Ajal.
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Chapter 60 - Semifinals
🕑 Added 2025-09-17 13:05:50 +0000 UTCThe tournament reached the semifinals.
Hakuya, battling through round after round, made it to the top four. His opponent’s name appeared on the big screen—Kenta Nagai.
The name carried weight in player circles. Rumor had it, for this tournament, Kenta had traveled nationwide, honing his skills against top arcade players.
His signature character: Terry Bogard.
When the familiar figure in a red-and-white cap and red jacket appeared at the match station, the arena’s atmosphere ignited.
“It’s Nagai! The Terry master!”
“Heard he’s insane—crushed the qualifiers.”
“This’ll be a show—high school dark horse versus the wandering warrior!”
The crowd’s buzz reached Hakuya’s ears as his fingers touched the joystick, feeling its cool metal.
The match was set on the main stage, the massive screen wall displaying only their duel.
Countless eyes locked on them.
“ROUND 1, FIGHT!”
The match began.
Nagai’s Terry lived up to his reputation.
His aggression was overwhelming, the pressure almost spilling through the screen.
Precise jumping heavy punches, unpredictable “Burning Knuckle” openers, and perfectly timed “Power Wave” pokes.
Hakuya’s Andy struggled in the initial clashes, clearly outmatched.
He tried using “Zan-ei Ken” and “Hisho Ken” to control the pace, seeking an opening.
But Nagai’s fundamentals were terrifyingly solid—his distance control and punish timing outclassed all of Hakuya’s prior opponents.
Every probe risked a devastating combo from Nagai.
Hakuya focused intensely, sweat beading on his forehead.
For the first time in the tournament, he felt the real possibility of defeat.
A mistimed low block was punished by Nagai’s slide.
A seamless combo followed.
Andy’s health plummeted.
“K.O.!”
Round one, Hakuya lost.
The crowd let out a low gasp, mixed with awe for Nagai’s skill.
The countdown for the second round began.
Hakuya closed his eyes, then snapped them open.
The loss didn’t break him—it fueled his resolve.
He replayed the first round’s details, analyzing Nagai’s Terry—habits, weaknesses.
There was still a chance.
He had to be faster, sharper, calmer.
The second round’s countdown pounded like a hammer on everyone’s hearts.
Hakuya took a deep breath, the gym’s chilly air raising goosebumps on his skin.
He forced himself to ignore the crowd’s chatter and the roving camera lenses.
The first round’s loss flashed in his mind.
Nagai’s relentless tide-like offense.
Notebook data—opponent’s go-to moves, recovery frames…
Stay calm.
He couldn’t let Nagai dictate the pace.
“ROUND 2, FIGHT!”
The call rang out.
This time, Hakuya didn’t rush to probe.
He moved Andy back half a step, keeping a subtle distance.
Nagai’s Terry pressed hard, landing a crisp jumping heavy punch.
Hakuya didn’t block, dodging with a quick backstep.
“Hisho Ken!”
Andy fired an energy wave, not to hit but to restrict Nagai’s movement.
Nagai rolled through it, closing in.
Hakuya retreated, fingers tapping rapidly.
“Zan-ei Ken!”
Andy darted back as a shadow, maintaining that delicate distance.
The match grew subdued, unlike the first round’s explosive clashes.
The crowd murmured, confused.
“What’s up? Why’s Andy not fighting?”
“Is he scared? Shell-shocked from round one?”
Nagai sensed Hakuya’s shift, slowing his aggression, his eyes probing.
He mixed in “Power Wave” pokes, searching for gaps in Hakuya’s movement.
Hakuya’s nerves were stretched to the limit.
Every block, retreat, and “Hisho Ken” disruptor had to be precise.
Sweat slid down his temple, leaving a wet mark on the buttons.
He was a patient hunter, waiting.
Waiting for that fleeting chance.
Nagai, equally patient, kept steady pressure without overcommitting.
A jumping attack was blocked by Hakuya.
Then, as Nagai landed, he unleashed “Burning Knuckle” with no delay!
A fiery fist roared toward Andy.
Now!
Hakuya’s pupils contracted.
His fingers, in sync with his brain, reacted in mere frames.
Perfect block!
Andy flashed white, stopping the heavy punch cold.
Got it!
Nagai’s “Burning Knuckle” recovery lag!
Hakuya’s fingers danced wildly, like playing a frenzied symphony.
Andy closed in on the frozen Terry.
A practiced combo—low light kick, heavy punch, Rising Dragon!
Fists and feet landed precisely, shredding Terry’s health.
The arena erupted in a tidal wave of cheers!
“Insane counter!”
“My god, that reaction speed!”
“Perfect! Full combo damage!”
On the giant screen, Andy sent Terry flying, landing steadily.
Hakuya’s clenched fist loosened, knuckles pale from strain.
He won round two!
A comeback!
Media flashes went wild, capturing his mix of exhaustion and excitement.
“Dark horse! Total dark horse!” a reporter growled into a camera.
During the brief break, Kenta Nagai glanced at the screen, then at the high schooler in the faded uniform.
His easy confidence was gone, replaced by grim focus.
This kid was tougher than expected.
“ROUND 3, FIGHT!”
The deciding round began.
Nagai’s eyes sharpened like a hawk’s.
He dropped all probing, unleashing his “wandering warrior” experience fully.
His rhythm grew erratic—fierce onslaughts mixed with precise pokes to toy with Hakuya’s nerves.
He used deceptive moves, baiting mistakes.
Hakuya felt unprecedented pressure.
Nagai was a wall, deflecting every attack, crumbling every defense.
The experience gap loomed large.
Hakuya could match Nagai’s inputs but struggled to predict his intent.
Attempts to counter were neutralized, often punished.
Andy’s health dwindled.
The crowd’s tension thickened, breaths held.
Hakuya gritted his teeth, sweat soaking his back.
He still searched for a chance, however slim.
In a fierce close-range clash, Hakuya seized a seeming opening, jumping with Andy for an aerial attack to break the stalemate.
But as Andy leapt, Nagai’s Terry, as if anticipating, unleashed a pinpoint “Power Dunk,” smashing Andy down!
Perfect timing! Brutal angle!
Andy crashed to the ground.
Hakuya’s heart sank.
It’s over.
The landing lag left no time to block.
Nagai pinned Andy to the edge, relentless. A sneaky low kick broke Andy’s guard, followed by a fluid combo, wiping out Andy’s remaining health.
“K.O.!”
Giant red letters filled the screen.
Hakuya stared at the dimming display, fingers trembling on the joystick.
He lost.
1-2.
The arena fell briefly silent, then roared with thunderous applause.
For the victor, Kenta Nagai, and for Hakuya, who fought valiantly.
