The last two survivors of the gruesome battle royale are facing each other for the first and last time.

No holding back, no restraint. With only one obstacle left between them and the unthinkable rich, there is no choice but to throw everything and anything they have at their opponent. The spectators shall chant the gladiators' names as they clash against each other, utilizing every weapon, skill and tactic in their arsenal to gain the slightest edge, all the while the stage around them go up in a blaze like an infernal battlefield. The duel of fate can only end when one of them falls, and only then will the victor be bestowed the most honorable title befitting their prowess:

"Champion"

At least, that's what most would expect the fight to be.

Until they remember that the main grand prize is a date for one, and a paid day off for the other.

_ Choruse: Well, this is awkward…

_ Melodyn: I know, right~? To narrate our own teammates' fight is like doing an interview about your family's domestic violence, isn't it~?

_ Hessenria & Fuelri: IT'S NOT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE!!!

Or the commentators who are seemingly averse to maintaining the mood.

_ Choruse: , how are you feeling after crushing everyone's hopes and dreams? Is that one day off worth a lifetime of staying single for you?

_ Hessenria: Looking forward to blasting [Dark Bolt] at you two in my day off. You had better prepare armor because you will certainly be on duty that day!

_ Melodyn: Not just domestic violence, but also abuse of authority! , you are our only hope! Become our HOLY knight on a WHITE HORSE and murder this evil witch of darkness, please~!

_ Fuelri: You are emphasizing those words on purpose aren't you?!

Except for the "knight" part, is anything but that description of a hero in children's fairy tales. Considering her choice of weapon and armor, even that is up for debate.

While she has not directly admitted it to outsiders, her usual equipment is in the same state as that of , waiting for upgrades in one of the many wardrobes inside 's base. As such, she is using a new armor design just for this occasion.

Rather than the usual heavy plate armor, she opted for a relatively lighter setup using a separate cuirass and short armor skirt, exposing her midriff with only a semi-transparent undershirt beneath the metal plates. Her arms and legs are no longer covered by the main armor in similar fashion, but instead protected by whatever materials the long gloves and stockings are made of, along with the arm and leg guards worn over them.

Her winged knight motif was not changed, however. If anything, the dark purple runic wings were enhanced by the excessive addition of wing-themed decorations over the metallic pieces. While they may not be able to manufacture indestructible apparel of doom like a certain sprouty girl, the managers from will not lose when it comes to designing gorgeous garments!

Especially if the wearer is a beautiful girl with big boobs!

Regardless of reasons she is fine without knowing, the elven knight got herself a really well-made armor set with top-notch designs.

Does that make her a knight? As far as the game cares, yes, for having armor with good defense.

Does she remotely look like a heroic knight fighting for justice? The very reason why such knights have to come into action, more like. And riding a dark beast which literally came from the in-game equivalent of hell is not helping.

_ Choruse: But it is the truth. is the only one left standing between and total world domination. Desperate times call for desperate measures, so we cannot be picky.

_ Melodyn: While we are at it, how confident are you at getting pummeled and dying horribly at the mistress's hands?

_ Fuelri: Are you maniacs even rooting for me at all?!

Judging by the 4-to-1 ratios in favor of the scary waitress, they are most likely not, at least when it comes to betting.

Veterancy aside, the players have noticed how the cavalry elf barely got through her latest matches by throwing nasty surprises at her enemies, whereas the mistress of the tavern seemingly outclassed hers. When a trickster goes against a close (?) acquaintance, it is safe to say that the acquaintance in question is familiar with whatever tricks about to be in play, which is not good for the trickster.

Little did they know, aside from the joint shopping for the tournament-friendly equipment these two are using right now, both conducted their trainings in private, and therefore had no idea about each other's new tactics brought into this tournament.

Being blissfully unaware of that fact, the investors are not going to bet their life savings on a volatile venture, not when the other option is better-known, superior in all known statistics, and most importantly, just as well-endowed!

Yes, the last part is essential to their business strategy. Don't ask what kind of Sateri-chan-forsaken business they are doing to require that information though.

_ Fuelri: And you, ! I had been keeping an eye on you long before my last attack. There is nothing I don't know about you. And today, I will show everyone that we are equals and finally dethrone you!

Pointing the tip of her halberd at the waitress, declares her rivalry with a smug face. Never once has she been treated as a player on the same footings as . Just standing here in the finals has changed that image a lot by itself, so it's understandable to go a bit overboard on the war declaration, except that…

_ Spectators: …

_ Hessenria: …

_ Choruse & Melodyn: …

Everyone is giving her blank looks rather than cheers, boos, or any kind of reaction, really.

