Chapter 26：What are you waiting for?! (1/2)

[A few minutes earlier]

”Okay, folks! We're back and guess what the next challenge is...! The two teams have chosen this themselves. It's... 'THE SHARK TANK'! Ooooh~ Just saying it has my blood running cold already!”

”I suppose I'd go for this too over the 'Snake Bath'!” The host brings both hands to his chest and is anxiously jogging in place.

Underground, I peer at the monitor so we can hear and see what the host is up to.

There's absolutely no way he's doing that out of nervousness.

In the first place, his expression gives it away.

We're the ones going in there after all!

I curse both the emcee and my luck for having to appear in this stupid show under my breath.

The ground behind the host opens, and a giant tank filled with water slowly ascends.

All the liquid inside sloshes gently from side to side as it continues to move upward.

There's a movable platform with a large staircase attached to the side of the glass aquarium.

On top of the landing, Charles and I are fully decked out in diving gear inside a cage made of thick reinforced steel.

I've examined the structure earlier, and it seems safe enough.

Some screaming and gasps occupy the entire stadium as the two sharks make their dramatic appearance.

They swiftly glide across the water effortlessly, emitting the most elegant yet intimidating aura.

What bugs me the most about sharks is that... there's just no way for me to read them!

Large predatorial fish, in general, are creepy to me.

Look at those dead fish eyes and deliberate movements!

The lack of expression whatsoever on their 'faces' makes me feel uneasy.

I silently pray that they're not interested in taking a bite out of Charles or me if ever an opportunity arises for them to do so.

A hand reaches out and touches my shoulder. I turn around to face my teammate.

Charles, looking quite worried, tells me, ”I'm here, okay? If you can't take it, rely on me, in whichever way you want. I'll do my best to calm you down.”

I look at him with a blank expression and say nothing in response. He pats my head, and I end up staring at the ground.

...

Now with the tank in full view, the emcee wastes no time in getting this challenge started. ”Now, before we start... I THINK~ we're missing a little bit of something here. Don't you think?!”

Everyone, including us, have no idea there was another element to all this.

Two men are holding onto a large tub. They manage to get up the stairs reasonably quickly, considering how heavy the thing they're carrying seems to be.

Once they reach the top, they remove the lid.

A foul odor attacks our sense of smell, and we both use our hands to cover our noses quickly.

”Oof. I can smell it from here! What do you guys have for us, huh? Quickly! Show us!” The host urges the men.

Both of them hold onto a thick chain that has one hunk of meat dangling from it. It's probably about 3 meters in diameter.

All the blood dripping from the hanging flesh starts to form some trails all over the platform.

Without missing a beat, they attach it to the thick chains that are welded onto the top of the cage we're in.

The viscous red fluid leaks into the water and the sharks seem to have increased their pace.

... Are they swimming closer to our area now?!

Their dorsal fins pop out of the water as they anticipate what's to come.

Haha... ha... Of course, they haven't fed them yet. OF COURSE!

I'm on the verge of a mini-meltdown, but I stop myself by furiously shaking my head.

It's okay, Therysia! You can do this!

They'll focus on eating their 'meal', and both of us will be fine once they're full.

So even if something completely irrational happens, like the cage breaking apart or they SOMEHOW get inside... we'll be completely fine...! Hahahaha... WE'LL BE FINE!