Even in the real world the game continued, at least for those that were aiming for the top ranks. She had often heard it described as a sports league, where players spent huge amounts of time training and studying for their next matches. The actual tournaments were just a small part of their daily activities. Instead, they spent time honing their skills and analyzing everything from their character builds to their prospective opponents, even to the environments they'd be fighting in. It might seem overkill at first glance, but Avalon Online was a major e-sports league in its own right, and millions of dollars were at stake every time teams clashed in the tournaments. It was no different than football or basketball in that regard. On its face it was just a game, but there were so many other factors to consider. Fame and fortune were at stake, and the best players focused on being able to squeeze out even the tiniest advantages. Silver Star had been no different, and old habits died hard.
