A new day began as Loser's Round 2 kicked off at Maxwell Colosseum. In the dimly lit locker room, Eliza Hart made her way to check on her sister, Veronica, who was preparing for her match against Preston Montgomery.
Their relationship had improved significantly after their last battle, where they were finally able to clear the misunderstanding that had driven a wedge between them. Now, though the tension of competition remained, the bond between the two sisters felt stronger than ever.
"Veronica, be careful out there... Preston isn't an ordinary opponent," Eliza said gently, sitting beside her sister on the locker room bench. "You need to stay defensive and watch for loopholes in his offense before striking. That's the best advice I can give you."
Eliza's tone was calm, but the concern in her eyes was unmistakable as she glanced at Veronica, who was adjusting the grip on her croquet mallet.
Veronica glanced over her shoulder, her expression calm but confident. "Don't worry, Eliza. If you beat him, I can do it too." She gripped the handle of her croquet mallet, rolling it lightly in her palm as if to reassure herself.
Eliza watched quietly as Veronica stood, adjusting her gloves before heading toward the arena. Despite Veronica's confidence, a flicker of concern crossed Eliza's face as she followed her sister with her eyes.
"Veronica..." Eliza murmured softly, unable to shake the feeling of unease as her sister disappeared down the corridor toward the roaring crowd.
"And the day has arrived for Loser's Bracket Round 2! Four intense matches will unfold in the arena today," Pat's voice boomed through the colosseum, hyping up the crowd.
"Four competitors will advance, and four will face elimination," Samantha added, her tone sharp and precise.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/7b/Preston_Montgomery_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c0/Versus.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/91/Veronica_Hart_Profile.png]
Pat nodded, glancing at the massive LED screen as it flashed the upcoming matchups. "The stakes couldn't be higher, and kicking things off is our first match—Preston Montgomery versus Veronica Hart!"
The arena buzzed with anticipation as the competitors' images appeared on the screen, each one accompanied by a brief highlight reel of their past performances.
"Preston Montgomery, who was eliminated by Eliza Hart, now finds himself facing the younger Hart sibling—Veronica," Pat continued. "This will be a clash of strategic acumen and finesse against Veronica's deceptive tactics, powerful aggression, and raw determination. A battle of intellect and grit—one that could mirror Eliza's earlier match against Preston."
"Both competitors have more than just survival on the line," Samantha chimed in. "For Preston, it's about pride. He represents Starlight University, and with his peers still standing strong in the competition, he refuses to be the first among them to fall. As for Veronica, this is about family. Eliza defeated Preston before, and Veronica isn't about to let herself fall short where her sister succeeded. There's a personal edge to this fight, and neither will back down easily."
With the announcers' introductions complete, the arena erupted into cheers as Preston and Veronica marched onto the battlefield, weapons in hand. Preston's cue stick rested calmly against his shoulder, while Veronica's grip on her croquet mallet was firm, her eyes locked forward with quiet intensity.
"So, you're the guy who lost to my sister. Aren't you afraid of losing to me too?" Veronica taunted, twirling her croquet mallet with a confident smirk as she stepped onto the battlefield.
Preston chuckled, shaking his head. "Last I checked, you lost to your sister as well. Otherwise, you wouldn't be down here with me." His calm, almost dismissive tone struck a nerve.
Veronica's grip on her mallet tightened. "You bastard… I'll make you pay for that!" Her eyes narrowed, her competitive fire now fully lit.
Preston shrugged, the smug grin never leaving his face. "A fine lady like you shouldn't use such harsh words. I suppose I'll have to teach you some manners while I'm at it."
The referee raised his hand, and with a sharp blow of the whistle, the match officially began. The crowd erupted as both competitors charged forward, ready to settle the score.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/b3/Wicket_Wallop.png]
As soon as Veronica closed the distance, her mallet within striking range, she wasted no time unleashing Wicket Wallop—a powerful overhead smash designed to knock Preston off balance or shatter his defenses.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c0/Cue_Vault.png]
"Boom!" The mallet struck the arena floor with a resounding crash, but Preston was no longer there. In a flash, he had activated Cue Vault, using his cue stick to vault over Veronica, landing gracefully behind her.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/bc/Precision_Strike.png]
"Easy shot!" Preston smirked, capitalizing on his perfect position to attack. He initiated Precision Strike, aiming his cue stick at key points on Veronica's body with the finesse of a billiards master, seeking to incapacitate her with minimal force.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/ca/Veronica_performs_Pawn%27s_Deception%2C_feigning_vulnerability%2C_luring_them_at_the_perfect_moment%2C_she_swiftly_swings_her_mallet_backward_in_a_powerful_strike.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/be/Bank_Shot_Block.png]
But Veronica's back was not as vulnerable as it seemed—it was a trap. She had set up Pawn's Deception, feigning weakness to lure Preston into a false sense of security. Just as Preston committed to his strike, Veronica's mallet swung backward in a swift, powerful arc, much like a pawn transforming into a queen in chess. Preston's eyes widened as he spotted the incoming strike at the last second. Abandoning his attack, he swiftly transitioned to Bank Shot Block, angling his cue stick defensively. The mallet's forceful blow deflected off his cue, redirecting the impact like a ball rebounding off the cushion of a pool table. However, the sheer power of the strike caused Preston to skid slightly across the arena floor, his shoes scraping against the arena floor.
