Chapter 5: Heading to Chicago
The airplane slowly taxied along the runway.
Through the window, AdrianCross watched the terminal building shrink into the distance.
His journey had finally begun.
Chicago.
The gateway to the NationalBasketballAssociation.
Just thinking about it made his chest tighten with excitement.
Buzz.
His phone vibrated.
A message popped up from MalikaGrant.
"Remember to message me when you land. And don't flirt with the flight attendants on the plane."
Adrian chuckled.
Over the past few days, both Malika and TaylorBrooks had been messaging him constantly.
"Got it."
He replied with a laughing emoji before putting his phone back into his bag.
The man sitting beside him suddenly leaned closer, studying his face carefully.
"Hey… aren't you that basketball guy from the internet?"
Adrian froze.
Before he could deny it, the man excitedly pulled out his phone.
"That dunk video! The one where you shattered the backboard!"
"Are you going to America to play basketball?"
The nearby passengers immediately turned their heads.
Whispers spread across the cabin.
Adrian could only smile politely and nod.
Fame really traveled fast.
He quickly put on his headphones and leaned back in his seat.
Peace and quiet were impossible now.
The ten-hourflight felt endless.
Some passengers slept.
Some watched movies.
Adrian sat with a small notebook open on his tray table, studying basketball strategies.
A gentle voice suddenly spoke beside him.
"Sir, would you like something to drink?"
Adrian looked up.
The flight attendant standing there wore a neat navy uniform, her hair tied into a tidy bun.
A small dimple appeared when she smiled.
Her name tag read Lina.
"Coke," Adrian said.
"With ice, please."
Several hours later.
Most passengers were asleep.
The cabin lights were dim.
Adrian quietly stood up and walked toward the restroom.
After returning to his seat, he stretched his shoulders.
Suddenly—
A strange surge of energy flowed through his body.
Every muscle felt more explosive.
Adrian immediately opened the system panel in his mind.
The Speedattribute flickered.
94→95
A message appeared.
[New Connection Established! Speed Attribute +1]
Adrian blinked.
"Wait…"
"That works too?"
If gaining connections increased his attributes…
Then his improvement speed might be far faster than he imagined.
He shook his head and leaned back into his seat.
Right now, he had only one goal.
Chicago.
When the plane finally landed at O'HareInternationalAirport, the sky outside was already dark.
Adrian stepped out of the terminal.
Cold wind swept through the streets.
Welcome to Chicago.
Meanwhile, the internet was still exploding with discussions about him.
Someone had leaked the news that Adrian was heading to Chicago to participate in the NBADraftCombine.
The hashtag #AdrianCrossNBAChallenge began trending.
Basketball forums were filled with heated debates.
"Type 'Support' if you believe Adrian Cross can shock the NBA!"
"Relax. He's just a streetball player."
"Have you seen his athleticism? That vertical leap is insane!"
"Athleticism alone isn't enough for the NBA."
"I bet he won't even score ten points in the combine scrimmages."
The internet was always like this.
Where there were fans…
There were also doubters.
Some analysts praised his potential.
Others criticized the hype.
One sports commentator even posted a long article titled:
"Stop Overhyping Internet Basketball Stars."
The comment section immediately turned into chaos.
Some defended Adrian.
Others mocked him.
Arguments exploded everywhere.
At that exact moment, Adrian walked out of the airport entrance.
The cold Chicago wind brushed across his face.
His phone vibrated again.
It was a message from the flight attendant.
"The apartment key is waiting for you at the front desk. The address is attached."
Adrian glanced at the message before putting his phone away.
In the distance, Chicago's towering skyline stretched toward the night sky.
He lowered the hood of his sweatshirt and hailed a taxi.
"Where to?" the driver asked.
Adrian handed him the address.
The taxi pulled away.
Streetlights flashed past the window.
Adrian closed his eyes.
Inside his mind, the layout of the combine court replayed again and again.
Let them argue.
Let them doubt.
In two days…
On the court…
He would show the basketball world exactly who AdrianCross was.
The real stage was about to begin.