......


    Real World.


    As the main stages of the United Cup approached, multiple entertainment companies were having their battle, trying to snatch the position of being the main broadcasters to cover the rest of the tournament.


    The organizers of the tournament and the higher-ups of the World Gaming Organization were also having some problems with who to choose among them.


    They could continue doing their channel for the broadcast just like how they did in every season and any other tournament.


    But it would not be as profitable as they wanted. They needed some profits that they would gain from the tickets for being in the audience stand and watch the battle live.


    These profits would be their future funds for the further development of the game, so the gaming company had to be very meticulous in choosing their partnered company.


    The organizers of the United Cup were already reading through the proposals of all the companies that wanted to partner with them and found that most of them were very good.


    Unfortunately, none of them meant the required popularity that the organizers had set.


    Continue your journey with empire


    Even the previously most popular channel under the banner of True Sight Industries could no longer stand at the peak of the industry despite its popular hosts. They were not even at the trend in any online platforms and were thrown at the bottom of the pack.


    There were even some rumors that the entertainment company would be bankrupted in the next couple of months as they were losing money almost every day.


    Compared to these entertainment companies on the lists, the most popular channels that discussed the game online were those influencers posting on different online platforms and the ones that were contracted with famous adventurer teams and powerful guilds to manage their respective official websites.


    But despite all their popularity, the tournament organizers could not contact them since they wanted to prevent some biases, particularly those contracted under the powerful guilds.


    There were quite a few, who could still be neutral despite the side that they were on, but they were too busy to attend the respective channels that they were managing, or they were restricted by the contracts that they signed with.


    The organizers already had a list of people that they wanted to cover the entire broadcast. Unfortunately, most candidates in the list on the same case as those neutral hosts and influencers.


    "Sigh~! If only one of these companies has a decent personality that can be the face of their company and cover the broadcast," said one of the organizers while massaging his temples.


    "Tsk! I say-... if only those fools from the True Sight Industries did not kick out Miss Bunny, then this would not be a problem. After all, we have been partnering with them for quite a few tournaments before," commented another after skimming through the list.


    ***


    Meanwhile.


    Real World, Soaring Continent, Central Region


    He then showed a hint of hostility as he continued. "But are you sure that you want to offend me just because of a small figure?"


    Shiella frowned deeply after hearing how the other party addressed Miss Bunny, not hiding her displeasure.


    She then squinted her eyes as her tone suddenly turned cold. "I think you are forgetting my other identity aside from being the young heiress of the Flying Dragon Corporation."


    She did not wait for Edmon to reply as she quickly added. "I know your real purpose for coming here to our country, so I don''t think you have the time to play around like this."


    Hearing those words, Edmon''s expression suddenly turned serious as he asked. "Is the Springfield Family still having some free hands after declaring war with the Black Serpent Mafia?"


    "Are you sure that you will risk offending ''us'' as well?" said Edmon as his gaze suddenly turned fierce as well.


    Shiella smirked as she responded provokingly. "You can try me. It is not like your organization is anything near to any of our other enemies, so adding a little pebble in the pod will not cause too much of a ripple."


    "I see. Then I am looking forward to how you are going to stop us," said Edmon as he stood up before signaling to Layla. "Let''s go."


    Hearing his cold words, Layla trembled as she could already see what would happen to her since she had failed her ''mission''.


    Fortunately, Shiella intervened and said, "The girl can stay. She has been friends with Miss Bunny, and they want to catch up, so I suggest you not bother them."


    Edmon paused as he glared at Shiella, but quickly left after seeing that Anna was eyeing him sharply from the door. "Hmph!"


    They waited until Edmon left before Miss Bunny tried to say something. "Young Miss, this-..."


    Shiella raised her hand to prevent Miss Bunny from saying anything. "This is nothing. You are working under us now, so it is natural for me to protect you."


    "As for that guy, don''t worry about him. His group and the organization behind him have been taking advantage of the chaos happening within the Soaring Continent, which is why they are being proactive with their movements."


    "What he is doing right now is just an attempt to further borrow their foothold in the soil of this continent. It is not something you two have to worry about."


    She then paused for a moment before continuing. "But I also can''t leave the two of you alone either. You can come with Auntie Anna later. She can arrange your accommodation while we are dealing with Edmon and his people."


    She then turned to Layla as she added. "You don''t have to worry about your paperwork either. My people will deal with it and handle your transfer. For now, all you have to do is work with Miss Bunny."


    "I still have some other appointments, so will you excuse me, ladies," she added as she stood up cooly and left.


    Miss Bunny and Layla stared at her back for quite a while before the latter commented. "Your new boss is so cool, Big Sister."


    Miss Bunny, on the other hand, shook her head in response. She then recalled some details from Shiella''s words earlier before mumbling. "It seems like a hidden undercurrent is going on between the top organizations. I wonder what it is."


    ...