"Not bad for making it this far—let's see how you handle this!" Veronica growled, stomping her foot against the arena floor. Frustration flickered in her eyes as she realized she hadn't been able to break through Preston's defenses. Without giving him time to recover, she pressed forward aggressively.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/72/Preston_performing_the_Bank_Shot_Block%2C_ability_to_strategically_use_his_cue_stick_to_deflect_attacks.png]
With a forceful swing of her mallet, Veronica aimed another strike directly at Preston, forcing him to rely once again on Bank Shot Block, angling his cue stick to deflect the incoming attack. But as the clash echoed through the arena, Veronica's lips curled into a smug smile—her swing had been a feint.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/af/Gambit_Gamble.png]
Using the momentum from the false strike, she activated Gambit Gamble, swiftly following up with a sharp kick aimed at Preston's exposed shins, exploiting the blind spot in his defense. The kick connected cleanly, and Preston stumbled back, hopping slightly from the pain.
"What a barrage of attacks from Veronica! It's clearly starting to wear Preston down," Pat remarked, leaning forward in excitement.
Samantha nodded, keeping her focus on the action. "Veronica's attacks have been relentless. Preston's been on the defensive ever since. That Gambit Gamble was a brilliant deceptive maneuver—she feigned a powerful swing to force Preston's guard high, then followed through with a kick to his shin, exploiting his blind spot."
Pat chuckled. "Still feels like a cheap shot to me."
Samantha smiled. "There's no rule saying you can only hit your opponent with your weapon. Deception and 'cheap' are just two sides of the same coin. As long as it works, it's fair game."
"Argh—cheap shot!" Preston winced, caught off guard by the unexpected kick as he instinctively rubbed his shin. Though the attack rattled him, it wasn't enough to take him down.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/84/Hobbling_Hack.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/f2/Preston_performing_the_Cushion_Escape%2C_using_his_cue_stick_to_swiftly_change_position_or_escape_encirclement.png]
"That's not all!" Veronica declared, wasting no time as she transitioned into Hobbling Hack, swinging her mallet low with deadly precision. Her target was Preston's foot—aiming to cripple his mobility and make him an easier target for follow-up attacks. But Preston's eyes narrowed the moment he spotted the incoming strike. Reacting swiftly, he activated Cushion Escape, planting his cue stick against the arena floor to propel himself aside, narrowly avoiding the mallet's arc as it crashed down with a resounding thud.
"Stop running away! Be a man and face me head-on!" Veronica snapped, her patience fraying as Preston continued to dodge and evade, playing cat and mouse around the arena. Her mallet struck the ground again with force, but Preston stayed just out of reach, vaulting and weaving effortlessly.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/30/Preston_performing_the_Spin_Control%2C_the_fluidity_and_unpredictability_of_his_movements_with_the_cue_stick.png]
While Veronica vented, Preston was far from idle. He activated Spin Control, twirling his cue stick with rapid, continuous motions, mimicking how spin is applied to a billiard ball to alter its trajectory. The fluid spinning allowed him to seamlessly adjust the angle, direction, and speed of his strikes.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/70/Croquet_Coup.png]
Veronica caught sight of the shifting cue and surged forward, initiating Croquet Coup. She positioned herself carefully, analyzing Preston's movements. With a sudden burst of speed, she swung her mallet, aiming for a decisive blow.
But as Preston's cue swung toward her mid-strike, she abruptly halted her attack.
"You won't catch me that easily!" Veronica smirked, sidestepping—only to feel a sharp jab at her back.
