The apprehensive announcer stammered, "It is... it truly is... Just behold that colossal figure, those monstrous, pallid fur - there is no mistaking it, folks. It is the 'Unihorn Lily.'"
"The Unihorn Lily, a 2-tier magic beast, was first discovered by a rogue mage who roamed a distant tundra. Their initial encounter with the beast was incredibly amicable, and it accompanied the mage without the need for a formal pact. But when the mage returned home with Lily, its true nature emerged. Lily embarked on a merciless rampage, ensuring an ample food supply before knowing how to sense danger and incite chaos. It understood when to vanish, particularly under the cover of night. With these abilities, Lily feasted upon two more neighboring villages, earning its reputation as one of the select few magical beasts with intelligence. Their cunning and ability to learn from observing others make them truly formidable. There are even tales of a 2nd tier 'Unihorn Lily' going head-to-head with a 5th tier 'Antler King Goat' and living to boast about it through the pillage of the king's territory."
"As the jaws of the approaching creature loom over the barely conscious Tatsuki, the tension and excitement escalate back at the examination hall. For some, the situation appears dire."
The announcer muttered, "Confuse... Could this be the end for our participant? After all the boasting about his skills, this is how he might meet his demise. Pathetic..."
Upon hearing those words, Bao Chi's temper snapped, and without a moment's hesitation, he shouted,
Bao Chi spoke furiously, "Shut the hell up!"
The entire place fell into a profound silence, with only the sound of the wind in the air.
Bao Chi continued, "Don't you dare belittle my brother. Even if my brother were to face the entire empire, he wouldn't lose. You think something as insignificant as that beast could defeat him? Hahahaa, what a joke!"
Surprising everyone at the examination site, they stared at Bao Chi. After a few moments of silence, laughter erupted from the crowd.
Spectators spoke, "Laughing so heartily! 'The whole empire'... Just who do you think he is?"
Another voice chimed in, "Oh, I bet he could even contend with our god."
The announcer, now amused, chimed in, "Yes, yes. He must be our savior sent from the heavens..."
Bao Chi scoffed, "Heavens! Yeah, right. He's more like a demon sent from the deepest part of hell, and even that falls short of describing his character. So, all of you sorry souls, just watch. He will return triumphant, no matter what."
A judge muttered, "Humph, now, do you see, brat? This is what happens to those who choose not to heed their elders."
Meanwhile, in the frosty region, Tatsuki had yet to make his move, still nestled in the snow as the approaching jaw loomed nearer.
Tatsuki spoke, his words cold, "If he had just come sooner than I... then I..."
*SMACK*
Tatsuki delivered a kick squarely to Lily's face, causing the beast to distance itself from Tatsuki.
In anger, Tatsuki shouted, "Then I wouldn't have to freeze like this, you wretched creature! If you keep behaving like this, you'll never find your mate."
At the examination site, everyone, except for Bao Chi, was left utterly shocked. To make matters worse, Bao Chi's face displayed a visible, mocking grin aimed at the entire crowd.
The announcer uttered, still shocked, "It would seem we have an unexpected turn of events. The half-dead brat who lay on the ground earlier has risen, and the once-proud beast has grown cautious."
Bao Chi mused, "What do you know? My brother has an almost endless array of tricks up his sleeves. He'll never go out like normal people..."
However, three individuals took the surprise quite seriously, their hearts a muddle of mixed feelings, and they couldn't help but speak.
The judges, in unison, declared, "The child is a monster..."
Over in the frosty region, Tatsuki cracked his knuckles and fixed a steely gaze upon the beast. It was a clear declaration of war.
Tatsuki spoke, his voice resolute, "You damn beast, this is the end of the line for you..."
Tatsuki leaped high into the air, stretching his right leg upward, and attempted to deliver a decisive blow to the beast's head. However, just before the moment of impact, the beast executed a graceful backflip, landing on one foot safely and swiftly moving to a distance. As Tatsuki's ankle met the snow, it scattered, creating a cloud of snow dust.
Seeing this, Tatsuki was left in sheer disbelief, his eyes wide.
Tatsuki spoke, still shocked, "You can do a backflip? Amazing! Forget what I said earlier; you must become my pet now."
The expressions on Lily and everyone else back at the examination site mirrored the incredulity.
The announcer remarked, "And here comes yet another self-proclaimed ridiculous statement, folks..."
Spectators in the crowd expressed their disbelief, "Is he out of his mind? That's absurd..."
Bao Chi sighed and offered his advice, "Brother, you should consider survival before thinking about acquiring a pet."
At the frosty stage, Lily pounded its feet into the snow, sending clouds of snow dust into the air, roaring and charging toward Tatsuki.
