The Immortal Player

Inside Team Fuji's Discussion Room...

Everyone could only stare blankly at the monitor that was displaying some highlights of the first match.

It was only after almost a minute did a long-haired man sighed. Then, he glanced to the man seating opposite him, and asked, "Kageyama-san... What's the plan now?"

Kazuto Kageyama glanced at him and sighed. He said, "We are done..."

"I see…" Ryu murmured in a heartbroken tone whilst slowly gazing down to the floor. Then, he added, "Are we going to forfeit the next match? I mean... It's not that I am giving up on winning already, but... Obviously, our strength lies in our Vampire Race. And... Our opponents... They were able to defeat us, without even losing a single man!"

Ryu glanced back to Kazuto Kageyama before saying, "Two hundred thousand vampires... I don't think that even the whole of the United Asian Force would be able to fight that!"

"I understand what you want to say, Ryu!" Kazuto Kageyama said calmly. "And... I know that our defeat is inevitable!"

Kazuto Kageyama paused for a second before saying, "However... It is not enough to be a reason for us to forfeit our next match! I want all of you to think of this event as a source of experience, a measure of strength, rather than a simple competition with a prize."

"Because... It would be an unrecoverable disaster... if such battles occurred in the actual game!" Kazuto Kageyama said, making everyone else shift their attention towards him. Then, he added, "Remember... The true competition exists inside of Bearth Online!"

"If that's what you plan... Then... We got your back, Kageyama-san!" Ryu said confidently. 

The other players nodded in agreement with what Ryu said. 

Kazuto Kageyama simply smiled in response and said, "Thanks, everyone!" 

"Moving forward..." Ryu interjected, to kill the awkward atmosphere in the room. He added, "Kageyama-san... Should we change factions now, and try to be acquainted or, if possible, be allied with Team ARES?"

Kazuto Kageyama glared towards Ryu, making Ryu force out a smile in response.

Ryu said, "I know that it won't be easy because of the United Asian Force case, but... I think... It is worth the try, considering that Team ARES might be the best team in the world when it comes to Bearth Online!"

"Do you even need to ask me that?" Kazuto Kageyama coldly asked. "It's obvious that we should be acquainted with them, at the least, after this match!"

"About our participation in the United Asian Force... I can make a public apology towards the Philippines players, at worst!" Kazuto Kageyama added. "Besides... I doubt that the Philippines players still have that much resentment, right after what happened to the United Asian Force."

"Anyway... Let's discuss that later on!" Kazuto Kageyama said before standing from his seat. Then, he said, "Let's focus on our next match and make sure to learn a lot from our opponents! Let's gain as much as we can from this competition!" 

"Yes, Captain!" Everyone from Team Fuji shouted in response.

At this moment, an old man in a suit who was peaking in the door—nodded with a smile to Kazuto Kageyama. 

Kazuto Kageyama simply nodded in response, thus, making the old man leave with a smile on his face.

'I was right in choosing you as the Guild Leader, Kazuto!' The old man said deep inside.

…

Time passed by and the second match began. The audience was hyped about how Team Fuji would be able to fight back against the unstoppable force of Team ARES.

Unfortunately, to their dismay, the second match was a Battlefield Combat Simulation—that was obviously beneficial for the stronger Team ARES.

And unlike the first match that lasted for hours, the second match did not even reach the 10-minute mark.

Lony and Talia single-handedly dominated the battlefield, annihilating everyone from Team Fuji mercilessly. 

For some reason, Kazuto Kageyama was not as strong as he was when he first fought Pedro inside the real game, in the Tarala Kingdom.

Pedro knew that the reason behind it was either their difference in the level of their characters, or it was the result of their intense training under Clara and Ragas.

Whatever's the case, Pedro and the rest of Team ARES happily took the win... And the long break that comes with it before the Playoffs Round.

On the other hand, although they lost miserably to a newly established organization in the VR Sports Industry, Team Fuji exited the competition with the Japanese Fans still cheering for them, for fighting 'till the end.

"Congrats! Good Game!" Kazuto Kageyama said to Pedro as the two teams shook hands after the second match.

Pedro smiled and said, "Good Game! Thanks!"

"Can I add you in the game?" Kazuto Kageyama asked out of the blue—astonishing Pedro in response.

"No add?" Kazuto Kageyama asked after Pedro's few seconds of silence.

Pedro simply laughed in response and said, "No, No, No! I am totally fine with it. Hahahaha! Let's meet at the Adventurer's Guild Branch on the Tarala Kingdom later, and continue our discussion!"

"Sure, Sure! I'll see you then!" Kazuto Kageyama said with a smile on his face.

"See you!" Pedro shook Kazuto Kageyama one last time before shaking Ryu-san and the other members of Team Fuji.

After the friendly gestures, the two teams exited the Arena—one team emerging Victorious.

And this time, it was Team ARES!

Filipino fans all over the world, who watched the live coverage of the Elimination Match, started jumping up and down as if they had won the lottery.

While the other audience, even the Japanese Fans, applauded the two teams for a great match.

Good Game it is, indeed.

That said… Not all people were satisfied after watching such a good match.

Some People… They were nervous!