"What the—" she gasped, stumbling forward.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/34/Preston_performing_the_Strategic_Feint%2C_executing_a_deceptive_maneuver%2C_faking_an_attack_to_draw_the_opponent%27s_defense.png]
It was Strategic Feint—a deceptive maneuver where Preston faked an obvious attack to lure Veronica's defense to one side, only to strike from an unexpected angle. The cue connected cleanly, sending Veronica tumbling to the side.
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"You bastard!" Veronica growled, picking herself up, her fury mounting.
Preston chuckled, casually spinning his cue. "You're not the only one with tricks, Veronica."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/84/Spin_Control.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/7a/Double_Hit.png]
As he continued applying Spin Control, his cue danced in his hands, the unpredictable movements keeping Veronica on edge. With his advantage secured, Preston unleashed Double Hit—two quick successive strikes, the second utilizing the rebound energy from the first.
Veronica narrowly avoided the attack, shifting to her right—just as Preston planned.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/3c/Corner_Pocket_Pin.png]
By feigning failure, he had maneuvered her into position for Corner Pocket Pin, trapping her against the corner of the arena much like sinking a ball into a tight corner pocket.
From the stands, Eliza's eyes widened in alarm. "Veronica!" she shouted, recognizing the danger, but her voice was drowned beneath the roar of the crowd.
Preston's eyes glinted with satisfaction as he twirled his cue. "I admire your confidence, but like in billiards, it's not about the opening shot—it's about the last ball falling."
Veronica's gaze darted around, realizing the trap too late. With no exit but forward, she tightened her grip on the mallet, her path clear.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/b/b2/Croquet_Charge.png]
"Bastard!" she roared, activating Croquet Charge, lunging at Preston with all her strength, swinging her mallet like a battering ram in a desperate attempt to break through.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/a1/Preston_performing_Final_Rack%2C_his_ultimate_move%2C_where_he_uses_his_cue_stick_to_unleash_a_powerful_and_decisive_strike.png]
But Preston's focus didn't waver. Calm and composed, he executed his ultimate—Final Rack. Harnessing his knowledge of angles and momentum, he delivered a decisive strike that intercepted Veronica mid-charge. The force of the cue stick sent her crashing into the arena wall, her mallet slipping from her hands as she collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
The referee's whistle cut through the air, signaling the end. "The winner is Preston Montgomery!"
Preston lowered his cue, breathing heavily but victorious as the crowd erupted. Veronica lay still, her mallet resting beside her—a symbolic end, as Preston had 'cleared the table.'
"What a match! I really thought Veronica Hart would be the one standing tall, but Preston Montgomery walked away with the victory!" Pat exclaimed, his dramatic flair hyping up the crowd.
Samantha nodded, adding her analysis. "Yes, Pat. Unfortunately, this marks the end of the road for one half of the Hart sisters. Preston's ability to apply Spin Control throughout the match shifted the momentum in his favor. The unpredictable movements kept Veronica guessing, and when she made the wrong call, it led to her being trapped by his Corner Pocket Pin. With her movement limited, Preston capitalized with Final Rack, his ultimate—a powerful, decisive strike that sealed the match."
Pat leaned forward, his voice filled with admiration. "Veronica still put on a respectable fight! We wish her all the best and hope she comes back even stronger. And for fans of the Hart sisters—don't worry—Eliza is still in the running! Be sure to keep cheering for her!"
With her sister knocked out, Eliza immediately rushed down from the audience stands, weaving through the crowd. "Let me check on her!" she demanded, waving off the officials as they tried to block her path. They hesitated for a moment but ultimately stepped aside, allowing her onto the arena floor.
Kneeling beside Veronica, Eliza's face tightened with concern as paramedics checked for signs of consciousness. Veronica lay still, her chest rising and falling faintly. Eliza brushed the hair from her sister's face, whispering softly, "You'll be okay..."
Across the arena, Preston watched the scene unfold, casually twirling his cue stick in his hand. Confidence radiated from him—two consecutive knockouts in the loser's bracket had bolstered his ego. But his eyes lingered on Eliza, the only obstacle that had previously knocked him into the loser's bracket.
Gripping the cue tighter, Preston took a few steps forward, swinging the stick and pointing it directly at Eliza.
Sensing the movement, Eliza glanced up, locking eyes with him.
"I wish you luck in the winner's bracket," Preston said smoothly, his voice calm but laced with arrogance. "But don't fall to the loser's side."
Eliza narrowed her eyes but remained silent, her attention flicking briefly back to Veronica.
"Because if we meet again in Round 2," Preston continued, his smirk widening, "you'll end up in the hole—just like your sister."
