As soon as the video ended, quite a few people's eyes lit up.
Wasn't this just a pure strength competition?
Perfect. This suited them.
And it was an individual event—no worrying about getting beaten up mid-match.
For a moment, volunteers flooded in.
"I'm definitely winning this one!"
Arataki Itto was fired up. A strength contest? This was his territory. Time to redeem himself.
"Boss… you've already competed."
"…Ah."
Instant regret. If he'd known, he would've saved himself for this instead of the race.
On Inazuma's side, Raiden Ei frowned as she looked over her team.
Kaedehara Kazuha, Shikanoin Heizou, Gorou, Kamisato Ayato…
This lineup did not inspire confidence.
"You… who's confident?"
"Uh…"
Everyone looked away.
…Not a single one.
She sighed and shifted her gaze to the women's team.
"What about you?"
"Uh…"
Same answer.
None.
"…Forget it."
Men's event? Probably lost already.
"Ei, just send Gorou and Sayu."
"Can they win?"
"At least we save stronger players for later rounds."
Raiden Ei: "…"
So they were just giving up.
—
Mondstadt side.
Jean looked at Diluc.
"Sir, we're counting on you."
"Leave it to me."
Diluc nodded. After Kaeya's poor showing, it was his turn to step up.
"What about the women's team?"
"Idiot, do you even need to ask?"
Kaeya rolled his eyes and pushed Noelle forward.
In terms of strength… who else?
—
Liyue side.
Ningguang scanned the men's team.
Xingqiu? Chongyun?
…She might be stronger than both.
"I'll go."
Tartaglia stepped forward confidently.
Let them see what a proper powerhouse looked like.
"Very well."
Ningguang didn't worry about him throwing the match—there was nothing in it for him.
Then she turned to the women.
"Who's going?"
Every gaze landed on one person.
Shenhe.
"…Right."
That was basically a guaranteed win.
—
Other teams finalized their choices as well.
"Alright, men's division, gather."
Valerius opened a portal. The current arena wasn't big enough—they'd compete outside.
One by one, participants stepped through.
—
A wide open field.
Valerius looked at the contestants.
"Decide your order yourselves."
"I'll go first."
Tartaglia stepped forward immediately.
"Feeling confident?"
"Of course. First place."
"That confident?"
"A warrior must trust his strength and seek challenges."
"…Oh?"
Valerius smirked.
"Then maybe you should look at your opponent."
"No matter who it is, I—"
He turned.
"…What the hell is THAT?!"
Everyone froze.
Before them stood a massive figure.
A towering… bear.
Wearing a white outfit.
"That's a player?!"
"Yep. His name is Ben, from Belobog Heavy Industries—no, correction—White Iron Construction from New Eridu."
"And they're a construction company."
"…So you get the idea."
Silence.
Complete silence.
Compete in strength… against THAT?
What kind of life choices led here?
"Nice to meet you."
Tartaglia forced a smile and extended his hand.
He had to look up just to meet the bear's gaze. The scar across its eye only made it look more intimidating.
Ben didn't move at first.
Just stared down.
"…That's terrifying."
Tartaglia's hand hovered awkwardly in midair.
Then suddenly—
Ben crouched down enthusiastically and grabbed his hand, shaking it vigorously.
"Hello! I'm Ben from White Iron Construction! We handle all kinds of building projects—please take care of us!"
"…Oh. Uh. Hello."
Tartaglia blinked.
This personality…
Did not match the face.
"So… what do you do there?"
"Accounting. I handle finances and reports."
"…What?"
Everyone froze.
You?
Accounting?
Their minds painted an image—
A tiny office.
A massive bear squeezed into a tiny chair, flipping through spreadsheets, tapping a calculator that looked like a toy in his paws.
…The dissonance was unbearable.
"Alright, enough chatting. Get ready."
Valerius cut them off.
"Match is starting."
"…Let him go first."
Tartaglia stepped back.
If he got completely crushed right away, it would be too embarrassing.
"Sure."
Ben walked forward calmly.
He grabbed the massive hammer—
And lifted it effortlessly.
"…No resistance at all."
Everyone covered their faces.
This wasn't even the same category anymore.
"Fine. Then I'll take second place."
"Second is mine."
"No, mine!"
Valerius laughed quietly.
They'd already accepted defeat.
—
Back in the stands, the audience fell into silence.
Against that thing…
What was the point of competing?
"HAHAHA! Now you see our power!"
The Zenless Zone Zero players were ecstatic.
This was a guaranteed win.
Big Bear dominance.
Tell me—
How do you even lose this?
To Read 60+ ahead advanced Chapters, head over to P@treon
patreon.com/DarkVerse146