Chapter 50: The Winner

Luca watched as one contestant after another failed to catch the deer. Some ran out of breath too quickly, others tripped, and a few even got knocked over when the deer suddenly changed direction. The crowd cheered and laughed at the spectacle, but so far, no one had managed to claim the prize.

Then, Luca noticed something. The deer wasn't just running randomly; it was usually following a pattern . It would sprint in a straight line, then make sharp turns to avoid getting caught. If someone could predict those turns, they might have a chance.

Contestants were allowed to wear masks, adding to the mystery and excitement. If he joined in, no one would know who he was. Without wasting time, he headed to the registration area.

"I want to participate," he said to the man at the desk.

Even though Luca was somewhat taller than his peers, his face revealed his age. 

The man raised an eyebrow, looking him up and down. "You sure, kid?"

Luca nodded. "I'm sure."

With a shrug, the man handed him a mask. Luca chose one that looked like a fox—sharp eyes, pointed ears, and a clever grin. It fit snugly over his face. He took a deep breath. 

When it was his turn, he stepped into the stadium. The crowd murmured, curious about the masked figure. Some laughed, thinking it was just a kid trying his luck. Luca ignored them and focused on the deer.

The announcer raised his hand. "Ready… go!"

The deer bolted, its powerful legs kicking up dust. Luca took off as well.

The deer zigzagged, but Luca didn't slow down. He adjusted his steps, changing direction just before the deer did. The gap between them closed. The deer tried to pull ahead, but Luca had trained with Taro. Compared to the way Taro's tail snapped through the air, this was nothing.

The cloth tied to the deer's antlers flapped wildly. Luca stretched out his hand, fingertips brushing against the fabric. One last push—

He grabbed it.

The stadium fell silent for a moment. Then, an explosion of cheers filled the air. Luca slowed to a stop, holding the cloth in his hand. The deer skidded to a halt as well, snorting and shaking its head as if in disbelief.

The announcer's voice boomed. "We have a winner!"

Luca turned toward the crowd, still catching his breath. Luca felt his hear pounding in his chest. This was his first-ever competition in front a large crowd, and the thrill of victory was almost overwhelming.

As Luca walked toward the announcer, a man hurried up to whisper something in the announcer's ear. The announcer nodded, then raised a hand to quiet the crowd.

"Hold on, hold on! Fox-masked kid, we've got something more for you!"

Luca stopped, tilting his head slightly.

"The owner of the deer says he has an even faster one," the announcer said, grinning. "If you can catch this one and grab the cloth from its antlers, your prize doubles—from 100 to 200 silver coins! And if you fail, you'll still get the original 100."

The crowd erupted in cheers, chanting 'Take the challenge!' as they urged Luca to accept.

Luca considered it. There was no risk—either way, he'd get the prize. He nodded. "I'll do it."

"Fantastic!" The announcer clapped his hands. "Everyone, hold on! The next deer will be brought in shortly."

After a few minutes, handlers led the new deer into the stadium. It was taller and leaner than the first. The deer pawed the ground restlessly.

Luca studied it. This time, he wouldn't have the advantage of predicting its movements. The only way to win was pure speed.

The announcer raised his hand.

"Ready… go!"

The deer exploded forward, even faster than the first. Luca shot after it, pushing himself harder than ever. The stadium blurred around him. The gap between them stretched and shrank as they weaved across the field, two streaks of motion.

Luca clenched his jaw. His legs burned, his breath came fast, but he kept going. Step by step, he closed in.

The cloth fluttered in front of him. One chance.

With a final burst of speed, he lunged—his fingers caught the fabric, yanking it free.

The crowd gasped. Then, a roar of cheers shook the air.

Luca stumbled to a stop, chest heaving. The deer stood nearby, panting just as hard.

"What a spectacle!" the announcer boomed. "The boy did it!"

Luca bent forward, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. He felt exhausted—but also victorious.

When Luca reached the announcer to collect his prize, the man grinned and said, "Kid, why don't you take off the mask and show your face? You won! The crowd will cheer even louder, and you'll be famous in the village."

Luca shook his head. "I'd rather not."

The announcer sighed but didn't push further. He held up a pouch and poured the silver coins into Luca's hands for everyone to see. The crowd clapped and cheered, calling out words of praise, for which Luca nodded in thanks.

As the noise died down, the announcer leaned in and spoke quietly. "If you ever need work, I can set up a meeting with Master Harun, the owner of the deer. He's a wealthy merchant and always looking for sharp young people."

Luca shook his head again. "I already have a job," he said.

The announcer raised an eyebrow but only chuckled. "Suit yourself, fox-masked kid."