Lowering the cue, he turned sharply on his heel and strode toward the arena exit, his posture exuding superiority. Eliza's gaze followed Preston as he disappeared into the shadows of the arena, her calm exterior barely concealing the storm of determination building within. But as his taunts faded, her focus immediately shifted back to Veronica, who still lay unconscious on the ground. Though Preston's words lingered in her mind, Eliza's priority remained clear—her sister's well-being came first.
With the first competition of the day concluded, the next highly anticipated match was set—Chloe Choi Soo-Min vs. Lukas Müller. Chloe’s high-profile status as an influencer ensured media coverage swarmed around her, while Lukas carried the quiet reputation of a traditionalist, grounded in his roots.
The contrast between the two couldn’t have been more striking. Chloe exuded charm, confidence, and entrepreneurial spirit, thriving in front of cameras, while Lukas embodied quiet confidence, respect for heritage, and a grounded demeanor that reflected his Swiss roots.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/de/Chloe_Choi_with_her_team_of_coaches_doing_analyse_of_her_opponents.png]
The day before the competition, their preparations mirrored their personalities. Chloe's influencer agency manager hired professional coaches to dissect Lukas’s tactics and identify potential weaknesses, approaching the tournament as a strategic business opportunity—another chance to boost her influence and secure financial gains. For them, victory wasn’t just about the sport; it was about maximizing visibility and capitalizing on every possible advantage.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/a6/Lukas_engaged_in_farming%2C_in_a_vibrant_farm_setting%2C_reflecting_his_connection_to_the_land_and_his_dedication_to_agricultural_work.png]
Lukas, however, approached things differently. Seeking tranquility, he spent the day at a nearby farm, helping with chores and tending to the animals. His loss in the previous round lingered, but rather than obsessing over it, Lukas chose to clear his mind, letting nature’s calm wash away any lingering frustration.
As the arena lights blazed, Chloe’s supporters filled the stands.
"Chloe! Chloe! Chloe!" The chants thundered through the arena, echoing even before the commentators could take the lead.
Pat laughed, cupping his ear dramatically. "Samantha, look at this crowd! I don’t even think we need to hype them up—Chloe’s fans are doing our job for us! I can barely hear myself through the mic!"
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/71/Chloe_Choi_Soo-Min_Profile.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c0/Versus.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/0c/Lukas_M%C3%BCller_Profile.png]
Samantha grinned, speaking louder to match the energy. "Up next, Chloe Choi Soo-Min vs. Lukas Müller! Both competitors need to bring their A-game because the stakes couldn’t be higher. Whoever loses this match is out of the competition for good. It’s a battle of charm vs. tradition, golf vs. Swiss golf—let’s see who comes out on top!"
As the LED billboard flashed their names, the cheers intensified.
Chloe marched confidently onto the arena, golf club in hand, waving to her fans with a bright smile. Lukas followed, gripping his Träf tightly, his eyes calm and focused.
The referee stepped between them, ensuring both competitors were ready. After a brief check, he raised his whistle.
"Beeeeeep!"
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/07/Silver_Flash.png]
The match began, and Chloe wasted no time, immediately launching into Silver Flash—a rapid barrage of strikes with her golf club, each swing executed with lightning speed and precision. She advanced aggressively, overwhelming Lukas with sheer agility, exactly as her coaches had instructed.
"Stay close to Lukas," they had advised. "Don’t let him use the range of that Träf."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/da/Swiss_Glide.png]
Lukas, recognizing the incoming flurry of attacks, reacted swiftly. Activating Swiss Glide, he leveraged his athleticism and deep knowledge of movement, repositioning himself with a smooth, evasive maneuver that allowed him to slip just out of Chloe’s reach.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/9a/Alpine_Strike.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/1b/Stylish_Parry.png]
Now clear of her relentless swings, Lukas wasted no time countering. With a full-bodied motion, he brought his Träf around in a mighty Alpine Strike, a powerful swing that mirrored the technique of striking the nouss in Hornussen. Chloe’s eyes narrowed as the hefty weapon arced toward her, forcing her into defense. With fluid precision, she transitioned into Stylish Parry, raising her golf club in a graceful flourish to deflect the incoming strike. The impact reverberated through the arena, but Chloe held firm, her poised stance absorbing the force without faltering.
