CS: The Last Dance, a Dance That Leads to Professional Success

Chapter 135 The Transfer Window Opens! (Part 2)

Weibo backend.

Meng Lang's private message list has completely exploded.

The red number representing unread messages was no longer the familiar two-digit number, but a glaring "999+".

He used to be a small blogger with a few hundred followers, and he never turned off the private messaging function. He never imagined that his backend would be overwhelmed with messages.

Meng Lang clicked on it out of curiosity.

A stream of private messages, filled with excitement and disbelief, jumped into view:
"Dark!!! Holy crap! They really won!!!"

"Major champion! Am I dreaming?"

"Tell me this isn't just wishful thinking! Someone at CNCS actually lifted the Major trophy?! And they were the MVP?!"

"Brother! I've been playing since the 1.6 era, watching CNCS rise and fall. Seriously, tonight, as a grown man in my thirties, I cried while holding my screen! Thank you! Thank you for giving our old guys' youth the most perfect ending!"

"Are those idiots from EG embarrassed now? Is 2K still being stubborn?"

"Langbao! Mommy loves you! Is this trophy heavy? Are your hands sore? My heart stopped when I saw you taking off your bandages!"

"."

Each private message was filled with the most primal and pure excitement and ecstasy.

As Meng Lang scrolled through the screen, he felt as if he could see through the words the faces of people blushing with excitement.

The corners of his mouth turned up unconsciously.

These heartfelt cheers and congratulations gave him a real sense of warmth and accomplishment than the cold trophies on the stage.

He exited the private messaging interface.
Looking at Weibo's trending topics list again, the "#Dark Major Champion# [Breaking News]" tag hanging high at the top left him even more bewildered.

"So exaggerated?"

Meng Lang touched his nose.

But then, after a moment's thought, he felt relieved.

The game CS has been deeply rooted in China for a long time.

CS1.6 accompanied an entire generation, serving as a cherished memory of youth and an introduction to esports for countless early internet users. Later, CS:GO gained popularity in China, but it has always lacked a team that can truly compete on the world stage.

these years,

CNCS has had very few shining moments on the world stage. Its only historic breakthrough was back in 2018 when Team TyLoo miraculously made it into the Major Legends Group.

That was four years ago.

Four whole years!

No Chinese team made it into the Major main event.

The domestic CS:GO community seems to be facing a huge gap, with a lack of new talent and little hope. CNCS seems to be stuck in an endless quagmire.

As a result, while strong teams from Europe, America, and the CIS have long considered qualifying for Majors as commonplace, CNCS has almost become synonymous with "underdog" and "runner-up".

Amidst this silence and near-desperate waiting, against this backdrop of utter silence, he, Meng Lang, a 17-year-old boy from Sichuan and Chongqing,

In such a near-mercenary role, he went overseas and, despite being underestimated, not only won the championship with his team but also won the MVP award with overwhelming statistics!

This was like a bolt from the blue!

It woke up all the sleeping or about-to-give-up CNCS viewers!

Although it was only a short-term employment, the championship medal and MVP medal were not fake. Behind them was CNCS's "breakthrough from zero" in the world's highest hall!
How can this not drive domestic players and fans crazy?

Of course, this is just Meng Lang's understanding based on the gaming community itself.

He hadn't fully realized it yet.

His legendary journey from being an "EG outcast" to becoming a "Major champion MVP" is itself a story with strong appeal and potential for widespread dissemination.

His handsome, angular face and the powerful muscle lines that you can feel even through his team uniform are a nuclear bomb of "opposite-sex attraction" for the huge female user base on Weibo!

After all, in his own eyes, he was just an "ordinary-looking big boy who looks a bit like Eddie Peng."
Thinking of this, Meng Lang first updated his Weibo with the confident post he had just shared on Instagram.

Then, looking at the private messages from fans that were so enthusiastic they almost overflowed the screen, he selected a few and replied with a smile:

@RampagingBananaMan: "Dark! I'm more excited about your victory than if I had gotten into Tsinghua University myself!"

