Narrator's Pov
Walking away from eye view of the entire crowd, the light speed hero stood alone in a hall processing to situation he is in while covered in stress sweat
Masayuki: (. . . . . . . . . . . . . Crap! Crap! Crap! I'm dead! I'm so dead! Look what you got yourself in now! You just had let everyone misinterpreted everything about you with no correction and now you're on the chopping block! I'm no hero! I'm a fraud! Fighting a demon lord?! Like I stand a chance! I'm basically already dead at this point, I'm such a goner now.
I don't think even Unique Skill Chosen One is enough to get me out of this situation. I just wanted to escort some elves safely but now I am FAR from safe! Everyone is expecting me to clash against the demon lord but I'm just gonna get destroyed easily in a single second! I'm so done for!)
*At the VIP seats*
Kaijuno: (Crap! Crap! Crap! This isn't good. Why didn't he forfeit like in canon!? Now I actually go against him!? Normally a lowly average joe human doesn't sound like a threat even with a unique skill. But the issue is the specific unique skill he has, "Chosen One".
Wasn't Chosen One mentioned somewhere that it was one of the few unique skill that is powerful enough to give ultimate skills are run for their money!? Kinda like unlimited imprisonment? And the actual power itself is extremely worrying, putting everything in his favor at the expense of anyone that happen to go against him.
If I'm going against him, I'm most definitely gonna end up looking like a loser in a single second! I'm so down for!)
While these two hardly had any interaction, they both shared the same thought with the other. They did not want to eachother
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Once prep has been finished for both parties, they merely stood by their respective entrances, waiting for their announcement
Masayuki: (in only a few remaining moments, your life is gonna come to an end. Seriously! I don't stand a chance against a demon lord of all people! Not in a billion years! I wish I just said I wasn't interested back then and ran as soon the elves were fine. It was all because of Chosen One is why I'm now at death's door. But its also the reason how I survived bleak situations like this, although this time I'm not even sure it could pull me out of this one.
Unfortunately its not like I have anything else in my arsenal besides Chosen One. It was what got me in this in the first place, hopefully it got what it takes to get me out too. I wish I could've said my last goodbyes to eveyone beforehand. I know my team is gonna be miserable seeing me bite the dust. They keep putting me in high regards, not that hate them because of it but I can't say I don't mix feelings that their insistance set me to my death. something like this would shatter them
Then there's Yuuki, basically the only guy I know who didn't seem to be affected by Chosen One. With him being a fellow countrymen and helping me settle into this world, I thought I finally made a friend in this world, but besides some few chats and paying me royalties here and there, he would most likely be too busy with work or I'd be off adventuring somewhere else. We would have no time to hangout. We're more like friendly coworkers or acquaintances rather than friends
It's not like I'm bad at making friends, I had guys I would frequently hangout with and was fairly popular back in my previous world. But here, I'm only a celebrity to everyone, I'm only viewed as the Light-speed Hero instead of just Masayuki Honjo. I would've loved to have made an actual friend in this world before I passed on)
Kaijuno: (Welp! In a short while, I'm gonna go looking like an utter fool in front of everyone. Family, friends, also the demon lords but they don't really put me in high regards anyways. Would looking bad be enough to get kicked out? I mean essentially that's why Clayman was kicked out but I don't really feel I have a good track record myself.
Guy is already done with my nonsense this early on in the story, Luminous straight up doesn't like me but she is a total cow so that's nothing surprising, Dagruel is more indifferent, at most mildly interest only because I'm Veldora's younger sibling, Dino is Dino so whatever, Ramiris is the most alright but her being super tiny really discomforts me, and milim. . . I dunno, I guess she would be ok with me as well but she is clearly more in favor of Rimuru as they are besties.
Most be nice to have someone you can view as your best friend. I'm fortunate enough to have meet many new friends in this life but I can't really say any of them would fit in the best friend definitely. People like milim are too wild and energetic for my platonic taste, I would much rather have someone more chill and down to earth with but it's hard to find someone like that in this world when everyone from here is in some way too cartoony to fit the bill
Yagami! Do you got anything to get me out of this?)
Yagami: (Negative)
Kaijuno: (Cmon! I have a fairly big arsenal don't I? Don't I have anything that help me out at all in this?)
