Chapter 469

The soft and bright light dispelled the darkness of the screen itself.

The figure of the well-known Tokyo TV host, Ms. Sawada Rika, appeared clearly in the center of the screen.

She was wearing a sharp-cut pearl-white women's suit today.

Her makeup was exquisite and perfect, and every strand of hair was meticulously groomed.

A professional and highly approachable business smile hung on her face.

Her red lips parted slightly.

A clear, pleasant, and magnetic voice, through the top-tier audio equipment spread throughout the hall, clearly reached every corner.

"Good morning, everyone—"

She bowed slightly.

"Welcome everyone back to the competition scene of the 'New Sharp Shogi Tournament'!"

The giant electronic screen hanging in the center of the venue absorbed all the noise the moment it lit up on time.

Sawada Rika stood in front of the screen.

She slowly restrained the overly bright smile on her face at this moment.

She didn't speak immediately, but used those eyes that had been carefully drawn to look exceptionally spirited to slowly sweep across the audience.

The contestant waiting area was empty and murderous at this moment.

The spectator seats were also much quieter; many people held their breath, clutching their schedules, waiting for her announcement.

"Everyone."

Her voice came through the microphone, clear, stable, but with a heavier weight than usual.

"Welcome to the fifth round of the 'New Sharp Shogi Tournament'!"

Her words were like sparks thrown into boiling grease.

Instantly igniting the scorched anticipation that had already permeated the air.

A burst of irrepressible excited whispers erupted in the spectator seats; many people leaned forward slightly, their eyes shining.

"After four rounds, a cruel screening of more than two thousand games in total."

"The once bustling competition field, now, only remains—"

She turned sideways, her arm sweeping toward the screen behind her like a blade.

On the screen, the number "128" appeared with a burning dark red special effect, the edges seemed to have ashes falling, carrying a bloody smell.

"One hundred and twenty-eight true powerhouses."

"In this round, we will inject the strongest catalyst for the white-hot heat of this New Sharp Shogi Tournament!"

She suddenly opened her arms, her voice suddenly raised, full of dramatic tension.

"From this round, the rules have changed!"

"An unparalleled special battle—Hell Two-Match, is about to unfold!"

The background music had quietly switched at some point.

Low, rhythmic drumbeats like endangered heartbeats, and like the countdown of the god of death, beat on everyone's eardrums one by one.

"No longer a single-match victory, one battle to decide the outcome."

"Today, here, every shogi player who still carries a dream must face..."

She enunciated clearly, her lips opening and closing as if spitting out cold iron blocks, ensuring that every syllable hit the bottom of everyone's heart in the venue.

"Two, consecutive, high, intensity, slaughter!"

"After defeating the first opponent, you will get a short period of rest time like a breath."

"Immediately after, after a short rest, all contestants who win the first battle will immediately face another—an opponent who also just bathed in the momentum of victory!"

Sawada Rika's voice suddenly raised, carrying a near-cold, fate-judging meaning:

"Two matches! As long as you lose either one—even if it's just one!"

"All your sweat, all your torment, all your glory and persistence before, will all return to zero at this moment!"

"Only those who win two games in a row! Only the survivors who have experienced double blood and fire tempering! Can grasp that one and only ticket to the next round, to a higher peak, to the ultimate reward!"

She paused for a moment, letting this cruel rule sink into people's hearts, and then threw out a more shocking result.

"That is to say—after this match, the total number of remaining contestants will not be sixty-four lucky ones!"

"But only... thirty-two!"

The number "128" on the screen behind her began to flicker and tremble violently.

Immediately, it was torn apart as if by an invisible giant force, crashing into two groups of dark red phantoms that constantly collided, devoured, and reduced.

The numbers jumped and decreased crazily, the visual effect was full of oppression, and finally, in a dazzling red light, it settled on—

"32"!

"Yes, everyone heard it right."

"More cruel! The 'Hell Two-Match' that tests the shogi player's comprehensive strength, physical strength, and steel will..."

She took a deep breath, her eyes burning.

"From now on, officially begins!"

Her tone softened slightly, but injected a deeper, seductive temptation.

Her gaze was like a hook, sweeping across the contestant area, as if having a soul dialogue with every shogi player.

"Of course, accompanied by the challenge whose difficulty increases geometrically..."

"The amount of prize money that the winner can pick will also usher in an explosive, dizzying growth!"

The screen switched accordingly.

The brilliant golden numbers roared and poured down like a waterfall galaxy, and finally, with the momentum of ten thousand troops, settled down fiercely.

"Fifth round, first battle victory, prize money 160,000 yen!"

"And if you can win another game! Complete the ultimate clearance of this 'Hell Two-Match'—"

She deliberately lengthened her tone, every word hanging the heart of the whole venue.

The numbers behind her seemed to have accumulated enough strength, and exploded!

Turning into a dazzling golden light rain sweeping the sky.

The light rain swirled and condensed, and finally collapsed into a huge number that made countless people's breathing stop suddenly.

"You will get a huge prize of 320,000 yen at once!"

320,000!

For many ordinary spectators in the stands, this was already a wealth that required hard work for a period of time to accumulate.

"As long as you continue to win! Win the next five rounds in a row! Complete a super winning streak epic that is more difficult and cruel than the last!"

"Then, the one waiting for you at the peak of glory is still that—"

"40,960,000 yen!!!"

The final astronomical figure once again occupied the entire giant screen with the posture of a king ruling the world.

The background music climbed to the most violent climax at this moment!

The majestic symphony intertwined crazily with dense drumbeats like raindrops and heavy like war drums, pushing the already boiling atmosphere in the hall to the peak of madness!

The contestant area was also excited.

After all, so much money could almost make people lie flat directly!

And at this time.

All the inflammatory expressions on Sawada Rika's face receded like a tide.

Leaving only a deep-sea-like solemnity and magma-like anticipation.

She announced in a deep voice, every word as clear as an ice cone falling to the ground:

"And this match is also divided into four divisions, each division conducted in three sessions."

"Today is the life-and-death stage of the first session of Division A!"

"The total number of contestants participating in the first session of Division A this time is—"

She paused deliberately, and the big screen quickly listed eight names and photos.

"8 people!"

"That is to say—"

Her gaze was as sharp as an eagle, sweeping across the audience.