From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Daniel thought that it was clear that Anthea had cheated.

Just then, a calm voice pierced the silence of the room, “Checkmate! Ms. Becca, well played.” Anthea announced, sliding her rook into position before the king.

At this moment, Rebecca’s king was flanked by bishops with no room to sidestep, only the path forward, which was now blocked.

Anthea had her in checkmate!

“Damn it!” Daniel felt as if he had been slapped across the face.

Rebecca lost? How could Rebecca lose? What just happened?

Anthea’s position had seemed on the brink of collapse, with only one rook left capable of crossing the river, while Rebecca still had two rooks, two knights…

It was inconceivable!

Had he not witnessed it himself, he would never have believed it to be true.

What was this called? A stunning comeback?

“Do you realize what just happened?” Sherman’s voice was tinged with nonchalance. “Chess isn’t about how many pieces you capture. It’s about strategy and brains.”

When comparing Rebecca’s style to Anthea’s, it was clear they were not on the same level.

Rebecca played like a machine, rigid and unyielding, solely focused on taking pieces, utterly oblivious to the fact that her opponent had already infiltrated her defenses.

Bit by bit, Anthea eroded her morale.

[Ann is amazing! I’m so pumped!]

[Damn! This is so exciting!]

[I’m totally in love with Ann!]

[Thrilling!!!!]

[I’m going to learn chess too! I want to be like Ann!]

[Rebecca was so smug earlier! Now she’s been put in her place by our Ann, hasn’t she?]

[Rebecca’s nothing but trash compared to our Ann!]

[Where are those who said Ann would surely lose? Come out! Why so quiet now?]

Someone in the chat dropped a line, Ann is a beauty for the ages!‘ Content protected by Nôv/el(D)rama.Org.

Then the chat was flooded with that phrase.

[As a fan of Anthea, seeing her go from a newbie to trending, facing cheating accusations, and then making a spectacular reversal to crush Becca… I’m truly gratified! I’m glad I’m her fan. Ann is awesome!]

[I’ve been with Ann from the start. The times of doubt were dark days for us fans, but we never gave up!]

[I’m a Rebecca fan, but from today, I’m switching sides.]

[Ann has shown me that in this world there’s light and darkness. When facing doubt, don’t be sad or discouraged–push through the current!]

[Never has a streamer made me feel this fired up!]

Rebecca’s face went pale. She felt a cold sweat break out as the inevitability of her defeat dawned on her.

What had happened? How could she lose?

With the system’s help and top–tier chess skills, what did Anthea have?

How could Anthea possibly beat her?

“System! What the hell happened? Why did Anthea win? You said no one could beat me!*

The system was in chaos.

It had always been invincible. This was the first time it had been defeated!

[The system has been downgraded to level 1! Top–tier chess skills revoked! Level five beauty enhancement revoked! Center of attention skill revoked!]

10-52

Listening to the system’s cold voice, Rebecca nearly crumbled.

It was all gone! Everything was gone!

All her skills were stripped away. What was she to do now?

Anthea! That little wretch!

“Ms. Becca, I believe our wager is settled, isn’t it?” Anthea looked at Rebecca with eyes devoid of emotion, yet Rebecca saw mockery in

them.

“Bitch! Did Anthea really think that by winning she could do whatever she wanted?”

Humiliation seethed within Rebecca as she looked down.

The chat was ablaze with reactions.

[Why does Becca suddenly look less pretty than before?]

[You’re not alone, mate. It’s as if she lost something all of a sudden… can’t quite put my finger on it…]