Chapter 23 - Big Match (2)

"Hello everyone, I'm your announcer, and today I'm here with a brand new and huge match."

While everyone's excited voices could be heard, the announcer continued.

"Today, we are here with another brand new match. Number one hundred, Gray, the brawler known as Gray Eclipse!"

As the applause erupted, Gray appeared in a black jacket and white pants. The T-shirt he wore underneath was also white. This black jacket was probably the only mismatch in the outfit. Unsurprisingly, there was also the Eclipse logo on the left shoulder of the jacket.

He was waiting for his opponent with an extremely serious expression. In any other match, he might have looked down on his opponent, he might have been arrogant, he might even have put on a show. But his current match was a business independent of any personal feelings. It was also the only opportunity for Gray to clean up his foolishness.

For that reason, he was even a little nervous. However, hiis serious expression masked his nervousness.

Looking at Gray's serious expression, some onlookers gasped. Gray's demeanor was different from his usual demeanor, suggesting to some that this was the beginning of the big show and to others that there was a big event in the background.

After Gray's column rose upwards, James' column began to rise. In the meantime, the announcer began to speak:

"And that low number that Gray Eclipse challenged. A figure that no doubt some of our viewers have been eagerly awaiting, the ranked player who has risen like the wind! The amateur player that many were surprised by! James!"

James was dressed in his usual attire, with a nonchalant expression. His nervousness on the way here had vanished into thin air. His face was full of determination. From the challenges he had read so far, to the challenges he had taken on himself, there was one clear fact he understood. He must not take his nerves into the match in any way.

After all, the slightest mistake could change a lot of things.

Of course, there were still concerns about such a big numerical difference, but James knew that it was the outcome of the match that mattered more than the numbers.

At least that was the way he motivated himself.

Gray put the activation card in his gauntlet without bothering to look at him. James didn't bother to care about his strange behavior either. He glanced at the host. Just as he realized he was about to give his opening speech, he spoke softly:

"There's something I want to say before the match starts. It's not very important, but I'd like to ask for everyone's testimony about it."

There was a small moment of silence as many curious glances were directed at James. In that moment of silence, James spoke:

"First of all, thank you for listening. I'm sure many of you are aware of my current situation. I'm sure it seems to be the clearest clash of our rivalry regarding the Eclipse restaurant."

He paused for a moment. During this pause, Gray was frowning and paying attention to what James was going to say.

James took a deep breath.

"But apart from this rivalry, there is a bet between us. A simple bet that the winner will fulfill a wish of the loser, but I have my doubts as to whether they will fulfill it."

After a pause, he raised his voice with a determined expression.

"Dear viewers and presenter, I ask for your testimony on this matter!"

There was a short silence. In this moment of silence, the presenter's troubled voice was heard.

"Well... Uh, well..."

The presenter was obviously not expecting such a situation and did not know what to say in surprise. Most of the audience was no different.

Still, it was inevitable that many voices were raised at that moment.

"A bett, huh? Very interesting!"

"Of course we'll testify!"

"Strange and tricky business. I don't like it, but it's acceptable."

"Of course!"

All the while Gray was looking angrily at James, who was accusing them of being untrustworthy. It was unacceptable that he would take a swipe at a famous restaurant like theirs!

Just as he was about to open his mouth, he heard a voice. It was, of course, coming through his earpieces.

"Don't say anything nonsense and follow what I say."

Victor had anticipated the possibility of something like this happening. That's why he had given Gray earpieces. James's demeanor, the way he spoke, especially his eyes had been bothering Victor from the very beginning. You never knew what people who caused that kind of discomfort would do.

Gray nodded his head in agreement and began to speak:

"Well, I thought this would be between our restaurants. After all, it's too small and insignificant for our dear viewers."

Gray said sarcastically.

James frowned. Even though it was Gray who had said it, he was under the impression that it was Victor or someone else associated with him.

Or perhaps he was overthinking. Gray, meanwhile, continued:

"But if that's what you want, so much the better. Isn't the Bakugan challenge the solution to many things? If we lose in a fight that everyone witnesses, we at Eclipse Restaurant will never go back on our word! I hope Moonlight Restaurant will show us the same sincerity."

With that, applause erupted. Very few of James' supporters chose not to applaud, while the rest seemed satisfied with the speech.

James sighed. He found it absurd that they were trying so hard to emphasize that they could be trusted. Still, it didn't matter. After all, Fox and James knew they had the certainty they needed at that moment.

James, however, looked at Gray as he placed the activation card in his gauntlet. He spoke in a slightly mocking voice:

"Of course. As a representative of the Moonlight Restaurant, and even more so as James, I'm not about to be outdone, arrogant representative of the trusted restaurant. Let's get started!"

At this moment the sound of the gauntlet was heard.

<Gauntlet activated.>

Gray just laughed and then they both spoke almost simultaneously:

"Gauntlet, power strike!"

"Gauntlet, power strike!"

With that, the activation cards of the gauntlets with the Haos and Darkus color palettes began to glow. Everyone knew that a great battle was about to begin.