Chapter 54 - The Tournament Begins: First Round

The match had barely lasted a few seconds, but it was already over. Drake withdrew his leg from the devastating downward kick, feeling his normal weight return to his body as the floor beneath him lay shattered with Hao Yang’s body lying motionless on the ground, utterly defeated. The arena was silent for a moment, as if the crowd couldn’t quite believe what had just transpired.

Then, the cheers exploded from the stands, breaking the stunned stillness. The announcer, momentarily caught off guard, quickly recovered, her voice ringing out with renewed energy.

"W-Well, folks! What just happened?!"

She exclaimed, a mix of excitement and disbelief in her voice.

"Can you believe it?! Not even a minute into the match, and we have our first victor of the day! A knockout! And what a spectacular knockout it was!"

As she spoke, officers rushed to Hao Yang to check his condition. She continued, her enthusiasm growing with every word.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know about you, but I have never seen something like this! A single kick without any technique and the arena itself has felt the force of contestant Drake Shawn from the ‘White Flower Divination School’!"

As the officers confirmed that Hao Yang was merely unconscious, she nodded toward them.

"And let’s all take a breath—*phew*—participant Hao Yang is alive! But out cold, folks! Absolutely out cold!"

Turning back to the crowd, she added with a wink.

"This tournament just got a lot more interesting, don’t you think? With contenders like this, who knows what’s in store? Keep your eyes on this one, folks—because if that’s just the first round, I can’t even imagine what comes next!"

The applause intensified, and the announcer, ever charismatic, kept working the audience, ensuring the excitement stayed high as Drake was officially declared the winner.

The blond seemed satisfied with what he had accomplished, though that didn’t stop him from sighing in relief, knowing he hadn’t miscalculated the weight. What he had shown just now wasn’t even close to the maximum his body could endure, but he hadn’t wanted to risk harming a resident of this world too severely without first knowing what they were truly capable of—something he had now at least confirmed.

image [https://i.imgur.com/LwvYxN0.png]

A small chat window appeared near his head, belonging to the otherworldly patron who frequently watched over him, displaying a simple emoji of approval for his actions. However, that was all—no additional message or extra reward as his title suggested might happen. It seemed that, although the fight had been enjoyable to his patron, it wasn't deemed worthy of anything more. But Drake wasn’t about to let this chance slip by.

Recalling the embarrassing "training" he’d undergone with Kazue on how a proper "streamer" should act, he prepared to respond directly to the message before it vanished.

“H-hey…”

With a nervous smile and trembling fingers from embarrassment, the boy looked straight at the message and raised his right hand in a victory sign. Kazue had told him he needed to act like a charming guy—exude confidence and emphasize his physical appeal. However, despite practicing it so much that the girl had to ask them to stop because she was starting to blush too much, it was impossible for Drake when the moment of truth came. He simply showed his nervousness and his desire to disappear into the ground, and that wouldn’t catch the patron’s attention, right? Well...

image [https://i.imgur.com/AOg1Ocq.png]

⌠Otherworldly Fanbase: One of your fans is smitten by your endearing clumsiness! You have been tipped 100 points.⌡ ⌠Fanbase Count: [1 member]⌡

Okay, that wasn’t exactly the reaction he was hoping for, but it seemed Kazue had been right after all when she said interacting with those watching him wasn’t a bad idea. However, just as he was thinking about how he’d have to tell the others about this, another system message appeared above the first one.

⌠Otherworldly Fanbase: One of your viewers is upset that you’re flirting with one of your fans... Though it doesn’t seem like they’re mad at you, but rather jealous of you. You have been deducted 100 points.⌡ ⌠There seems to be a discussion.⌡ ⌠Fanbase Count: [2 members] *+1 new member*⌡

What had just happened? Did Another patron become jealous that Drake was "flirting" with his only fan to the point of joining his fanbase just to take away the points he had earned? That didn’t make any sense, and for someone like him, that was completely incomprehensible. He would have to ask Kazue about it again, although he feared it might lead to another round of "training". So, considering that nothing else seemed to be happening, the blonde headed to the edge of the arena and jumped down slightly to approach his waiting companions.