Meng Lang: "No, no, no, Tsinghua is still a bit more awesome (doge), but thanks bro!"

@RampagingBananaMan: "Ahhh! The Dark Lord replied to me! Alive! Taking a screenshot! I don't care, you're my god!"

@DidYouGiveUpToday: "Black God! Did your hands shake during that last 1v5?"

Meng Lang replied: "What are you shaking for? It's basic stuff, don't be ridiculous (sunglasses)."

@DidYouGiveUpToday: "Holy crap! That was a perfect performance! I give it a perfect score! So cool!"

@A G2 fan of ten years chimed in uninvited: "Black God! Will you stay with G2 in the second half of the year? Please, please renew your contract!"

Upon seeing this, Meng Lang's smile faded slightly. After considering his words for a moment, he replied truthfully, "It's not clear yet."

He closed Weibo and then opened WeChat.

Sure enough, the screen was also flooded with "Congratulations" and "Awesome" comments.

My cousin Wang Yitong also sent his congratulations.

Next came a voice message from a childhood friend whose contact name was "Erpang." Opening it revealed a strong, distinctive Sichuan-accented Mandarin:

"Damn you, Wensan! You're so reckless! You actually won that MMA JORT championship?! Holy crap! You're absolutely awesome!!"

Meng Lang replied directly in dialect:
"You little rascal, what's all the fuss about? It's nothing."

Erpang: "A small scene? You call this a small scene? My buddies and I watched it at an internet cafe. When you got that pentakill, I smashed my keyboard to pieces! The owner wants me to pay for it now! But it was worth it!"

Erpang: I'm bragging in my college classmates' group chat right now, saying the Major champion is my childhood friend, and not a single one of those bastards believes me! I tell them we grew up together, like we were practically inseparable, and they say, "How could someone as awesome as you be friends with me?" You better get me an autograph, the kind with my name on it, I'm going to use it to slap them in the face!

Meng Lang laughed: "Sure, autographed photos are 200 each, I'll give you a 20% discount if you know someone, payment first, then delivery!"

Erpang: "Get lost! You think you're a big star now? Starting to extort money? You've really made something of yourself, huh? Starting to settle scores with your buddies now? Believe me or not, I'll go back and expose all the times you peeked at Aunt Wang next door taking a bath when you were a kid!"

Meng Lang: "...Never mind what I said. I'll treat you to hot pot when I get back, all you can eat."

I exchanged a few jokes with my childhood friend.

Meng Lang then replied to all the other well wishes he received on WeChat, including those from friends he hadn't contacted in a long time.

After finishing all this, he finally breathed a long sigh of relief, slumped onto the sofa, and began to understand the saying, "People are afraid of becoming famous, just as pigs are afraid of getting fat."

But to be honest, it was pretty fun.

A sense of exhilaration, a feeling of finally being able to hold one's head high and prove oneself after a long period of suppression, welled up from the bottom of my heart.

He couldn't help but chuckle.

Still not satisfied, he casually opened the Hupu CS:GO section.

Sure enough, the rating thread for the "Antwerp Major Finals" is already up and running here.

His own rating section:

Dark: 9.9 points

[Comment]: "Unleashed! A rifleman's performance delivers a historic rating, the ultimate expression of numerical appeal!"

The comments below were unanimously praise and jokes.

He then looked at his teammates:
Niko: 9.8 points

[Comment]: "The young man's dream has finally come true! No longer a tragic hero, he withstood the pressure and didn't falter at the crucial moment!"

m0NESY: 8.0 points

[Comment]: "I'll give you +1 point for not hiding it next time."

huNter-: 8.9 points

[Comment]: "The most reliable older cousin, the strongest support. He may not be the most dazzling star on the stage, but his brilliance is enough to illuminate his younger brother's path to victory."

Aleksib: 8.5 points

[Commentary]: "The originator of the 'Give the AK to Dark' tactic! The commander under the least pressure, but decisive in key decisions!"

After browsing Hupu, Meng Lang habitually checked out the CS esports forum and the CS section of the NGA player community.

