Two Chimeras and a Dark horse

Something inside him was shifting.

Since transmigrating into this world, he had never imagined he could make this much progress in just a single day.

And the support genuine, unwavering from people he had only just met…

It was completely different from anything he'd known in his old world.

He stood taller.

He wasn't feeling alone anymore.

"Thank you, everyone."

He gave a respectful bow, then raised his head with a confident grin.

"First and Second Guild Masters I won't let you down. I will give it my all."

And just like that

Gin walked forward heading to the waiting spot.

Old Man Kenta turned to Samira with a proud grin.

"That's the spirit. He's one of us now."

As he watched her, something stirred in him.

The more he looked at the situation, the more Samira reminded him of someone he had lost.his son many years ago.

She had that same fire—the desire to connect with others, to build something real with people she'd just met.

It hit him quietly, but deeply.

She wasn't just stepping into a title…

She was becoming a leader.

Tabaki turned to Samira, starry-eyed.

"Whoa! Samira, that was so badass! I didn't know you had that in you! Hahaha!"

Iwa nodded slowly, his voice full of quiet respect.

"…Yeah. That felt like we were already an official guild just now."

Kenta crossed his arms, voice dropping low, just enough for the others to hear.

"Besides… I doubt Gabriel will go all out. This isn't an official match. Relax, so relax everyone."

But even as the words left his mouth, the tension in the air didn't ease.

They all knew this wasn't just a match. These were top-tier fighters, and no one could say for sure how it would end.

***

Waiting Spot

"Look, Claus," Nikolai said coolly, eyes on the monitor. "They found a third challenger."

Claus sprang up like a kid on sugar. "Krass!" he shouted in German, fists pumping. "Finally! We can get a move on!"

Moments later, Gin arrived at the waiting area. Claus was still bouncing in place, barely containing himself, while Nikolai stood with arms crossed, stoic in his tailored suit.

Claus let out a dramatic gasp. "OHHH! Finally! I thought I'd have to drag the security guard out here!"

He eyed Gin up and down, then leaned in with a mischievous grin.

"You ready too, mister?"

Gin nodded, a small grin tugging at his lips.

"Yeah. I just want to know if I'm strong enough."

Claus lit up instantly.

"Whoa! Me too, mister! What's your name?"

He bounced on his heels, eyes wide with excitement.

"You don't seem boring like most adults ugh, they always want a reason for everything. Me? I just wanna level up! Yes yes, test my strength, of course, of course!"

He beamed, clearly satisfied just by saying it out loud full of raw, chaotic energy.

Claus puffed up proudly, his chest out like a balloon about to burst.

"I'm Claus Kruger from the Chimera Guild! Yes, yes! Best guild in Mega City no, no in all of Hawaii! No, wait... in the world!"

Gin blinked, eyebrows raising slightly.

The strongest guild in the world? He glanced toward where Old Man Kenta stood in the distance.

Could Old Man Kenta have been wrong?

Gin felt a buzz of excitement. If these were really members of the top guild in the world , he was glad he ended up here right in the thick of it.

He turned to Claus, now asking out loud, "Wait... strongest in the world? Seriously? Whoa."

Claus placed both hands on his hips like a superhero, soaking in the admiration then backpedaled a little with a sheepish grin.

"Ahh okay, okay technically we're top five in Hawaii..." Claus admitted, waving his hands around before crossing them proudly again. "But that doesn't matter, mister! To me, we're number one! Yep, yep! That's my decision and it's final! Strongest in the world no arguments!"

Gin smirked, finally understanding the kind of person Claus was.

A guild member this passionate… yeah, that makes sense.

He used to say the same kind of thing when he was younger back in his old world.

"My name's Gin Maximus," he replied casually. But now? He was feeling competitive. "Nice to meet you, but unfortunately, Claus..."

Claus cut in, eyes sparkling. "Gin! Gin, Gin, Gin hahaha! Short and strong I like it! Names should be like that, easy and cool!"

Gin folded his arms, stepping forward with a confident grin. "Well, Claus… hate to break it to you, but my guild is the strongest in the world."

He paused dramatically.

"Member of the Secretary Birds Guild. Cameraman. Strongest guild in the world. Joined today."

Claus froze eyes wide then burst out laughing.

"No way! Hahaha! I like you, Mister Gin! You might actually be cooler than my guild master!"

He threw a fist into the air. "Alright, alright! Just for today we share the title of Best Guild! An hoa!"

