Speedrunning the World Starting from Firefly, Part 28

Kurama Neon had not suffered any serious injuries here, and she knew that Sam might be targeting the Desire Grand Prix rather than truly trying to attack them.

Because of his good nature, Sakurai Keiwa saw that he was fine and that everyone else was more or less the same, so he did not dwell on it any further.

As for Ukiyo Ace, a fox who had lived for two thousand years, keeping his emotions hidden was basic practice. Only he himself knew what he was thinking inside.

"I'm saying, compared to all that, what we really want to know is... what should we do if that Stellaron Hunter shows up again?"

"He's so strong that we're no match for him at all. Are we supposed to end up like last time again?"

As Tsumuri explained, one contestant grew somewhat impatient, stepped forward, and questioned her in an irritated tone.

Last time, the Desire Grand Prix contestants had practically been wiped out, utterly crushed by that Stellaron Hunter.

The Desire Grand Prix's so-called "operation to save the world" suddenly seemed like nothing more than a joke. If they encountered that guy again, were they going to get wiped out by him all over again?

"Um..."

Faced with that question, Tsumuri did not quite know how to answer.

She was merely a guide, responsible for explaining and clarifying matters related to the game. Everything else was outside her duties.

It was the Game Master behind her who stepped forward at that moment. Only after sweeping a cold gaze across everyone did he speak flatly. "You only need to continue participating in the Grand Prix. You don't need to concern yourselves with anything else."

"If that Stellaron Hunter appears again, I will personally enter the field and deal with him."

After speaking with the Game Producer and confirming that the Goddess's power could not affect that Stellaron Hunter, he had decided to act personally in order to ensure the Desire Grand Prix could continue smoothly.

The Desire Grand Prix had been running for thousands of years. How could it be suspended so easily because of one person? They absolutely would not tolerate that Stellaron Hunter continuing to act so recklessly.

"..."

Upon hearing Girori's cold words, the contestants present said nothing more.

Since Desire Grand Prix Operations would handle it themselves, it was no longer something they needed to worry about.

Especially for Ukiyo Ace, who had always wanted to investigate Desire Grand Prix Operations and learn about his mother, but had never had the chance.

His investigations over the past two thousand years... could practically be said to have made no progress at all. It was undoubtedly a failure.

Desire Grand Prix Operations was far too mysterious.

Now, the appearance of that Stellaron Hunter, who clearly did not belong to the Desire Grand Prix and possessed immense strength, might instead be an opportunity.

Playing Card Jamato

With Girori's assurance, no one said anything further. At this point, Tsumuri continued explaining the rules of this round.

"Eliminate every Jamato that appears, and the game will end."

"This round will be the same as before: a point-based elimination system."

"When the game ends, the two contestants with the lowest scores will be eliminated."

Clearly, this was a game that would eliminate two people. Not only did the contestants need to be strong themselves, but they also needed sufficiently coordinated teammates.

Provided nothing unexpected happened again.

"Now, based on the previous round's scores, please come forward and draw lots."

After saying that, Tsumuri somehow produced a large box and asked the contestants before her to step forward.

Because of the appearance of Stellaron Hunter Sam in the previous round, most of the Jamato had been cleared out by an outsider, leaving them with few points from the Jamato.

Instead, Sakurai Keiwa and Kurama Neon had pulled far ahead in points because of rescuing people.

With Kekkera, the top-ranked supporter, looking after him, Sakurai Keiwa could obtain very good Buckles at the start of nearly every round.

On top of that, he had been the first to complete the hidden rescue mission, giving him slightly more points than Kurama Neon. Thus, he naturally took first place.

Having become first because of rescuing people, Sakurai Keiwa felt a little embarrassed and gave the others an awkward smile.

Some people scoffed at Sakurai Keiwa's absurd luck, but Kurama Neon and Ukiyo Ace were rather friendly toward him.

That was simply Kurama Neon's personality, while Ukiyo Ace, that fox, had his eye on Sakurai Keiwa's good fortune. This good guy was easy to fool, and it would be easy to talk him out of any good Buckles.

Walking up to Tsumuri, Sakurai Keiwa took a deep breath before reaching into the box and drawing a card.

He hoped for the teammate he wanted, but when he saw the pattern on the card, he let out a sigh.

It bore the image of a bull.

Obviously, his partner for this round was Buffa!

For a moment, Sakurai Keiwa did not know how to describe his feelings. Although Buffa had repeatedly been instantly defeated by the Stellaron Hunters, he was actually still very strong compared to the rest of them.

