Genevieve's mission

"Tell me how it feels like to live inside the game".

As soon as Genevieve asked, Noah did not hold back, going on a talking spree as he explained everything that happened and how he felt and reacted to them since he was transported inside the game.

Talking to Genevieve like this, Noah could not help but feel nostalgia.

Due to being transported into the game, he suddenly felt this disconnect from the outside world but speaking with her didn't feel different.

In and outside the game, Genevieve was the same and he loved it.

After he was done telling her his stories, he also asked. "Tell me about the outside world too, what has become of Cyber Squad? What of Phoenix Rising and the World Championship?"

Hearing his question, Genevieve became emboldened to talk.

Genevieve was generally quiet but anytime she was around Noah, this gentle girl seemed to regain her talking spirit every single time.

Apparently, team Cyber Squad already went through a total revamp after their retirement. Of the old team, only Valiant Heart's controller remained, all the other pro avatars were replaced with new controllers.

When Noah learned that it was Caster who inherited his Stinger of War avatar, he didn't feel that bad anymore.

"The boy is good". He muttered.

Caster was one of the best among the new wave of Warstar pro players, having won the Rising Star award for the past 2 seasons.

Having clashed against him a few times already, Noah approved his skill.

As for the World Championship, it was scheduled to start in a week. There were only 8 countries represented in the first round of the Warstar RPG World Championship tournament.

The organizers implemented a knock-out tournament setting, which meant all 8 represented countries will start directly from the quarter finals.

Next year, the World Championship was bound to expand, including even more Warstar-playing countries but for now, these 8 countries were the first adopters playing in the highest competitive stage of the revolutionary video game.

The 8-competing countries were England, Japan, China, USA, Argentina, Germany, Portugal, and Canada.

In the first round of the tournament, England was to take on Portugal in a knock-out game utilizing the same 10-point system that is used in normal Warstar RPG league games.

Noah lamented the fact that he would not be able to watch these games, but then he urged Genevieve to keep him updated on the results.

After that, she hesitated a bit before asking. "Do you think they still want to play?"

Noah looked at her.

"Don't get me wrong, but you know, we all retired and it's not even 3 days yet, to suddenly propose coming back from retirement".

She sighed. "I don't know if they'll still want to compete".

Noah shrugged. "We'll never know, all we can do is try and hope that fire that made them play for 10 years in the pro scene is still burning".

"I don't know about them but personally, I want to be King again".

Genevieve's mission was straightforward.

Noah wanted her to meet the other retired members of the old Cyber Squad pro team, and tell them of his situation and his desire to compete again.

After the circumstances with which he got his first SSS-Rank unique skill, he confirmed that he would encounter another unique skill challenge after getting to level 20. This was why he wanted to pull his friends along.

Just like Deadly Musician and the others benefited, getting unique skills due to their performances, Noah wanted to drag his friends along this time.

If they participated, they would definitely get higher rewards that will give them unique skills of a higher level than Deadly Musician and the others got.

Everything depended on his old teammates, Noah could only believe in their love for the game and also on Genevieve's persuasion skills.

With that, Genevieve finally logged out of the game.

…

England, Manchester, The Washhouse…

The night club was tucked away in a narrow side street of Manchester, its exterior a blend of weathered brick and sleek black public display signage, pulsing at the heart of Manchester's nightlife.

Its entrance was marked by a sleek black door with a glowing red emblem above it, hinting at the energy within.

2 bouncers stood at the ready, managing a queue that snaked along the sidewalk, filled with chatter and anticipation.

Inside was a sensory overload, dominated by pulsating beats and a vibrant atmosphere. Genevieve was already dreading entering inside as she walked close, she felt like she was walking into a scary dungeon.

Inside the main room was expansive, with high ceilings and walls adorned with LED panels that pulse and shift in time with the music.

Dressed in a beautiful long black gown adorned with gems, just as Genevieve was about to enter, she met a scene.

"What did you just say?"

"M-my p*nis is bigger!"

"W-what…?"

"My p*nis is bigger than yours!"

"Bastard, you f*cking son of a bitch!"

It was almost a comical sight.

At the entrance to this night club, 2 men, both visibly drunk squared off, their gestures sharp and aggressive. Their argument was pure gold.

One of them stepped forward, chest puffed out, hands clenched into a fist even as his face was red in rage. "You f*cking bastard!"

The situation escalated quickly.

Before a punch could be thrown though, the bouncers quickly moved in. Dressed in black with earpieces glinting under the streetlights, they exuded authority.

The larger of the 2 men stepped between the men, his voice low and firm, cutting through the chaos like a blade. "That's enough, gentlemen".

"What? D-did you hear what he said? This bastard…!"

"I said that's enough!" With a shrug of his shoulder, he gestured to the corner close to the entrance where a 3rd bouncer sat on a chair.

This bouncer looked even bigger and more intimidating than the others. He had long brown dreadlocks and a scary face.

At this moment, he crossed his legs, holding a book like a geek and occasionally flipping through its pages. He seemed to be… reading?

Noticing the attention on him, he turned to look at them with an irritated glance, making the 2 trouble makers pause in their steps.

One of them chuckled. "Ah…, s-sorry boss". He quickly scurried away.

And just like that, the little dispute was settled.

Genevieve was stunned. 'Is that…, Caleb?'

Amused, she walked closer, paying attention to the book that was on his hand. "The entrance is that way". He spoke without raising his head.

"Cal?"

Hearing that familiar name, the hand holding the book shook a bit and then slowly, the bouncer raised his head, squinting his eyes to look.

He was stunned. "Vivi?"