Welcome to ONYX5
1460 Words
Yu Chen was led down a quiet hallway and stopped in front of an office with glass walls and a glass door.
Inside, a man stood with his back to her, phone pressed to his ear.
“Yes,” he was saying, his voice a little loud. “I don’t care how it looks.just take care of it. End of discussion.”
The call ended.
The staff pushed the door open gently and nodded for Yu Chen to go in.
She stepped inside.
The door closed behind her with a soft click, leaving only the hum of the building and the faint city noise beyond the glass.
She stood there, hands tucked into her hoodie sleeves, backpack hanging off one shoulder.
The man didn’t turn around right away.
She waited.
A few seconds passed. Ten. Maybe more.
Then he cleared his throat and finally faced her.
He looked… younger than she expected. Early thirties, maybe. hawk eyes. Clean suit. The kind of man who looked like he didn’t waste time or patience.
“Good morning, sir,” Yu Chen said quickly, dropping her voice as low as she could.
He studied her in silence.
Really studied her.
Her height. Her posture. The way she stood too straight, like she was trying not to be noticed.
“…Sit,” he said, pointing to the chair across from his desk.
She obeyed immediately.
“I watched the entire tryout,” he said, leaning back slightly. “Every match. Every role swap.”
Yu Chen nodded, heart tapping hard against her ribs.
“I’ll say this plainly,” he continued. “You’re talented. Not just mechanically. Your decisions stood out.”
She smiled before she could stop herself. “Thank you, sir.”
He reached into a folder on his desk and pulled out a single sheet of paper. Then a pen.
He slid both across the desk toward her.
“That’s your contract,” he said. “Every player we recruit signs one.”
Her breath caught.
“Take your time. Read it if you want.”
Yu Chen glanced down at the paper.
Salary. Housing. Code of conduct. Media obligations.
She skimmed it fast.
It was exactly what she’d dreamed of, She picked up the pen.
Signed.
And slid it back, the man blinked once.
“…That was quick.”
She shrugged lightly. “I trust my gameplay more than fine print.”
That earned her a small smile.
He checked the signature, then closed the folder with a soft tap.
“Congratulations, Yu Chen,” he said, standing up and offering his hand. “You’re officially the mid-laner of ONYX5.”
Her chest tightened, she stood and shook his hand, smiling wide.
“Thank you, sir.”
He paused.
His fingers tightened slightly around hers.
“…Your hand’s soft,” he said slowly. “That’s not common.”
Her stomach dropped.
She pulled her hand back a little too fast. “I...uh. I was born like that, sir.”
He stared at her for a second.
“Hm.”
That was it. Just one sound.
He turned and grabbed his jacket from the back of the chair.
“Come on,” he said. “I’ll introduce you to the team, then show you...your room.”
Her head snapped up. “My… room?”
“You didn’t think we’d send you back home, did you?” he said, already walking toward the door. “You’re a full roster player now.”
She followed him quickly, trying not to let her relief show.
-------
The man led her down another hallway and stopped in front of a wide glass door. He pushed it open and walked in.
Yu Chen followed, the room inside was huge.
A large sitting area opened up before her clean, modern, warm lights, soft couches, gaming posters on the walls, and a massive screen mounted in front. It felt like a home.
“Whoa…” Yu Chen muttered before she could stop herself.
Someone was sprawled across one of the couches, mouth open, snoring loudly.
Very loudly.
Mr. Han stopped walking.
“…Unbelievable,” he muttered.
He reached into his pocket, pulled out a small whistle, and blew it.
The sound was sharp and brutal.
The guy on the couch jerked awake, rolled straight off, and hit the floor with a loud thud.
“Ow—what the...?!”
Yu Chen clapped a hand over her mouth, laughing quietly.
The guy groaned, pushed himself up, and looked around wildly.
“Are we under attack? Did we lose a game? Why is my life like this....”
“Where are the others?” Mr. Han snapped, blowing the whistle again for emphasis.
The guy winced and scrambled to his feet. “Relax, Mr han! They’re upstairs! You don’t have to murder my ears!”
“Everyone,” Mr. Han said flatly, lowering the whistle, “get down here. Now.”
The guy rubbed the side of his head and finally noticed Yu Chen.
“…Huh?”
Mr. Han sighed. “Before the rest come down, introductions.”
He turned slightly. “Yu Chen.”
She straightened without thinking.
“This is Rong,” Mr. Han continued. “ONYX5 support. Loud. Lazy. Somehow still useful.”
“Hey!” Rong protested, then grinned. “Support diff, remember?”
Rong stepped forward and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, new guy. Welcome to hell...I mean, the team.”
Yu Chen smiled politely.
Then she lifted her hand and offered only two fingers.
Rong froze.
Mr. Han froze.
“…Uh,” Rong said slowly. “Is this some kind of mid-laner tradition?”
Yu Chen shook her head quickly. “No...sorry. Just… habit.”
Rong blinked. Then laughed. “Wow. Cold already. I like him.”
Mr. Han glanced at Yu Chen. “Is this because I said your hand was soft earlier?”
Her eyes widened. She shook her head fast. “No, sir. I just—”
Footsteps suddenly thundered from upstairs.
Two boys came down together.
One had messy silver-white hair and an annoyed expression like he was always five seconds away from arguing. The other had brown hair and a look that missed nothing.
They stopped when they saw Yu Chen.
Rong clapped his hands. “Ah, perfect timing.”
Yu Chen straightened her back instinctively.
Mr. Han looked at the two newcomers. “Good. You’re here.”
He gestured toward her.
“This,” he said, “is Yu Chen.”
The room went quiet.
“Our new mid-laner.”
The silver- haired guy stared at her head to toe. “…That’s it? That’s the guy?”
The brown haired one tilted his head slightly.
Yu Chen swallowed.
This was it, first impressions.
Mr. Han looked around the room, frowning slightly.
“By the way,” he said, “where’s Huo Yan?”
The room went quiet for half a second.
The brown haired, shen wei scratched the back of his head. “Captain? He said he’d be ‘a little late.’”
The silver haired guy, lu Kai snorted. “Which in Huo Yan's language means he’s ignoring everyone.”
Lu Kai crossed his arms. “He was in the practice room earlier. Probably still there.”
Mr. Han sighed. “Of course he is.”
Yu Chen’s ears perked up.
“Go get him,” Mr. Han said. “Before I go up there myself.”
Rong immediately straightened. “Nope. Not me. He scares me.”
Shen wei laughed. “You’re support. It’s literally your job to suffer.”
“Wow. Betrayal,” Rong shot back.
Before anyone could move, a voice came from behind them.
“You’re all very loud.”
Everyone turned.
A tall figure stood at the foot of the stairs.
Red and black hair. Sharp features. settled eyes, that looked like they’d already figured everyone in the room out.
Huo Yan.
He glanced at Mr. Han first. “You’re early.”
Mr. Han raised an eyebrow. “You’re late.”
Huo Yan shrugged slightly, then his gaze shifted.
It landed on Yu Chen.
And stayed there.
Yu Chen felt it instantly like being measured, not judged, just… read.
“This must be the new mid,” Huo Yan said.
His voice was steady. Not cold or warm.
Yu Chen nodded. “Yes. I’m Yu Chen.”
For a brief moment, the captain didn’t say anything.
Then, very quietly, he said.
“…Interesting.”
The others exchanged looks.
Rong grinned. “Uh-oh. He used the scary word.”
Huo Yan looked at him. “You’re still alive. That’s the scary part.”
Rong shut up immediately.
Huo Yan turned back to Yu Chen. “Welcome to ONYX5.”
- Writer
