Game Market 1983

Chapter 113: The Divine Hand of Uchimura

"Baha...ha...mootda."

It can be done. With this, it's possible!

I never expected Bahamut to appear at a time like this. Clearly, this is luck bestowed upon me by Miyuki, who went out of her way to buy the figure for me!

Careful not to drop Tamagosama and risk losing data, I approached a nearby staff member.

"Excuse me, can I borrow a data cable?"

"Of course, sir. Please come this way."

The kind staff member guided me to the counter, smiling like an angel from the heavens.

After safely transferring Bahamut into the cartridge using the data cable, I sighed with relief and returned the cable.

Currently, my forces consisted of a total of 5 monsters: the water-type Kobugi, the fire-type Pyaia, a human with a shield infantry, and a swordswoman using Iaido. Lastly, the ultimate revenge-type, Bahamut. Not a bad combination.

I settled onto a bench in one corner of Tamago Shop and began raising the newly acquired Bahamut.

Since Bahamut, just born, had no skills, leveling up to at least 8 was necessary before the final appearance of the ultimate skill, Mega Flare.

Even without Mega Flare, obtaining a decent skill was essential. Meanwhile, the number of participants in the battle zone was increasing, making me a bit anxious.

"We have 10 minutes left until the end of the weekend event registration!"

What!? There's a set time for registration? Well, I guess it's a reasonable measure since they can't just accept people randomly all day. I proceeded to level Bahamut up to around 8 and then filled out the tournament registration form.

Tamago Monster battles are 5:5 matches, and the first to win three battles is the winner. Before the battle, you could briefly see the opponent's Tamago monsters, and during the battle, you arrange your monsters based on the opponent's information.

Then, the monsters that appear one by one engage in 1:1 battles.

As a challenger, you had to win 11 times, including a challenge against the winner. If you achieved 11 victories, everyone received a prize of 20,000 yen. The defending champion earned the chance to participate in the Champion's Ship for that month.

I thought, 'It's possible. Only level 8, but my monsters include the ultimate revenge-type Bahamut. 11 consecutive victories are no problem.'

Even without Bahamut, the water-type Kobugi or the swordswoman using Iaido were powerful damage dealers, so the possibilities were sufficient.

"Now, everyone, let's shout together. Monster Battle~ Fight!!"

"Fight!!"

Unintentionally, I became one with the kids standing in line, feeling the excitement. I clenched my fist and shouted "Fight."

Even in a 5:5 battle, the matches progressed quickly. It was just a game for kids who didn't yet understand the depth of monster battles. Heh heh.

Showing each other's monsters in advance meant revealing intentions, understanding the opponent's strategy based on the type of monsters they had. However, the kids were merely showing off the monsters they raised, oblivious to the strategic depth.

"This is a piece of cake. 20,000 yen is definitely mine."

After some time passed, the battle scenes that were initially interesting began to get a bit boring. Just when I started feeling that way, the announcer called my name.

"The next challenger is Mr. Uchimura Hiroki! Please come up to the battle zone!"

The current winner who barely secured a single victory in the last challenge was a youngster. Well, let's step on him lightly to start.

"Now, both sides, please place your monsters!"

I, who hadn't exchanged data with anyone, had only 5 monsters. The kids probably collected dozens through data exchange among friends.

I guess you could call me an elite with a small army. Let's see how my top 5 fare against them.

Since I could only choose from 5 monsters, I quickly completed the registration. The atmosphere inside the Tamago Shop began to buzz.

"Only five monsters? That's all he's got."

"But, isn't the last one he picked the revenge-type Bahamut?"

"What? Really?"

"It had the appearance of a black dragon..."

I casually lifted the corner of my mouth, glancing at the kid on the other side.

The youngster seemed visibly tense at the mention of the word 'Bahamut' circulating in the room.

Don't worry; I won't flaunt Bahamut from the beginning. Revealing a level 8 Bahamut early on might lead to strategies to counter it later. Bahamut is strictly for the endgame.

That's why I placed the Iaido swordsman at the forefront.

With two swords in hand, the Iaido swordsman could unleash two attacks at once, boasting exceptional performance, my favorite among the monsters I raised.

"Now, let's all shout together. Monster Battle~ Fight!!"

"Fight!!"

As people cheered, the Iaido swordsman and the beast-type monster Shagal Tiger appeared on the screen, swaying its long mane. It was one of the powerful monsters.

"It's supposed to be effective, but..."

I chuckled, launching a preemptive strike as a challenger.

"Beast-type monsters are weak against humanoid ones!"

Papat!! The dazzling swordplay of the Iaido swordsman, using the strongest skill from the beginning, caused half of Shagal Tiger's health gauge to disappear, inducing stun.

Stun was a stunning attack that could take away one attack turn from the opponent. It was a good start that the 5% chance of stunning worked here.

"Wow! I heard the Iaido swordsman was strong, but this is beyond expectations."

Shagal Tiger, without even launching a single attack, kneeled before the Iaido swordsman's blade.

The disappointed kid swiftly summoned the next monster.

"Electric-type beast monster Pikachu has appeared as the second monster! And here, challenger Uchimura has the second monster!? Ah! The fire-type monster Pyaia is here!! Uchimura is piercing through the opponent's monster lineup!"

Of course, Pikachu was a popular monster among kids.

Expecting that the kid raised it with affection, I predicted he'd place it in the front, so I strategically kept the water-type Kobugi, the worst matchup, as the fourth. Heh heh... I'm truly exceptional.

"Second Monster Battle~ Fight!!"

Pyaia, the fire-type, and Pikachu, the electric-type.

This time, the kid's Pikachu had the first move. However, it was difficult for Pikachu to deal a critical hit to Pyaia, and after an exchange of skills, Pyaia emerged victorious.

Casually winning two battles, I confidently approached the next battle. In the third round, the shield knight's excellent defense and vitality repelled the opponent's attack, securing my victory with ease.

And the same winning formula applied to the kids who challenged me afterward.

"Heh heh... too easy. This is almost a massacre. I don't even need to bring out Bahamut; by the third or fourth round, they'll all be on their knees. Great, I can easily challenge the Champion's Ship. By then, my Bahamut should have evolved into the ultimate Bahamut, surpassing Mega Flare with Giga Flare."

I couldn't suppress my laughter bursting out as I entered the battles confidently.

"Ah~!! Uchimura is strong. With a well-thought-out monster lineup, he's winning every match with five monsters~!! Now, if he successfully defends just one more time, he'll secure a spot in the Championship and claim the 20,000 yen prize. Can the last challenger stop his winning streak?"

This is getting tiring. Come on, anyone, come up. I want to go home with the 20,000 yen. I need to work part-time in the evening...

"Challenger Toshiyuki Takashi~ Please come up to the Battle Zone."

The last opponent was a high school student in a school uniform. Dealing with kids all day, and the last one is a high schooler~ Can this one at least entertain me a bit?

In the joy of my throne, I lightly pressed the button, sending my five monsters into action.

"Ah~ Toshiyuki-kun. You seem very cautious with your monster lineup."

'You're going to face nothing but death, so accept it willingly~'

But the high schooler was spending nearly five minutes just choosing monsters.

This kid... what a pointless act.

I just want to go home. To quickly go home and pat my Miyuki-chan...

Huh?

...

...

Gone...? It was right under my feet just a moment ago.

Miyuki-chan?

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