THE screens displaying the NovelFirePs showcased key moments from their matches, highlighting the performances that earned them the MVP title. On the screen featuring Luo Jin, key moments were highlighted, such as his precision in firing his guns. From eliminating Candycane and Freya to destroying the orb that secured his team's victory, these events played out like a fast-forwarded movie.
But Luo Jin didn't see any of that. All he could focus on was his game name, AmazingYoungMasterJin, flashing brightly before him. He couldn't help but zeroed in on everything the crowd was saying about him, adding to his mild irritation.
"/What is the name of that cute little gnome?/"
"/I can't read it, it's in Chinese./"
"/It's AmazingYoungMasterJin. At least, I think that's how it read—my Chinese is a bit rusty./"
Some who heard it laughed.
"/Seriously? That's such a childish name./"
"/Well, he's obviously a child. So, it fits./"
Luo Jin felt his face burning when he heard those words. They were spoken in English, but he understood every one of them. It seemed they were foreigners invited from the new servers to watch the Arcadia Cup finale tournament.
The thought that people from other countries could see his embarrassing game name made Luo Jin wish the ground would open up and swallow him whole. No, he should just log out right now.
Then he felt a small hand pinching his fingers. He looked down and then glanced up to see Su Yuqi smiling at him. "Don't be embarrassed by your game name," she said. "Be proud of what you did in the match. You were amazing. So, stand up straight, lift your chin, and show them you deserve that MVP title."
Luo Jin felt a rush of warmth at Su Yuqi's words. Instinctively, he straightened his posture, lifted his chin, and smiled back at her. The embarrassment he felt just moments ago quickly faded, replaced by a growing sense of pride. All because of Su Yuqi's supportive words.
This sweet little moment was quickly interrupted when Eclipse suddenly spoke.
"Why is Brother gnome the MVP? Shouldn't it be me?"
Luo Jin turned to the fox, who's now taller than him, which ignited his irritation once again. "Why should it be you? Didn't you see how I defeated two members of the enemy team? I'm also the one who destroyed that orb like thing, so of course it should be me."
"But you only managed to do all that because you're far away from the fight. Unlike me, who fought toe to toe with their captain," Eclipse retorted, puffing out his chest with conviction.
The two bickering only made their teammates laughed.
And that's how team Yunyue's first match in the final tournament concluded.
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After the top 16 match, the reaction from abroad was explosive. Over a million people had watched the live stream, highlighting the tremendous success of the game's international release.
Since there were that many people who watched it, it's only natural for it to trend on foreign social media sites.
[Have you watched the Arcadia Cup? If you're a gamer and you didn't, I'm telling you, you're missing a lot.]
[There were eight matches happening simultaneously, and my short attention span made it impossible to watch them all at once. It was so hard to pick just one to focus on! (T▽T)]
- IKR? I feel the same way! They should have scheduled them at different times.
[Why do all the avatars of the players who fought today look so cool and beautiful? Are there only good-looking people in that country?]
- Right? I particularly like the members of team Celestials. Especially Michael and Jophiel.
└ I like them too! I'm a big fan of angels, so they're just my style.
└ It's the hot vampire for me. They always get me. What was his name again, Alucard!
└ If you're talking about hotness, then it should be the phoenix guy! Have you seen that flaming red hair? He's absolutely beautiful.
└ Beautiful men are certainly abundant in those teams. My personal favorite is the white-haired elf from Yunyue. Now, that's a beauty.
└ Yunyue's captain looks better. That's a certified hottie right there.
- Hey, you do know that people can beautify themselves when they create their avatar, right?
└ Shut up. No one's asking.
[I can't wait for the quarter-finals tomorrow.]
[Are there no betting sites? I want to bet on who will win.]
[Will we have an Arcadia Cup in our servers in the future?]
└ There's a rumor going around the grapevine that there will be.
If the reaction of people from other countries was mostly positive, the reaction of domestic fans was mostly mixed. These mixed reactions were largely due to one team - Yunyue.
[Have you seen the two dragons on Team Yunyue? Isn't it a bit unfair for them to have two dragons in these fights?]
- I agree as well. When they fought against team Siren, it's like 5 vs 8.
- Moonlight shouldn't have allowed pets to be involved in the tournament.
- What are you guys whining about? Pets are just like items. Is it team Yunyue's fault they understood the importance of pets for future battles? That's like saying a player shouldn't invest in weapons because it would be unfair to their opponent.
└ Right? These people are probably just fans of team Siren. They're just bitter their favorite team didn't win.
└└ You really think that's the reason? Can't you see how unfair it is for them to have two full-grown dragons fighting alongside them?
[Don't you find it strange that Yunyue managed to get two dragons as pets? Dragons aren't like goblins that you can find anywhere.]
[Hey, do you remember that photo that circulated last Spring Festival? The one people suspected was YUN? Someone I know said his real name is Shen Ji Yun. And guess what? He's the nephew of Moonlight Media's president.]
- Wait-- is that the reason why his team could get dragons as pets?
└ No way. If that's the case, then YUN is a nepo baby?
- OP shouldn't spread misinformation.
└ How can you be so sure it's not true?
└└ How can you be sure it's not?
- Wow. Is nepotism winning once again?