"That was incredible!"

Kazue exclaimed, raising her arms in excitement.

"Great job."

Adam said with a smile.

"Perfect."

Gregor added, nodding slowly.

"I knew it would be easy; I expect the same from all of you."

Li concluded, unwilling to back down and once again acting like the group's leader. In truth, he wasn't in anyone's eyes, but everyone overlooked it because, whether they liked it or not, he was the one with the most experience in these scenarios.

"Thanks... By the way, something weird happened with my title 'Otherworldly Fanbase' that I don't know how to interpret."

Drake said, grateful for everyone's encouraging words but not wasting time, trying to figure out what had happened with the strange behavior of the patrons watching him. He glanced at his companions, hoping someone might have an idea about it.

“Really? What happened? Tell us, tell us!”

The girl's eyes lit up with excitement at the idea of something happening with such a peculiar ability, so Drake explained what had occurred, though none of the other three men in the group had any clue how to interpret it. Except for Kazue, who, with a mischievous grin, declared she knew exactly what had happened and how Drake could use it to his advantage, so she pulled him by the arm, drawing him closer to spill all the details.

Meanwhile, Adam, Li, and Gregor chose to ignore the conversation entirely, opting instead to focus on the upcoming tournament matches. They were waiting for their turn to step into the arena once more while keeping their attention on analyzing the skill level of the other participants.

The next two matches proceeded fairly uneventfully, at least by the standards of a tournament in a world filled with martial artists. There was no extraordinary display of skill or power; in fact, it was becoming clear that most of the participants were, as the rumors suggested, novices from various places, but why was that the case?

The fights felt almost underwhelming compared to the first, and it showed in the reactions of the crowd, who seemed less than thrilled with what they were watching. Even the charismatic announcer had to put in extra effort to elicit any kind of response, which in reality, played in favor of the group. Sensing the shift, Li immediately turned to the others and reiterated the strategy they should follow, given what they had just observed.

“For all we know, the city's regent is watching, and our best chance, besides winning the tournament, is to demonstrate our strength and make a lasting impression… To ease future negotiations.”

Li continued, his gaze calculating.

“What Drake did was perfect, let’s do the same—full force from the start.”

Everyone nodded without hesitation; Li was right, the best course of action was to try to demonstrate an overwhelming difference in power if possible, after all, it seemed that this place put a great deal of value on individual power. The crowd, the regent, even their fellow competitors—all eyes were on them, and the sooner they proved they were a force to be reckoned with, the better their chances in both the tournament and beyond.

After a few more minutes, it was finally the turn of the next member of the group to step into the ring. This time, it was Adam’s turn, facing off against a tall, slender man with long hair, dressed in an elegant black suit. The man wore a long sword on his belt and was introduced by the announcer as Lang Wei from the ‘Iron Sword Gang’, one of the most infamous gangs in the city.

The crowd murmured at the mention of Lang Wei’s affiliation, some in awe, others in disdain. Adam eyed his opponent carefully, knowing this fight could be more challenging than it appeared if he didn’t take it seriously from the beginning.

Once they were face to face, Lang Wei looked Adam over and let out a mocking laugh. Physically, there was hardly a comparison between them, and although Lang Wei was slender, his suit did little to hide the defined muscles beneath, and he stood at least two heads taller than the boy.

“I’m sorry for you, brat, but I’m not stopping, even if you beg for mercy. My gang has a score to settle with you cursed members of the ‘White Flower’.”

Lang sneered as he drew his sword, taking advantage of the announcer’s continued introduction to unsheathe his weapon before the official start. Adam focused intently on the sword, waiting for any hint of information—but no notification appeared. The lack of any data window confirmed it: the blade was ordinary, with no hidden abilities or enhancements.

The tension between them was palpable, and while Lang’s words dripped with hostility, Adam’s calm gaze showed no sign of intimidation, only unwavering focus.

Adam sighed, fully aware of what he needed to do. He shifted into a stance he'd observed from Drake and the other fighters—a classic martial artist's position, knees bent, arms raised forward in readiness. This only served to make his opponent burst out laughing.

