Tension In The Studio.

Alexa breathed in slowly before replying.

"Well, it's true. At first, I wore the mask due to my love for kitsune masks, but now it's become my identity," she said.

"That's true. Everyone knows you as the player with the kitsune mask. But do you have any plans for a face reveal?"

"Yes, I do. I've been planning it for a while, and I'd like to say to those watching that it will happen soon," Alexa replied.

"Impressive. I look forward to it," the host said. She then lowered her head, whispering for a short while before looking back up with a professional smile.

"Sorry for that interruption. I have just received word that our second guest, alias Ragnar, the American Esports superstar, is here with us in the studio."

"So, without further ado, please welcome our second guest, Tristan Hale, alias Ragnar, as he joins us live on set," Amelia added.

She lifted her arm again, motioning to the side. The cameras shifted, focusing on a tall, fit man walking onto the set.

He looked like a regular at the gym, his toned muscles clearly visible through a tight, dark blue shirt. His arrogant smile revealed how accustomed he was to adoration from the crowds.

Tristan's gaze landed mockingly on Alexa, his confidence evident.

"Hello, number seven," he said with a smug grin as he sat down beside her, crossing his legs.

"Hello, EX number one," Alexa replied through her mask, her tone sharp.

"Ohhh! I can feel the tension building on set!" the host commented, fanning herself with her cue cards.

"Now, tell me, Mr. Hale, how does it feel to no longer hold the number one spot? You've had that title for quite some time in 'AGP Online.' It must feel discouraging to be dethroned."

Tristan's brow twitched slightly, but he quickly masked it with a smile.

"Please, call me Tristan. And to answer your question, it's only a temporary setback. The position was mine, and I'll claim it back in no time," he said, exuding confidence.

"Over my dead body," Alexa interjected with a mocking tone.

"Hahaha! I love the energy you two bring to the table," the host said with a laugh. "Now, Ms. Rosen, would you like to share how you climbed so high on the leaderboards and surpassed Mr. Hale over here?"

"Ahh, I can't let out my secrets now, can I?" Alexa replied smoothly.

"Yes, I bet you can't, just like you can't reveal your face," Tristan said, trying to provoke her.

Alexa didn't take the bait and ignored him.

"Excuse my blunder, Ms. Rosen. I didn't mean to pry into your secrets. I only wanted you to share tips and tricks with our audience," the host said, feigning remorse.

"No offense taken. As for tips, I recommend that all players of 'Eden's Legacy' to stop treating it like a conventional game. Train in there as you would out here, and your strength will improve," Alexa said, offering advice that would boost her popularity.

Tristan snickered. "Or you could cheat your way up, like the player in the number one spot," he said with a devilish grin.

"Oh? Care to enlighten us, Mr. Hale?" Amelia asked curiously.

"I certainly can, Ms. Rains," Tristan replied politely.

"Oh, please, call me Amelia," she said, faking a blush.

Alexa watched through her mask, intrigued by what Tristan was about to say.

"The player in the number one spot has held it since the leaderboards were unlocked, Amelia. The player is always many levels ahead of everyone else, including me and Aurelia here," Tristan said, gesturing to the leaderboards behind him.

"The players from the top of the Esports community know nothing of this mysterious player, and no one has ever seen him either. No one knows him, and he has never made a public appearance." He added.

"What other reason could there be for such secrecy, if not cheating?"

"That's a strong accusation. Wouldn't ECHO have banned or deleted the account of such player if that were the case?" Amelia asked.

"True Amelia, but ECHO can't always be perfect. That player could very well be a genius dark-hat hacker. Besides, which company would openly admit their blunders?" Tristan speculated.

Amelia nodded thoughtfully.

Unbeknownst to him, Tristan's intention was to discredit the anonymous player, hoping ECHO would ban their account regardless of whether the player was cheating.

Amelia suddenly paused, listening to someone through her earpiece. She nodded slightly before addressing the audience.

"The production director has just informed me that someone claiming to be the number one player of 'Eden's Legacy' has reached out to the station and agreed to join us via video conference—mysteriously, of course."

This caught Tristan off guard. He hadn't anticipated such a bold move. Though rattled, he quickly recomposed himself, already scheming a backup plan.

The screen behind them flickered to reveal a shadowy figure in a dimly lit room.

"Tristan Hale," the figure's distorted voice began.

"I see you haven't changed. Your petty schemes are insignificant in the grand scheme of things."

"Hmph! Can you even prove you're the top-ranked player? If not, I'll expose you as a fraud and a liar!" Tristan retorted.

"You want to challenge me." The figure said and the view changed the image of an Exp bar. Next to it a level was displayed. Level 30, fitting as the highest level currently in the game.