Blazing Tiger was currently ranked among the top three players in Asia, and his military might was something to behold.
Moreover, maintaining such a vast territory was no small feat; it demanded massive resources that Luck could only imagine.
The only reason Blazing Tiger had never managed to outsmart him in war was simple: Luck was a genius when it came to war strategies, and his territory was also very far away.
But there was one area where Blazing Tiger had the upper hand: money.
As the number one top-up player in Asia, he had spent a staggering $4,250,000 in real cash on the game.
That kind of investment bought him not just powerful resources and rare items but also a huge advantage in terms of rapid troop training and upgrades.
This was also how he managed to sustain such a massive territory.
In comparison, Luck had spent just over $100,000, mostly from his parents' inheritance and some sponsorships before his downfall.
While it sounded like a lot, in the world of HEO, it barely registered.
He'd likely rank around 10,000th in top-up spending, showcasing how much cash players were pouring into the game.
This was the true financial power of HEO, which had transformed into a massive corporation in just a couple of years, boasting a valuation of $250 billion with a single game.
In comparison, the largest gaming company in the world, Son-e Entertainment, with its vast portfolio of intellectual properties spanning video games, movies, TV series, and more, boasted a market cap of $570 billion.
But how did HEO do it?
Where was all this money coming from?
Surely, a gamer couldn't have that much to spend on in-game items.
The answer lay in the popularity of WeTubers and streamers who played the game.
They raked in cash from sponsorships, ad revenue, and donations, all while entertaining their audiences with charisma and energy.
Some influencers even started selling their own merchandise, such as food, snacks, and energy drinks, to capitalize on the trend and prey on the people consuming their content.
Luck knew he could have followed the path of gaming influencers. With his skills and knowledge, he could have been successful in that arena.
However, he lacked the charisma and stamina for live streaming.
Just the thought of interacting with an audience, dealing with chat trolls, and maintaining a high-energy persona drained him.
If he had that energy to begin with, he could just train as an athlete.
Back to his phone, he scrolled through the recent news about the current condition of Argan.
The reports painted a bleak picture, showing rising tensions and resource shortages that put the empire's stability at risk
'This could be a good chance. What could possibly go wrong teaming up with a rich kid?'
With that in mind, he replied to her, confirming his decision to join the alliance.
It was a no-brainer—this opportunity would allow him to build a connection with Blazing Tiger, a literal tycoon in the gaming world.
THUD!
The driver hit a bump in the road, shaking him from his thoughts.
Soon, the bus station came into view.
A row of convenience stores filled the street, their vibrant signs vying for attention.
"Here we are," the driver announced, bringing the car to a stop.
Luck took out his wallet and handed over the fare.
He could see people rushing about; some arriving, others departing.
Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the car, grabbed his bag, and made his way toward the ticket booth.
"One ticket to Nagoya, please,"