As expected, he was the sole protagonist in both places today, with his homepage almost entirely filled with related posts.

Posts celebrating his victory and marveling at his performance are popping up everywhere:
Boom! Dark's performance at this Major showed me the ultimate form of a rifleman!

I used to think that even the best riflemen had a limited impact due to their weapons and positions. But Dark completely shattered that notion! His finishing shots were incredibly efficient, giving opponents almost no time to react. It was like... like he always knew where his teammates would create opportunities, and then he would finish them off with the most precise and fastest movements!

And various:

"A Rational Discussion: Is Dark's Antwerp Trip One of the Greatest Individual Performances in CS:GO History?"

From EG reject to Major MVP, Dark's journey is more outrageous than a fantasy novel!

"If you don't understand, just ask: Where does Dark's final 1v5 dunk rank in Major finals history?"

A rundown of the top ten most memorable moments from this Dark Night Major – each a classic artistic endgame piece worthy of being enshrined in the Louvre of esports!

What makes Dark's shooting skills so strong? A personal analysis of his unique positioning and recoil control.

There are also some lengthy and in-depth thought-provoking posts.

Before Dark emerged, I always thought Niko was the pinnacle of pure rifleman skills.

Before Dark's sudden emergence, I thought Niko was the ceiling for pure riflemen. I believed that riflemen could never reach the ceiling of snipers. I thought that in modern CS, with its well-established tactical systems, you couldn't win a major with a breacher as the primary core. But Dark truly shattered people's preconceived notions about riflemen. His unbreakable front line, explosive damage output, and countless heroic shots that saved the team. Niko doesn't have Dark's talent and can't deliver that kind of firepower. But aside from his crucial mistakes, I don't want to blame him for anything, because overall, he did a great job in this major!
Besides these posts about Meng Lang and G2, the homepage also contains some envious sighs from fans of other teams:

"Waaaaah, when will our Team Liquid be able to lift the Major trophy like this? Watching Dark dominate G2, I'm so jealous!"

"The dynasty has long since ended, and the device is old... Looking at G2's golden rain, I can only silently open my inventory and look at my NIP stickers."

"No matter how well Snappi commands, we still feel like we're missing a super gunner like Dark to deliver the final blow! I'm so envious of G2!"

“Our dynasty was once like G2 today, but now… the road to reconstruction is long, and we hope to find a ‘Dark’ that belongs to us.”

"Our team's aim isn't bad, but it just feels like they're missing that final spark. If we had someone like Dark who could consistently go on a scoring spree, would the outcome have been different?"

As Meng Lang was scrolling through his feed, he unexpectedly came across his own reply on Weibo!

The fan who asked about his plans for the second half of the year screenshotted his reply, "It's still unclear," and posted it directly on NGA with the title: "Something terrible has happened! Dark himself replies, his plans for the second half of the year are a mystery!"

This post instantly sparked heated discussions among NGA users, with the number of replies increasing rapidly:
"Holy crap? I don't understand? Does that mean the contract hasn't been renewed yet?"

"What is G2's management doing? Shouldn't they have finalized the contract by the semifinals?"

"Oh no! I have a feeling this is going to happen! With Dark's performance, how many teams are waiting outside with their checkbooks in hand!"

"@G2 Esports Club, wake up! Your house is about to be robbed!"

"Great news! Get out of G2 and come to my beloved FAZE! First of all, let me state that I am not a FAZE fan!"

"."

Many impatient NGA fans even resorted to using VPNs to access the internet and leave messages on the official social media accounts of various clubs to petition for their support.

FAZE official account comment section:
"@FaZeClubs, do you want fresh blood? Do you want to revive the glory of the Galacticos? If you can acquire Dark, your Cologne and Rio Majors in the second half of the year will be just around the corner! Dark is the ultimate piece of the puzzle that you need most!"

"@karrigan Since your tactics have been completely outmaneuvered, why not try a different approach! If you can convince the management to bring Dark back, I'll never laugh at you again as a 'big pig,' and you'll be the world's number one commander in my eyes!"

