Captain, I Beg You to Give Me an Official Status [E-sports] - Chapter 4

In Wing. Lifetaker’s live stream, many new viewers were also curious about the skin.

Sheng Huanian read the comments before the match started. His gaze lingered for a few seconds before he looked away. He did not speak, instead focusing all of his attention on the game.

The Ancient City is the central location of the “Magic City” mega-map, and it is also the most complex terrain in the game. Every small room could hide a “camper” who had been lurking for ages, and every floor has enough space to hold two or three squads. Once a team fight breaks out, it triggers a chain of third-party interventions. Ultimately, the place usually ends up littered with crates and no survivors.

In this area, you either need superior marksmanship and proper utility usage, or perfect coordination with your teammates. Since these teams were all temporary groups, they chose this map specifically to practice close-quarters combat and utility. As soon as the game began, the firepower from both sides was intense. The attackers quickly raised their weapons and charged into the city tower.

As part of the defending side, Xu Ziqi threw smoke grenades and laid down fire at the staircase. He was always cautious and meticulous with his utility, paying great attention to detail.

The other three seemed to have forgotten they were defenders. After identifying enemy positions by sound, they confidently picked up their shotguns and moved through the smoke to actively seek out opponents.

Core’s voice was, as usual, loud. “One outside the city wall, three on the first floor!”

Just as he finished speaking, a dark shadow lunged out of the smoke, instantly killing and finishing Core with a single blast.

“Here!” Core quickly marked a spot.

Xu Ziqi spotted Xiao from the opposing team lurking outside the city wall through a window. A precise burst from his M4 resulted in a headshot that knocked Xiao down. “One down outside the wall.”

He reported the information quickly, but because the fallen Xiao was behind cover, Xu Ziqi could not finish him off. Furthermore, footsteps were nearby; he had to react immediately.

His three teammates had all been finished off, while the two downed enemies on the other side seemed like they could still be revived.

Paipai said, “First-floor corner room. They should be reviving now.”

Once the opponents were back up, it would be a relentless four-on-one.

Xu Ziqi’s gaze was focused, and he did not hesitate. After finding the right angle, he jumped from the window. However, before he even touched the ground, he was taken out mid-air by a shotgun blast.

After being killed, Xu Ziqi noticed that one of the guns on the masked man’s back emitted a purple glow that lit up the entire screen.

Wing. Lifetaker killed TK. Blade-Wielder. Wing. Lifetaker ended the match.

As the screen went black, Xu Ziqi said in a low voice, “He was not reviving anyone. He was waiting for me.”

Core rolled up his non-existent sleeves and leaned closer to his screen. “I am going to get serious now.”

Xu Ziqi replied, “You better be.”

Ten minutes later, back in the room, Core said over the team mic, “Change maps! This map does not suit me. Let’s pick one that requires brains. There is no way three shot-callers can keep losing like this.”

Just now, after being crushed by a massive point gap, they had started bickering mid-match. Core and the shot-caller from the other team began arguing, and when Paipai added fuel to the fire, Core immediately scolded him. “You are the only Assaulter on our side. Why don’t you actually assault? What is the point of making us shot-callers push the front line?”

Aside from reporting enemy positions, Xu Ziqi also “argued” with Core quite a bit.

Whenever Core fell outside the Ancient City, he would scream, “Cover me! ZD, cover me!”

ZD was Xu Ziqi’s English ID, and many players liked to call him that.

Xu Ziqi said in a low voice, “Cover your sister. How am I supposed to cover you from that position?”

Core did not reply, but the next time he fell, he screamed again, “ZD!”

Xu Ziqi took a deep breath, his voice full of helplessness. “My soul is covering you. Go ahead and charge; my soul is covering you right now.”

“Oh, you are dead? Never mind then.”

“…”

“Hahaha! Core is too funny. He screams for you the moment he goes down.”

“The three young guys on the other side are too fierce. they are not giving you any face at all. You almost got shut out.”

“I went to the other stream to look. Lifetaker’s shotgun play is as smooth as an AI. Is it because he is young? How is he so strong?”

“Which shot-caller wouldn’t drool over such a talented Assaulter? Anyway, I know Core is already drooling.”

Xu Ziqi tilted his head and saw the comments praising his opponent. He nodded. “His shotgun play is indeed very good.”

In the past, Xu Ziqi had not paid much attention because this newcomer only became a starter halfway through the regular season. At that time, internal team issues were enough to annoy him, and he had no energy to notice other players on the field. But during reviews, he did remember several brilliant plays made by this ID, and his impression of the man had deepened significantly after the Grand Finals.

Xu Ziqi suddenly thought to himself that this was the first time he had played with him privately.

