Slowly, I regain consciousness and realize I'm lying on a dirt-covered ground.
I quickly get up.
-Huh!?
My eyes come into focus, and I notice that I'm no longer in the room from before, but in a forest.
Fully awake and feeling strength return to my body, I take my first step. Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind slams into me.
-…
-…
-…
Something feels wrong. Heat spreads through my body. I look at my left arm… it's gone.
-Aaaaah!
-M-my arm!!!
The pain is unbearable. Blood pours out rapidly, forming a pool on the ground. I fall to my knees, unable to think clearly, as my vision slowly begins to blur.
Then, suddenly, a floating arm appears in front of me. I recognize it instantly.
-(That's my arm!?)
-(What is happening?!)
I try to stand. Even through the pain and rage, I search for whoever did this to me. But all I see is my own arm, floating in the air… until it vanishes before my eyes.
Frightened, I take a defensive stance.
Without warning, another gust of wind rushes toward me. I turn my head toward the sound, but only feel the violent impact slam into my body.
I lose my balance. Looking down, I realize my left leg is gone as well.
My eyes widen as my body trembles in despair.
I force myself to think of a way to survive.
-(What is this thing!? My arm was here a second ago… and then it disappeared.)
-(Now my leg too!)
-(Is it invisible? Too fast?)
-(What do I do?!)
I hear the sound of leaves rustling. I turn toward it and see a massive green paw about to strike my head.
….
…
..
.
The feared assassin, Silent, lands a punch straight into the stomach of the lion king, Myjor, sending him sliding several meters backward.
Myjor charges at blinding speed and attempts to kick Silent's face, but misses. Silent instantly counters, stepping in and striking Myjor's stomach again with the palm of his hand.
The impact drives him even farther back, yet Myjor's feet remain firmly planted on the ground.
He spits blood and raises his head.
-You bastard!
Fueled by fury, Myjor lunges forward. Silent trembles and vanishes. The king's eyes track his movements, and Myjor accelerates even more.
Silent reappears-only to be struck squarely in the stomach. He is sent flying backward, but twists his body midair and lands on his feet.
Silent clenches his fists, then opens them. Bolts of lightning burst forth.
Myjor dodges every attack and rushes in for a counterstrike.
When they clash, Myjor throws a punch, but Silent's hand slips beneath the king's wrist, redirecting the blow upward. Immediately after, Silent lifts his leg and strikes at Myjor's neck.
Myjor blocks with his forearm, but the retractable claws on Silent's foot extend, leaving a shallow gash across his neck.
Both fighters retreat.
Myjor touches the freshly opened wound.
-…
He glares at Silent, teeth bared.
-Grrrrrrrr!
….
…
..
.
An elderly fox announces in a firm voice.
-Ladies and gentlemen! Today, at this very moment, the first Martial Arts Tournament will take place!!!
He raises his arm.
-On one side, we have the most resilient human, who has proven worthy of being among the strongest!
-Naaaaagarooooooo!
The crowd erupts… in boos.
Nagaro.
- …
Nagaro steps into the arena. A rock hits his head, but he remains unfazed.
He draws in a breath.
-(Calm down…)
A bear in the audience throws a tomato. The tomato rolls across the ground. Nagaro steps on it, slips, and falls flat on his back.
Nagaro.
-…
The crowd.
-…
-…
-…
Nagaro stays still, eyes fixed on the sky.
-…
The crowd.
-Get up!!
-He slipped on a tomato?!
-This can't be real!
-Only a weak human could do this!!!
-How can a fighter fall so disgracefully?!
Others in the crowd start laughing.
-What a shame! What a shame!
-Get up, you foolish human!
A vein pops on Nagaro's forehead.
He slowly gets up, brushes off his clothes, and glares at the crowd.
He points his finger.
-Oh! The beasts here are you, you bunch of zoo animals!!!
The crowd.
-What did you just say, filthy human?!
-I'm going to kill you!
Nagaro looks at him.
-Then this one right here is for you!
Suddenly, the entire crowd charges toward him.
Nagaro's eyes widen.
-…
Nagaro runs.
-But not everyone was supposed to come, nooo!!!
-Help meeeee!!!
The elderly fox and Nagaro's opponent watch him running and disappearing into the horizon, followed by the furious crowd.
The fox looks at the rulebook in his hand, then back at the horizon.
-Does this count as a forfeit?
….
…
..
.