Continuing from the last chapter, I, Netsumizu Onzen and my companion Doromizu Onsin are overseeing the battle between my aide Kiri and Onsin's aide Nendo. They seem to have taken power from our hot spring water and are now wearing what they call Augments.

"Let's end the formalities, shall we. Here I go!"

Nendo exclaims as he rapidly advances towards Kiri at a rapid fashion! I can't believe I'm commentating in my head.

"Nendo exclaims as he rapidly advances towards Kiri at a rapid fashion! Are you folks seeing this?!"

"Onsin, why are you commentating?"

"Isn't it more exciting this way?"

Fair point. Oh Kiri's making her move.

"I don't have time for minor characters. Hydrothermal: Fog!"

Some smoke is coming out of the protrusions in Kiri's armor. Is...Is this steam?

"Well now folks, it seems aide Kiri's augment ability is creating steam! This is perfect for sneak up attacks and surprise lockdowns! Keep your senses on end if you're trapped in her 'Fog'!"

Onsin's right, this isn't just any steam, it's thick and cloudy like that of fog. I could barely see her but I could make out the silhouette that she's going to attack from behind.

"Ohoh, a sneak attack huh. Too bad that won't work on my ability. Muddy Water: Clay!"

A something formed around Nendo's head. It seems she struck it with a lot of force but she got hurt?!

"AGH! Damnit!"

What is this?!

"Onsin, explain."

"I was about to, sheesh. Ahem. Now we see the devastating augment ability Clay! This covers the user with muddy water that's thick and consistent enough to be like that of clay! No wonder Nendo's nicknamed the Armor of Muddy Water!"

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

I see, Nendo's augment is clay-like armor and Kiri's is fog creation. This is interesting but why are those their abilities?

"Their powers are from who they got the water from. Nendo's case, Onsin's, Kiri's, yours, Onzen."

Thanks God for reading my thoughts and answering my question. Can you please stop them? I don't think Kiri's going to win in this.

"No trust in your aide, huh. I can sympathize. Very well then. Hey you little aides, you better stop or I'll hallelujah the heck out you."

"...Okay."

They both actually stopped fighting and even simultaneously responded to God, amazing.

"They both actually stopped fighting and even simultaneously responded to God, amazing! There we have it folks, it's a draw! Tie! No win! You get the idea! With the fight over this is your commentator Onsin, good night!"

Glad he shut up.

"Now as you know, I'm that guy who's like God, but not him. The real guy busy up there. I gave all you hot springs a task to be the most popular one. To do that, you have aides to support you. I didn't tell you guys this at first but now that we have enough people, I'll say the prize. It's a wish. Cliché, I know."

"How do we win?"

"Shut up Onzen, I was about to say it. Now that we have enough competitors, it's time for a tourney to answer who will be the most popular!"

"Wouldn't that just be mindless fights with no apparent line between unpopular and popular?"

"The winner of each fight has full rights to the loser's hot spring and establishment. Thus, if you beat the most popular, you'd be the new most popular. Simple enough. Questions?"

I didn't have any in particular but Kiri asked an important question with a lot of seriousness.

"How many competitors are entered?"

"Good question. This will be a difficult trial after all..."

The already tense atmosphere seemed to get twice as heavy with the suspense God piled up. We all know that the answer would probably determine our motivation for this. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity after al--

"It's four. The number of participants is four. You two springs, one other hot spring, and the most popular and most powerful one of all."

...Okay.

"If you're thinking why only four, that's because the others declined. I don't want my tournament to only have 2 springs in it, so you two don't have a choice, try to not enter and you die from torture. Anyways, further details are to be said in a future date. Bye."

And with that, God left us no choice. Leaving us a feeling of dread is not something I want at the moment.

"It seems we end at a draw, I'll take my leave for now. I hope we fight again, Ms. Kiri. Onsin! Let's go!"

"Bye Onzen! I hope we win next time! Hah!"

Now the two troublemakers left as well.

"Kiri, are you alri--"

"I'm fine! Don't worry about me."

After that, she sat under the same tree she was under before. All silent and soon after fell asleep. She may be my aide but I want to support her as much as she has supported me. I'll do my best in looking for a way to do just that!