The room was still open. Core had just used a room card and was ready to start immediately, but a spot opened up on the opposing side. The trainee had left the room, leaving only three people on the other side.

Xu Ziqi waited quietly. While opening his friend list, he noticed that the “Internet heartthrob” avatar to the left of his own had moved to the other side.

Core only took a second to react before unhesitatingly jumping ship to join the other side.

“Hahaha! Core moves so fast.” “Core really wants to be carried.” “Baby, invite someone strong.”

Xu Ziqi was used to Core’s behavior and almost rolled his eyes at the camera. His hand rested on the mouse when his eyes suddenly flashed. He laughed immediately and said, “He is not going to get carried after all.”

This was because the “carry” had moved over to his side.

Sheng Huanian moved the moment a spot opened up on Xu Ziqi’s side, giving almost no one time to react.

In the training room, Xiao looked back at Sheng Huanian but did not ask anything. Since they were playing privately, they could play however they wanted.

The room was full, but Core did not know whether he should start.

Xu Ziqi waited for ten seconds before turning on the “all” mic. “Are we starting or not?”

Core let out a heavy sigh. After starting the game, he continued to act tough in his stream. “It is his loss for not being on my team. I am going to be serious this round.”

The viewers in his stream were already doubling over with laughter; the screen was filled with “Hahaha.”

The game began again. During the preparation phase, the shot-caller from the other team asked, “Which map should we pick?”

Paipai replied first, “Anything but South Phoenix Mountain! Let’s go with…”

Xu Ziqi did not turn on his mic. After the four opponents seemed to agree on a map, he went to adjust his weapons. He suddenly felt like playing the MK20. While equipping the attachments, a deep, magnetic voice spoke up. “You are playing the MK20?”

Xu Ziqi turned on his mic and replied, “Yeah. I suddenly felt like it.”

Paipai chimed in, “Okay. Cover me, and I will charge and kill the guy opposite us.”

Xu Ziqi let out a soft laugh. “Alright.”

This map had a very specific feature: the defenders had a highly advantageous high point, which was one of the favorite spots for cover-fire players. The view was wide and covered the entire field, but it had a drawback: if the person there was knocked down, it was not easy for teammates to save them. Therefore, the person in this position must not fall; only then could they provide a sense of security to the charging teammates.

The match began. Xu Ziqi, starting on the disadvantaged attacking side, held an M416 and threw smoke at the critical crossing points. The other three were also very disciplined; they all added smoke grenades and did not blindly charge forward.

Sheng Huanian’s desire to attack remained strong. He charged directly into the housing area but unexpectedly ran into two opponents moving together. After being knocked down, he was immediately finished off. his fingers trembled slightly as he spoke quickly, “Two at the back door, one behind the building, and one at the high point in their base.”

Eliminated players can watch their teammates. The game had automatically switched to Paipai’s perspective for Sheng Huanian, but he quickly switched it manually to Xu Ziqi’s perspective.

Xu Ziqi’s character outfit had always been consistent. He had worn the full “Ancient God” set for many years and almost never changed it. Because the outfit’s design was simple, his fans often asked him to switch to something more impressive, but he never cared about such things and rarely spent money in the game.

Sheng Huanian stared at the player on the screen. Since the game began, he had stopped looking at the chat entirely.

Xu Ziqi had already reached the second floor. A fragmentation grenade thrown from downstairs blew away half of his health. He changed positions and began using a first-aid kit. “Pai, hold them for a second. I am healing.”

Paipai, in the adjacent room, immediately threw a thermite. “Got it. They cannot get up here.”

Another grenade came through the window at a very precise angle, knocking Paipai to the ground.

The fallen Paipai was surprised. “What the hell? Seriously, how many grenades do they have? Why is it all grenades?”

Xu Ziqi had finished healing. The sound of footsteps approached; the three opponents were likely preparing to rush upstairs. He controlled his character and jumped out of the window, spotting a shadow of an opponent in the gap. He instantly raised his gun with perfect precision, landing two headshots that knocked the opponent down.

No one spoke on the mic, giving Xu Ziqi space to operate. At times like this, one’s own judgment is the most accurate.

Xu Ziqi was very focused. He knew someone was vaulting down from upstairs. The moment he turned around, he came face-to-face with an opponent.

Unfortunately, the opponent was holding a shotgun. One blast connected, taking Xu Ziqi out instantly.

After it ended, Paipai immediately said in the voice chat, “What a shame, what a shame.”

“A shame.” “Too bad. If only he had a shotgun.” “Keep going, keep going!”

Xu Ziqi’s hand did not leave the mouse as he prepared for the next duel.

Sheng Huanian spoke, his voice very low. “Follow me and charge their front door. Two at most.”

Paipai replied, “OK. I will charge with you.”

