[-] I look at the nearby weapons rack and get an idea.
[Ichihime] Nyaa! Master, you can't beat her! Nyaa? Oh... never mind.
[-] As Ichihime cries out in a panic, I stealthily slip behind the weapons rack.
[player] (whispers) I may not be able to beat her, but I can hide from her, can't I?
[Blindfolded Girl] First, second, third – Judging from the direction your voice is coming from... You wouldn't be hiding behind the fourth spear, would you?
[player] Huh???
[Blindfolded Girl] Caught you!
[-] As her last word falls, the girl abruptly leaps to her feet. With a flurry of movement, the tip of her spear stops precisely at the corner of my clothing. It lightly touches the surface, lingering for the briefest moment before retracting, quick as a flicker.
[Blindfolded Girl] Just enough to make my point.
[Ichihime] Whoa, cool, nyaa! You got totally owned, Master!
[-] What a disastrous start to the security inspection! Even my ally betrayed me! But hey, I'm down but not out.
[player] Ahem, there's no denying your skill. However, I'm afraid that brandishing weapons goes against Bamboo Cloud's security regulations.
[Ichihime] I knew you'd bounce back from that in no time, Master! Nyaa!
[Blindfolded Girl] Security? Isn't that my department?
[player] Your department? Hang on –
[Yuzu] Argh! Looks like it wasn't an unlawful brawl, but a lawful duel.
[player] A duel requires the consent of both parties!
[Kaavi] Fate usually never allows archnemeses to become...
[player] Kaavi? You're here too... Wait a minute, where did all these people come from?!
[-] As soon as I turn around, I realize a crowd has already gathered behind me, with even more people heading over. And to get a better view, some are perched atop... the wall?
[-] The denizens of One Han City just can't resist a bit of excitement.
[Ransei] I had no idea that you were so skilled at both mahjong and combat! I really need to take some tips from you!
[Eve Krist] Is that a traditional weapon of Nanxiang? It sure lives up to its reputation.
[player] ...Is the martial arts tournament being held in Bamboo Cloud's courtyard this year?
[Hibiki Himekawa] Let's pick up from where we left off last time!
[Hibiki Himekawa] A few days ago, a blindfolded heroine valiantly raised her spear, and all the villains who descended upon Bamboo Cloud were forced into a corner and taken out in one fell swoop!
[player] Without missing a beat... Gee, I forgot you were a game streamer.
[Hibiki Himekawa] Today, the enigmatic heroine re-emerges for this special duel. Watch closely as life and death hang in the balance –
[player] Hold on, let's not take it to life and death...
[Onlooker A] Yeah!!
[Onlooker B] Is Bamboo Cloud holding a new tournament? They even got someone to do live commentary!
[Onlooker C] All I'm gonna remember is how insanely popular Bamboo Cloud's anniversary celebration is...
[Hibiki Himekawa] You're in the right place, chat! As you all know, here at Bamboo Cloud we have the Four Nobles: Plum, Orchid, Bamboo, and Chrysanthemum. The masked heroine before you is none other than "Chrysanthemum," or as she's widely known, Jiu Hua. She's also Fuuka Minami's personal bodyguard.
[Hibiki Himekawa] Facing her is a highly skilled sparring partner who has battled through a rigorous selection process and countless challenges to be here!
[player] No, no, no... I'm not anyone's sparring partner, I'm –
[-] A sly smile spreads across Hibiki Himekawa's face – she instantly recognizes me. Dang it, she's definitely doing this on purpose!
[-] An expression of sudden realization sweeps over the crowd when they hear this. They now regard me with a look that says "this person is not to be taken lightly." As the brave warrior "challenging Chrysanthemum," I've clearly become the protagonist of today's duel.
[Kaavi] Well, this is an unexpected development. But since it's PLAYER, it's likely the will of fate at work again.
[Ransei] As expected of my master!
The mood has reached a boiling point, leaving me no choice but to accept the long spear being handed to me by Jiu Hua and make my way to the clearing in the center of the crowd...
The match officially begins.
[-] Jiu Hua leaps lithely, each step appearing exceedingly nonchalant and only making me less certain of her intentions.
[Ransei] Master! Try to break through her defenses! Look for an opening!
[-] Hearing Ransei's advice, I grit my teeth and launch my attack! I know just where her weak point is...
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