Chapter 789: The 'Hell Double-Header' officially begins!

Natsume Chikage and Suzuki Takayuki returned to the queuing area of the competition venue.

In the empty queuing passage, only the four of them remained.

The air was filled with a solemnity different from before the first battle.

Except for Natsume Chikage, who still looked calm, his gaze looking indifferently toward the arena.

The faces of the other three all showed traces of different pressures to varying degrees.

Suzuki Takayuki pursed his lips tightly, his gaze quickly sweeping over Ishida Kazuo and Yidong Haoyi in front, and then subconsciously glanced at Natsume Chikage beside him, his brows slightly furrowed.

Professional chess player...

These two words themselves carried a heavy weight.

He knew well the gap between himself and a true professional.

That was not just a number on a rank certificate, but experience, accumulation, and comprehensive strength tempered under professional-level pressure countless times.

No matter which of these two he faced, he felt the odds of winning were slim, and every step would be like walking on thin ice.

But...

his gaze fell again on Natsume Chikage's side profile.

As long as the opponent is Natsume Chikage, he can win...

A surge of mixed anticipation, excitement, and a certain determination overwhelmed his awe of professional chess players.

Yidong Haoyi, who was a professional fourth-dan, also subconsciously adjusted his collar at this moment, his breathing slightly more rapid than usual.

His gaze fell more on Ishida Kazuo's steady back with wariness.

Fifth-dan Ishida...

This colleague, who had deeper qualifications than him, a thicker chess style, and had been in hot form recently, was the biggest obstacle in his heart.

As for Suzuki Takayuki and Natsume Chikage?

He did not underestimate them, but by comparison, the pressure was indeed much smaller.

He silently prayed for the draw result.

And Ishida Kazuo stood at the very back.

His figure was upright, his expression the calmest of the four.

He knew very well that he was the one with the strongest paper strength among these four.

No matter who he drew, he had the confidence to fight, and also had a reason that he must win.

However...

Ishida Kazuo's gaze swept over Natsume Chikage without a trace.

He was the only one he didn't want to encounter... only this one.

Not because of fear, but out of a complex mood.

Appreciation for talent, pity, and a subtle emotion of not wanting to personally stifle the other party's possibility of moving forward...

He hoped more that Natsume Chikage would encounter Suzuki Takayuki.

That way, perhaps there would still be a glimmer of life, and he could also gain valuable combat experience.

If he encountered himself... then he could only say sorry.

Ishida Kazuo's eyes became firm again.

On the chessboard, there is no mercy.

He also had a peak he must climb and an ambition he must realize.

He longed to clash with the Long Wang, who was hailed as the "strongest in history."

He longed to win the "New Sharp Long Wang" title in this tournament.

That was not only honor and a huge prize, but also a ladder to a higher hall and to attract more talents.

He even thought, if he could really wear the "New Sharp Long Wang" crown and show indisputable strength...

Would this stubborn and amazingly talented teenager change his mind and willingly apprentice under him?

This thought made the fighting spirit in his heart burn more purely and hotly.

At this time,

on the huge screen, the figure of host Sawada Rika appeared again.

Her expression was more serious than before, her eyes sharp, as if she also felt the heaviness of this final round.

"Now—"

Her voice, through the speakers, clearly struck everyone's heartstrings.

"The fifth round 'Hell Double-Header', the final round matchup draw—" ===== CHAPTER 790 =====