Yagami: (Answer, the best skill to use in this is the Unique Skill Murphy's Law to combat Masayuki's Chosen One)
Kaijuno: ( . . . Oh yeah! I forgot about Murphy's Law. I rarely have a reason to use it. Wait! Worst Outcome could be the best way to actually fight against his Chosen One skill right? Is that what you meant?)
Yagami: (Affirmative)
Kaijuno: (I guess that's my best shot. I can't exactly rest easy. The novels made Chosen look so broken, I can't be sure if even Murphy's Law can overpower it)
*Meanwhile at the stadium*
Rimuru: . . .
Gazel: Are you okay? You looking quite gloomy
Rimuru: Oh! No no. I'm just . . . Bored is all. They are taking a good while to finally start the match
Gazel: mmhm
Rimuru: (I can't believe I have to wear a bunny suit AND princess dresses! Why did I have to make those stupid bets with Kaijuno!?)
Soka: Alright everybody! While the main tournament has officially finished it doesn't mean we're out of excitement just yet! For we have likely the most anticipated match of all! From the Home side we have Tempest's ruler and demon lord, Kaijuno Tempest!
Audience: YAAAAAAAAAH! KAIJUNO! KAIJUNO! KAIJUNO!
Kaijuno: (I didn't thought I would have any cheers with how much Masayuki was hogging the spot light. Although I'm not sure if any or no cheers is worst given what can happen)
Soka: On the visitor side, we have the hero that moves so fast you can't see him attack! Masayuki Hinjo!
Audience: YAAAAAAAAAH! MASAYUKI! MASAYUKI! MASAYUKI!
Masayuki: (I suppose this is one last send off before my inevitable death)
Audience member #1: You got this Masayuki-Sama! Lay the wicked demon lord!
Audience member #2: W-what!?
Audience member #1: . . .! I meant SLAY! With an S
Audience member #3: You go Kaijuno-Sama! Show them why you're the best demon lord!
Audience member #4: If it's Masayuki-Sama, the western nations will surely be freed from the demon lord's terror! Achieve what Hinata failed to do Masayuki-Sama!
Audience member #5: No way Kaijuno-Sama can lose! Throw what you can, it will never be enough! Go Kaijuno-Sama!
Kaijuno/Masayuki: ( I feel like the audience is getting more competitive than we are)
Mariabelle: ( So now Masayuki is thrown into the ring against Kaijuno. I was hoping things would've already been settled with much earlier with Hinata's attack on Tempest but she has proven how much of a disappointment she really is. Hopefully this Masayuki person will finally have what it takes to behead the demon lord.
This whole festival has shown me that the danger of this demon lord's Ambition is enough to rival my own Greed. I wouldn't want to take anymore measures just to clear another obstacle in the path for the Rosso's domination over this world.
Maybe I should expand my Greed flare to some of the highly influential merchants and top ranked adventurers here to help get a better scope on who I'm truly dealing with)
Soka: It's the match you anticipated the most of all!!! The Battle of the century!!! A clash as old as time! Hero versus Demon Lord! WHO WIIIIIIIILL WIN!
Audience: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!
As the bell rang, the match officially begun. The two foes stood across eachother, staring right towards eachother, INTENSELY! So intense that they kept staring at eachother for a while . . . For like 1 minute
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2 minutes
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5 minutes
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Up to 7 minutes they stood and did nothing
Audience member #1 why has Masayuki-Sama not done anything yet?
Audience member #2: hmm, oh! I know Masayuki is currently fighting the Demon Lord in his head!
Audience member #3: in his head?
Audience member #4: Oh! I get it! It makes so much sense!
Audience member #5: Absolutely! While nothing is happening right in front us, for Masayuki, it's completely different. He's thinking and going over many possible battles in his head. Predicting and making counters to many of the Demon Lord's skills
While it has only been a couple of minutes to us. Masayuki has already went through thousands of battles against Demon Lord. He's definitely gearing up to take down the Demon Lord in swift motion!
Audience member #6: That's our Masayuki-Sama!
Audience: MASAYUKI! MASAYUKI! MASAYUKI!
Kaijuno/Masayuki: (I don't wanna! I don't wanna! I don't wanna!)
Rimuru: (how long is he gonna keep us waiting!?)