“What the hell is that? You’re worse than an amateur, shorty! All I see in that stance are openings!”

Lang taunted, smirking as he prepared to strike with his blade firmly in front of him.

Finally, the gong sounded to signal the start, and Lang Wei first launched himself forward with incredible speed. However, within seconds, and before Adam could react, the man vanished from view, only to reappear behind his target a moment later, intent on delivering a powerful downward slash.

However, to his surprise, Adam had completely pivoted his body to face him almost instantly as if knowing he would be there, preparing to throw a punch. It seemed absurd, as he was about to meet the edge of his opponent’s blade head-on, prompting Lang to not hesitate, closing the distance, with both attacks set to collide just inches away from each other.

But just before the edge of the sword could make contact with Adam's fist, a translucent energy surged forth from him, enveloping his hand entirely. The energy grew rapidly, forming a protective barrier that clashed against the sword, repelling it as if it were trying to pierce through a wall of steel.

"W-w-whaaaEURGH!"

The spectral fist continued its path, growing larger with every second, and when it finally connected with Lang Wei, the force was unstoppable. Lang's body was lifted off the ground, carried relentlessly by sheer momentum, and the punch kept growing until the gigantic arm reached far beyond the arena’s edge. The immense force of the blow launched the man out of the ring, sending him hurtling through the air. He crashed violently into one of the stone walls near the entrance, dozens of meters away.

[Skill: Demon-Type Manifestation Lv1] [High-level skill that allows the user to summon a ‘Daemonium Gigantiphage’ either fully or partially from their body. This entity is independent and has its own ego, it requires some form of control to be used properly.] [Cursed Vision Knowledge] [Notice: The creature is being fully controlled by the user due to the effects of the skill ⌠Hivemind Lv1⌡.] [Hint: While in full control, the user can use the ‘Daemonium Gigantiphage’ skills at will.]

It was a skill that used a lot of cursed energy, but he had plenty of it after last night’s… Dinner, so he could spare some to end the fight as quickly as possible.

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The crowd gasped in shock and awe, the sheer scale of the attack leaving them momentarily speechless. Dust and debris fell from the wall as Lang's body crumpled to the ground, unmoving. Adam stood in the ring, calm and composed, the energy around his fist dissipating slowly, as if nothing had happened.

Even the charismatic announcer, known for her energetic commentary, paused for a second, unsure how to react before she finally found her voice again.

"Wow, wow, wooow! That was incredible! Competitor Adam Scholar just knocked his opponent out of the ring and defeated him with a single attack! What a spectacular technique! Could that be the famed 'Ki Manipulation Method' that the 'White Flower Divination School' is so renowned for?! You all just saw it here, folks!"

Amid the cheers and applause from the audience following yet another extraordinary, albeit brief, match, Adam sighed in relief as he stepped off the arena and rejoined his companions. They congratulated him in the same way they had with Drake earlier. Just like before, Kazue moved closer, brimming with curiosity, and asked how he'd managed to predict that his opponent would appear behind him—whether it was due to some sort of premonition, a lucky guess, or if his senses were heightened to the max.

However, Adam simply shook his head and began explaining what had really happened.

"None of that, he just used a skill to move, and the information window popped up right away... Well, not exactly. Since it was the first time I'd seen that technique, it didn't reveal anything specific, but the skill was called [Backstab], I mean… It was pretty obvious what it did."

Adam was completely serious, which is why he couldn’t understand why his four companions suddenly burst into laughter. Even Li, usually the most composed, couldn’t help but chuckle after hearing his explanation. However, the important matter wasn't the laughter, but what came next—another fight, followed by Gregor's turn. It was time to address the elephant in the room.

The man had been adamant about joining the tournament alongside the others, and up until that point, no one had said anything about it. But it was becoming painfully obvious that, even with the low skill level of most of the participants, they were still far beyond the capabilities of a normal human.

"It's not necessary for you to help me. I don't know what you plan to do, but we don't know if it can be counted as outside assistance. Besides, I want to face this with my own skills to prove that I'm not a dead weight for this unit... for this team, I mean."

