When we arrived at the unfamiliar exclusive internet café we had never played at before, it was noon. The sun was at full blast, reminding us of the current season once we got out of the car. Its rays almost blinded me as I looked up to the three-story internet café. For a moment, I thought we were out of New York. However, since we had never tried playing in Manhattan before, I guessed this was what we had been missing.
Legends ― that was the brand of the internet café.
"Can we go inside now before I become fried Yohann?" Yohann shielded himself from the burning rays of the sun using his arms.
Louis, Yohann, and Trey ran to the building's shed while Flint stood at my side. I saw his eyes lit in amusement from my peripheral vision while staring at the unusual internet café.
There were a lot of two-story internet cafés in Brooklyn and Gotham, but it was rare to find something like this. The building's façade had a modern and futuristic theme — a white motif with different hues of blue and black metallic accentuation. The interior and architectural design of the place caught my attention. It somehow resembled the designs of companies in the technology sector.
"We need to win, Ry…."Flint told me, still mesmerized by the view. "Looks like playing here for an hour is equivalent to my allowance for a week. We even bet for half three thousand bucks. We can't afford to lose this one, or we might go broke."
I smirked and tapped on his shoulder twice. "Don't worry," I confidently assured him. "We are here to win, not to lose."
I had to admit that the venue they chose to hold our battle intimidated me a bit. However, that intimidation was also the exact reason why I was more eager to win.
With oozing confidence flowing through my veins, which sparked from having a good mood, I followed the three idiots who had already gone inside the internet café ahead of us. I found them frozen, standing at the center of the reception area.
"This is insane…." Flint voiced out my thoughts as soon as he followed me.
Everything inside this exclusive internet café was jaw-dropping. A foyer and a reception area greeted us instead of rows and columns of computers separated by cubicles. It looked like we had just entered a hotel lobby.
Some of Quest of Legends' famed professional players' posters were framed on the walls. I could recognize some faces since we watched the tournament last year. Along with those posters, the top five teams' banners hung from the ceiling until four feet above our heads.
"Good noon!" The receptionist started greeting us when we were all still in awe. Her voice pulled me out of a trance.
I moved closer to the reception desk for assistance.
"Do you have any room reservations, Sir?" she asked, glancing at the monitor below. "All rooms are occupied, and there will be no available room for the next three hours."
I nodded and flipped the AR screen facing her to let her read the email and scan the QR code. According to the Challengers who emailed and invited us to play, a room was already reserved for us. All we had to do was to show the QR invitation.
The receptionist quickly scanned the QR code to get the details of our reserved room. She skimmed through the details before gazing up at me. "Room Emerald, third floor," she said and gave me the key card for the room. "It's connected to the room of your opponents."
"Are they here already?"
She gave me a quick nod and smiled. "They also sent out some instructions."
With a crease on my forehead, I took the sticky note from her and read it right away.
--
Welcome, Kings of Kings!
Once you enter your room, log in right away and invite us to Quest of Legends. Here are our handles:
• Desert King
• Faker
• Ice Breaker
• Dark Eight
• Alpha Male
--
"Thanks," I bid my gratitude for her assistance and returned to the team, clutching the sticky note tightly in my hand.
I got their attention right away and passed the crumpled note to Flint.
His brow shot up. "What's this?"
While he was reading the note from our foes, I faced the other three. "Our room's on the third floor."
Yohann smirked. "Okay! Third floor it is," he said, then pressed the elevator's button.
Flint tucked the note into his pocket once he was finally done reading the message. Irritation was etched on his face. I had a feeling that we were having the same thoughts regarding our opponent's attitude.
"They wouldn't even greet us first?" Flint asked with his eyebrows furrowed. He couldn't help but voice out his disappointment.
"I guess not," I shrugged and simply said, then entered the elevator.
The team immediately followed me inside. It was Louis' turn to read the note. I already expected that he would curse afterward, and he really did. The curious brothers, Yohann and Trey, skimmed through the note as well. We all had the same reaction.
"Those fuckers…" Louis murmured. He still wasn't done cursing, though. "They're the ones who invited us here, and they won't even greet nor welcome us. Just who the fuck they think they are?"
I stopped in front of the Emerald room's door and inserted the keycard into the lock. The guys went inside the fancy gaming room, but no one bothered to admire it anymore. They were all fired up to start the game and prove something.
On the other hand, I stayed outside and didn't move. I turned my head to the room next to ours.
Ruby room…
Gripping on the keycard tightly, a corner of my lips rose imperceptibly —not showing the igniting fire of anger in my calm expression. I'd make sure to teach them proper gaming manners.
"Prepare for your defeat," I whispered before finally entering the room like a badass angel — ready to kick the ass of a devil.