The others waited for me in the lobby after the crowd had ceased with their gasps, cheering, and whatnot. Like the crowd, my friends’ reactions were mixed. Most of them looked shocked and somewhat at a loss for words. Brock and Chloe, however, looked suspicious, Chloe already knowing I had used the software to win and Brock looking like he knew something fishy had happened within the game’s system.
Although David looked the most taken aback, he managed to find his voice first. “Ah, what the heck was that?” he asked, as though referring to some grotesque monster and not a match between two friends.
Chloe narrowed her eyes at me. “I think that’s what Noah looks like when he skips lunch.”
“Seriously?” Tessa asked, looking utterly baffled. “You managed to beat Siena_the_Blade . . . because you were hangry?”
This theory lightened the mood a bit and I couldn’t help but force a smile as they all suddenly looked wary of me. It was true that I had skipped lunch and I had overreacted a bit in the fight, but I still thought I had good reasons.
“I’m pretty sure there was more to this than just hunger.” Brock shook his head and eyed me coldly. “Wasn’t there?”
I nodded, deciding it was time to come clean. “I was using some new software Windsor asked me to test run for him. Considering I just managed to defeat the toughest Warrior in the game, I think it’s pretty clear that it’s far too overpowered for someone to use and not make the game unbalanced.”
Frank frowned but her tone sounded hopeful. “So that’s what this was all about? Just pushing a new ability to its absolute limit by trying it against Siena?” She then pulled back. “But you didn’t tell her.”
Although that hadn’t really been my intention, I did manage to learn the software’s limits by fighting her, so I rolled with this idea. “I don’t think she would’ve fought me for real if I had. Considering she thought she could win, she went all out. All I had to do was wait out the clock.”
Keri clasped her hands behind her back. “It seems like Siena took it pretty hard, though. Maybe we should see if she’s alright.”
My anger flared up again when hearing sympathy in Keri’s voice. “Any pain she felt for losing is her own fault for riding her whole ego on this fight. She put herself on a pedestal over everyone else, not caring that we had our own problems to deal with if it meant satisfying her desire to be the best.”
They looked at me then, expressions disapproving, as though finally understanding my own agenda when it came to the fight.
“Even so . . .” Keri sighed
David grabbed my shoulder and shook me. It wasn’t hard with his Heavy avatar being over a head higher than mine. “So . . . spill the beans. What’s this new software you’re talking about?”
I grinned. “You really want to know, huh?”
He nodded. “Ah-duh.”
“Then join up with Cipher.” I shook him off. “I can’t tell anyone outside the company, but I’m sure I’ll be able to get Windsor to let me tell my teammates. If you’re good enough to join, that is.”
David peered up, considering this.
Brock nudged him. “Well, if you did join, it would help us afford our tickets.”
Chloe clapped her hands. “Oh, that’s right. Keri, I’ll pay for yours if you want to come with us. I really don’t want to be the only girl on this trip.”
“Okay . . .” Keri peered over her shoulder. “Still, I-I think I’m going to check on Siena.”
She ran off to the nearest Gateway. I had always known Keri was far more empathic than our other friends, but at the same time I was frustrated that she couldn’t see there were more important things to worry about.
At her lead, Frank gave me a stern look. “Us too.”
Tessa looked confused by her tone but walked off with her.
I nodded at the four of us remaining: my closest friends and my girlfriend. “Alright, the four of us can arrange for the tickets, then. I want to leave as soon as possible. David, I assume Brock’s filled you in on everything?”
David nodded and beamed at me. “Just got some holiday pay as well, so I’m ready to go when you guys are.”
“Perfect.” I turned to Chloe. “You sort out Keri and yourself and I’ll get tickets for these guys.” I eyed them. “I’m sure you’ll pay me back. I just want to be on a plane heading to East Timor as soon as possible.”