Although Gregor's determination was admirable, the others knew that underestimating what could happen inside the scenarios was extremely dangerous. They tried to dissuade him but to no avail, however, after much insistence from both Drake and Kazue, they managed to get the man to agree to surrender immediately if he saw no chance of victory. This made them a little more at ease, even if it wasn't truly enough.

The next fight turned out to be pretty boring as well, lacking the excitement that had marked Adam's impressive performance. Soon enough, it was Gregor's turn to step into the arena. The announcer presented his opponent with a flourish choice of words.

"And now, prepare yourselves for the next showdown! In this corner, hailing from the renowned ‘Qingcheng School’, we have the renowned Yi Zaha!"

As Yi Zaha entered the arena, his presence was immediately felt. He was a lean figure, his movements fluid and precise, exuding the confidence of an experienced martial artist. His stance was relaxed, almost playful, as if he were merely toying with the crowd and his opponent. In contrast, Gregor appeared stoic, a seasoned soldier accustomed to the harsh realities of combat but devoid of any theatrics.

As the gong signaled the start of the match, Yi Zaha lunged forward with rapid punches and spinning kicks. His agility was astounding; he darted around the arena with such speed that he seemed to be everywhere at once. Each strike was aimed with precision, a flurry of blows that could easily overwhelm an untrained opponent. But Gregor stood his ground, precisely moving his body to evade most of the attacks and blocking others, waiting for the right moment.

Drake watched intently from the sidelines, a mix of admiration and apprehension churning in his stomach. He recognized the distinct difference between himself and Gregor. The blonde’s combat style had been shaped by impulsive street fights, where instinct and a few basic techniques had kept him alive. In contrast, the soldier’s movements spoke of years of disciplined training and experience, and what neither Drake nor anyone knew, with the sole exception of Li, was that such experience was versed in various martial arts, particularly Combat Sambo. While he may not have had the flashy techniques of his opponent, Gregor’s seasoned composure allowed him to read Yi Zaha’s patterns and anticipate his attacks.

As the match unfolded, Yi Zaha continued to press forward, throwing a combination of punches and kicks. He laughed, taunting Gregor.

“Is that all the ‘White Flower Divination School’ has to offer? I expected more from someone in your position!”

But Gregor remained unfazed, absorbing the verbal jabs just as he did the physical ones.

The martial artist was relentless, darting in and out with a speed that made him difficult to predict. While not as quick, Gregor relied on his combat experience, blocking and dodging carefully. A glancing kick caught him in the side, forcing a grunt of pain from his lips, but he quickly shook it off… The soldier knew he couldn’t allow Yi Zaha’s agility to dictate the fight’s pace.

The two exchanged blows, Yi Zaha landing several swift punches that tested his opponent’s defenses. He felt the impact of each strike, a reminder of the martial artist’s skill, but Gregor absorbed the damage with stoic resilience, using each hit as a lesson in timing and distance. He returned fire with powerful hooks and straight punches, landing a few solid hits to Yi Zaha's midsection that visibly affected his opponent's momentum.

As the fight progressed, Gregor tightened his strategy. He let his opponent overextend himself, capitalizing on openings created by the martial artist’s flashy maneuvers. Yi Zaha’s confidence seemed to swell as he landed a particularly swift uppercut that caught Gregor off guard, sending him reeling. But rather than retreat, he steeled himself, using the pain as fuel to push forward.

The audience was on the edge of their seats, caught up in the ebb and flow of the match. Yi Zaha, sensing victory, launched into a series of rapid strikes, but Gregor's experience shone through. He ducked under a spinning kick and retaliated with a well-placed jab to his opponent's ribs, followed by a swift knee to the chest. The martial artist stumbled back, momentarily dazed.

Gregor advanced with a series of calculated punches, not one to miss an opportunity. He landed a powerful cross that staggered Yi Zaha, forcing the martial artist to retreat. But just as Gregor thought he might gain the upper hand, Yi unleashed a flurry of desperate strikes, catching him with a heavy hook to the jaw that snapped his head to the side.

