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Max's response was quick. He immediately pressed the call button and waited for BloodSucker to receive it.

Just like the message earlier, the call was received shortly. A screen popped up before Max, showing BloodSucker's tired face. Behind his round glasses, dark circles that made his red eyes look like pandas were apparent.

Surprise and anger melted quickly, replaced by worry. Clearly, the guy on the screen hadn't slept for a while.

"What happened?" Max asked worriedly. "Your dark circles look really bad. Have you ever got any sleep at all?"

While the video was important, it would just hurt his conscience if BloodSucker got sick as a result. Max put the health of utmost importance above all else. How could he rest easy if he couldn't treat his editor with care and let him fall sick?

Did he contradict himself? Why would someone who sought danger in parkour care about health?

This and that were different.

"It's nothing," BloodSucker responded, his voice croaking a little bit from exhaustion. "More importantly, I said the video will finish tonight. Why are you calling me?"

"At first, I was about to ask your explanation why you suddenly discarded the video you said was good enough. But after seeing your condition, I changed my mind. Sleep, sucker. You can just send the video tomorrow."

"No."

Max was trying to be considerate, but BloodSucker refused his suggestion.

"This is something I must complete. Sorry, but I won't stop. Just like you, who wants to compete with the others, I also like to make a bet. And this time, it's a matter of my skill. There is no way I can lose to that bastard who mocked me before. I will make this video better than his."

Something seemed to happen on his end too. Max didn't know what that was, but one thing was sure.

'Is BloodSucker acquainted with Director Hugo? No, that can't be. That means he knows No Feed's ad editor, probably friends or rivals. That's why he also knows that I have to shoot the ad when I contacted him in the past.'

That explained it.

And the fact BloodSucker suddenly discarded his editing and started a new one meant he wasn't confident enough to beat the ad. Or at least, his editing quality was still inferior to his friend.

'He unexpectedly has a high pride.'

Sighing, Max crossed his legs and rested his head on his hand.

"Don't push yourself, you hear me? After editing this special video, just rest. Don't worry about the video for next week. I will focus on the Midnight Heist's tournament and practice for Roach Planet's competition. And I won't cut your pay, so don't worry about it."

BloodSucker's eyes widened in surprise.

"Woah… Who are you? Breeze I know will be stingy with money, and I can imagine him threatening me to work 24/7. Tell me, are you a skinwalker? Where is the real Breeze?!"

"Now you're rude." A visible vein popped on Max's forehead, his voice lowered considerably. "Should I cut your pay, huh? I think $2,000 is enough for you, considering you aren't even sleeping. Yeah, the sleeping cost should be cut short, no? I believe that thing exists."

"You're a devil! You dare to cut my pay after what I do? Devil!"

"Hahaha, try me, panda vampire! You better keep your word, or you will see the number 2 instead of 3 in your bank account."

Having understood the situation, Max no longer felt bad and laughed like an evil lord. It was to motivate BloodSucker. The man himself probably also hit his limit and needed this simulation to stay awake.

"Oh? Now you're challenging me too?! My boss has turned his back on me." BloodSucker raised his chin arrogantly, "Fine. I will show you. Just wait until you watch the finished product!"

On the screen, BloodSucker raised his hand. The video call ended after that, and the screen disappeared.

Max let out a chuckle out of amusement. Why were the people around him so competitive?

BloodSucker, whom he thought was a lazy person, unexpectedly put a lot of effort when it came to editing. Flexy also didn't want to give up even when his teammates left him. And Lily also wanted to try something new even though it was dangerous. fгeewebnovёl.com

It was just as those smart people said. People with similar personalities attracted each other.

'The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.'

Maybe his competitiveness had rubbed into his friends, just as Flexy's playful personality had rubbed off him a little. In the past, Max couldn't imagine himself playing around when he was in a dangerous or hopeless situation.

'I guess that quote has a bit of truth mixed in.'

Thinking so, he stood up and entered the living room while holding the now-empty cup.

After seeing BloodSucker's condition and still working despite that, Max felt he didn't want to lose.

Take it easy for the day? Hah, what a loser's mindset. Resting for an hour was enough. Before the tournament that started at 10 AM tomorrow, he wanted to regain his feeling in the Midnight Heist.

After putting the empty glass in the kitchen, he stepped inside his VR capsule and dived into the game.

'Well, let's warm up for tomorrow.'

***

In the Midnight Heist's Lobby, the atmosphere was pretty tense. People talked about tomorrow's tournament without stopping, discussing who would take the crown of the best player in Tier 1 and 2.

"Who do you think will win? I guess Tier 1 is pretty much in ImperialPrince's pocket. Or maybe Draclord61 unexpectedly has a good day and beats him. I am excited for the final already!" A player said to a group around a round table with a large grin on his face.

"I think ImperialPrince is overrated. He can't even hold a candle against StoneSword in other games." Another gave an opinion with a frown, "Haven't you heard about that new player? chikiBUM, who just rose to Tier 1. I think he has a big chance to win this tournament."

"Ah, I've heard about him!" A female player exclaimed, "He's a pretty good Thief player. However, when he plays as a police officer, he always jests around and doesn't actually catch them. His notoriety among high Tier players is famous now."

"Oh! Talking about a new player, haven't you heard of Breeze?" A man in a purple suit raised his voice in a cheerful manner. "He reached Tier 2 in just 3 weeks and is actually a good player. His ability is already proven, as he is the current synchronization test world record holder, the fastest person in the world!"

"I've heard of him." The first player that started the conversation nodded, "But isn't he just Tier 2? He won't compete in the main Tier 1 tournament then."

"That's right, hahaha. The Tier 2 tournament is for streamers and non-professional players. It's a kid's play. No matter how good of a player they are, they still won't be able to compete with pro gamers. They are on a different level!"

"That's right. Hahaha!"

They laughed together.

A player who sat near them, with his face hidden with a mask, accidentally heard their conversation and raised his head slightly.

Above his head, his name was fully displayed. It said 'Puppeteer.' He was the former world record holder for the synchronization test and the person with 4th highest SR in the world.

"Breeze is also in Tier 2, huh?" He looked at the group of players who talked about the competition with interest. "Maybe it's time to show who the best player is."