After this, Duanmu Huai finally felt relieved about Olgis's performance. With her onboard, the upcoming matches would certainly go more smoothly.
As for the tournament, they had already sent the invitation letter. With that, Duanmu Huai could simply let Olgis and Lorena rest and prepare for the Duel Tournament. As for Kula—after that fight, she behaved properly and no longer dared to act up in front of Olgis.
Mm, it seemed that battle didn't just determine victory—it determined hierarchy.
Next, all they needed to do was wait for registration to open and sign up as a team.
That was what Duanmu Huai originally thought.
Unfortunately, plans couldn't keep up with changes.
"Knock knock knock, knock knock knock."
Rapid knocking echoed outside the door. Hearing it, Duanmu Huai—who had been resting on the sofa—raised an eyebrow, stood up, and walked over.
Ever since the fight between Olgis and Kula, he no longer allowed anyone else to open the door for him. He didn't want someone to see someone else they didn't like and immediately throw hands. That would be a pain.
"Who is it?"
"It's me—Honoka! Mr. Duanmu, do you have time right now? I have something very important!!!"
Judging from Honoka's urgent voice, Duanmu Huai immediately grew serious and opened the door. As expected, Honoka stood outside—but drenched in sweat, face flushed red, as if she had encountered something terrifying.
"What's wrong, Honoka?"
"It's… it's Mary… Mary, she—!"
"Calm down. Actually, now that you mention it, I didn't see that little brat today."
Duanmu Huai glanced around but didn't see Marie Rose anywhere. After their previous sparring sessions, Marie Rose had been following Honoka like a little tail. Every time Honoka came to challenge Duanmu Huai, she'd insert herself too—only to get beaten back crying every time.
After all, Marie's fighting style relied entirely on leverage and technique—not brute strength. Against a human monster like Duanmu Huai, all her technique was worthless.
It was like a world-class skier trying to beat an avalanche. Impossible.
"Anyway, come in first."
Duanmu Huai led Honoka into the living room. Hearing the commotion, Olgis, Lorena, and Kula all approached out of curiosity. When they saw Honoka, their expressions became subtly complicated.
"What happened? What's wrong, Miss Honoka?"
Lorena had met Honoka several times, so she quickly guided her to the sofa and served a cup of tea. It was the first time Olgis and Kula had met Honoka, though—the two sat on the opposite sofa and stared intensely at Honoka's chest as if studying a rare exotic creature.
Mm… understandable. The Tribunal really didn't have girls as… developed as Honoka.
"So, what happened to that little brat?"
Once Honoka calmed a little, Duanmu Huai asked. Honoka immediately began explaining.
Marie had always been annoyed at losing to Duanmu Huai and constantly tried to find ways to defeat him—but never succeeded. Then…
"She met a man. He told her about a tournament called the Battle God Championship. He said that if she wins the championship, she could obtain the power of the Battle God…"
"Battle God Championship?"
Duanmu Huai frowned. He had absolutely never heard of such a tournament in the game. And what the hell was "Battle God Power"? Could you eat it?
"Yes. I didn't know what it was either. But after that, Mary started acting strange. She's been depressed, gloomy. I asked her many times what happened, but she wouldn't tell me. And these past few days… I haven't been able to contact her at all. I even visited her home—she never returned."
Honoka swallowed hard, then produced a sheet of paper.
"I found this in her bookshelf…"
"…What's this? Let me see… Battle God Championship Rules?"
[Battle God Championship Rules]
[Entry Eligibility: Anyone may participate. Male participants must bring one beautiful female partner. Female participants who meet requirements may enter alone.]
[Match Rules: Standard 1v1. Victory is determined by death, inability to fight, or surrender. Even if injuries or death occur, participants bear no responsibility.]
[Defeat Penalty: The defeated participant must surrender their female partner (or themselves if female) to the winner for disposal. The tournament host will not interfere with any actions the victor takes. Afterward, the defeated woman must serve the victor without compensation for three years, or pay 300,000 Duel Points to waive the penalty.]
