The illusion projection faded after Chris's last word, but the energy it left behind still buzzed in the air like static. The crowd roared with excitement as the match between Byakuren and Mamizou erupted into a dazzling spectacle of spell cards and raw charisma.
Back in the stadium's upper rows, Meiling landed with a not-so-graceful thud beside Koakuma, who had taken the liberty of buying popcorn and tea.
Meiling blinked. "...That's it? They're just throwing magic at each other like it's a fireworks competition?"
Koakuma raised an eyebrow. "That's literally every duel here."
Meanwhile, Flandre was standing on her seat, practically vibrating with joy. "Did you see that spell card?! Fox Fire Mirage Parade! That's Mamizou's new one, right?!"
Sakuya, seated calmly beside her, poured tea from a silver thermos she definitely didn't sneak in. "It seems the tournament regulations are surprisingly lax. Remind me to bring knives next time."
Back in the commentator's booth, Chris was leaning over the edge slightly, mic in hand, his voice laced with amusement.
Chris: "And Byakuren returns fire with Superhuman Light Stream! That's gonna burn off some egos—and maybe a few eyebrows!"
The crowd oooh'ed.
Junko, lounging beside him, crossed one leg over the other. "You're enjoying this far more than you admit, aren't you?"
Chris smirked. "Maybe. Maybe I just like seeing who trips over their own hubris first."
Suddenly—
A shadow loomed behind him. Chris blinked.
Kasen. Again.
Kasen: "Did you really just call this a religion battle royale?"
Chris: "I call it as I see it."
Kasen: "You have a very punchable way of seeing things sometimes."
Chris: "And you have a very punchable entrance timing. Wanna help me call the next match?"
Kasen raised an eyebrow… then smirked. "Fine. But only if I get to do the dramatic countdown."
Chris: "Deal. Just try not to crash into any more walls."
As the crowd continued roaring, the next pair was preparing backstage—and somewhere in the crowd, Seiga finally arrived, brushing dust off her sleeves.
Seiga: "...Why does everyone keep calling this a tournament? I came here to haunt someone's morals."
Chris landed down to her, as he spoke. "Sorry, but I can't allow that".
Seiga looked at her as she spoke. "And who will stop me, you?".
"Me"
She turned her head, to see Cassidy, with her fire wing out and scythe in her hand.
Seiga blinked, her amused smirk twitching just a little. "Oh? You're here too, little firebrand?"
Cassidy didn't flinch, her golden eyes narrowing as she planted the scythe into the ground with a sharp clang. Flames licked up from the blade, reflecting in her wings like a burning sunset.
Chris crossed his arms, stepping between the two. "Cassidy, no killing. Remember the rules."
Cassidy tilted her head mockingly. "Wasn't planning to. Just reminding the ghost hag here that there are consequences for stirring up nonsense."
Seiga scoffed, elegantly flipping a strand of her hair. "Consequences? In Gensokyo? Don't make me laugh. You're all too soft for that." Her gaze flicked toward Chris. "Even you. All bark. No bite."
Cassidy took a step forward, flames sparking at her feet. "Try me."
Chris raised a hand, gently but firmly placing it on Cassidy's shoulder. "Not worth it. She's just bored and looking for attention."
Seiga pouted dramatically. "Aw, and here I thought this place was finally getting interesting again…"
Chris: "Don't tempt me to throw you in the ring. I hear the next match needs a punching bag."
Seiga snorted with laughter. "Fufufu... Very well. I'll behave—for now. But I'll be watching."
She turned and strolled off, her spectral presence vanishing into a mist of blue and violet, as Cassidy rolled her eyes.
Cassidy: "I really don't get why she's so smug for a glorified zombie."
Chris: "You'd be smug too if you could ghost through walls and annoy people consequence-free."
Cassidy chuckled as she rested her scythe over her shoulder. "Fair."
Up in the arena, the crowd erupted again as the next match was about to begin. A pair of loud footsteps echoed—was that Kasen stomping onto the stage?
Kasen (shouting): "HEY, WHO LET SEIGA NEAR THE ANNOUNCER'S BOOTH?!"
Chris and Cassidy shared a glance, then groaned in unison.
Chris looked at her as he spoke. "She needs to meet her bets in the betting room."
Junko glanced at them and replied, "You know, we need a referee for this before the second round starts."
Chris raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why is that?"
As he ducked to avoid an attack from Byakuren and Mamizou, he looked down and said, "Okay, fair point, but where will we find one?"
Then, he noticed Meiling and smirked as he summoned his golden chain, which wrapped around her leg and dragged her closer. Koakuma simply blinked at the sudden turn of events.
Meiling yelped as she was suddenly yanked off the ground, flailing midair like a caught fish.
"W-WHAAAA!?!?" she shouted, flipping over once before crashing into the edge of the announcer's platform with a thud.
Koakuma, still floating above, tilted her head with a deadpan look. "…Huh."
Chris, not even breaking stride, casually pointed at Meiling. "Referee. There we go. Problem solved."
