The studio was quieter than it had been in days.
Not empty—just unfinished.
Five computers lined the wall. Three chairs sat unused. The lights above hummed softly, casting reflections across dark monitors that hadn't been turned on yet.
CrystalFeather sat at the middle station now. Not by assignment. By gravity.
Daniel stood behind the chairs, arms folded, watching the replay from the previous night's scrim.
Zhou broke the silence first.
"You know," he said casually, "the moment word gets out that you're building something, people start listening."
Daniel didn't look up. "They already are."
The knock on the door came ten minutes later.
It wasn't loud. Not hesitant either.
Just confident enough to be deliberate.
Zhou glanced at Daniel. "Expecting someone?"
"No," Daniel replied.
Zhou grinned. "Good."
He went to open the door.
A young man stood outside, hands in his jacket pockets, posture relaxed but eyes alert. He looked like someone who had spent too much time staring at screens and just enough time learning how to read rooms.
"Hey," the man said. "Is this Zhou's place?"
Zhou blinked. "Depends who's asking."
The man smiled. "Name's WildZone. Jungle main."
Daniel's eyes lifted from the screen.
Zhou stepped aside. "Come in."
WildZone didn't hesitate.
He glanced at the row of computers, then at Daniel, then at CrystalFeather. Recognition flickered briefly across his face—not awe, just confirmation.
"So it's real," he said.
Daniel finally spoke. "What is?"
"The rumor," WildZone replied. "That Nightwalker's not climbing anymore. He's recruiting."
CrystalFeather watched him carefully.
Zhou crossed his arms. "And you decided to walk in without an invite?"
WildZone shrugged. "City League clock's ticking. Good teams don't stay secret."
Daniel studied him for a moment.
"Rank?" Daniel asked.
"Master," WildZone answered. "Borderline Top 100. Aggressive pathing. Bad reputation."
Zhou laughed. "At least he's honest."
Daniel gestured toward the empty chair beside CrystalFeather.
"Sit," he said.
WildZone did.
No questions.
That was promising.
They didn't start with a speech.
Daniel launched a custom lobby.
"No instructions," he said. "Play."
WildZone cracked his knuckles. "My favorite kind."
The match loaded.
From the first minute, WildZone's style was obvious.
Fast clears. Sharp invades. Pressure without permission.
He overextended once.
Got punished.
Adjusted immediately.
The second invade landed clean.
CrystalFeather synced with him without being told. Daniel covered the map like a shadow, appearing exactly where the enemy thought space still existed.
Zhou leaned against the wall, watching silently.
This wasn't ladder play.
This was instinct testing.
The match ended.
Daniel closed the replay without comment.
WildZone leaned back, exhaling. "So?"
Daniel turned his chair slightly.
"You play like you don't wait for approval," Daniel said.
WildZone smirked. "Been yelled at for that my whole career."
"Good," Daniel replied. "I don't give it."
CrystalFeather raised an eyebrow.
Zhou scratched his chin. "You realize joining this isn't safe, right?"
WildZone shrugged again. "Neither's getting stuck."
Daniel nodded once.
"Come back tomorrow," he said. "Same time."
WildZone stood, already pulling his jacket on.
"Didn't think I'd get a maybe," he said.
Daniel met his eyes. "You didn't."
When the door closed behind him, the room felt smaller.
Not cramped.
Focused.
CrystalFeather spoke first.
"He's reckless."
"Yes," Daniel replied. "But he listens."
Zhou grinned. "Two down. Three to go."
Daniel looked at the remaining empty chairs.
"Three," he said. "And a clock."
Outside, the city kept moving.
Inside, something had started to take shape.
And somewhere else—
Someone was already paying attention.