The next round began. Xu Ziqi did not take a conventional position. He found the shadow of the enemy cover-fire player on the roof of their building.

Two seconds later.

1. Blade-Wielder knocked down 5Stars. Core.

Xu Ziqi’s voice was calm, sounding as clear as water yet carrying a chill. “High building is down. You have two in close range.”

Paipai gave feedback loudly, “Incredible!”

Wing. Lifetaker knocked down Wing. Xiao. Wing. Lifetaker knocked down Vespera. Xiaoxue.

Xu Ziqi remained in his position, providing cover for them. After firing a full magazine, he said, “One shot away.”

Wing. Lifetaker killed UI. Ouou. Wing. Lifetaker ended the match.

Seeing this series of announcements, Xu Ziqi quickly said, “Nice.”

In the camera frame, Sheng Huanian, who had secured a triple kill, let the corners of his mouth turn up slightly due to his own play.

The viewers in his stream were all praising him: “Incredible! Incredible!” “666!” “ZD’s cover-fire provides such a sense of security. You guys just need to charge.”

As the attacking side, they secured a four-point lead. After switching to the defending side, Paipai’s confidence grew. “We are seven points behind; I do not even know how we could lose.”

He added, “The three of us will charge. Let my brother provide cover.”

Sheng Huanian had already switched to a shotgun and replied in a low voice, “Got it.”

The second half began. After two small rounds, the other side started “arguing” again.

Core shouted into the mic, “What the hell! Stop peeking, Brother Xiao! You keep falling this round; I am becoming a combat medic.”

Xiao was also helpless and said softly, “I am just peeking; I did not mean to duel them. This smoke is full of holes; I cannot cross at all.”

“You two need to throw better smoke. The other side…”

Before Core, who was reviving a teammate in the smoke, could finish, he was knocked down by Xu Ziqi from the high building through the smoke.

Core pushed his mouse away and waited to die. “This kid is still using the MK20. I have to give him a piece of my mind after I get out of here.”

While his teammates were still fighting ahead, Core looked at the chat.

“This cover-fire is too authoritative.” “Blade-Wielder’s cover-fire provides such a sense of security. Even the antis never mock the accuracy of his cover-fire.” “ZD is still the best. At least in mid-to-long range, there is no one else as accurate as him.”

Core quickly said, “He has always been great, okay? His shot-calling and cover-fire are flawless. Look through the league and see if you can find anyone better than him.” After saying this, he suddenly chuckled twice. “Except for me, of course.”

“…” “Streamer, where is your shame?” “Did you forget getting knocked down by two shots just now?”

Core pretended not to see and continued, “He has always been like this. He has never been weak.”

Xu Ziqi did not know what Core was saying. He did not look at the chat once. As long as a shadow appeared in his vision, that was where his muzzle pointed.

Ultimately, as the defending side, they did not lose a single point.

Back in the room, while waiting for the host to start the game, Sheng Huanian also saw many comments praising him and his teammates. Of course, there were also many people trying to stir up trouble.

“What is the point of having accurate cover-fire? He still could not make the finals.”

Sheng Huanian’s eyes lowered slightly, looking somewhat lazy. He touched the mouse again and expressionlessly blocked that user. He lowered his head as if thinking about something. When he looked up again at the screen full of comments, he said one sentence: “He was already very strong.”

His voice was muffled, as if he were talking to himself.

Later, Core started another game. Feeling dizzy and blinded from the beating, he said to Xiao, “If only our matches had a ban phase. I would definitely ban your Assaulter’s shotguns. This is too abnormal.”

Xiao said calmly, “You cannot ban all of his shotguns. He can play them all.”

Core sighed repeatedly, while Xu Ziqi on the other side was in a great mood. He had lost count of how many times he had said “Nice” while playing.

He did not favor anyone; it was just that the person who ended the matches was almost always the same one, so his praise naturally landed on Sheng Huanian.

After the third round ended, Core could not take it anymore and said over the “all” mic, “I am not playing anymore, not playing.”

Soon, the room was disbanded.

Xu Ziqi immediately invited Core to a group queue room. Once Core entered, he immediately turned on his mic. “Damn it, you guys were a bit too much!”

Xu Ziqi laughed especially happily on camera and teased, “Did you not switch over yourself?”

“I… I…” Core sighed. “Forget it. Let’s do group queue. Do you have anyone else?”

Xu Ziqi opened his friend list and invited Paipai first. Core also invited Xiaoxue, who had just played with them.

The four of them played group queue together.

Sheng Huanian did not have any of them as friends. After exiting the room, he looked at his phone for over ten seconds. He returned to silence, as if all his words for the day had been spent in the faction battles earlier.

A few minutes later, with a serious face, he went to play the ranked match he had not finished.