Rise Online: Return of the Legendary Player

Chapter 642 The Past (Part 2)

Klaus' closed smile contrasted with the tense, expectant atmosphere that seemed to fill the air around them.

The presence of Klaus, Ethan and Andrew created an instant stir, and the journalists began to crowd around even more, trying to capture their attention, but a silence suddenly took over when everyone saw Klaus' smile disappear as he looked at the journalists.

All eyes were fixed on Klaus Park's serious countenance, which seemed calm but also surprised by their presence. It wasn't as if he hadn't imagined they would be there, but he had been so distracted talking to Ethan and Andrew since the dressing room that he was tense. The tension in the air was almost tangible, as if everyone was waiting for the next move.

Next to Klaus, Ethan and Andrew remained a little tense too, as they already knew about the rumors.

And then, the long-awaited question finally came from a voice that cut through the air, a voice louder and clearer than the others. A journalist, with confidence oozing from every word, asked:

"Klaus Park, are you in fact Kaizen? The living legend of Rise Online?"

The question stood out like a bright light in the darkness, echoing in every corner of the area. The other journalists held their breath, while the competitors and even the security guards present directed their gazes at Klaus. It was a question that had been circulating since the early hours of the morning and had only gained more momentum during the day, especially during the final, and a speculation that had yet to be definitively confirmed or denied, because Klaus had not spoken to anyone publicly about it.

The air seemed to freeze around Klaus, and now the weight of the question was on him.

His gaze passed slowly over the journalists surrounding him, each one waiting anxiously for his answer.

A light breeze was blowing, as if the whole world was holding its breath and in fact many millions of people were, because there were television and web channels broadcasting it all live.

Klaus looked at the expectant faces with a mixture of thoughts in his mind. He thought of the countless hours he had spent immersed in the virtual world of Rise Online, building his identity as a Kaizen. He recalled the friendships he had formed, the epic battles he had fought and the challenges he had overcome. And now, that identity he had protected so much was being challenged publicly. His eyes met those of Ethan and Andrew, and for a moment, it seemed as if they were having a silent conversation. The tension between them was clear, and even those around them could sense the gravity of the situation.

For the viewers on the other side of their screens, the wait was almost unbearable.

Klaus was lost in a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, while the answer hovered on the tip of his tongue.

Finally, after a silence that seemed to last an eternity, Klaus took a deep breath and spoke:

"Yes, I am Kaizen."

The impact of Klaus's words reverberated through the air, creating a wave of emotional shock through the crowd of journalists. The confirmation everyone had been waiting for had finally been given, and the explosion of reactions that followed was electrifying.

The journalists couldn't contain their euphoria, the flashes of the cameras flashing frantically as they ran over each other to record the moment. Questions and exclamations of surprise mixed together in a chaos of sound, everyone trying to get the best pictures, the best quotes, to be the first to broadcast the news with maximum quality to the whole world.

[Klaus Park is Kaizen!]

[Myth2's greatest talent reveals himself as a Rise Online legend! Klaus Park!]

[Klaus Park, a personality that will mark an entire generation!]

These were the titles of some of the news stories that came out in less than five minutes, as if they were ready to be released.

Social networks exploded with instant reactions and analysis.

Hashtags related to Klaus, Kaizen, their pasts and the tournament soon became a trend. The moment was historic, a cross between the virtual gaming world and the real-world competitive scene.

However, the journalists at the back of SoFi Stadium weren't satisfied yet, quite the opposite, they wanted more scoops. So one more question crossed everyone's mind at the revelation.

"Since you've revealed that you're Kaizen, can you also finally reveal why you dropped out of your second consecutive World Cup final and your very promising career in Myth2?"

Klaus' gaze remained steady, although now a certain additional tension hung over him. The answer he was about to give wasn't just personal, it was linked to choices and circumstances that had shaped his career, and even then he couldn't be entirely honest. He pondered for a moment, choosing the right words to use.

"Abandoning my career in Myth2 wasn't an easy decision," Klaus began, his voice conveying a calm that contrasted with the turmoil around him. "However, perhaps if I hadn't, I don't even know if I'd be here with you today. Yes, I loved every moment I spent competing in Myth2, and some of the friendships I made there were invaluable. However, that day, before the grand final, I chickened out and acted like a spoiled child and ran away because I didn't feel capable of winning."

"Are you saying that you abandoned the grand final for fear of losing?" The journalist insisted.

"Yes." Klaus lied to protect his family from all the hatred that could be directed at them. "As captain, I felt that, unlike the previous year, I wasn't capable of leading my team to beat the opponents and, for that reason, I dropped everything. It wasn't their fault, it was my fault... Huff... It feels like a weight has come off my back now."

Klaus' words echoed through the crowd of journalists, creating a moment of shock and surprise. The confession of fear and doubt at a crucial moment in his career added a layer of complexity to Klaus, an unexpected vulnerability.