Rimuru: Hey Kaijuno! Cut it out and fight already!
Kaijuno: (Well that's rich from the very person who put me into this without my consent! What can I do!? The first sign of a slip up, and I'm done for!)
Masayuki: (What the heck can Chosen One even do here!? Even I have no idea how I can survive this! The first sign of a slip up and I'm done for!)
After no response was given. The first move of the match was made. Kaijuno, the first to act do such that. With his might heel raised off of the ground, he moved his position directly towards his opponent, which resulted in his foot being placed back on the ground.
That's right!
HE!
STEPPED!
FORWARD!
Rimuru: (Is that all he did!? He only took a single step forward)
Kaijuno: (I don't know what to do!)
Masayuki: (Is he not gonna do something!? He stepped forward but he's still just staring at me. Is he telling me to approach him? Should I even do so? I don't think I got much of choice here)
In response to his opponent's formidable move, Masayuki already made a counter to it hovering one of his feet above the ground where it once stood, he slammed it back to the earth in a completely separate place where it previously was
HE!
ALSO!
STEPPED!
FORWARD!
Audience: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!
Audience member #1: He's gonna do it! He's really gonna attack!
Audience member #2: This is the best day of my life!
Audience member #3: HAVE MY BABIES!!!!
Kaijuno/Masayuki: (. . . NOW WHAT!?)
Kaijuno: (Should I step forward again? Is it too risky?)
Masayuki: (should I continue to walk? Or should I wait after he stepped forward again?)
After a moment, Masayuki took another step forward followed by Kaijuno doing the exact same
Audience member #1: Masayuki-sama is now in the lead!!!
Audience member #2: The anticipation is killing me!
Kaijuno took another thrilling step straight forward to which Masayuki did the same. This repeated and repeated and repeated til the both of them began to slowly wall towards eachother
Audience member #1: it's happening! It's happening!
Audience member #2: AAAAAAAAH!
The distance between them was closing ever the more closer. There was hair being pulled, toddlers being shaken, vocal cords being destroyed. They continued walking, ever to be approaching eachother. They were getting closer and closer to reaching to be right in front of eachother
Kaijuno: ( Murphy's Law! Murphy's Law! Murphy's Law! Murphy's Law! Murphy's Law!)
Masayuki: (Chosen One! Chosen! One! Chosen One! Chosen One! Chosen One!)
The entire crowd was in shambles! At its highest excitement during the entire festival. It was then the two combatants did it. Their precense was right before the other. With telhe distance finally closed there was only one thing they could do now, it was completely obvious. . .
THEY!
WALKED!
PAST!
EACHOTHER!
Everyone: Huh?
Kaijuno/Masayuki: (Huh? Did he walked past me?)
Masayuki: (Should I turn around? Am I supposed to continue walking til he turns around?)
Kaijuno: (Should I walk more? Maybe do it like a cowboy and continue walking until one of us turn around)
The two ferocious opponents did not back down. They pushed through in their mighty onslaught making the crowd roar in cheers
THEY!
KEPT!
WALKING!
AWAY!
Masayuki: ( Is he still going? Is it my call to turn around? Should I risk it!? I think I'll get decapitated if I turn around before him)
Kaijuno: (Can I drag this out even more!? I just want this day to end already!)
The two refused to stop in their persistence. They kept pushing through no matter what. Such fierce tension swept away the crowd in excitement, not knowing what either of the two will do next. The kept going until they both reached the steps on the opposing side. Did they finally stop here? NO of course not. What this two mighty individuals do instead was something no one else could ever have thought of
THEY!
BOTH!
STEPPED!
OUT!
OF!
BOUNDS!
Everyone:!?
While everyone was still in shock, the two refused to stop in their pursue. Nothing could've stopped them
THEY!
EXITED!
THE!
ARENA!
Kaijuno/Masayuki:(NOW THEY THINK I'M A LOSER!!!)
But did the audience think that? NO, why would they?
Audience member #1: That was so cool!
Audience member #2: I can now die fufilled
Audience member #3: This was so worth leaving the kids behind
Audience member #4: With your wife?
Audience member #3: Nah, I'm a single father. Probably a no father after this but it's worth it!
