for understanding. He glanced at his phone—messages from his squad filled the group chat, discussing strategy for the next round. He typed a few quick replies, but his mind was still stuck on his parents' worries.

### Stepping Up

The next few days were intense. The tournament was heating up, and so was the pressure. Their first victory had given them confidence, but now the competition grew fiercer. As they progressed, they faced teams with better coordination, sharper reflexes, and more experience. Every round felt like a battle for survival, not just in-game but for their standing in the tournament.

Rahul's squad worked tirelessly, reviewing footage from their matches, identifying their mistakes, and honing their strategies. Akash continued to refine their rotations, while Arjun practiced his sniping to an even more lethal level. Sunil, as always, remained their steadfast leader in chaotic moments, his quick decision-making saving them in more than one skirmish.

But Rahul knew he had to step up as well. His role as an all-rounder required him to adapt constantly—whether it was securing kills in close combat or playing support with utility and healing. As they approached the quarter-finals, Rahul found himself pushing his limits, studying the top-tier teams, understanding their tactics, and incorporating them into their playstyle.

The night before the next big match, Rahul couldn't sleep again. His mind raced with all the scenarios that could play out. Would they be ready for the aggressive squads they'd be facing? Could they adapt fast enough?

He opened YouTube on his phone, re-watching clips from professional PUBG Mobile players. The level of precision, the split-second decisions—it was mesmerizing. He saw himself in those players, grinding day and night to perfect their craft, proving themselves again and again. It wasn't just about skill. It was about persistence. It was about proving everyone wrong.

### The Quarterfinals

The day of the quarterfinals arrived, and the tension was palpable. Hundreds of teams had been whittled down to just a few, and the remaining squads were all battle-hardened. These were no casual players—these were teams with a purpose, just like Rahul and his squad.

The first match began, and from the very start, it was chaos. Teams were playing aggressively, dropping in hot zones, trying to eliminate competition early. Rahul's team opted for a more cautious approach, choosing a quieter location to loot and build up their resources.

"We need to be patient," Akash reminded them over the comms. "Let the others kill each other off. We'll strike when the time is right."

They followed the plan, staying on the move, rotating through the map carefully. But as the circle shrank, the pressure mounted. They could hear gunfire all around them. Rahul's pulse quickened as they approached the final circle. Only three teams remained.

"Stay low, don't engage yet," Akash whispered through the mic. They crouched behind a series of rocks, the safe zone mere meters away. The other two squads were locked in combat, their gunfire echoing in the distance.

"Wait for them to weaken each other," Arjun said, his sniper trained on the distant fight. They watched as one team wiped out the other, leaving only one squad between them and victory.

"Now!" Sunil shouted, and they moved as one unit. Rahul's heart raced as they advanced, his fingers steady on the controls. They flanked the remaining enemies, using smoke for cover. Rahul spotted one player in the open and fired, his shots landing true. The final firefight was fast and brutal, with both sides exchanging blows in a flurry of gunfire.

Within seconds, it was over. The screen flashed with their victory, and the exhilaration hit them all at once.

"YES!" Sunil screamed, his voice hoarse from the intensity. Akash let out a rare laugh of triumph, and even Arjun couldn't hold back his excitement.

Rahul leaned back, letting the moment sink in. They were in the semi-finals now—just one step away from the finals, one step closer to the dream.

But as the joy of victory surged through him, Rahul couldn't help but think of the road ahead. The semi-finals would be tougher than anything they had faced. And beyond that loomed the finals, the ultimate test of their abilities.

But for now, in this moment, they had achieved something they had once only dreamed of. And no matter what happened next, Rahul knew they were capable of more than anyone had expected—even his parents.

This was just the beginning.