Chapter 483

Morimoto Yūki's chest heaved violently, and he could no longer bear to stay in this place that humiliated him to the extreme.

He turned around suddenly, almost knocking open the door, and stumbled out.

His back was panicked, like a stray dog.

Kishida Mine-suke counted the banknotes inside with skilled techniques.

The rustling sound of counting money was particularly clear in the quiet storage room.

After a while, he handed the counted money to Xia Xia Xia Mujun.

"Exactly 150,000 yen."

"Player Xia, please confirm."

Xia Xia Xia Mujun took it.

His fingertips could feel the unique texture of the banknotes.

He counted it and nodded:

"Correct."

Seeing this, the official expression on Kishida Mine-suke's face seemed to loosen a bit.

He looked at Xia Xia Xia Mujun deeply, his eyes complicated, and finally just said heavily:

"In this way, the bet is fulfilled, and the notarization is over."

"Goodbye."

After speaking, he didn't stay any longer, turned around and walked out of the storage room.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun looked at the back of this person leaving, his brows moved imperceptibly, and his face was strange.

But in the end, he didn't delve into it.

At this moment.

His attention returned to the thick stack of banknotes in his hand.

Heavy.

150,000 yen.

An unexpected, generous "trophy."

Even though his temperament was steady, a trace of genuine pleasure couldn't help but rise in his heart.

Very good.

In this way...

He calculated silently.

If he can win the second match next, and get another 160,000 yen prize money...

Then today, his total income will reach an astonishing 310,000 yen.

This has far exceeded his initial expectations for participating in the tournament.

Enough to make the rent and living expenses for his sister Ruri for the next few months generous, without having to frown for basic expenses.

The heavy burden on his shoulders seemed to lighten by a section instantly.

But...

The pleasure in Xia Xia Xia Mujun's eyes quickly settled, turning into deeper consideration.

The hole in tuition fees still exists.

And that longer-term, heavier goal—buying back the house that his father left behind but is now mortgaged—the huge sum of more than 500 million yen required is still out of reach.

310,000 is just a small step on the long journey.

However...

He suddenly remembered another thing.

Today seems to be the official release day of his novel "The Devotion of Suspect X."

I wonder how the initial market response will be?

It's just that now, the second match is still waiting.

He must pull his attention back to the board.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun put the money away carefully, tidied up his clothes, pushed open the door of the storage room, and walked back to the corridor leading to the arena.

The noisy human voices came vaguely again.

His pace was stable, and his expression returned to his consistent calm.

As if the intense game just now, the gunpowder-filled interview, and the handover of a considerable amount of money had never happened.

He raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping calmly across the few boards still in intense play on the big screen.

Suzuki Takayuki's brows were locked, struggling hard.

The little brat Fukuda Yasuhiro was biting his nails, full of unwillingness.

Professional Fifth Dan Ishida Ishida Kazuo was still steady, placing pieces without haste.

And several other strange faces exuding extraordinary aura, presumably also strong people who killed out from the sea of corpses and mountains of blood.

The second match...

Who will his opponent be?

When Xia Xia Xia Mujun wanted to return to Furukawa Masahiro and others.

He had just stepped onto the aisle of the audience area.

The crowd surged over like a tide.

Congratulations, greetings, and excited shouts instantly surrounded him.

"Player Xia! Congratulations on winning!"

"Too wonderful! That crushing victory!"

"Can I have your autograph?!"

"Xia-kun! Look here!"

Among them, the voices of young women were particularly loud and enthusiastic.

Their eyes were bright, their cheeks flushed, trying hard to get closer.

This battle formation was much larger than after the previous few rounds of matches.

And much denser.

Xia Xia Xia Mujun's forehead oozed fine sweat.

He looked at more people ahead who seemed to have noticed the movement here, and were standing up and looking over, wanting to come over.

Can't stay any longer.

He decided decisively, raised his hand, and made a "stop" and "sorry" gesture politely but clearly.

Maintaining a basic polite smile on his face, he said quickly and clearly:

"Thank you all, the match is not over yet, I need to rest and prepare for the next match. Sorry."

Before the words fell.

He had already quickened his pace, his figure flexibly passing through the gaps in the crowd, almost "fleeing" away from that overly enthusiastic area.

For fear that if he was a step slower, he would be completely surrounded and unable to move.

Soon.

He returned to the relatively familiar seating area where Furukawa Masahiro and others were.

As if returning from a noisy market to a quiet backyard.

Just as he approached.

Congratulations arrived as promised.

The first to act was Furukawa Saio.

She jumped off the stool like a happy little deer, opened her arms, and hugged Xia Xia Xia Mujun's thigh tightly.

On her upturned little face, her eyes smiled into crescents.

"Congratulations Big Brother! The first to win the match! Too amazing!"

Xia Xia Xia Mujun smiled gently.

He bent down and habitually rubbed her fine, soft hair.

"Thank you, little Saio."

Furukawa Masahiro gently stroked his snow-white beard, his eyes filled with appreciation and delight.

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, that was a beautiful win."

"I especially admire your style of play—an eye for an eye, never letting a grudge go unrequited."

He paused, his tone carrying the pride of an older generation of chess players.

"When dealing with those third-rate trash who don't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth and only know how to run their mouths, this is exactly the domineering way to crush their pride."

Natsume Chikage nodded at him, a hint of understanding in his smile.

