“In three… Two… One… Begin!!!”
After the countdown, the crowd cheered for the two contestants, all eager to see the outcome of the match.
Of course, the voting polls were also very rowdy, as the audience quickly placed their bets for a jackpot.
“My money’s going all-in for Black Cat!” One of many spectators said, drawing their stakes.
“Are you crazy? So far she has been lucky in her matches, but can’t you see the weight difference? It’s too wide to overcome with pure skill! I love the Black Cat, but… My money’s on the Goliath.” Another answered.
The crowd was torn between the two, unable to decide the result of the match.
“A true first match, eh? How excitingly unpredictable!”
Everything all boiled down to the two, who would emerge as the winner.
“So you’re the hot stuff everyone can’t shut up about. You don’t seem to be that big a deal to me.” The Goliath said in his gruff voice, glaring at the small figured opponent.
“Oh, really? Why don’t you come and find out, Big guy?” The Black Cat responded in a taunting manner.
This made the massively built man enraged by the audacity of such a little girl.
“You’ll regret that!” He gritted his teeth.
Upon saying this, he rushed toward the young woman clad in black and went for a tackle. Quickly reading his movements, the Black Cat bent, dodging his attack, and quickly slid behind him for a counter.
Upon reaching his back in no time, she swung her feet to cut down his stance while remaining on the ground.
“Ah!” The Black Cat let out a surprised groan as she found her feet unable to offset the giant’s balance.
“Heh, pipsqueak” The opponent grinned, lunging to grab the Cat’s leg.
Quickly retracting them, she backflipped and created some distance between herself and the enemy, but the Goliath would have none of that.
He charged toward her in rage, preventing her from fully preparing herself. He brought forth a mighty right hook, sending it to the Black Cat’s cheek.
Fortunately, she was able to put up her guard on time, defending herself from the powerful assault of the opponent
>Wham!<
The slapping sound of fist filled the air, as both opponents took steps back in recoil.
"Tch, he's tougher than I thought!" The Black cat groaned to herself.
Unlike the others, this was the largest build she had ever faced. Not only that, but she was also holding herself back, refusing to rely on her Werewolf Abilities in the match.
"Why not?" A gnawing question raged within her.
She was one with the wolf, she herself had claimed that when she was undergoing the ritual. Yet, she was denying that part of herself from manifesting, suppressing the primal instincts locked within her.
"I can do this without using 'that'!" She said to herself.
The Goliath was slow at least. This gave her enough time to anticipate and react to his heavy blows.
But for how long could she maintain that? It was even more draining to suppress her innate urges than fighting the opponent.
At the rate she was going…
"I'm not enjoying this fight…" She mumbled to herself.
Even while distracted by the conflict within her, The Black Cat swiftly dodged the attack of her foe, instantly escaping the crushing weight of the fists he launched. Like a reflex, her nimble frame narrowly evaded every strike.
"Huff… You little rat! Stop scurrying about!" The Goliath said in annoyance, jumping for the first time.
"W-Wha-?!" The Black Cat snapped back to reality, but it was already too late.
>BOOOM!<
The crushing weight of the Goliath impacted the stage, causing the structure to tremble. As a result of the quake, even the Black Cat lost balance since she was also disoriented to begin with.
Taking this as the perfect opportunity, the Goliath finally grabbed her by the hand, tightly wrapping his fingers around to ensure she could not wiggle out of it.
"N-No, Shit!" The Black Cat cursed as she felt herself pulled toward the foe.
"Hehehe, I've got you now!" He grinned with satisfaction.
Now within the control of her foe, the Black Cat found it hard to defend and evade the strikes of the heavy strikes launched at her.
"Keukk… At this rate…" She thought to herself.
"No! I can't use it… I can't-"
As she was still engaging in her inner turmoil, voices emerged from the crowd.
"What's wrong, Black Cat?!"
"Kick his ass!!!"
"You can do it!"
"I bet all my money on you!"
"You're our champion, win this thing!"
"The Black Cat never loses, right?!"
Upon hearing this, her eyes immediately glowed, and the fast blow of the Goliath slowed down. Everything became clearer now, as the world seemed to be at a standstill, and she looked around her.
Desperate, proud, sad, anxious, excited… Expectant faces. All around her, she could see it in their eyes and deep within her, she felt it… They wanted her to win!
"I want to win too… I want to enjoy this match too. And if that means that I have to use my powers, then I don't mind… These abilities… They're all a part of me!"
Upon finally realizing this, the world returned to its usual speed, but the Black Car was not the usual one.
"W-Wha-?!" The Goliath let out in shock.
His fists were stopped by one of the young woman's fists.
"Y-You bitch!" He groaned, trying to retract his arm.
To his utter dismay, his fist would budge from the tight grip of his enemy.
"Garghhh" He yelled in pain as the Black Cat squeezed her hand, tightening her nails as they dug into his skin.
In reflex, forgetting he was holding the Black Cat with his second hand, the Goliath released his hold and tried attacking her with an unoccupied fist.
This made the Black Cat smile.
"Checkmate"
Instantly, she released his fist and forged the strike he launched at her. Swiftly moving to the side, the Goliath lost balance as a result of putting in too much weight in his heavy fist.
As he stumbled, the Black Cat grinned widely in anticipation, refusing to miss the opportunity presented before her.
Quickly jumping up, climbing his massive body, she locked her arms around his neck, and forcefully brought his head crashing to the ground in a heavy thud.
>BAAAM!!!<
The loud bang made the audience go silent, watching in awe as the colossal man lost consciousness instantly.
The Black Cat stood on her feet, looking at her defeated opponent with a relieved expression.
"U-Unbelievable... Just as it seemed like the Black Cat was at a disadvantage, she pulled in an amazing stunt, turning the tables over in an instant. How fierce, unyielding, unpredictable… Such is the nature of the champion of the last season and winner of the first round."
"Give it up for the winner of Round 1, Black Cat!"
This announcement was greeted with thunderous cheers as the audience greeted the young woman with their love and cheer.
"I… I won!" She smiled.