The crowd continued to roar like an ocean crashing against rocks. The sound was so loud it made Sebi's chest vibrate even through the thick glass wall.
Down below, the man with the microphone stood in the center of the arena. Suddenly, an iron platform rose from beneath his feet, lifting him higher and higher into the air until he floated above the fighting ring like some kind of king.
He spread his arms wide.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WARRIORS AND SPECTATORS ALIKE!" His voice boomed through the entire stadium. "WELCOME TO THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS HUNTER TOURNAMENT IN ALL OF JAPAN!"
The crowd went absolutely insane.
"This is where the strongest young combatants gather not only for personal glory, but to prove themselves before the greatest forces in Japan's Hunter Association!"
Sebi pressed his hands against the glass, watching everything unfold below.Up in the broadcasting booth a fancy room with computers and cameras a woman with bright red hair leaned into her microphone. Her voice echoed through the stadium speakers.
"That's right, Hajime This isn't just about winning. This tournament is a rite of passage for those seeking recognition in Japan's elite Hunter society. Every single participant here is fighting for their future."
The second commentator, a man named Hajime with slicked back hair and a sharp suit, nodded enthusiastically. "Some aim to be recruited into the Hunter Houses. Others just want to survive long enough to prove they belong."
The female commentator took over again. "And let's not forget the Hunter Houses will be watching closely."
Hajime's voice rose with excitement. "That's right! In the Japan Hunter Association, we have FOUR great Hunter Houses!"
He paused for dramatic effect.
"First THE DRAGON HUNTER HOUSE!"
The crowd exploded.People jumped out of their seats, screaming and waving flags with a red dragon symbol on them.
"Second THE LIGHT HUNTER HOUSE!"
Another wave of cheers, this time mixed with chants of "Light! Light! Light!"
"Third THE SHADOW HUNTER HOUSE!"
A darker, more intense roar rippled through the crowd. Some people actually booed, but it was drowned out by the fans screaming their support.
"And finally THE PHANTOM HUNTER HOUSE!"
The entire stadium shook with noise.
Hajime continued, his voice serious now. "Their scouts will be observing these matches carefully. They're not just looking for raw power. They want tactical ability, adaptability, and mental fortitude. The ones who impress might receive an invitation to join their ranks."
He paused, letting that sink in.
"Those who fail? Well… let's just say the Hunter Association only wants the best."
The female commentator chimed in. "And there's one more thing to consider. This tournament is a test of survival. The battles here are intense, and fighters must prove they have the strength and ability to handle real-life threats."
Hajime nodded. "For those unfamiliar with the rules, let's break it down."
Suddenly, a massive screen appeared above the stadium big enough that everyone, even people in the nosebleed seats, could see it clearly.
Three rules appeared in bold white letters:
1. KNOCKOUT OR FORFEIT
If a fighter is unable to continue for more than 10 seconds, they are eliminated.
2. RING OUT
If a fighter is knocked outside the fighting zone, they are disqualified.
3. NO OUTSIDE ASSISTANCE
No help from outsiders or teammates. This is a one-on-one battle of skill and raw ability.
Hajime's voice turned cold. "Here's the reality, folks. Rules mean nothing if you're not strong enough to enforce them. Some fighters don't hold back. We've seen past tournaments where contenders have been left crippled, paralyzed, or worse."
The crowd went silent for a moment.
"But don't worry!" the female commentator said quickly. "We've got the best medical technology and healing Hunters on standby to treat injuries. So fightersgo all out Give us a show worth watching!"
The crowd roared back to life.
Hajime leaned into his mic. "So the question is… who will rise? And who will fall?"
The massive screen above the arena flickered, then disappeared.A second later, it reappeared with two names displayed side by side in glowing letters:
JACK "THE REAPER" vs. WANG "THE SOUL EATER"
The commentator on the floating platform slowly descended back toward the arena floor. His voice grew louder and more excited with every word.
"HOOOOYAAAAAAA! LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, IT'S TIME FOR THE FIRST MATCH TO BEGIN!"
The crowd was on its feet.
"In the RED CORNER a legend in his own right! Known as Jack the Duelist! The one and only… JACK THE REAPER!"
The crowd erupted in cheers as a slim man stepped into the arena.
He wasn't big or muscular. In fact, he looked almost skinny. But there was something about the way he moved smooth, controlled, deadly that made Sebi's skin crawl.
Jack carried two swords, one in each hand. They were thin, curved blades that caught the light as he walked. His eyes scanned the audience like a predator deciding which prey to hunt first.
Hajime's voice boomed from the speakers. "With TWENTY FOUR victories in past tournaments and only FOUR defeats, Jack the Reaper returns once again!"
He paused, letting the tension build.
"Well, isn't that amazing?"
The crowd was split. Half of them cheered wildly. The other half booed so loud it sounded like thunder.
Up in Room 10, Sebi turned to Lee, his eyes wide. "Twenty-four wins? Does this guy live here or something?"
Lee smirked. "That's nothing compared to the other guy."
Before Sebi could respond, the commentator's voice rang out again.
"And in the BLUE CORNER the undefeated storm of destruction! The Soul Eater himself… WAAAANG!"
The crowd turned into a deafening roar once again.A man stepped into the arena from the opposite side, and Sebi felt his stomach drop.
Wang was huge. Not just tall massive. His arms were thicker than Sebi's legs. His chest was like a boulder. He wore no shirt, just loose black pants and boots, and his entire body was covered in scars.
But what really stood out were his eyes.They were cold. Like he didn't care whether he won or lost like he didn't care about anything at all.
Hajime continued. "Wang is a veteran in this tournament. Yet somehow, none of the Hunter Houses have decided he's worth recruiting."
He let that hang in the air for a moment.
"But don't let that fool you. Wang has never been injured in all of his battles!"
The crowd lost its mind.Sebi leaned closer to the glass, his eyes wide. "Wait… he's never been injured? Not even once?"
Lee shook his head. "Nope. The guy's a monster."
Down below, both fighters took their stances.Jack crouched low, his two swords held out to the sides like wings. His body was coiled tight, ready to explode into motion.
Wang just stood there. His hands hung at his sides. He didn't move. Didn't blink. Didn't even seem to breathe.Then something happened that made the entire stadium go quiet.
At the far end of the arena, above the glass wall on the opposite side of Room 10, another door opened.
A figure stepped out.He wore a black suit, perfectly tailored, with a red tie and polished shoes. His hair was slicked back, and his face was hard and emotionless. He walked to the edge of the glass wall and sat down in a single chair, crossing one leg over the other.
The moment he appeared, the crowd started whispering.
Sebi frowned. "What's going on?"
Lee pointed. "That's Feng. He's a scout from the Shadow Hunter House one of the big four."
Sebi's eyes widened. "Wait, seriously?"
"Yep. He's an A-Rank hunter. That means he could kill everyone in this room without breaking a sweat."
Sebi stared at the man in the black suit. Even from this distance, he could feel the weight of the guy's presence. It was like being trapped in a cage while a predator watched from outside.
"He's here to watch us?" Sebi whispered.
"Not just us," Lee said. "Everyone. Every move. Every mistake. Every moment of weakness."
Sebi swallowed hard.
Down below, the commentator raised his hand high in the air.
The entire stadium held its breath.
"FIGHTERS… BEGIN!"
The moment the word left his mouth, Jack vanished.Sebi blinked. One second Jack was standing there, and the next second he was gone.