The audience roared in excitement as all of the competitors entered the stadium. There were six elevated grounds in all on the arena.

“Today’s Grande Battle will go down in history as one of the most memorable. In addition to the 2994 slaves in the Octagon, we have 1006 participants today! Today’s battle will undoubtedly go down in history as one of the most massive gatherings of participants!”

In the center of the arena, above the in the air, a man with bunny ears appeared. He was the one who had previously guided Malaya and the others. He was standing in what looked to be a huge leaf. His sentiments reverberated around the arena, prompting the audience to howl even louder.

“What are we waiting for? Let’s get this party started. Ladies?” When the speaker said that, fifty cat women appeared in the stadium. They were attractively outfitted in a one-piece pink bikini with a pink headband wrapped over their heads. They were carrying enormous baskets.

.

“Please wear one white band, participants.”

White ribbons began to flutter into the air from the baskets carried by the cat ladies. The participants received the flying bands that were given to them. Malaya glanced at it, and her participant number tag “855” popped out from the band. ‘Impressive.’ Malaya then reattached the tag to her left foot and wore back her shoes.

‘With a game like this. It’s strange why those movies or anime tend to wrap their bands around their necks, heads, or shoulders, where it’s all very easy to obtain. It was like, they are literally screaming. ‘Hey, my band is right here, Go grab it!’

When the emcee noticed that all of the baskets were now empty and that everyone had received their bands, he spoke again.

“The first round of the Grande Festival is simple: the top sixteen with the most tags will progress to round two in one hour!”

‘How fantastic.’ Malaya sarcastically thought. ‘Out of 4000 contestants, only sixteen would proceed to the following round. I guess, things are going to turn truly chaotic.’

“Now, as for our regulations, there are just three. You will be out of the battle if you first forfeit and depart the arena yourself through those exits,” he said, pointing to the massive doors with exit placards pasted on the very top. Then he went on. “Second, if you were knocked unconscious, our wonderful cat women will take you out of the arena themselves, and third…”

The Bunny Man’s eyes twinkled with mischief. “You were killed.”

Everyone gasped when they heard that one last thing. It came from the majority who were newcomers, taking part in this event for the first time. ‘Killing is permissible. I’m relieved that boy didn’t join here.’

‘I suppose that has to be acknowledged because the Duke’s position is on this line.’ Malaya thought.

“So, what are we waiting for? Let’s all start counting down to the commencement of the Grande Battle Festival! Audiences and Participants, count with me in 10!”

A strong rhythm of drum rolls began to play everywhere, and a ball of light burst in the air, signaling the countdown.

9

8

7

Malaya could feel her heart pounding. It could be due to the drum’s or her own loud beat. She clasped both of her hands together to keep them from trembling. ‘I’ve been arrested, bullied, mistreated, and wronged. And now what? I’m suddenly terrified. Is it because death is mentioned here? After all this time, am I still afraid of death?’

5

4

‘I must fight on.’

3

2

‘If this is indeed fear then I must accept it.

1

‘And keep surviving for my dream!’

The beating of the drums came to a standstill, creating a moment of silence.

A bright beam emerged over the arena’s center. Then it became characters or rather numbers, displaying the current round’s time.

{00:59:59}

“Go!!!” The crowds erupted with shouts.

‘So it begins now.’

The one-hour survival had finally started. Malaya brought out a talisman. ‘Let everyone see how a magicless girl can hunt.’

“Hey! Give me your band!” Malaya ripped the talisman as a tall, skinny guy with curly hair and long arms and legs raced towards her right side. Then, on the left, a horse beast-man charged in her way.

‘So I was identified as an easy victim, huh? Well. That, too, is self-evident. Before the battle began, most participants were already looking for individuals they could easily attack first. And, considering my physique, I suppose I am one of those.’

The two came to an abrupt halt when Malaya disappeared right in front of their faces.

“When you want anything from someone, ask them politely like this. May I have this?” She pulled the band over the lanky man’s neck. “And thank them. So thank you.” Malaya vanished again before he could respond.

She arrived in front of the horseman in a split second. “You!” The horseman didn’t complete his sentence as Malaya snatched the band around his head.

“Thank you as well,” Malaya said, smiling despite the fact that her face was hidden under a mask. The two couldn’t even respond to Malaya’s speed, and their bands were gone in a matter of seconds.

‘Four years of practicing this talisman is surely worth it.’ Malaya smirked inside her head.

‘Now. Two gone. 3987 to go.’ Malaya tore another talisman and disappeared.

Malaya’s strategy for this round was simple. She intended to collect all 4000 bands. Things would go much more quickly and easily if she could accomplish it. And she wouldn’t have to fight through the following round. For someone magicless like her, this was the best shot she got. ‘I have 4997 talismans remaining as well.’

—⚓⚓⚓—

Dorris continued glancing around the VIP room to the arena looking for her lady. “Did you locate her, Rein?” she inquired. Her voice sounded tense.

“Not yet,” Rein said, continuing to scan around. He had already improved his vision such that he could see Malaya. However, with 4000 people in the arena, it would be difficult to find her. It seemed as though one were staring at a lone ant upon a nest of ants.

—⚓⚓⚓—

“That’s the thirty-first band,” Malaya placed another band on the satchel she was carrying. She stopped when she noticed that everyone was preoccupied with their fight.

*Swoosh!*

A burst of cold air rushed through her. Someone at a faster pace had passed in front of her. Though, there was no need to be shocked, for it was the cat ladies who were now doing their job. If they were already moving, it implies that many others had already been knocked unconscious.

“I must continue the hunt now,” she said as she selected her next target, all of a sudden, a loud shriek was heard behind her. When she peered behind her, she felt cold perspiration dripping down her brow.

The previous lion beast-man back at the waiting area was the one who gave out that deafening shout. The lion beast-man knelt on the ground. A hand went through his gut, blood poured out his mouth.

Malaya took a deep breath. ‘Truly, trouble only begets trouble. But…’

Kayden was back in front of her. He only used his hands to penetrate the lion guy. “Your turn,” he said, his voice was low and deep yet it was still enticing to the ears. His ruby eyes glowed like that of a demon that was thirsty for slaughter as he peered at Malaya’s eyes.

“I brought this to myself.”

┈ ✁✃✁✃✁✃✁✃✁ ┈

Extra Scene:

This is before Malaya entered the arena, back at the waiting area for participants.

“Algero! How’s your wife? I heard she gave birth again!” A relatively small and high-pitched accent began to talk.

Malaya could hear conversations going on next to her while her arms were crossed and her eyes were closed.

“You’re still going strong, huh? I think that’s your eighteenth child,” the high-pitched voice stated.

“Hahaha! You’re right. We finally got a very beautiful cub this time, and her mother feels she’ll grow up to be a strong lioness.” This time, a much deeper voice answered the other.

“I’m sure she will! After all, your wife is a feisty one.” They both laughed at that statement.

“Hmm, what is a kid doing here?” the deep voice said, pausing his laughter.

“This area would be too dangerous for him. No matter what his intention was, he shouldn’t be here. He seems the same age as my cubs. Such a small youngster shouldn’t face the brutality this place would bring.”

Malaya heard footsteps going away from her. Then what happened next was…

“What is a pipsqueak doing here?” Malaya glanced up to see a tall bulky beast folk standing in front of a skinny and small boy.

┈ ✁✃✁✃✁✃✁✃✁ ┈