Due to unforeseen circumstances, the first match ended prematurely.
Adam Dudley was hospitalized after offending the guest. As a fighter for Boss Burger, his exit dealt a major blow to the company.
Boss Burger's CEO lodged a complaint with the Kengan Association, but it was fruitless.
Adam had indeed provoked the guest, and in Katahara's eyes, the beating was justified. Surviving was a blessing. Besides, Katahara had already declared that Rinji's authority superseded Kengan's rules.
In short, Rinji made the rules now.
Even if the CEO wanted to protest directly to Rinji, he probably wouldn't dare. If a monster like Adam got hospitalized from one punch, a pudgy middle-aged exec might as well order a coffin.
With the first match done (sort of), the second one began.
Contestant: Nentendo's fighter, "The Destroyer" Kono Haruo.
Height: 242 cm. Weight: 315kg. A sweaty, obese shut-in with glasses and a round face—clear signs of gaming addiction.
Despite looking like a literal blob, his strength was terrifying. He once wiped out three top-tier fighters in a four-way match.
Rumor had it he ca from a warrior tribe in Nepal… But even the fiercest warrior can fall to gaming. Fitting for a company that values gaplay above all.
His opponent: soone Rinji knew well.
Wakasa Life Insurance's fighter: "The Executioner" Akoya Seishu.
When Sayaka signaled the match start, both fighters charged at each other.
Kai didn't know much about Kono Haruo, but he was very familiar with Akoya's power. He was well beyond human limits—a top-tier fighter.
Even against monstrous opponents, he could hold his own. Against a video ga-addled fatso, it'd be no contest.
Early on, Kono's massive fra let him toss Akoya around, but it wasn't long before Akoya found his rhythm.
"Ohh! Akoya's found his groove and is dominating the fight!" Sayaka narrated excitedly.
"Seems this officer's found the fatty's weak spot," Rinji added.
"…So you can comnt seriously?" Sayaka blinked.
"Finished a worksheet. Taking a break."
"Well, congrats on that."
They both turned back to the match.
Akoya now dodged every attack with ease and countered viciously, leaving Kono bloodied and battered.
Rinji frowned slightly.
He realized Akoya hadn't just regained rhythm—he was reading Kono's breathing intervals to anticipate every move.
"Didn't know he could do that…"
But sothing still felt off. It was as if Akoya wasn't moving on his own—like he was being controlled by a remote.
Four years ago, Akoya was never the type to analyze breathing intervals. He could've crushed Kono with raw strength alone—this thod was unnecessarily complicated.
A few moves later, Kono fell. Akoya turned coldly away.
Just as the referee was about to declare the end, Kono suddenly stood up again and attacked even more fiercely, forcing Akoya to go on the defensive.
Then Akoya suddenly dropped the act. A few brutal moves later, Kono was wrecked.
The off-putting feeling vanished. Now that was the Akiyama Yao rembered.
"Winner! Wakasa Life Insurance! Akoya Seishu!!"
Akoya advanced to the top sixteen.
He didn't leave the ring. Instead, he approached the comntary table and stared coldly at Rinji.
"You're next, Rinji."
"Oh? I look forward to it," Rinji grinned. "Tell Hiyama Shunka to prepare 5% of Wakasa Life Insurance's shares and three patents. That'll earn her a shot at ."
Akoya ignored him and walked off, but Rinji knew the bet would be honored.
—————————————————————
After the match, there was a break.
"Mr. Takamine, you should really speak up more," Sayaka said, pouting slightly as she found him backstage.
"Even if it's just sarcastic comntary, you're the guest. You need to be more vocal."
"Do I really have to?"
"What else do you expect? Writing reports and beating up contestants aside, you still have comntary duties. Or are you here to freeload?"
"No, I'm not getting paid."
Katahara didn't pay Rinji anything to be a guest comntator.
"Anyway, you should at least read the info for the next match."
"Let see…" Rinji picked up the file Sayaka had given him earlier. "The next match is between the fighter from Sentory—'The Exterminating Vicar' Mokichi Robinson—and UnderMount's fighter—'The Devil' Kure Raian… Oh, these two."
Rinji happened to know both of them.
"Rinji!!"
Suddenly, Karura's voice called out from behind, and she jumped onto Rinji's back, hugging him tightly.
"Karura? You ca backstage?"
"I ca looking for you~" Karura giggled. "I saw you punch that guy Adam just now. You sent him flying with one blow. It was so cool."
"Ah, thanks for the praise."
'What a great girl. Any other girl would've probably started worrying about being too violent.'
The more ti Rinji spent with Karura, the more perfect she seed, and the more he marveled at his own luck.
"Mr. Takamine, hello."
With Karura still on his back, Rinji turned around to see the graceful and poised Elena Robinson walking toward him.
Karura and Elena were friends. Whenever Rinji wasn't around, they were usually glued together.
And the next match just so happened to be between their respective close ones—Elena's older brother and Karura's clansman.
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