Then he leaned in, practically vibrating with excitement.

"You're a cameraman and you wanna challenge Uncle Tancas's little brother? Wow wow! I like how you think, Mister Gin! Your thinking is OP! Yes! Yes! You think more like a hunter than a cameraman! Hahaha!"

He turned to Nikolai, gesturing like a hype man.

"See? Mister Gin gets it! Don't overthink it, you know? Just go! Hahaha!"

Nikolai gave Gin a once-over, expression unreadable.

Nikolai gave Gin a once-over but said nothing. Just a slight glance, like he'd already sized him up and moved on.

Gin, meanwhile, glanced at Nikolai's outfit and quietly wondered if wearing that outfit known as a suit was normal for these things or if the guy just never planned on fighting in the first place?

Before he could dwell on it, a staff member stepped forward a woman with a headset and clipboard.

"Hello, sirs," she said with a courteous smile.

"Just a quick update: originally, you were all supposed to fight each other, and the last man standing would face Gabriel."

She glanced at her clipboard, then back up.

"However, due to time constraints, the committee has made a change. Gabriel will now choose one of you directly."

Her tone softened slightly.

"So please don't take it personally if you're not selected." Now let's head to the hex.

Meanwhile… At The Hex.

High above Center of it all the Hexagon, the host was sweating bullets. Beside him, Gabriel stood with his usual laid-back air, arms crossed, gaze calm as ever.

On the massive screens circling the stadium, the faces of the three challengers now appeared each blown up to full size as they walked toward the central arena.

The commentator/host eyes twitched.

"Two from Chimera Guild?" he muttered under his breath. "What the hell are these two doing here... Chimera Guild members are definitely trouble. Crap."

He glanced at Gabriel, who looked just as calm as ever, not really caring. Same vibe he gave against Rocky. Maybe even bored. The host was already calculating a way out of this mess they dug themselves into.

The host meant to bring energy to the broadcast, looked frozen fidgeting nervously, blinking too much, hands flailing in exaggerated gestures of someone very stressed.

Gabriel leaned in and whispered to him with a casual grin:

"Hey, you okay, mister? You haven't said anything about the incoming challengers."

Then, more seriously, he added, "Do I go all out? Pull my punches? Drag the fight out for drama? Or just end it quick?"

Before the host could respond, Gabriel clarified, voice direct and firm.

"Let me make something clear before they get here I don't lose fights. Even if it's for fan engagement."

His eyes locked with the commentator's, sharp and unblinking.

"And personally I don't really care for… fighting kids either. Those two approaching are a no for me. So I'll go with that one" he nodded toward one of the screens, "the older guy with the smirk. That one at least fit."

The commentator blinked, stunned. "Wait you don't know them..those boys? You don't follow raid teams or guild rankings?!"

Gabriel shrugged sheepishly. "I live off-grid. I don't really keep up with the city stuff."

The commentator muttered a curse under his breath.

"You should at least know their Captcha profiles! Those boys are pro hunters, man! Chimera alone is enough to make most fighters back down!"

Gabriel raised an eyebrow, finally seeming a little intrigued. "Well unfortunately for them I'm not most fighters…And really they are pro hunters? Well that's even better, it simply means I won't hold back against either of them then…what about that other guy… is he not important?"

Just then, a voice crackled urgently and rang through the host's earpiece.

"Don't let Gabriel pick yet. Stall him we're still sorting things out. If he makes a choice now, he could end up seriously injured, and that would jeopardize his big fight on Sunday. You know how Gabriel is he'll definitely want to face the strongest of the three. But he's a fan favorite, and his image rights alone bring in serious revenue. We're not about to mess with that cash flow. So, steer him smartly toward the other guy, the one with the Chimera Boys. DO NOT let him make a final decision until we give the all-clear."

The host flinched. This was spiraling fast. As the voice in his earpiece cut off, he muttered under his breath, "Who the hell invited a Chimera to tonight's event?"

He scrambled for a solution.

Clearing his throat, the commentator forced a smile as he returned to the live broadcast.

"Well, folks what a twist! Three challengers have stepped forward: two Chimera prodigies… and one mysterious dark horse! Hahaha what a night! Are you ready to ruuuuumble!"

The crowd roared.

The three challengers stepped into the center of the spotlight the Hexagon. All eyes locked on them. A new battle was about to begin… one that would leave the stadium breathless.