88: 3.28 The Shortest Match

3.28 The Shortest Match

The crowd began to buzz, looking around in confusion for the other contestant who was currently missing. On the stage, the bear Alpha, Zayn, grew even more presumptuous. Prowling around the area like he owned the space, he gave a roar as if the victory had been confirmed. The Beta MC laughed lightly, a hint of nervousness slipped beyond the undercurrent. "It seems like Altair is preoccupied with something. Hello, Altair? Where are youuu?" He sang-song and glanced at the timer. Just a little over two minutes and if the Alpha still hadn't appeared, then he would automatically be disqualified.0

Ryan, who hid in the middle of the sea of people with an inconspicuous black hoodie covering his face, exclaimed with an angry tone. "I come here especially to see him but where is he? Is he too afraid to show up?!" 

The impatient spectators started to echo one by one. "That's right! Don't tell me he wants to back down!" "Yeah, I have come from another city just to witness this match in person!" "Tell him to come out!" They were restless, anxious and angry.

The greater the expectation, the deeper the disappointment they received when everything didn't go the way they wanted it to be. The rumors about Altair had spread far and wide and the majority of the people swarmed into Alaze—even those from another kingdom—just to see the winged beastman in person. If the Alpha really didn't show up to the match, the effect would truly be detrimental.

Having gotten the effect he wanted, Ryan pulled his hood lower to hide his face then dived through the crowd to the opposite side of the ring. He had already done his part and it was time for him to reap everything from the sidelines. He had no idea why Altair was late but it didn't matter. He had to seize every chance to kick him down until he could no longer get up anymore!

The timer continued to tick down. 

50 seconds…

35 seconds…

10 seconds…

Boos and curses filled the air. People were starting to think that Altair wouldn't show up anymore and moved to see the fight in another ring when all of a sudden, someone gasped sharply. "Oh God, up—up there!"

They halted in their steps and looked up by reflex in time with a large shadow to fall from the sky, his wings fluttering magnificently, enormous enough to cover the spotlight that shone on the stage. A violent gust of wind blasted through the air and everyone subconsciously lifted their arm to shield. The dust cooked up a small storm, rendering them unable to see clearly for a while.

Zayn wasn't so lucky. Being the closest, he was directly sent flying to the rubble ring then bounced back and crashed to the ground. His huge body created a loud, embarrassing thump. Alas, no one was in the capacity to witness that. They were too enamored by the beastman whose silver hair was flying wildly. A pair of dark, spiral horns grew atop of his head, contrasting with his hair and eyes that resembled the moonlight. As soon as he straightened up, the atmosphere shifted in an instant.

He gave the awkward bear Alpha an impassive glance. Even though his build was smaller, he held such a commanding aura that no one could bring themselves to underestimate him. No, just those horns and wings were enough as a proof. He was an exceptional, rare and excellent Alpha.

Lu Yizhou swept his gaze over the gobsmacked spectators then finally landed on the similarly dumbfounded MC. "Start," he said curtly.

The MC blinked a few times. "O—Oh!" He glanced at the timer. 3 seconds left. The contestant wasn't late. He brought the mic to his lips and inhaled deeply. "Our 212th pair, Altair and Zayn, are ready for the match! Everyone, are you ready?!" 

The atmosphere boiled up in an instant and loud cheers—even louder than before—reverberated through the air. It was almost ear-deafening. "We are ready!!!"

"Oh my God, the rumors didn't do him any justice! He was much, much more handsome, remarkable and sexy as hell!" 

"I know right?! I don't regret coming here!"

The MC swung his hand down and the match started. Zayn climbed up from the ground, his face flushed red. He sent a glare to Lu Yizhou, a low growl rumbled from his chest. The previous haughtiness and cockiness was nowhere to be found. He was akin to a cornered animal in the face of a hunter. He couldn't have mistaken it… His senses were tingling and his instinct was screaming at him to not go against that Alpha. He was dangerous, Zayn's subconsciousness thought, he was capable of killing you and he wouldn't even feel remorse for it. He clenched his fists, trembling.

Lu Yizhou nodded politely. "Please have a go."

The bear Alpha's eyes grew red and he let out a long roar. This wasn't a matter of winning or losing. It was the pride of an Alpha! He had heard many rumors and saw Altair often in the school hallway. He had even witnessed the incident where he fought with another leopard Alpha. Zayn knew that his opponent couldn't be underestimated and that's why he gave his all as he pounced forward. Everyone only saw the bear Alpha's huge body formed into a dark shadow as he lunged at the hybrid who was still standing in place. They held their breaths, especially when the winged beastman didn't show any signs of moving even when Zayn was already mere inches away, claws outstretched with its tip sharp and deadly.

No one knew what was happening and in a blink of an eye, the match had ended.

The boisterous crowd went silent abruptly. So silent that they could hear every intake of breath and every gasp. "...Huh?"

"What happened…?"

"It…has ended already?"

Don't ask them, even Zayn had no idea what was happening. One second he was filled with adrenaline, wind beneath his feet as he flew across the air to pummel his target and in the next second, his sight blurred and the world tilted on its axis. His cheek was pressed to the ground and a violent weight bore down on him like a mountain. The air was knocked out of his lungs and he gasped, his whole body tingled with numbness and pain. It was as if every bone in his body was broken apart then put together again. He strained his neck with difficulty and caught sight of a wing above him. 

Lu Yizhou was perching atop of him, his feet planted deeply into the bear Alpha's back and when he sensed Zayn's movement, he craned his neck to look at him. "Sorry, I tried not to hurt you too much."

Zayn gritted his teeth and flailed his limbs to no avail. It was illogical! Bear beastmen were known for their monstrous strength so how was it possible for him to be overpowered so simply like this?! "You…"

"Don't move." Lu Yizhou warned. "It's for your own good." Then he turned to the MC and raised one brow, inquiring.

Once again, the dumbfounded MC snapped out of his stupor and announced the conclusion. "Match 212 has ended! The victor is Altair! Congratulations, Altair! You have successfully advanced to the quarter final!" Like a switch was flicked on, the spectators' cheers returned in full force, this time it was even more enthusiastic and euphoric than before. Altair's name was chanted over and over again like he had won the Arena Fighting. Hell, this was only the elimination stage and the people had already gone crazy over him!

Two seconds; the machine recorded the length of the match.

It was the shortest of the previous matches—and also the shortest one ever recorded in the history of Arena Fighting. A new record was created today!

"Sheesh… You didn't even use your hands to fight. What were you asking me to bandage them for?" Oliver grumbled under his breath but his lips were smiling. 

He couldn't take his eyes off the Alpha on stage. He was so cool, so dashing and irrefutably, the hottest beastman ever alive. Oliver could already imagine what people were saying about him. The Alphas, they must be praying not to meet him in the next match. The Omega, they must be gushing over Altair's charm and wished that he would breed them. A whirlpool of jealousy settled in his chest but he hadn't even had the chance to comprehend it when Altair suddenly lifted his head and their gazes met midair. Oliver's heart skipped a beat and he forgot his own jealousy when the Alpha once again kissed his own knuckles, gentleness seeped into his placid eyes, one which he showed to no one but Oliver.

…It was as if he knew how Oliver felt and comforted him.

Oliver took a deep breath and fanned himself. What should he do? Oliver loved him so, so much. Sighing, he murmured woefully. "I wish you would hurry up and make me yours." 

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