"Stop focusing on those second-tier players! Look at Dark! He's the one who can truly make FAZE take off!"

NIP official account comment section:
"@NIP Buy him! You've already bought the 'human limit' Device, now buy the 'not-human' monster Dark! This year's Major is definitely going to be a huge flop!"

"@NIP If you buy Dark, I'll be a ten-year NIP fan, and I mean it!"

Mouse's official account comment section:
"@mousesports, allow me to proudly introduce you to Dark, the youngest Major champion and MVP in history at 17! Buying him is the right choice! You won't regret it!"

"@mousesports Stop tanking! Sign Dark, build your team around him, and you'll be the next powerhouse!"

“Our frozen team is strong, but Dark is a different breed. Sign him, and we can truly challenge the top teams!”

Comments section of the official Liquid account:
"@TeamLiquidCS, don't you want to revive the glory of North American CS? Then hurry up and buy Dark! He's your only hope!"

"@TeamLiquidCS Chicken is very strong, but what if you add Dark? Just imagine the scene!"

"Don't let the European giants snatch it away! Liquid should act when the time is right!"

Even the official EG account's comment section wasn't spared, but it was mostly filled with mockery and ridicule:
"@EvilGeniuses, did you ever imagine this day would come when you ousted Dark from the power struggle? Doesn't your face hurt?"

"@EvilGeniuses It's not too late to regret it now. Hurry up and start 2K, and invite Dark back (if he's willing)."

"Hilarious! @2K kept saying he kicked Dark out for the good of the team. If you really cared about the team, you should castrate yourself instead of ruining the team's future."

Meng Lang quickly noticed the storm on the internet after being reminded by the child.

The kid looked at the phone and patted Meng Lang on the shoulder enviously: "Dude! You're really famous! The whole internet is talking about where you're going!"

Meng Lang chuckled and nudged him lightly with his elbow: "Don't worry, if I become rich and powerful, I won't forget you."

then,

He clicked on G2's official account out of curiosity.

really,

The area below has also fallen:
"What does 'Dark' mean? @G2esports"

"Shouldn't you have shown your sincerity beforehand for players of this caliber? Don't be stingy at a time like this, @G2esports!"

"@G2esports Dark, this player is absolutely worth every penny! We should keep him no matter the cost!"

"I've been a G2 fan for ten years, please don't let me down at this crucial moment! I'm begging you!"

"Niko did win the Major, but you guys don't want this Major to be his last championship with G2, do you? @G2esports, please give Niko a dynasty!"

"@Carlos, say something! Stop dreaming about your French dream all day! Leave Dark here first!"

G2 fans are in a state of shock.

Tonight, my favorite team was supposed to win the championship, and I was so excited to brag about it online, feeling superior to other fans. But after going around in circles, I realized that it seems like my own team's MVP award is about to be lost?

What the hell is this?!

Of course, some "knowledgeable" fans were either gloating or pouring cold water on the situation:
"Stop daydreaming. @CarlosR, his wife doesn't approve. Would he dare to spend money recklessly?"

"They were stingy when they bought Niko back then, and now they're probably thinking about 'reducing costs and increasing efficiency,' signing the best players for the least amount of money? They're dreaming."

"Given the track record of G2's management, I doubt it. When have they ever been generous?"

Berlin, Germany, headquarters of G2 eSports Club.

Founder Carlos had just finished a business meeting when he was stopped at the door by the head of the public relations department, who reported on the intense reactions from fans on the official account and various speculations about Dark's contract renewal.

Carlos listened with a frown, inwardly cursing these fans for being more anxious than the emperor himself.

The club's money doesn't grow on trees!
Signing a contract is fine.

But is spending so much money really appropriate?

He quickly started calculating in his mind:
As the team's star player, Niko's salary is what it is; it's not among the highest in the industry. If a newly established 17-year-old rookie were offered a salary higher than or even equal to Niko's, it would be a different story.
What must Niko be thinking?
Will the team's salary structure become unbalanced?
He came up with countless reasons, but the core idea was to control costs.

