Chasing Dreams in the World of Entertainment

In the private office filled with the scent of books, Chiyo Yasuji opened the television and sat upright on the sofa.

If anyone discovered she was watching such a commoner’s program, her family would surely be deeply disappointed in her. Therefore, her official explanation was that she was “observing the latest moves of Radiant Bird Corporation.”

Sakura Honbu quietly approached behind the young lady, handing her a cup of coffee, her tone soft and lingering: “You seem very concerned about that boy. Is all this really worth it?”

“Who knows~” Chiyo took a sip of coffee, her response vague as she smiled lightly. “Let’s just say I’m watching to see if Radiant Bird Corporation is up to something new~”

On the television, the commercial break finally ended, and the gaudy-faced host’s comical visage reappeared on screen.

“All right! Our contestants have begun arriving at the arena. Let’s welcome them with applause as thunderous as a nuclear blast!”

With Flavii’s enthusiastic shout, the fifteen teams that passed the preliminaries entered the competition site in an orderly procession.

“First up, the Holy Blade Team!”

A mercenary squad dressed in red and white combat suits strode into view, raising their specially painted bright red submachine guns.

Despite the flamboyant colors of their outfits, nothing could conceal the fact that they were just ordinary mercenaries. To keep ratings high, the Grand Arena Show would give such teams little screen time.

Before the three mercenaries could introduce themselves, Flavii waved them off with a smile: “It’s getting late, so head over and get ready!”

The mercenaries said nothing, turning to step into the desert. Fame and the spotlight meant little to them; all they wanted was the championship prize, everything else was irrelevant.

“Next is the Echo Demon Team! Let’s welcome them!”

Flavii glanced at the three mercenaries approaching, rousing herself with visible effort.

Like the previous team, their gear was ostentatiously painted in purple and black, but they were just another group of ordinary mercenaries who’d made it through the preliminaries by luck.

“Mercenaries these days are getting more and more flamboyant~” Flavii commented offhandedly. “I remember ten years ago, the mercenaries in the Grand Arena all wore standard camouflage.”

The Echo Demon Team said nothing and dutifully went to prepare.

After sending off a few more unremarkable teams, Flavii glanced down at her script, her tone suddenly warming: “Next up, from Preliminary Group Two, please welcome the Kunlun Team!”

Three contestants with a pronounced air of the martial world strode briskly into view. Leading was a refined young man in white Daoist robes, wielding a mechanical sword three feet long. His jet-black hair streamed in the wind, his sleeves snapping in the desert breeze.

The second contestant wore a scholar’s robe and a bun, holding a mechanical scroll with an air of elegance.

The third wore a white hooded cloak, every inch of skin concealed beneath clothing, his face hidden behind a mask styled like a traditional opera’s painted visage.

Compared to the earlier mercenary teams, these contestants were truly distinctive.

“I’ve heard you all were once disciples of the three great sects in the Kunlun District. I was truly sorry to hear about what happened there a few months ago,” Flavii said warmly, passing the microphone to them. “What brings you to the competition this time? Any special purpose?”

The Daoist, drawing a flask from his sash, took a deep drink, memories flooding his mind.

“That day, the vile fiend slaughtered our three great sects, plunging all of Kunlun into devastation! My friends, my senior brothers, my juniors, even my master... All of them fell to that demon’s blade...”

Unable to hold back, the Daoist began to weep, his handsome face streaked with tears: “We were all honest and diligent in our cultivation, never courting disaster, even striving to do good deeds and accumulate virtue, hoping to attain enlightenment. Never did we expect that fiend would, without reason, butcher us so ruthlessly... Oh, cruel heavens... Where is justice... where is justice to be found!”

To heighten the atmosphere, the scholar beside him began to play an erhu, the show’s background music turning into a mournful solo.

But Flavii cut short the lament at just the right moment. “But I heard the Midnight Headsman was only seeking revenge because your three sects slaughtered his entire family.”

The scholar’s music stopped abruptly. The Daoist coughed and quickly shifted the subject, his voice righteous: “In any case, I will restore the Daoist Sect! I will defend all that remains of Kunlun!”

“To restore the glory of the Scholar’s Sect, that is my solemn duty! For I am the last hope of the Scholar’s Sect!” the scholar chimed in.

“...” The opera-mask contestant remained silent.

“Excellent! Such spirit! Whatever your purpose, I wish you success!” Flavii shook her flowery head and applauded them.

After sending off a few more unremarkable teams, Flavii’s tone again turned delighted. “Here they come! Next, please welcome the Gun Devil Team!”

Amid the host’s noisy welcome, three cyborgs strode forward. Each had undergone extreme modification, their bodies set with dozens of gun barrels, even one arm transformed into an assault rifle—moving arsenals, every one.

They pointed their dark barrels at the camera, as if about to riddle the audience with bullets.

The team’s leader was a young man with black hair. Unlike his teammates, a pistol barrel was set into his forehead, its shadow lending him an air of enigmatic charm.

“I’ve never seen cyborgs as stylish as you!” Flavii gushed, hurrying over. “Can I touch your guns?”

Unable to contain herself, the dragonkin maid also skipped over. “Can I touch them too?”

“N... No problem...” The leader’s voice was halting, laced with mechanical distortion.

“Wow! That’s truly impressive! I’m sure those who watched the preliminaries have already witnessed your strength!” After thoroughly inspecting all three, Flavii’s tone was practically euphoric. “I wish you victory—go turn your opponents into sieves!”

“You can do it~ You’re all so cool, I’m rooting for you!” Diana Tess cheered, clenching her fists.

After sending off this unique team, Flavii picked up her script again and read, “Next to enter, from Group Seven, we have... eh?”

Mid-sentence, she felt the light dim above her, assaulted by a pungent stench.

At some point, a three-meter-tall monster, its body seemingly stitched together from three human torsos and countless animal remains, had loomed beside Flavii, bending down to peer at her.

The monstrous giant had three heads and six arms, moving swiftly on dozens of misshapen legs.

Nearby, Ameng and Diana both shuddered in unison and retreated behind Flavii.

“This is the Fusion Monster Team from Group Seven!” Flavii, ever the consummate presenter, maintained her composure. “Unlike the other teams, this one has just a single contestant—or perhaps, they are three in one!”

The fusion monster stretched out its fourth hand and waved at the camera, each zombie-like head introducing itself in turn:

“I am Goethe Bach.”

“I am Kai Hasan.”

“I am Diago.”

“My dream is to wear a bright red high-slit cheongsam!”

“My dream is to dye my hair green!”

“My dream is to dance freely in the spotlight!”

“We are the GKD Trio! Our goal is to win the Grand Arena, and then strive to become idols!”

“Ahem...” At these words, Flavii nearly choked with laughter, barely managing to stifle it.

But Ameng and Catherine couldn’t hold back and burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny? Can’t we become idols too?” The fusion monster fixed the two idols with a deathly stare, instantly silencing them. “So cold! Is this society so oppressive that even chasing our dreams is mocked?”

“Please, don’t be upset. Our guests are simply genuinely moved by the passion of your dreams!” Flavii quickly smoothed things over, sending the enormous creature on its way.

“And now, let us welcome the final teams for today’s match!”