Gregor could feel the sting of the blow, but he refused to back down, instead, he regained his composure and countered with a series of brutal punches. The arena echoed with the sound of fists colliding with flesh as Gregor relentlessly pounded Yi Zaha, landing strikes that pushed the martial artist to the brink. With each blow, the audience roared in approval, the cheers growing louder with every hit.

Finally, as his opponent staggered, Gregor saw his chance. He pressed forward, delivering a final combination of punches that sent Yi Zaha crashing to the ground. The martial artist tried to rise, but Gregor was on him in an instant, pinning him down. With fierce determination, he rained down a flurry of punches to the young warrior’s head, each one connecting with unyielding force.

The referee stepped in as Yi Zaha lay motionless on the ground, clearly unable to continue.

“And there you have it! Another triumph from the ‘White Flower Divination School’, it seems we have a clear favorite!”

Gregor rose slowly, his chest heaving, but the victory was sweet. His companions rushed to congratulate him at the very moment he got out of the arena, their faces beaming with pride and surprise. Drake watched with newfound respect for Gregor. The soldier had not only shown strength but an unwavering focus that spoke volumes about his training and experience.

"I must admit, even I'm surprised. Rest up and save your strength for tomorrow, as that will be the real challenge."

Li said calmly with a smile, for despite everything, he appreciated having another promising rookie on the team. He couldn’t recall the last time he’d had such members since his previous team was nearly wiped out; usually, the newcomers ended up dead in their first scenario.

"Yeah, make yourself comfortable, relax, and enjoy the show, because now it’s my turn!"

The next round was set to be Kazue vs. He Dongmei from the infamous 'Beggars' Gang'. As the girl stepped into the arena, she couldn’t help but notice the stark contrast between herself and her opponent. He Dongmei was a hulking figure, broad and a bit on the heavier side, dressed in ragged clothing that looked like it hadn’t seen soap in weeks. The scent that wafted off him was equally unpleasant, causing some spectators to grimace.

"And here comes the first woman of the tournament, Kazue Rima, also from the ‘White Flower Divination School’! Will she be able to dance around the lumbering giant, or will she be squashed like a bug? Let’s find out!"

Said the announcer with a flair for theatrics, leaning into the mic, her voice ringing out confidently.

From the audience, Kazue's companions erupted with cheers, their enthusiasm infectious. Among them, Katya appeared particularly anxious, her hands clasped together in silent prayer as she watched her friend prepare for battle.

Meanwhile, as the fighters faced each other, He Dongmei grinned, revealing a set of teeth that looked like they hadn’t been brushed in ages.

“I don’t want to hurt a cute and helpless girl like you, but I suppose it’s time for a lesson.”

He sneered, the stench of alcohol wafting from him. Kazue, unphased by his taunts, shot back with a playful smirk, at the same time she began to materialize her two gauntlets on each hand.

“Helpless? You clearly haven’t seen whom you’re going against yet! You’re gonna be the fodder for my adventure, stinky!”

The crowd chuckled, and He Dongmei’s expression shifted from amusement to anger. With the fight beginning, Kazue wasted no time, charging forward and launching a punch aimed directly at the man's ample stomach, her right gauntlet crackling with electricity. The impact resonated, and although the shockwave visibly jolted him, he shrugged it off with surprising ease.

“Is that all you’ve got, little girl? You hit like a toddler!”

Dongmei taunted, raising a bottle of strong liquor, and tilting it back for a swig.

Kazue found herself on the defensive as He Dongmei launched into a series of quick, staggering punches, swaying as if he were about to lose his balance. Kazue managed to evade his initial strikes, her agility allowing her to land a few more electric punches, but he absorbed the blows like a tank, his sheer size and drunken agility a formidable challenge.

[Skill: Drunken Fist Style Lv3] [No info available.]

From outside the arena, Adam could see what was happening, understanding that, unlike the other competitors up until now, this one was not a pushover at all. He ended up clenching his fists, hoping that the girl would be enough to get over this upside battle.

