"Quiet! Quiet! Shut up, all of you, you noisy parasites!"
The light above the arena twisted, and Grandmaster's gigantic holographic projection, hundreds of meters tall, appeared over everyone's heads, wearing a satisfied smile.
"I am deeply grateful for the blood-pumping slaughter shows put on by all the contestants today! However, even the most thrilling spectacle needs an intermission!"
Grandmaster paused, a profiteer's grin appearing at the corner of his mouth.
"So, I declare that today's matches are over! Both sides will have an entire day to rest and recover."
"The fifth match will begin on time the day after tomorrow!"
The moment he said this, a fierce wave of protest erupted from the stands.
"What kind of joke is this?! I flew across eighteen star systems to get here, and you're telling me there won't be any more fights today?!"
"Keep going! I've got plenty of money to bet, so let them keep fighting!"
Grandmaster seemed to have expected this reaction. The smile on his face grew even brighter.
"Oh, and one more reminder." Ignoring the protests, Grandmaster continued, "The tickets currently in your hands will all become invalid once today's matches end. You'll need to buy new tickets to enter the arena for the matches the day after tomorrow."
"And, considering that the matches have far exceeded expectations in terms of excitement... ticket prices for the day after tomorrow will be raised by three hundred percent across the board!"
The stands instantly exploded into chaos, curses and angry shouts ringing out without end.
"You damn bloodsucker!"
"This is highway robbery! Three hundred percent?! Why don't you go rob the Kree Empire!"
"Go to hell! You blackhearted merchant! I'm never buying a ticket!"
Grandmaster picked at his ear and shrugged indifferently. "If you can't afford it, go home and watch