Chapter 3
Chapter 3
Austin tracks Khem to the university campus, but their meeting is interrupted by a veiled threat from Leo, who demands answers about Khem's connection to a stolen account. The stakes rise as Austin realizes Khem is in danger.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows across Mahidol University’s ICT building as Austin stepped through the glass doors, Khem’s student ID clutched in his hand. The plastic card felt warm, almost alive, as if it carried the ghost of the shy student who had challenged him and vanished. Austin’s heart drummed a steady rhythm of anticipation and unease.
He found the lecture hall on the third floor, door ajar. Through the gap, he saw Khem sitting alone in the back row, hunched over a laptop, fingers flying across the keyboard. The room smelled of stale coffee and old paper. Austin pushed the door open, and the creak made Khem look up.
Their eyes met. Khem’s face drained of color, then flushed. He half-rose, knocking his chair back. “You—how did you find me?”
Austin held up the ID. “You left this behind. In the café.” He stepped closer, the distance shrinking between them. “I’m Austin. From ZGDX. You challenged me, then ran.”
Khem’s hands trembled as he took the card. “I didn’t expect you to actually come.” His voice was barely a whisper. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
“Why did you?” Austin asked, genuine curiosity softening his tone. “You’re good. Really good. But you play like you’re hiding something.”
Khem’s eyes darted to his laptop screen, then back to Austin. “It’s complicated.”
Before Austin could press further, the door swung open again. A figure leaned against the frame—Leo Lopez, dressed in a worn leather jacket and ripped jeans, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Well, well. The famous Austin and the mysterious KHEM_01. What a cozy little reunion.”
Austin stiffened. “Leo. What are you doing here?”
Leo pushed off the doorframe and sauntered inside, circling them like a predator. “I could ask the same. But I already know. You’re looking for answers about your little challenger.” He stopped in front of Khem, looking down at him. “Except I have questions of my own.”
Khem’s breath caught. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Don’t you?” Leo pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, and held it up. A gaming profile glowed—KHEM_01, but with a different avatar, one Austin recognized as belonging to a banned account linked to a cheating scandal. “This profile played against you, Austin. Same skill level, same timing. But the original owner was banned six months ago. So who’s really behind KHEM_01?”
Austin’s stomach dropped. He looked at Khem, whose face had gone pale. “Is that true?”
Khem shook his head, but his voice cracked. “No. I mean, yes, I use that account, but I didn’t steal it. It was given to me. By a friend.”
“A friend who got banned for cheating,” Leo said, his tone cold. “And now you’re using it to challenge pro players. Why? To prove something? Or to cover someone’s tracks?”
Austin stepped between them. “Leo, back off. This doesn’t concern you.”
“It does when the integrity of the league is at stake,” Leo replied, his eyes narrowing. “You’re a team leader, Austin. You know the rules. If Khem’s connected to a banned account, he could be disqualified from ever competing. And you could be implicated for associating with him.”
Khem’s hands clenched into fists. “I didn’t cheat. I never cheated. I just—I needed the account. It’s the only way I could practice at a high level without being noticed.”
“Noticed by whom?” Austin asked, turning to face him fully.
Khem hesitated, then whispered, “My family. They don’t know I game. They think I’m studying all the time. If they find out I’ve been spending hours on competitive matches, they’ll cut me off. The account was a way to stay anonymous.”
Leo laughed, a harsh sound. “And you thought challenging the leader of ZGDX was anonymous?”
“I didn’t think he’d actually accept,” Khem said, his voice breaking. “I just wanted to see if I could keep up. For once, I wanted to feel like I belonged somewhere.”
Austin’s chest tightened. He remembered that feeling—the loneliness of being good at something no one around you understood. He looked at Leo. “This ends here. Leo, you’re going to delete whatever evidence you have, and Khem is going to start fresh. No more borrowed accounts.”
Leo’s smile vanished. “And why would I do that?”
“Because if you don’t, I’ll report your own side deals to the league commissioner,” Austin said, his voice low and steady. “I know about the under-the-table sponsorships you’ve been brokering. One word from me, and your career is over.”
Leo’s jaw tightened. For a long moment, the room was silent. Then he let out a breath. “Fine. But if I find out Khem’s involved in anything deeper, I’m coming for both of you.” He pocketed his phone and walked out, the door slamming behind him.
Khem slumped into his chair, burying his face in his hands. “I’m sorry. I dragged you into this.”
Austin sat down beside him, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from Khem’s shaking body. “You didn’t drag me. I came because I wanted to.” He paused. “But you need to be careful. Leo doesn’t let things go. He’ll be watching.”
Khem looked up, his eyes red-rimmed. “Why do you care? You don’t even know me.”
Austin’s gaze softened. “Because I see something in you. Something worth protecting.” He reached out and gently touched Khem’s hand. “Let me help you. Properly. No secrets.”
Khem’s breath hitched. He stared at Austin’s hand on his, then slowly nodded. “Okay. But I need to show you something first. Something that might change your mind about helping me.”
He turned his laptop around. On the screen was a message thread, the most recent message glowing red: “They know you’re using the account. Meet me tonight or they’ll expose everything. —L.”
Austin read it, his blood running cold. “Who’s L?”
Khem swallowed hard. “Leo’s brother. The one who gave me the account.”