Chapter 30 - Preliminaries (2)

Hugo let out a sigh as he walked away from Thong, scratching the back of his head.

Hugo's thoughts: That big guy was pretty annoying. I wonder if there will be more annoying guys here.

Hugo watched as a man with his hands in his pockets began to walk up to him. He had long white hair that reached down past his shoulders. His smile was wide and he had noticeable scars on his face.

Hugo: I feel like I know this guy… I think it was Ronald Blanco or something like that. Wait, is that him? Who was I thinking of again?

Ronald stepped up to Hugo, standing at the same height as him.

Ronald: Hehe, long time no see, Hugo. Are you still the same idiot as usual?

Hugo: Idiot? Hey man, I don't know you, but I can tell I hate you.

Ronald: I guess that answers my question, hehe. Meaning I'll get you to die so I can solidify my place in the tournament.

Ronald pulled out a knife, lunging at Hugo. Hugo jumped to the side, raising his hands in defense.

Hugo: Hey, you almost stabbed me! If it was just an accident, I'll take that apology.

Ronald: When will you stop being such an idiot?

Hugo: I'll have you know I'm the handsome teacher of a student I recently got. His name is Ted Treddington… I think. I can never remember it.

Ronald: You? A teacher? Now that's laughable, hehe. So I guess it's up to me to end the student after the teacher, hehe.

Hugo: What's up with the creepy laugh? Is there a joke I'm missing?

Ronald swung the knife at Hugo again, Hugo limply falling back as he saw the knife fly overhead.

Hugo's thoughts: I'm getting the feeling that these knife swings may not be accidents…

Hugo sprung back up, landing a punch at Ronald's gut. Ronald staggered back, holding his stomach with his other hand as he aimed his knife at Hugo.

Ronald: Hehe… I see, you actually were capable of growing. A shame that I'll cut it short!

Ronald charged at Hugo, raising his knife high as he brought it down. Hugo stepped to the side, the knife slightly cutting his arm. Hugo landed a punch to the side of Ronald's head, Ronald falling to the floor. Hugo let out a sigh as he held his arm.

Hugo: Who was that guy? Looks like a creep… I wonder if he has money on him.

Hugo crouched down as he checked Ronald's pockets.

…

A man in an all-metal suit of knightly armor stood surrounded by several fighters. They all slowly got closer as the knight placed a hand on his sheathed sword.

Lorisian: As Ser Lorisian of the Round Table, I shall showeth thee yond I shall standeth my ground!

Lorisian pulled out his sheathed sword, the fighters laughing at the fact that the sword remained sheathed. They all ran at him with their various weapons, and in the following moment, they all fell to the ground. Lorisian placed the sword back at his side, letting out a laugh.

Loirisian: Thee all failed to make even a dent in my armor! I must say I am rather disappointed!

Two fighters stared at the knight as they leaned their backs against the arena wall.

Mason: That guy is pretty good.

Tico: Yeah, he took them all down in no time.

Mason looked up as he saw Kammy shaking as he pointed at them.

Kammy: Why are you two acting so relaxed? Cero wanted you two to show off your skills, but you've done nothing but relax!

Mason: Calm down, buddy. No one here has shown they're worth the effort other than that knight guy. The rest seem like easy pickins.

Kammy: E-easy?

Tico: He's telling the truth, not a single interesting o-

Mason immediately jumped into action, raising his guard as he pushed a quick attacker aside.

Mason: Who are you?

The small fighter stared at Mason, his eyes seemingly bulging. He wore a loose robe as his hair was tied back into several ponytails.

Tico: If I remember correctly, that guy is called Falco. That's all I really know.

Mason raised his fist, throwing a punch at Falco, only for Falco to jump up and quickly land on Mason's arm. Mason's arm moved down from Falco's weight, Falco immediately moving for a kick at Mason's face. Mason moved his hand in the way, grabbing onto Falco's foot. Mason moved his lowered arm around, grabbing onto Falco's robe before slamming him into the ground. Tico blew a whistle as he smiled at Mason.

Tico: Finally showing off your hapkido, huh?

Mason: I made sure that the throw was pretty simple. I don't want people here to figure me out too quickly. I got confidence that I can even take on Cero with it.

Tico: That's a pretty big task, but I like the confidence. I just hope this tournament is done as quickly as possible, so I can meet my daughter when she comes back from her trip.

Tico pulled out his wallet as he let out a happy sigh. Mason leaned against the wall once again, looking back up at Kammy.

Mason: Told ya, no problem.

Kammy: I sure hope so…

Thong stretched his arms as he saw the number of standing fighters begin to grow smaller and smaller.

Thong's thoughts: How long has this preliminary round been going? How much longer do we have? I'm getting a bit tired…

Thong's eyes shot open as he jumped to the side, a staff flying through the spot he had just been standing in. The fighter that had attacked him pulled back his staff, staring at Thong. Dianshi stared down at the fighters, pushing up his glasses.

Dianshi's thoughts: So Nisham Mansu was the first to target Thong. I'm impressed that Thong had avoided encounters with the Arachna for so long, but now will be the lowest chance he has at victory.

Dianshi looked in shock as another fighter appeared to Thong's right. It was a woman with large, puffy black hair. She wore red lipstick and wore baggy clothing.

Dianshi's thoughts: Silvia Ricci. I guess she noticed that Thong was tired and being targeted, so she's making use of his weakness. Will you overcome them, Thong?

Thong looked to his right and ahead of him, noticing the two fighters closing in on him.

Thong's thoughts: Two at once? I was struggling with a few one-on-ones… These preliminaries are heartless.

Silvia reached behind her, pulling out a sjambok. Thong raised his guard as Silvia and Nisham closed in on him. Nisham charged in, jabbing his staff rapidly at Thong. Thong knocked each of the strikes away as he felt a burning pain on his back. Nisham's staff struck Thong in the face. Thong stumbled back as Silvia raised her sjambok.

Thong's thoughts: Their attacks are fast, I can barely keep up with them to be able to tense up. I need to stop one of them quickly…

Thong widened his stance as Nisham's staff flew at him once more. Thong grabbed onto the staff, pulling Nisham in as he pulled back on his fists. Before Nisham got close to Thong, Thong felt another burning feeling, now in his neck. Thong released Nisham's staff before falling to one knee.

Silvia: Is this the best he's got?

Nisham: I hired you to help me take them out quickly, so let's not waste anymore time.

Thong's thoughts: Hiring people to do your bidding, that's awful…

Thong watched as Nisham and Silvia towered over him, their weapons glowing in the light.

Thong's thoughts: How do I go about this now?