As Lukas reset his posture, Chloe knew she couldn’t afford to let the distance between them grow. Closing in was her only shot at gaining the upper hand.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/8/85/Chloe_Choi_performing_Siren%27s_Swing%2C_a_mesmerizing_distraction._Soo-Min_swings_the_club_in_a_hypnotic_pattern%2C_creating_a_rhythmic_whoosh.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/4b/Off-Balance_Chip.png]
With a flick of her wrist, Chloe executed Siren’s Swing, her golf club slicing through the air in a mesmerizing, rhythmic pattern that produced a hypnotic whoosh echoing across the arena. Lukas, accustomed to straightforward, traditional battles, found himself unprepared for this unorthodox style, his eyes instinctively following the fluid motion of the club, leaving him exposed. Seizing the opening, Chloe transitioned seamlessly into Off-Balance Chip—a deceptive flick of her wrist followed by a swift, low strike to Lukas’s knees. The silver club connected sharply, disrupting his balance and forcing him to stagger forward in pain. The strategy, meticulously crafted by Chloe’s professional coaches, was working flawlessly.
"Break his mobility so he can’t control the space or dodge your assault," they had advised.
"What a surprise! Chloe came out swinging—literally. This was a completely different approach from her last two matches!" Pat exclaimed, his voice brimming with excitement.
"I have to agree, Pat," Samantha chimed in, nodding thoughtfully. "Chloe’s aggression today caught me off guard. It’s clear she came in with a specific game plan against Lukas. We hadn't seen her use of Siren’s Swing—that mesmerizing, hypnotic technique—in her previous matches. This is the first time she’s executed that move, which threw Lukas off his rhythm."
Pat leaned closer to his mic. "Right, and I wonder how many more tricks Chloe has up her sleeve that we haven’t seen yet."
Samantha smiled knowingly. "It’s clear she’s holding back some of her best moves for the right moment. But the strategy to target Lukas’s mobility with Off-Balance Chip was brilliant. That single move gave her a massive advantage, and she didn’t waste it."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/25/Herder%27s_Call.png]
Realizing the danger, Lukas struggled to regain control, attempting to create distance with Herder’s Call. Drawing from his farming roots, Lukas swung the Träf in wide arcs, trying to corral Chloe much like herding cattle, managing the battlefield by forcing her back.
But Chloe wasn’t giving him that luxury. She remembered her coaches’ instructions:
"Stay close. Lukas’s Träf relies on sweeping motions. Take away his space, and he loses his edge."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/37/Chloe_Choi_performing_Hole_in_One%2C_with_precise_aim_and_unwavering_focus%2C_channels_all_her_strength_into_a_single%2C_powerful_swing_of_her_silver_golf_club.png]
Before Lukas could fully reset, Chloe capitalized. With one fluid, forceful motion, she unleashed her signature move—Hole in One. Channeling all her strength and focus into a single decisive swing, she targeted Lukas's midsection with pinpoint accuracy.
The blow landed cleanly, driving Lukas to his knees. His Träf slipped from his grasp, clattering onto the arena floor. Lukas grimaced, hunched over, as the referee rushed in to check on him. After a brief assessment, the referee raised his hand, signaling the end of the match.
"Winner—Chloe Choi Soo-Min!"
For the second time in a row, Chloe had survived the loser’s bracket, thanks in no small part to the professional coaches her manager had hired. After her loss to Javier, Chloe’s influencer agency had decided there was no room for further risk, sparing no expense to secure top-tier analysts and strategists to prepare her for the Athenaeum Games. The investment was paying off.
"Samantha, what do you make of this match? Lukas seemed to underperform compared to his last two fights. It felt like Chloe ended things far quicker this time," Pat remarked, his tone reflecting the surprise in the arena.
"Yes, Pat. Unfortunately, this marks the end of Lukas's run," Samantha responded, analyzing the match thoughtfully. "I believe he never fully recovered after Off-Balance Chip. Once Chloe compromised his mobility and stayed close, Lukas’s strengths—his range and control—were nullified. With those obstacles in place, he couldn’t reset, giving Chloe the perfect opening to land Hole in One directly. Lukas simply had no chance to defend or pull back."
Pat nodded. "A tough break for Lukas, but we wish him the best for the future. His performance throughout the competition has been commendable, and we hope to see him return even stronger next time."
Chloe smiled, flashing a victory pose for the cameras. She waved to the roaring crowd, tilting her head at just the right angle to highlight her best features.
"If I make it to the finals, my net worth is going to skyrocket!" she thought gleefully.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/41/Chloe_Choi_taking_a_selfie_for_her_fans.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/4b/Off-Balance_Chip.png]
Without missing a beat, she snapped a selfie, immediately posting a swimsuit photo to celebrate her victory—knowing full well the likes and views would pour in like clockwork.