Back at the arena, the match between the Northern and Western Continents was over, with the winner being one of the participants from the North.
"What a display of overwhelming power! His opponent simply stood no chance," Mark announced.
"Will our next contestants put on a good show? Let's find out!"
The continents were shuffled, and the display showed: East vs. South.
"And now for the participants… representing the Eastern Continent, Jasmine Hemsworth!"
"I heard she's a beauty," a man whispered.
"Yeah, and she's strong too. Nothing like a strong, beautiful woman," another replied.
A blonde girl with golden hair and white-and-gold armor, tight around her chest with a hint of flesh revealed, stepped onto the stage. Sword, bow, and quiver adorned her flawless figure, and of course, she was none other than Jasmine Hemsworth.
The crowd erupted into cheers once more.
"Show 'em hell, Jasmine!"
"My money's on you, Jasmine!"
"A lot of people are going to bet against the South, but I know better."
One man's voice broke through—he was the same man who had lost his house. "Thanks, miss, for lending me money. You won't regret it. Once I win, I'll pay you back," he said, tears of joy in his eyes.
"And her opponent, from the Southern Continent…" Mike paused as the shuffling device stopped on Kyle's name.
"Kyle!" Mark announced.
"I guess that's my cue," Kyle said as he made his way toward the stage.
"Don't lose, Kyle," Raizo said.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on losing to a girl," Kyle replied with a smile as he walked off.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?" Amy retorted.
Kyle stepped onto the stage—and for the first time, a contestant wasn't met with cheers. Instead, he was booed. Sure, some people were cheering here and there, but Kyle was still in shock.
"That kid's gonna have it rough in this match. Jasmine is one of the most popular rookies—and she's beautiful too. Even people from the South are cheering for her."
"Do you think her opponent will pull through?" Owen asked, glancing at Finn.
"If he loses the match to please the public, then he's pathetic," Finn said sternly.
"And now, the match between the unparalleled beauty Jasmine Hemsworth and… some guy will begin!" Mark announced.
"Some guy?!" Kyle repeated in disbelief.
"Seems like no one wants you to win. So why don't you give up?" Jasmine said cheekily.
"I don't care what they think. And I don't care if you're a girl either—I'll win."
"Bold words. Hope you can back them up," Jasmine replied with a smile as she took her stance and fired an arrow at his forehead.
The arrowhead was blunt, but it would still hurt if it hit. Kyle used the assassin's skill Blink Step to evade, rushing toward her.
Jasmine remained unfazed, firing a barrage of arrows. Kyle deflected them with his short swords, but then Jasmine activated the warrior-archer skill Falcon.
A loud snap echoed as the arrow flew from her bow and struck Kyle in the gut. The force pushed him back. Kyle coughed, trying to collect himself, but Jasmine gave him no room. Shot after shot rained down, each one harder to evade than the last.
Then she pulled four arrows from her quiver, carefully placing them as she activated another skill: Hunt. The arrows were engulfed in light and quickly dispersed, shooting toward Kyle from every direction.
He ran, evading as best he could, but another arrow flew straight at his ankle. It hit, throwing him off balance. The glowing arrows struck him.
A loud bang shook the arena.
"Damn, I almost feel sorry for Jasmine's opponent. It's not that he's weak—it's that there isn't much he can do. It's well known that among all the rookies, her strength comes second only to Rory."
"So far, it's been a one-sided massacre. Will this be the end, or will that kid find a way to turn the tables?"
The crowd roared for Jasmine as she basked in the glory.
"Do you want to forfeit?" she asked.
"Forfeit?!" Kyle repeated, forcing himself back to his feet.
The crowd booed loudly.
"Just stay down!" a man shouted.
"You never stood a chance!"
"What's Mark doing? The winner is clearly Lady Jasmine!" another complained.
"Even the crowd doesn't want you. So why try so hard?" Jasmine asked.
But then a loud voice echoed across the arena.
"You better not lose, kid! I bet everything on you!" It was the same man who had lost his house.
"Don't worry. I wasn't planning to," Kyle replied.
He steadied himself, tightening his grip on his swords.
"It's time to end this."