The bow of the ship bore the words ’Fatal’, scrawled carelessly but exuding a fierce aura.
Some of the mere staff, upon seeing this, couldn’t help but repeatedly retreat, with some even falling to the ground.
Due to the sound of the steam whistle, the contestants coming out from the various temporary ’player rooms’ had also turned serious.
As people of the ’Inside World’, they understood the meaning of these two words even better.
"If we continue to spill fresh blood...perhaps a monster will be born?"
"It should be said, it’s already a half-monster."
"Just by words alone, it wouldn’t have such a presence."
"Is the person hosting ’King of Fighters – The Boxing Competition’ using the blood of contestants to cultivate his own Shikigami?"
"Heh, Shikigami? You’ve got guts to say that."
"We’re all going to die, why not let someone make use of it?"
"Otherwise, how could there be such high prize money and so many valuable items appearing in the ’King of Fighters – The Boxing Competition’?"
"As long as the championship is mine, what else matters."
The crowd buzzed with discussion.
Quickly, surprise turned into argument.
And the argument made the atmosphere at the dock instantly tense.
Amidst the drawn swords and ready bows, many were eager to fight.
They had come to participate in the preliminary rounds, but they didn’t mind starting a fight first.
Hanakaiin Haru narrowed her eyes scanning the scene at the dock, whispering in a voice audible only to her, Jason, and Miss Sagaraso: "Be careful, someone is deliberately causing trouble."
Miss Sagaraso nodded, her longest strands of hair now half-erect, like semi-pulled antennae.
Upon sighting the ship named ’Fatal’, Miss Sagaraso adopted this expression.
The aura the ship brought made her vigilant.
His eyes revealed surprise.
A surprise that was delightful.
He looked at the ship unconsciously swallowing his saliva.
Although faint and somewhat mixed, the scent of ’food’ never changes.
The ship had a faint scent of food.
The corners of Jason’s mouth couldn’t help curling up.
And deep inside, Jason came up with a plan.
This ’half-food’ can be turned into real ’food’.
To make it even more delicious.
Thinking this, Jason’s gaze turned towards the crowd.
His gaze swept over them one by one.
Well hidden, these people did not notice, but Hanakaiin Haru standing beside Jason saw everything clearly.
"No need to look further, Jason."
"That guy is hiding very well."
"After speaking, he concealed himself."
Hanakaiin Haru said, her face growing darker.
As an Onmyoji with a proper lineage, Hanakaiin Haru had considerable insight and observation; she could confirm that the ship named ’Fatal’ was about to become a ’monster’.
Just a bit more fresh blood will do.
Especially the blood of ’Inside World’ members.
Fighting on a ship about to become a ’monster’.
Hanakaiin Haru could guess the likely outcome just by thinking about it.
Even if they beat these enemies within the allotted time, and according to the rules the bomb wouldn’t explode, a ship that’s just become a ’monster’ would bring unexpected changes.
Making everything uncontrollable.
Hanakaiin Haru cursed internally.
His killing intent towards those bastards grew stronger.
At this moment, Jason withdrew his gaze.
"Is it about to become a monster?"
"About 500 more ordinary people’s blood is needed to become a monster."
"But, judging by the current situation, just 50-60 members of ’Inside World’ will suffice."
Hanakaiin Haru replied and was about to once again persuade Jason to abandon the competition.
It was clear now, those bastards never intended for him to win.
In this carefully laid trap, he couldn’t possibly win.
It would only lead to death.
However, before Hanakaiin Haru could speak, she saw excitement on Jason’s face.
Such excitement made Hanakaiin Haru stunned.
Facing such a desperate situation, even if not hopeless, one should be annoyed.
The greater the difficulty, the more it’s worth conquering?
Somewhat unexpectedly, Hanakaiin Haru thought of something.
Instantly, his gaze towards Jason changed.
It became more admiring.
Only someone holding such beliefs could successfully cultivate the Immovable King’s Body, the secret technique of Tongshou Temple.
Only someone with such beliefs would be seen as a successor by Master Tongshou Temple.
"Really becoming more and more professional!"
Feeling the gaze of Hanakaiin Haru, Jason couldn’t help but make an inward comment.
Even though he was accustomed to this, he had never seen anyone evolve as quickly as Hanakaiin Haru.
The friction of dress shoes against the dock surface as the previously masked man in a suit appeared again.
"Master Haru, are you ready?"
The man in the suit asked cautiously.
He really didn’t want to appear in front of Hanakaiin Haru again, but as the guide, he had to come.
This situation of being blamed at any moment yet unable to resist was truly unnerving.
When the man in the suit looked at Hanakaiin Haru, Hanakaiin Haru’s gaze was fixed on Jason, and upon seeing no response from Jason, Hanakaiin Haru gritted his teeth and nodded.