As the final match came to a close, the first day of the finals ended. At the host's enthusiastic prompting, the audience filed out in an orderly fashion.
The contestants who had secured Advancement also headed back to their rooms, each absorbed in their own thoughts.
Yong was walking and chatting with Kong, laughing along the way, when an unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out.
"You're Yong, right?"
They turned and exchanged a glance. Standing before them was the trainer who used Metagross! Yong frowned in confusion. Was his name Heross?
"Hello! Can I help you?"
Heross grinned and said softly,
"In this tournament, only you and Carmilla are any good! Don't get knocked out too early! You're my prey!"
Kong frowned and snapped,
"Prey? Do you even know how to talk to people?"
Heross gave a disdainful smile, not even bothering to acknowledge him. He kept his eyes fixed on Yong, then nodded.
"I'll be waiting for you in the final! I hope you'll let me enjoy myself to the fullest!"
Yong replied in a low voice,
"As you wish!"
"Excellent!"
Heross laughed arrogantly, then turned and entered his room.
Beside Yong, Kong said angrily,
"Yong! You don't have to pay him any attention! That guy's way too arrogant!"
"No!"
The boy shook his head, a flicker of excitement flashing in his eyes.
"This is fun! Isn't it?"
Patting Kong on the shoulder, Yong chuckled softly and returned to his room. Good. Finally, something to look forward to!
Kong stood in the corridor, looking between the two rooms in confusion before shaking his head helplessly.
"They're both battle maniacs!"
Yong lay on his bed, carefully reviewing the day's matches, considering his shortcomings and constantly drawing conclusions in his mind.
Most of the contestants had begun revealing their true strength. Heross