The Grand Arena Tournament

After two days of hard work, with the help of his little sister, Chen Shang finally finished his homework.

On the night before the new semester began, Chen Shang and Nayuta collapsed, exhausted, onto the sofa and absentmindedly switched on the television.

“Why does school assign so much homework?” Chen Shang stretched lazily and complained, “The world’s already ended, what’s the point of studying anymore?”

Nayuta rubbed her sore wrists and murmured softly, “I did half the homework.”

“Well, that’s because you’re a genius and a beautiful girl,” Chen Shang replied with a casual joke.

A prodigy like Nayuta, who excelled in every area—virtue, intelligence, physical ability, and aesthetics—would be the pride of any family.

“Be-beautiful girl…” Nayuta’s cheeks flushed instantly, and she stammered, “It’s… it’s nothing like that…”

Chen Shang paid her reaction no mind. He gripped the remote and began flipping through channels.

Yenight Citadel’s television stations were divided into free channels for the common folk and paid channels for the wealthy. The free channels mostly showed shoddily produced variety shows and cheap soap operas, interspersed with endless, lengthy advertisements.

In contrast, subscribers to the paid channels could enjoy the finest entertainment programs, all without a single commercial interruption.

Unfortunately, the service Chen Shang’s family could afford only included the free channels.

“Sigh… There’s nothing good to watch…”

After flipping through dozens of channels, Chen Shang tossed the remote onto the table with a disgruntled huff.

“But…” Nayuta hesitated, then whispered in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s buzz, “I’m happy just watching TV with you, brother…”

Chen Shang didn’t catch her words. His attention had completely shifted to a commercial on the screen.

“The annual ‘Grand Arena Tournament’ preliminary selection is only three months away! The winner will receive a one million cash prize and a special reward prepared by the organizers!”

Onscreen, a host with a bubblegum-pink mohawk was introducing the event with unbridled enthusiasm, while the giant screen behind him replayed highlights from previous years’ competitions.

There, a white-haired man in powered armor wielded a frost-radiating energy greatsword, battling a mutant batman armed with twin green daggers. Behind them, monstrous roars echoed like those of ancient dragons.

In the end, the white-haired man swung his sword upward, bringing the airborne mutant batman crashing to the ground.

“The Grand Arena Tournament…” Chen Shang stared blankly at the screen.

“Brother!” Nayuta, startled by his expression, quickly asked, “You’re not thinking of entering, are you?”

He snapped out of his trance and grinned, “Of course not. I’m still a high school student, after all.”

Relieved, Nayuta sighed, “That’s good. That kind of talent show is way too dangerous. You’d get killed.”

The “Grand Arena Tournament” was a massive competitive reality show organized by Radiant Bird Corporation—an entertainment program that ignited more conversation among commoners than any other.

Originally, the event’s matches were unrestricted brawls, hence its title as the city’s most prestigious arena combat competition.

Over time, to attract a wider audience, the organizers kept experimenting with rules to make the tournament more appealing.

For instance, the last tournament adopted the currently trending “Battle Royale” format: out of fifteen teams, only one could survive. The rest either fell to rival contestants or perished under random bomb airdrops and mutant monsters already roaming the battlefield.

In short, this talent show offered huge cash prizes and a shortcut to instant stardom in Yenight Citadel… but the mortality rate was, admittedly, a bit high.

This was no civilized world. People who had survived the nuclear apocalypse had long since shed their sheep’s clothing. For the oppressed lower class, watching such bloodthirsty, brutal spectacles was nearly their only outlet for pent-up rage.

After a while, the two of them turned off the television and retired to their rooms.

Truth be told, Chen Shang felt tempted by the competition.

Not because he coveted the prizes or the money, but because the Xu Group would be participating as well.

The Xu Group’s intentions were obvious: seize the championship and use the exposure to launch a star.

And Chen Shang had no intention of passing up this opportunity to cause some trouble. After all, embarrassing the Xu Group in secret was one thing; doing it in front of the entire city was quite another.

However, at present, Chen Shang clearly wasn’t qualified to enter.

His combat skills were mediocre and, besides, the competition required teams of three.

