*9 Years Ago*
It was a warm summer evening, the kind of night where the humidity stuck to your skin and the distant buzz of cicadas filled the air. Inside a small, dimly lit room, a teenage boy sat hunched over a second-hand computer, his fingers clicking away at the keyboard with practised ease. The glow of the monitor illuminated his focused expression, his eyes glued to the screen as he navigated his character through another virtual battle.
Ye Xiu was 19 years old, an age when most were figuring out their future, deciding on college majors, or planning the next phase of their lives. But for him, the future seemed like a distant thought, something vague and uncertain. What he did know, however, was that he loved video games.
More specifically, he loved Glory.
It had been a hobby at first, something to pass the time after long days of school. But as the months rolled by, Glory became more than just a game to him—it became an obsession. The moment he first laid his hands on the controls, he felt something shift inside him, a connection between him and the virtual world that went beyond simple enjoyment.
In Glory, he could be someone else—someone powerful, someone with skill, someone who didn't have to worry about the mundane expectations of the real world. And as he got better, he realized that this was what he had been looking for all along.
The screen flickered in front of him as his character, a fledgling swordsman, fought his way through another dungeon. Ye Xiu leaned forward, his mind working at lightning speed as he timed each move with perfect precision. His fingers moved in a blur across the keyboard, inputting commands as if he had been born to play this game.
But it wasn't just natural talent—Ye Xiu had spent countless hours honing his skills. While other teenagers were out with friends, partying, or studying for exams, he was here, in this small room, perfecting his craft. He knew every combo, every shortcut, every mechanic Glory had to offer. And the more he learned, the more he craved.
The summer heat outside was relentless, but inside, Ye Xiu barely noticed it. His world had shrunk to the size of the glowing screen in front of him, and nothing else seemed to matter. Time slipped away, hours bleeding into each other as the night deepened.
It was on this particular evening, as the clock ticked past midnight, that something clicked for Ye Xiu—something that would change the course of his life forever.
His character a Battle Mage known as One Autumn Leaf, still under-levelled and not fully equipped with the best gear, was facing a formidable boss, one that required a team of skilled players to defeat. But Ye Xiu was alone. The odds were against him; no one in their right mind would attempt a boss like this solo. But there was a fire in his chest, a determination that pushed him forward.
He wasn't just playing for fun anymore. He wanted to prove something—to himself, to the game, to the world.
With a deep breath, he launched into the fight. His fingers flew across the keyboard, the familiar clack of keys filling the room as his character dodged and weaved, narrowly avoiding the boss's devastating attacks. Every move was calculated, every strike perfectly timed. His concentration was absolute, the rest of the world falling away as he became one with the game.
Minutes passed like seconds, and before he knew it, the boss's health bar had whittled down to its final sliver. One more hit.
Ye Xiu's heart raced, adrenaline surging through his veins as he prepared for the final blow. With a practised flick of his wrist, he executed the last move in the combo, sending his character hurtling towards the boss with a flash of steel.
The screen flashed, and the boss collapsed with a deafening roar.
Victory.
Ye Xiu leaned back in his chair, his chest heaving as if he had been physically fighting the battle himself. A slow grin spread across his face as the triumphant music of the game played in his headphones. He had done it. Against all odds, he had defeated a boss that should have been impossible for someone at his level.
But more than the victory itself, it was the feeling of mastery that filled him—the knowledge that he had pushed himself beyond his limits and come out on top. This was what he lived for. This was what made Glory more than just a game.
It was at that moment, as the rush of victory still coursed through him, that Ye Xiu made a decision.
He wasn't going to just play Glory. He was going to conquer it.
The next few weeks passed in a blur of battles, levelling up, and hours of practice. Ye Xiu barely left his room, his mind consumed by the game. He started to join online communities, learning from other players, watching tutorials, and absorbing every piece of information he could find. But more often than not, he found that his instincts were better than any guide.
His skill level skyrocketed. What had started as a casual interest had turned into an all-consuming pursuit of excellence. And soon, other players started to take notice.
Ye Xiu's in-game name began to pop up on forums and leaderboards. People started whispering about the young player who was dominating dungeons and PvP arenas alike. He wasn't just good—he was exceptional. It wasn't long before the top players in Glory began to take interest in him.
One day, as he was logging in to Glory to continue his grind, he received a message from someone he didn't recognize. It was an invitation to join a guild—one of the top-ranked guilds in the game.
The message was simple:
"We've been watching you. You've got potential. Join us, and we'll take you to the top."
For a moment, Ye Xiu hesitated. Joining a guild meant playing with others, and sharing the spotlight. He had always played solo, relying on his skill and instincts. But at the same time, he knew that if he wanted to reach the top—truly reach the top—he couldn't do it alone.
With a few clicks, he accepted the invitation.
The following weeks were a whirlwind. Ye Xiu quickly rose through the ranks of his new guild, proving himself to be not just a skilled player, but a leader. He strategized battles, led his team through impossible dungeons, and earned the respect of even the most seasoned players. It wasn't long before he was scouted by a professional team, one of the best in the competitive Glory scene—Excellent Era.
At 19, Ye Xiu had found his calling. The virtual world of Glory was no longer just a game—it was his arena, his battleground, and he intended to claim victory at every turn.
But as he stared at his screen, the glow of the monitor reflecting in his eyes, he knew one thing for sure: this was only the beginning.
He was going to be the best.
And nothing was going to stand in his way.