As the competitors set up their pieces on the large chessboard, the crowd buzzed with excitement, eager to see the showdown unfold. Ryu focused on the board, trying to clear his mind of distractions.
He couldn't help but remember his time in No Game No Life. With the System, he could've easily won, but his pride wouldn't allow him to rely on the system for everything.
He would win this game no matter what.
Kanade announced, "This will be a best-of-one match! Each game will be played with a time limit of ten minutes per player!"
Ryu had played a little bit of chess back in his past life, reaching a high rating, so he was somewhat confident.
The first match began, and Ryu felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
He moved his pieces carefully, anticipating Subaru's strategy.
Ryu started with the Ponziani Opening.
However, it seemed as though Subaru knew perfectly how to respond.
They exchanged blows back and forth, the tension building with each calculated move.
As the time dwindled down, Ryu made a bold move, putting Subaru's king in check. "Your move, Subaru!"
She grinned, her eyes shining with determination. "You won't take me down that easily!" She countered swiftly, managing to escape the check and pushing Ryu into a precarious position.
Ryu moved his piece as quickly as possible as his time ran out.
"Checkmate!" Subaru shouted triumphantly as she placed her queen on the board, sealing Ryu's fate.
He had blundered!
The crowd erupted in applause, and Ryu couldn't help but smile, even though he had lost again. "Nice job, Subaru. You really are incredible at this. Can I ask what your rating is?"
With a fulfilling and arrogant smile, Subaru said Candidate Master.
Ryu couldn't help but chuckle as she said that. She was better than him by a lot.
No wonder he lost so easily.
Ryu sighed before pumping himself up.
As the cheers began to settle, Kanade stepped forward with an enigmatic smile. "Alright, competitors! For the next round, we have a thrilling archery challenge!
Each of you will have ten arrows to shoot at the target, and the one with the highest score wins!"
Ryu felt a rush of adrenaline.
While he had never been a master archer, he was determined to give it his all. He glanced over at Subaru, who looked a little nervous but was quickly masking it with determination.
"Think you can handle this one?" Subaru teased, a confident grin on her face.
Ryu shot her a smirk back. "I'll give it my best shot!"
Kanade gestured toward the archery range, where a large target loomed in the distance.
Subaru took her positions, armed with a bow and ten arrows. Ryu watched as he took his shots, some nailing the center, while others missed wildly.
It was Ryu's turn. He approached the line, gripping the bow tightly. Taking a deep breath, he focused on the target, trying to block out the crowd's cheers and distractions.
He recalled his martial arts training from previous challenges and drew the bowstring back, feeling the tension in his muscles.
"Concentrate," he whispered to himself. "Just like in practice."
He released the first arrow. It flew through the air, striking just outside the bullseye.
Not bad, Ryu thought, but he could do better. The crowd cheered as the arrow embedded itself in the target, and he felt a surge of confidence.
He notched his second arrow, focusing even harder. Ryu recalled his past experiences and the thrill of competition. He took a deep breath, aimed, and released.
This time, the arrow struck dead center, eliciting a loud cheer from the audience.
"Yes!" Ryu shouted, pumping his fist in the air. He turned to see Subaru giving him a thumbs-up, her competitive spirit shining bright.
Now for the final arrow. Ryu felt the pressure mounting but pushed it aside.
He could see Subaru watching intently, her competitive gaze fixed on him. He couldn't let her down.
"Just breathe," he reminded himself, drawing the bowstring back once more. He aimed carefully, his heart racing in time with the crowd's cheers.
With a swift release, the arrow flew. Time seemed to slow as he watched it soar, finally striking the target—this time just barely missing the bullseye, but still earning him solid points.
The crowd erupted into applause, and Kanade announced, "Great job, Ryu! Let's see how the rest of our competitors fare!"
After everyone had taken their shots, the scores were tallied. Ryu stood tall, his heart pounding in anticipation. Kanade called out the results, her voice ringing through the excitement.
"And the winner of the archery challenge is... Ryu!"
Ryu's eyes widened in disbelief as the crowd erupted in cheers again. He couldn't help but smile, feeling a surge of accomplishment. Subaru rushed over, grinning from ear to ear.
"Not bad for someone who was just getting started!" she exclaimed, giving him a playful shove.
"Thanks! I was just trying to keep up with you," Ryu replied, his competitive spirit ignited even more.
It was currently tied 2 to 2, and neither was going down without a fight.
As the excitement from the archery challenge settled, Ryu and Subaru exchanged determined glances, each ready to prove themselves one last time. The crowd buzzed with anticipation, eager to witness the final showdown. Kanade stepped forward, her expression a blend of seriousness and enthusiasm.
"Now, for the last round, we have a thrilling race! This will be a test of speed, agility, and strategy. The course is designed with multiple obstacles, including hurdles, tight turns, and a balance beam. Each competitor must navigate the course as quickly as possible. The one who crosses the finish line first will be declared the champion!"
Ryu felt a surge of adrenaline as he envisioned the course layout in his mind. He had always enjoyed running, but he knew Subaru was a fierce competitor. "Are you ready to eat my dust?" he teased, a playful smirk dancing on his lips.
Subaru raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Not if I can help it! May the best competitor win!" she shot back, her confidence palpable.
They lined up at the starting line, the crowd's energy buzzing in the air. Kanade raised her hand, counting down. "Three… Two… One… Go!"