_ Fuelri: W-what's with the silence…?

_ Choruse: …That's a love confession.

_ Melodyn: Right~?

_ Fuelri: What. The. HEEEEEEECK!!!

When one is a bit too… passionate about their nemesis, people without context might mistake the obsession for that. Even with context, leave it to the degenerates to take the worst possible interpretation for granted.

And there are a lot of degenerates watching this live.

_ Hessenria: You had to realize how stalkerish that sounded at the very least?

The nemesis is pouring more oil into the dumpster fire purely out of reflex. Her own occupational habit after extended exposure to maniacs asking to be stepped on, it looks like.

_ Fuelri: WHO THE HECK ARE YOU CALLING A STALKER?!

Regardless of the outcome, has taken permanent reputation damage!

_ Melodyn: Okay, this is not safe for children to watch so we are moving on to the next person~! Our biggest sponsor, contractor, advertiser, the reason why we have this tournament, and also the strongest player in this game. Please come to the stage, guildmaster~!

*Pomf*

_ Shadyna: Yes~? Did you call for me?

, Illusive Sprout, Black Mantis, bane of the market, destroyer of balance, has made her appearance.

By poking out of the trap door, smiling brightly like a sun as she usually does.

…What the heck, this is cute!

Such is the general reaction of the players witnessing the sudden entry. The scene has striking resemblance to cute animals doing cute things, like puppies chasing their tails, kitties in glasses, little girls of mass destruction sticking their heads out. Wait…

_ Choruse: O great supreme leader, who do you think will become your champion and have your hand in marriage? Actually, scratch that last part, we already know the answer to that.

Interviews in analyses are supposed to be an expert answering questions regarding the upcoming event. Somehow, some way, this one is going to end up with more questions than it started with.

_ Shadyna: Ehehe~ If I have to say… has no chance in a traditional match?

With just one statement, the odds have become 9-to-1.

It should be said that this blob of cuteness is not the best person to ask about the meta. To anyone who is remotely familiar with her, it's even counterproductive because this person's common knowledge is shaky at best! Still, there is no doubt that she is the strongest player in CSF currently, so her words have some weight… maybe.

_ Fuelri: You just have to rub it in don't you!!!

_ Shadyna: Ow!

As the hot-tempered elf girl proceeds to bonk the brat who cannot hold back her foul mouth even if her life depends on it, is snickering from afar, satisfied with the judgement.

_ Shadyna: Sorry~ Still, you two are not fighting the usual way so… I think you still have a chance at it?

_ Fuelri & Hessenria: Eh?

_ Shadyna: Please do your best, both of you! I'm going now!

Because elaborating is overrated, the little half-elf drops back into the hole she came out of, leaving the whole arena speechless.

_ Shadyna (PM): Ah, I bet all of my money on you by the way. No pressure, un.

_ Fuelri (PM): ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR DAMN MIND?!

_ Shadyna (PM): Would not be if you win~!

Even if believes she has a chance, she does not think that chance warrants such an all-in bet!

_ Fuelri: That idiot… A-anyway, let's have a good… match?

While the elven knight is trying her best not to lose it outwardly, the lead waitress also receives "encouragement" from her friend.

_ Vulkerzelianna Merashiel (PM): Hessy~ You might want to know that Su, Linny and have all placed their bet on Elri. No hard feelings, 'kay~?

At that moment, the temperature instantly drops a few degrees, catching everyone by surprise, included. Even the few brave souls who dared switching their bets to the elf girl after 's second statement quietly switched back without complaints.

After all, a picture of a beautiful yet angry lady is worth a thousand words, and then some.

There is no cursing, no berating, no complaining. Only deadly silence from , who brandishes her swords after a short pause.

Unlike her opponent, she did not have a complete design overhaul done. The new waitress outfit looks more or less the same as the old one with additional leather guards protecting joints, making it look more combat-ready but still keeping the atmosphere of her profession.

That is, until her runes begin flaring up. Black lines run along her blades, forming into runic words that probably have no use except for looking cool. Her right eye starts emitting the usual dark glow which still freaks people out when they see it for some reason. Maybe it has something to do with the brutal violence that followed more often than not?

The biggest change, however, is her left hand. Everyone is familiar with her eye and swords, but this is the first time they see that hand burning in a pitch black flame. The waitress was already burning them with words, now she can burn them with literal hell fire as well!

