Chapter 278: Failsafe
“There are big names everywhere you look, in every direction.” A VGN News caster shouted with excitement from within his broadcasting studio. He was referring to a wide shot view of the Tarolas Arena grounds, with players and NPCs funneling inside the main entrance. The assortment of races, armor types, and sheathed weapons gave an incredibly colorful display.
As he spoke, the view of the wideshot grew and moved forward, due to creative editing, and slowly overtook him so that his studio was no longer visible, only the shot of the arena. His voice continued to speak over the footage, however.
“Down there, to the left, we see Makaroth and the Sages of Destiny, next to Feng, Daehyun, Mikael, Emparak, Challenger. Then on the other side…” he continued to list off the names of visible streamers in the shot, most of which were not trying to enter the arena but rather gathering with each other in a large huddle off to the side of the swarms of players and NPCs.
“Man…” Andrew took a deep breath as he, Mike and Nicholas were all standing side by side within Nicholas’ office, watching the VGN broadcast. The collective viewership on Tarolas gameplay was also on display, on a small monitor off to the side that had other infographics added to it. 216 million viewers, and rising. “That’s our highest, peak viewership. Higher than launch day.”
“It’s going to keep going up. This tournament has representation from every major region across the world.” Mike added.
“All of them hoping to watch Seraxus get defeated.” Andrew nodded. “But if he kills them all…”
“It’s going to be bad. People are going to start looking up to him, rather than despising him. This is our last chance, Nicholas.” Mike added as he and Andrew turned to face Nicholas, who stood silently staring at the screens in front of them.
“I’m surprised you’re on his side now, Mike.” Nicholas replied with a slight head shake.
“I’m on the side of the gameworld.” Mike shrugged.