While Don was low-key feeling heavy in the heart, even though he didn't show much, Starfall immediately noticed the slight shift in his expression.
His sharp eyes missed nothing.
"Hey."
"Cheer up."
"I've got good news for you."
Don leaned forward slightly.
"What good news?"
Starfall casually pulled a piece of gum from his pocket and tossed it across the desk.
Don caught it easily.
"You can start work here on the 30th at 8 PM."
"You'll be registered as a probationary member of the studio."
Don blinked.
"Probationary?"
Starfall's expression turned a little more serious.
"Now let's talk about something important."
"Our studio operates differently from others."
He pointed toward the hall outside the office.
"There are 120 computers out there."
"But in the end…"
"Only five people will remain."
Don understood instantly.
"An elimination system?"
"Exactly."
"You're the 120th probationary member."
"The last person we recruited."
"The studio's owner will select the five players with the most suitable levels and classes to form the final team."
Starfall shrugged casually.
"As for the other 115 people…"
"They can go home and find their mothers."
Don burst out laughing.
Starfall's sense of humor clearly hadn't changed at all.
"Brother," Don said.
"I actually like small teams."
"Of course you do," Starfall replied.
"You've been leading a small team for the past three years."
Don nodded.
"I had four subordinates."
"That gives you an advantage."
Starfall folded his hands together and began explaining the rules in detail.
"The elimination competition begins at midnight on October 1st and ends at noon on October 7th."
"Everyone must submit their character ID and class to the studio's official mailbox."
"The company will verify the information."
"From there…"
"It's a race to level up."
He paused before adding another important detail.
"But even if someone reaches the highest level…"
"That doesn't guarantee they'll be chosen."
Don frowned slightly.
"Their class?"
Starfall nodded.
"Their class must fit the team composition of Extraordinary Studio."
"If it doesn't…"
"They won't make the final cut."
Don sighed softly.
"Brother…"
"You're not playing."
"Brother Dave isn't playing."
"Brother Crest and Sister Jean aren't playing either…"
"It's going to feel pretty lonely."
Starfall chuckled.
"Young man…"
"Don't say that yet."
"When you pass the selection…"
"You won't be lonely anymore."
Don's eyes suddenly lit up.
"Wait… does that mean another Beyond the Heavens legend is returning?"
Starfall slowly raised a finger to his lips.
"Shh."
"That's a secret."
Then he laughed again.
"Do you feel cheated?"
"You gave up a stable manager job just to become a probationary professional gamer."
Don shook his head without hesitation.
"I came here to chase my original dream."
For a moment, Starfall simply looked at him.
There was a faint gleam in his eyes.
"Work hard."
"I have high hopes for you."
The two of them chatted for another half hour.
They reminisced about the old days of Beyond the Heavens.
Many former legends had already moved on.
Some were running farms.
Others had started families.
Some had retired completely from gaming.
But one thing remained true.
Legends could always be reborn.
And perhaps…
A new legend would begin with Realms Online.
Two days later.
September 30th, 8 PM
Don arrived at Extraordinary Studio, carrying his second-generation light-sensing glasses to go with the pod, the official login device for Realms Online.
Fortunately, the studio was only a ten-minute walk from his apartment.
The hall was now completely full.
All 120 computers were occupied.
After scanning his ID at the front desk time clock, Don walked inside.
His assigned seat was:
Seat 17
He sat down.
Then glanced left.
Then right.
And immediately smiled.
Fortunately…
Both of his neighbors were beautiful women.
Don leaned back slightly in his chair and glanced toward the two seats beside him.
Almost immediately, a smile crept onto his face.
In his twenty-three years of life, he had met countless people. Yet the two women seated beside him were undeniably extraordinary.
The woman sitting at Seat #16 to his left wore simple short-sleeved sportswear. Her skin carried a healthy light bronze tone, and her athletic figure looked incredibly well-trained. She had short hair that framed a sharp face, thick sword-like eyebrows, deep brown eyes, a high nose bridge, and full lips.
Her overall appearance gave off a strong and spirited aura, almost heroic.
Unlike most people in the hall, she seemed completely uninterested in her surroundings.
The moment she sat down, she had taken out a book and began reading quietly.
When Don casually glanced at the cover, he nearly laughed.
The title read:
"Legend of the Fallen Seraph."
Don shook his head inwardly.
Still reading online game novels before entering a professional studio… impressive dedication.
Compared to the quiet woman at Seat #16, the woman on Don's right, Seat #18, was an entirely different story.
The moment Don looked at her, the first thought that crossed his mind was simple.
She must be a model.
Don himself stood at 1.85 meters, but even while seated, her height looked nearly equal to his.
Her long hair flowed smoothly down her back, completely natural without a trace of makeup on her face. Yet her skin was fair and luminous, giving her a delicate, almost radiant appearance.
Below her crescent-shaped eyebrows, a pair of bright eyes sparkled with a quiet brilliance.
Her nose bridge was slender and elegant.
Her lips were slightly thin but beautifully shaped.
More importantly, unlike many models who looked overly thin, her figure was perfectly proportioned.
Everything was exactly where it should be.
She wore a wine-red mini-dress that stopped just above her knees, revealing two smooth, fair legs, while a pair of elegant white crystal sandals rested lightly on her feet.
If the woman at Seat #16 radiated strength and discipline…
Then the woman at Seat #18 radiated effortless charm.
But right now, she looked extremely busy.
Her high-end smartphone lay on the table in front of her, ringing constantly.
Each time it rang, she glanced at the screen, frowned slightly, and immediately hung up.
After several interruptions, she finally seemed to lose patience.
Without hesitation, she switched the phone off entirely and tossed it casually into her bag.
The studio hall slowly quieted again.