"Player number 1068, Irumi, and player number 1138, Kanzai, please proceed to Arena A on the 56th floor."
After a while, Irumi's name was announced from the broadcast on the 50th floor, and his opponent happened to be the ill-tempered delinquent boy. Irumi got up and left the rest area, taking the elevator to the 56th floor and heading towards Arena A. Even before reaching the venue, he could already hear the enthusiastic cheers of the audience.
Irumi walked out of the dedicated player pathway and arrived at the arena. Arena A was already filled with spectators, eagerly awaiting the arrival of the players. Kanzai was already standing on the stage, waiting for him, his expression fierce and glaring.
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for being so patient!"
The sweet and clean voice of the commentator sounded through the broadcast, introducing the players' situation.
"Next, we have a special matchup. The two contestants stepping on the stage are both under ten years of age."
"But don't underestimate them because of their age. Both of these young boys have shown outstanding performances in their first battles on the 1st floor, swiftly climbing to the 50th floor."
"Now, please enjoy their exciting footage from their VTR."
The screen switched, and the audience could see footage of Irumi and Kanzai's match on the 1st floor from the screen above the stage. The commentator's voice resumed.
"From the footage, we can see that Irumi swiftly defeated his opponent, a black belt in Taekwondo, with lightning-fast strikes."
"And Kanzai, with a beautiful uppercut, sent a 90-kilogram strong man flying out of the arena."
"Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready to press the betting buttons in front of you? Then, let the betting begin!"
The commentator's sweet voice ignited the atmosphere, and the audience enthusiastically pressed the betting buttons in their hands. The numbers below the avatars of the two players on the screen quickly changed and soon became 1560:1990. In terms of odds, Irumi had the advantage. Perhaps it was because of his clean and precise movements that made people feel like he had plenty of strength left.
"Do these people have no eyes? How is that brat better than me?"
Kanzai looked displeased as he glanced at the numbers on the big screen. With the betting concluded, the referee approached the two players and explained the rules of the match.
"The match follows a three-minute, three-round point system."
Once both players confirmed their readiness, the referee raised his right hand and quickly swung it down.
"Begin!"
At the moment the referee said "begin," Irumi lifted his foot and took a step forward.
*Swish, swish, swish...*
Kanzai immediately jumped back, creating distance between him and Irumi. He stood at the edge of the stage, his expression alert.
"I didn't expect you to be so cautious." Irumi's stepping foot paused mid-air momentarily before landing on the ground. He praised calmly. "But, the result was predetermined from the beginning."
"You are not my opponent."
Irumi took another step, slowly approaching Kanzai with an indifferent expression. Irumi's movements and his nonchalant expression caused a lot of pressure on Kanzai's inner self.
"Ha!"
Kanzai shouted, rushing forward and reaching Irumi, punching at his face.
Irumi's mouth curved slightly as he leaned to the left, easily evading Kanzai's punch. He then kicked at Kanzai's lower body, causing Kanzai to bend around his foot.
"Huh?"
Kanzai's punch missed, and his body fell towards the ground, his face freezing.
*Bang!*
"Irumi landed a swift hand chop on Kanzai's neck, causing Kanzai's eyes to roll back, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.
"Clean hit!"
The referee raised his right hand and extended two fingers, indicating that Irumi scored two points for a valid attack and a knockdown.
"Hey, referee."
Irumi stood beside the fallen Kanzai, hands in his pockets, and reminded the referee.
"The match is already over."
The referee was momentarily stunned but immediately approached the unconscious Kanzai to assess his condition.
"KO!"
After confirming Kanzai's condition, the referee announced that Irumi won by knockout.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has determined that Kanzai is unable to continue the match. Irumi wins by knockout."
The audience in the stands immediately erupted in enthusiastic cheers, and the commentator's voice echoed once again.
"Both contestants won their first matches with a single strike, but the difference between them is unexpectedly significant."
"It's truly unexpected."
"Irumi secures a victory and advances to the 60th floor."
The commentator's excited voice caused the audience to cheer again, with many shouting that they wanted to continue watching Irumi's matches on the 60th floor.
Until 9 PM that evening, Irumi fought three matches, winning all of them with a single strike and quickly ascending to the 90th floor. He will successfully advance to the 100th floor if he wins one more match.
"I would have had a room just by winning one more match."
Irumi stood at the entrance of the Heaven's Arena, looking at the dim night sky outside, gently shaking his head.
"Better find a hotel."
Irumi glanced around, walking along the main road, searching for a hotel. After winning four consecutive matches on the 50th floor, he earned a total of 500,000 Jenny, which was enough for a long time, let alone staying in a hotel.
If he had this ability to earn money in his previous life, why bother being a corporate slave? Soon, he found a five-star hotel called "Vasnia" and booked a one-day stay in a king-size bedroom.
...
The next morning, at 7:10 AM.
*Click...*
Irumi opened the curtains in the room, and the first ray of morning sunlight entered, instantly making him more awake. He finished washing up in ten minutes, changed into a pure white tracksuit, carried a grey backpack, grabbed the room key, and left the room.
After having breakfast at the hotel's restaurant on the first floor, he walked towards the arena. Today, he would fight all the way to the 100th floor.
In the morning, at 10:30 AM, Arena A on the 90th floor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, good morning!"
The sweet and high-pitched voice of the commentator ignited the flames in the hearts of the audience, and they cheered enthusiastically.
"Irumi, up until now, has won all his matches with a single strike."
"Yesterday, he had an incredible winning streak, going from the 1st floor to the 90th floor!"
"So, will he continue his winning streak today, smoothly advancing to the 100th floor?"
"Or will he be defeated by the contestant Kliman and be stopped here today?"
"Let's wait and see!"
The commentator's excited mood completely ignited the atmosphere in the arena. From Irumi's perspective, a large amount of blue and light red smoke emanated from everyone, representing greed and extreme excitement.
"Hey, kid."
Standing across from Irumi was a bald man, shirtless with only a training suit on his lower body.
"I'm not like those easy opponents you've knocked down."
"I've practised martial arts since I was young, incorporating the best of various styles and developing my own martial arts."
"I am destined to become the tower's master."
"A brat like you isn't even worthy of being my stepping stone."
"However, being a passerby on my path to success is also an honour."