Back at their quarters, Kazuki and Mira recounted the encounter to the rest of the group. The atmosphere was tense, everyone on edge after hearing about the demon summoning.
"So, they're trying to use the tournament as a cover to summon a demon?" Lyra asked, her brows furrowed in concern.
"Yes," Kazuki confirmed, pacing the room. "They're working for the demon king, and they're not the only ones. There are more like them among the competitors."
Serena crossed her arms, her expression serious. "What's our plan? We can't let them gain any more power."
Leo chimed in, "We need to gather more information. If they're targeting specific competitors, we need to identify who they are."
Kazuki nodded. "Let's split up. Each of us can keep an eye on different matches, especially those that seem suspicious. We'll regroup after the next round of fights."
The group agreed, and they set off with renewed determination. As Kazuki made his way through the bustling streets of the capital, he couldn't shake the feeling of impending danger. The tournament had turned into a battleground, and they were all caught in the crossfire.
The next few days were filled with tension as the tournament continued. Kazuki and his allies kept a close watch on their fellow competitors, but the atmosphere felt heavier with each passing match. Whispers of the demon king's spies began to circulate, and fear spread among the participants.
Kazuki found himself in a match against a skilled fighter named Aria, known for her agility and deceptive tactics. As they faced off in the arena, Kazuki couldn't help but admire her skill. She was fast, darting around him and landing swift strikes that made him work hard to keep up.
"Not bad!" Kazuki called out, grinning as he blocked one of her attacks. "But you'll have to do better than that!"
Aria smirked, her eyes sparkling with determination. "You're strong, but don't underestimate me!"
The crowd roared as they exchanged blows, the energy of the tournament electrifying. Kazuki felt a surge of excitement, but in the back of his mind, the threat of the demon king loomed large. He pushed those thoughts aside, focusing on the fight.
As the match progressed, Kazuki found himself enjoying the challenge, the thrill of combat fueling his determination. However, the moment was interrupted by a sudden chill in the air. Kazuki glanced around, sensing something off.
Just then, the arena's gates burst open, and a figure cloaked in darkness stepped forward, their presence casting a shadow over the competition.
The crowd fell silent, eyes wide with fear.
Kazuki's heart raced as he realized who it was—the demon king's agent had come to make their presence known.