Riddle Clock continued, thanking them:
"Clock Kid, if it weren't for you, I would never have been able to properly communicate with others like this—it was you who helped me rediscover myself!"
Yan Huan looked displeased as he listened.
"What the hell does this have to do with him? We were the ones running around doing all the work, okay?"
Firefly tugged at Yan Huan.
"Forget it... This is probably just part of the stage's story."
"Don't make things difficult for the organizers."
"On Penacony, Clock Kid is obviously the protagonist."
Clock Kid ignored Yan Huan and smugly carried on.
"You're welcome! As Dreamville's guardian, it's my duty!"
"Hee hee hee hee...!" The enormous Riddle Clock looked at Firefly and Yan Huan.
"You two have something important to do, don't you?"
"Go forth, friends—when that moment comes, I and all the Riddle Clocks will cheer you on!"
After that, a passage leading to the next stage appeared behind Riddle Clock.
Firefly was delighted.
"It's all taken care of... Victory is within reach. Let's head for the final stage."
The two followed the red carpet forward and arrived before the guide once more.
As usual, the guide gave a bow.
"Congratulations to both contestants!"
"You have fought your way through the stages and proven your strength."
"But regrettably... only one team can become Penacony's next Grand Gala Superstar."
"In the final stage, you will face a contestant who has defended the arena until now."
"Should you fail, you will lose all chance at the Grand Gala Superstar crown!"
After speaking, the guide raised his head again.
"Welcome to the third stage of the twentieth Sunsilk Grand Gala's thirty-third event, sponsored by Sodalu Co., Ltd.—[Superstar Summit Battle]!"
A few minutes later.
Firefly and Yan Huan took a pinball ride to the