He didn't even consider why he couldn't raise Niko and Dark's salaries to match their abilities and market value.

Unfortunately, G2 has always been a club that is unwilling to invest money and lacks long-term patience, yet dreams of competing for the highest honors.

Get big results with little money!
This is G2's consistent business strategy.

But right now, his official accounts have been almost "bombed," and he is under immense public pressure, which he cannot completely ignore.

He sighed, picked up the phone, and dialed Niak, the club manager who was in Antwerp. "Niak, contact that Chinese kid and arrange a video conference. Now, immediately."

Antwerp, hotel conference room.

After receiving Niak's message, Meng Lang greeted the child and then followed him to a quiet meeting room.

On the huge LCD screen, Carlos, the club's CEO, was already seated in Berlin, wearing a formulaic smile.

"Hey! Dark! Congratulations, young man! A truly exceptional performance!" Carlos's voice came through the loudspeaker, polite and courteous.

"Thank you, Carlos." Meng Lang nodded, neither humble nor arrogant.

"I'm sure you've felt the enthusiasm of our fans and how much we value you," Carlos said, getting to the point. "Therefore, we hope to establish a longer-term partnership with you. Here's a contract we've prepared for you..."

A contract summary appeared on the screen.

Upon closer inspection, Meng Lang saw that it was a three-year contract with a salary... that was only at the average level for top-tier players.

Seeing Meng Lang's slightly furrowed brows and silence, a hint of displeasure flashed in Carlos's eyes, but his smile remained unchanged, and he immediately added:
"Of course, we understand your value. If you sign now, the club can offer an additional signing bonus of $7. This demonstrates our sincerity."

His tone made it sound as if giving away $7 was some extraordinary favor.

Meng Lang fell silent.

He remembered his mother's hardworking figure and his grandparents' wrinkled faces.

He needs a contract that will allow his family to stop working so hard.

He didn't immediately refuse, nor did he show any excitement. He simply said calmly, "Thank you for the club's recognition. As for this contract... I need some time to consider it."

Carlos on the other side of the screen was clearly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Meng Lang to react this way.

He suppressed his displeasure and forced a smile: "Of course, this is a big deal and should be taken seriously. We look forward to your good news."

The video conference has ended.

Meng Lang got up and left the conference room.

He wasn't stupid. G2's management wanted to lock him in with a long-term contract but weren't willing to pay a matching price. He knew he had the "system" as his biggest trump card, with unlimited potential, and he would never "sell himself" at a low price at this time.

On the way back to the room, after only a few steps, Manager Niak caught up from behind and whispered, "Dark, think it over carefully. You're the hottest rising star in the CS scene right now, but... your choice is also very important."

His words were somewhat meaningful, as if they were a reminder.

Meng Lang nodded gratefully: "Thank you, Niak, I will seriously consider it."

Back in his room, Niko had just finished a phone call with his girlfriend on the balcony, his face still glowing with the joy of winning the championship.

Seeing that Meng Lang's expression was normal but his eyes were thoughtful, he took the initiative to ask, "Hey, buddy, what's up? Did Carlos want to talk to you about the contract?"

Meng Lang did not hide anything and briefly explained the content of the video conference and the conditions offered by the other party.

Niko frowned after hearing this, and patted Meng Lang on the shoulder: "Listen, Meng, don't rush. Your value is far more than this! G2... is indeed quite cautious when it comes to money sometimes."

Old Ni's emotional intelligence meant he wouldn't say anything inappropriate.

But he hesitated for a moment, as if he had made up his mind, and said, "Okay, I'll give you my agent Alex's contact information. He's very experienced in this industry and knows how to get the best deal for you. You can consult him first and just say that I introduced you."

Upon hearing this, Meng Lang's heart skipped a beat: "Really? Thank you so much, Old Nun!"

Meng Lang immediately added his agent Alex's contact information.

Almost immediately after sending the friend request,

It passed through in a flash.

Clearly, Alex had already received the information from Niko.

