Don didn't show much on the surface, he never did, but Starfall's sharp eyes missed nothing. He caught the slight shift in Don's expression instantly.
"Hey. Cheer up." A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "I've got good news for you."
Don leaned forward slightly. "What good news?"
Starfall casually pulled a piece of gum from his pocket and tossed it across the desk. Don caught it easily.
"You can start work here on the 30th at 8 PM. You'll be registered as a probationary member of the studio."
Don blinked. "Probationary?"
Starfall's expression turned a shade more serious. "Now let's talk about something important. Our studio operates differently from others." He pointed toward the hall outside the office. "There are 120 computers and pods out there. But in the end… only five people will remain."
Don understood instantly. "An elimination system?"
"Exactly. You're the 120th probationary member, the last person we recruited. The studio's owner will select the five players with the most suitable levels and classes to form the final team." Starfall shrugged casually. "As for the other 115 people… they can go home and find their mothers."
Don burst out laughing. Starfall's sense of humor clearly hadn't changed at all.
"Brother," Don said. "I actually like small teams."
"Of course you do. You've been leading a small team for the past three years."
Don nodded. "I had four subordinates."
"That gives you an advantage."
Starfall folded his hands together and began explaining the rules in detail. "The elimination competition begins at midnight on October 1st and ends at noon on October 7th. Everyone must submit their character ID and class to the studio's official mailbox. The company will verify the information. From there… it's a race to level up."
He paused before adding another important detail. "But even if someone reaches the highest level, that doesn't guarantee they'll be chosen."
Don frowned slightly. "Their class?"
Starfall nodded. "Their class must fit the team composition of Extraordinary Studio. If it doesn't… they won't make the final cut."
Don sighed softly. "Brother… you're not playing. Brother Dave isn't playing. Brother Crest and Sister Jean aren't playing either..." He trailed off. "It's going to feel pretty lonely."
Starfall chuckled. "Young man... don't say that yet. When you pass the selection, you won't be lonely anymore."
Don's eyes suddenly lit up. "Wait, does that mean another Beyond the Heavens legend is returning?"
Starfall slowly raised a finger to his lips. "Shh. That's a secret." Then he laughed again. "Do you feel cheated? You gave up a stable manager job just to become a probationary professional gamer."
Don shook his head without hesitation. "I came here to chase my original dream."
For a moment, Starfall simply looked at him. There was a faint gleam in his eyes, something between pride and nostalgia.
"Work hard. I have high hopes for you."
The two of them chatted for another half hour, reminiscing about the old days of Beyond the Heavens. Many former legends had already moved on. Some were running farms. Others had started families. Some had retired completely from gaming.
But one thing remained true, legends could always be reborn.
And perhaps a new one would begin with Realms Online.
...
Two days later. September 30th, 8 PM.
Don arrived at Extraordinary Studio carrying his second-generation light-sensing glasses, the official login device for Realms Online, designed to pair with the gaming capsule. Fortunately, the studio was only a ten-minute walk from his apartment.
The hall was completely full. All 120 stations were occupied.
After scanning his ID at the front desk, Don walked inside. His assigned seat was number 17.
He sat down. Glanced left. Glanced right.
And immediately smiled.
Both of his neighbors were beautiful women.
...
In his twenty-three years of life, Don had met countless people. Yet the two women seated beside him were undeniably extraordinary.
The woman at Seat 16, to his left, wore simple short-sleeved sportswear. Her skin carried a healthy light bronze tone, and her athletic figure looked incredibly well-trained. She had short hair that framed a sharp face, thick sword-like eyebrows, deep brown eyes, a high nose bridge, and full lips. Her overall appearance gave off a strong and spirited aura, almost heroic.
Unlike most people in the hall, she seemed completely uninterested in her surroundings. The moment she'd sat down, she had taken out a book and begun reading quietly.
When Don casually glanced at the cover, he nearly laughed.
'Legend of the Fallen Seraph.'
He shook his head inwardly. Still reading online game novels before entering a professional studio… impressive dedication.
Compared to the quiet woman at Seat 16, the woman on Don's right was an entirely different story.
The moment Don looked at her, the first thought that crossed his mind was simple: 'She must be a model.'
Don himself stood at 1.85 meters, but even while seated, her height looked nearly equal to his. Her long hair flowed smoothly down her back, completely natural, without a trace of makeup on her face, yet her skin was fair and luminous, giving her a delicate, almost radiant appearance.
Below crescent-shaped eyebrows, a pair of bright eyes sparkled with quiet brilliance. Her nose bridge was slender and elegant, her lips slightly thin but beautifully shaped.
More importantly, unlike many models who looked overly thin, her figure was perfectly proportioned. Everything was exactly where it should be.
She wore a wine-red mini-dress that stopped just above her knees, revealing two smooth, fair legs, while a pair of elegant white crystal sandals rested lightly on her feet.
If the woman at Seat 16 radiated strength and discipline, then the woman at Seat 18 radiated effortless charm.
But right now, she looked extremely busy. Her smartphone lay on the table in front of her, ringing constantly. Each time it buzzed, she glanced at the screen, frowned slightly, and immediately hung up.
After several interruptions, she finally seemed to lose patience. Without hesitation, she switched the phone off entirely and tossed it into her bag.
The studio hall slowly quieted again.