Different Path

The pearl white doors of the train opened, two teens stepped out with their luggage.

Step by step they make their way up the stairs together.

"Welcome to both of you."

A group of people stood in front of Tan Jia Guang and Damian Cheng, all of them have smiles on their faces as they looked at them.

The group was made out of people from various nationality, gender, and age, the only thing in common between the six of them are their jackets which has the same logo.

SEA Hope.

The man standing in the middle and the woman beside him walked forward.

The man who looked about 25 years old walked with confidence towards the duo, his black eyes sparkled with life which matched perfectly with his black hair and his healthy bronze skin.

As he extended his hand for a handshake and introduced himself.

"My name is Azel Mampusti or better known as Noidy, the captain and position five player of SEA Hope."

Then the woman standing beside Azel Mampusti also introduced herself…

"Nina Fox, I'm the manager of SEA Hope."

Wearing the team jacket over her white blouse, Nina Fox greeted the duo.

Her blond hair, tall figure, and curves grabbed the attention of every passerby especially if they are male.

After the two had introduced themselves, Tan Jia Guang and Damian Cheng gave a simple introduction.

"So both of you are sixteen years old? That is actually one year older than Arthur."

Hearing his name Arthur Chua walked in front, his expression is gloomy as he did not have enough sleep.

Paired with his scruffy hair and childish look, Arthur Chua definitely looks like a gaming addict. Without wasting any of his time he gave them three simple details.

"Arthur "UPheaval" Chua, position three, Singaporean."

He then walked back and continued staring at his shoes.

"Don't mind his attitude, you will get used to it soon."

The person who said that was a middle-aged man, his face has a few wrinkles and grey hair but not on the level of an old man.

Yet his smile is still as carefree as a teenager. Damian Cheng noticed that his hands are rough especially the tip of his left fingers.

He walked along with another man around his age, the biggest difference between them is the other man looked very serious and cold.

His eyes analyses every action that the duo did, like a predator scouting his prey.

Then the first middle-aged man introduced himself…

"My name is Nuengnara Jirawong, the current position two player for Team SEA Hope and my in-game name is Tw1gs ."

"And the person beside me is Dan "wa10p" Purba the coach for Team SEA Hope, but he is currently standing in as the position one player."

"If you agree to join us, his spot on the team is all yours."

Stunned by that question, Tan Jia Guang did not know what to say and Damian Cheng seems irritated by the question.

Azel Mampusti noticed the situation and dragged the last member of SEA Hope to introduce himself so they could change the subject.

"I'm Urho Koskela, you guys might have heard of the name urhO, the position four of the Caelesti Fratres.

Hearing the word Caelesti Fratres, Damian Cheng's ears perked up and he asked: "You are Usko Koskela's little brother?"

Tan Jia Guang who heard this also chimed in by saying: "I remember now, you are known as the shadow of heaven. The guy who always got carried by his older brother!"

Urho Koskela's gaze turned cold, his fist clenched as he prepared to strike Tan Jia Guang in the face.

"I think it is time we go back to our house, am I right Nina?" Azel Mampusti said as he tries to diffuse the situation that he caused.

Nina Fox knew what Azel Mampusti was trying to do and quickly lead the duo to a car. She then told then that the will be going to SEA Hope's gaming house now.

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The car stopped in front of a two-story grey bungalow, on the roof the team logo of SEA Hope hangs proudly.

Eight people walked through the black gates of the bungalow, Tan Jia Guang's heart pound with every step as he looked around curiously.

"This is our team lounge, we also meet our guests including our sponsors here," said Nina Fox to Damian Cheng and Tan Jia Guang.

Finally, Azel Mampusti step up and asked the most important question of the day to the duo…

"Will the both of you join SEA Hope?"

"Damian, I know what you are thinking."

"If you agree to join SEA Hope, I will step down from being the captain and position five players of the team."

"Don't worry about me. I would not be kicked out of the team. After all, I am the owner of SEA Hope."

Azel Mampusti's words stunned Damian Cheng, he did not expect that Azel Mampusti will be willing to give up his career just to win TI.

"I accept!" Tan Jia Guang did not wait for Damian Cheng to give an answer and gave his own.

Now it was Damian Cheng's turn to answer, all eyes are on him as he opened his mouth.

"Thank you for the offer, but I will have to say…"

"No."