On the main platform, after organizing the points, Valerius picked up the microphone again. "Ahem… the third game—Hot-Blooded Underwater Combat. Please watch the VCR."
The screen lit up once more. This time, it showed a swimming pool. Two contestants jumped in simultaneously. At first, everything looked like normal swimming, but the moment one of them lunged forward and tackled the other, the entire match took a sharp turn.
"Damn… he's grabbing his neck!"
"Holy crap, you can actually fight?"
"Brutal. Drag him underwater and beat him up."
The audience was stunned. As expected of an underwater combat match—this was a full-on fight.
As one contestant choked on water and slowly sank to the bottom, the match ended.
"Alright, choose your participants."
The previously lively crowd fell silent.
This kind of game was fun to watch… but actually participating? That was just asking to get beaten.
At this moment, Raiden Shogun, who had been dragged back to the Inazuma side by Yae Miko, looked displeased. Seeing everyone hesitating made her even more dissatisfied.
"What's there to be afraid of? Men's round—Kamisato Ayato, you go."
"Brilliant decision, Your Excellency!"
Shikanoin Heizou gave a thumbs up. As long as it wasn't him, everything was fine.
Her gaze shifted to the women's side, instantly making everyone uneasy.
Finally, her eyes landed on Yae Miko.
"Uh… Ei, I… I can't swim."
Regret flooded Yae Miko. If she had known, she would've let Ei keep lining up for candy earlier.
"Hmph. I'll go myself."
Raiden Shogun shot her a disdainful glance. "Even if you wanted to go, I wouldn't let you. What if you lose?"
"General, please allow me to go in your place."
Kujou Sara stepped forward in alarm. Fighting in water was far too undignified.
"No need. Leave it to me."
Raiden Shogun waved her off calmly.
It was just fighting—in water, no less. She would show them what real power looked like.
Meanwhile, the Belobog side was completely stunned after watching the VCR.
Fight in water?
We can barely swim!
They were born in icy wastelands. Opportunities to swim were rare, and many couldn't swim at all. Now they were expected to fight underwater—it was practically torture.
"Leave it to us."
Others quickly noticed their predicament. The Astral Express crew and the Stellaron Hunters stepped in.
Bronya let out a sigh of relief. Thankfully, they had reinforcements.
On the other side—
"Underwater combat? Leave it to the Hydro Archon!"
"Guaranteed win."
"With the Hydro Archon here, there's no way we lose."
Hearing the praise, Furina's legs started trembling.
Me? Go down there?
"Ahem… I'm the Hydro Archon. It wouldn't be right to bully them, would it?"
"What are you talking about? It's a competition."
"Uh… maybe someone else should go?"
"Sigh… the Hydro Archon is too kind."
Not far away, Arlecchino kept glancing at Furina, her eyes narrowing. Something about this "Hydro Archon" didn't feel reliable.
"Let Lynette go for the women's round."
In the end, she made the call. If the Archon wasn't dependable, it was better to trust her own people.
"Me…"
Lynette didn't want to go. But since Father had ordered it, she had no choice but to nod reluctantly.
After some discussion, the teams finally finalized their participants.
Mondstadt: Albedo
Liyue: Xingqiu
Inazuma: Kamisato Ayato
Sumeru–Fontaine Alliance: Freminet
Xianzhou Alliance: Maozhe
Belobog Alliance: Blade
Penacony Alliance: Aventurine
Zenless Zone Zero: Asaba Harumasa
Looking at the lineup, Valerius found it strange.
How was this supposed to work? Was Freminet just going to wipe them all out alone?
Most of these people didn't look like they could fight in water at all.
Still, since the lineup was set, he didn't comment.
With a snap of his fingers, the football field transformed into a massive swimming pool. The contestants' outfits shifted into sleek diving suits.
"Oh? Fighting in diving suits?"
"That's actually pretty good."
They examined their gear. No flippers or oxygen tanks—just tight-fitting suits.
"Of course," Valerius said with a grin. "Custom-made. Helps you swim faster."
"And escape quicker when you're getting beaten."
Everyone's faces darkened.
You could've just not explained that.
Once everything was ready, Bronya returned to the main platform and sat beside Valerius. Seeing the full-body suits, she sighed in relief.
If they were wearing swimsuits, and something got torn off mid-fight… that would've been disastrous.
With the pool filled, the contestants lined up on the diving boards. At the whistle, they all jumped in.
The moment he hit the water, Freminet showed his dominance.
His speed was terrifying—and he stayed completely submerged.
The others swam cautiously, constantly scanning their surroundings. The moment someone got too close, they immediately retreated.
"…Wait. One missing?"
Aventurine quickly noticed.
Someone wasn't on the surface.
"They're underwater!"
His heart tightened. He took a deep breath, preparing to dive—
But just as he opened his mouth, something grabbed his leg.
Before he could react, he swallowed a mouthful of water.
"Cough—cough—!"
Dragged underwater, he barely had time to react before an arm locked around his neck.
Who?!
Panic surged. Was he about to be eliminated first?
He tried to fight back—but after choking on water, he had no strength left.
"It's over. Aventurine's done."
Topaz shook her head. There was no saving him. Even at full strength, Aventurine wouldn't stand a chance against Freminet.
As expected—
[Notice: Player Aventurine has been eliminated.]
The remaining contestants were shaken.
That fast?
On the Fontaine side—
Arlecchino scanned the pool, then turned to Furina.
"Lady Furina… how are the children of the House of the Hearth?"
"Hehe… hehe… not bad."
Furina forced a laugh, then quickly turned away, a chill running down her spine.
Freminet—quiet, shy, blushing when spoken to.
She had thought he was just a timid kid.
Who knew—
He was this ruthless.
As expected of the Fatui.
Their methods were truly brutal.
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