"That… was… awesome! Ladies and gentlemen—the winner of today's battle game is… Captain Ray Foster!"
The announcer's voice barely finished the sentence before the arena erupted into thunderous applause.
Cheers rolled through the stands like a wave, rising higher with every passing second.
In the VIP section, the applause was more composed, though no less genuine. Valerie leaned back in her seat with a faint smirk tugging at her lips, clearly pleased.
Sakura, seated beside her, allowed herself a small smile.
"Show-off," she muttered under her breath.
Down in the arena, Ray exhaled quietly as the noise washed over him. Without acknowledging the crowd, he lowered Katarina and slid her back into her sheath in one smooth motion.
Then he walked forward.
Ji-Ho was still on the ground, staring upward, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.
Ray stopped in front of him and extended a hand.
Ji-Ho looked at it.
