Chapter 31: As Long as I'm Not Awkward
After all the main competitors finished their stage appearances, the draw ceremony officially began.
The Golden Autumn Cup didn't have group matches. Right from the start, it was an exciting knockout stage. Losing one match meant leaving the arena.
At the same time, because Pokémon battles naturally involve type advantages, and everyone was essentially still an amateur at the semi-professional stage, few could afford to have multiple main Pokémon.
This made the luck of the draw very important, and it was something that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.
Soon, the blind box provided by the organizers was carried onto the stage. The box contained thirty-two balls, each with a numbered slip inside.
The female host reached in, took out the first ball, and opened it to read aloud.
"Alright, the first player drawn to play in our opening match this afternoon is player number 5: **Aaron**! Please come up."
The drawn player could come forward and have a short interview with the host.
Seeing this procedure, Arthur suddenly remembered.
It seemed that he also had to find an opportunity to say the commercial slogan during this segment.
Fortunately, the slogan wasn't long, and he only needed to read the words on his advertisement shirt.
During this, Arthur soon discovered that he wasn't the only one who came to compete with this intention.
For example, one of the players drawn in the fourth match was a coach from a nearby Pokémon gym. During his interview, he kept talking about the benefits of taking Pokémon to the gym and the gym's discounts.
It seemed like he wanted to get the host to sign up for a membership on the spot.
The host, a young woman, waved her hands repeatedly, saying that her Wigglytuff's figure was natural, due to its species, and couldn't be achieved through exercise. This made many viewers laugh knowingly.
One group of players after another drew their numbers and went off the stage.
Arthur waited and waited, and it soon became clear that he would be in the very last match.
With only the final two players remaining on stage, there was no need for further drawing. The last match of the first round of the main competition would naturally be between them.
At this time, the host first called on the other person beside Arthur to come forward for an interview.
That was a young man in his early twenties. His expression was a bit stiff as he took the microphone, a sharp contrast to the smiling host beside him.
At this time, because it was the last match, and the opponent was already decided, coupled with Arthur's considerable popularity, the host simply used this as a starting point and asked the first interview question.
"Alright, Mr. **Darren**, we already know that you will be facing the 'Son of Suicune,' who has been quite popular lately. So, what do you have to say about facing such a controversial player in the first round?"
These pre-match interviews were mainly to generate hype. Many players had talked big and declared their determination to win in this segment.
The audience wasn't against this kind of rivalry.
If the players had a strong desire to win, the audience could expect the match to be more intense and exciting.
However, the way **Darren** chose to engage in this rivalry was a bit unsettling.
After taking the microphone, he paused silently for a second with a blank face, then suddenly scoffed derisively.
"What do I have to say? Heh! I feel very lucky. Facing this kind of internet celebrity who was hyped up through promotion in the first round, it's basically a bye, how happy."
His words were so blunt that the host didn't know how to follow up.
While many players had previously exchanged trash talk and subtly belittled their opponents to hype themselves up, they mainly did it for the show, saying those things with a smile and creating an atmosphere.
**Darren** was the first to be so blatant and hurtful.
The audience below also booed loudly.
Fortunately, the host was somewhat skilled at managing the situation and quickly smoothed things over.
"Okay, it seems that our Mr. **Darren** is not intimidated by his opponent's popularity at all and is very confident of winning. Then, can we ask Mr. **Darren** if he has any secret tactics prepared for the main competition?"
The host had deliberately shifted the topic away from Arthur, giving **Darren** a chance to brag about himself.
But unexpectedly, this guy seemed determined to put Arthur down.
"I did have some plans, but it seems like I won't need them in the first round. What tactics do you need to beat an internet celebrity who's just here for the hype? Do you believe he'll come up and recite his advertisement slogan?"
Even the host felt like she was losing control and quickly ended the interview with a few words.
The audience below was even more chaotic and angry.
Arthur, as the last player, finally came to the host's side.
To be honest, the host was feeling a bit awkward at this point.
Because the slogan on the front of Arthur's advertisement shirt was too eye-catching. Even if he didn't say it out loud, the effect had already been captured on camera...
Helplessly, she could only try to avoid the rhythm set by **Darren** and asked, "Alright, as the last player to appear for this main competition, Mr. Arthur, the famous 'Son of Suicune' on the internet!
Your popularity is quite high on the internet right now, even I'm your fan~ So, can you share with us your motivation for participating in this competition?"
Arthur took the microphone, almost without thinking, and said very honestly.
"First, allow me to introduce a Pokémon energy drink, Red Taurus Energy Drink, for your Pokémon's most abundant energy. Okay, to answer the previous question, my motivation for participating is because I want to become a trainer."
The brief answer ended, and everyone was stunned.
No one expected that Arthur would completely ignore his opponent's blatant contempt and still calmly recite the advertisement slogan first, without feeling any awkwardness.
For a moment, even the host was at a loss for words.
This... was it really true that as the saying goes, as long as I'm not awkward, it's everyone else who's awkward?
The host felt her toes curling in embarrassment.
She was really embarrassed.
She could only ask a silly question again, "That's it?"
Arthur nodded honestly, "Yep."
"..."
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