Against the Algorithm

Chapter 35: Storm Signals

Summary: One cocky broadcast is all it takes to light a match—and Tong Yao doesn't just spark. She ignites. As the stage shifts and strategies sharpen, lines are drawn, shots are fired, and for the first time, the world sees exactly what happens when someone underestimates ZGDX's analyst. The storm isn't coming. It's already here.

Notes:

Author's Note: The Muse is cackling and they had fun with this entire chapter!

Chapter Thirty-Five

The moment A'Guang's cocky, juvenile voice blared across the arena speakers, echoing in the otherwise quiet lounge where Rui, Yue, and Yao were seated, all three heads turned toward the massive screen mounted on the far wall.

"So, old veteran men of Team ZGDX, get ready to be trampled under our feet! Because we will take your title as the best!"

The arena roared, reacting to the broadcasted pre-recorded interview as the introduction for KING's Captain rolled out with smug, over-the-top confidence, his face on screen full of youthful arrogance and puffed-up bravado.

Yao froze.

There was a very specific kind of silence before a storm—and Yue, leaning forward with a bag of chips in one hand, caught it.

The slight twitch in her fingers.

The faint scowl blooming between her brows.

And then, just like that, she was on her feet—furious, indignant, and flustered beyond all recognition as she pointed at the TV like it had personally offended her.

"What the heck did that barely fifteen-year-old brat just say about my team?!" Her foot came down in a sharp, decisive stomp against the carpeted lounge floor, her eyes wide and blazing, mouth set in a fierce little pout of disbelief as her arms flailed slightly in righteous fury. " Old veteran men? Who is he calling old?! They're not old—they're experienced! And they will mop the floor with that loudmouth child!"

Yue, wide-eyed, dropped his chips. Rui, mid-sip of coffee, choked a little.

"Uh-oh." Yue muttered under his breath.

"She's activated." Rui murmured, shifting subtly away from the line of fire.

Yao, flushed and fuming, turned toward the door like she was genuinely contemplating marching her small, furious self out into the arena to tell A'Guang off in person. " I swear, " she huffed, fists clenched, " if he says one more word— "

"Boss Bunny," Yue said quickly, rising with both hands held up, "I know that tone. That is the 'storming onto the stage to commit a murder' tone."

"You're not supposed to cause international incidents before the first tower is even down," Rui added calmly, though his lips twitched at the corners.

"He hasn't even played yet, and he's already got that attitude?! You'd think he'd at least be able to grow chest hair before talking about trampling people!" Yao scowled harder, her chest rising and falling with frustrated breaths.

Yue snorted so hard he had to cough to cover it up.

And as the broadcast switched back to the arena's main stage, Rui calmly reached for his phone and sent a message to Kwon and Sicheng both:

Your Tiny Boss Bunny is about five seconds away from declaring war. We suggest someone handle it before she pulls a Kun Hyeok and rushes the stage.