"Indeed, it suits me perfectly."

Horikawa Kaori still seemed unable to process what had happened; she patted her chest and let out a long sigh of relief.

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, really... congratulations."

"I still find it hard to believe... you actually won by a landslide."

"Your opponent was a Second Dan in the Promotion Association... someone I could never hope to reach, and yet you..."

Her eyes were filled with shock and genuine admiration.

From the moment Natsume Chikage appeared, Asahina Akatsuki’s gaze had been firmly fixed on him.

At this moment, her gaze was so soft it seemed as if it could drip water, and her cheeks were slightly flushed.

Her voice was soft, carrying a hint of shyness and apology.

"Congratulations, Xia Xia Xia Mujun."

"Actually... at first, I was really worried, thinking it would be a bitter struggle."

"Now it seems I underestimated you."

Tanabe Yuto took in every subtle expression on Asahina Akatsuki’s face.

The complex bitterness in his heart was quickly replaced by a sense of relief—a "just as I thought"—and the satisfaction of seeing his plan proceed smoothly.

This is good...

Akatsuki’s gaze, as expected, only follows him.

He also smiled and offered his sincere congratulations:

"Congratulations, Xia Xia Xia Mujun. That was a beautiful win."

Fukuda Tsukasa crossed his arms and cast a sidelong glance at Natsume Chikage.

He let out an almost imperceptible snort through his nose.

His tone sounded reluctant, yet carried a hint of awkwardness, as if he were forced to admit it.

"Hmph... I'll offer my congratulations for now, I suppose."

"But don't get too happy too soon; this is only the first battle."

"The results for the second battle aren't out yet."

"If you lose, you still won't get the prize money for this round, and your previous efforts will have been half in vain."

These words were like a small pebble thrown into the atmosphere that had just been brimming with joy.

The smile on Horikawa Kaori’s face vanished instantly, replaced by worry.

"Ah... Mr. Fukuda is right."

She looked at Natsume Chikage, her eyes becoming tense once more.

"This is a special double-header... winning the first battle is great, but the second battle is also crucial."

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun, you must keep it up! We will support you with all our might!"

Asahina Akatsuki also immediately clenched her small fists and nodded vigorously.

"Yes! Xia Xia Xia Mujun, please keep up your form and win the second battle!"

Furukawa Saio even shook Natsume Chikage’s arm vigorously.

"Big Brother will definitely be fine! Saio believes in you!"

Facing everyone’s concern and exhortations, Natsume Chikage nodded slightly.

"Thank you, everyone."

"I will give my all in the second battle as well."

Just as Natsume Chikage sat down, before he could enjoy a moment of peace.

The screen in the center of the venue switched images.

A new winner had been born.

"Contestant Suzuki Takayuki, wins!"

Accompanied by the announcement of the electronic synthesized voice, Suzuki Takayuki’s slightly tired but clearly excited face appeared on the screen.

And opposite him was Fukuda Yasuhiro—that twelve-year-old brat, who was dejectedly lowering his head, his small face filled with disappointment and unwillingness, his fists quietly clenched.

There was no great stir in the audience.

The vast majority of people felt this was only natural.

Suzuki Takayuki is a Third Dan in the Promotion Association, a "quasi-professional" player just one step away from becoming a professional.

While Fukuda Yasuhiro is only a First Dan.

The gap in strength brought about by the difference in rank is, in most cases, insurmountable.

This result was likely something even Fukuda Yasuhiro himself had anticipated before the match began.

Not long after.

Suzuki Takayuki walked back to this area with light steps.

A satisfied smile of victory on his face.

His good brother Tanabe Yuto was the first to greet him, patting his shoulder hard.

"Congratulations, Takayuki! Well done!"

Asahina Akatsuki also looked at him with a smile.

"Congratulations, Takayuki."

"Keep up the good work in the next match!"

Furukawa Masahiro and the others also offered brief congratulations out of politeness.

After all, they were acquaintances, and basic etiquette still had to be observed.

Natsume Chikage naturally offered his congratulations as well.

Although Suzuki Takayuki had once issued him a challenge, it was an open and honest one, completely different from the insidious mockery of Private Tenhao.

His impression of Suzuki Takayuki couldn't be called close, but at least it was peaceful.

"Congratulations on your win, Suzuki-kun."

Surrounded by his good friend and the girl he liked, Suzuki Takayuki was in a great mood.

"Thank you! Thank you all! I will continue to work hard!"

However.

His smile froze abruptly when his gaze swept over Natsume Chikage, who was sitting quietly to the side.

His brain seemed to lag for a beat.

He suddenly realized something was wrong.

"Wait..."

He blinked, looking at Natsume Chikage, his tone carrying obvious confusion.

"Xia Xia Xia Mujun... how did you get back here even earlier than me?"

"Your match... is already over?"

Asahina Akatsuki immediately took over the conversation, her tone filled with pride.

"That's right! Xia Xia Xia Mujun’s match ended a long time ago."

She looked at Natsume Chikage, her eyes shining brightly.

"And... he won against Morimoto Yuki in a landslide victory."

"Landslide...?"

Suzuki Takayuki repeated the word, the confusion on his face quickly replaced by astonishment.

He was stunned for a full few seconds.

His brain raced, trying to process this information.

Natsume Chikage... beat Morimoto Yuki?

That Second Dan from the Promotion Association, the formidable Morimoto?