Chapter 24


The thrilling match has come to an end.

Unfortunately, Bean’s defeat and Johan’s victory were reminiscent of the intense eSports matches seen in past lives.

The audience erupted into applause, and as expected, the Colosseum was heated up.

The best stage was set.

  

“Well then, we’ve enjoyed the exciting match… let’s get to work, shall we?”

It was now time to get to work.

Jiren, assigned an important role, wore an expression that screamed reluctance.

“Are we really doing this… execution?”

“You’re too late to run away, Jiren. Just enjoy it now.”

“I’m excited! Jiren-san.”

In stark contrast, Karen had felt from the last practice that new experiences seemed exciting, and she appeared eager to get on with it.

And then…

“Both Johan and Bean were amazing! Their battle until the very end was truly impressive. I’m also inspired to work hard.”

Even the Master, watching the thrilling match, displayed an active demeanor as if blood was boiling within him.

Could it be that we’ll get to see the Master’s true magic after such a long time?

The Master spoke as he led the way.

“Let’s go, my disciples!”

With that, we followed the Master.

Alright! It’s time for the finale of the event we prepared for four months.

Let’s wrap up the best stage.

*

After the finals, an award ceremony was taking place above the arena.

Johan held a sign for 100 million gold, while the second place winner, Bean, had a sign for 40 million gold.

JYJ approached Johan.

“Now, let’s hear Johan’s victory speech.”

“Haha… Honestly, I think I won thanks to luck, not skill. I truly believe it’s due to the support from many people. Thank you all for cheering for me!”

Unlike before the match, Johan spoke with humility.

He honestly couldn’t guarantee his victory until the last moment.

He really thought he won against Bean due to luck, not skill.

Although he hadn’t lost, Johan learned about humility when he met a friend who might be better at the game than he was.

“And let’s give applause to the amazing performance of Bean! I hope we can play together again next time.”

Upon hearing Johan’s words, Bean’s eyes went wide.

He couldn’t believe that Johan, who had teased him before the game, would show him such consideration.

This time, JYJ approached Bean.

“Let’s hear Bean’s runner-up speech as well.”

Receiving the microphone crystal ball, Bean had many thoughts running through his head.

He hadn’t come in first.

He could blame his luck for having received line blocks twice from Johan.

But that wouldn’t seem cool at all.

“Luck is a skill; I believe I lost because I was lacking. But next time, I’ll win! Johan!!”

With the fire of competitive spirit ignited in him, the crowd cheered for Bean, including JYJ.

In that moment, Bean, preparing for the next challenge without being discouraged by his defeat, appeared far more impressive than before.

“Oooooo!!!!”

“Bean’s determination for a rematch is on fire!!”

The perfect match came to an end.

Although it was sad, the time to close was approaching, and JYJ grabbed the crystal ball microphone.

“Both players displayed amazing performances until the end. It was truly an honor to host such a wonderful event.”

He took off his trademark sweat-soaked red sunglasses and declared to the audience.

“Then, we hereby conclude the first Tetric game tournament!!!”

Wherever there is a meeting, there is also a goodbye.

And JYJ had a funny feeling.

That this wasn’t the end, but just the beginning.

Just then, at that moment the tournament was concluding…

Thud!

“What! What’s happening?”

“The lights went out!?”

The Colosseum went dark, and a shadow fell over the arena.

People who had planned to leave after the match began to panic in the darkness.

What on earth was going on?

As everyone was confused, messages began to appear on the screen above.

[ Even though the tournament is over, the game must go on. ]

Those who saw the message in white shouted excitedly.

“Hey! Look at that!”

“Something is happening!!”

Even though the thrilling finals were over, the festival night was just getting started.

People were left wanting more.

They hoped this fun game would keep them entertained longer.

Amidst those thoughts, ‘something was about to begin again.’

This was a situation that could not help but create excitement, and messages kept coming.

[ Everyone… ]

The messages began to ask.

To the audience, and everyone watching the tournament.

[ Do you want a fun game? ]

A fun game?

Of course, they wanted one.

Everyone responded in their hearts in unison.

Hearing this, the next message appeared.

[ Do you want the best game? ]

The best game?

Was there a game better than Tetric?

People felt their hearts racing at the thought that they might witness something beyond their imagination.

[ Here lies the game you desire. ]

The white message disappeared.

Could it be that they were finally going to see a new, best game!?

