Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 108: Deal x Team - Idiot Sandwiches and Iron Chefs

Menchi, her voice laced with boredom from hours of announcing matches, calls out the next one: "Examinee No. 777, Alex Kerber, versus Examinee No. 151, Gihi Latur."

Alex walks toward the designated cage but sees no sign of his opponent.

"Where is Examinee No. 151? Move your ass or lose by default—I don't have all day," Menchi snaps.

A referee nearby steps in to explain. "Menchi, I had to knock out No. 151. He attacked me after losing his match. He's disqualified."

Menchi shrugs, glancing back at Alex. "Looks like you're in luck, huh?" She gestures toward the referee overseeing the match. "Just give him his ticket and let's move on... Next match: Examinee..." She drones on, already focused on the next fight.

Alex grins as he receives his second ticket, thankful for the free win. This went even better than expected. Two tickets already, and one is enough to pass. Even if I'm up against someone like Palm or Shalnark next, I can just surrender and still walk away with a solid 2-out-of-3 record. No need to take unnecessary risks or get hurt and jeopardize the next task.

He spots Eirini and Patricia in the distance, losing their second and third matches but still safe thanks to their earlier wins. Suddenly, his attention shifts to Emma. She's lost two matches in a row and looks battered and frustrated, her hands trembling in anger.

She'll be fine, Alex thinks, deciding to ignore her. Even if she loses all her matches, the worst that'll happen is a few lost stat points. Considering she just bought her way this far, she should be grateful.

Time drags on as Alex waits for his final match. Nearly everyone else has finished, and the tedium is starting to set in. Even Shalnark, who fought his first match after Alex, returns holding three cards.

"Finally done," Shalnark says, his tone casual but tinged with fatigue. "This is getting a bit tedious, don't you think?"

Alex smirks. "Yeah, I guess if you're way stronger than everyone else, 'tedious' is the right word. By the way, do you have any idea what these cards do? They just look like blank white cards to me. I obviously don't have the hardware or software to check their data."

Shalnark chuckles. "We'll find out soon enough. Only a few matches left. By the way, you still have one fight left, right? Better get ready."

"Guess you're right," Alex says, rising to his feet. He heads toward Menchi, preparing himself for the next fight.

"Examinee No. 777, Alex Kerber, versus Examinee No. 865, Emma Kramer," Menchi announces, her irritation evident. "Hurry it up, you two—it's been hours already..." she urges, rubbing her temple.

Alex walks toward the cage and, to his surprise, spots Emma waiting for him. She looks desperate, her expression bordering on panic as she pleads, "Please let me win! I haven't won a single time! Please, do this for me!"

Alex shakes his head, thinking, Forget it. I need every advantage I can get, and continues walking.

Visibly annoyed, Emma's face twists with hatred as she screams, "YOU EGOTISTICAL SWINE! FINE, TURN AROUND ALREADY! I'LL MAKE YOU A DEAL, YOU GREEDY BASTARD!"

Alex stops, turning slowly, both bemused and cautious. He considers the sheer absurdity of her outburst, wondering, What the hell is wrong with this woman? Should I laugh or keep my distance from this lunatic? "What the fuck is wrong with you?" he finally snaps. "You're so unbelievably entitled!"

"Let me win, and I'll give you three pieces of green equipment! Hurry up and decide!" she shouts, trying to sound persuasive.

"Forget it," Alex replies bluntly. "Five green pieces or one blue piece—and a bit extra on top."