Chapter 12: An Uneasy October

This was the grayest October of my life, all because of the arrival of a "maintenance worker." wenxue. com

The story must begin from the start.

The hardware conditions at Mingqing Academy are indeed good, but due to its relatively remote location, it is difficult to recruit many talents. Lacking experts in computer network technology, the problems in the computer hall have been a constant source of worry for Director Lei.

In fact, according to Director Lei's wishes, the computer hall is a place for study and games should not be allowed for students at all. In fact, Director Lei once enforced this regulation despite strong opposition from the principal and others. As a result, in the following week, the school's main server frequently encountered problems. The homepage being altered, port overflows, network congestion and crashes were all minor issues; later, students even invaded the school's archive database, attempting to modify grades—a malicious incident.

Hackers' programs can be found everywhere online, and semi-grown children are the group with the most outstanding learning ability. If they are not allowed to play games, where else can students vent their energy but by playing with the school's main server! Later, Ling Qing (who is the principal) took the opportunity to preach some grand principles like "Great Yu controlled the floods, proving that channeling is superior to blocking..." and the computer hall was restored to its old system.

After this incident, Director Lei understood the importance of network security; he could no longer tolerate having his photo on the school website altered into a bald dinosaur. But how would an expert in network security be willing to take a position at a remote school? So when KID said he was the new maintenance worker, and Ling Qing lied saying KID was a network maintenance expert he had invited back from Sweden, Director Lei Dahao was overjoyed. He not only immediately decided to hire KID at a high salary but also agreed to give him a week's leave first, and let Ling Qing accompany him to look around.

Originally, if things had stayed like this, there would have been no problem. The trouble was that Ling Qing found it troublesome and insisted that Lei Xue's English was better, so Lei Xue should go along. As a result, KID was delighted, having a beauty to chat and stroll with, even eating together, while I could only hide in a corner of the cafeteria, watching them with envy. KID's outstanding appearance, his dazzling crimson hair, and the legendary identity of the gaming world champion passed around by the students made him the focus of crowds wherever he went. Everyone went to look at him; I wasn't envious. If a panda had come, I believe even more people would have gathered. But, but Lei Xue hasn't spoken a word to me for a full three days!

I stared blankly at the two chatting happily, completely unaware that an uninvited guest had already sat beside me. Looking at Xue'er, who was beaming with joy and radiance, I thought despairingly: I wonder what they are talking about?... Seeing Xue'er so happy, perhaps it is best for them to be together... It seems I truly cannot compare to this "Crimson King"...

A light sigh came from my ear: "Is this lecher really going to succeed? Is there no one who can stand up to protect Xue'er?..." As if a certain string in my heart was suddenly plucked, I blurted out without thinking: "Who said that!? I will protect her!"

"Good! I indeed did not misjudge you!" Ling Qing, with a straight face, affectionately put his arm around my shoulder. "This KID was a womanizer in Korea, a thorough playboy. If Xue'er falls for him, it would be terrible..."

"That's your fault!" I gritted my teeth. "If you had gone to accompany that guy, the world would be at peace!"

"Alright then," Ling Qing produced two movie tickets as if by magic. "You go ask Xue'er to see a movie tonight."

"What about you?"

"I will make the world peaceful."

"..."

>>>>>>

Suppressing my nervousness, I approached Xue'er's table. But I heard they were discussing games.

"... Yes, this technique is called 'Cloning' (Note 1). It is a clever application of the Shift key. The first to use this technique was X'Ds`Grrr. He once used seven self-destructing mosquitoes to simultaneously knock down three enemy Mutalisks and two Defilers, causing quite a stir at the time..."

"Hmph, X'Ds`Grrr is indeed strong, but didn't he lose to =LOST=Lucifer later..." Xue'er's clear voice.

"I watched that match too. =LOST=Lucifer cleverly used tactics to suppress X'Ds`Grrr's operations, and used the illusions of the Temple of Light to make his three carriers appear as one squad (twelve units make a squad), instantly crushing X'Ds`Grrr's psychological defense line (Note 2). Otherwise, who would have won is still uncertain."

"... Their strength was evenly matched; it was just that Lucifer's strategy was slightly superior..."

"... I came this time specifically to meet that 'Demon'. However, if his strength has not improved and he remains at the level of the last competition..."

"Then..."

"... He is no match for me!" (Note 3)

Another challenger! In that instant, my blood seemed to boil again. The innate obsession with victory and defeat seemed to urge me to throw my gloves in front of my opponent. A duel! Only a duel can wash away the shame of being despised! I must defeat him, with my keyboard, my mouse, and my proud hands!

"Hehehe, I say Xue'er, having accompanied the guest for so long, aren't you tired?" The principal appeared with a lecherous grin. "Rest a bit, I'll take over for you." Saying this, he gave me a wink.

I suddenly came to my senses, remembering my identity. I am just an intern teacher. If I proposed a duel with KID, Director Lei and the principal would certainly think I intended to deceive, and the result of my internship would be obvious.

And more importantly, if Lei Xue also thought I lied to her, it would be troublesome. Even if Xue'er had feelings for the real Li Lin, they would likely vanish because of this. I would be forced into a desperate situation where I must fight KID. Winning would bring no benefit; if I lost, I would have no face to appear before Xue'er again...

Can I defeat him? I judged calmly.

KID seemed to sense something, looked at me, showed a row of white teeth, and gave me a brilliant smile. His crimson hair moved without wind, and the sunlight seemed to gild him, making his originally not-so-tall figure suddenly appear towering.

Can I defeat him? I asked myself again. The answer was:

I have no confidence...

