PAID

"Wow—!!"

Amid the deafening cheers filling the colosseum, I ascended the podium alongside Skada and Death’s Death.

Death’s Death seemed rather disgruntled about securing third place. He continuously muttered complaints, expressing his frustration.

“If only my matchups had been slightly better, I could’ve taken second place.”

“Third-place rewards aren’t too bad, are they?”

“Hmph, is that something the champion should be saying?”

“Fufu, you all worked hard.”

“You too, Skada-unnie.”

Todododo.

Standing in front of the two taller individuals, I gracefully and quickly climbed the stairs.

But then, I glanced back at Skada and Death’s Death, who were following behind me.@@novelbin@@

“So, after the award ceremony here, will we go outside for interviews?”

“This tournament broadcast is also meant to promote the game. ‘Hana Games’ seems to want to emphasize that this is not just an offline event but an event occurring within the world itself. Even the award ceremony in the Betaeon Empire is essentially a performance—a spectacle to enjoy.”

Death’s Death nodded, then looked at me with a subtle smile.

“The finals were a splendid battle. Rain will likely have a tough time today. She looked worn out yesterday, giving autographs to everyone who approached her. Are you holding up okay?”

“To step on the rock summoned by Stone Blast and escape the vertical range of Aerial… If I hadn’t been on the receiving end, it would’ve been truly…”

“Heh.”

I squirmed under their compliments. But this wasn’t the time for that.