Meiling groaned as she sat up, rubbing her head. "Ow… I was gonna watch it! What the heck, Chris?!"
Junko giggled behind her hand. "Oh my, you caught yourself a referee like a fisherman reels in a carp."
Chris smirked as he summoned a red armband and slapped it onto Meiling's arm. "Congrats. You're now the official referee of the Hopeless Masquerade."
Meiling blinked. "Wait, what?!"
Cassidy gave her a thumbs-up, flames flickering slightly from her wing. "Just make sure no one dies. And if they do, keep the corpses out of the camera view."
Koakuma landed beside them, muttering, "Is this how positions are assigned around here…? Should've stayed in the library."
Chris ignored them, speaking into the projection spell again.
"Alright, folks! While our new referee gets her bearings—don't die, Meiling—the second match is coming up shortly! Place your bets, and remember: religion is temporary, but memes are eternal!"
Somewhere in the crowd, a Tengu reporter scribbled furiously while screaming, "Did he just say MEMES?!"
Chris then looked at Meiling as he spoke. "The next Round in the pulmonary round is Reimu Vs Marisa, so that is your match".
Chris looked at Koakuma as he spoke. "So what is your deal, Succubus?".
Koakuma took a few seconds to process what he said, then remembered Remilia called her that once as she spoke, yelling. "What did you call me".
Chris looked at her as he spoke. "Succubus, is that not what you are?".
Koakuma's eye twitched. Her wings fluttered in agitation as she marched up to Chris, jabbing a finger at his chest.
"I am not a Succubus! I am a Devil Familiar! There's a difference, you magical golden retriever!"
Chris blinked, then tilted his head. "Okay, Devil Familiar. Who works for Patchouli? He lives in a Gothic castle. Has bat wings. And a vibe."
Koakuma growled under her breath. "It's not a Succubus vibe, it's a library assistant vibe!"
Cassidy sipped a drink she had somehow acquired. "I dunno. You do have that 'I'll steal your soul if you dog-ear my books' look."
Meiling, now donning a referee hat she stole from somewhere, raised her hands between them. "Okay, okay! Calm down! Let's not turn this into the next match before the actual match!"
Chris just grinned and ruffled Koakuma's hair. "Relax, Devil-chan. I won't tell anyone if you won't."
Koakuma flinched, blushed slightly, and then hissed, "Don't call me that either!"
Chris turned back toward the arena, where Reimu and Marisa were warming up with practice shots and smug smirks.
He spoke to Meiling, grinning. "Anyway, you're up. Make sure Reimu doesn't vaporize Marisa too hard. She's a national treasure."
Meiling muttered, "Why do I get the feeling I'm gonna regret agreeing to this…"
[Scene: Gensokyo Stadium – Pulmonary Round 2: Reimu vs. Marisa]
Referee: Hong Meiling
Chaos Level: YES
Chris' projection floated above the crowd again, voice echoing.
"Alright, folks! Round Two! Reimu 'The Donation Demon' Hakurei versus Marisa 'Laser Beam Legalize It' Kirisame! LET'S GO!"
The crowd of humans, youkai, ghosts, one confused tanuki, and a suspiciously large number of betting kappas roared in excitement.
Meiling nervously floated between the two competitors, raising her arms. "Okay! Standard rules apply! No killing, no summoning gods, no—"
Marisa immediately whipped out her mini-hacker. "MASTER SPAAAAAARK—!"
"WAAAHHHH—!" Meiling ducked as a massive laser beam tore across the field, vaporizing a good chunk of the magical illusion barrier and three spectator stands. "I WASN'T DONE EXPLAINING!"
Reimu, perfectly calm, took a sip of tea from a floating tray. "Amateurs." She flicked her gohei like a wand, causing five homing talismans to chase Marisa like angry bees.
"HEY! You started first last time!" Marisa shouted, wildly zigzagging through the sky, trailing sparkles, talismans, and mild profanity.
Meiling screamed, "I'm SUPPOSED TO BE THE REFEREE, NOT A TARGET!"
A stray yin-yang orb exploded near her, sending her spinning like a beyblade through the air. Koakuma (in the commentator box somehow) whispered into a mic, "And there goes the referee, now in orbit…"
Back in the arena, Reimu and Marisa kept trading bullets and sass.
"You sure you're not a youkai yourself with how much danmaku you throw?" Marisa shouted.
Reimu huffed. "I'm just doing my job."
Chris' projection cut in again, sounding deadpan. "And yet somehow that job includes air-striking your best friend weekly."
Cassidy could be seen making popcorn out of thin air in the VIP box. "This is better than Sunday sermons."
Meiling, covered in soot and with a bandage on her cheek, flailed back between them. "Please! Cease fire! I have rights!"
Marisa smirked. "You do now! Marisa Law Number 3: If the ref dodges well, they stay!"
Reimu, nodding, tossed another talisman. "Agreed."
Chris just chuckled. "This is going to be a long tournament."
To Be Continued
Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones and enjoy