KID smiled and asked the principal: "Is Teacher Li also a master of this art?"

Lei Xue answered quickly: "Yes, his gaming skill is the best I have ever seen in my life!" Saying this, she laughed.

KID was somewhat surprised, but immediately composed his face and said: "I wonder when we can spar?"

Lei Xue interrupted again: "You can't compare to him. Can your pinball game reach ten million points?" Then she laughed until she bent forward and backward.

KID also laughed: "Admired, admired. Then I indeed cannot compare."

I also smiled awkwardly. At this moment, the principal suddenly coughed twice. I was stunned, remembered my mission, and quickly took out the movie tickets: "Lei Xue, are you free tonight to go see a movie together?"

Xue'er was stunned, then smiled happily: "This is your first time asking me out! But I have already made plans with KID to go out tonight. Let's go see a movie together next time."

The principal quickly chimed in: "It's okay, Xue'er. I can accompany KID for you. You should rest a bit too."

Xue'er looked very surprised: "I'm going to rest tonight anyway. Besides, being with KID isn't tiring at all."

"Where are you two going tonight?" Seeing them about to leave, the principal hurriedly asked.

"The computer hall!"

I completely ignored their subsequent words, only remembering Xue'er saying "accompany KID tonight... rest... accompany KID to rest tonight!?" Could it be... could it be... they aren't progressing this fast, are they!?

The principal patted my shoulder. "Don't overthink it. They are going to the computer hall tonight. It seems Ling Tian has invited KID for a practice match." I remained silent.

Many paths have already been walked.

We all relied on our own strength.

But why, why does my heart beat so violently, and my hands tremble so uncontrollably? The principal Ling Qing looked at my pale face, patted my shoulder, and said bitterly with a smile: "I didn't expect it to be like this either... At the time, I just thought Xue'er's English was better, so I... It seems KID really knows how to handle girls..." I was speechless... Because I knew the reason I was so sad was definitely not just for Lei Xue.

I deeply regretted it. If there hadn't been so many considerations, I certainly would not have chosen to watch them leisurely walk away in the afterglow of the setting sun.

I would have chosen:

Fight!

>>>>>>

At the same time, inside the computer hall.

In the past, this place was always as noisy as a free market, but now, it was a silence like death.

Because of Ling Tian.

Ling Tian today was so gloomy it was somewhat terrifying. He had not spoken a word to anyone all afternoon. He just buried his head, practicing on his own machine. Perhaps only Ling Qing could understand how great a blow the failure at the WCG last time had dealt to Ling Tian.

Ling Tian's talent was undoubtedly high, and he worked harder than anyone else. Precisely because of this, he could not accept losing to a "half-hearted" opponent even more; that would be a serious insult to Ling Tian's beliefs.

No one could deny that the "Crimson King" was by no means weaker than the "Demon on Lost Temple" in either strength or achievements. In a sense, the two were very similar, similarly "half-hearted." Since Ling Tian learned of KID's arrival, he had made up his mind: He absolutely cannot lose!

This determination was so strong that even bystanders could feel it. Therefore, no one in the entire hall made a sound. Everyone felt the immense pressure. Everyone was clear: A storm would come tonight.

The door opened, and the dim red light of the sunset shone in, creating a blinding sensation. KID walked straight to Ling Tian's side and said with a smile: "You are not mature enough. If you want to advance further, you must learn to fail."

"I will never be defeated!" Indeed, this was a typical Ling Tian response.

KID sighed lightly. "Then let us begin." He said as he flipped the power switch.

In fact, at this very moment, in a faculty dormitory not far away, another person simultaneously pressed the power switch.

>>>>>

Note 1: Cloning is indeed an advanced technique pioneered by Grrr. The method described in the battle example is as follows: Select seven Kamikaze Mosquitoes to attack one Devourer, hold the Shift key, click the control panel at the bottom of the screen to cancel five, then use the right mouse button to attack the next Devourer, cancel three more... and so on. Finally, this forms a technique where seven Kamikaze Mosquitoes split into five groups: three Kamikaze Mosquitoes attack three Wyverns individually, while the remaining four form two pairs to attack two Devourers, thereby downing all enemies simultaneously. (It seems I'm making it more confusing the more I explain.) Of course, this is merely the basic principle of cloning. At that time, Grrr divided the Kamikaze Mosquitoes into three groups, greatly reducing the number of operations and the difficulty. With good mastery, one can even achieve the effect of twelve Kamikaze Mosquitoes flying simultaneously toward twelve enemy targets, or twelve

Lurkers (commonly known as Spine Crawlers) burying themselves at the same point simultaneously. Of course, these require an extremely high level of micro-management.

Note 2: The Illusion skill of the Temple of Light consumes 75 MP to replicate one friendly unit for 90 seconds, but the replicated unit has no attack power, and the damage taken when attacked is double the normal amount. Repeatedly using this on a single Carrier can create the illusion of a fleet of Carriers, achieving the goal of deceiving the enemy. However, in official matches, the use of this spell is still very rare, after all, the Mind Blast of the Temple of Light is more powerful.

Note 3: Originally, KID did not know Chinese, but considering the English proficiency of both the author and the readers, KID's dialogue is directly translated into Chinese for appearance, though his setting remains that he does not know Chinese. It is normal for the protagonist, Lei Xue, and the Principal to know English, as they all received higher education. As for Ling Tian, well, actually he grew up in Singapore as a child, so he can conduct fluent English conversations.

English is also an official language in Sweden, so it shouldn't be strange that KID knows English.

16977.16977 Mini-games update fun mini-games every day, waiting for you to discover them!