The energy in the arena was palpable as the National Championship kicked off. Teams from every corner of the country had gathered, their eyes set on the ultimate prize. The crowd buzzed with excitement, and even in the quiet moments before the first match, Tang Rou could feel the weight of the tournament pressing down on her.
Her hands rested lightly on the keyboard, her fingers twitching in anticipation as the tournament schedule was announced on the large screen overhead. The first round of matches flashed across the screen, and Tang Rou's gaze instinctively sought out Starlight. They weren't in her bracket yet, but that didn't ease the tension. She knew that their paths would inevitably cross.
"Looks like we're up against Crimson Viper in the first round," Su Mucheng said, leaning back in her chair and glancing over at the rest of the team. "They're fast, but we've beaten them before."
Ye Xiu nodded thoughtfully. "Don't underestimate them. They've added a few new players since we last faced them. We'll need to stay sharp, especially in the early game. They like to catch teams off guard with aggressive openings."
Tang Rou listened carefully, her focus already shifting to the match ahead. Crimson Viper had been a solid team in the past, known for their fast, unpredictable playstyle. They had the potential to throw teams off balance if they weren't careful, but Tang Rou wasn't worried. She had faced aggressive teams before, and she was confident in her ability to adapt.
As the countdown for their match began, Tang Rou's heart rate picked up, the familiar rush of adrenaline surging through her veins. The arena seemed to fade into the background, the noise of the crowd becoming a distant hum as she focused solely on the game.
Three seconds.
Her fingers hovered over the keys, her eyes locked on the screen.
Two seconds.
The map loaded, the layout already memorized from countless hours of practice.
One second.
The match began.
Crimson Viper wasted no time, their team charging forward with an aggressive opening that forced Tang Rou's team onto the defensive. As expected, they were fast—faster than she remembered. Their movements were coordinated, their attacks precise, but Tang Rou's instincts kicked in immediately. She didn't panic. Instead, she adjusted her position, working with her teammates to counter the onslaught.
"Hold the line," Ye Xiu's voice came through the comms, calm but commanding. "They're trying to overwhelm us early, but they'll tire out if we keep them at bay."
Tang Rou's hands moved with practiced speed, her character dodging and weaving through the battlefield as she blocked and countered Crimson Viper's attacks. They were fast, but they weren't perfect. Their aggressive approach left gaps in their formation, and Tang Rou was quick to exploit them.
"They're overextending," Tang Rou muttered into the comms. "We can turn this around."
"Let's hit them now," Zhang Jiale added, his character already moving to flank the enemy.
With a quick, coordinated effort, the Chinese team launched a counterattack. Tang Rou's character darted forward, striking at the weakest points in Crimson Viper's formation. Her attacks were precise, each movement calculated to disrupt their rhythm.
Crimson Viper tried to rally, but they were caught off guard by the sudden shift in momentum. Within moments, their aggressive push turned into a hasty retreat as Tang Rou and her team pressed the advantage. The crowd erupted into cheers as the tide of the match shifted decisively in their favor.
"They're falling apart," Su Mucheng said, her voice filled with excitement. "Let's finish this."
Tang Rou didn't need to be told twice. Her focus narrowed as she led the final charge, her attacks fast and relentless. With each passing second, Crimson Viper's defenses crumbled, and it wasn't long before the match was over.
Victory.
The word flashed across the screen, and Tang Rou let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. The first round was theirs, and they had won decisively.
"Good work, everyone," Ye Xiu said, standing from his chair. "That was a solid start, but the real challenge is still ahead. Stay sharp."
Tang Rou nodded, but she couldn't shake the feeling that had been lingering in the back of her mind. The victory over Crimson Viper had been important, but it was just the beginning. She knew that every match from here on out would be tougher, and her thoughts kept drifting back to Starlight. She would face Shade soon—it was inevitable.
The next few rounds of the tournament passed in a blur of intense matches and high-stakes battles. Tang Rou's team continued to dominate, their coordination and strategies growing sharper with each victory. Every team they faced brought something new to the table, but they adapted, adjusted, and came out on top each time.
