Missing arc; Chapter 11 - The Bird's Advertisement

After a string of intense battles, Xian had clawed his way to the semi-finals. His success felt surreal, but the weight of what lay ahead pressed on him like a boulder. Sitting alone in his room, he leaned back in his chair, staring blankly at the ceiling. The muffled sounds of cheers from the arena filtered through the walls, but they barely registered in his mind.

He rubbed his temples, deep in thought. The next rounds were going to be much trickier. These weren't just static shooting challenges anymore. He'd have to move—really move—while shooting, all while avoiding moving obstacles.

As he mulled over the rules, frustration bubbled to the surface. "Running, shooting, and dodging obstacles? What kind of ridiculous nonsense is this?" he muttered under his breath. "Who even thought this was a good idea for a shooting competition? Are they trying to train assassins or something?"

He sighed, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees, burying his face in his hands. For a moment, he let himself grumble about the absurdity of the situation. But as the frustration ebbed, he straightened up and exhaled slowly.

"Right... I'm not on Earth anymore," he reminded himself. "Terra's common sense is on another level of crazy."

He shook his head, forcing himself to focus. Complaining wouldn't help him now. He needed a plan. This round would require his full capabilities, and the fact that Originium Arts were prohibited only made things harder.

"Alright," he muttered to himself, pacing the room. "If I can't rely on Arts, then it's all about technique. I'll need to combine my shooting skills with some backup plans... just in case things get out of hand."

He began analyzing potential scenarios, visualizing the arena layout, the placement of obstacles, and the paths he might take. His engineering mindset kicked in, calculating angles, timings, and contingencies. Every now and then, he'd pause, tapping his chin or scratching the back of his head as he mulled over the finer details.

The hum of the TV in the background broke through his thoughts. He glanced at the screen as the announcers began introducing the participants for the next round. Their voices were lively, hyping up the competition and discussing the skills of the remaining contenders.

"Up next, we have a familiar name—Exusiai!" one of the announcers said with excitement.

Xian froze for a moment, the name sparking a memory. Exusiai...? Oh, right...

A flashback played in his mind. He remembered seeing Exusiai in action during the earlier rounds, her confident smirk and playful attitude masking her sheer brilliance with a firearm. Her speed, precision, and agility had left him in awe. It wasn't just that she could shoot—it was how she shot. Her movements were fluid, almost like a dance, and her shots were impossibly accurate even in the most chaotic situations.

"She's something else," Xian muttered to himself, leaning back against the wall. He closed his eyes briefly, recalling how she'd effortlessly taken down targets while pulling off maneuvers that seemed impossible for anyone without years of training.

But then he sighed. "Of course, she's in this. As if things weren't hard enough already."

For a moment, he let the thought of facing Exusiai linger in his mind. The competition wasn't just about winning—it was also about surviving opponents like her. But he quickly shook off the doubt.

"Focus, Xian," he told himself firmly. "You've made it this far. No point worrying about who you're up against. Just do what you can."

With that, he sat back down, determined to work through his strategy. The echoes of the announcers' voices faded into the background as he focused on combining his skills, refining his techniques, and mentally preparing for what lay ahead.

After Exusiai's name was announced, the crowd erupted into cheers. The excitement was palpable as the Sankta strode toward the arena with her signature enthusiasm, a bright grin plastered across her face. Her every step seemed to radiate energy, her demeanor as lively as ever.

Comments and praises poured from the audience as she made her way to the stage.

"Exusiai! You're amazing!"

"Go, Penguin Logistics!"

"You've got this!"

She waved back at them, her cheerful voice carrying over the noise. "Thank you, thank you! You guys are the best!" She gave exaggerated thumbs-ups and finger-guns to the crowd, soaking in their energy. But behind her radiant smile, her thoughts were running in a very different direction.

Man, this paycheck better be worth it, she thought to herself, her grin widening. If I can show off here, maybe I can finally convince Emperor to give me a raise. Or at least some extra dessert in the cafeteria.

As the cheers continued, an idea sparked in her mind. Still smiling and waving, she turned slightly toward the cameras broadcasting the event and raised her voice.

"Oh, by the way!" she called out, her tone playful but clear. "If you're looking for top-notch delivery services, Penguin Logistics is the way to go! We deliver anything, anywhere—fast and reliable!" She punctuated her statement with an exaggerated wink and a finger-gun gesture.

The crowd responded with laughter and applause, some cheering louder at the unexpected advertisement.

Heh, two birds with one stone, she thought smugly. Maybe Emperor will throw in some bonuses for good PR.

Reaching the arena, her playful demeanor didn't falter. Exusiai casually inspected the firearms provided for the round, her fingers brushing over the handles with practiced ease. The announcers, clearly as hyped as the audience, began their countdown.

"Three... two... one... go!"

The moment the signal was given, Exusiai burst into action. Her movements were fluid, almost like a choreographed dance. Each shot she fired was precise, every target obliterated with pinpoint accuracy.

What made her performance stand out wasn't just her skill but her demeanor. She smiled throughout, making the incredibly difficult look effortless. At one point, she even glanced toward the cameras and gave a cheeky wave before quickly pivoting to take down another series of targets.

When the round ended, the crowd was on its feet.

"Unbelievable!"

"She's even better than before!"

"How is she smiling like that while shooting?"

