The next morning, the world buzzed with whispers I'd already expected.
"Lyra's heiress is forming a team."
"Rumor says she's targeting ZGDX."
"Who does she think she is?"
I didn't bother answering.
Let them talk — noise fades. Results don't.
The elevator doors slid open to reveal the Lyra e-sports division — a gleaming space of glass walls, minimalist furniture, and cold, humming servers.
Rows of analysts looked up from their screens as I walked through, every step echoing against marble floors.
"Good morning, Miss Qin."
"Morning, Director."
"Ma'am, the scouting files you requested—"
I raised a hand lightly. "On the desk."
They scattered — efficient, well-trained. My kind of people.
On the center screen, a 3D holographic chart displayed every active player in the national league.
A red tag pulsed faintly on one name: Lao K (ZGDX).
The system remembered my last opponent.
My lips curved. "Not yet," I murmured, swiping past his profile. "We'll get there."
---
I spent the rest of the day reviewing profiles. Not stars — no, they were already taken. I wanted the shadows. The players the world ignored.
A teenage prodigy banned for "toxicity."
A quiet girl who coded mods in secret cafés.
A strategist once blacklisted for "over-analyzing
By sunset, my list was complete.
Five names. Five pieces of a weapon no one would see coming.
I leaned back in my chair and looked at the city skyline — a reflection of power and chaos stitched together in light.
"Schedule the invites," I told my assistant. "Tonight."
> "Miss Qin, it's already past eight—"
"Good," I interrupted. "The best players don't sleep early."
---
Three hours later
The private training arena on Lyra's 37th floor buzzed with low murmurs and curiosity.
Five players stood before me — some skeptical, some defiant, all talented.
The air carried that familiar scent of adrenaline and energy drinks.
"Welcome to ECLIPSE," I said, walking to the center. "You weren't chosen for reputation. You were chosen because you lost something — and you still came back."
They watched me in silence.
A tall, sharp-eyed boy — Ashen, my ADC — crossed his arms. "You're really funding this yourself? Everyone says rich girls don't last long in competition."
I smiled. "Then it's a good thing I'm not everyone."
Luna, the soft-spoken support, raised a brow. "And what's our goal?"
My gaze flicked to the massive digital display behind them. It showed ZGDX's logo — crimson and proud.
"Our goal," I said, "is to make them look up at us."
A hush. Then a spark. That was how belief began — quiet, then unstoppable.
---
Later that night, I lingered alone in the darkened arena.
The screens glowed faintly, reflecting off the glass walls.
I logged into the game for the first time as ECLIPSE.Nyx.
New team tag. New legacy.
Seconds later, a message popped up.
> Lao K: So, you're recruiting. Word travels fast.
Nyx: You keeping tabs on me, Captain's shadow?
Lao K: Professional curiosity. You play differently from anyone I've faced.
Nyx: I could say the same about you.
Lao K: Rumor says the Lyra heiress is dangerous.
Nyx: Rumor says ZGDX is getting comfortable.
A pause.
> Lao K: Comfortable isn't the same as careless.
Nyx: We'll test that theory soon.
His reply came slower this time.
> Lao K: Can't wait.
---
The next morning, I stepped into the national qualifier conference.
Reporters swarmed the stage, flashes snapping, microphones thrust forward.
The moment I appeared, the noise broke into chaos.
> "Miss Qin, is it true you created ECLIPSE to challenge ZGDX?"
"Are you using your company to manipulate the league?"
"Do you have a personal relationship with ZGDX's jungler, Lao K?"
That last question made me pause — just long enough to smile.
"I don't mix business with personal matters," I said smoothly, "but if ZGDX's jungler is worried, tell him to practice harder."
The crowd erupted.
Somewhere across the hall, near the ZGDX booth, a familiar pair of eyes met mine.
Cool. Focused. A hint of amusement flickering behind them.
Lao K.
He didn't smile. Neither did I.
But the air between us crackled — like two players who already knew the other's next move.
Game on.
---
✨ End of Chapter 3 — "ECLIPSE: The Birth of a Legend"
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