The New Ranks and the Legend of Rion
The competitive ranking system in Dominion had always been straightforward:
Iron: 1 - 499
Bronze: 500 - 999
Platinum: 1,000 - 2,500
Gold: 2,600 - 3,800
Diamond: 3,900 - 4,600
For years, Diamond had been the pinnacle of achievement, a rank reserved for the elite. But that was before Rion, the prodigy of Crimson Sky, rewrote the rules. With an astounding rank of 5,008, Rion shattered the limits of Diamond, forcing the developers to respond.
In a landmark update, the Emerald and Adamant ranks were introduced:
Emerald: 5,000 - 6,000
Adamant: 6,200 - 7,500
To further ignite the competitive spirit, the developers unveiled game leaderboards. These didn't just display individual rankings but also showcased guild standings, adding a new layer of rivalry and camaraderie. Dominion's community was electrified, with players now vying for both personal glory and collective dominance.
MM's Second Floor: The Real Turf
Kaiza: (surprised) "I thought we were grabbing food or something. The second floor of MM? I didn't expect it to be your actual turf—not just some café."
Pulse: (laughing) "This isn't just some café, man. Ran's a childhood friend of mine. He founded MM years ago. This group? It's not just about Dominion; it's about years of bonds—in-game and in real life."
Kaiza's gaze swept across the room. The second floor was more than a gaming lounge; it was a hub of strategy, camaraderie, and celebration. Screens displayed replays of legendary matches, and a custom Dominion leaderboard dominated the wall, showcasing MM's guild standing.
Yuki leaned back in his chair, his voice calm but filled with admiration.
Yuki: "And let's not forget Rion's impact. He's reshaped what it means to be competitive in Dominion. Watching him play? It's like taking a masterclass in strategy and reflex."
Lin: (grinning) "Rion's the benchmark now. Every time I feel like I'm improving, I watch one of his replays and think, 'Nope, still nowhere near that.'"
Pulse: "Exactly. That's why the new ranks exist—because of him. He's changed the way we see the game."
Kaiza: "It sounds like he's not just breaking records—he's redefining the entire meta."
Yuki: (nodding) "It's not just about skill. It's about consistency. That's what makes him terrifying."
As the group celebrated with laughter, drinks, and a spread of food, the door swung open, and a latecomer walked in.
Pulse: "You're late, Allison! Haha."
Allison: (grinning) "So, where's the food at?"
The room filled with laughter as Allison's playful remark lightened the mood. After grabbing a plate, he turned to Lin with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Allison: "Hey Lin, we still haven't settled who's the best Shen user. Let's do our 1v1 now."
Lin: (smirking) "Finish eating first, then we'll see."
The Unspoken Rivalry
Kaiza leaned toward Pulse, his curiosity piqued.
Kaiza: "Allison's here?"
Pulse: (laughing) "Yeah, he's a big player in Dominion now. He's also a rookie at MM—but don't let that fool you. He's as much a part of this group as anyone else."
Kaiza smiled, memories of their childhood friendship flooding back.
Kaiza: "So why's he so fixated on the 1v1 with Lin?"
Pulse: "Simple. He wants to be the best Shen player in Dominion. Lin's the top Shen user here at MM, so Allison's got his sights set on dethroning him."
Kaiza: "If Lin's that good, why isn't he playing mid instead of Yuki?"
Pulse: "Lin's unbeatable with Shen, sure—but he's a one-trick. Ban Shen, and he's done. Yuki's different. He's versatile, dominating with any mid hero. That's why he's our go-to mid."
Kaiza nodded, intrigued by the dynamics of MM's players.
The party continued as Lin and Allison finally faced off. The room buzzed with anticipation as their match was projected onto the main screen.
Narrator: In Dominion, a 1v1 match is the ultimate test of skill. Players win by securing two kills against their opponent, testing both mechanics and adaptability under pressure.
Kaiza watched, captivated by the intensity of their duel. Lin's mastery of Shen was evident—his reflexes razor-sharp, his timing impeccable. Allison fought valiantly, landing a crucial hit that brought the crowd to its feet.
The match ended with Lin's victory, but Allison's grin remained undiminished.
Kaiza: "How did it go?"
Allison: (grinning) "I lost, but it's all good. I managed to score one kill. That's progress."
Kaiza: "Scoring on Lin? That's no small feat. Congrats!"
Allison laughed, his determination shining through.
Allison: "I've been studying his matches, but Lin's still a wall. One day, though—I'll be the best Shen player in Dominion."
Kaiza: (smiling) "I'll be rooting for you."
As the party wound down, Kaiza walked home, replaying the day's events in his mind. The camaraderie of MM's group, the intensity of Lin and Allison's match, and the intricacies of Dominion's strategies swirled in his thoughts.
For the first time, Kaiza began to grasp the depth of Dominion—and the bonds it forged.
Later that night, a notification lit up Kaiza's phone. It was from the MM group chat.
Pulse: "Everyone, welcome our newest member to the MM family—Kaiza!"
Kaiza stared at his screen, a mix of surprise and pride washing over him as messages of welcome flooded the chat.
Kaiza: (thinking) "This isn't just a game—it's a world I'm ready to be a part of."