"Well, that didn't go well as planned." Joey awkwardly commented after the unexpected rejection from Clark's brother.

"Sorry about that. My brother is a good man but maybe, he just wants to have an assurance of winning members for the tournament. He actually knows you in the game, Sofia. " Clark admitted with an apologetic eyes.

"What do you mean?" Sofia asked with one eyebrow raising at him.

"He sometimes watches your gameplay. Well, he admired that you can play a tank role. He said that it is rare to see your unique grasps during a team fight especially when ganking and jungle stealing." Clark answered.

"Oh? Well, I have spent sleepless nights to master the tank role," she mumbled. 'Even the original owner's soul was gone because of that unhealthy routine,' she mentally added.

"So we still need a marksman. Joey, do you have a friend who plays the game? Most of the squads were already done with their registration. If we don't find another member, we might not be able to send an application for the tournament today." Claire turned her attention to Joey.

"I do have friends that play this game. But they have stopped attending school. I will try to contact one of them if it's okay?" Joey reluctantly replied.

"This is a district tournament. It's not required for all the squad members to be at school. Try to contact them." Sofia encouraged the guy.

"Okay, wait a moment I will call him now..." Joey said and walked a few distances away from them.

"While waiting, let's plan our schedule. I only have night classes and it will start next week. So I am free anytime this week. How about you, rich kid?" Sofia glanced at Clark and playfully asked him.

"I have a class for the entire morning. I can play around 3 pm and at night." Clark chuckled. The awkward air around them quickly left and was replaced by serious discussions.

"I can play except Saturday. That is my P.E class and I am always tired after P.E." Claire stated.

"We need to play a lot for this week. And then, after the tournament, we can rest." Sofia sighed and felt a bit frustrated. The unhealthy routine of sleeping so late at night needed to be changed but with their lack of time, they need to hustle.

"Guys, I have Stephen as our marksman." Joey returned after making a call to his friend.

"Stephen? Is he the one who was rumored that was involved with a gang?" Clark whispered cautiously.

"Yes, he was. But he is not really a member of the gang. Anyway, he decided to stop attending class last 2 months ago and his grades are failing miserably. So, he is no longer a student." Joey placed his phone back in his pocket and looked at Sofia with an expectant gaze. He was not sure if the lady would allow his friend to join the squad. But it was certain for him that if he can make it, the man would be overjoyed.

"Let's cast away all prejudices and discrimination. As long as your friend can play the role, then, let's have him play with us. Where is he? It's better if we meet him personally." Sofia asserted.

"Yes, he can meet us anytime. His house is just two blocks away from our school?" Joey answered.

"Oh, then let's go to the convenience store. Tell him to meet us there." Sofia picked a new meeting place and everybody agreed.

~

The convenience store was packed with other students hanging out. Clark immediately docked his head as he also saw his brother amongst the crowd. But it was too late. The latter had seen him already.

"Guys, look! That would be one of the squads that we will be facing next week!" His brother announced loudly and pointed in their direction.

"It looks like your brother has found a new squad. Good for him." Claire glanced at the group before picking a pack of cookies on the display goods. Sofia did not bother responding and just went to the refreshment sections.

As she grabbed a bottle of soda, Joey cringed behind her." You just drank a hot coffee! Now, you wanted to drink a cold soda. That's ugh!" The boy voiced out his worries.

"The coffee was no longer hot when I drank it. And I need sugar to stay awake." She casually responded and dismissed Joey's weird expression.

In the magazine aisle of the convenience store, she caught a glimpse of the newspaper headlines. It was about the murder of one of the most successful CEO in District 2. She momentarily paused and read the content.

While she was reading, Stephen sauntered inside the store. The noise quickly muted as students avoid eye contact with him.

"Bro!" Stephen casually called Joey.

"Hey, bro! This is the squad." Joey gestured to his group. Both Claire and Clark nodded slightly.

"Hello! I am Stephen. Thank you for inviting me to join your squad." The man announced loudly. The rest of the students inside the store was bewildered but remained silent.

"Hi, I am Sofia. Joey recommended you to join us and we are lacking one member to finalize our registration..." She told the newcomer and placed the newspaper back at the stand.

"Great! I do want to play in this upcoming tournament but there are no available squads that would let me join. Perhaps, it's because of my background." Stephen scratched his nose and felt uncomfortable as the lady looked at him closely at his arm where a tattoo was placed.

"Your ink looks good." Sofia casually said before she went to the counter and paid for her bottle of soda. She remembered wanting to get a tattoo on her previous life.

"Thanks!" Stephen absentmindedly uttered his response.

The group took the most corner table of the convenience store and started their discussions.

"So, what do you think for our squad name?" Sofia asked the members.

"I was moved by what you have said earlier about wasting time is like wasting gold. I would admit that this is the reason why I aspire to join this squad. So I think we can name our squad with it." Joey suggested.

"Chronos." Clark softly mumbled.

"Yes, the Greek term for time is also good!" Claire agreed after hearing Clark's sound.

"The Chronos Squad. It's not bad. How about you, Stephen?" Sofia asked. Her eyes darted back to the tattoo on his arm.

"I don't have anything in mind." Stephen shrugged.

