"Now, let's cheer for our player, Joker!"
"His personal prize pool has reached 900,000 Pokédollars. With just one more win, he could earn an additional prize of 200,000 Pokédollars in one go, totaling 1,100,000 Pokédollars!"
The host, with the microphone in hand and veins bulging in his neck, displayed his professionalism as a presenter.
"Joker! Joker!"
"Joker!"
Cheers filled the stadium. 1,100,000 Pokédollars—a sum many would never earn in their entire lives.
But now, the person on stage had been winning again and again and only needed one more victory to secure 1,100,000 Pokédollars.
As for ending now and taking the 900,000 Pokédollars without further complications, nobody even wanted to suggest it.
What they wanted to see was a streak of ten consecutive victories, not for it to end now.
And besides, that amount of money stirred envy. Although they were shouting encouragement for Joker, deep down, they hoped the next opponent would be stronger and wouldn't let him take a single Pokédollar.
It was the typical thought of "if I can't have it, neither should you."
Meanwhile, in a large office behind the tournament stage, a few people were holding glasses and watching Joker's battlefield, listening to the crowd's cheers.
One of them spoke: "Another lucky kid. What do you think? Should we have a little fun?"
"Play what? Haven't you seen he's been using Skorupi from the start? He probably has more Pokémon, and Skorupi might be the weakest."
"But we can't just let him walk away with the 1,100,000 Pokédollars prize, can we? Although that amount isn't much, if it happens, we'll lose a lot today in ticket sales."
"Bah, we just need to send a strong opponent against him."
"Right now, where would we find someone appropriate? Even if someone defeats him, that person might also end up with ten consecutive wins."
The people sitting on the sofa and at the table shared their opinions, but the one sitting in the boss's chair seemed detached from the conversation, swirling his wine glass with an indifferent expression.
They all turned their attention to him, waiting for his opinion.
As if only just noticing their gazes, he brought the wine glass to his nose to smell it, then took a small sip, smiling.
It wasn't clear if it was due to the taste of the wine or because he'd found a solution.
"So, why not send in someone who also has eight or nine consecutive wins? I noticed there's a participant today who won his ninth match last time and only postponed the tenth due to his Pokémon's condition."
Hearing this, everyone brightened.
Of course, if someone was going to achieve ten wins, it might as well be one of the two.
Regardless of who wins, it would be good news for them. Splitting the prize between two people is easier to accept.
They were only in charge of managing the tournament for the forces they represented, but they couldn't interfere too much in the matches. Otherwise, each time someone got close to winning a big prize, they'd send someone to defeat them, and after that, who would dare to aim for big prizes?
If that were the case, players would rather win five or six matches, take the money, and quit the tournament.
If everyone did that, although it wouldn't bankrupt them, they definitely wouldn't earn as much money.
And the forces behind them wouldn't forgive them; this place was their largest source of income.
They could only manipulate one or two fights occasionally to secure some benefits.
Otherwise, if everyone knew it was rigged, who would come to the tournaments?
They couldn't sacrifice the long-term gains for small benefits; their business was long-term. They were always winning—it was just a matter of how much.
After contacting reception by phone, they resumed watching the battle with a smile.
For them, it didn't really matter who won or lost. They were always on the side of the forces they represented. They could only earn a little extra income by participating in small bets.
How much exactly that "extra" meant was unknown.
Back on the battlefield:
The host, newly informed through his earpiece, smiled broadly.
Another great showdown was coming!
"Attention, spectators! We've just received news that Joker's next opponent is also a contender with nine wins!"
"So, will Joker secure his tenth consecutive victory with absolute strength, or will the next contender achieve his own tenth consecutive win?"
"One is going strong, the other is fresh and rested! Who will win? Stay tuned!"
"Now, let's welcome our other player with nine wins! Tank!"
"Joker! Joker!"
"Tank! Tank!"
Clearly, as another player with nine victories, Tank's popularity was high.
This was a battle between two players with nine wins. Only the winner could earn the grand prize of 1,100,000 Pokédollars and also gain the opportunity to advance to the second stage.
The blood of the spectators was already beginning to boil.
Although ten consecutive wins were rare, they were not something they had never seen before. But a battle between two contenders with nine wins was something they had never witnessed.
With adrenaline pumping fast, everyone in the stands was shouting the name of their favorite player.
Meanwhile, the tournament organizers began announcing the start of big bets.
Earlier, Cain's dominance had been so obvious that it left no doubt, so bets weren't bringing in much profit, and people were barely making money.
But this time was different. It was a duel of nine wins versus nine wins, with high uncertainty.
Furthermore, since Cain had not rested at all and Tank was fresh and rested, the odds showed a payout of 1.5 to 1 for Cain.
It seemed even the organizers favored Tank.
Many began betting right away. Only a match with this kind of uncertainty was worth betting on.
In fact, no matter which side people bet on, the ultimate winners would still be the tournament organizers.
Cain called over a staff member and bet 200,000 Pokédollars from the 450,000 he had just won.
Earlier, the odds hadn't offered any gain. Now, although it was only 1.5 times, there was at least a small margin for profit.
Then, when the host finished his spirited speech, the time had finally come for the real battle to begin.
(End of chapter)
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Merry Christmas! May this season be full of joy, love, and fulfilled dreams.