Missing among Shadows Kurai yoru no kage

Chapter Fifteen

Chibi Ykau's POV

As I stepped onto the fighting platform, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The announcer's voice echoed throughout the arena, signaling the beginning of the highly anticipated battle. My opponent, the formidable and intimidating Azuki, stepped forward, her menacing presence filling the air. I took a deep breath, attempting to calm my nerves as I entered a fighting stance, preparing for what promised to be an intense struggle. The anticipation in the air was palpable, the audience on the edges of their seats, eagerly awaiting the beginning of the match.

The bout began with a bang, Azuki charging forward, her swift and powerful movements nearly taking me by surprise. With quick reflexes, I narrowly dodged her attack, her razor-sharp scythe narrowly missing me. As I attempted to regain my composure, Azuki quickly closed the distance between us, her intimidating presence only heightizing my nerves. The crowd around us was completely silent, with all eyes focused on the intense struggle unfolding before them. Azuki swiftly moved behind me, her swift attacks forcing me to duck and roll to avoid being hit. I struggled to regain my bearings, using my kunai knife to make another attempt at attacking her, only for Azuki to effortlessly dodge the strike. My frustration began to build as Azuki's relentless assault continued, her swift movements making it nearly impossible to gain an advantage.As the match wore on, my frustration continued to mount. Azuki's swift attacks were relentless, leaving me struggling to keep up. I could feel the tension in the air, the audience eagerly awaiting each move, desperate to see which of us would emerge victorious. Just when it seemed that all hope was lost, I heard Azuki running towards me, her scythe glinting in the light. I ducked, narrowly avoiding her razor-sharp scythe, feeling a sense of satisfaction as I realized that, although she may have been more experienced than me, I still had some skill and determination left in me. The crowd went wild, cheering as Azuki and I continued our intense struggle, both determined to emerge victorious.

Just as I thought I was going to emerge victorious, I heard the announcer's voice ring out across the arena: "AZUKI WINSS!" In that moment, my heart sank, and I was devastated. The realization that I had lost, and that my blood had been drawn first, left me feeling defeated, and all I wanted to do was cry. I stood there, unable to move, as the realization of my defeat settled in. Despite the intense pain and disappointment I felt, I knew that I had given it my all, and that was all I could ask of myself. All that remained now was to shake off the loss and work towards becoming a stronger fighter.

Despite the loss, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment as I stood on the fighting platform next to Azuki, both of us covered in sweat and blood. The announcer's words of encouragement and praise resonated in my ears, and I knew that all of my hard work and training had finally paid off. The realization that both Azuki and I were skilled enough to be considered Shadow Hunters filled me with a sense of accomplishment and hope for the future. I knew that this was just the beginning of my journey, and that I had much more to learn and many more challenges to face. In that moment, I realized that the experience I gained from this fight would serve me well in my future battles, and it was a reminder of the power that my training and determination could bring.

As the announcer announced that we were both accepted to the Shadow Hunters, Azuki and I were given unique and revealing uniforms. Azuki immediately threw her uniform down and demanded a new one, stating that it was not fitting of a Shadow Hunter. I too, hated the uniform that I was given, but I was too nice to say anything or do what Azuki had done. I felt like I had to prove to the other Shadow Hunters that I belonged, so I put on my uniform and tried to ignore the feeling of discomfort that it caused me. Despite my feelings, I was determined to show the other Shadow Hunters that I was a capable fighter and worthy of their respect.She was granted a new outfit that consisted of black pants, a black shirt with no sleeves, a red tie, and fishnet gloves. The outfit seemed to suit her personality perfectly, and I could see the determination and intensity in her eyes as she put it on. I couldn't help but feel a sense of jealousy, as my own uniform was much more modest and reserved. However, I tried to push those feelings aside and focus on my own training and preparation for the journey ahead as a Shadow Hunter.