As they were about to expect it, a familiar BGM started playing.

『Do do RRii di didi ♩ Do do RRii dit di♫ Do do RRii di rito♫』

With that familiar music, Tetric blocks began to fall on the screen above.

‘Eh… what’s this… it’s Tetric?’

Numerous people felt disappointed at that moment.

Despite the audience’s sentiments, the Tetric blocks began to stack.

The neatly arranged blocks piled up into four lines, leaving room for just one line block in the middle, and down it came.

When that block fell, four lines would disappear, and the score would rise…

As everyone thought that moment!

An astonishing sight unfolded.

『Yahhoo~』

『Pfft! Pfft! Kachunk!』

From beneath the line block, a mustached man jumped in and then destroyed the line block right away!

The line block, which resolved any hardship, was now being destroyed by the mustached man that surprised everyone.

“Oh my gosh, he just… wrecked a line block…”

“Who is that mustached man!?”

As everyone focused on the mustached man who had smashed the line block, a new song began to play, different from Tetric.

『Da da dan da♫ Don⬈ Don⬊』

With the song, the mustached man began running, and a never-before-seen game screen unfolded in the Colosseum arena, revealing the land and sky.

Soon, a world of Super Thomas created by the illusion magicians led by Sylvia was born.

But as Thomas tried to dash through that world, turtles began to drop around him, trapping him.

And then, the image of Princess Apple and the turtles created by Irene’s illusion magic, along with King Kuma, appeared, opening their mouths to entertain the audience.

As if witnessing a magical show straight out of a Disney movie, the people were left speechless, and a narration began to echo toward the audience regarding the realistic King Kuma’s fangs.

『King Kuma has invaded the peaceful Mushroom Kingdom and kidnapped Princess Apple.』

The narration kicked off in Noirin’s refreshing voice.

Along with that, King Kuma, holding Princess Apple in one hand, opened his mouth wide as if to devour her, proclaiming:

『Kuahahaha!!! Princess Apple is mine!!!!』

The heavily modulated voice of Yuren as King Kuma echoed through the entire arena, and he breathed out a massive fire to warn everyone of his threat.

Although it was an illusion, no one wasn’t frightened by the flames happening before their eyes.

『The only hero who can save the princess is our hero, Super Thomas!』

Noirin called out for the hero.

But the hero did not respond from within the blocks.

Just then, another voice could be heard.

『Help me!!! Thomas!!!』

Karen’s lovely voice called out for the hero Thomas.

Only then did the hero finally respond.

With Jiren’s voice, Thomas answered.

『Wait! Princess Apple!!! I’m coming!! Yahhoo~』

『Pfft! Pfft! Kachunk!』

Now in the state of Super Thomas after eating a super star, Super Thomas emerged, defeating the turtles that trapped him.

With his mustache fluttering, Super Thomas began to dash across the stage set in the Colosseum arena.

『Hoo~ it’s Hoo~ Yahhoo! Yeah! Hoo Ah! Yeah! Yahhoo!』

Jumping, running, transforming after eating fireballs, and becoming invincible after collecting stars, Super Thomas trampled the turtles while racing on stage.

The audience was left enchanted as they witnessed a new game, no, a new world beyond Tetric.

『Super Thomas』.

Finally, as Super Thomas entered the castle, the screen ended, and the title screen popped up.

After that, all hearts felt the same.

They wanted it.

The audience desperately wanted that game.

『Embark on an adventure as Super Thomas!!!』

So where and when can we get Super Thomas!?

Everyone silently shouted that question in their minds, and it seemed the white message answered back.

『Want to know when the release date is? Well… starting now.』

Boom! Boom! Boom!!

Another round of fireworks exploded, and as the tent of the Edward Consortium fell, the red crystal balls featuring the Super Thomas game appeared.

“…………”

“…………”

A moment of silence passed, followed by an eruption of cheers.

“Whoaahhhh!!!!”

“Get out of the way!!! I’m first!!!”

People spilled out of the Colosseum like a tide to buy Super Thomas, and the event staff worked tirelessly to prevent accidents.

In the now empty arena, the two discussed after everyone rushed off to buy Super Thomas.

  

“Hey…”

“Yeah?”

“Do you think anyone remembers us?”

“Haha… maybe a few, right?”

The true victor of the first Tetric tournament was neither Johan nor Bean, but rather that mustached man.

Yahhoo~