Phase two began, and Billy Milly flew off with an aggressive attack.
Taking on two opponents at once, he sped from pillar to pillar, shielding himself from the lasers that were fired at him, hoping to counter while their ammunition were low.
I can't hold back now! he exclaimed internally. His gameplan of tiring out others before going all out had begun.
His adrenaline was at an all-time high, and euphoria overshadowed his sense of being. Without hesitation, every dash was calculated with one person in mind.
Recalling the young woman that took him on in a duel without an ounce of fear several minutes ago, the young kid's heart pulsated within him with joy and vigor.
She had been the first person to take off one of his lives in a while.
He grinned, sped behind one of his opponents without being detected and fired.
PING!
You better survive until you face me, Shihon. I wanna beat you myself.
***
Meanwhile, Shihon mostly scanned her surroundings while advancing slowly, keeping her senses sharpened as she awaited nearby noise from a nearby participant or a Warbot.
She was more reserved, and for good reason.
I'm part of the final eight. I can't take too many risks here when I know that I'm not proficient at this shit.
Hearing a sudden whirr behind her, she spun her head around with a sharp gilt in her eye and blitzed past a laser beam from a Warbot.
T-That was clos-hk.
Her ears perked up, detecting a silent footstep behind her.
A sneak attack.
With no delay in her actions, she twisted her body and fired straight into the forehead of a younger girl with a perfect shot, taking her last life.
PING!
"H-Holy shit…"
She had let a shot fly merely on instinct but as she took down her opponent, she smiled weakly and inspected her gun.
"Does this shit have aimbot, or am I actually fucking awesome?"
***
"H-How the hell are you so good?"
The young boy with brown here croaked those words, and the barrel of the plastic gun was forcibly pushed down onto his forehead in reply.
He had been immobilized within seconds. Without a successful dodge, or counter, or any ammunition remaining, he had been pinned down with superhuman-like strength. His right hand had been held down by the man's right leg, and his left arm was held down by the iron grip of his left hand, while his lower body had been paralyzed by the left leg that kept it stationary.
With the man's right hand gripping the trigger, ready to pull, his yellow gradient eyes stared into his soul with no remorse and merely mumbled, "Wouldn't you like to know?"
PING!
That's two people eliminated by me.
--Liohime Kitagami, with the goal in his sight to remain the last one standing, had taken down yet another participant all by himself.
As soon as he stood up, though-
"The second phase is over!" was the loud sound of the announcer through the speakers on the ceiling, halting his movements. "Additionally, all Warbots have been taken down! Those who have been defeated, please return to the spectator area!"
"Thank goodness." Liohime breathed a sigh of relief, but the next announcement made him stare in amazement.
"The final four registered participants are: Emily…"
His eyes lit up and he smiled with pride.
Emily, that's the fake name that Shihon registered with, meaning that she made it to the final four. Awesome.
"Liohime…Billy…."
"Eh? Billy, who?"
"And…Tisha!"
He swallowed hard, as the last opponent was declared, and immediately after, a frustrated voiced screamed out from a distance:
"EMILY!!!"
A wave of confusion flashed across Liohime's face.
That was a young kid's voice…he called out Shihon? What for?
"…MEET ME IN THE GLASSY FIELD, IF YOU'RE NOT A PUSSY!! LET'S FINISH THIS WITH A REMATCH, SHIHON!!!! AND DON'T YOU DARE DISAPPOINT ME!!!"
After a few seconds, the announcer continued, "Uh…well, seeing that some players are eager…surprise! The final phase starts immediately! It all comes down to this! Ready…Go!"
Realizing that the final phase was now underway, his eyes wavered.
"S-Shit, so soon?"
With the majority of attackers now gone, he found himself cornered by an unusual silence that permeated the area, and with a hunch that someone was already nearby or even spying on him from a difficult angle, he paused and then spoke out loudly.
"I know you're here, Tisha. Let's do this the old-fashioned way."
He waited, but no reply came. He tried again.
"Are you seriously gonna watch me from a sizable gap? I really don't wanna call you a coward, but…"
His voice trailed off, hoping that his baiting tactic drew her out, but a response did not come.
That's weird…it usually works.
Like a ragebaiter that became ragebaited due to his ragebait failing, Liohime kept moving, albeit with increased caution, unknowingly walking straight into trouble.
***
Shihon had heard the hollering from Billy, and despite his condescending tone clearly pissing her off, she decided to head over to the Glassy Field, but not without pondering about wanting to meet up withe her master first.
Her longing for him began to grow, but after nearly three minutes of trying to navigate the arena, she finally stumbled upon the big sign off of the land's northeast section, and confirmed to herself that she would reunite with him after defeating Billy with a clear victory.
Just wait for me, Master, she declared, and then proceeded to enter, also unknowingly walking straight into trouble.
***
Liohime paused and blinked, perplexed at what he saw.
He had clearly heard his voice a few minutes ago, and what he had triumphantly declared.
So why…
He stared, keeping his gaze fixed on his opponent that lay on the ground, flipping his gun into the air and catching it as it fell back into his hands.
Why…
Liohime's heart raced as the young boy peeked at him through the corner of his eyes, showing off a sly grin, and his voice trembled slightly as he asked the ultimate question…
"Why are you here, Billy?"
***
"...What the fuck?"
She couldn't believe her eyes.
Shihon glared at the womanly figure who cooly sat on top of the towering pillar made of solidified foam, the shadow from the blocked ceiling lights that began to light up barely hiding her face.
Still, she knew who she was. Of course she did.
Her face felt hot, and she bit down hard on her molars while flashing her teeth in aggression as she continued to glare at the woman above.
"Why the fuck are you here?" Shihon demanded.
Then, the young woman with pink hair finally exchanged glances, turning her head towards her as the light beamed across her face. She raised her chin that rested on her knee as she sat nonchalantly, and uttered only a few words that Billy mentioned at the same time--
***
--"Why am I here? To defeat you, of course."