The Knox Rally had ended smoothly, but that was only the end of the competition itself.
The prize money and glory went to the top three finishers. The top ten racers earned the right to continue on to the next tier of events, advancing step by step toward the provincial-level tournament—the Panlong Mountain Circuit.
Those who didn't make the top ten might seem to walk away empty-handed, but that wasn't true. Every club coach had been watching their performances closely. Aside from the racers already backed by clubs, the unaffiliated street racers and Mecha Girls were all waiting for this moment.
Joining a club, in a way, was like getting a second life.
A club's resources could greatly reduce the difficulty of advancing within the racing world.
In previous years, the Knox Rally podium was always dominated by seed racers from major clubs.
But this year was different—the champion was an unaffiliated racer whose technique had stunned the entire arena: Derek Su.
His Mecha Girl wasn't famous either; the only thing people could identify was her model—she belonged to the XC Family.
Naturally, someone like him was prime recruitment material.
Derek Su and Stella had barely stepped off the podium before club coaches swarmed them like sharks catching the scent of blood.
"Mr. Derek Su, Miss Stella—you two aren't part of any club yet, right? Why not consider developing your career with our Wild Grass Club?"
A bald, heavyset coach squeezed his bulk through the crowd to reach them first.
"Wild Grass may not be in the world's top 500, but our facilities, training expertise, and benefits are on par with those elite clubs—maybe even better~"
He wasn't lying. Many clubs didn't lack resources—they lacked racers and Mecha Girls who could bring them fame.
"Wild Grass, go cool off to the side." SSC Club coach Tanner Chen elbowed his way in as well. Wearing a strained smile, he forced himself to speak.
"Mr. Derek Su, I admit there was some unpleasantness on the track earlier. But racing is like war—I hope you'll understand our situation. Still, SSC Club sincerely wants you. We can discuss all terms. Anything is negotiable!"
"Anything?"
Tanner brightened instantly. "Of course! Name any condition you want!"
"Great. Since SSC is so sincere, then fire Miles Wang. While you're at it, dissolve SSC Club, give me all the shares, and rename it Stella Club. That's reasonable, right?" Derek Su said cheerfully. "Agree, and I'll join with Stella right away."
Tanner's face turned pitch black, his smile frozen. "Mr. Derek Su… maybe let's not joke around?"
"Who's joking? I'm being very serious about joining your club."
Derek Su straightened, sighing. "Looks like SSC really has zero sincerity. Next!"
"Mr. Derek Su, join our ikun Club! Our resources are just as good as SSC's—pick any Mecha Girl you want!"
"What, you expect me to ditch Stella for someone else? Sounds shady! Next!"
"Mr. Derek Su! How about our Infidic Club? All Modules free!"
"Can you get a Diamond Module? No? Then forget it. Next!"
…
Tanner Chen was shoved aside by the other coaches.
He knew there was no hope of recruiting Derek Su to SSC. Sulking, he returned to Miles Wang.
"So? He wasn't interested?" Miles cast him a cold glance. "You can't even handle something this simple? What's the point of keeping you? Tanner Chen, you've been SSC's rookie coach for three years—have you actually improved? Why don't you know the techniques Derek Su can perform?!"
Tanner's mouth twitched violently; he almost choked.
Hell, even SSC's head coach would be kneeling in shock after watching this race.
And this spoiled Wang had been learning racing for decades and still drove like garbage.
But Tanner could only swallow those thoughts. Outwardly, he bowed and apologized.
"You're right, Mr. Wang. This is my failure. I will learn more techniques—please give me another chance!"
"Another chance?" Miles folded his arms with a cold laugh. "What chance? You ordered SSC's driver to block Derek Su and prevent him from overtaking. You stoop to something that low and still want a chance? SSC Club doesn't need a coach with your lack of integrity."
Tanner flushed deep red, ready to argue—
But two reporters stepped to either side of Miles with cameras aimed at him.
Miles stood with his back to the cameras, lips moving silently.
Tanner understood perfectly: Shut up.
If he exposed everything here, he'd never work in the industry again.
How would he feed his family?
Admitting guilt might blacklist him from all legitimate clubs.
But he could still take jobs on the black market as a coach or modder.
SSC was using him to clean their reputation.
Everyone knew it had been Miles giving orders, but now they were pinning everything on Tanner—
And doing it in front of the media.
Even if he revealed the truth later, no one would believe him. They'd assume he was bitter after being expelled.
Miles Wang truly was calculating.
Tanner pressed his lips together and lowered his head. He was backed into a corner.
"I understand, Mr. Wang. Thank you to SSC Club for your tolerance. I am unworthy to serve as a coach."
He slipped out of the crowd with a defeated posture. Camera flashes recorded his hunched back—the racing newspapers would likely run a small box with his photo, paired with a paragraph whitewashing SSC Club.
Clubs were ruthless structures. Toward coaches, racers, or Mecha Girls… their power could determine your life.
Derek Su had seen the entire scene while fending off the coaches.
It only strengthened his resolve to never join any club.
If he absolutely needed one to compete, he'd rather make his own.
"Master… that guy looked so pitiful…"
Stella tugged lightly on Derek Su's sleeve. She knew the real culprit behind all this was Miles. Tanner was just a worker forced to take the blame.
He'd lost his job—and now he had to shoulder everything.
"People pay the price for their choices~" Derek Su pat Stella's head. "If he had stood up to Miles instead of obeying, he still would've been fired. But he probably wouldn't be blacklisted everywhere. The street racers and Mecha Girls would've respected him for it."
"Mr. Derek Su is right."
The final coach to approach was Warren Wu from VVC Club. All the others had already been driven off by Derek Su's colorful rejections. He smiled.
"Tanner brought this upon himself. But Mr. Derek Su—do you still remember Caio Yang and Comet?"
"Of course. A Techmaster using skills in a training match and only managing a draw."
Derek Su shrugged, full of disdain. "Pathetic."
"Yeah! Total noobs!" Stella added with a firm nod.
Warren Wu: "…"
Their comments completely derailed the speech he had prepared.
He switched tactics.
"Our VVC Club doesn't just have Caio Yang. Other clubs can offer resources and top Mecha Girls, yes. But we have two Techmasters you can observe and learn from. I believe one of your goals is to become a Techmaster as well… right?"
Derek Su's smile faded. Warren Wu had struck a nerve.
Techmaster… Derek Su was indeed curious. It felt like being a Muggle fascinated by wizards.
"I have a few questions," Derek Su said, meeting Warren Wu's gaze.
"Please, go ahead."
"If I join VVC Club, will I have absolute freedom? Can I choose my own Modules? And can I always race with Stella?"
Warren glanced at Stella.
The XC-99 was a flawed model, priced at just 5,000 credits. He knew its specs well.
Such a Mecha Girl would never qualify as a main unit in VVC.
"We'll give you as much freedom as possible. Your training schedule is your choice, and you may assemble your own Modules. But to maximize your talent, we'll provide you with a much stronger Mecha Girl—one worth millions, even tens of millions. As for your current Mecha… if you're attached to her, she can remain as your backup."
Derek felt a trembling hand pinch his sleeve.
Stella's breathing behind him was unsteady.
Warren's offer was unbelievably generous—enough to make any racer jealous.
He didn't believe Derek could refuse.
"Your VVC Club is very sincere. I'm flattered," Derek said politely.
Just as Warren thought he had him—
"But I'm not turning the Mecha Girl who's been with me all this way into a backup. She'll always be my starter."