By afternoon, when the group returned to the central plaza of the town, they found the area had transformed. Dozens of wooden pillars of varying heights now dotted the square, with a twenty-meter-high square platform erected in the center.
The sight immediately reminded Ethan Chen of the classic film Fearless, where Huo Yuanjia fought for the title of Tianjin's top martial artist atop a similar challenge stage.
"Don't tell me the next round's going to be held up there?" Tifa frowned, having thought of the same thing. The morning host had made it clear this wasn't just a cooking contest, but a culinary showdown.
"Very likely," Ethan nodded. "But a platform that size can't accommodate all the teams. They'll probably have each team send up one representative."
"I'll go," 2B volunteered without hesitation. "It's been too long since I stretched properly."
"Alright. If it turns into a brawl, you're up."
They waited until one o'clock. At the chime of the bell, the host reappeared atop the stage.
"Welcome to the second round of the Culinary Showdown: the twenty-to-five elimination battle!
"I'm sure you've all noticed the platform in the center of the plaza, and perhaps you've already guessed what it's for?
"That's right! This afternoon's event is the Culinary Showdown Arena Match!
"Each team must select one representative to enter the arena and compete for the colored orb placed at the center. The player who holds the orb continuously for ten minutes will be declared the victor and will earn the right to decide the cooking theme for the next round!
"That's right, the outcome of the arena match isn't what matters most but the power to choose the dish theme gives the winning team a strategic edge. Winning the cooking round is still the key to advancing!
"Same rules as before: no killing, and no crippling injuries to a chef's hands. Anyone who violates these rules will be immediately disqualified.
"Important note: the same participant who enters the arena must also be the one to cook in this round. And to keep things fair and entertaining, no ability users are allowed in this match!
"Teams, strategize quickly. The match begins in five minutes!"
"If the person fighting and the one cooking have to be the same," Ethan looked at 2B, "then I'm afraid you're out."
"Shame," 2B said with a hint of disappointment. "Looks like it'll have to be Tifa."
"Yeah," Tifa said, her gaze rising to the towering stage. "Securing the right to set the theme is a huge advantage. I'm going to win it."
Seeing her fired up, Ethan asked, "Got any signature dishes in mind?"
"I do," Tifa replied, glancing around mischievously. "But I'll keep it a surprise until I win."
"I don't think taking the orb will be too difficult," Mona said thoughtfully. "Even without the theme advantage, we can still win the cooking contest. Out of twenty teams, only one gets to pick the theme. The other nineteen are still on equal footing."
"True," Ethan agreed. "Most teams will probably send their best chefs, but I bet some will sit out the match to conserve energy for cooking instead."
"No matter what the others do," Tifa said firmly, "I'm taking that orb. It's our best shot."
"Time's up," the host announced. "Contestants for the second match, step behind the yellow line... Ready... Begin!"
At the signal, six contestants, including Tifa, launched forward. The remaining dozen or so stood still, clearly opting to save their strength for the cooking challenge.
The orb rested atop the tall platform. The way up? Either scale the wooden pillars or use the unevenly placed stumps as stepping stones.
There were multiple paths to the top, but the battle started before anyone even reached the platform.
With no effort to hide their hostility, a barrage of kitchen knives came flying.
Tifa, sprinting across the wooden stumps, flipped midair to dodge the attack and locked eyes on her assailant.
He was a middle-aged man with shallow eyebrows and deep-set eyes. Though his features weren't outright ugly and his movements were graceful, something about him gave off a deeply unsettling, skin-crawling vibe.
"No wonder you're a martial artist," he leered. "Those legs... so firm and shapely. Perfect for a butter-aged roast."
Despite the heat of the afternoon, a chill ran down Tifa's spine.
This guy was revolting.
And the best way to deal with creeps?
Send them flying.
Abandoning her route to the platform, Tifa charged straight at him.
Teach him a lesson first there'd be time to grab the orb later.
"Heh heh... You just don't get it. Let me teach you some manners!"
He lunged at her, knives flashing, and slashed through the air with a sharp burst of force.
"Debone Technique: Kneecap Gouge!"
Aiming directly for her knee, he swung down. Tifa didn't dare take it lightly. She flipped backward, dodging the attack, then spun her body like a drill, launching a flying kick toward his face.
The man leapt back to avoid it, hurling several blades midair in response.
But the whirlwind of energy spinning around Tifa's body deflected every strike effortlessly.
She landed gracefully on a wooden stump, eyes fixed on her airborne opponent.
Enemies without footing were her favorite kind.
She flipped again, a turquoise cyclone swirling around her. The sudden shift in air pressure disrupted her opponent's balance just in time for her to rocket upward with a spiraling uppercut straight to his jaw.
"Whirlwind Dive!"
It wasn't over yet.
Still airborne, she twisted again, slamming a brutal kick into his stomach.
Like a bird crashing toward the marble ground
BOOM!
The impact embedded him into the plaza floor, unconscious and very much out of the match.
Tifa gave him a final glance to confirm he was down for good, then raced toward the platform.
By the time she arrived, three contestants were already engaged in a fierce melee.
Or rather, one man against two.
She recognized him an older man with braided beard stubble and a single prosthetic leg. He was fending off two opponents: one wielding twin boning knives, the other using what looked like a meat tenderizer with spiked coils.
Though he clutched the orb tightly, the strain was clear.
These weren't amateurs. Their attacks whistled through the air, and every blow that landed on the platform sent up splinters of wood.
Tifa didn't rush in. She decided to wait and observe.
The older man's kicks were strong, but age had dulled his reflexes. In time, he couldn't keep up. A punch from the tenderizer-wielding chef struck his arm, and he dropped the orb in pain before being knocked clean off the stage.
Three contestants remained. And the orb, now lying in the center.
No one dared move.
Whoever grabbed it first would become the target of the other two. A direct standoff.
But a stalemate wouldn't win them anything.
Tifa decided it was time to end this.
She dropped into a fighting stance and shouted, "Zangan Style: Spirit Unification!"
A visible aura burst around her. Her energy surged, and a pale golden light crackled across her gloves, flickering with arcs of electricity.
The other two exchanged glances, nodding wordlessly. Together, they raised their weapons and charged at her.
But they were already too late.
Tifa launched forward, her feet kicking off the platform with blinding speed. She split into afterimages, attacking from all directions. Each strike landed with bone-jarring force, battering the two men into submission.
The moment she reappeared, she was already unleashing her next move.
"Exploding Palm!"
With a thunderous shockwave, she struck the air in front of her.
The pressure alone sent both men flying off the stage.
When the dust settled, only one person remained standing atop the platform, orb in hand.
Tifa.
"Congratulations to Contestant Tifa of Team 88 for winning the right to set the cooking theme for Round Two!"
The host's voice rang out with excitement. "And thank you to all contestants for a thrilling match! Now, Miss Tifa, please announce the dish for the next challenge!"
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