Line Hunters

14. Terry vs Triton

The match pitied Terry and Triton against each other. They stood on the platform facing each other, each expressing their enthusiasm in this fight as if there was nothing to lose. The contestants saw the proud confidence in both of them, each determined to win, but never for a moment did they hold the other in their eyes with malice. If it weren't for the pressure and gravity of the situation, it would have looked like Terry and Triton were engaging in a friendly combat. But this was the Line Hunter Exam, the first round only just started and this was where half of the contestants were eliminated.

"Hey Maskie, start the round already," Triton said, looking at Torikou.

"Wow, you must be excited!" Terry said, smiling at the boy with her hands on her hips. "Awesome! I'm excited to. I can't wait to see your performance!"

"Performance? This is not a dance battle!"

"Why can't it be both? When you're fighting, you're performing too, don't you know?"

Triton grunted, getting annoyed by Terry's optimistism. However, as soon as Terry finished speaking and he glanced at the guide who murmured "begin," the woman was no longer in sight.

"What?" Triton exclaimed. He leaned backwards in time to miss Terry's foot swinging at him. The boy jumped away and rubbed his burning nose as he half-heartedly glared at the woman who casually stood in front of him, smiling carefree like usual.

"Well? What did you think about that?" Terry asked. "Whether it's my legs or arms, I can use my whole body pretty well."

Triton scoffed. "It was okay, I think you were too slow."

"Too slow? He could have been knocked out!" a contestant spoke.

"But you gotta admit that boy has a pretty good reaction time."

"Forget about that, doesn't it look like she was dancing just now? And she is pretty flexible too. Her balance's impressive."

At this commentary, Ian glanced at the speaker then turned back to the fight. He slightly smiled. It did look like Terry was including dance into her steps, and she looked like she was having fun too. Ian's smile dropped into a straight line when he realized just how many people had yet to fight and how long it'd take. He didn't want to stand this entire time.

"You have potential, Kid," Terry said to Triton. "Unfortunately, you're not there quite yet. Maybe in the future you can beat me."

With that, in a few moves, Terry won as Triton was unable to block Terry's quick hit.

"You did good," Terry praised, smiling brightly.

"I'll beat you next time!" Triton declared, getting up from the ground.

"I'll look forward to it!" Then she walked past the crowd and into the hall. Winners were allowed to leave the area and watch the next battles behind the glass with a comfortable chair and food.

"Make sure I see you coming up," Terry said as she passed Ian.

"Why would you not?" Ian said.

Terry was taken back by the boy's response, but she lightly laughed. "Don't take too long like last time either."

"Of course," Ian said with so much seriousness.

Everyone went through their first battle, the winners heading upstairs to watch the second rounds of those who lost. Most of the battles finished quickly, and in two hours, the remaining contestants waiting for their second chance were only 210. Torikou, on his tenth bag of chips, leaned on his hand as he stared down with boredom. There were no interesting players in his eyes. He began feeling sleepy an hour ago and wanted to rest in his room, but he could only do that once he cleared the first round. At this rate, it would take another few hours. Torikou sighed.