The roar of the crowd filled the Esports Arena, electrifying the atmosphere. Cheer after cheer was shouted for the teams they supported.
The flashing lights only added to the tension.
Nervous breaths could be heard from every player.
Except for one.
"N0thing has successfully wasted the Hugo team's time," said Caster 3.
"Right, who do you think will be the MVP of this match?" asked Caster 2.
"In my opinion... N0thing deserves it," answered the Analyst.
But then, unexpectedly...
"Oh! Sean just outplayed the entire VT1 team!"
"Unbelievable, VT1 is all wiped out... leaving only N0thing alive," announced Caster 2.
The casters and analyst stood up, as if sensing the match was about to be decided.
The entire audience held their breath, unable to predict the winner.
"The Hugo team is pushing into the high ground, about to destroy VT1's Omega core."
But then...
N0thing pulled off a clutch play, taking down three Hugo players in a flash.
"Wow! N0thing with the clutch! He just eliminated three!" shouted Caster 1.
"Could this be the comeback?"
"Possibly... because the other VT1 players are about to respawn," replied the Analyst.
But... perhaps it just wasn't his lucky day.
N0thing miscalculated. He hadn't expected... Hugo's top lane damage to be utterly overwhelming. And just like that, he fell.
"N0thing goes up against Burbosa... Oh no! Nothing is taken down! Is this the end?" cried Caster 1.
"Burbosa and Sean... along with the minions... are pushing into the high ground... and are about to attack VT1's Omega," said Caster 3, his voice nearly gone.
DEFEAT
Hugo's fans erupted in cheers. The casters were hoarse... from witnessing such an intense match.
N0THING, or Natz, slowly removed his headset, his eyes fixed on the monitor. No dramatic expression crossed his face, just a hint of disappointment... whether for himself or his team, it was unclear.
On the stats screen, his name topped the charts... in both damage dealt and gold earned.
Natz leaned back in his chair and looked up at the ceiling... "Sigh... I should have known... this match was destined to be a loss from the start."
"Nice try," his Captain said to Natz, offering a hand.
Natz stood up from his chair and walked toward the locker room.
Inside, his teammates were already breaking down in tears, devastated by their failure to advance to the next round.
Natz sat on a couch... and lowered his head. Not from depression, but from sheer exhaustion.
"This time... it just wasn't meant for us. We can use this match as a lesson," said the Coach.
Natz looked up at him.
"We need to step up our gameplay... and check our egos. That's all I wanted to say. Get some rest... and prepare for the next tournament," the coach added.
The VT1 players left the Esports Arena with heavy hearts.
Natz was the last to leave, wearing a neutral expression... as if nothing had happened.
In the parking lot... his father was waiting.
He knew... his son had just suffered a defeat. So, he decided not to press him with questions just yet.
They got into the car.
The car started moving.
Silence.
The car was utterly silent.
No conversation.
"Dad," Natz said, breaking the stillness.
His father, startled, glanced at him. "What is it?"
"Can we stop by the game center for a bit?" Natz asked.
His father simply nodded in agreement.
They arrived at the game center, and Natz walked into the store.
"Welcome!" greeted the friendly cashier.
Natz nodded. "Got any interesting games?" he asked.
"Oh, definitely! For example, Vulcan: Agata, or if you want a puzzle-based gameplay, there's Hizart," the cashier suggested. "Anything else you'd like to know?"
"Hmm... no, that's all. Thanks... sorry for bothering you," Natz replied.
He left the store.
And got back into the car.
"Did you buy anything?" his father asked.
"Nothing..." Natz said.
His father didn't ask further... and they continued their journey home.
A few minutes later.
They finally arrived home.
Knock knock
Natz knocked on the door, and his mother opened it.
"Natz... you're back?" she asked.
"Yeah... I'm back," Natz replied, short and quiet.
Natz went inside and headed straight to his room.
His bedroom door closed.
His father and mother started talking.
"What's wrong with Natz? He's not usually like this," his mother asked.
"Probably because of the loss... I'm not really sure either," his father answered.
Suddenly...
Someone chimed in.
A slender, feminine finger gestured dismissively.
"No way Natz is scared of losing... that's impossible," said the young woman.
She stepped out... revealing herself.
"Then... if it's not about losing... what else could it be?" his mother asked, sounding weary.
"He's probably just tired, that's all," said his little sister.
On his glowing phone screen, Natz was scrolling through something online.
--
GAMING COMMUNITY
FRit1:
Yo,you know that super hyped game right now... Terminus Horizon.
Gulala:
Of course I know...what about it?
Vincent:
That game is awesome,you have total freedom to create your character.
FRit1:
For real?That good? Alright, I'll try it later.
--
Natz stopped scrolling... and placed his phone on the bed.
And a smile slowly spread across his face. He looked... happy.