The two fighters exchanged blows again and again, but neither managed to land any decisive hits.
As an assassin-type Magician, Dobengal was fast and elusive, making it extremely difficult for his opponent to strike him properly.
Refis, a veteran from the mercenary guild now reformed into Dragon's Treasure, had excellent combat instincts. His double-barreled shotgun allowed him to fight effectively at close range or long range, and he was equally capable of defending himself.
Even if his opponent turned invisible and moved at high speed, he could still sense Dobengal's movements in time and counter them.
After several rounds, Dobengal threw a dozen shurikens in a wide arc.
Refis immediately fired a whirlwind shot, blasting all of the shurikens away with ease.
As he paused to reload, Dobengal seized the moment. Like a ghost, he flickered behind Refis and jumped high into the air.
Four golden kunai appeared in his hand.
"Got him."
The four kunai shot out in a flash, striking Refis squarely in the back, then exploding one after another.
Refis's coarse cloak instantly tore apart, and his body was hurled forward.
But to Dobengal's shock, Refis flipped over mid-fall and fired a blast straight at him.
"Explosion Shot."
"Waaah!" Dobengal was blown away, flames covering his body.
Refis jumped lightly to his feet and rushed forward in an instant. Dobengal was rolling to extinguish the fire when Refis reached him. Holding the still-hot barrel of his shotgun, he swung the weapon downward.
He had instinctively aimed for the head, but remembering the rules forbidding lethal force, he redirected the strike to Dobengal's abdomen.
Dobengal spit out blood as his body slid across the ground.
Even so, Refis had underestimated him. This Magician's body was far tougher than he expected.
Despite the heavy blow, Dobengal staggered back to his feet. "Why is my magic…"
Refis seemed to recall something. He tore off his burned cloak, revealing the soft armor beneath it.
He turned around and pointed to a scorched mark on his back.
"This soft armor is custom made by my boss. The shotgun and the bullets are also special products. After the Grand Magic Games, as long as you have a certificate from the kingdom or a regular Magician's emblem, you can buy them too."
Dobengal was dumbfounded. Was this man… selling gear mid-battle?
Refis thought for a moment and added, "The invisibility cloak and blowgun Silas used in the previous match were also from our shop."
Now he was certain. He really was playing GG.
Not only Dobengal, but the entire audience stared wide-eyed at Dragon's Treasure's outrageous strategy.
Chapati stammered, "If I heard that correctly, this really is playing GG. Is… is that allowed?"
Jenny said, "I do not think the rules forbid contestants from advertising their magic or equipment."
"Hm." Yajima thought aloud, "Perhaps this is why the boss of Dragon's Treasure insisted on reorganizing the mercenary guild."
The company that purchased the Southern Wolf Mercenary Guild specialized in researching and selling magical items.
If their products were showcased by contestants performing well in the Grand Magic Games, sales would skyrocket instantly.
"Pumpkin, pumpkin…" The Pumpkin Man watched anxiously from the corner, unsure what to say.
He felt that his beloved Grand Magic Games might be tainted and that he needed to do something.
Regardless of how the viewers felt, the severely injured Dobengal no longer saw any possibility of winning.
He switched entirely to evasive combat, trying to stall for time. Even though he took several more hits, he gritted his teeth and endured for the full thirty minutes.
"Dobengal versus Refis, a draw. Sabertooth and Dragon's Treasure each earn five points."
Hearing that, Dobengal finally let out a long breath and collapsed to the ground.
He thought helplessly, "I barely saved those five points. This should be enough to face the master, right?"
Medical staff rushed into the arena and carried him away.
But he did not see the dark, stormy look on Jieman's face.
Meanwhile, the Master of Dragon's Treasure looked completely satisfied. Far from disappointed, he even praised Refis enthusiastically.
For them, winning did not matter. A draw did not matter. As long as their products impressed the audience, that was more than enough.
The few magic items that appeared in the battles had already shown their excellent quality to the entire nation. That alone was enough to satisfy the boss of Dragon's Treasure.
There would certainly be a generous bonus this time.
Rhodes was smiling in the spectator area. "I always wondered why such a huge event had no sponsors. Now look, someone is actually playing GG."
Mira asked, "The organizers will step in, right?"
"Maybe," Rhodes replied. "Should we ask Lucy if her father has anything he wants promoted? This is the perfect opportunity."
Before Mira could respond, Chapati suddenly called Rhodes's name.
Using the most impassioned voice he had used all day, he announced:
"Grand Magic Games, combat section, Day One, final match. Fairy Tail Team B, Rhodes versus Lamia Scale, Jura."
Yajima nodded with anticipation. "It is finally here."
Jenny looked uneasy. "It is a battle between Wizard Saints. Can this venue handle that?"
The audience did not care about such concerns. They had been waiting for this match from the beginning and were thrilled to see it arrive so soon.
"Mr. Rhodes."
"Mr. Jura."
"I expected the organizers to save these two for the last match of the final day. This is amazing."
"Because I want to see it too, pumpkin," the Pumpkin Man muttered under his breath. Then he raised his voice and proclaimed,
"Contestants, please enter the arena."
Sherria clenched her fists. "Go, Mr. Jura."
Lyon, one of Jura's most devoted admirers, smiled confidently. "There is no need to cheer. Mr. Jura will absolutely win."
Toby suddenly roared angrily, "The match has not even started yet."
"Do not get angry at a time like this," Yuka tried to calm the suddenly irritable Toby.
"Saint Rhodes is not an opponent to underestimate," Jura said with a gentle smile, hands tucked in his sleeves as he walked forward. "But I too have been looking forward to this duel for a very long time."
From the stands, Master Ooba of Lamia Scale shouted, "Jura. If you lose, you will face the Spinning Punishment."
Her magic was spinning magic, which she usually used to make troublesome guild members spin endlessly as discipline.
Lyon, who had only earned two points in the Hidden event, had already been mentally listed for future punishment.
Makarov looked worried. "Jura. It has finally come down to this."
Asuka tugged at his clothes. "Is the long-bearded uncle very strong?"
Mavis, who had not begun collecting detailed information on the participants yet, looked at Makarov with the same curious expression. The two of them looked unusually in sync.
Makarov explained, "I only recently learned that Jura is now called the strongest human Magician on this continent."
The Ishgar Four Heavenly Kings, who ranked above him, had already been considered too powerful to still be classified as human.
"I see," Mavis said softly. She glanced between Jura and Rhodes, then smiled brightly. "We simply have to cheer for Rhodes. I think he will win."