After the Bigshot Turned into a Gold-Digging Scumbag Alpha - Chapter 12

Jiang Shuiyun’s words left the others exchanging uncertain glances. It sounded almost too confident. In games like this, everyone had their own preferences. Even if someone could play every role reasonably well, claiming to be adept at all of them—and even more, at the positions that professional players specialized in—bordered on overestimating oneself.

Though the Shenji team’s performance had been lackluster since their captain, Shen Dao, retired, most of that was because, in these team-based games, they had lost their core leader. They weren’t inherently poor players; individually, they were far from third-rate.

“We’ve studied your playstyle. You usually excel at ranged DPS or as a front-liner, and your crowd control is decent. We’re not trying to bully you—how about we go with these three roles?”

Du She spun a fluffy hair tie in her hands as she spoke, her large, almond-shaped eyes brimming with confident determination.

Jiang Shuiyun opened the computer in front of her and flexed her fingers slightly before responding.

“I picked these three roles because, without team cooperation, DPS positions are easier to manage. I appreciate your understanding. But as agreed, we’ll play straight—so, who’s going first?”

With that, the Shenji team exchanged glances, and without wasting more time, Shalu Shitu sat at the seat beside Jiang Shuiyun and opened his computer. The message was clear.

No idle chatter. They logged into the game and selected the “Skill Duel” mode—a setup that skipped the usual economy and development phase, keeping both players on the same resources with no map variations, focusing purely on skill-versus-skill combat.

Shalu Shitu first chose his favorite tank and configured his equipment. Jiang Shuiyun mirrored him with a tank as well. Once ready, they entered the match.

Tanks and support roles were rarely chosen for duels. While they could trade blows early on, in the late game, even a prolonged skirmish barely affected health bars. It was tedious and mentally exhausting, so the duel settings started both players with early-game resources.

These players weren’t completely without strategy; the long-time teammates had a decent understanding of each other. Jiang Shuiyun took a quick glance at the focused team members around her as the match began.

At the start, Jiang Shuiyun and Shalu Shitu both moved simultaneously. Shalu Shitu opted for evasive maneuvers, trying to wear her down, while Jiang Shuiyun went on the offensive to prevent being dragged out.

Round after round, they didn’t engage directly. Jiang Shuiyun’s expression remained calm, though her style became increasingly aggressive, as if trying to force a swift victory. Such an approach naturally exposed vulnerabilities, like missed combos or poorly timed defenses.

When Shalu Shitu made a small mistake, Jiang Shuiyun’s gaze hardened. She withdrew at lightning speed, and his combo meant to catch her off-guard completely missed. Jiang Shuiyun seized the opportunity and countered flawlessly.

With just that minor error, Shalu Shitu was trapped. Two or three rounds later, his screen went gray—duel over.

He rubbed his face in frustration, realizing that Jiang Shuiyun’s reckless and impatient attacks were all feints, designed to set up that final strike. He hadn’t seen it coming.

“The tank’s worst mistake is abandoning its defensive position. In team fights, you should be the moving wall, not the spear thrust. Teamwork is about cohesion, not individual brilliance, and the tank plays a vital role in that.”

“You, the one who never cares if your teammates die, have the nerve to say that?”

Yao Yao Ling patted Shalu Shitu’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, young one. I’ll avenge you.”

Jiang Shuiyun didn’t respond. At this point, their opinion of her was still colored by bias. Explaining herself would be pointless; when that bias faded, they’d understand her skill naturally.

First was the tank, then support—an obvious choice, but reasonably arranged.

Support duels were far more frustrating than tank duels. They relied on flexible movement and rapid healing, with damage output often lower than a tank. Health bars barely budged—an endless grind.

“Let’s stick to early-game economy,” Jiang Shuiyun decided. She had no desire to grind with Yao Yao Ling all day.

Yao Yao Ling didn’t argue. They began quickly.

Though seemingly carefree, Yao Yao Ling played solidly. Having learned from Shalu Shitu’s defeat, she was careful, adjusting healing and equipment efficiently and moving skillfully to avoid most of Jiang Shuiyun’s attacks. To her, she was competent.

But “competent” didn’t mean Jiang Shuiyun would hold back. Ignoring conventional strategies, she swapped her few defensive items for offensive ones, landing painful hits on Yao Yao Ling.

“Wait—what’s this? I thought we agreed to a support duel?”

Seeing most of her health bar vanish, Yao Yao Ling tried to retreat. But in the small, flat duel arena, there was no way to escape Jiang Shuiyun’s reach.

Realizing this, she opened her equipment menu but abandoned changes. After a few more minutes of struggle, her screen went gray again.

Fuming, she crossed her arms, glaring at Jiang Shuiyun. “Are you even playing fair? Which support plays like this? This is just early-game! Later, with full health, I’ll crush you!”

