Chapter 271

"No way, is that really CrimsonFirst at the top of the leaderboard? I must be seeing things."

"You're telling me that high schooler is CrimsonFirst? Seriously?"

"But wasn't everyone saying online that Crimson First was a pro gamer from some club? How... how is she suddenly a high school student?"

"Maybe she's just using her dad's account? What if CrimsonFirst is actually her dad?"

"That's impossible. The tournament requires real name registration for all player accounts. There's no way she could even enter otherwise."

"I can't believe it. I've been following Crimson First, the number one player, for three years—and it turns out she's just a high schooler. That means she's been a legend since she was, what, fourteen?"

"She's gorgeous, too. What am I supposed to do? I think I just became an even bigger fan."

"I knew it! She's stunning, and you can tell just by watching her play-she's insanely skilled."

"With looks like that, she could coast on her appearance, but instead she relies on her skill. No wonder everyone loves CrimsonFirst."

...

Meanwhile, Clifford stared at the huge screen, his eyes locked onto the game ID and ranking displayed on Citrine's interface. He was stunned.

In his memory, Citrine had never even picked up a game controller. Clifford never once imagined that the idol he'd admired for years-Crimson First-could actually be Citrine.

He looked at the girl sitting onstage, her face unreadable under her headphones, but her eyes focused, sharp, and absolutely serious as she stared at the screen.

For the first time, she seemed to shine with her own light.

It hit Clifford then-he'd never truly known his own sister. He didn't know her hobbies, her passions-nothing. No wonder Citrine had cut him out of her life so decisively. He must have hurt her deeply as a brother.

As soon as Citrine revealed her ID, the opposing team panicked.

Just a moment ago, Knox and his teammates were confident, but when they saw CrimsonFirst on the other side, they instantly deflated.

Knox, the team captain, kept his cool. He rallied his four teammates, "Don't get discouraged. Let's give it our all. We're up against the club's biggest legend. Even if we lose, there's no shame in it. Getting to compete with our idol-now that's something we'll be bragging about for ages."

"Knox is right. I can't believe I get to face my idol like this. I'm honestly so happy right now."

"Same here. I need to record a little highlight reel after this. This is one for the books."

"When the match is over, I have to get her autograph. I'm gonna hang it right by my bed and make the rest of the club jealous."

...

True to his role, Knox's words quickly lifted everyone's spirits. In fact, they were more fired up than before.

Knox smiled, watching his teammates recover. Inside, he was just as excited as they were, but as captain, he had to keep it together.

Though Citrine had revealed herself as CrimsonFirst, most of the audience—both online and in the arena-were still fixated on her stunning looks, almost forgetting the weight of her name.

That lasted only until the match began. The moment Citrine started playing, all eyes snapped to her gameplay.

As team captain, Citrine fired the first shot-one bullet, and a mini-boss went down. The next second, a second, then a third kill followed.

Travis, Sylvan, and the others were no slouches either; their marksmanship was sharp, and their teamwork with Citrine was seamless.

As the match moved into the later stages, everyone's understanding of Citrine's skills deepened.

With the whole arena watching, Citrine took out three major bosses-each with a single shot to a critical weak point—all within five seconds.

"No way, that's CrimsonFirst for you. I'm floored."

"That speed, that aim-who else could nail three bosses' weak spots in five seconds? She's in a league of her own."