Audience member #5: That fight they just had, they clearly went so fast that the fight ended right at the next moment
Audience member #6: Yeah! To think they both can clash so fast beyond our reaction!
Demon Lords: (What a load of bullcrap)
Rimuru: (What. . . did I witnessed?)
Soka: Er. . . It appears they both stepped out of bounds. And upon the recording, they stepped out at the exact same time. So this match officially ended in a draw!
Audience: YAAAAAAAAAAAH!
Rimuru: (It's a freaking cop out!?)
While the crowd was full of chaos, away from their sight, the light speed hero was panicking internally
Masayuki: (I thought I was gonna die! I can't believe I actually walked past a demon lord and not get killed! No, I'm still basically doomed! One moment out of sight and I'll be finished while no one is looking! I need to get out of town, NO! I need get far away from this whole forest as much as possible!
Maybe I could live off as a hermit far off in the west. I heard there's a big desert over there, they might not look for me-)
Leonardo: Masayuki
Masayuki: Ah!
Masayuki: (No no no! He's one of the demon lords subordinates right? Where did he came from!? I'm so dead now!)
Leonardo: My lord requests your in presence later tonight at this location
Masayuki: (A membership card-and he's gone)
Masayuki: . . . AAAAAAAAAAAAAA-
*Later at the award ceremony*
Rimuru: At first place! Masayuki Honjo, The Light Speed Hero!
Audience: YAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!
Masayuki: Th-thanks, also I'll come over as expected
Rimuru: (Are you sure you want to be the one to do this?)
Kaijuno: (Yes! I NEED this)
Rimuru: (If you say so)
*Afterwards at the fighter's prep room*
Rimuru: Hey Gobta! How you holding up!
Gobta: I guess I'm alright. Do I still get the fishing rod by any chance?
Rimuru: Eh, yeah sure
Gobta: Awesome!
Milim: Hey Gobta! That was a really cool transformation you did back there
Gobta: Aw shucks, you think?
Milim: I would've thought so if you didn't horribly suck at it
Gobta: W-what?
Milim: So I'm gonna train you personally and make sure you don't fumble like that again!
Gobta: I think I'll die if you train me
Milim: Luckily we'll train in the Labyrinth. That way I can be a bit more rough in my training
Gobta: (I'm actually going to die!?)
Ranga: . . .
Milim: That goes for you too Ranga!
Ranga: W-w-what!? No! No! Rimuru-Sama! Help me!
Rimuru: Eh, h-have fun in your training
Ranga: FATHER! Hel-
Willfla: Stop being such a pup about it! Maybe this way you won't bring shame to your family. You ought to be a better example for Vulprower
Vulprower: Stop being a pup!
Ranga: NOOOOooooooo....
Kaijuno: (I still kinda want to do the whole fusion thing with Willfla buuuuut I sure as hell don't want to do it under the training of milim. Good luck Gobta, your position is not enviable)
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*Later at night*
Masayuki's Pov
It was later at night and reluctantly I arrived at the location that the demon lord told me to go to. I was taken aback of the location itself
Masayuki: So this is the place? The Jura . . . Tempest Bar? Must be a high standard place if they have memberships. The demon lord did look on the younger side, should they have any place in a bar? I guess I shouldn't question it since they're the one who rule this whole nation
Doubting any way of running away from this, I forcibly brought myself to the door and willpowered myself to open the door
What I saw was a far more casual sight than what I could envision
It was more of a small fancy restaurant that had a nature theme. I was expecting a completely isolated location but there were a few parties of guest dining and chatting amongst themselves. As the name implied, they had a bar area. And unlike the main dining area that is somewhat populated, there is only one individual there, the demon lord who was sitting on the stool that was close to his own height
Kaijuno: (He's here! Should I do my usual? Maybe just do a more casual hello)
Kaijuno: So you came
Masayuki: y-yeah, I guess I didn't have much of a choice do I
Kaijuno: . . .
Masayuki: . . .
Kaijuno: (How can I even respond to that. Maybe I just stuff myself with food to delay it)
Kaijuno: 1 udon and 1 raman bowl please!
Masayuki: Ramen!?
Kaijuno: Yep! We serve Ramen here
I thought I was just misheard what he said but sure enough, a hot bowl of Ramen was placed right in front of me
Masayuki: Is this actually for me?