Then a phone call came in!
"Hey! Dark! Congratulations! Antwerp's performance was simply incredible!"

Alex's voice came through the receiver, full of enthusiasm and professionalism: "Niko has already told me about the situation. Rest assured, leave professional matters to professionals. If G2 or any other club contacts you about the contract again, you can tell them to come directly to me."

Hearing Alex's words, Meng Lang immediately felt a significant weight lifted off his shoulders.

With a professional agent to help him navigate things, he can focus more on what's most important—training and improvement.

After hanging up the phone, Meng Lang calmed down.

Without any hesitation, his consciousness sank directly into the [System Space].

Everything can be cut off!
Post-sleep training must not be interrupted!
Today's celebrations and trivial matters have taken up too much time; he needs to make up for the training he missed.

The road ahead is long, and only by continuously strengthening ourselves can we meet all challenges.

The following day, the day after winning the championship.

According to the plan, all members of G2 will take a short break in Antwerp before returning home to begin a short vacation.

In the morning, Meng Lang first accepted an online invitation from Valve designers to participate in designing his own championship capsule sticker. This is a unique honor belonging to the champion members, separate from ordinary player signature stickers.

For Meng Lang, this was an unexpected surprise.

Because of this Antwerp Major, the regular player stickers belong to the teams that qualified through the RMR qualifiers.

When Meng Lang played in the Americas RMR during his time with EG, he was relegated to the bench and did not participate in the RMR. G2's qualification for the RMR was secured by Jackz, so the sticker naturally belongs to Jackz and has nothing to do with him.

In addition to the regular autographed capsules, the Major also features an exclusive championship capsule containing only autographed stickers from the five players of the championship team, G2.

Normally, champion stickers are based on the player's original signature design, with the addition of champion logos, special gold backgrounds, and other elements of honor. However, Meng Lang had not designed any signature before, so Valve's designers needed to create a custom one for him from scratch.

During the online meeting, the designer first showed him sticker designs from other well-known players such as S1mple, Niko, and ZywOo as a reference, allowing him to experience different styles.

Then he asked, "Dark, do you have any initial ideas for your signature? What style do you hope it will have?"

Meng Lang looked at the signatures on the screen—some flamboyant, some simple, some abstract—and pondered for a moment.

He thought of his ID "Dark" and his right hand, which was jokingly called "Sealed," so he drew a circle of scattered bandages around his ID.

Based on his description, the designer quickly sketched it on the graphics tablet!

"Great! That's the feeling!"

Looking at the final design, Meng Lang felt a surge of excitement.

On one hand, he is about to become one of those legendary players, possessing his own autographed sticker bearing the glory of a champion.

Champion autographed capsules

It is a unique souvenir created to commemorate the moment a specific team wins the highest honor in a Major, possessing irreplaceable commemorative significance and collectible value.

On the other hand, he also knew that the champion's autograph capsule was priced at 17 RMB in the game, and 50% of the sales revenue would be given to the champion player who participated.

This is a crucial part of the Major tournament's revenue distribution, typically bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars for each champion, and even more for extremely popular players. This is undoubtedly a huge boost to his goal of providing a better life for his family.

After finalizing the design of the champion's autographed capsule,
In the afternoon, Meng Lang strolled around the beautiful city of Antwerp with Niko, the child, his cousin, and others, relaxing his nerves that had been tense for a long time.

He also plans to go back to his hometown in Sichuan and Chongqing in a few days, as he has missed it terribly after not being home for so long.

The day after winning the championship.

G2 headquarters in Berlin, Germany.

Carlos paced restlessly in his office. He asked Niak, the manager who had just returned to Berlin, "How's it going? Any response from Dark? Why can't I get through on the phone?"

Niak carefully observed his boss's expression and replied, "Carlos, Dark said... all matters concerning the contract can now be handled entirely by his agent. He himself plans to return to China first."

"broker?"

Carlos paused for a moment, then asked irritably, "Where did he get an agent?"

“It was Niko who introduced him to him, Alex.”

"what?"