It was just that this guy did not seem very easy to get along with!

And this was another game that required cooperation. He would rather have been paired with someone easier to talk to.

Next, Kurama Neon stepped forward to draw lots. The partner she drew was a fox.

She looked toward Ukiyo Ace, who gave her a mysterious smile.

After everyone else had finished drawing lots, Tsumuri announced the start of the mission. The next second, everyone was teleported to the mission site.

It was a seaside plaza, also a famous spot for couples to go on dates. The Playing Card Jamato would split apart dating couples and bring them back to their nest.

The Desire Grand Prix contestants were divided into pairs, with each group teleported to a different location.

After arriving at the location, a box containing a Buckle appeared in front of each of them, serving as the starting item for this round.

"Let's see what kind of Buckle it is."

Kurama Neon eagerly opened the box in front of her. Inside was a rather impressive-looking Buckle.

Beat Buckle.

Picking up the Beat Buckle, Kurama Neon turned to look at Ukiyo Ace beside her. He had opened his own box as well, but unfortunately... it was only a Water Buckle.

"Just a water gun?"

"It's fine. In a place like this, a water gun is still pretty useful."

Ukiyo Ace was briefly disappointed when he saw the Water Buckle, but he quickly regained his confidence.

Besides, in a place like this, a water gun could indeed be quite powerful. Ukiyo Ace looked toward the nearby shore. If he got over there...

It just wouldn't be very convenient to use.

But as long as he completed the hidden mission, he could obtain a better Buckle.

"Just as expected of a fox."

Even with only a water gun, he was still so confident. Kurama Neon acknowledged his strength.

Aside from Kurama Neon and Ukiyo Ace's team, everyone else received their starting Buckles as well. Other than Sakurai Keiwa, everyone's Buckles were fairly ordinary.

Although Sakurai Keiwa's Buckle this time was no longer the top-tier Boost Buckle, it was still the Magnum Buckle, which suited Geats perfectly.

Seeing the Buckle Sakurai Keiwa had obtained, Azuma Michinaga glanced at it but ultimately chose not to snatch it. Magnum was powerful, but it did not suit him.

It was more suitable for Geats.

What he needed was a power-type Buckle.

Although the starting Buckle in front of him was rather ordinary—just an Armed Shield—it was barely usable.

Still, he could not understand why this guy always got such good Buckles at the start of every round. Was he really the chosen one of fate?

"Get started already! Sakurai Keiwa, let me see how much you've grown."

Among the viewers watching the Desire Grand Prix, Kekera—the frog-like top supporter of Sakurai Keiwa—was eagerly anticipating what would happen next.

Compared to the other top supporters, Kekera's wealth was far more obvious. If not for the Game Master's restrictions, he could have bought better Buckles for the Rider he supported.

Of course, all of it was merely to satisfy the fun he sought, and for that, he was willing to pay any price.

So he was not exactly a good person.

"..."

"Hey! Where are you going?"

Sakurai Keiwa had just picked up his Buckle when he discovered that Azuma Michinaga had silently turned around and started walking away.

Sakurai Keiwa hurriedly called after him. This game required them to work in teams.

"Don't follow me. I don't need to team up with anyone."

Azuma Michinaga said coldly without looking back.

Even if the rules required cooperation, he did not care. After what had happened before, he had decided from the very beginning that he would never team up with anyone again.

"But..."

Sakurai Keiwa wanted to say more, but Azuma Michinaga had already charged toward a Playing Card Jamato that had appeared nearby, completely ignoring him.

"Ugh..."

Having a teammate like that was truly frustrating!

But when Sakurai Keiwa noticed a nearby couple still passionately kissing, completely unaware of the Playing Card Jamato that had appeared beside them, he tensed up as well.

The Jamato became enraged when it saw the intimate couple. It punched the man away, then grabbed the woman by the shoulders, hoisted her onto its back, and turned to leave.

The woman struggled and cried for help, but she could not break free from the Jamato's strength at all.

Seeing this, Sakurai Keiwa hesitated no longer. He rushed forward, strapped on his Desire Driver, and raised the Magnum Buckle.

"Transform!"

[Magnum!]

Sakurai Keiwa completed his transformation while running, then punched the Jamato and snatched the woman back.

"Get out of here. Find somewhere safe and hide." After rescuing the woman, Sakurai Keiwa hurriedly instructed her.