Kaijuno: Oh uh, yeah sure
Kaijuno: (Actually both of them were for me)
Given the ok from demon lord, gave the bowl of ramen a quick taste. It was exactly how I remembered it! A wave of tears streamed down my face from the nostalgia and comfort
Masayuki: It really is ramen
Kaijuno: (Finally! A recovery!)
Kaijuno: Sooooooo, what brought you into town?
Masayuki: Oh uh, I was just transporting some elves from the west
Kaijuno: And yet you immediately challenged the demon lord?
Masayuki: I know that may look like the case but that was not my intention at all. All of this was just something that sprang up on me and I unfortunately had no choice but to do along with it. It's been like that since I was summoned to this world
Kaijuno: At least you were summoned
Masayuki: What do you mean?
Kaijuno: I unfortunately had to take the painful route of reincarnation. How'd you think I knew what ramen was?
Masayuki: Reincarnation!? Wait! So are you also Japanese?
Kaijuno: No, I wasn't Japanese. I just like Japanese culture
Masayuki: But man, it must've rough having to be reincarnated
Kaijuno: Oh you don't know that half of it! I had the dumbest luck of getting hit by an SUV, not even a big ol truck to kill me off instantly like many other isekai protagonists. I got the discounted treatment and had to succumb to my injuries til I finally was put out of my misery
Masayuki: Oh that definitely sucks
Kaijuno: What about you? What was your deal?
Masayuki: For me, I was hanging out a couple of friends of mine after school. I turn my head and suddenly I was just transported in some random medieval town. I didn't even have some god to explain to me what was up! One moment I was in Japan and the next, I was here
Kaijuno: (Seem you intentionally left out that you were eyeing up Velgrynd, I guess I can't blame you though hehe)
Masayuki: Worst of all, I didn't understand the language everyone was saying. I was basically stranded!
Kaijuno: Ugh! I guess it wasn't all that convenient for you either
Masayuki: And when I did finally get some sort of footing, I kept getting dragged into issues one after the other. Fighting of this group of bandits that has been terrorizing the locals, clash against a cult along with the ancient spirit they worshiped that has lived for hundreds of years, take down a criminal organization that was as strong as a whole nation
Kaijuno: Oh don't get me started on getting dragged into things! I had to fight off a unique monster of legend that only appear every 300 years, survive against annihilated by a flying fish kaiju of all things, going to war against another demon lord cause they decided to be an asshole
Masayuki: I thought getting sent to a fantasy world would be the most easy thing and casual to happen to someone but I kept getting swept up with one thing after the other, I can't catch a break!
Kaijuno: Seriously! What were those light novel authors thinking!? They kept giving the same formula of getting sent to another world, getting an overpowered ability, defeat your opponents in 1 to 2 attacks, get a girl to add to your harem, rinse and repeat!
Masayuki: Their protagonist basically have no struggle with anything while I have a hard time just to find a bathroom let alone a sanitary one!
Kaijuno: I know there those in worst situations but I'm not getting the entire 5 star treatment over here like 99% of the other isekai protagonist!
Masayuki: Those authors are so wrong
Kaijuno: Exactly!
Masayuki: Cause having an easy life
Kaijuno: immediately being the strongest
Kaijuno/Masayuki: IN ANOTHER WORLD IS COMPLETE BULLLSHIT!!!
Kaijuno: . . .
Masayuki: . . .
Kaijuno/Masayuki: did we became best friends?
Masayuki: . . .
Kaijuno: . . .
Kaijuno/Masayuki: FINALLY!!! I'M NOT ALOOOOONE!!!
Narrator's Pov
So on for the next hour or two the opposing pair indulge themselves in conversations not as fated enemies but more like . . . Friends
[Convo: Udon?]
Masayuki: You also have udon?
Kaijuno: Yeah, I much prefer it over ramen
Masayuki: Really? I wouldn't put upon over ramen at all
Kaijuno: Why? What's your deal against udon?
Masayuki: It's tasteless, it's basically just a thick string of carbs
Kaijuno: Dude! It's just thicker noodles, it's basically ramen but more hence it's better
Masayuki: It's definitely not ramen let alone better
[Sacred Text]
Kaijuno: So did you like manga?
