Chapter 36: Facing the Top Seed

On the fifth day of the Shashi Rookie Cup, the tournament had reached the round of thirty-two, where sixteen would advance. The spectator stands were several times fuller than the day before. Dozens of cameras were trained on every area of the competition, as today's matches would be streamed live online; meanwhile, journalists moved about the arena, interviewing select contestants.

Initially, Zhao Jie had thought that he and Agumon might also be interviewed, but reality quickly dashed his hopes. The reporters were only interested in the tournament favorites. Even some fellow seeded players were ignored, so as a rank-and-file member of the top thirty-two, he had no right to expect their attention.

"Missing out on interviewing me is your loss," he consoled himself inwardly. With Agumon at his side, Zhao Jie made his way to the waiting room. Now that the event was being broadcast online, the organizers had arranged a separate waiting room for each of the thirty-two remaining contestants.

Today's matches were divided into two brackets: odd numbers in the upper bracket, even numbers in the lower. Contestants from these two sides would not meet until the finals. The morning featured eight matches, from Group A to Group H, fought in order. Zhao Jie and Agumon were scheduled for the penultimate match of the morning.

"It's lively today," Zhao Jie remarked from the waiting room, his gaze sweeping over the stands. While there were still a few empty seats—after all, this was only the round of thirty-two—most sections were packed. Digital Monsters had been part of life for decades, yet people's curiosity about them remained strong. Now, Digital Monster battles outshone even basketball, soccer, and tennis in popularity. Even for a rookie tournament, the crowds eager to witness these battles never ceased.

Wuling City, Zhao Jie's home.

At dawn, Zhao Jie's mother busied herself, gathering relatives and close neighbors in the living room. Every pair of eyes was fixed on Hunan Satellite TV.

"Zhao Jie's mother, why isn't there an interview with your son?" someone asked.

"What's there to see in an interview? Just wait—my son is about to compete. You just watch," Zhao Jie's mother proclaimed confidently, laying out snacks. Zhao Jie's father simply smiled quietly by her side.

"Wait, I think the camera just caught a glimpse of Zhao Jie," someone exclaimed.

"Where? Where?"

"It's gone now, the shot didn't linger."

Some shook their heads in disappointment.

Soon, the matches began one by one. In Group A, the seeded player—a Mantismon—easily dispatched its opponent and advanced to the top sixteen. Group B's seed also won handily, while Group C's saw a bit of a struggle but narrowly clinched victory in the end.

Group D's seed triumphed, and Group E's did the same.

"Now up is the F Group's match for a place in the top sixteen. Would Contestant Number One, Han Qing, and Contestant Number Seven, Zhao Jie, please take the stage!"

The announcer's voice echoed from the television, instantly filling the living room with excitement.

"It's Xiaojie, he's really on TV!"

"Xiaojie was clever and capable as a child, and now as a Digi-Tamer his future is brighter than ever."

"Go, Xiaojie! You must win!"

Cheers erupted in the living room. At that moment, Zhao Jie looked toward the camera, knowing his parents must be watching. He broke into a radiant smile and waved, as if they were right there beside him.

"We see Contestant Number Seven greeting viewers across the country. Zhao Jie hails from Wuling City, and making it into the top thirty-two is a testament to his skill. Let's all cheer for this young man and hope he brings his best to the competition," one commentator said.

"Indeed. Now, on the other side, we have Han Qing, Contestant Number One of Group F. His Gabumon is only eight months old but already demonstrates formidable strength. Let's hope they deliver an exciting match," the other added.

The hosts introduced both competitors, though their tone clearly favored Han Qing. Whether or not they knew who the seeded players were, after commentating six matches where the number one seed always won, it wasn't hard to guess. If they couldn't, they might as well give up their jobs.

"What kind of talk is that? 'Bring your best and show your style'—do they think Xiaojie is bound to lose? This is just bullying," Zhao Jie's mother snapped, her smile vanishing as she heard the commentators' bias.

"Don't be angry, let's just watch the match," someone tried to console her. The others sensed the unfairness too, but after so many number one seeds winning, they privately doubted Xiaojie's chances.

Of course, no one voiced these thoughts aloud.

"I won't go easy on you," Han Qing said cheerfully as they took their positions by the ring.

He'd spent a long time pondering Flower-Not-Flower's words, finally deciding that the best way to "teach a lesson" was through the Digital Monster battle itself.

Zhao Jie only grunted in response, not taking Han Qing's words to heart. He scratched his head and, hesitating, addressed Han Qing: "That group chat is pretty useless—no one ever talks. As the admin, you should try to liven things up."

Han Qing's face twitched, glancing at Zhao Jie. You have the nerve to say that? After the Zhang Zhenren incident, what did you do? You know perfectly well you kill every conversation as soon as you speak.

"Let the match begin!" The referee's whistle blew, signaling the official start.

Han Qing gave Gabumon a hand signal—verbal commands could be guessed by opponents, but sign language was much harder to decipher.

"Agumon, full attack!" Zhao Jie shouted without any subterfuge the instant the whistle sounded, as if worried Han Qing might not understand his intent.

Both Agumon and Gabumon sprang into action, moving cautiously toward each other. Flames gathered at the corners of their mouths—Agumon's a deep orange, Gabumon's a pale blue.

Casting while moving!

Both Digimon advanced while gathering energy for their signature attacks.

Ten meters, five meters, three meters.

They stopped simultaneously. Twin streams of fire burst from their mouths!

Blazing Flame Burst!

Small Fireball!

P.S.: Thanks to the benefactor Niu Ai Tang for the recommendation and Qidian tip. In gratitude for everyone's support, this chapter beast evolves into a double-chapter beast today.

And please, lend me your votes of support!