Suddenly, she felt the weight of his fist land against her side, and the foul stench of liquor hit her hard. Kazue grimaced, the combined effect of the blows and the overwhelming odor making her head spin, but she shook it off, forcing herself to refocus.

He Dongmei, sensing her momentary weakness, lunged forward with surprising speed for someone of his size, throwing a wild punch aimed at her head; Kazue ducked just in time, feeling the rush of air as his fist flew overhead. Not wasting a moment, she countered with a quick jab to his ribs, her gauntlet sparking with electricity. It connected, but He Dongmei just grunted, barely phased, and retaliated with a sweeping kick that nearly caught her off guard.

Kazue leaped back, narrowly avoiding the blow, her heart racing.

“Is that the best YOU can do?”

She taunted, trying to maintain her confidence despite the overwhelming pressure, after all, there was something that gave her extreme confidence, and that was that her title [Outstanding Rookie] hadn’t activated at all, meaning that her opponent wasn’t that much stronger than her.

“Cute words won’t save you from this!”

He Dongmei bellowed, his breath reeking of alcohol as he swung his arm again, this time a wide hook aimed to catch her on the jaw. Kazue sidestepped, but the sheer force of his movement created a gust that knocked her off balance for a split second.

Seizing the opportunity, He Dongmei advanced, raining down punches that were erratic but powerful. Kazue danced around him, dodging a couple of blows but taking a hit to her shoulder that sent her sprawling against the arena's edge. The crowd gasped as she hit the ground, but she quickly rolled back to her feet, adrenaline coursing through her veins, deadening the pain she should be feeling.

“Come on, Kazue! You got this!”

Chloe shouted from the stands, her voice cutting through the chaos, followed by Nikolai and even Emir. However, it was the next and totally unthinkable cheer from none other than Katya that Kazue glanced over, finding her friends’ encouragement revitalizing her spirit.

With renewed determination, Kazue launched herself back into the fray, utilizing her agility to weave in and out of his reach. She threw a series of rapid punches, each crackling with electricity, landing several solid hits. Yet, He Dongmei continued to absorb the shocks with a grim smile, the liquor in his system likely dulling his senses.

Kazue’s frustration bubbled. She needed to find a way to turn the tide. Then, amid the flurry of punches, she felt the weight of her situation. What would the heroes from my favorite novels do? she thought. They wouldn’t give up; they’d find a way to win against all odds.

There was no reason to hold back. Even if she wanted to win as 'easily' as her teammates had, it was unworthy of a true protagonist to underestimate her opponent. She would have to use her new skill and go all out, so in a flash of inspiration, she decided to bait him into a flurry of blows.

“You think you can take me down that easily? It seems that the only thing bigger than your bad smell is your delusions.”

She challenged, forcing him to charge at her with all his might due to his fit of rage.

As he swung wildly, Kazue ducked and dodged, her movements fluid as she evaded his attacks, and just as she had hoped, he became overzealous, leaving openings in his defense. With a quick feint, Kazue threw a left jab, connecting with his side. Initially, nothing seemed to happen, and He Dongmei chuckled.

“What even was that? I can’t feel a thi… Aaargh!”

But then Kazue felt the activation of her skill [Burn Thee Witch!] take effect, igniting the alcohol in his bloodstream and clothes. Flames erupted around him, and his laughter turned to screams of shock and pain as he recoiled, desperately trying to extinguish the flames licking at his entire body.

Seeing her chance, Kazue readied her right gauntlet, channeling her energy into her [Enhanced Thunder Piercing Hand] skill, a swirling drill of electricity formed at her fingertips, crackling with raw power. She charged forward, determination fueling her movements, and with one final, powerful punch, she connected, knocking He Dongmei out with a powerful discharge that finally seemed to work, sending him crashing to the ground, unable to rise again.

“Victory goes to Kazue Rima!”

The announcer declared with flair, her voice ringing through the arena. The crowd erupted into cheers, the energy palpable as Kazue stood tall amidst the applause. She took a deep breath, feeling the thrill of triumph wash over her, and soaked in the moment of her hard-earned victory.