Part 4/8:
The narrative rewinds to 2017, exploring Val's life before the fateful tournament. Living with her divorced father, Carlos, Val is passionate about gaming, often dismissing traditional job opportunities set by her father. The allure of earning a lucrative income from gaming fuels her determination to excel in tournaments.
As we trace her journey to the tournament, she faces criticism from Carlos about her gaming ambitions. However, her obsession with the game and determination to beat Roy override the admonitions of familial responsibility. This leads her into the orbit of Kojima, who introduces her to Impulse 9, a choice that seems to unlock her potential yet becomes the catalyst for her subsequent downfall.