“Deception is part of the battlefield. You choose the approach that benefits you most at any moment,” Jiang Shuiyun sipped water. “Still, this was a small probability. Yao Yao Ling did very well—steadfastness is crucial in a team, and she didn’t get led around. Very commendable.”

“Using your praise? Luck’s on your side this time.”

Yao Yao Ling snorted but accepted her defeat, stepping aside.

“I’m next.”

Du She replaced Yaoyao Ling, flashing Jiang Shuiyun a provocative gesture. “Don’t cry if you lose.”

Jiang Shuiyun pinched the bridge of her nose. A confident kid was a good thing—but she wasn’t about to go easy.

As the team’s sharpshooter, Viper may have looked like a cute, harmless girl, but her playstyle was just as her name suggested—like a venomous snake, striking at every opening. Even from a distance, her aim was nearly flawless.

To make sure Jiang Shuiyun didn’t pull any tricks with her equipment, Yao Yao Ling leaned over her shoulder, watching closely. Only after seeing Jiang Shuiyun choose gear almost identical to Viper’s did she look away.

The fastest victory, without a doubt, came in this round. As usual, Jiang Shuiyun initiated the attack immediately after the game started. Viper moved with agility, evading Jiang Shuiyun’s initial strike—but that first shot had been a feint.

As Viper leapt into the air for a counterattack, Jiang Shuiyun sidestepped, tricking her completely, and landed a lethal shot before Viper even touched the ground.

The entire sequence took less than three seconds.

Everyone froze, staring blankly at Viper’s gray screen. What had just happened?

Even Marshal Jiang, who was used to real combat at the highest level, admitted that this game was still too basic. Jiang Shuiyun barely needed to operate her controls—her instincts alone could achieve an instant counterkill.

“Next.”

The process had been so fast that Jiang Shuiyun hadn’t found a single moment worth explaining. She simply turned back to speak.

Those three small words, however, were enough to salt Viper’s fragile little ego. The girl was on the verge of tears.

“Unbelievable! Mang Mang, get her! This is too much!”

Yao Yao Ling helped Viper to her feet, comforting her while cheering for Blade Mang.

With the team’s hopes resting on Blade, he silently moved to sit beside Jiang Shuiyun and started the game without a word.

True to his silent nature, Blade’s gameplay was just as precise. He wasted no time, even launching his attack faster than Jiang Shuiyun. His moves were sharp, fluid, and perfectly chained, leaving almost no openings.

Jiang Shuiyun shifted from her usual aggressive approach, instead adopting a defensive stance. Though she moved backward step by step, her health bar remained untouched. It was clear that the two were evenly matched, neither able to gain the upper hand.

The battle on-screen was intense, almost non-stop. The whole room fell silent except for the rapid clicking of two players’ controls.

After taking Blade’s combo, Jiang Shuiyun seized a brief opening to counterattack. The momentum shifted instantly—she was now on offense, and Blade on defense.

Her attacks were more relentless than his, leaving no room for him to breathe. She was using his own signature style against him.

Blade’s defenses were good but not perfect. Though he managed to parry, his health steadily decreased. If this continued, he would likely lose soon.

Frowning, Blade abandoned his defensive stance, attempting to turn the tables with a risky “blood for blood” strategy. Against anyone else, it might have worked—but this was Jiang Shuiyun. She wouldn’t give a single chance for a counterattack.

The moment Blade exposed a weakness, his screen turned gray. One hit—game over.

“Your operation was fine, and that final counter was beautiful. Let’s see how you handle team battles. Not bad. Next.”

At Jiang Shuiyun’s words, the previous confidence and hostility toward her vanished. Silence filled the room.

Blade stood aside, and Jiang Shuiyun turned to the last player yet to enter the game: Solar Flare.

“Maybe I should sit this one out?” Solar Flare felt nervous under Jiang Shuiyun’s gaze and glanced pleadingly at the others. After witnessing the pros in the team get thoroughly defeated, he—just a substitute from the youth team—would only embarrass himself.

The others, shaken by their previous defeats, looked at Jiang Shuiyun.

She wasn’t the type to force anyone unnecessarily, nor to bully the weak. “Alright. But I’m looking forward to the day you challenge me. Now, anyone else want to say something?”

“We accept our defeat. From today on, you’re our team captain.”

Blade stepped forward on behalf of the team and extended his hand toward Jiang Shuiyun.

She stood and placed her hand over his, turning to the remaining members. “We’re a team.”

After a brief hesitation, the Apostle of Slaughter placed his hand over hers, followed by Yao Yao Ling, Solar Flare, and finally Viper, who rubbed her reddened eyes but still joined in.

Jiang Shuiyun pressed her other hand over Viper’s and looked at the circle of teammates. “Let’s officially introduce ourselves. I’m Jiang Shuiyun. It’s great to meet all of you. From now on, we fight games together.”

From this day forward, the Shenji Team was reborn.