The training complex buzzed with nervous energy. Only 60 players remained. Another cut would come in 48 hours, one that would leave only the final 30 standing for the Phoenix Elite Championship.
For most, the pressure came from competition.But for Shen Wanqing… the pressure now came from within.
Reign had trusted her. Publicly. Repeatedly.And that made her dangerous not just to others, but to him.
Because in a world of sponsors, silent alliances, and career risks, loyalty wasn't a virtue.
It was a weakness waiting to be exploited.
Training Room 6 – Internal Briefing
Coach Duan called Reign into a closed-door meeting.
"You know the whispers, Zeyan."
He didn't reply.
"Wanqing's rising too fast. Some sponsors are already threatening to pull support from players she's outshining."
"She deserves her rank."
"She's not signed."
"I know."
"Then let me be clear," Coach Duan leaned in. "Your name is leverage. If you pull her too close, she becomes your liability."
Reign stood quietly. "That's not my problem."
Duan gave him a long look. "It is. If you want to stay clean."
Dorm Balcony – Midnight
Wanqing sat cross-legged on the cold tile floor of the balcony, hoodie pulled up, earbuds in. She was rewatching VODs from her sniper duel matches, analyzing micro-movements.
She didn't notice Reign approach until he leaned against the railing.
"Still working?"
"Always," she said without looking up. "I don't have a name like yours to fall back on."
He was silent.
Then finally, "You do now."
Wanqing blinked. Looked at him.
He held up his phone. The homepage of the LuTech Gaming website was open.A new article posted:
"QingQingSnipes and Reign Top Trust Trial – Rumors of Duo Endorsement Deal Swirl."
Her throat tightened. "You… put me forward for a contract?"
"I told them to watch your match footage. They decided on their own."
She stared at him. "You realize what that does, right? They'll say I'm riding your name. That I slept my way into the circuit."
He met her gaze, completely calm. "Then we'll let them keep talking. While you keep winning."
She didn't know what scared her more: the fact that he was risking backlash for her…Or the part of her that wanted to let him.
Practice Scrim – Night Session
Teams rotated in and out of mock matches. Wanqing and Reign were temporarily placed on opposite teams, a test to gauge adaptability and threat awareness.
The round began.
The moment she spotted Reign in her scope, vaulting a low wall in Hacienda, her breath caught.
She didn't take the shot.
He moved, rotated wide, vanished.
Ten minutes later, he was behind her squad's flank.
She knew before she saw him.
She turned just in time to aim…
But she hesitated again.
And in that second, he shot her, a single bullet to the shoulder (non-fatal in sim mode), knocking her down. Then he stepped into view. Didn't finish her.
He looked straight at her and typed in team chat:
"Hesitation is betrayal."
Cafeteria – Post-Scrim Silence
Later that night, they sat at opposite tables.
She didn't look at him.
He didn't speak.
But both of them felt it: the quiet wedge beginning to form. Not out of anger, but out of fear.
Because if she trusted him too much, she'd lose her edge.
And if he trusted her at all…He might lose everything.
Reign's Room – Past Midnight
He stared at the screen.
Private message received:
Unknown ID: "You're letting your emotions compromise you again. Don't make the same mistake twice."
A second message followed:
"You remember what happened last time, don't you?"
He closed the laptop slowly.
Outside, the wind rattled the windows.
And inside him, something much darker stirred... something buried long ago.