"The pressure is real!" Weyron grumbled before shaking his hands and exhaling heavily.

Armaz Electronics Inc. Director, Veronica Santiago, simply chuckled in response and said, "Relax, Wey! If your cousin Pedro can do it, so can you and the whole of Team Oran Gutan!"

"Director is right, Guild Leader! If Team A can do it, we can also do it!" One of the players from Team Oran Gutan shouted in response.

"Yeah! He's right, Guild Leader! We'll kick anyone's @ss, even if it is Team A!"

"Yeah! Yeah!"

"AISH!" Weyron randomly swung his hands to make everyone quiet—out of his annoyance. Then, he said, "You guys can make such brave claims! So… Anyone who would die needlessly later, would be sent to the reserves, IS THAT CLEAR?"

"Awwe!"

"Awwe!" +1

"Awwe!" +2

…

All of the 48 players under Team Oran Gutan grumbled at what Weyron said about being part of the reserves. That said, they eventually laughed—knowing that their guild leader was anxious and nervous at that moment.

"What would you do, guild master, if no one dies?" One player asked. "Would we get some kind of incentives? Hahahaha!"

"Incentives my @ss!" Weyron grumbled. "Say that to me if all of you survives the match this afternoon!"

Everyone laughed in response.

Then, they glanced towards Meen and started saying, "Vice Leader, our fate is in your hands! Hahahaha!" 

Meen simply smirked and said, "We can only try breaking the system!"

"Yeah! Yeah!"

The room was filled with cheers and laughter as the Players of Team Oran Gutan were filled with excitement for their first professional match, EXCEPT for Weyron.

```

At this moment, Team ARES was taking a short break in their discussion room in the Arena, before heading towards the Press Conference Area.

"Well done, everyone!" Pedro said. "I did not expect the opponents to pack some punch in the first match, but… We somehow got through it without using any of our aces. Sadly… After the Press Conference… We have to immediately go back to the hotel! We're kinda late for our daily routine! Haha…"

"Oh… Sheet! I almost forgot about that!" Talia cursed in response. "Hehe… Can't the match be considered as a replacement to our daily routine instead, Expert Cap?"

Pedro simply smirked in response and said, "Don't ask me! Ask the little girl with green hair!"

Talia's eyes enlarged and simply averted his gaze from Pedro while saying, "Never mind!"

"Since some of us are less likely to join the press conference, is okay for us to head back first?" Arvedar interjected whilst raising his hand. Then, he added, "I am glad for the win, but… The little girl's punishment is scary!"

Pedro could only sigh in response, before saying, "Don't be like that! Let's go back together! We're a team, right? Besides... I don't want to be punished by the little girl too!"

Aldo simply chuckled in response and said, "That's your problem, bro! It's time for you guys to experience my daily dose of suffering! Hahahaha!"

Pedro could only force out a smile in response before glancing to his mother, and asked, "Mom… Who's in for the interview?"

Everyone followed his glance and was nervously waiting for Armaz Electronics Inc. President, Caroline Armaz's response. Well… All of them were nervous except Sabrina.

Mrs. Caroline Armaz could only force out a smile and say, "Lony…"

"Kheuk!" Lony cried as if he was shot by a gun.

Sadly, Mrs. Caroline Armaz can't understand what they were nervous about, and she could only glance at Talia, saying, 'Talia…'

"Kheuk!" Talia cried as if she was also shot by a gun.

"Lastly, Sabby… And of course… you, son!" Mrs. Caroline Armaz said as she glanced at Pedro.

"Darn!" Pedro cursed—obviously faking that he did not expect to be part of the group who were asked to participate in the Post Match Press Conference.

On the other hand, everyone else that was not required to join the Post Match Press Conference was relieved, as if they got exempted on some sort of elimination match.

"Ehem! Ehem!" Talia faked several coughs before whispering to Pedro, "Expert Bro… Should we head to the Post Match Press Conference while everyone else is still celebrating?"

"Good idea!" Pedro said with a smirk on his face. Then, he glanced at his mother and said, "Mom, let's go!"

"To the Press Conference Area?" Mrs. Caroline Armaz asked.

"Yeah!" Pedro simply nodded in response. "So, that we can catch up with everyone else in our training afterward!"

"Oh!" Aldo stared at the smiling Pedro for a second before saying, "Bro Roval, Bro Arvee, let's go back to the hotel now! Bro Pedro and Talia are scheming to catch up... I don't want to get punished once again!"

Unfortunately, Arvee and Roval could only glance at Mrs. Caroline Armaz and Mrs. Marisa Conception for their approval.

Pedro and Sabrina's Mothers were the ones who were managing and guiding them during their trip, including their food and other activities.

So, it became a norm for everyone to ask for their guidance during these moments.

Mrs. Caroline Armaz simply nodded towards Mrs. Marisa Conception and said, "Mars, kindly guide them back into the hotel. I'll take care of the Press Conference Group."

"Okay!" Mrs. Marisa Conception nodded in response before glancing to Aldo and the rest, who were itching to go back to the hotel already.

Aldo smiled happily in response. Then, he glanced at Pedro and said, "Bro, Good Game!"