Carlos almost laughed out of anger. A surge of anger welled up inside him. He felt that Niko was simply "betraying the club" and colluding with outsiders to swindle money from the club.

Wouldn't it be a good thing for Niko to win more championships if Meng Lang were kept around?
Is he satisfied with just winning a Major?

But deep down, he really didn't want to give up Meng Lang's suddenly shining reputation.

He suppressed his anger and asked, "What did his agent say?"

Niak forced a smile and replied, "Mr. Alex said... Dark hopes to explore the transfer market and hear offers from other clubs."

"Activating the transfer market? Waiting for the right price?"

Carlos was so angry he laughed. "Fine! You've got a brilliant plan!" He then glared at Niak. "Didn't you try to talk him out of it? Explain the benefits of staying with G2? Other teams might not be a good fit for him!"

Niak was speechless. How much salary are you paying me to help you scam a promising young man?
But he still spoke respectfully, saying, "I tried to persuade him, but he said he didn't understand the situation and that professional matters should be handled by professionals... Carlos, I think perhaps we can increase the compensation a bit more..."

"Improve benefits?"

Upon hearing this, Carlos didn't want to listen anymore and waved his hand to interrupt Niak, "Alright, alright, you can go now."

Watching Niak's departing figure, Carlos sneered inwardly.

Europe and the CIS region have no shortage of gifted young people!
Every day, countless young people eager for opportunities are waiting.

Do you really think you're something special just because you won a Major championship?
How many players in history have won a Major only to fade away quickly?
"If you leave G2's mature roster and system, and just find some 'trash' team that only knows how to pay, you'll be out of your element and fade into obscurity after a year. I wonder if you'll regret it then!" Carlos thought viciously to himself.

Thinking about it this way, he suddenly stopped being in a hurry.

He even thought that if Meng Lang went out and faced some setbacks, he might come back and beg G2 to sign him.

But the thought of the incessant chatter from fans on his official account and the constant tagging of his Instagram account made him feel agitated.

To quell public opinion and shift the potential blame for "not retaining staff," he pondered for a moment, took out his phone, and edited a post to publish:
—"G2 Esports is committed to building the most competitive roster and providing the best environment for its players. We greatly admire Dark's outstanding performance in Antwerp and have offered him a very attractive long-term contract. We have done our best to retain this talent, but at this time we are unable to contact him directly. #G2"

This seemingly official but actually blame-shifting post immediately caused an uproar in the CS community on foreign websites!

"See? G2 did their best! It was Dark who was greedy and ungrateful! G2 gave him a chance when he had nowhere else to go!"

"Cannot be reached? You're kidding me! Dark was just posting on Instagram!"

"Full of sincerity? How full? Dare to show the contract amount?"

"I told you long ago, Dark is obviously a treacherous person who would betray his principles for personal gain. G2 helped him when he was in his most difficult time, and now that he's won the championship, he's putting on airs!"

"'A very sincere contract'? Coming from your mouth, Cassidy, it's probably just a basic salary contract with a mousepad as a bonus. Don't be stingy!"

"This is a classic negotiation tactic of Ka Lao Si. He wants to use public opinion pressure to force Dark to sign a cheap contract."

"Both sides have problems, right? Dark might be asking for an exorbitant price, and G2 is indeed stingy."

"So, the classic management style of making empty promises and using manipulation tactics is now turning to public opinion, huh?"

"Thank you, Kaka! Now we have a chance! #FAZEGo #FightingLiquid"

The comment section quickly split into two camps.

Those supporting the club and those supporting the player were arguing fiercely.

For other clubs that had been watching from the sidelines, G2's official post was tantamount to an "official announcement": this rising star who burst onto the scene at the Antwerp Major has officially entered the transfer market!

Suddenly, clubs that were still hesitant or planning to slowly make contact accelerated their actions.

After learning that Meng Lang's contract matters had been fully entrusted to the famous agent Alex, Alex's phone instantly became a hotline, and he became very busy.