Chiyo Asougi was a corporate heiress and would never set foot in such a place. Black Calyx wasn’t the fighting type and would only make up the numbers if she joined. As for Chu Jianlai—if he entered, he’d probably slaughter everyone.

But as a wanted man under heavy surveillance from the major conglomerates, letting Chu Jianlai join would be as good as handing him over to the authorities.

“I can’t possibly take Nayuta with me,” Chen Shang sighed with a bitter smile.

He wasn’t that desperate—yet.

“…No one to pick…” Chen Shang decided to shelve the idea for now.

…

The next day, Chen Shang headed to school as usual.

Passing by Class 1-A, he overheard several classmates whispering:

“I heard Xu Qing called in sick today.”

“They say he got injured during the autumn break… Should we go visit him?”

Chen Shang stroked his chin, feigning nonchalance as he walked toward Class D.

He had already heard about Xu Qing from Chu Jianlai.

And his thoughts on the matter?

“To curse out the family of the Midnight Executioner right to his face and still survive—truly worthy of being the game’s chosen ‘Dragon King’ male lead.”

Still, learning that Xu Qing was alive only made things more interesting for Chen Shang.

…

Asougi Group, Top Floor Office

A girl with an imperial hairstyle and a tailored suit strode into the office, her steps steady. She addressed the middle-aged man gazing out over the clouds from the floor-to-ceiling window:

“Father, I have finished writing the report on my activities during the autumn break.”

She bowed slightly and presented a bulging paper envelope with both hands.

A robot beside the man stepped forward, took the envelope, and placed it gently on the desk.

As the eldest daughter of the Asougi Group, every time Chiyo Asougi left her post without permission, she was required to submit a detailed report of her motives and experiences to her father, the chairman of the conglomerate.

This was no mere “travel diary,” but a document of strategic and commercial significance.

If Chiyo failed to provide a satisfactory account and convince her father that her actions were in the group’s best interests, she would face severe punishment.

“Wait,” the middle-aged man said calmly as Chiyo turned to leave. “The Tokugawa Group claims they found you in the Kunlun District. What was the purpose of your trip?”

“It’s all clearly stated in my report, Father,” Chiyo replied respectfully. “This journey was for the purpose of investigating the cultural environment of Kunlun District and, on behalf of Tokugawa Group, observing a potential talent.”

“That’s all?” the man asked offhandedly. “And what were your findings?”

“As you know, Kunlun District suffered significant upheaval a few days ago. I’ve included all my observations in the report…” Chiyo answered with utmost seriousness. “As for the individual in question, I do not believe he is suited for the Tokugawa Group.”

The clarity of her response drew approving nods from the man.

Yet he pressed further: “You spent two weeks traveling with him in Kunlun District, just to observe him?”

Chiyo’s expression shifted, but she quickly regained her composure: “Yes, only to observe him.”

“Yesterday, someone from the Xu Group told me,” the man sighed gently, “that they saw a young woman in a fox mask appear in Kunlun District and wondered if it was you.”

Chiyo was momentarily stunned.

In truth, Chen Shang had done his best to lead everyone around the surveillance zones, but Chiyo’s striking appearance still made her easy to spot.

“I insisted it wasn’t you, and only then did they leave. In everyone’s eyes, you are my daughter—a princess born with a silver spoon—so there’s no way you’d ever be found in a commoner’s district.” The man continued, “I’m not telling you this to admonish you, but to remind you of your status. To those people, you’re the unattainable Princess Kaguya, so don’t get too close to them.”

Chiyo quietly clenched her fists. “I understand, Father,” she murmured.

“By the way, I’ve been considering arranging a marriage for you,” her father suddenly shifted topics, “What do you think of the security company chairman’s son from the Baroque Group?”

“What? An…arranged marriage? I…well, I…” Chiyo faltered, stepping back in panic, her composure vanishing.

“Do you already have someone you like?” Her father’s eyes grew penetrating as he watched her reaction.

“No! It’s just…this is all too sudden! Please give me time to prepare myself!” Chiyo bit her lip, bowed hastily, and left the office in a rush. “I’m sorry, Father. Excuse me!”

Watching his daughter’s hurried departure, the father’s lips curled into a chilly, all-knowing smile.