Chapter 103: Provocation [Fierce Climax, Fifteenth Update]

As the award ceremony commenced, it marked the grand finale of the sensational King of Fighters Tournament. The square was filled with rousing music and the joyous chatter of fans, all of whom had been thoroughly impressed by the spectacle.

Following Zhang Xiuxiu’s suggestion, they had initially considered asking Vice Mayor Lang Ping to present the first-place award, but Yang Tian and Zhang Zhi declined, feeling that having a vice mayor present the prize was a bit excessive. Instead, they invited Jiang Nan, the deputy director of the Cultural Bureau, to do the honors. Second place was presented by Zhang Zhi, the owner of Hongyu Internet Cafe, and third place by Yang Tian.

After a cultural performance by the Paris Style Theater, the ceremony officially began. The winners took the stage: first place went to Ma Wei from Binhai No. 2 High School; second place to Zhao Shilei from Binhai No. 1 High School; and third place to Zhang Xiaoshan, a social competitor and KOF enthusiast. She was a self-proclaimed homebody who appeared quiet and reserved, yet possessed a passion for the fast-paced intensity of the game.

Applause rippled through the crowd as the setting sun bathed the stage in a fiery glow, lending the contestants an air of radiance and making the entire stage feel truly magnificent.

Jiang Nan, Zhang Zhi, and Yang Tian stepped onto the stage, followed by three hostesses in bright red cheongsams carrying trays laden with certificates, prize money, and trophies.

Beyond the certificate and three thousand yuan in cash, the first-place winner received a trophy inscribed with the title "Supreme King of Fighters." Most importantly, this title would be permanently recorded in the Hongyu Internet Cafe’s game archives, visible to anyone who logged into the machines.

Ma Wei, unable to contain his excitement, literally leaped with joy when Jiang Nan handed him the trophy. The applause from the crowd was thunderous, but his acceptance speech quickly dampened the mood.

"I’m not surprised to be standing here as the Supreme King of Fighters. I knew I would take first place the moment I signed up. I’ve played in every internet cafe in Binhai City and haven't seen many experts, so I was certain no one could beat me!" Perhaps due to his excitement, Ma Wei came across as arrogant. While skilled at the game, he lacked social grace and often hung out with local street toughs, leading to his brash and crude tone.

"I can't believe someone like that won! Speechless."

"First place is just a title. As the event slogan said, who wins isn't important; what matters is igniting the passion of the people of Binhai for gaming. We’re here to watch the competition, not to watch him!"

"Exactly! I refuse to believe there’s no one better than him."

As the crowd murmured their disapproval, Deputy Director Jiang Nan looked visibly uncomfortable and stepped off the stage with a stern expression once the ceremony concluded.

When Zhao Shilei received the microphone, he sighed deeply before speaking in a resolute tone, casting a glance toward Yang Tian. "I lost in the finals, but I have no regrets and I am not sad. A good friend once told me that when you’re young, you should strive for your goals. Don't worry about where the finish line is; what matters is that we have the courage to start the journey."

A moment of silence followed, then a roar of applause broke out—even louder than before. Many who had previously blamed Zhao for his loss now cheered for him. He walked over to Yang Tian and embraced him, fueling the crowd's enthusiasm further.

"Tch, disgusting. All that talk about the process being more important than the result is just a loser's excuse," Ma Wei sneered nearby.

The comment was heard by many, including Yang Tian and Zhao Shilei. Zhao wanted to confront him on the spot, but Yang Tian held him back, insisting that the bigger picture mattered; they couldn't let a small-timer ruin the success of their hard-earned event.

"I wish someone could deflate his ego! Say, Yang Tian, isn't there a showcase match later? I want to challenge him!" Zhao fumed.

"No," Yang Tian replied sternly. "Contestants can participate in the showcase, but those who have already faced each other in the tournament cannot meet again; it’s too likely to trigger conflict. Don't add to the chaos."

"But seeing him act so arrogant makes me sick!" Zhao muttered to himself, though he understood that one impulsive act could spoil the entire celebration.

Then, third-place winner Zhang Xiaoshan took the stage. She looked moved. "I never imagined I would be standing here. At first, I just wanted to play and make friends instead of staying cooped up at home. But I never expected... like the second-place winner said, the result is just encouragement. The real joy was the process. I’ve improved so much and met so many people. I want to thank the organizers, Hongyu Internet Cafe, the kind-hearted Brother Zhang Zhi, and the adorable little brother Yang Tian!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, with some even whistling and shouting, "Zhang Xiaoshan, I love you!" Meanwhile, Zhang Xiaoshan gazed at Zhao Shilei with a warm smile.

Zhao was stunned. Typically boisterous, he was utterly bewildered by the girl's gaze, and his urge to fight Ma Wei vanished, leaving him standing there, unable to even look up.

"Hey, what’s wrong? Are you frozen? Can’t handle a look like that?" Yang Tian teased, nudging him.

"You're the one who can't handle it! Didn't you hear her call you 'little brother'? Must have felt pretty special, huh?" Zhao retorted, regaining his composure.

After the ceremony, the showcase began. Yang Tian’s goal was to keep the momentum going by allowing the audience to challenge the top eight players.

The rule stood: contestants who had already played each other could not face off again. With sixty machines on stage and the fast-paced nature of the game, the flow of players was like a surging tide.

However, an awkward situation arose: Ma Wei, the "Supreme King of Fighters," stood alone for a long time, with no one willing to challenge him.

It was a strange sight. By rights, the winner should have been popular, but Ma Wei’s poor character left him ostracized.

"Sigh, it’s lonely at the top! No one dares to challenge me," Ma Wei said, forcing a laugh to save face, though everyone could see he was being shunned.

"Zhang Zhi, let’s have a match!" Unable to pick on Zhao Shilei, Ma Wei turned his sights on the owner of the cafe. He had never seen Zhang Zhi play and assumed he was just a small-time entrepreneur—a nobody who managed to host a big event but was likely a gaming illiterate. He wanted to toy with him for amusement.

"What, too scared to face the Supreme King of Fighters? Afraid of my skills?" Ma Wei laughed, gloating as Zhang Zhi remained silent.