Chapter 21 - Offer
Berry appeared in the waiting room upon his defeat.
[Battle Factory Result: 1st Battle – Lose
Rewards: 4 Experience Points and 400G]
Berry sat on the bench and sighed.
"If I use the high-quality football since the beginning, I may have the chance to win," Berry recognized his mistake. "Also, good equipment is important too. His black attire may have an additional attribute that I don't know that helps him win this match. His speed and attack too."
Berry analyzed everything and he learned more and more about the game which made him happy despite losing the battle.
"High speed and attack. I need to specialize in something too. I cannot become an all-rounder because my skill is focused on defense. I should focus on defense and HP while occasionally raising my attack and defense," Berry made his decision.
"I also need good equipment too. My equipment is too lacking," Berry looked at the beginner equipment he had on him. "Time's up," Berry got up and left the waiting room. He did not plan to have another battle.
…
"Sister Daisy, let's go. We don't want to miss KOA2468," Dianne pulled Daisy's arm to meet Shin. Daisy followed without saying anything. Shin was a good player and they should do their best to recruit him.
Dianne and Daisy saw Shin coming out of the waiting room's hallways and rushed to meet him. However, someone else went to greet him first.
"Shin~ congratulations on that win~" a handsome man in his early 20s waved his hand at Shin. The man wore advanced equipment and if Berry were to see the man's level, he would be shocked because the man was level 52.
"…" Shin looked at the popcorn held by the man and was speechless. "I thought you come here to cheer on me? But you look like you are having fun," Shin spoke.
"Cheering on you is having fun. It is fun watching you fighting. More so when you got kicked like that," the man snickered.
"Berryier is strong and I learn a lot from that fight. Not only that but I have a feeling that he will be one of the strongest players in the future," Shin spoke in a serious tone.
"I disagree with you. Unless he makes a new account, he will not go far," the man spoke.
"Luke, don't look down on him. I feel he can make use of Barrier's ability properly. I cannot wait to have a rematch with him again," Shin had a good feeling about Berry's future.
"That's right. Don't look down on him, he will go far in the future. I will make sure of it," suddenly, Daisy interrupted their conversation.
Shin and Luke looked around and saw the chubby woman Daisy and beautiful girl, Dianne stood while staring at them.
"Oh~ look who is here~ Sister Daisy~ Long time no see," Luke greeted nonchalantly.
"I am not your sister, sleazy guy," Daisy was displeased with Luke.
Luke smiled and asked, "Want to recruit this guy?" he pointed at Shin. "He is part of the Golden Eagle. You are too late," Luke added.
Golden Eagle was another big E-Sports Company in the company.
Daisy glanced at Shin and spoke, "I guess we will be rivals. If you are displeased with Golden Eagle, you can come to Thunder Tiger. I will welcome you with open arms," Daisy smiled.
"I have to decline. I am sorry," Shin spoke.
"No need to feel sorry. The sleazy guy is right. We are too late but if you want to defect, come to Thunder Tiger," Daisy spoke and she glared at Luke. Dianne decided to keep her mouth shut because she knew they stood no chance to recruit Shin.
Not only that but Dianne knew that Daisy was in a bad mood after she saw Luke. She did not want to add more oil to the fire.
"Let's go. We will see Berry," Daisy nudged Dianne. Dianne nodded and followed Daisy without much a fuss.
Sensing the atmosphere between Daisy and Luke, Shin spoke, "Your ex? She did not look like your type."
"Yeah, she is my ex, ex-coworker. We don't have that kind of romantic relationship," Luke spoke and then, he added, "It looks like they want to recruit Berryier. This looks fun, I want to disturb them," Luke snickered.
"…" Shin was speechless. "You can go by yourself. I don't want to waste my time doing that," Shin left Luke alone.
"Sure. I will just have the fun alone," Luke decided to follow Dianne and Daisy to meet Berry.
Even so, the three of them failed to meet Berry. So, there was nothing fun to see on Luke's side. Berry got out of the Battle Facility to the nearby inn fast to log out. He had played enough for the day.
Berry got out of the VR Capsule and decided to end the day.
Spring 5th, Month 1, the Year 2301
Berry went to work as usual. He did not need to leave to work early anymore because he was living in the employee's apartment which was located around the main building. Berry went to work together with Pierre and Hardy.
As soon as he got to the office, Berry went to his desk and started doing his job. While he was busy doing his job, Daisy came to his desk.
"Berry, let's talk," Daisy spoke while gesturing Berry to follow her. Daisy left for her office.
"???" Berry was confused and he looked at the others in the team.
"Her tone doesn't sound like you cause any problem," one of Berry coworkers spoke.
Berry got up and went to Daisy's office. Berry knocked on the door and got in.
"You can sit. I have something to discuss with you," Daisy smiled. Berry reluctantly sat on the chair opposite of Daisy and nervously waited for Daisy to speak.
"How is work? Are you doing okay?" Daisy asked.
"???" Berry was confused but he replied, "Yes, everything is fine. I still have a lot to learn and I am getting used to them."
"Good, good. I am glad everything is fine," Daisy nodded.
"Erm… did I do a bad job?" Berry asked with uncertainty.
"No, no. Don't worry about it. No one is complaining about you doing a bad job or something like that," Daisy reassured Berry and she added, "There is another matter I want to talk with you about."
Berry listened attentively.
"I saw your battle last night," Daisy smiled and she continued, "I thought you said you don't like games but your battle last night is interesting. I see a potential professional player from your battle."
Berry was surprised. He wondered how Daisy was able to see him. Not only that but he wore a mask to cover his face so that people would not recognize him.
"Your opponent is a popular guy and many people saw that battle including me. Although you wear that mask, I can recognize you from your body figure," Daisy answered Berry's doubt.
Berry was surprised again but he did not say anything. He wondered what Daisy wanted to talk about. Berry had an inkling of what Daisy wanted to say but rather than guessing about it, he preferred to hear it straight from Daisy.
"I can see you have a lot of potential from the first day you join this team and the battle last night cemented my opinion on you," Daisy spoke.
"Your battle last night impress me a lot. Although you lost your cool towards the end of the battle, it was a really good battle. I am rooting for you to win. Not because you are my brother but because you have the potential," Daisy smiled.
"I think it is a waste for you to continue being an assistant. I think you will do a better job as a player. Why don't you officially become this company's player? I don't want your potential to be wasted in the assistant position," Daisy extended her invitation.
"I am sorry. I am not interested to become a professional player," Berry decided to decline without much thought.
"Why? You already play the game and are doing well too while playing. Why not take this chance and took your casual play to a professional level?" Daisy wanted to persuade Berry.
"I play the game to help me with this job," Berry decided to tell his reason for playing Dodgeball Master, "I want to know more about the game because I feel like that information will assist me in my job. I don't play the game to get good at it."
"Then, just treat this as a new job. You don't need to be passionate about the game. Just play it and treat it as your job. However, your position will not be an Assistant but a Player," Daisy made her suggestion.
"I am sorry. I have to decline. I will do a better job as an Assistant," Berry gave his final answer. Daisy wanted to continue persuading Berry but he looked resolute. Berry did not want to become a Player.
"Sigh~ Fine, I will not force you. If you have a change of heart, the offer is always open," Daisy smiled reluctantly. Berry got up and left Daisy's office.
"Hmm… He is too adamant about being a Professional Player. Is he not interested in it or he has another reason?" Daisy wondered.