Chapter Five: Seven Walls

There were no ability penalties in a real match, but there were referees, cameras, and an audience. Worse, Zhou's Forecast survived only seconds outside Midnight Court. Chen did not guard him at first. Luo smothered Su, Carlo protected the rim, and Chen smiled at Han. “I heard you spent rewards on Endurance. A ruined knee that lasts longer is still ruined.” The first collision pushed Han back. His brace shrieked on the second. Carlo dunked, then blocked Zhou. Five-zero. The arena screen filled with comments calling them fraud and cripple. Zhou accelerated. He beat Chen but was driven to the baseline by Carlo. Forecast showed Su open; Zhou passed, and Luo ruined her release with a borderline hold. Five-one.