Masayuki: Yeah, I was actually an Otaku although that aspect of myself was something I kept secret from others
Kaijuno: So it is true that Otakus still get some side eye?
Masayuki: Yeah, I wanted to at least keep a steady social standing when I was in high school. I even dyed my hair blonde to help stand out
Kaijuno: So you're not a natural blonde? So wait if your hair is dyed, wouldn't it have faded over time and revert back to your natural color? How come your still blonde?
Masayuki: I honestly don't know. I didn't thought it would've lasted this long. Maybe cause I rarely have a chance to shower and wash the hair dye. Remember, baths are kinda rarity in this medieval world
Kaijuno: (Yeah I kinda forgot how sucky a medieval would actually be in comparison to modern civilization)
Kaijuno: Any particular series you wish you can have a manga right now?
Masayuki: At this point I'll take anything. I only had this one issue of Shonen jump that was in my bag when I was summoned
Kaijuno: Shonen Jump? Kinda like . . . This?
Masayuki: Yeah kinda like. . . A- . . . A- is that?!
Kaijuno: Yep! And I have multiple issues to
Masayuki: Are you a god!?
Kaijuno: Nah, I'm the Devil
Kaijuno: (To be fair, this is all sourced from rimuru but he doesn't need to know about it)
[Convo: Long names]
Kaijuno: On paper you're basically an isekai protagonist right?
Masayuki: I guess so, why?
Kaijuno: What do you think name of your light novel would be?
Masayuki: I dunno I guess I would be "Chosen Hero in another world"
Kaijuno: Nah nah nah! That's way too short. They keep making the names so unnecessarily long
Masayuki: I forgot about
Kaijuno: Oh wait wait! You know what your name will be!
Masayuki: What?
Kaijuno: "I was suddenly sent to another world and everyone suddenly thinks I'm a hero. Now I have to survive everyday life in a fantasy world while everyone else thinks I'm overpowered and if they figure out I'm just a normal person, I'm doomed"
Masayuki: Oh god that's awful!
Kaijuno: Exactly! That's how you know that would be your light novel name
Masayuki: pfft!
Kaijuno: what?
Masayuki: I thought of your light novel name too
Kaijuno: what is it?
Masayuki: "I gotten reincarnated into another world. I ended up becoming a demon lord and became unstoppable and highly influential. I have undeniable riches and many powerful monsters serving me and yet none that can get my height to reach the estimated average"
Kaijuno: . . .
Masayuki: . . .
Kaijuno/Masayuki: HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Masayuki's Pov
After taking our time chit chatting, I had to eventually get back to the inn before my party begins to worry.
I took a few shortcuts through some alleyways. But as I was about to reach the inn, I was stopped by someone who was mostly red. I didn't really recognized them but I immediately could tell I was in a bad spot nearby this man
Guy: So we finally have a moment to ourselves
Masayuki: huh?!
Guy: I wouldn't thought you would have took immediate action to my newest piece Rudra. Although last I check, we agreed to not directly interfere ourselves
Masayuki: (Who the hell is Rudra!?)
Guy: I'm even more suprised she didn't come along with you.
Masayuki: (Who is this guy talking about!?)
Guy: Even if you haven't done anything, I still don't appreciate you going back on your word, I'd thought you were better than that
Masayuki: (I can't have one day without some sort of trouble can I!?)
Guy: I'm gonna make it clear Rudra, you're in the territory of MY piece hence it's MY territory. YOU'RE going to go back to the empire where you should be or else we're gonna have a-
Nearby, a certain blue hair maid was trying to make an exchange and utterly failing to do so
Merchant: I told you, we don't accept liquor as payment!
Rain: But I don't have anything to trade plus these are expensive booze!
Merchant: CASH ONLY!
Mizeri: Cmon Rain, we'll just have to cut our losses on this
Rain: But I want it! It's not my fault they're being stubborn and cruel about it!
Mizeri: RAIN!!!
Rain: NOOOOOO!!!
The red guy briefly looked towards the commotion before immediately starring back at Masayuki
Guy: Count yourself lucky this time
Masayuki: (I guess I'll put this on the list of close calls)
With the conclusion of the tournament, a new friendship has begun. Natural thought of as destined enemies, a bond was formed. As it goes for the Light Speed Hero and the King of the Monsters