Chapter 469: Noisy Zack

Stan watched Camilla for a moment before giving a faint smile. "I had something important to take care of."

"I know." Camilla didn’t ask what it was. She didn’t need to.

For several seconds, neither of them said anything. The only sounds were the gunfire and movement coming from their monitors, mixed with the occasional click of controllers and the low hum of the computers around them.

Then Zack, oblivious to the tension that had settled over the two of them, broke the silence with his characteristic lack of subtlety. "Can someone revive me?"

Zoey didn’t even look at him. "No."

"Why?"

"Because you’re annoying."

"I’m literally dying."

"You’ve been doing that for twenty minutes."

"That’s different."

Camilla sighed, the sound carrying a hint of exasperation that she usually kept carefully contained. "Where are you?" she asked.

Zack immediately brightened, apparently taking this as a sign that his fortunes were about to change. "Behind the wall."

"You’re exposed."

"I know."

"Then why are you there?"

"Because I was shot."

Camilla stared at the screen, her expression unreadable. "That explains the result, not the decision."

Zoey burst out laughing, the sound filling the shop and drawing a brief glance from the attendant. Stan couldn’t help himself; he laughed too. The moment of tension had passed, broken by the absurdity of Zack’s continued struggles. Zack looked around at all three of them, his expression one of wounded dignity, apparently realizing that no one intended to take his side. "I hate this team."

The attendant walked past again, his path taking him close to their station. "You picked them," he observed.

"I didn’t know it’ll be this bad..."

Before anyone could respond to this questionable logic, the game suddenly announced the final circle. The sound effect cut through the conversation, drawing everyone’s attention back to the screen. Zack straightened in his seat, his earlier complaints forgotten as the seriousness of the moment settled over him.

"Okay. Enough comedy. This is serious."

Zoey raised an eyebrow, her expression skeptical. "You’ve said that six times."

"This time I mean it."

Camilla’s expression sharpened, her eyes narrowing as she processed information that the others couldn’t perceive. "Three enemies."

Zack froze, his earlier bravado evaporating. "How do you know?"

"Footsteps."

"I don’t hear anything."

"You’re talking."

Zack immediately shut his mouth, the lesson landing with unusual speed. Zoey covered her lips, trying not to laugh, while Stan watched Camilla’s hands. She was completely focused now, her earlier casualness replaced by something sharper and more precise. There was no hesitation in her movements, no wasted motion. She moved toward cover, checked one angle, then another, her actions carrying the fluid confidence of someone who had transcended conscious thought.

A few seconds later, gunfire erupted. Camilla returned fire, her movements quick and decisive. One enemy fell. Then another. Zack shouted a warning. "Behind you!"

Camilla turned. Fired. The screen flashed with the announcement of another elimination. For a moment, nobody spoke. The victory screen appeared, the words WARZONE VICTORY displayed in bold letters across the monitor.

Zack stared, his mouth slightly open. Zoey stared, her earlier amusement replaced by genuine surprise. The attendant looked over from the counter, his expression suggesting that he had seen something he hadn’t quite expected.

Camilla simply blinked at the victory banner, her expression strangely calm considering what had just happened.

"This seems pretty good right?" she asked.

Zack slowly removed his headset and stared at her as though he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. "Good?"

He pointed at the screen. "You just won."

Camilla looked at the victory banner again. "I see."

"You won our first match!"

"Yes."

"With us!"

"Yes."

Zack stared at her for several seconds before slowly looking toward Stan and then back at Camilla. "I think I dislike you now."

Camilla’s lips curved slightly.

It wasn’t quite a smile, but it was close enough for Stan to notice.

Zoey laughed. "She’s definitely getting another match."

Zack groaned. "No. Absolutely not."

Camilla turned toward him. "Why?"

"Because I have dignity."

Zoey glanced at the scoreboard. "You finished ninth."

Zack immediately pointed at her. "That is exactly why I need another match."

Stan laughed as he watched the three of them argue. The strange tension that had existed when he first returned seemed to have disappeared almost completely, replaced by something lighter and more familiar.

He leaned back in his chair and looked at Camilla.

"Fine."

Zack turned toward him. "You’re playing?"

Stan glanced at Camilla before looking at the screen again. He picked up one of the controllers from the table and settled himself more comfortably in his seat.

"Apparently, I have a reputation to defend."

Camilla looked at him, and for the first time since he had returned, the lingering tension in her eyes disappeared completely.

"Good."

Zack cracked his knuckles and leaned toward the screen. "Finally. Now we’re going to see who’s actually good."

Zoey immediately laughed. "You’re going to regret saying that."

The attendant passed them again and pointed toward the controllers. "Same rules as before. Don’t break the controllers."

Zack nodded solemnly. "No promises."

The attendant stopped walking and looked back at him. "Then I’m charging you for the next one."

Zack’s expression changed instantly. He looked down at the controller in his hands and adjusted his grip with exaggerated care.

"Suddenly, I have discovered restraint."

Stan laughed as the next match loaded onto the screens. Around them, the sounds of the gaming shop continued as usual, with players shouting across the room and electronic music playing softly from the speakers.

Outside, evening had begun to settle over the campus, gradually turning the windows into dark mirrors. Inside the shop, however, none of them seemed particularly interested in the passing time.

Amelia was gone and Camilla was here.

Zack was already preparing himself for revenge.

And Stan, who had only intended to return after taking care of something important, found himself sitting among them with a controller in his hands, ready to join the battle.

The loading screen disappeared.

The new match began.

And within seconds, Zack’s voice echoed through the shop.

"WHO LANDED THERE?"

Zoey laughed. Camilla calmly adjusted her position.

Stan shook his head with a smile.

Apparently, the afternoon wasn’t over yet.