[Champion Prize: The champion will receive the Power of the Battle God, the Title of Battle God, 1,000,000 Duel Points, and one wish granted by the tournament host.]
[Other Rules: During the tournament, participants and their partners are forbidden from private fights. Quitting at any point counts as a loss. Being late or not appearing on match day counts the same.]
[The Battle God Championship begins concurrently with the Duel Tournament.]
"...What the hell is this?"
Duanmu Huai stared blankly at the rules.
He had never, EVER heard of such an exciting—no, thrilling—no—well, whatever—such a thing in the game.
If players knew this existed, they'd have exploded en masse!
If this existed in the game, it would've become the hottest topic on the forums. The rules were far more brutal than the Duel Tournament—and many clauses obviously invited… certain thoughts.
And even if it were a game—
No way this would pass content review.
Which meant the Duel City in the game was actually a neutered, all-ages edition—and this Duel City was the uncensored, uncut full version?
There was actually a development like this?
He didn't see that coming.
After thinking for a bit, Duanmu Huai looked back at Honoka.
"Uh… so you think Mary went to participate in this tournament?"
"I didn't want to think that, but she hasn't shown up for days. She's not answering my calls… I wanted to join too, but I'm not strong enough…"
Indeed, while the rules allowed girls to enter alone, with Honoka's level, she'd just be feeding herself to the wolves.
"So… I hope you'll join me as my partner, Mr. Duanmu, and help me rescue Mary."
"You trust me that much? Aren't you afraid I'll lose?"
Honoka shook her head firmly.
"I know your strength, Mr. Duanmu. If it's you, I believe you won't lose."
"…Your trust in me is pretty high. In that case…"
To be honest, compared to the Duel Tournament, Duanmu Huai was MUCH more interested in this Battle God Championship. It didn't exist in the game, and the rules were… well, interesting. And the prize money was actually higher.
Perhaps because it involved killing. Duel City normally forbade killing, and fights usually couldn't kill. But this Battle God Championship explicitly said life and death didn't matter—meaning killing was allowed.
If so, then the difference in rewards made sense.
"Wait."
At that moment, Olgis suddenly raised her hand.
"I will be Master's partner."
On the other side, Kula said nothing, but immediately grabbed Duanmu Huai's arm tightly. Then the two looked at Lorena.
Lorena froze, then quickly raised her hands.
"Ah—if that's the case, then I'll join King and Miss Mai's team for the Duel Tournament. They already invited me before. If Sir Knight isn't joining, I'll just team up with them instead…"
Hey, are you trying to run away?!
Duanmu Huai shot her a glare. Lorena quickly stood up, waving her hands.
"T-Then I'll go contact King and Mai now! You three… take your time discussing!"
And she bolted out the door like a fleeing rabbit.
With Lorena gone, the two girls turned their gaze back to Honoka. Honoka hesitated, clenched her fists…
"I—I want to be Mr. Duanmu's partner. This is my request, and for Mary's sake, I won't back down."
"...…"
The three of them glared at each other—
You staring at me, I staring at you—
until finally Duanmu Huai let out a helpless sigh.
"If you want to fight, take it outside."
Before he even finished speaking, the three girls leapt to their feet and rushed out the door, vanishing within seconds.
"Ahhhhhhh…"
Staring at his wide-open door, Duanmu Huai sighed.
He had no idea what Olgis learned from Miss Alice, but she had become way too proactive lately.
But…
His gaze fell once more on the Battle God Championship rules.
He genuinely hadn't expected Duel City to have a hidden tournament like this. Was this really okay? And just who was behind such a tournament?
At this moment, Duanmu Huai's curiosity was fully ignited.
Compared to the Duel Tournament he was already tired of, this Battle God Championship seemed… genuinely quite interesting.
Next, it was up to the three of them to determine who would win.
(End of Chapter)