Although it was just a small competition that not many people paid attention to, there were actually quite a few participants, well over a hundred people.
From a distance, Caster could see many Magikarp bouncing around on the ground, seemingly warming up.
Clearly, they were all contestants.
"Looks like there's not a single worthy opponent!"
Caster looked around, wanting to find a challenging rival, but found none.
Because most of these Magikarp were extremely ordinary: ordinary body type, ordinary temperament, ordinary jumping ability. In short, they were plain and unremarkable.
"Let me start the livestream first!"
Caster smiled as he opened PokéTube and started streaming.
"hello everyone! This is the Magikarp high jump competition venue.
Front-line reporter and contestant 'Fishing Dreamer' reporting!"
As soon as the stream started, a large number of waiting fans immediately flooded in.
Because Caster had previously announced the Magikarp jumping competition's start time in a video and said he'd livestream it, naturally interested fans would be waiting.
"dinner's served!"
"Here we go, here we go!"
"Magikarp, you better perform well today!"
"Magikarp, let me see your limits!"
...
Just then, a middle-aged man wearing a bright red cape and tight bodybuilding outfit appeared.
Behind him followed two Pokémon whose muscular structure closely resembled humans, wearing golden belts with black markings like briefs on their limbs and arms, looking quite imposing.
They were Fighting-type Pokémon: Machamp!
"It's Kasukarp! That famous fitness influencer from online?"
"Kasukarp? He actually came to participate in this competition?"
"Oh my God! How could a grown man think to wear a bodybuilding outfit? The top half is one thing, but the bottom half is an eyesore."
"Brothers, by the time I realized something was wrong, it was too late. My eyes have been contaminated, waaah!"
"I don't care about this or that..."
"Dude, no. This really won't do! Even if I'm starving, it still won't do!"
...
When Kasukarp appeared, both the livestream and the venue erupted in commotion.
Kasukarp's outfit was really an eyesore, simply unbearable to look at.
But Kasukarp himself thought he looked very handsome, the most dazzling guy in the whole venue!
"How does he manage to be so ordinary yet so confident?"
Caster couldn't help but comment.
The livestream chat was immediately filled with spam saying "agree."
"Come out, Shinegoldie!"
Looking around, Kasukarp smiled smugly, then released his Magikarp.
"Karp~"
This was a shiny Magikarp, covered head to toe in muscles, full of explosive power, with golden scales covering its body as if forged from gold, dazzlingly brilliant in the sunlight.
"Wow! It's actually a golden Magikarp!"
When Shinegoldie appeared, everyone on site immediately crowded around, their words full of amazement.
Shiny Pokémon were quite rare.
Kasukarp became even more smug.
Then the next second, he, Shinegoldie, and the two Machamp started doing sit-ups while shouting.
"Let's go, let's go! Move it, move it, that's how your abs become even more defined!"
After an intense round of sit-ups, Shinegoldie's abdomen also showed clearly defined abs.
Kasukarp grinned, his teeth flashing white. "Jump! Today's abs are looking sharp too!"
Behind him, the two Machamp quickly struck poses, serving as background decorations.
"I thought the streamer's Magikarp was already one of a kind, but this shiny Magikarp looks even stronger than the streamer's Magikarp? Whose Pokémon is this?"
"Although the outfit is a bit of an eyesore, Kasukarp really has something. Truly worthy of being a fitness influencer."
"Oh my God! This shiny Magikarp can actually do sit-ups? With that body structure, how does it even do that?"
...
Both the livestream fans and on-site audience discussed animatedly, but they all quite acknowledged Kasukarp's strength.
Only Caster remained calm.
"Streamer, go for it!"
"Magikarp, you can do it! You're the best!"
In the livestream, netizens left messages one after another, cheering for Caster and Magikarp.
But overall, they were still more optimistic about Kasukarp and Shinegoldie.
After all, those muscles were trained to the limit; everyone could see that.
"The competition is about to begin. All contestants, please come receive your number plates, then enter the competition in order according to your number."
Just then, the referees and judges entered, and staff distributed number plates to all the contestants.
Caster was assigned number 2, quite early in the lineup.
The competition format was also very simple: consecutive numbers competed first, winners advanced, losers were eliminated directly, until a victor emerged.
The rules were equally simple: record the Magikarp's airtime after jumping. Whoever had the longest airtime jumped the highest and won.
"Contestants number 1 and 2, please take the stage."
The host started calling numbers. Caster and a young man wearing a straw hat walked onto the stage, which was just a slightly raised circular platform.
"Come out, Magikarp!"
At the host's signal, both released their Magikarp.
BOOM!
Caster's Magikarp appeared, its massive form crashing to the ground, causing the entire surface to tremble slightly and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Wow! What a huge Magikarp!"
"That body type is simply gigantic."
When Caster's Magikarp appeared, everyone on site cried out in surprise.
Because body size could, to some extent, represent strength.
In contrast, Caster's opponent, the straw hat youth's Magikarp, could only be described as plain and unremarkable.
"What's the use of being big? This is a high jump competition, not a strength competition."
Hearing the surrounding crowd's amazement, Kasukarp pursed his lips dismissively.
"Jump, Magikarp!"
As the referee raised his hand, both contestants immediately gave commands.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Tails slapping hard against the ground, one large and one small Magikarp shot upward from the ground, charging into the air.
However, the opponent's Magikarp only jumped about ten meters before starting to fall, while Caster's Magikarp climbed dozens of meters high.
Everyone on site had to tilt their heads back as far as possible to see it.
"Contestant number 2, Caster, his Magikarp is truly astonishing. Who would've thought something with such a large body type could jump so high? Truly remarkable."
The host exclaimed in amazement, stirring up the atmosphere on site.
And the result of the first match was, without a doubt, Caster's victory.
"Not bad at all!"
Kasukarp looked at Caster with appreciation in his eyes, but no worry.
The competition continued, with groups of contestants facing off one after another. Progress was quick.
After about half an hour, the competition had reached the final stages, and Caster and Kasukarp had, as expected, fought their way through.
"Next is the first semifinal match, contestant Caster versus contestant Kade."
Caster took the stage again with Magikarp, while his opponent was a middle-aged man with a Magikarp-like face and two whisker-like mustaches.
"There's actually someone in this world who resembles a Magikarp so much? This really isn't cosplay?"
"Could this be the offspring of a human and Magikarp crossbreed?"
"People can't! At least they shouldn't!"
...
Comments surged in the livestream.
This contestant Kade's appearance was just too distinctive, practically like he was molded from the same cast as Magikarp, and even his name was so similar.
However, the competition ultimately depended on strength.
Kade's Magikarp wasn't weak, but compared to Caster's Magikarp, it still fell short in the end.
According to Caster's assessment, Kade's Magikarp's Splash skill level should be at the "Expert" level, already very close to "Transcendent."
Unfortunately, it ultimately wasn't Transcendent.
In the end, Caster and Magikarp easily won and advanced to the finals.
Soon, the second semifinal also determined its winner. Kasukarp, as expected, advanced to the finals.
His Shinegoldie's Splash skill had clearly reached Transcendent level.
On the finals stage, Caster and Kasukarp each took their positions. One large, one small; one red, one golden. Two Magikarp also began gathering their strength.
Kasukarp looked down at Caster condescendingly. "Do you think you can beat my Shinegoldie?"
"I admit your Shinegoldie is strong, but if we're comparing it to my Magikarp, then all I can say is..."
Caster raised his head and grinned. "It still needs more training!!!"
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