The announcers joined in, their voices filled with excitement. "What a performance! Exusiai has surpassed her previous score yet again! Truly a spectacle to behold!"

Back in his room, Xian leaned forward, watching the screen intently. He had been observing every detail of her performance, analyzing her movements, timing, and technique. But as the camera panned to Exusiai's grin and confident demeanor, a realization clicked in his mind.

Suddenly, a cold chill ran down his spine as he leaned back, his thoughts racing.

Oh no... I know what her plan is now.

It wasn't just about the competition for her—it was something much bigger. A conference of thoughts surged within him as he pieced everything together, her antics, the casual advertisement, and the overwhelming confidence she exuded.

"She's not just playing to win," Xian murmured to himself, his brows furrowing. "She's marketing herself... and Penguin Logistics."

With a sigh, he slumped back in his seat, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I'm competing with a showman."

As the crowd continued cheering on the screen, Xian couldn't help but smirk. Despite the absurdity, he felt a strange sense of admiration. "Well, if that's how she's playing it, I'd better step up my game."

...

After Exusiai's stellar performance, the round continued for the remaining participants. The crowd, though still buzzing with excitement, shifted their focus as the competition moved forward. Targets were hit, scores were tallied, and the day's events finally came to a close.

The announcer's voice echoed across the arena and through the TVs:

"Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today's round! The semi-finals will begin tomorrow—prepare for even more action as our remaining participants face off in the next challenges!"

In his room, Xian sighed, stretching his stiff shoulders. He glanced at the TV, which was now replaying highlights from the day. Deciding he needed a break, he grabbed his jacket and mask, heading out into the hallway.

The venue had quieted down, with most participants retiring to their rooms or chatting in small groups. Xian made his way toward the registration desk, confirming his attendance for the semi-finals. After sorting everything out, he turned to leave.

Just as he approached the exit, a loud, enthusiastic voice called out to him.

"Hey! You, wait up!"

Xian froze for a moment, his heart skipping a beat. Slowly, he turned his head to see Exusiai jogging toward him, her usual energetic grin plastered across her face. Behind her, Texas followed at a slower pace, her expression unreadable but her sharp eyes locked onto him.

Xian tightened his grip on his mask, grateful for its concealment on his face. It hid the sudden flicker of unease that crossed his face as he noticed Texas's wary stare. Why is she looking at me like that? he thought, his mind racing. What did I even do to her?

While Xian was lost in thought, Exusiai skidded to a halt in front of him, leaning forward slightly to inspect him. "So... you're the mysterious masked guy everyone's talking about, huh? That performance of yours was insane!"

Her curious tone snapped him out of his daze. Xian quickly adjusted his posture, his voice calm and steady as he replied, "Just doing my best, that's all."

Exusiai wasn't satisfied with the vague answer. "Come on, don't be so modest! Who are you? What's with the mask? And those skills—are you some kind of secret expert or what?"

Xian internally groaned, his acting skills now being put to the test. He met her gaze—or at least, what she assumed was his gaze—and replied smoothly, "Just someone who enjoys competitions. The mask? It's just for style. Nothing more."

"Ohhh, mysterious and stylish, huh?" Exusiai teased, her grin widening. "Man, you're really playing the enigma card hard!"

She continued peppering him with questions, her energy relentless. Meanwhile, Texas remained a few steps behind, her arms crossed as she observed the interaction. Her gaze never left Xian, her expression calm but her eyes sharp.

.

Xian, on the other hand, was struggling to keep up his composure. Why is she staring at me like that? he wondered, feeling a chill run down his spine. In his mind, he imagined her sizing him up like a predator eyeing its prey.

Still, he kept his tone steady as he answered Exusiai's questions with polite but vague responses. "I'm just here to compete, nothing more. My performance? A lot of practice, I suppose."

"Practice, huh?" Exusiai tilted her head, unconvinced but intrigued. "Well, you've definitely got people talking. Seriously, where'd you learn to shoot like that? You've got some crazy reflexes!"

Xian forced a chuckle. "Just natural talent, I guess."

Exusiai wasn't buying it. "Oh, come on, don't be so boring! There's gotta be more to it than that. Spill the beans!"

Xian opened his mouth to reply but was saved by an unexpected interruption. His phone buzzed in his pocket, the ringtone cutting through the conversation. He glanced down and quickly used the opportunity to excuse himself. "Sorry, I have to take this. Nice meeting you."

He turned and began walking away, leaving Exusiai standing there, visibly upset. "Hey! I wasn't done talking to you! That's just rude!" she called after him, her hands on her hips.

Texas finally spoke, her tone calm but with a hint of caution. "I told you—there's something off about him."

Exusiai waved a hand dismissively. "Oh, come on, Texas. Don't be such a worrywart. He seemed harmless enough. Besides, I didn't feel any malice from him."

Texas's gaze lingered on the exit where Xian had disappeared. "That's the problem," she said quietly. "It wasn't malice—it was nothing. Like a blank slate. No presence, no intention. Just... emptiness."

Exusiai raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "You're seriously overthinking this. He's just a guy with some cool skills and a weird mask."

Texas shook her head slightly but didn't argue further. Instead, she followed Exusiai as they headed toward the other exit. But her thoughts lingered on Xian. Blankness... it's like he's hiding something. But what?