But as the tournament progressed, the tension began to build. The brackets were narrowing, and soon, only the top teams remained. Tang Rou's heart raced every time she glanced at the tournament screen, knowing that their rematch with Starlight was drawing closer.
Finally, it happened.
China National Team vs. Starlight.
The words flashed on the screen, and Tang Rou felt her pulse quicken. This was the moment she had been waiting for—the rematch with Shade. The arena seemed to buzz with anticipation, the crowd's energy growing as they realized that one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament was about to begin.
"They're better than before," Ye Xiu said as they gathered in the locker room, his voice steady but serious. "We've seen how they've been playing. They've improved their coordination, and Shade's leadership has gotten sharper. This won't be like last time."
Tang Rou nodded, her mind focused entirely on the task ahead. She had seen Starlight's matches in the previous rounds, and it was clear that they had grown since the Winter Clash. Shade was more dangerous now—his strategies more refined, his team more cohesive. But Tang Rou had grown too.
"We stick to the plan," Ye Xiu continued. "We know how they like to play. They'll try to control the pace of the match, force us into a defensive position, and then strike. We can't let them dictate the flow."
Tang Rou's hands clenched into fists, her resolve hardening. "We'll take the fight to them. I'm ready."
Ye Xiu smiled faintly, a glint of confidence in his eyes. "I know you are."
The crowd roared as both teams took the stage, the atmosphere in the arena electric with anticipation. Tang Rou sat at her station, her hands hovering over the keyboard, her gaze fixed on the screen. Across the stage, Shade and his team were setting up, their expressions calm and focused.
Shade hadn't removed his mask, but Tang Rou could feel his eyes on her. This was their moment—the rematch they had both been preparing for.
As the countdown began, the noise of the arena faded into the background. Tang Rou's world narrowed to the screen in front of her, the familiar hum of the game's interface filling her senses.
Three seconds.
Her heart raced, but her mind was clear.
Two seconds.
The map loaded, the layout already imprinted in her memory.
One second.
The match began.
Starlight moved with surgical precision, their opening aggressive but controlled. Shade was leading the charge, his character darting across the battlefield with speed and precision. Tang Rou's fingers flew across the keyboard as she adjusted her position, her focus laser-sharp.
"They're going for an early push," Su Mucheng called out. "They're trying to force us into a defensive position."
"Hold your ground," Ye Xiu ordered, his voice calm but firm. "We'll turn this around soon enough."
Tang Rou watched as Shade's team closed in, their movements coordinated and precise. It was clear that they had prepared for this moment just as much as she had. But she wasn't about to back down. She had learned from their last encounter, and this time, she was ready.
"They're moving to flank us," Zhang Jiale warned. "We need to disrupt their formation before they close in."
Tang Rou nodded, her mind racing as she assessed the situation. Shade was trying to control the pace of the match, but she wasn't going to let him. With a quick series of commands, she repositioned her character, moving to intercept Shade's advance.
The battle between them was intense, each move countered by the other. Shade was fast, his attacks relentless, but Tang Rou was faster. Her reflexes were honed, her instincts sharp, and for every strike he made, she had an answer.
"They're faltering," Su Mucheng called out. "Keep pushing!"
Tang Rou's pulse raced as she pressed the attack, her character moving with blinding speed as she closed in on Shade. The crowd roared as the battle reached its peak, both teams fighting with everything they had.
And then, in a single, decisive moment, Tang Rou saw her opening.
Without hesitation, she launched a perfectly timed counterattack, breaking through Shade's defenses and turning the tide of the match. Shade tried to recover, but it was too late. Tang Rou's attacks were too fast, too precise.
With one final strike, Shade's character fell.
Victory.
The word flashed across the screen, and the arena erupted into cheers. Tang Rou leaned back in her chair, her heart pounding in her chest as the adrenaline of the match surged through her. They had done it. They had defeated Starlight once again.