NOVEL NEXT Chapter 186: Team (6)
"SWalker? I don't mind him here," Last Coin nodded. He had no close relationship with this man, but their first meeting was favorable, and he could see that SWalker was a talented player.
Shaw nodded as well, "Yeah. I heard he got a new skill, right?"
Jake chuckled, "Yep." A minute later, he told everyone, "He'll be here soon."
It meant that these three had to somehow kill time!
Shaw asked, "Why are you still at the low level, Coin?"
Jake had asked him the same question an hour ago.
Last Coin awkwardly scratched the back of his head.
He said, "I… I kinda fear climbing up the ranks. I have a trauma from the previous game I played."
It was quite an honest confession.
Shaw and Jake looked troubled upon hearing that.
It was so seen on their faces that Last Coin waved his hands to disperse the awkward mood.
He explained, "I tried really hard to become the best… but each time I fought for the top one spot in the ladder, I'd face him and lose. He'd then play more games and stay so much ahead of them that getting top one was impossible. I stopped after realizing that I couldn't match him."
He couldn't share more as his heart pounded so much in his chest.
Last Coin often heard that he was a plain guy without any hobbies or prospects. Only games were really what could be called his hobby.
The community frowned upon such hobbies, and even now, many people aren't convinced by The Legend Enigma Online's future, disparaging serious players despite some of them earning more than all of them combined.
Shaw faintly smiled, "I respect that grind! You're similar to Archer in my eyes."
"Really?" Last Coin asked.
"Yeah! This game appears more lucrative than any other games released before it! You're so talented and strong that you can really make a name for yourself! I tell ya, bro!" Shaw didn't hide his respect for Last Coin. "You will create the seven dragon potions and even seven dragon magic skills! And then, I will fight you!"
Jake put his hand on Shaw's shoulder. "This guy sees dragons as the strongest existences, so he believes you have what it takes to become one of the strongest. I agree with him. Whatever you create next, I'll defeat it with my archery. I won't lose the second time."
Shaw smirked. "Bro's gonna cook up his hydras! That's a battle I can't miss. You'd better message me before this battle starts, okay? I'll bring Peace and cheer on you two."
Jake chuckled. "If I don't forget."
Last Coin added. "Same."
His smile was so much wider now that it could be seen that these two had lifted Last Coin's mood. He even felt like an essential part of this meeting, like someone who belonged to this place.
Even though it was his work's workplace, Last Coin was so antisocial and shy that it was rare for him to feel like he belonged somewhere.
Jake and Shaw made him feel like a part of the group.
It felt nice.
"I wonder if that guy plays this game, too. You might get back at him," Shaw said as he stared at Last Coin.
Last Coin nodded. "I hope so."
Jake asked, "What was his nickname before? You could try adding him to friends and see… maybe searching online will help."
Last Coin replied, "His nickname was Crimson Spire. I think he named himself like that because the top one received a crimson badge and trophy in that game. His goal was top one from the moment he had created his account."
Shaw said, "Oh, Crimson Spire. Yeah, I recognize this nickname."
Jake stared at the duo with straight lips and widened eyes.
He coughed and raised his hand… "Ugh, it's me."
Last Coin opened his mouth wide and gawked at him as though he saw a ghost behind Jake.
Shaw roared and took a few steps back, "Haaaaaaaaaaaaaa?! Crimson Spire is you?! I played that game, too, and everyone was talking about this guy as he didn't go pro and only stood at the top one for a while!"
"I mean, I was too young to go pro," Jake said. "It wasn't my intent, too."
Last Coin's shocked countenance shattered, revealing a faint smile.
He extended his hand to Jake and said, "So… it's a draw between us."
It was Jake's time to be confused.
Last Coin genuinely smiled. "I'll win against you when we cross our weapons again! It'll be my victory, then!"
Jake immediately squeezed Last Coin's hand and replied, "I'll win."
Shaw chimed in as he cut these two's locked hands with his hand chop.
He said, "I'll win! My Praying Mantis—Flash Spear will get you both! Faster than everyone and everything you throw at me, my spear will zoom past you and get you first! That's the goal!"
There was confidence brimming in the eyes of every man at the scene.
That was when SWalker joined them.
He was pretty late to the emotional reveal, but it was clear that he also saw everyone as his rivals. He joined in with his knightly codex and greeted the ladies first before switching to the men.
Peace told everyone to learn from him, but Jake and Last Coin ignored her.
SWalker smiled at the group. "It appears I've missed something important."
Shaw chuckled. "We swore to defeat each other again in the future."
SWalker became more uptight than he already was.
He said, "I swear that I shall be the one to slay you all. As a knight or enemy, I shall tower over you."
The group grinned.
Jake stared at everyone, and it clicked within him.
He gathered the three men's attention and asked, "Would you three be interested in making an esports team with me?"
This offer sounded so simple, yet it also could change everything.
The three stared at Jake seriously.