With both players finally showing their runes after hiding them for the whole tournament, they are much more evenly matched appearance-wise. The elf may be a heavily-armored knight, but the service worker is certainly a heavily-armed battlemage, in more ways than one!

To be fair, paid good money for both sets, so those degenera… crafters had better do their job properly, lest them suffer a horrible fate for a merchant.

Which is a lot of bad reviews, to be specific.

_ Fuelri: Tsk. Don't think you can scare me off by equipping some runes!

Fashion aside, the cold glare from the harsh mistress is downright terrifying at the moment. In fact, is feeling chills running down her spine. This is not to say that she may or may not have stalked a certain someone for so long that she knows something was off on a subconscious level, but she does indeed know that something was off on a subconscious level, like being way angrier than expected, for example.

Then again, anyone would be pissed after being considered a loser before the match even started, especially by your original party who should know your capabilities better than anyone else of all people!

And that's not mentioning that maniac of a messenger delivering the news. It would have cost her nothing to keep silent, and the fact that she did not mention her own betting position is already a dead giveaway due to their close relationship. That crazy woman definitely bet on the elf like the rest of them!

Being the perfect service worker that she is, calmly ignores the gossips and focuses on what she does best:

Murder.

_ Hessenria: Die.

And no, it was never going to be [Cooking] or serving drinks in the first place.

_ Fuelri: WHY?! I mean, that's what the match is all about, but…

_ Hessenria: And the rest right after!

_ Fuelri: WHO?!

_ Melodyn: Uh oh~ Please do your best, !

_ Choruse: Ready! FIGHT!

Even though does not know about the 9:1 odds, her own estimation came pretty close upon seeing the spectators cheering for her demise, and more importantly, a deranged waitress charging in without any kind of sense or reason left (in her view at least).

The poor elf is already regretting her life decisions at this point.

And it's only the beginning.

____________

A little while ago…

_ Thelia: Well, who to choose…

_ Helen: *Gasps* Even though you already have me?!

_ Thelia: I don't want to hear that from YOU!!!

Some weird discussion in party chat is going on as 's guildmaster ascends to stardom. Personally speaking, is sighing in relief. Had she and her team stayed in their former guild, everyone would certainly be dancing down there. Not to brag but when it comes to appeal, the delivery team won't be second to any, be it or .

_ Shadyna: Please don't fight because of me~! I love everyone equally!

_ Thelia: You are NOT helping, guildmaster!

_ Merashiel: And then, one by one, the love rivals begin to suffer myste~rious accidents. As the lights in their eyes…

_ Thelia: Unlike you, I'm not an omnicidal maniac! When the heck did you join the party anyway?!

Service work is one thing, having to deal with worshippers and all that comes with being an idol are a different question altogether. Her mental health is already deteriorating by simply being in this guild, thank you very much!

_ Sulien: I am here as well~!

_ Linista: So am I.

_ Falyn: Don't forget about me!

_ Thelia: Where did you all come from?!?!

aside, all of the remaining managers have joined 's party without warning. Merashiel is acting as the representative for the tavern team, it looks like. That, or she is here simply for the heck of it.

_ Shadyna: Un, I invited them. They wanted to know who I am going to bet on. I will bet this match by myself, is that okay?

_ Thelia: Sure, it's your money…

The humble 500 gold coins have inflated into a whopping gold chest ten times the original value. And that's not counting the brazen flirting couple's own betting money which went through similar transformation.

This gambling party has enough money to burn.

_ Falyn: So, who will be the lucky girl to catch guildmaster's eye… literally?

_ Shadyna: Literally?!

_ Linista: Even if you say "lucky", doesn't Hessy have a massive advantage? And I'm not talking about her chest. Theirs are roughly equal.

_ Sulien: You are already talking about her chest, you boobs-obsessed maniac.

_ Helen: Now now~ Let's hear 's opinions first, shall we? There is more than enough time for us to measure their bust sizes after the match~

The delivery girl, being the only sane person in the group, wants to go home already. There is no way she can last long against this many maniacs at the same time!

…

_ Shadyna: *Nom nom* I choose Elri. She has a higher chance of winning.

There was no hesitation in the little guildmaster's voice. If anything, she is talking as if it was a dead simple thing, like choosing to eat a cute girl's handmade cooking over the self-inflicted charcoal bag made the night before.

To have that kind of confidence, she either knows something others do not, or she is extremely stupid.

