"Stop! Stop! Don't announce the result yet!"
The frantic, cracking voice of the Gu Clan Elder echoed from Counter Number 10, situated in the far, dusty corner of the Exit Plaza.
The deafening cheers of the Bai Clan died instantly in their throats. Every single head in the massive plaza whipped toward the corner.
The Gu Clan Elder standing behind the heavy wooden table was physically shaking. His eyes were wide, completely bloodshot, and bulging out of his skull.
Sweat poured down his wrinkled face as he stared at the mountain of items piled in front of him.
Beside him, the Bai Clan Elder assigned to co-judge the counter looked like he had just seen a ghost. His face was entirely devoid of colour. His jaw hung slack.
"Impossible..." the Bai Clan Elder muttered, his hands trembling as he backed away from the table, "This is a trick... it has to be an illusion..."
The crowd parted in absolute confusion, shifting away from the centre to see who was standing at the corner desk.
