But is this even possible?
Each time right on the line, yet the arrow lands within the ten-ring.
Could He Tiantian really do this?
No, it’s not that, this is the Asian Games finals, even if He Tiantian really has such skill, how could she dare to take such a risk so lightly?
Could she really have such faith in herself to mess around even at such a critical moment?
Ever since the idea surfaced in Kim Seonmi’s heart, her mind became disturbed.
She couldn’t help but continue to speculate about just how advanced He Tiantian’s archery skills could be.
And how strong her self-confidence must be.
"Shanmei, what are you doing?"
The second round of the competition had started, but Kim Seonmi wasn’t preparing; instead, she stood there in disbelief, daydreaming.
The coach from Cosmic Country could not help but feel annoyed, scolding loudly with a raised voice.
Kim Seonmi was startled by the scolding and quickly snapped back to reality, only then realizing she had been distracted during the competition.
She really shouldn’t have been.
No matter why He Tiantian managed such a result, as her opponent, she shouldn’t get distracted.
Archery competitions are all about one’s mental state.
Why else would some audience members prefer to be scolded for lacking sportsmanship over not causing a disturbance, if not to psychologically affect the opposing athlete?
The citizens had given her the greatest support, yet she had almost lost her composure due to baseless speculations. She had let the people down.
Kim Seonmi, as a seasoned athlete who had won major international competitions, regained her composure in the shortest time, despite a moment of distraction.
Although it wasn’t a perfect bullseye, the arrow had firmly hit within the ten-ring.
No line call, no uncertainty, just a clear ten rings!
"First place, Cosmic First!"
"Victory, Cosmic must win!"
The audience from Cosmic Country boiled over again.
Seemingly astonished by their athlete’s outstanding performance, they cheered and shouted incessantly.
They paid no mind to the other athletes from different countries who had already picked up their bows.
He Tiantian:...such a fly-like presence.
No threat, but utterly nauseating.
He Tiantian narrowed her eyes, a hint of hesitation flashing across her exquisitely pretty face.
It seemed she had been affected by the disturbance again.
A viewers from a certain country noticed He Tiantian’s hesitation, thinking their strategy had worked once more, roared even more feverishly.
The cheering at the venue came to an abrupt halt.
But soon, thunderous applause erupted from another section of the stands.
"Hmph, definitely a wild guess!"
"Exactly, her mind is already in disarray, there’s no way she could deliver a perfect shot!"
"...That’s right, Kim Seonmi is the true champion, an eighteen-year-old girl from Hua Country couldn’t possibly be better than Kim Seonmi!"
In the Cosmic Country spectator stands, after a brief and awkward silence, people began to talk indignantly.
They refused to believe that Hua Country, which had always been outmatched by Cosmic Country in archery, could produce such an extraordinarily talented individual.
Even if she scored a bullseye, it wasn’t a true reflection of skill, but rather luck, sheer luck.
"First place, Kim Seonmi first!"
"Victory, Kim Seonmi must win!"
The venue erupted with frantic cheering once again.
Kim Seonmi suddenly felt a great deal of psychological pressure.
She took a deep breath, tried to regulate her breathing, and drew her bow steadily, whoosh!
Murmurs of disappointment rippled through the crowd.
Kim Seonmi pursed her lips hard, and though she tried to adjust her mindset, she couldn’t hide her disappointment.
Her performance wasn’t abnormal, but if her opponent performed too well, she was bound to fail.
She could only desperately pray inside, hoping that He Tiantian wasn’t as miraculous as the legend of "Tenth Ring He" touted by the Hua Country people.
Not just Kim Seonmi, but all the Cosmic Country spectators there were eagerly hoping for He Tiantian to make a mistake.
He Tiantian’s arrow landed on the boundary line between the nine-ring and the ten-ring.
The Cosmic Country stands erupted with un-sportsmanlike cheers.
On the other side, the spectators from Hua Country were nearly beside themselves with anger.
But they still remembered their role as the host country, that they must maintain the demeanor of a great nation, they must endure!
He Tiantian scored yet another "nine-ring pending" result.
The Cosmic Country audience mistook this for the success of their strategy, their spirits high and triumphant.