Regardless of what everyone thinks of the guildmaster, none of them is willing to assume one possibility over the other. They know better than that.

Their opinions on which one being more likely to be the case might differ though.

_ Helen: Ehm, guildmaster, does that mean she has a higher chance than the current odds?

Being the voice of reason as long as beautiful ladies are not involved (in 's view), has to ask for further explanation. It would not be THAT strange to think has more than 20% chance to win, and bet based on that judgement.

_ Shadyna: …Yes, but I'm not talking about that? I'm saying Elri is more likely to win against Hessy. I would say… 70%?

_ Everyone: …Eh?!

With that probability, that's no longer luck or chance, but a significant advantage over the enemy. Needless to say, everyone was a bit dumbstruck as such a big game-changer is usually hard to go unnoticed.

_ Shadyna: I mean, Elri was always looking for a way to defeat Hessy. However, I doubt Hessy paid much attention back. That's big in Elri's favor, is it not?

_ Sulien: …Ah! Know yourself and your enemy!

_ Shadyna: Un, un! That's the one!

Once again, the little sprouty girl shows herself to be well-versed in random knowledge, as usual.

_ Linista: It has indeed been proven time and time again, but…

_ Shadyna: Hmm~?

_ Merashiel: That saying is for murdering a lo~t of people, not just one~

_ Falyn: You can just say "warfare" normally, you know…

_ Shadyna: …Eh? Seriously?

_ Thelia: You didn't know that?!

In other words, knowledge application should be done correctly. Not that they had much of an expectation for someone who pioneered weaponization of furniture and transportation to begin with.

_ Shadyna: But but! It should still count… probably!

_ Merashiel: In that case, should we make another bet~?

_ Shadyna: A bet?

_ Merashiel: Yes~ We are going to bet e~verything we earned today on Elri. You see, this money is supposed to fund our next equipment upgrade. If we so~mehow lose it, you will have to work re~ally hard to grind materials and craft all of the new gear for us, okay~?

_ Shadyna: Child labor is illegal! And what if we win, by the way?

_ Merashiel: You only have to craft the new gear, congratulations~

_ Shadyna: Is that so~ Not! Why do I have to work my cute butt off either way!?

_ Merashiel: Because that's part of the responsibility when leading a guild full of beauties, like me~

_ Shadyna: It is?!

It is not.

…

After the idols' debut concluded, had to leave the party to join and , leaving the whole council of madness to their own devices. Something about a short interview before the match, it sounded like.

_ Thelia: We are really betting on now, aren't we…?

_ Linista: We have to. It will be a loss for if we do nothing anyway. There's not enough money to buy the same materials for the current upgrade, let alone the next one.

_ Thelia: Wait, we are having money problem?! I thought you were making a killing today!

_ Linista: , if you would?

_ Helen: Roger~ To put it simply, we are like a newlywed middle class household. There is enough income to buy whatever we need, but nowhere close to afford a jet plane.

_ Thelia: So guildmaster's gear are jet planes huh… And what does "newlywed" have to do with anything you just said?!

_ Helen: Don't mind it~ For comparison, have these big gear upgrades for core members when there is a big change in the meta as well, and the last session I handled for them had lower expense.

is a (self-proclaimed) simple delivery girl. She is not the best when it comes to accounting, always leaving it to , but even she is beginning to understand how much of a spending they are talking about here.

_ Thelia: So our crafting session burned more money than those boobs maniacs making gear for their crew…

_ Helen: No~t really? Your equipment set alone costs more than that.

_ Thelia: What is she, some kind of material black hole!?

Already qualified for being one thanks to inventory weight, although does not (refuses to) know that yet.

_ Sulien: Let us go all-out then! Everyone, ask your party if they want to bet as well! Make sure not to leak information to anyone outside!

_ Falyn: On it. Spread some good words for Hessy while we are at it. The more they bet on her, the better our gains will be. Not much time left so we need to be fast.

_ Linista: I will get our guild treasury.

_ Merashiel: Ufufu~ Then I will make it look like Hessy will win as well~

Surely she would not say something weird, piss the lead waitress off and cause troubles for them later down the line.

_ Thelia: Uh, girls…? Let's not overdo it…?

The last desperate plead of common sense was promptly ignored.

Completely unbeknownst to the person herself, the whole crew were tirelessly working behind the scene to make sure the game-breaking girl can do game-breaking things without being burdened. Overpowered items are at stake here, so they will stop at nothing to achieve their goal.

Even if they have to betray their old friend and wreck the economy, again!