Tatsuki responded confidently, "Oh, you want to see if I'm worthy of keeping you as a pet? Bring it on, I'll show you how great I am."
As the beast neared him, Tatsuki spoke again, "Hindering my vision was brilliant. No wonder they say you're capable of strategizing. But what are you going to do about the loud noise you make with that large frame of yours?"
Tatsuki rushed in to attack, throwing a powerful, compressed punch at Lily. However, he hit nothing but empty air, and suddenly, Lily was right behind him. Lily raised its front feet, and its claws swiped at Tatsuki with incredible swiftness.
Tatsuki was sent flying, blood spilled, while Lily stood there, calmly licking the blood from its paw. No sign of aggression was visible on Lily's face.
The announcer remarked, "Being too full of himself has led the brat to be seriously injured. He seems too foolish for his own good... Hahaha, hahaha."
An embarrassed Bao Chi couldn't help but think, "Come on, brother, even I agree that was foolish. Just where were you aiming?"
In the frosty region, Tatsuki lay on his back, bloodied and with his face turned toward the sky. His left hand was visibly broken and bleeding, his condition appearing grim. Despite this, he slowly struggled to his feet, using his right hand to support his injured left arm.
Tatsuki muttered through clenched teeth, "One hit was all it took, and it's broken like this. This beast is truly unlike any other. It baited me with sound as it approached, then quietly went around me to emerge from behind. Haahaha, this is insane. Looks like I have to use it if I want to survive."
In a matter of seconds, a spear materialized in Tatsuki's hand. He used the spear's rear end for support, trying to stand firm.
The announcer expressed confusion, "Isn't that one of the basic weapons provided to all competitors? But just where did he pull it from? Just a moment ago, he possessed nothing of the sort."
Tatsuki, with wobbly steps, advanced toward the beast, while the beast stood there, still and proud.
Tatsuki attempted to jab Lily with the spear, but the beast swiftly dodged by moving to the side and then rushed to attack Tatsuki, catching him unguarded from his flank.
Tatsuki, not taken by surprise, quipped, "I knew you would do something like that. Any other monster would have jumped back to get out of range, but you are an intellectual, aren't you?"
He jumped forward and swirled his body, completely turning the tables. The beast's flanks were left unguarded, and it fell within the range of the spear. Tatsuki wasted no time; he aimed for Lily's neck. However, just before the impact, Lily purposely cut its jump short, falling down, and the spear grazed close to its neck.
Tatsuki shouted, "Do you think that would work on me? I'm prepared for this!" He yelled, "Hyeahhhh!"
Tatsuki changed the trajectory of the spear, and the sound of the spear cutting through flesh was loud and clear. Lily screamed in agony as its tail was severed almost to its rear. Lily writhed and wept, rolling on the ground, while Tatsuki barely managed to stay on his feet, huffing and puffing.
Lily stood up, struggling to find its balance without its tail, and it wasn't as easy as it had thought. Desperation for survival had replaced rationality in its bloodshot eyes. It was evident that Lily had returned to its primal instincts, no more tricks or games; it was solely hunting its prey. With a mighty leap, it launched itself toward Tatsuki.
Tatsuki chuckled as he spoke, "Yes, now you follow the logic of all beasts, using your gigantic body to overpower your prey. It might have worked on anyone else, but not me."
Tatsuki lay flat on his back and thrust the rear of the spear strongly into the ground, pointing the spear's edge toward Lily. Helplessly, Lily impaled itself on the spear, and the weapon tore into its stomach, causing blood to flow down the length of the spear from Lily's wound.
Tatsuki, writhing in pain, muttered, "This stubborn creature is still not dead. The way it's screeching and grunting, it seems full of vigor. If this isn't enough, then take this."
With that, Tatsuki raised both his legs and positioned them on Lily's stomach. With every ounce of power in his body, he twirled the spear left and right. Loud roars, howls, and shrieks echoed throughout the examination, but none compared to the horrific sight of blood splattering over Tatsuki's entire body as he continued to twist the spear into Lily's innards.
Finally, Lily's body became lifeless. Tatsuki pushed the spear aside, his breath heavy and labored. He was so weak that he couldn't move, so he crawled to the dead body of Lily. He grabbed onto Lily's fur and pulled himself up bit by bit. After a few moments, he managed to stand. His eyes were wild, oozing with madness.
Tatsuki stepped over Lily's body, and from the deepest part of his lungs, he let out a thunderous shout:
Tatsuki: "Hyeahhhhhhhhhh!"
With that, Tatsuki fell to the ground, losing consciousness.