So, during the few days that Meng Lang, Niko, the kids, and others enjoyed a short vacation in Antwerp, he would receive calls from his agent Alex from time to time. The quotes he received over the phone were like rockets, rising all the way up.

Finally, just as Meng Lang finished his trip to Antwerp and was about to board his flight back home at Brussels Airport, his agent Alex called again.

This time, his tone was filled with barely suppressed excitement:
"Meng! It's here! A new offer! $10 a month! If you agree to sign, the club will directly pay an additional $100 million signing bonus!"

Signing fees are different from transfer fees. They are not paid to the club. In the professional esports circle, a "signing fee" is a one-time signing bonus paid by the new club to the player to attract and incentivize top talent to join.

The signing bonus can be seen as a special "joining bonus," highlighting the market value of top esports players as scarce talents.

Why is Alex happy?
The higher the salary, the more he will be paid as an agent.

Even though Meng Lang was mentally prepared,
Upon hearing this number, my breath caught in my throat!
He quickly did mental calculations:
A signing bonus of $100 million was close to 700 million RMB at the exchange rate at the time! A monthly salary of $10 would amount to an annual salary of $120 million, which is over 800 million RMB!

The enormous amount made him feel dizzy for a moment.

Compared to the conditions offered by other clubs, including G2, this is a completely different level!
He had thought that winning the Major championship MVP would make him quite valuable, but he never expected to be worth so much.

"Alex...which club is this?" Meng Lang asked, trying to calm himself down.

On the other end of the phone, Alex smiled mysteriously:
"It is an esports club from Riyadh."

"Riyadh? Saudi Arabia?" Meng Lang was somewhat surprised. "What's that name?"

"Team Falcons".

Meng Lang quickly searched his memory but couldn't recall anything particularly clear. It seemed to be a newly established club in the Middle East.

"So... what about their roster? How's their roster right now?"

Alex continued in a mysterious tone: "The lineup? It's not completely finalized yet. But there are people you know very well."

"Who?"

"Niko."

Meng Lang was immediately surprised.

They've been together these past few days, but Niko has never mentioned it to him, though they occasionally hint at future possibilities.

"Niko... has he agreed?" Meng Lang pressed.

“Not yet! But he will agree; I’m working on persuading him,” Jason said confidently.

As Niko's agent, he knew exactly what price would entice his clients.

But why didn't Niko say so?
Meng Lang instantly understood; it was clearly because of his cousin, huNter-.

G2 holds special significance for Niko and his cousin, making the decision to leave was not easy.

"Then... what about the others in G2? Has Falcon been in contact with them?" Meng Lang asked again.

“As far as I know, their current plans don’t include anyone else from G2 besides you and Kovic,” Alex said.

Meng Lang couldn't help but ask, "Then... what about Ilya? Didn't they consider him?"

“I’m not I’m Illya’s manager, but according to my information, Falcon… currently has no plans to invite him.”

Alex paused, keenly sensing the implication in Meng Lang's words, and couldn't help but tentatively ask, "Meng, it sounds like... you seem to hope to continue partnering with a specific player in the new team? Or... who do you want to partner with?"

what?
Meng Lang was stunned.

Can I think of this problem?

Alex laughed on the other end of the phone!

He felt that this young man from the East did not seem to fully realize what the "numerical storm" he had stirred up in Antwerp really meant!
They still didn't understand his current position in the eyes of the wealthy and powerful management of Falcons.

Since their goal is to compete for the highest honor!
Unlike G2's operational philosophy of achieving great things with minimal investment.

There is no doubt that the opponent will build their lineup around their core players, although they will not build the team exactly as they envision.

However, if he says he has good chemistry with a certain player, then that core desire will naturally become an extremely important factor for the Falcon management when building the team.

As for spending money?

Is that even a big deal?

Listening to Alex's meaningful laughter on the phone, and glancing at the flight about to take off outside the window, Meng Lang took a deep breath.

He knew that a golden invitation from the desert was slowly opening its doors to him, one that could completely change his career.

And this time,
He seems to...

They also gained some power of choice.

(End of this chapter)