Max entered the Midnight Heist Lobby and immediately went into a secluded ce, leaning his back against a gray background so no one knew where he was. He should''ve done this yesterday instead of running around evading the other streamers.


    Looking at the time, he realized there were still a few minutes left until he needed to gather to hear the tournament''s new rules. Opening the invitation in the stream would definitely be ill-advised, so he did it right now before starting.


    Opening the game menu, Max found a red notification was nestling atop a mail icon. He opened it and saw many grayed-out emails from either his viewers, people he met in the Midnight Heist, or anyone else. He deactivated the notification for them, as they bothered him a lot.


    Holding the urge to groan, he noticed one white mail. It was from the management, with the word ''Congrattions!'' written before everything else.


    Clicking it open, the invitation was pretty simple.


    [Congrattions for advancing to Day 2 Qualifier, yer Breeze.


    We extend our sincerest apologies for all the trouble Day 1 Qualifier has caused you. Thus, wepensate you with 5,000 Dinar.


    Day 2 Qualifier will be started at 10:10 AM as opposed to our announcement to avoid anyte participants. Please enter the special Lobby through the code [9271xxxxxxx] to listen to the new rules and points acquisition.


    Sincerely, Midnight Heist Team.]


    Blinking his eyes, Max read the invitation again. Once he did so, he was sure that the letter said he waspensated 5,000 Dinar for the trouble they had caused.


    "Bullshit! Make it $5,000 instead! I don''t need in-game money, dammit!"


    ''I willin to Mr. Taka!'' He screamed in his mind but eventually calmed down after noticing how childish that was.


    Taking a deep breath, Max calmly entered the secret code into the list of Lobby he could enter, which already had his personal Lobby, Flexy''s, V-Shelter, Knighted Lobby, Mercenary Quest, and Midnight Heist.


    After he entered the code, another Lobby appeared on the list. Its name was Midnight Tournament (Special), and it seemed like a private Lobby that would be gone after midnight today.


    ''The management team is obsessed with midnight.'' Maxmented silently, ''They posted their article and sent the invitation at midnight. Don''t tell me they only wake up, eat, and shit at midnight too. That would be pretty funny.''


    Suppressing his chuckle, Max decided to enter the Lobby first as the time showed 9:26 AM already. His body was engulfed with a blue light and teleported away.


    This Lobby, connected to the main Midnight Heist, was located at the same server. The data was also shared, thus leading the yers who entered to retain their appearance from Midnight Heist Lobby.


    Max appeared in what seemed like a modern party hall. The dim, neon light cast from above, reflected by the shiny disco ball and the floor, creating a beautiful light show. On the side, many sofas were adjacent to each other, ced in a way where neon lights wouldn''t reach.


    And at the end of the Lobby, there was arge bar with 5 bartenders behind the counter. Countless bottles of beverages were arranged neatly on the shelves. And in the middle of this party floor, there was an elevated tform.


    Once again, it had to be a bar. Max wondered if there was no one creative enough to make the Lobby into something else—for example, his parkour park and Flexy''s ridiculously big golden castle.


    ''Well, maybe they designed the lobby to look like a bar because it has a nice atmosphere that attracts many people. Only a minority hated bars in this day and age. This ce felt familiar to many of the yers, allowing us to talk freely.''


    Regardless of the reason, Max didn''t care. There was no one here yet, he was the first to arrive. He went to the sofa in the corner, where he could see everything in the room.


    Sitting down, he took off his mask, and it disappeared into many glowing pieces. He prepared his stream and put the 5-minute dy just to be safe.


    [Day 2 Qualifier. Let''s listen to the new rules together. #Breeze #Midnight_Heist #Day2Qualifier #Trantion]


    With everything prepared, he started the stream immediately. The loading screen began to start, and he just had to wait for 5 minutes before it showed the footage the small camera took. To ensure the anonymity of the other yers, he pointed the camera at himself.


    "There is a 5-minute dy, guys. I might not talk too much, but enjoy the content." He said so and fell into silence.


    Many people arrived when the clock hit 9:31. Unexpectedly, this Lobby wasbined for Tier 1 and Tier 2 yers who advanced to the Day 2 Qualifier. Soon, the Lobby was filled with yers who chatted with each other.


    Sadly, Max knew no one there, so he kept seated and observed them. Being a new streamer and new yer was pretty sad, as he had no connection whatsoever. However…


    "Ah, hello."


    Someone unexpectedly greeted him. Max raised his head to look at the voice''s owner and noticed the name Ranga on top of his head. He realized this man with blue hair was his teammate in the second game yesterday.


    Smiling, he greeted him back, "Hello. Hahaha, we meet again."


    "Yes," Ranga nodded, "And I just realized, but you''re the real Breeze, huh? Hahaha, I saw the video that went viral on Strike. That helped me to advance, so thank you." He said,ughing dryly.


    "I am d if that''s the case," Max responded with a bitter smile.


    The video he made with a resentful feeling actually helped his former teammate, which made him realize the secret. That was worth it, maybe.


    "May I sit here?" Ranga asked with uncertainty, "I can find another seat if you want to be alone."


    "What makes you say that?" Max asked curiously.


    "Well, you look like you want to be alone." The blue-haired man answered, "Am I wrong?"


    Did he exude an aura that said he wanted to be alone? Was he really that… miserable? No, that shouldn''t be the case.


    ''It must be because I am still dissatisfied with the Midnight Heist''spensation reward.'' He told himself.


    "It must be your imagination." He said to Ranga with augh, "Feel free to sit on the empty seat. I don''t mind apany. Though I am streaming right now, so if you''re ufortable with your voice getting caught..."


    "I don''t mind appearing in the stream," Ranga responded and sat on the empty sofa beside Max.


    They talked about yesterday''s game for a while. What Max was interested in was about Ranga''s first game. The blue-haired man ranted about it for a few minutes, saying it was the worst game he had experienced in Midnight Heist.


    Afterughing at his acquaintance''s miserable story, Max was about to share his too. However, the light suddenly went out at that time, and a spotlight was focused on the elevated tform in the middle of the party floor.


    Their attention shifted to the spotlight. A man in an exaggerated mask with many feathers appeared with a poof of purple smoke.


    As he spread his arms, fireworks burst behind him, and his cheery voice rang.


    "Ladies and Gentlemen! Wee, and congrattions on advancing to the Day 2 Qualifier. Allow me, Moon Feather, to read the new rules for today''s tournament."


    The man who called himself Moon Feather bowed gracefully. Following that, apuse rang loudly.