Chapter 340: Round 1 (1/2)
Moby heard his name being said from the other side of the gate, that along with the cheering crowd.
And, not too long after, the gate slowly opened revealing the bright light of the outside space. With a confident smile, Moby marched out into the vast area, raising his hands up as he heard the crowd cheering his name.
It caught him by complete surprise, when he looked up towards the bright light and the blackened faces of the masked masses, he noticed that even the ones that seemed to previously envy or despise him were cheering his name.
'Hmmm… It seems like they probably bet all of their money on me to gain a quick buck…' He thought of the only conclusion that made sense in his mind.
As he scanned the dense crowd, he came across the short, fedora-wearing man with a black mask holding a microphone along with the mammon himself on a specific stand in the arena. But, his eyes did not last there for long as he managed to make out the figure of a single person, hanging on the railing and jumping and cheering him on almost like a little kid, her voice completely drowned out by the rest of the masses.
He looked her in the eye and waved back at her. Of course, it was non-other than Hikari. But, when he looked around her, he could not help but notice something missing.
'It seems like Regrit still hasn't come out of the washroom yet… It's kinda weird… I assumed the part of him being stressed was some sort of joke. I thought he would be stoked to examine my fighting style…'
'Or, he just has a really heavy shit.' He heard Avilia speak in his head.
'Oh yeah! Or that...'
”And, on the left side! We have, Raven! He is several points in debt and is looking for redemption! And! What better redemption than possibly beating the tournament's favourite in the first round!” The announcer yelled as the gates of the other side opened, revealing a brown-haired man wearing a mask resembling a purple bird. But, unlike a bird, he did not seem to possess any of its grace or elegance.
His introduction was rather tame compared to the one Moby received and the crowd's excitement reciprocated that.
He was several inches taller than Moby, his shoulders were broad and his build was far more muscular. Yet, it was not to the point where he would be considered stout. What made him stand out was his massive hands that looked like they could strangle a bear.
From his looks, Moby could assume him to be fairly slow, he was more than used to taking out people like him so it should not be a big deal even if he could not utilize everything up his sleeve.
”So, we meet again you cheating bastard!” His opponent spoke with a heavy breath and a raspy voice.
”Do I know you?” Moby scratched his head.
”OF COURSE YOU DO YOU COCKY BASTARD!” He roared. ”You robbed me blind for everything I had in the beginning matches of that poker tournament!” He raised his voice; he couldn't believe that someone who just ruined his life could so nonchalantly forget about him, it made his blood boil.
”Oh! That had a lot of people in it! You probably got out early in an elimination round before the tournament even started. No wonder I didn't recognize you! You can't blame me now can you?” He chuckled casually.
”Hmph! Just you wait! I'll take those words and shove them up your ass! I'll fuck you over ten times harder than what you did to me!!”
Raven was mad… Really mad… But, it was no big deal in Moby's eyes. If anything, out of the many people Moby met today, he seemed to be on the tamer side. Moby yawned in his face— he could not care less about showing respect to such an opponent, victory was almost assured.
”Cocky son of a—”
”Ladies and Gentlemen! The final match of the first round is about to begin! If both combatants are ready! I will explain some of the rules!” The announcer interrupted Raven's sentence with an upbeat voice that even drowned out the cheering of the crowd.
”First off, no abilities! Ki is allowed, no weapons of any kind! Pure fists! Taking off your opponent's mask is prohibited, and the match ends once the opponent's watch starts beeping! Now, before the match starts! I have a few questions for both of you! Starting with Raven! Are you in this to win!?”
”Yes!” He quickly answered, a massive lie detector crystal lighting up from above the arena like a brilliant chandelier, visible to the entire crowd.
”Do you plan on cheating or using any underhanded tactic?”
”No!”
And just as expected, the answers came out as positive.
That was when the announcer shifted his vision towards Moby and asked him the same questions.
”Now! Joker! Are you in this to win!?”
”Yes!”
”Do you plan on cheating or using any underhanded tactic?”
”No!”
”Alright, folks!!! Bets will be closing in 50 seconds so make sure you've submitted everything you want! Now in the meantime, can I get one of you to send an anonymous duel invite to the other! Once that's all settled we can finally begin!”
”I'll do it…” Moby took the initiative, and just like that everything was set.
”Okay! That settles it! As you can see! Both combatants are set! And without further ado! Let's get this party started!” The crowd's cheers multiplied, yet the actual exchange between the two fighters was dead silent.
It was an interesting sight, it almost looked like a raging bull and matador ready to brawl.
And like that, the announcer began to count down from five and the crowd followed speaking right after him in a matching voice.
”5!”