"Alright, let's name our group by it then!"

The group logged in to their individual accounts synchronically.

Sofia tapped the button with the squad feature tab on the game and created one. She then searched the gaming ID of the three men and added them.

Squad Profile

Squad Members (5/50)

Lobby: 5 members online

The Chronos Squad - CEO UNRIVALED - Sofia

The Chronos Squad - Almighty Killer - Claire

The Chronos Squad - Lethal Prey - Joey

The Chronos Squad - Dangerous Predator - Stephen

The Chronos Squad - Amateur Mage - Clark

After their squad was created, they quickly went to the forum for the application of the district tournament. In just a matter of a few minutes, their online registration was completed.

"Wow, there are too many squad participants!" Clark sounded after seeing the hundreds of participants on the list.

"Yes, it's because the minimum number of members of a squad is only 5. So many groups like us joined the competition." Claire responded.

"Don't think about it. Joey and Stephen, when can you play for practice this week?" Sofia asked the two of them.

"I can play anytime. I am a free man!" Stephen quickly answered.

"After quitting basketball this year, I have also free time..." Joey replied.

"Alright, tomorrow at 3 pm, let's start our practice. For now, we can just head home and rest. Let's recharge as much energy as we can for the next days to come. Also, do not neglect your school work." Sofia commanded.

"I'm okay with that. I have nothing to do! Hehehe" Stephen agreed. Clark and Joey gestured a thumbs up while Claire nodded her head.

"Before we go, let's all exchange our personal contact numbers for easy communication. If something came up, do not hesitate to contact me and the other team members. Although we are still strangers in general, we should be open to one another." Sofia conveniently handed her phone to Stephen for him to set his contact details.

After they settled everything, Sofia and Claire left the convenience store first. Clark stayed with Joey and Stephen at the table.

"Ah... I am excited to play next week." Stephen stretched his legs comfortably.

"Will you be fine, Clark? Your brother seemed to throw some sinister looked at you." Joey mumbled while glancing at the other table.

"Hehe, I am okay. He is probably concerned that I hang out with you guys. If you know what I mean." Clark sheepishly slumped his body on his chair.

"Oh... I see. Your brother does not like me?" Stephen looked outside and waved at some passerby he got acquainted with.

"Yeah, well... your reputation does make you unlikable. You know that." Clark boldly declared.

Before Stephen could speak his response, his phone pinged as he received a message.

~ From: Sofia

Since you have so much time, work on your failing grades.

Stephen frowned after reading her message. It would seem like there was an air of sarcasm and a direct order from her message. He pressed the reply and type his response.

~ To: Sofia

I am not aware that you could be nosy with my personal life. So you want to intervene with my personal business, yeah?

Stephen smirked but he was not particularly upset by what she just texted. Strangely, he was looking forward to her reply. Another message quickly followed after he sent his response.

~ From Sofia:

PPL. Pitiful Personal Life. Now work on your failing grades.

'This woman has guts!' Stephen thought but still sent her a reply.

~ To Sofia:

Aye.

(Yes.)

He then tapped at his contacts and edited the name of Sofia. A smile formed on his lips after seeing the new name on his phone. Nosy - +xx19376202224

Joey noticed his friend's amused expression but did not point it out.

Suddenly, Stephen looked at him and asked, "Let me borrow your notes from the start of when I left attending our class."

"You plan to return to school after two months of not showing up? Wait, don't tell me you have developed a crush? Is it Claire or is it Sofia?" Joey gawked at his friend.

"I could pick them both. One is the quiet type while the other is so noisy. I don't have any complaints of their personalities." Stephen joked and Clark automatically looked at the man with wide eyes and disbelief.

"It's just a joke that he always does." Joey patted Clark on his shoulder after seeing his surprised face.

"Uhmm, having many crushes is not also bad. And Stephen looked attractive." Clark recovered his composure.

"Do you have a crush on me?" Stephen playfully asked him just as he had calmed down from his initial shock.

"Ahh... stop teasing the man. You look like you are in good mood. Don't mind him, Clark. He is just like that if he is in a great mood." Joey shook his head and told the man. He then grabbed some notebooks from his bag and handed them to Stephen.

Stephen did not speak anymore. He scanned the notes and took some pictures on the pages. He then pushed them back to Joey, "Thanks! See ya tomorrow." He grinned and stood from his seat.

After Stephen left the two, Clark finally breath in relief. "What a strange guy," he mumbled.

"He has an easy-going mindset. Anyway, I overheard earlier that you're not so good in the game. Let me test your skill in a one-on-one match!" Joey suggested.

"It's pointless. Let's just play with random players." Clark dismissed his idea. He knew that his skill is below average.

"Ah, nevermind! Sofia may have plans. Let's just wait for tomorrow. I'm going home now." Joey suddenly changed his mind. He also realized that one-on-one matches would not be beneficial for Clark.

"Okay, see you then." Clark waved his hands. He took another deep breath and had a dreamlike expression, 'Surpassing my parents' money.'

[A/N: 8/24/2021 Character Profile Update - Check paragraph comments for the Chronos squad info.]

Sofia

Claire

Stephen

Clark

Joey